Luke 3:1-6

Luke 3:1-6

1. Let us notice the wickedness of the times when Christ's Gospel was brought into the world.
2. Let us notice the account which Luke gives of the calling of John the Baptist into the ministry.
3. Let us notice the close connection between true repentance and forgiveness.

"Let us learn never to despair about the cause of God's truth, however black and unfavorable its prospects may appear. At the very time when things seem hopeless, God may be preparing a mighty deliverance."

"[Minister]is an office which no man has a right to take up, unless he has an inward call from God, as well as an outward call from man. Visions and revelations from heaven, of course we have no right to expect. Fanatical claims to special gifts of the Spirit must always be checked and discouraged. But an inward call a man must have, before he puts his hand to the work of the ministry."

"We must know our sins, mourn over them, forsake them, abhor them, or else we shall never enter the kingdom of heaven. There is nothing meritorious in this."

Questions:

1. Does this dark world discourage us when we think of the kingdom of God and our part in it? Do we truly believe that God works all things for good, and that He is sovereign over every detail?

2. Do we pray that churches would only have ministers who are called of God to this work? Do we pray for those who watch over our souls?

3. Can we say, ‘I repent’ as well as “I believe?” Do we have a growing knowledge of and mourning over sin? Is there evidence of us forsaking and abhorring sin?