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Genuine forgiveness is the result of real repentance. 

But what's the evidence of real repentance? Today we find out.

God’s word came to John: This is a common OT phrase used for God giving a message to a prophet so he can speak God’s words to the people. This is how John would prepare the way for the Messiah, preaching about repentance & forgiveness - warning of God’s wrath (God is just) & offering God’s peace (God is gracious). 

The prophet Isaiah wrote about one coming to prepare PEOPLE for the Lord’s coming. 

• “Every valley filled, every mountain/hill made low…” is metaphoric language for the role John would play: to remove obstacles and prepare the people to receive the Messiah & His message. It would be through the Lord that everyone will see the salvation of God.

Baptism did NOT YET represent the death, burial, & resurrection of Jesus (still future). Baptism was for Gentiles (not Jews) who were converting to become covenant Jews. * Jews did participate in ceremonial washings (dipped themselves under the water before entering the temple grounds).

Jews from all over Israel came to be baptized by John, confessing their sins, acknowledging that they were no better than Gentiles. They too needed forgiveness and this baptism represented that washing away of sin. People walked away from all the ordinary daily concerns, and walked to the Jordan River to fix their minds and hearts on their spiritual condition, while listening to John’s message of forgiveness. 

• Have YOU taken the time to get away from the daily distractions and consider your spiritual condition?

Baptism doesn’t force God to forgive. Washing on the outside means nothing without washing on the inside. 

God’s forgiveness doesn’t lead us back to the sin He has forgiven. Proverbs pictures a person going back to sin like a dog returning to lick up his own vomit (Prov 26:11). Baptism - washing the outside - wasn’t enough. It only symbolized washing on the inside. 

Repentance = ‘change of mind’ leading to a change of action. We agree with God about what is good and what is evil, and this change of mind results in a change of action.

People who have repented are going to produce fruit consistent with repentance. 

Is the sin in your PAST...or PRESENT?

Do you keep going BACK to it (like a dog to vomit) OR do you obey out of your gratitude for forgiveness & trust in God’s commands?

This is the same kind of language Jesus uses to speak about hell to His Jewish audience. 

• Jews didn’t DESERVE God’s forgiveness. 
• Jews didn’t get a free pass because of their family tree....AND NEITHER DO YOU!

You will not slip God’s justice. You should be MUCH MORE CONCERNED about what God thinks than anyone else.

We must fear Him who has authority to throw people into hell after death - GOD. When we respect the JUDGE and His authority, we should do what He says. And if He offers us FULL FORGIVENESS we should respond to whatever He says! Those who were listening to John were awaiting the One he was preparing the way for - the One who would bring salvation from God’s judgement.

People who have repented care about and share with others in need.

People who have repented should be honest, trustworthy, and content with what God provides for their needs.

Tax collectors were typically viewed as dishonest people often cheated their own Jewish people. These soldiers were likely Jewish mercenaries recruited to protect tax collectors or working for King Herod Antipas. These soldiers were known for mistreating their own people using force or false accusation.

When David kept silent, refusing to confess his sin and turn from it, there was a heaviness in his life - a sense of wasting away - purposeless - Ever experienced THAT?

David finally humbled himself and brought his sin to God. God graciously forgave David and the Jews at the time of John’s ministry, but they did not get to see how the Messiah would pay for sin proving God’s JUSTICE & God’s GRACE.

• How can you trust that God has forgiven your PAST? Your sin is IN THE PAST, because… 

You don’t obey TO be forgiven. You obey because you ARE forgiven.

discussionquestions

Take some time to discuss these questions with your family, friends, or group.

1. What challenged or encouraged you most from today’s teaching? You might need to look back in your notes to help explain your answer.
2. Read Luke 3:7-9. What is the difference between real repentance and just feeling sorry/confessing sin? What is the warning to those who confess sin but don’t repent of sin? What about people who don’t repent but expect God to give them a “family discount”?
3. Fill in the blank from your notes. Genuine ____________ is the result of _______ repentance. Explain why this is so. How is it true that obedience of the evidence of repentance?
4. The people left their homes and traveled to hear John the Baptist and consider their spiritual condition. When was the last time YOU took the time to get away from the daily distractions and consider your spiritual condition? What was the result? Is that something you need to do soon? Explain your answer.
5. Read Luke 3:10-14. What difference should repentance make in people’s lives? 
6. Read Psalm 32:1-6. What’s the result of hiding our sin versus repenting of our sin? Is there any sin YOU have been hiding that you need to confess to God and a brother or sister? 
7. What other questions has this teaching or discussion prompted for us to talk about? Share prayer needs and pray for one another.