Kingdom Preaching

Luke 3:7-9 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 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.”
 
ONE walking into John’s church to see if they liked what they saw and heard may quickly leave, wouldn’t he? Certainly, too, most church attenders would soon depart if their pastor began to address them as, “You brood of vipers!” In fact, mentioning any aspect of God’s Word that reminds a church attender of their shortcomings and sins is taboo, isn’t it? We want to go to church to feel good. The human heart demands approval!
   But what happens if sin is ignored and only salvation is spoken? The short answer is, “Nothing.” Why would anyone seek Jesus if he believed he is essentially good? Such “feel good” preaching is false teaching, isn’t it?
   Why did God form the law, raise up prophets and sacrifice the Savior if we are all good? What’s the reason for Jesus’ death if we do not confront our condemnation and repent? Have you ever changed a bad habit if you felt good about it? Have you ever adjusted from soul-killing sin if you are told, “You are good.” Repentance is needed if one is to live in God’s Kingdom. Such change occurs only when we mourn our sins, knowing they separate us from Jesus. To repent is turn around and walk away from sin. That is the only way we can walk with Jesus. Jesus taught this Kingdom truth in Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted…6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. When you mourn your sin, you come to the point you surely desire to become cleansed and comforted in God’s salvation.
   Yes, “brood of vipers” is certainly a harsh term. But do you think such language is truly an outpouring of God’s love unto his people? The LORD was using John, as he had used all the prophets, to awaken the Jews to their eternally deadly sins. John knew that some of the Jews who came “out to be baptized by him” did so only for show. They desired only man’s approval and would continue to walk the spiritual route away from salvation. Too many who come to church each Sunday are the same. They are unconcerned for their sins and their souls. Their lives remain unchanged headed for destruction because their first purpose is to feel good.
   Years later, the apostle John wrote of Jesus’ Kingdom purpose in 1 John 3:8 “He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.”
   Listen and know: Love is John the Baptist’s and all good preachers’ reasons for the “wake-up” words. We’ll later see Jesus preach the same. Such words are one way to awaken the self-righteous sinners to their souls’ danger. People must know there is a problem before they will seek the way to remove the problem.
   If your soul becomes uncomfortable about your sin when you are listening to a sermon, you are probably hearing a good sermon. Pay attention to what God is doing. Thank the Holy Spirit for opening your heart to feel bad because he is convicting you to mourn your sin. This kind of grief will lead you to a true heart change for Jesus’ gospel. This is the only way to enter the Kingdom of God.