Genuine Repentance: Luke 3:7-14
1. A False Picture of Repentance
-A sarcastic rebuke
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? Luke 3:7 (ESV)
-A charge to bear fruit
8 Bear fruits in keeping with repentance . . . Luke 3:8 (ESV)
19 . . .I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. Acts 26:19-20 (ESV)
-A warning about relying on heritage
8 . . .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. Luke 3:8 (ESV)
7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:7, 29 (ESV)
-A reminder of imminent judgment
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. Luke 3:9 (ESV)
48 ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ Mark 9:48 (ESV)
2. A True Picture of Repentance
-The fruit of repentance for the crowd
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.” Luke 3:10-11 (ESV)
13 Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. Matthew 9:13 (ESV)
-The fruit of repentance for tax collectors
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.” Luke 3:12-13 (ESV)
8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” Luke 19:8 (ESV)
-The fruit of repentance for soldiers
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.” Luke 3:14 (ESV)