Call to a Life Change
Opening Prayer
Think over the last few days. Is there anything you wish you had done differently? Ask God for forgiveness.
Read Matthew 3:1-12
[1] In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea [2] and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” [3] This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'” [4] John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. [5] People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. [6] Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. [7] But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? [8] Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. [9] And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. [10] The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. [11] “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. [12] His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What is John the Baptist's message?John the Baptist was probably brought up in the hill country and desert of Judea. Here, as an adult, he lives a simple existence (4). He has been called by God to preach to the Jews a message of repentance and preparation for the coming of the Messiah (2). John’s message is a forceful call for a new order (10) and appeals to many people who flock to hear him and to be baptized in the River Jordan (6). John expects those who are baptized to change, to show evidence of a new way of life (8). However, he regards himself as merely an ambassador for the coming Messiah, a figure who will sift the good from the bad (12) and who will baptize people with the Holy Spirit and fire (11). Repentance should always be at the heart of our lives with God, whether as individuals or as a church congregation. Repentance means changing, living our lives differently. Not necessarily in a negative way (that is, by stopping doing this or that), but positively (by doing things that will please God).
Apply
What are some ways you could repent positively? In other words, what are some good works you could begin to do?
Closing prayer
Lord, I pray that Your new order will show up in my life. Teach me to live not for myself but for You.
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