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Click here to listen to the sermon. 15mins
Zeph.3:14-20, Luke 3:7-18
Dale Carnegie “How to win friends and influence people: -NOT John the Baptist!
“You snakes…”, “how escape God’s punishment?” “Thrown into the fire…” No wonder, “What are we to do?”
John last of OT prophets – judgement of God. Jesus said, “This too is God’s wisdom” (Luke7:35)
Take repentance seriously – meant to be better than Pharisees.
Today? * Share generously – give, give, give (even small).
· Be strictly honest – employer’s property
· - no perk jobs
- pay all taxes
· Don’t whinge about wages/benefits
These alone will show difference. God wants it.
(Young Christian kept getting parking tickets when friends did not – God wanted her in line!)
Jesus said we will be judged on what we do. (Matt.25 and Luke 7:21).
But also the work God first requires is to believe (John6:28-29)
Today’s gospel.
But what does Zephaniah say? Totally different tone. OT prophets judgement and restoration.
Rejoice – come on and celebrate!
The Lord has ended your punishment
The Lord will take delight in you
The Lord has taken away your disgrace
The Lord will turn your shame to honour
Note both past and future tenses – God is outside time.
“The time is coming…” Persecuted church, 2nd class citizens, ridicule here – the Great Reversal is coming. All who are being shamed will be honoured and praised. That’s us!
C.S.Lewis “If we could see each other as really are in God’s
sight, would be tempted to worship. Glorious creatures!!
What makes change from judgement to joy??
Jesus Christ and the cross.
John “One coming much greater than I”
“baptise with Holy Spirit and fire”
“will separate the wheat from chaff to be burnt
YES, but in between “the year of the Lord’s favour” (Isaiah 61:1-4). Anointing of the Spirit of love. Tender mercy of our God, love of the Lord Jesus, gift of the Holy Spirit and the precious blood of Christ.
OT prophets glimpsed it, knew it wasn’t all doom – outbreaks of joy, but mystery of how it will happen hidden until Jesus came. Fullness of prophecy when Jesus comes again.
Me after something going wrong, in bed, words of judgement loudly in head (I’ll never be forgiven etc) but if let go, a little song of grace in mind. Comfort. That’s the cross. Judgement taken away. By the cross “the time is coming” when all be put right.
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