Text: Luke 3: 1-10

1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, 2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.   3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;  4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.   5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low;  and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;  6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.   7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father:  for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.   9 And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees:  every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.   10 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?

Sunday, 24^th March 2024

PAINKILLERS 3  

Text: Luke 3: 1-10

Memory verse: Luke 3: 10 And the people asked him, saying, what shall we do then?

The words kata and nusso compounded to become katanusso, is weightier, it is not just piercing. It described a piercing that is very deep to produce serious pains and discomfort. They were deeply disturbed when they heard his message. That message gave them such a stab to their hearts, it penetrated their conscience, sliced open their souls, punctured their hearts, and cut them so deeply on the inside that they cried out for help. The message stung their hearts and minds as they became aware of their sin. Suddenly their souls felt an ache, and their hearts were filled with anguish.

Peter, standing before the lost crowd on the day of Pentecost was standing before sinners in dire need of repentance. They needed truth that would change their life, not painkillers that would make them feel good and failing to remedy their situations. The root of the problem had to be identified, dealt with, and eliminated. To have a supernatural change of nature would require repentance, Peter presented the truth boldly, plainly, and with no apologies. The Holy Spirit reached deep into their hearts and convicted them of their sinful condition. The crowd was not offended by Peter’s message. Acts 2:41 tells us that the unbelieving crowd “gladly received his word.” The words “gladly received” are from the Greek word apodechomai, which means to accept with a welcoming attitude.

People are thankful when someone tells them the truth, it may be painful to hear at first. They appreciate an honest approach. That day, more than 3,000 souls came into the Kingdom of God because of the katanusso produced in their hearts from the honest message. That was an impressive result. We may not need to be repulsive or water down the truth from what the Bible teaches. When truth is presented clearly and powerfully, it puts a sharp, doubled-edged sword into the hands of the Holy Spirit, to penetrate the hearts of the people. When the message is watered down, it dulls the edge of the blade and makes it difficult for the Holy Spirit to slice through the demonic strongholds created in people’s minds through spiritual blindness. We need to always allow the Holy Spirit to lead us to know how and when to present the truth to the lost. As we speak with compassion and boldly, with no apology, the root of the listener’s problem will be identified and eliminated.

CGDS HYMN 1; SS&S 1167:

BE THE MATTER WHAT IT MAY, ALWAYS SPEAK THE TRUTH

1. Be the matter what it may, always speak the truth;

Whether at your work or play, always speak the truth

Never from this rule depart, grave it

deeply on your heart,

Written 'tis upon your chart :

" Always speak the truth ! "

2. There's a charm in honesty, always

speak the truth ; [speak the truth ;

There is meanness in a lie; always

He is but a coward slave, who, a present

pain to waive,

Stoops to falsehood; then, be brave;

Always speak the truth.

3. When you're wrong, the folly own,

always speak the truth;

There's a triumph to be won, always

speak the truth ;

He who speaks with lying tongue adds

to wrong a greater wrong;

Then, with courage true and strong,

Always speak the truth.

   Prayers:

1.  Lord Jesus, without the Holy Spirit, our words are empty. Empower the messages from our mouths for impacts.

2.  LORD God,sustain your works in my hands.

3.  Pray for your Ministers.