AWAKE BIBLE IN A YEAR OCTOBER 5
Read Matthew 3, Mark 1:1-11, Luke 3, John 1:15-34
I love the smell of new construction. You know the smell when you walk through the doors of a new house. The closets and bathrooms smell fantastic. NEW CLEAN wood smells so good.
John preached a powerful message of repentance. Change. Regret your sins. Why? FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND. He was direct and promised more than just the cleanest conscience ever, but rather a move-in date for the glory of GOD, ‘the one coming after me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’ (Isaiah 40:3) John is eating locusts and wild honey, wearing camel 🐪 hair clothing; a prophet for sure. (Lev.11:22; 2 Kings 1:8; Zechariah 13:4.)
This promise comes with tremendous BENEFITS. JESUS HIMSELF, AND THE GIFT OF THE SPIRIT ARE COMING SOON! But first water baptism.
“John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
Luke 3:16 NIV
AND TO THE the religious leaders, ‘bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance’ and it’s important we have this fruit as well. Wrong is wrong and we agree with God. If the tree doesn’t produce cut it down and throw it into the fire. Church can’t be slippery with repentance. Read the book of Jude if you want further proof.
Sometimes it’s presented differently, but often purification and cleansing (JOHN) prepares us for JESUS to make his HOME within us, and baptize us with the Holy Spirit. John shows me my need. Jesus meets the need. THE SPIRIT TURNS THE POWER ON. The FIRE purifies, warms, and gathers. The FIRE in ACTS drew a crowd and they all looked like lit candles with a flame visible on them. And all of us will have fire. Chaff will be burned, there is no use for it. Sounds harsh? A prophet does. Their goal is always to get you to turn around from the pathway to death. And after John talks like this— Jesus goes into the water, showing us surrender and humility is not outside our ability. Good enough for Jesus? Good enough for me.
Have you ever experienced repentance?
Felt washed completely?
Have you felt the Spirit of God, with nothing to hide? No shame, only PURE and HOLY acceptance. THIS IS MY SON,MY BELOVED 🥹
WHAT A GIFT.
It’s like clean sheets.
Fresh socks.
A new house with a warm hearth.
It’s like driving a freshly detailed car.
Everything needs a good clean after we’ve lived in it, cleansing isn’t something to shun, it’s necessary. That’s why we are in the word, to be washed by it, (Ephesians 5:26.)
John offered the people of God, the nation of Israel a fresh start. And his work was endorsed with an open heaven.
JESUS OFFERS US ALL FULLNESS.
“Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.”
John 1:16 NIV
JOHN AND JESUS. We need both.
