Luke: The Nature Of True Repentance

1 rich Libsyn https://www.libsyn.com 90 600 Luke: The Nature Of True Repentance Scripture Reading: Luke 3:1-14 John the baptizer came heralding the Messiah and he prepared the hearts of the people of Israel by calling them to repentance.&nbsp; They demonstrated their repentance by being baptized in the Jordan River.&nbsp; The announcement of the coming Messiah took place, not in the temple, nor even in Jerusalem, but it was delivered by a "voice, crying in the wilderness."&nbsp; John was an echo of Elijah, with plain clothes and eating locusts and wild honey.&nbsp; Nevertheless, he was very popular.&nbsp; Matthew says that "all Judea" went out to hear John (Mt 3:5). When the Pharisees and Sadducees showed up, John was not exactly welcoming to them.&nbsp; "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?&nbsp; Bear fruits in keeping with repentance" (Lk 3:7,8; cf. Mt 3:7,8).&nbsp; John then outlines for people what true repentance looks like in everyday living (Lk 3:10-14). What this passage teaches us about the nature of repentance is this.&nbsp; Genuine repentance results in a changed life.&nbsp; This is what John meant when he referred to the "fruit of repentance."&nbsp; The man whose life is characterized by selfish and stubborn disobedience to God's truth will bear God's wrath in the day of judgment.&nbsp; His life will give ample evidence that he has not truly repented of his sins.&nbsp; He continues to pursue them. Repentance is not simply a hand raised in a church service ... an aisle walked ... words spoken in a prayer.&nbsp; By God's grace it is a genuine and actual turning from sin, the evidence of which is a changed life and a seeking after eternal things.&nbsp; No one is saved on the basis of such seeking ... and no one does this perfectly ... but no one is saved without such seeking.&nbsp; Bethel Baptist Church https://bethelbaptistscs.org/ <iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/42969273/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/88AA3C/" height="90" width="600" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe> https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/content/206476493