Luke 3:7-14

1. We should mark the holy boldness with which John addresses the multitudes who came to his baptism.
2. We should mark how plainly John speaks to his hearers about hell and danger.
3. We should mark how John exposes the uselessness of a repentance which is not accompanied by fruits in the life.
4. We should mark what a blow John strikes at the common notion, that connection with godly people can save our souls.
5. We should remark in this passage, the searching test of sincerity which John applied to the consciences of the various classes who came to his baptism.

"Uncharitable language is no doubt always to be deprecated. But there is no charity in flattering unconverted people, by abstaining from any mention of their vices, or in applying smooth epithets to damnable sins."

"That loving Savior, who spoke so graciously of the way to heaven, has also used the plainest language about the way to hell."

"It can never be impressed on our minds too strongly, that religious talking and profession are utterly worthless, without religious doing and practice."

"It will save no man to have had Abraham's blood in his veins, if he did not possess Abraham's faith and do Abraham's works."

"It must not content us to cry out against sins to which, by natural temperament, we are not inclined, while we deal gently with other sins of a different character. Let us find out our own peculiar corruptions. Let us know our own besetting sins. Against them let us direct our principal efforts. With these let us wage unceasing war."

Questions:

1. When was the last time your pastor called out a particular sin from the pulpit? Would such a prospect offend us? Why or why not?

2. When is the last time we heard a sermon on, or dwelt upon the doctrine of hell? Has this doctrine done you good in keeping you on the straight and narrow road?

3. What are the sins that cling so closely? Is our repentance of them marked by words or by words and actions? What sins are we actively turning away from by God’s grace?

4. Do we find our confidence in Christ or in our connection with other godly men or women? Do we glory in Christ Jesus alone?