Unless you repent, Luke 13:3

(ESV)

Know tragedies & death are inescapable,

Luke 13:1–4 ESV

1 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem?

1 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem?

Stinky stuff happens.

Car does not work; kids get sick; gossip at the office; basement flooded; etc.

Scripture records stinky stuff

Jeremiah 38:6 ESV

6 So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king’s son, which was in the court of the guard, letting Jeremiah down by ropes. And there was no water in the cistern, but only mud, and Jeremiah sank in the mud.

Genesis 37:23–24 ESV

23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. 24 And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.

Ruth 1:5 ESV

5 and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.

Heartfelt repentance is crucial,

Luke 13:5 ESV

5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

records repentance’s route

Judge is Jesus holding 7 stars & walking among 7 lampstands, 2:1

5 Point Pass:

1. Many righteous deeds (hard work & patience, 2:2a).

2. Don’t tolerate sin in the church (2:2b).

3. They allow only sound doctrine to be taught (2:2c).

4. They have suffered for Jesus (2:3) .

5. They hate the practices of the Nicolaitans (2:6) .

1 Point Fail: Left their 1st love, 2:4

Corrective Judgment: (2:5a–5c)

· They are to remember their first love (2:5a).

· They are to repent (2:5b).

· They are to return to their first love (2:5c).

If not (2:5d): Their lampstand will be removed

Producing visible fruit,

6 And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ 8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”

Luke 13:6–9 ESV

6 And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ 8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”

Our stinky stuff can become our salvation

Lessons learned is wisdom earned

5 ways to make our “manure” useful:

1. Acknowledge our manure

2. Don’t dwell on or fear manure (don’t get stuck but do reflect only enough to grow). To be productive ask: • What went wrong? • What could I do better next time? • What did I learn from this?

3. While the manure humbles come up with a plan – knowing we don’t have much time. The plan must have accountability built in.

4. Make it harder to create new manure. If you are breaking the budget through late night boring shopping, try freezing your credit cards in a block of ice.

5. Strengthen self-discipline through rewarding small victories (helpful – make a list of reasons to avoid future manure).