Bible Readings:
Isaiah 40:1 – 8, Malachi 3:1-3; 4:1 – 6, Matthew 3:1 – 17
Sermon Outline:
Three Dimensional Repentance
Matthew 3:1–2 (NKJV)
1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
I The vertical dimension of repentance
II The future dimension of repentance
Matthew 3:7 (NKJV)
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
III The present reality of repentance
Luke 3:10–14 (NKJV)
10 So the people asked him, saying, “What shall we do then?” 11 He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” 12 Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.” 14 Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?” So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.”