You brood of vipers! John the Baptist’s call to repentance was forceful with no holds barred. And the people responded to his call in droves. In contrast, we often preach a much gentler gospel and wonder why there is so little change in people’s lives. Is there something to be learned from John’s approach?
For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” – Romans 10:13-15 NIV All who call on the name of the Lord (proclaiming him as Lord and believing God raised him from the dead) will …
I must confess that I am not comfortable interacting with some segments of our society. Lord, give to me a heart that would love like you do, and eyes that would be blind to the outward appearance but open to seeing people the way that you do.
John dressed coarsely and preached in the wilderness, and the people flocked to him in repentance. It’s not how we proclaim that matters, it’s what we proclaim.
A star in the east led wise men to Jesus. The same one who was responsible for that star shines a light in our hearts. WIll we follow it to Jesus and life?
Follow the example of John and consume the Word, making it a part of your life. It will be sweet at times and bitter at other times. But always it is good.
But fear did not stop the formerly blind man, nor did a lack of knowledge. He freely confessed what he didn’t know, and stuck to what he did, to what had happened to him; “I once was blind, but now I see.”
I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. – Acts 20:21 NIV While I know that this was not all that Paul taught, it was at the center of his proclamation. Theology is good and helpful for growing in our knowledge of God, and Paul gave us a lot of theology. Apologetics is also good, helping us to give answer to those who ask why we believe (1 Peter 3:15-16). But evangelism, proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ, is essential for reaching the lost …
But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” – Acts 18:6 NIV This passage is reminiscent of Ezekiel as a watchman (Ezek. 3:16-21), where God calls Ezekiel to warn the people of God’s judgement on their sin. If he warns them, then they are responsible for their response. If he does not warn them, then he bears responsibility for their blood. In this passage Paul has been testifying …
The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. – Acts 10:45 NIV Peter had been invited to the home of Cornelius, a Roman Centurion, a despised Gentile. And God instructed him to accept the invitation. Then, when Peter shared the gospel with Cornelius’ household, the Holy Spirit was poured out on them; they were saved. The response of those with Peter is priceless; the Holy Spirit has come ‘even on Gentiles’. Amazing! Are there Gentiles in your life? People you would not expect God …