The Way of the Lord

This is Darren Kuhn with the masculine journey podcast research the ancient paths to find ways that God brings light into a dark world and help set men free from the struggles that we all face on a day-to-day basis. Your chosen Truth Network podcast is starting in just a few seconds.

Enjoy it, share it, but most of all, thank you for listening and for choosing The Truth Podcast Network. This is good Truth Network do you feel like you're on a religious treadmill, you feel like Christianity is just a system of rules and regulations, I can do this. I can't do that. Do you feel like your efforts to reach God. Find God, and please God do you feel like your faith is dead or alive today. Pastor Russ Andrews will walk us through Scripture to answer these questions join us on finding purpose of local Triangle ministry glorifying God by helping men find their purpose for living. For more information and to connect with Russ Andrews and finding purpose could visit us online@purpose.net or connect with us on Facebook. Now let's listen to Russ Andrews as he teaches us how to be a Christian without being religious models and turn to Luke chapter 3 don't join the study will I think is right. You look at verses one through 20, and avocado. Tonight's message the way of the Lord. Niagara Falls is considered one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world, 540 million gallons of water flow every hour over the falls and drop 165 feet to the rocks below as the river flows towards the fall and it actually gained speed going from about 5 miles an hour to 40 miles an hour, but the time is to the upward false upper falls and then up to 68 miles an hour when it goes over the falls and sieges is picking up momentum.

Locals consider the North grand Island bridge which is about 4 miles from the falls is the point of no return is actually a sign that says the point of no return.

Once you pass this on the momentum, the momentum of the river has you in its grip and your destiny is sealed. One day not too long ago. Six men from a foreign country who not only would Niagara Falls were floating down the river, enjoying the view and relaxing in the sunshine.

They were about 5 miles from the falsely passed a man wearing a clerical collar. This may group in the area was very file with the dangers that lay ahead. He he read all the material available by the river he knew about the point of no return and surprisingly he looked out at the man and with a huge smile on his face shouted. Enjoy the day.

Man, God loves you and he want you to enjoy a life's going your way and have a burial time. The men feel good about themselves. After hearing this encouraging message coming from such a respected religious man so they paddled down the river unaware of the danger that lay ahead. A few yards down the river.

They passed another man, he was involved.

He was very good-looking.

He was from a town called Delta. But you have to be visiting and touring Niagara Falls and he had seen the falls need walk up River and we saw the men they saw that he had a very concerned look on his face and so he ran over to the edge of the water to get as close as he could to the man and he shouted turn around now there's danger ahead. Don't go any further. Listen to me if you don't turn around now. You will go beyond the point of no return and you will be without hope. The man looked at each other in that raft and they look totally confused and was a man sitting at that balm interesting contents. What is he so worked up about.

I don't like what he had to say. Nothing like him a whole lot.

The minister with passing so nice and more caring. I say we continue own.

Have a good old time for the man agree with him, the look, the six man did not. He said I think we should listen to that last man. He looked very smart and he was actually very good-looking and he seemed to be speaking the truth even though it was not pleasing to hear. I think we should do what he says he does warning and turnaround. Sadly, the majority ruled the paddled on gradually. The six notice the speed of the river. Picking up as the minute content is the momentum continued to increase. The men try to turn around, but they could not. They had just passed the scientists at the point of no return, but it was too late and they were never seen again. That is a true story about a way don't believe that the men, with serious now.

The world is headed towards a great fall.

The speed of our descent into rebellion against God is gathering momentum. All you have to do is look at the world and their competing forces all over the place, shouting conflicting messages, one voice says God loves you and everything is going to be okay because in the end, love wins, Dennis M pleasing to the ear. The other voices shouting turnaround going the other direction. There's danger ahead. And that danger is the wrath of God. This man God doesn't love us, but his wrath one day is going to burn with all of his fury against a rebellious oh what world is going to bring evil to an end.

He was there wanting God bring evil to an end. What is going to but the reason he lets the world: open rebellion is because he is so patient with us and more men and women will be saved tomorrow if he doesn't bring the world to an end right now. So let me ask you something which message are you listening to, particularly on Sunday morning.

One day in the not-too-distant future. Heaven will stand open and the whole world will see a white horse. I believe this is symbolic.

This is coming from Revelation chapter 2120 believe notice you 19 so John sees a vision and he sees that daughter have an oven. He sees a white horse, whose rider is called faithful and true, who's that router Jesus and says he will be dressed in a robe dipped in blood, which is just a symbolic of the fact that he died he shed his blood for you and me. His name will be the word of God. The armies of heaven will be following him dressed in white out of his mouth, sharp sword with which to strike down the nations as equally divide us. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty on his robe and on his thigh. Will this name will be written, King of Kings and Lord of lords. You see, the first time Jesus came he came as a baby wrapped in a manger. The second time he comes, he will become as a conquering king, full of God's wrath is at that point, God will be fed up evil.

Thank goodness don't you want to see Abel destroy don't you want to see the hitless of the world get what they deserve and don't aren't you glad that we not get what we deserve if we are in Christ. When Jesus appears that there will be no more second chances.

