Authentic Gospel Ministry: 2016 Gospel of Luke #9
This is an exposition of Luke 3:1-18. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, April 17, 2016.
Intro:
Oh, he was “successful” to a degree. A lot of folks liked his style. For the most part they were not very sophisticated. He was crude. His manner was gruff. He was socially awkward – he could have never made it as the pastor of a sophisticated urban church or in the cultured suburbs. But he could draw a crowd. But then he didn’t know how to “work” the crowd. Furthermore he didn’t seem interested in learning how to work the crowd. I guess that crowd from the Baptist Building in Jerusalem came as much out of curiosity as anything else. He wasn’t impressed. In fact he was down right insulting to them! That’s no way to get ahead in the convention. But then John never seemed interested in getting ahead. Instead there was one consuming passion in his life. There was a fire shut up in his bones. A message from the heart of God that had to be delivered.
The voice of John the baptizer came thundering from the wilderness. His message was one of repentance and preparation for the One coming. His message stood in stark contrast to the world around him. His message was as “out of place” as he himself was. Out of moral, political and religious darkness came the voice of a true prophet. A voice trumpeting the authentic Gospel without even a hint of compromise.
We find Luke’s description of his early ministry in the opening verses of Luke 3.
Text: Luke 3:1-18
The context of John’s ministry is not unlike that of our own day.
Corruption abounded in every area of life.
Morally – immorality, licentiousness and perversion were common place.
Politically – it was a day of tyrants and petty dictators.
Religiously – even among the “people of God” corruption reigned.
People were very religious – but where were the marks of genuine faith?
The Sadducess with their political correctness and connects were concerned with power and influence.
The Pharisees with their legalistic faith of rules and regulations were interested in keeping score and gaining the applause of men.
It’s not so different today.
The Pharisees are still with us – running about preaching a gospel of dos and don’ts.
Concerned primarily with outward appearances.
Being sure to keep the letter of the Law yet not understanding the spirit of the Law.
Straining at the gnat while swallowing the camel.
On the other hand there are the Sadducess.
Always concerned with what is politically correct.
Concerned, even consumed, with appearances.
They stress toleration and call for a kinder, gentler Christianity.
Engaged in what one scholar referred to as “Seinfeld Christianity” – it’s a religion about nothing!
Our desperate need is for a voice from the wilderness – trumpeting the authentic Gospel.
As we explore the text in Luke 3 and look at our own day we cannot help but be reminded that:
Thesis: In a day of market-driven, entertainment-oriented worship, there remains a desperate need for authentic Gospel ministry.
This is the responsibility of the church.
This is what we are to be about. We are to be that voice in the wilderness. We are to uncompromisingly trumpet the clarion call of repentance and faith. We are to point the way to the Savior.
I’m convinced that we have a model for us in the ministry of John. Not that we need to change our wardrobe and our diet but that we pattern our ministry after his. There are three things I want us to note in our text.
Authentic Gospel ministry rests securely on the authority of God’s Word. (3:1-6)
Authentic Gospel ministry demands a call for genuine repentance. (3:7-14)
Authentic Gospel ministry points to, exalts, and magnifies the Lord Jesus. (3:15-18)
Conclusion:
We are called to a life of authentic Gospel ministry.
That ministry rests securely in the authority of the Word of God.
It demands a call for genuine repentance.
And it points to, exalts and magnifies the Lord Jesus.