Today' readings has 2 paragraph with the following headings: (The preaching of John the Baptist), and (John speaks to the Pharisees and Sadducees).
Now in those days, John the Baptist came preaching in the desert, or was it Creflo Dollar, or Joel Olsteen, or Brian Houston, or Benny Hinn. All the people came from Jerusalem, and Judea and from around the Jordan. Or did they change channels from channel 5, or channel 11, or channel 2, to hear the words of these preachers on the church channels. But John wore garments of camel hair and had a leather girdle around his waist, whereas today preachers wear fine suits and silk ties, and gold watches and silver bracelets. And today they preach prosperity, and good fortune, and success in this life, and how to overcome lack, and getting out of the poverty mindset. John taught repentance, but today we have every message under the sun that relates to everyday life.
And John eat locust and honey, and today preachers eat steak and lobster, and dine at fine restaurants. How start the times and the contrast in those times and the times we live in today. Where are the prophets of old, the men how sought not the ways of the world but sought the will of God?? Are there men of such caliber today?? We can not find them on TV today, that is for sure!!
John called a spade a spade and did not bite his tongue. He called the religious leaders of his time vipers, snakes with poisonous tongues. John offered a way out, a door to escape the coming wrath. Much of the population knew the sign of the times by the evil that lived among them. John offered a way out. He opened the door to salvation so that those who were drawn, were able to repent of their sins and prepare for the ONE to come. The ONE to come was mightier than John, whose sandals he was not worthy to bear. Such humility, such love, such compassion did John exhibit in his time. Is it here today in our time??
John tells the Pharisees and Sadducees to bring fruit befitting repentance. What fruit did he speak of? Was it sorrow, and regret, a sense of low self esteem. Or was the required fruit a deep sense of remorse and quilt, a sense of shame and a desire for forgiveness. Otherwise the axe was at the tree ready to cut it down. Is this our typical sermon of fire and brimstone that is taught in churches today?? Is this the typical message that you would hear in a church tent revival?? Or was it true then and true now. John foretold of the thrashing floor being cleaned and the chaff being sent to the furnace where there is unquenchable fire. R-E-P-E-N-T.
John baptized with water but the ONE coming after him will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Have you received your baptism in the Holy Spirit???
Now in those days, John the Baptist came preaching in the desert, or was it Creflo Dollar, or Joel Olsteen, or Brian Houston, or Benny Hinn. All the people came from Jerusalem, and Judea and from around the Jordan. Or did they change channels from channel 5, or channel 11, or channel 2, to hear the words of these preachers on the church channels. But John wore garments of camel hair and had a leather girdle around his waist, whereas today preachers wear fine suits and silk ties, and gold watches and silver bracelets. And today they preach prosperity, and good fortune, and success in this life, and how to overcome lack, and getting out of the poverty mindset. John taught repentance, but today we have every message under the sun that relates to everyday life.
And John eat locust and honey, and today preachers eat steak and lobster, and dine at fine restaurants. How start the times and the contrast in those times and the times we live in today. Where are the prophets of old, the men how sought not the ways of the world but sought the will of God?? Are there men of such caliber today?? We can not find them on TV today, that is for sure!!
John called a spade a spade and did not bite his tongue. He called the religious leaders of his time vipers, snakes with poisonous tongues. John offered a way out, a door to escape the coming wrath. Much of the population knew the sign of the times by the evil that lived among them. John offered a way out. He opened the door to salvation so that those who were drawn, were able to repent of their sins and prepare for the ONE to come. The ONE to come was mightier than John, whose sandals he was not worthy to bear. Such humility, such love, such compassion did John exhibit in his time. Is it here today in our time??
John tells the Pharisees and Sadducees to bring fruit befitting repentance. What fruit did he speak of? Was it sorrow, and regret, a sense of low self esteem. Or was the required fruit a deep sense of remorse and quilt, a sense of shame and a desire for forgiveness. Otherwise the axe was at the tree ready to cut it down. Is this our typical sermon of fire and brimstone that is taught in churches today?? Is this the typical message that you would hear in a church tent revival?? Or was it true then and true now. John foretold of the thrashing floor being cleaned and the chaff being sent to the furnace where there is unquenchable fire. R-E-P-E-N-T.
John baptized with water but the ONE coming after him will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Have you received your baptism in the Holy Spirit???