There will be no more warnings. The point of no return will of passed the day of grace will be over, and on that day hundreds of millions of people, probably in the billions who refuse to listen to the warnings will go over the falls and they will never be seen again made the reason why I'm going to give you this John the Baptist like message tonight is because it's the truth. In first Corinthians chapter 13 verse forces love rejoices in the truth that clerical colored priest on the bank he bought us look like you love them. But as the ball hit a guy who really loved him as the ball hit a guy was one who was speaking the truth in this, the truth, Jesus. It will set us free, and I think that's what you come here you won't hear the truth. I told the guys Monday the 25 or 30 guys from NC stated the case and nothing is the dates that are coming over to listen to this ball hit a guy I said I think young people really want to hear the truth. There fed up with what they hear from dear churches in the fit of what they hear from politicians and the federal hear the universities. Can you can you believe that these guys drive across Raleigh on a beautiful day at 4 o'clock Monday afternoon.

What were you doing at 4 o'clock on Monday afternoon when you were in college. I wonder what they're doing.

I told him that with all that said, that brings us to Luke chapter 3 begin with verse one.

I was coming over tonight and I'll listen to Billy Graham and I counterfeiter Russ who are you kidding you'll follow that line of thinking. He is such a gifted preacher. I just love listening to them on the Billy Graham network on XM radio, but he was he read the Scripture with such power, and I hope that I can come close to that tonight is the word of God is the most important thing that will be satellite to. Here's what Luke writes in the 15th year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea inherit the intense rock of Galilee and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of how to write intricate Midas and Licinius tetrarch of Abilene during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness and he went out into all the region around the Jordan that was all in a desert area proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, the voice of one crying in the wilderness, repair the way of the Lord make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled in every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight and the rough places shall become level ways and all flesh shall see the salvation of God and men from this passage I won't answer three? First, how did John prepare the way of the Lord. Secondly why did John proclaim such a foreboding message feel with warnings and third why do we not hear similar messages today from the pulpits of America's churches with warnings of the same coming judgment because guess what is still coming. It's in our future overtake these questions one by one. So let's look at the first question how how to John prepare the way the Lord will if you look at the text.

John the Baptist proclaimed a two fold message. First, he preached a message of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, and then secondly he followed that with a warning of coming judgment and wrath note before we look carefully at what John's message was. I want us to look at these first two verses in Luke, which gives us the historical setting samadhi.

It was filled in life told me that he loves Luke because he's getting so much history. It helps you understand the context.

The, the environment that John the Baptist was living in and also Jesus.

So remember that Luke is now a physician is also a historian.

In Luke is given as this historical information because remember he set out to give is an orderly account he wants to get he wants to document what really happened because he wants us to have the evidence member upon which to rest our faith as we said the first week. Christianity is a reasonable fate. That is our our faith rest upon real facts and evidence. When John began his public ministry in the desert.

Rome had in place these leaders Tiberius Caesar Pontius Pilate Herod Philip in Las Animas, and from these Roman visual pagan rulers and they were evil they were bad dudes and they create a culture that was dark and evil and they had. They maintain power by the Roman military. That's why in Rome you know is known as the iron Empire. They had that military it was seated and iron. But listen not only was the political climate evil, but so was the religious climate which is road of about Annas the high priest and eventually settle THE schedule corrupt they will normally was stealing money in the treasury in Matthew 26 was on the Caiaphas is the highest operation of the time when Jesus was put on trial and remember when Jesus Christ admits that he's the Messiah.

He terraces robe into an ink accuse him of blasphemy and then they call for his execution is that this is the atmosphere in which God calls a man by the name of John to go out into the wilderness and to preach a message of repentance and a warning of pending judgment. What you think got cement to the wilderness I think is a picture of Israel's spiritual condition they were there like a desert marmalade. Jeremiah accused him of building of digging cisterns that were dry and what they needed was systems that produce real water there there there drop their systems. Systems that work systems that were dry was especially false religion is just dead just like today sister draw system didn't give you real war. Remember the woman at the well. Jesus said if you drink that water. You will thirst again and he said everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst into the water. I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. This window description you look at Jeff he start up is only spritzing him. He's got this living water pouring out of him.

Listen when you try to satisfy the longings of your heart with the things of this world you will always come away empty. But once you place your trust in Jesus, you will discover that he is the Prince of peace, that he will satisfy the deepest longings of your heart and you will all begin to make sense and you will have peace and joy.

No matter what you're going through. Look at verses two and three again just Luke writes during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness and he went into all the region around the Jordan proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. What I want you to notice here. This is the word of God came to John. Thus, when John opened his mouth and began to preach his audience was actually hearing the word of God.

