Home Group Study

Sermon Date: 7 February 2020

Text: Luke 3:10-22 

Opening Discussion: Regrets: we all have a few. But there's a special kind of regret that you feel pretty much as soon as you do a thing, where you immediately realize that you've done something you immediately wish you hadn't. Like the time you asked a friend if she was expecting, only to find out that she wasn’t, but had only put on a few kilograms. What is your experience? Share your story of instant regret.

Summary:

There is such a thing as true and false repentance. False repentance is grounded in selfishness, rather than the honor of God, because it has nothing to do with the honor of God, and only has to do with the regret that a person has because of the consequence of sin. When we sin against God, saying sorry is not good enough. This was the message John the Baptist was preaching. This message of repentance.

John’s message is summed up as “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Luke 3:3). Repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ are at the heart of the gospel. A person who does not see and feel them self to be a sinner, has no reason to need a Savior. John insists in Luke 3: 11-14, that if a person is truly repentant then there will be fruit of repentance which would be seen in unselfish acts of love toward others.

John goes on to say that there can be no true repentance, without faith in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. John declares that the coming One, the Messiah, the Christ is in fact God, and he will grant eternal life to those who repent of their sins (baptism of the Holy Spirit) or he will baptize with fire (eternal judgment) those who reject him as the Messiah of God. Some would be wheat gathered into His barn, but others would be chaff which He would burn up with unquenchable fire (3:17).

If it is true that God’s awful judgment is ahead, then even though it may not be pleasant to think about, it is eternally good news to tell people that God has provided the way of escape. We have not told them the gospel if we dodge the warning of God’s coming judgment.

Investigation & Interpretation:

• Read: Luke 3:10-22

1. What practical examples of repentance did John use to help people who asked for direction? v.11-14
2. What was John’s response to those who thought he might be the Messiah? v.16
3. What connection is there between repentance and forgiveness? Luke 24:46-47
4. What is different and unique about Jesus’ baptism? v.21-22
5. What was Jesus doing when the Holy Spirit descended on Him? v.22

Application

How must I change?

• Is there a Truth to be believed?

Besides believing in Jesus and being baptized what is the greater sign that shows true repentance and that someone is a true Christian? (read John 13:35; 1 John 4:20)

• Is there an Attitude to be fostered?

When we sin against God, saying sorry is not good enough. “I’m sorry” was never meant to be used to neutralize and remove real sin. “I’m sorry” is better suited for non-sin events like when we run out the door and close it in front of our spouse or children, while not realizing they are behind us. A mistake is not necessarily sinful. What would be a better response when reconciling with God and others we have sinned against?

• Is there a Behavior to be changed?

Being faithful to the gospel is not going to win anybody popularity contests! We learn this truth from scripture as well as from experience. Why is it easier to water down the gospel than preach/ proclaim the message of repentance?  

Conclusion

There are three possible responses to a straightforward message like John’s: Some will be offended and walk away without any repentance. They will face God’s coming wrath. Others will be superficially repentant. They will put on the cosmetics of outward change, but they won’t honestly face the corruption of their hearts. They, too, will face God’s coming wrath, probably with great surprise. The third response is to be truly repentant, to realize the sinfulness of your heart, to turn to God and appeal to Him for a new heart and a clean conscience through the blood of Christ. These will go on to grow the fruits of repentance.

John MacArthur said – “False repentance is grounded in selfishness, rather than the honor of God. Because it has nothing to do with the honor of God, and only has to do with the regret that a person has because of the consequence of sin. It's not built on the fear of hell, or the fear of dishonoring God. False repentance also leaves the feelings unchanged. The love of sin is not subdued and the passion for holiness is not initiated.”

This was the message John the Baptist was preaching. This message of genuine repentance, but sadly, not everyone is going to repent when they hear the gospel. Herod did not respond with repentance, but rather added to his many sins by locking John up in prison and later executing him. But in spite of the consequences, John didn’t soften the message, because he knew that neither Herod nor anyone else would come to Christ unless he was first convicted of his sin. Pointing people to Christ requires confronting their sin, warning of the reality of the coming judgment, and exalting His supremacy over all. Until a person comes under the conviction of the Holy Spirit so that he sees that he is justly guilty before God, he will not appreciate God’s grace that was shown to us in the cross of Christ. Being forgiven little, will always result in loving Christ little.