Lord’s Day, Vol. 13 No. 37
Preaching Without Apology
Luke 3:7-14 (KJV) 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 axe 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? 11 He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. 12 Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? 13 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. 14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
OUTLINE
- Against Hypocrisy
- Against Oppression
- Against Violence, Falsehood and Covetousness
INTRODUCTION
The rebuke of sin exposes sin for what it is, violations of the commandments of God. These violations brings great unrest, breaks the harmonious peace to the God intended fellowship between God and man and between man and his fellow man. What is the remedy as we see man reeling in misery as a result of sin pervading both in His church and in society at large?
God’s plan of the ages was to send His only begotten Son Jesus which means “Saviour”, the Christ (the Anointed One or Messiah in the Old Testament), to deal with man’s sin problem – Romans 5:17 (KJV) For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
Faith in Christ as our righteousness is the “gift of righteousness” spoken of in Romans 5:17 appropriated by the sinner – Romans 5:1-2 (KJV) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
The way by which sinful man can be saved is through the preaching of the Word of God to expose their sin and to point the way of salvation to the guilty sinner to the Saviour Jesus Christ – Romans 10:14-15 (KJV) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
This was the life mission of John the Baptizer. John has come of age at 30 years of age (Luke 1:6 cf. 3:23) at the call of God to preach fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy as recorded in Isaiah 40:3-5 as Christ’s forerunner preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins (Luke 3:3).
Luke 3:4-6 (KJV) 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.
John preached exposing the sins of the people warning of a wrath to come for the impenitent and it is possible for a man to be lost as well as to be saved. To be silent on the subject is dreadful treachery to men’s souls. [JC Ryle] – Luke 3:7 (KJV) 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?
The preacher who cares for the souls of men will seek to honestly show them their danger. As Ryle well said, “Never will a man flee until there is real cause to be afraid.” To help a man see the heinous nature of sin and its dire consequence of judgment in hell fire so that he may repent and come to Christ for salvation by the convicting work of the Holy Spirit is the role of the preacher.
John’s courageous preaching will later land him in prison and subsequently beheaded from infuriated unrepentant sinners. He did not shrink to preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. [2 Timothy 4:2]
This was the lot of John, the forerunner of Christ who Himself, was crucified on the cross for the sins of men!
“Lord Crucified” well written preacher’s prayer chorus, well applicable to all members of the church tasked to share Christ’s love to lost souls.
Lord crucified, give be a heart like Thine;
Teach me to love the dying souls of men;
And keep my heart in closest touch with Thee,
And give me love, pure Calvary’s love,
To bring the lost to thee.
The reformers John Hus (1369-1415) and William Tyndale (1494-1536) were burned at the stake for fearlessly exposing the sins of the church, the forerunners of the 16th Century Protestant Reformation.
- John Hus was a Czech priest influenced by John Wycliffe (1330-1384) who spoke out against church corruption and was executed.
- William Tyndale was an English reformer who translated the New Testament into English from original Greek texts, a process for which he was charged with heresy and executed.
Wycliffe knew that getting the words of Scripture into the language and hearts of the people would change lives and make them less vulnerable to unbiblical teachings and practices.
The Roman Church condemned Wycliff. After he died of a stroke in 1384, orders were given to exhume his body, burn his writings and his bones, and scatter his ashes in a nearby river. Evidently, the church thought they could erase the memory of John Wycliffe . . . but that was not to be. Through his work, the truth of God’s Word was planted like seeds. As the seeds of truth grew, the groundwork was laid for the coming Great Reformation. [www.reasonsforhopeJesus.com]
Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee