Micah J. Sturm

The government is corrupt.

Morality is nearly nonexistent.

Taxes are exorbitant, the economy is struggling, and violence prevails in city streets.

Into this reality, John the Baptist answered the call of God on his life and preached—yes, he PREACHED —it was the method desperately needed in such a chaotic hour!

The Baptist, in holy harshness, stirred up the snakes who slithered in their sanctimonious pride.

Luke 3: 1-18 records that three groups of people come to John the Baptist with the same question—crowds, tax collectors, and soldiers—all ask, “What shall we do?”

His answer echoes to our ears today:

REPENT—turn around and follow the Lord!

RELEASE

Release STUFF

Hold “things” very loosely!

The “crowds” hold on to their stuff and we are called to open our hearts and hands to others as servants of the Lord.

Release SELF-centeredness.

Tax collectors were lonely people because they lived only for themselves. They took advantage of others to promote themselves.

Release the STRUGGLE

Soldiers FIGHT—it’s kind of in their DNA.

We fight too.

But happiness and holiness are connected to contentment.

We must DEFEND LESS and DEPEND MORE.

RECEIVE

Beyond forgiveness is a fiery baptism.

Christ wants to burn up the useless stuff (chaff) in our hearts and lives so we can receive the fullness of joy through His Spirit.

John the Baptist preached,

“The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.” Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

John 3:29-30, 36 ESV

Real joy is often unspeakable.

It may rest behind tear stained faces or within heavy hearts.

But it’s there as a gift of God’s grace!

Real joy comes from repentance, release, and receiving the very Spirit of the One for whom the “trees of the field…clap their hands!”

“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,”

1 Peter 1:8 ESV