Luke 3: 7 - 17  

December 15, 2024

Pastor Brian McGuffin

Introduction

What kind of people are "preppers"? Do you know any people like that?

            (In case you need to remember the sermon, Pastor Brian defined a prepper as someone     who is getting ready for the end of the world, or at least civilization as we know it.)

Are you a person who likes to plan ahead? What kinds of things do you tend to do so you know everything is well thought out/prepared for?

If you tend to be a person who just takes things as they come with not very much preparation, does that work out well?  Can you give some examples? Can you think of a time when you should have prepared better?

Scripture

Read the verses carefully and then make a list of the main points of these verses.

Luke 3: 7 - 17  ESV

7 He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 9 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

10 And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” 11 And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”

15 As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, 16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Discussion Questions

The people in these verses are about to meet Jesus at his first coming to earth. Today we are waiting for Jesus' second coming. These questions will help you to prepare for that.

1. Some people think there are religious rituals that need to be followed. Can you think of some examples?

2. The Bible tells us what a Christian is and how we can become one. Rituals are not part of God's plan. What are some verses you could use to explain what a Christian is and how you become one?

            Verses about our sinfulness; verses about what Jesus did for us; verses about what we need to believe/do; verses about God's willingness to forgive; verses about the Holy Spirit coming to live in us.

            If you have trouble thinking of these kinds of verses, go to biblegateway.com and write in what you are looking for and that website will help you.

3. a) When we become Christians, God sends the Holy Spirit to live within each one of us to prepare us for living with Him someday. What do the following verses tell us?

            John 14: 26; Romans 8: 14; Ephesians 1: 13 - 14

    b) Since you became a Christian, in what ways have you been changed by the Holy Spirit?

    c) Are there any things that you realize you need to change?

    At the end of the questions you will find an article from gotquestions.org about how the Holy Spirit helps us. It's an excellent article, and it would be good for you to look up all the Bible verses that are given. You will be reassured that God is at work in your life.

4. a) To what extent do you think about Jesus' second coming? Are you excited or fearful?  Why?

    b) How can we prepare for the coming of Jesus? What practical or simple actions can we take in this preparation?

    c) In the verses in Luke 3, what are the three things John mentions that we need to do?

    d) What is LSA planning to do at the Christmas Eve service that does one of John's instructions? (Pray about what God might be telling you to do that evening.)

5. After thinking about Luke 3: 7 - 17 and answering the questions, what is one thing you can do this week in preparation for the second coming of Jesus, the King?

How can I Recognize the Guidance of the Holy Spirit?

(gotquestions.org)

Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He told His disciples that He would send one who would teach and guide all those who believe in Him (Acts 1:5; John 14:26; 16:7). Jesus’ promise was fulfilled less than two weeks later when the Holy Spirit came in power on the believers at Pentecost (Acts 2). Now, when a person believes in Christ, the Holy Spirit immediately becomes a permanent part of his life (Romans 8:14; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13–14).

The Holy Spirit has many functions. Not only does He distribute spiritual gifts according to His will (1 Corinthians 12:7–11), but He also comforts us (John 14:16, KJV), teaches us (John 14:26), and remains in us as a seal of promise upon our hearts until the day of Jesus’ return (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30). The Holy Spirit also takes on the role of Guide and Counselor, leading us in the way we should go and revealing God’s truth (Luke 12:12; 1 Corinthians 2:6–10).
 
But how do we recognize the Spirit’s guidance? How do we discern between our own thoughts and His leading? After all, the Holy Spirit does not speak with audible words. Rather, He guides us through our own consciences (Romans 9:1) and other quiet, subtle ways.
 
One of the most important ways to recognize the Holy Spirit’s guidance is to be familiar with God’s Word. The Bible is the ultimate source of wisdom about how we should live (2 Timothy 3:16), and believers are to search the Scriptures, meditate on them, and commit them to memory (Joshua 1:8). The Word is the “sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17), and the Spirit will use it to speak to us (John 16:12–14) to reveal God’s will for our lives; He will also bring specific Scriptures to mind at times when we need them most (John 14:26).
 
Knowledge of God’s Word can help us to discern whether or not our desires come from the Holy Spirit. We must test our inclinations against Scripture—the Holy Spirit will never prod us to do anything contrary to God’s Word. If it conflicts with the Bible, then it is not from the Holy Spirit and should be ignored.
 
It is also necessary for us to be in continual prayer with the Father (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Not only does this keep our hearts and minds open to the Holy Spirit’s leading, but it also allows the Spirit to speak on our behalf: “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” (Romans 8:26–27).
 
Another way to tell if we are following the Spirit’s leading is to look for signs of His fruit in our lives (Galatians 5:22–23). If we walk in the Spirit, we will continue to see these qualities grow and mature in us, and they will become evident to others as well.
 
It is important to note that we have the choice whether or not to accept the Holy Spirit’s guidance. When we know the will of God but do not follow it, we are resisting the Spirit’s work in our lives (Acts 7:51; 1 Thessalonians 5:19), and a desire to follow our own way grieves Him (Ephesians 4:30). The Spirit will never lead us into sin. Habitual sin will cause us to miss what the Holy Spirit wants to say to us through the Word. Being in tune with God’s will, turning from and confessing sin, and making a habit of prayer and the study of God’s Word will allow us to recognize—and follow—the Spirit’s leading.