SO HOW CAN WE KNOW AND SEE AND RECOGNIZE REAL SALVATION REPENTANCE?

“Oh Hypocrisy, the Leprosy of the Soul.”

Luke 3, and Selected Verses

May 19^th 2013

REAL RIGHT RIGHTEOSUNESS THAT SAVED!

IA Introduction:

2A WHAT THE CROWD LEARNED WHEN THEY CAME OUT TO HEAR JOHN PREACH

1B They were sinners and needed to repent and get ready for the coming of the Messiah.

2B Luke 3:4 “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness:

1C Not the voice of the Holy Spirit but of John. Matthew 2:3; Mark 1:3

3B Luke 3:4b “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God:

1C John preached the “way” that would make the prepare the way to meet the Messiah, by repenting of theirs sins, amending their ways, and cordially embdracing him when he comes.

2A PROOFS OF THE TRUE BIBICAL REALITY OF REPENTANCE UNTO SALVATION:

1B DEALS WITH PERSONAL SIN

1C Luke 3:4 cf. Isaiah 40:3-8

2C Luke 3:4a “

2B KNOWS ABOUT THE DIVINE WRATH OF GOD.

1C Luke 3:7 “ “O generation of vipers: who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come. Luke 3:9

1D If they did not see just how depth of their sin was, they would not see the wrath that was to come.
2D Malachi 4:1; Malachi 3:3-5; 4:5

3D Isaiah 2:10-12; Zephaniah 1:14-18

3B THEY REJECT ALL RELIGIOUS RITUALS

1C Luke 3:8a “Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance”

Bring forth therefore fruits

1. That is, if you are truly penitent, if you have a proper sense of sin, and true repentance for it, do such works as are suitable to it, and will show the genuineness of it; for

fruits meet for repentance

1. Are the same as "works meet for repentance", ( Acts 26:20 ) and as a tree is known by its fruit, so repentance is known by good works; these are the fruits and effects of repentance, and which are proofs with men of the sincerity of it. Those which follow upon evangelical repentance are such as are mentioned in ( 2 Corinthians 7:11 ) . Now let it be observed, that John insisted upon repentance, and a good conversation, attesting the truth of it as necessary prerequisites to the ordinance of baptism; and so Peter first urged repentance; and then proposed baptism, ( Acts 2:38 ) from whence one should think it may be rationally and strongly concluded, that none but truly repenting sinners, and such who have given proofs that they are so, are to be admitted to this ordinance.

1D Jews believed they could make themselves right with God through a number of rituals.

2D Judaism as I understand believe that Adam's sin affected only Adam. And Adam sinfulness has nothing to do with anyone else. Therefore they believe they can make themselves right before God because no fallenness has passed on them.

3D So people who have this belief believe that if they do certain ceremonially things that they can make themselves right with God.

4D Jesus tells the crowd all your religious acts are all in vain. Your prayers, your self righteous pride, your sacrifices, your Sunday observances, your oaths, your vows, your ritualistically hanging on to just will not work toward getting you saved.

4B THEY RENOUCE ALL FAMILY HISTORY AS MEANS OF SALVATION.

Luke 3:8b and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

1B John 8:37-38, Ezekiel 18:21-22; Luke 13

2B John says, vs. 8 You should not even begin to say “We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

1C “God just sort of cut you out of a rock to begin with and God can make more of y ou if He chooses out of the rocks lying around on the ground. That's nothing special.” John Mac.

In this text there is a requirement that we all must meet to be saved, the gospel is spoken to all people alike. Just as the rain which falls both on the wheat and the weeds in the field, unto the good and the bad, so they both might flourish until harvest time.

that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

1. To "raise up children" is an Hebrew way of speaking, and the same with (Mv) or (erz Myqhl) to "raise up seed", or a "name" to another, ( Genesis 38:8 ) ( Deuteronomy 25:7 ) ( Ruth 4:10 ) and signifies to beget children for another, who are to be called by his name.

• So that God stood in no need of these persons, nor had they any reason to boast of their natural descent from Abraham; since this in spiritual matters, and in things relating to the Gospel dispensation, would stand them in no stead, or be of any advantage to them.