Theme: Enter God’s
Rest: Time for “R & R”
Release and
Renewal/Restoration
Enter God’s rest: By speaking up and speaking out (part 3 of 4)
October 20, 2013
But when the kindness and love of God our
Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of
righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us
through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,6
whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our
Savior (Titus 3:4-6 NIV)
I left off last week stating, Before you can move to
speaking up and speaking out, you have to know what God has called you to do.
We talked about that, now we turn to what John was called to do.
Matthew: 3:7-11(NLT) 7 But when he saw many
Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize,[c] he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!”
he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee God’s coming wrath? 8 Prove
by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.
9 Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we
are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create
children of Abraham from these very stones. 10 Even
now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees.
Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and
thrown into the fire. 11 “I baptize with[d] water those who repent
of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I
am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his
sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.[e]
