Why We Scatter
Notes
Transcript
Luke 3:10-17
Luke 3:10-17
January 11, 2025 (1 Announcement): All Church Series
Main point:
Join us starting next week as we Kick Off our All Church Series “Faith Applied”, finishing off our Series in Hebrews!
Details:
Church-wide series – Faith Applied - Hebrews 12 & 13
Begins Sunday, 1/18
Runs 6 weeks, through 2/22
Books will be for sale in Main Lobby starting January 18 (at SG table)
We’d like every person to go through this with us
IDEALLY: Grab a friend/neighbor/co-worker and go through with them and/or your family
Or, find a group using our groupfinder at Westoverchurch.com/groupfinder
I love Marvel, I love all the characters and the plot-lines, the epic good vs. evil battles. There are so many to choose from, but one that surprised me was Black Panther. he is so cool. (Show Pic of AK and Black Panther)
Chad Bozeman played the Black Panther, November 29th 1976-Aug 28th 2020.
He was sick as he finished filming…he battled cancer from 2016-2020
You would have never known…you meet people who look fine on the outside, they may be moral, fine character, upstanding citizens, skilled at their profession and productive members of their community, but many…not all are lost.
Lost is a haunting word…it pictures,other words sick, broken, far away from God, hopeless. Lost
I don’t know when the last time you sat across from a person and had the kind of relationship to have the real heart conversation about Jesus, (story about the woman in Canada) the student with me was stunned at people actually didn’t have a relationship with Jesus, because everyone he had a good relationship knew Jesus, it changed him, that’s why we go on STT’s, more about that later.
Big Idea: Genuine repentance transforms not just the heart but also the community, compelling believers to enact justice and love in their surroundings as a reflection of Christ’s character.
Jesus is the only option
Turn to Luke 3:10-17, and I want to look at two reasons from this passage answering this question why we scatter
We scatter because people have big questions about life.
We scatter because Jesus is the answer to life.
We scatter because people have big questions about life. vs. 10-14
I want some of you to see that the Gospel is offensive, but you don’t have to be offensive, God’s word will do the work…the proof is in v. 10. John has laid it out!
He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
He doesn’t mince words, but look at their reaction in verse 10…what shall we do, do we have an answer for a community that is asking that question.
This call doesn’t land on deaf ears, what happens when people take us and our beliefs and confessions at face value. We are to be people with words of hope.
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
Questions about their possessions (what do I do with everything I have
The crowd wants to know what they are to do and the prophet points them to a singular action…share your possessions.
He points them to the needs of others, why? This is what prophets had pointed people who to do throughout the OT
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up speedily;
your righteousness shall go before you;
the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
This is important because we tend to drift into a selfish lifestyle and we will see all things are for us, our treasures, our talents, and our time is everyone is so easy to keep those blessings for ourselves. (Remind them about Christmas Eve) insert a story if we have one
Questions about their morality
Tax collectors
Publicans-wealthy Romans
Tax collectors
This was problem in the empire not just in Judah
Publicans left in 44 BC and the tax collectors were left
Poll tax
Land tax
Tax’s on good
They would charge a surcharge
What does repentance look like for them?
It’s not stop it…don’t give up your profession, practice fair business practices. This pleases God, this is the life that is better. We scattered to point people to Jesus, and he is greater than anything they experience, do you place an emphasis on their sin or the greatness of the one who can deliver than from sin.
Soldiers, don’t be violent, don’t use the sword to and you authority as abuse, don’t use power for harm…but live within your means.
What I am saying here is this, people have answers and we have to have the gospel fluency to be able to speak into their lives where we live, work, play, and learn
2. We scatter because Jesus is the answer. vs. 15-17
Ultimately John pointed people to Jesus and not to his wise words,
we are scattered not for the sake of Westover but for the glory of God and the beauty of Jesus and the Glory of God and his kingdom
Let me repeat that we are not scattered for the sake of Westover but the glory of God, the beauty of Jesus and the Kingdom.
We don’t invite, scatter and share the Gospel so our church will not die. “We don’t have to do a lot in the community, people know who we are” The motivation for our scattering is the Glory of God and the spead of the name of Jesus
V. 15 There was a great speculation because of the activity of John…is he the answer, John is so wise, no I am not. Personalities, programs and places do not save people. Jesus saves people. Westover does not save people, Jesus saves people.
How do we make sure we scatter and let Jesus get the glory
We are clear with our message about Jesus…there is a greater baptism, that was his message, you will be salt and light to so many, but point them to the one who can give them life instead of death, the more you love Jesus the more his love comes through you!
I love this quote I hope it encourages you to make much of Jesus in your interactions
There is not one square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: ‘Mine!’” Abraham Kuper
2. We are clear about what Jesus does
He is our only hope, this picture is someone seperating wheat,
The fork tosses the wheat and the wind blows the chaff or the husk away and Jesus is the one that separates those in him, and those who are not…there are no other options, no other roads and no second chances, so we are scattered…two opportunities I want to point you to one through our local missions and one through global.
Welcome Michael
