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 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?

REPENTANCE BEFORE REDEMPTION

Memory Verse: Luke 3:10 “And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?”

The gospel is not just good news that makes us smile, it is the powerful truth that pierces deep into the heart. Before it brings comfort, it brings conviction. Before redemption comes, repentance must come first. In Luke 3:1–10, John the Baptist preached a bold and clear message. He did not entertain the crowd. He did not flatter them. He called them to repent, to turn away from their sins and live a new life.

John’s message was like a spiritual alarm clock. He told the people to prepare the way for the Lord. He warned them that being religious or coming from the right family was not enough. God was looking for real change, fruit that comes from repentance. His words were strong, but they came from love. He knew that only true repentance can lead people to the redemption found in Jesus Christ.

The people were deeply moved. They did not argue or walk away. Instead, they asked, “What shall we do then?” That simple question shows that the message had reached their hearts. They were ready to act. They wanted to live differently. John responded with practical answers. He told them to share with the needy, to be honest, and to be content. Repentance is not just about tears it is about change. It touches the way we live, work, and treat others.

This message still matters today. The gospel is not just about God blessing us, it is about God saving us from sin. But that only happens when we first admit our need. We cannot skip repentance and go straight to redemption. The path to new life begins with a humble heart that says, “Lord, I am wrong. Please make me new.”

Let the gospel cut through your pride. Let it challenge you. Let it wake you up. And then let it heal you. Like the people in Luke 3, may we also ask, “What shall we do then?” And may we respond with hearts ready to repent and follow Jesus fully.

COVENANT GATE HYMNALS 15; SS&S 607 I AM THINE, O LORD, I HAVE HEARD THY VOICE

Today’s Prayer

1. 1. Lord, help me truly repent and bear good fruit in my daily life.
   2. Holy Spirit, guide me to live honestly, generously, and kindly toward others.
   3. Father, open others’ hearts to repentance and lead them to your saving grace.