How do we know this was second Peter 121 says for prophecy in the fourth prophecy. It can be forth telling or foretelling this one is forth telling the Lord is preaching for preaching never had a sergeant in the in the in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they walked, carried along by the Holy Spirit suggest as a script or from you guys. Suchlike, as we read Scripture. When I read Scripture to you when you pick up your Bible and read it you actually reading God's word and he will speak to you versus Christ no it's not, but if you listen if you don't believe me try read the Bible. I remember when I was reading the Bible is a 1314-year-old was the JB Phillips paraphrase. It was really easy to retry paraphrase of the Bible was united in my bedroom at night got and we are not already a lot. I just read the Gospels are, rather, the New Testament, in essence, like Jesus right in their talking to and he walks with me and he talks with me and he tells me what I'm his own. You won't hear God talk to you is not will be alterable, but you will sense him talking to you and he will guide you men through life through all the difficult decisions that you can't encounter the Bible is God's word, every single word and it does when you open the bottle and begin a rated God is speaking to you. The question is are you listening are you actually picking up the Bible and reading it. We went to the last minute to do your lesson, you don't get it done this, given God, your leftovers, John preach the message of repentance.

Was it me to repent his shortenings it means to look squarely into the mirror and see the deep-seated sands in your heart and then just confess I God, no. I agree with you that is sin.

And I want to turn away from it. With your help I will turn away from it. That's what it means to repent company March company halt about-face for March you going this direction and you turn around and you go in this direction. That's what repentance means. It means to turn around and go the other way and listen.

Repentance is absolutely necessary if you want to prepare the way for the Lord in your heart is what John is talking about Lee Summit. Prepare the way for the Lord. He was trying to prepare the nation of visuals heart to receive the Messiah, but when he is talking to you and me.

He's asking you and me to prepare the way so that Laura can enter your heart is how you do that is to say when you repent a straight path is prepared for Jesus to enter your heart when you repent you lower yourself in humility since the problem of people have with admitting their center cited for not willing to admit it, they do not want to say yes, I'm lost and only the Savior that takes a load a humble spirit.

But when you when you humble yourself is not an invitation for Jesus to into your heart when you repent the rough places in your life that are caused by your sins are made level as Christ enters your heart and your heart becomes his home joy for Jesus did for your heart be at home receive them into your heart. John 112 Christ lives in you, your life will be changed in all those around you will see the salvation of God. This was talk of it and all will see the salvation of God because of see a man who's got a changed life and they won't have what you have listened. Not only did John preach a message of repentance which generally helps to Jesus you look at the at all the Gospels in the first couple chapters is that Jesus went around preaching a message of repentance. And guess what's preach a message. Repent Peter and Paul. If I can ask chapter 319 through 20 pages at the prey consulted to the Jewish cry of their proper Gentiles. Thereto, he said repent, then listen. This in turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out their times of refreshing may come from the Lord that he may send the Christ is been appointed for you.

Even Jesus habit that man. He promises to refresh your heart and the race walk and go to bed at night not have any guilt or shame. I should have so much guilt that I've got a gun to my head, but Riza don't have the peace of God, you just set you free from your guilt and your shame and your Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world, but what save it.

Romans 1013 says for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be what saved say from what save from sin saved from God's wrath saved from hell if you want to get graphic is saving us. Jesus knows more about hell than anybody about the Whitehead Hill was not created for us who's a creator for Satan and all the demons the problem areas.

If you don't repent you you pushing God into a corner when you die because he's a God of justice and even your using God when you know you got no choice, and he has the choice of the port and he's got to send you in there with Satan and all the demons where you live or how long forever. Can you imagine that because I've often thought of before. But what would it be like if Russ enters God and I will somehow missed it and I faced an eternity where I can never change that. That's ace very scary thought. See Jesus set you free from the fear he gives you blessed assurance. John Smith was first and foremost a message of repentance. But it was also a message warning of coming wrath and judgment. Look at verses seven through 10 okay go with me tracking with. I think this is interesting. I think I'm actually a job. Look at verses seven through 10. Actually I don't. I used to read the Bible that night without my kids were little skill increases that are so boring that she said would you give me the Bible does not falsely so he got up with you guys to sleep… Luke writes, he said, therefore, to the Christmas John the Baptist. It became out to be baptizing you brood of vipers actually let go to church and is the first and comes how the minister smiled. You brood of vipers. What we are doing last night who want you to flee from the wrath to come. Bear fruit in keeping with repentance and do not begin to say you says we have Abraham as our father talk to you. God is able from these stones to raise up children of Abraham. Even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire and the crowds ask out from over this question. What then shall we do today were convicted. See, monitor right here when that one year they would say we have Abraham as our father, Franklin Graham, we could say what billing is. My father Joe Billy Graham told him one time and it did not encounter priorities and listen you can get on my coattails.

This is when he was 22 is run around your affinity or six with for the bourbon and the scar. He was a rebel and the guy got hold of him after his father had no national chat with them maybe to a chat with some of your sons, and he became a rebel with a calls in front of his rebel. That's why like him. The Jews believe they will. God's chosen people. Which one since they were but they believed it because they with the physical descendents of Abraham, and they pointed to circumcision as outward proof that, don't we, as Gentiles are the same thing when we point to a good moral behavior. I'm not as bad as that young Jethro report on church membership report on good works can we do that the room what God says for single 16 seven but remember the Lord does not look at the things man looks at.

Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at what what is Scott seem to look into your heart. You see, the Jews were sinners just like the rest of us were all sinners and this is what John the Baptist baptize both Jews and Gentiles and the Pharisees will I you gotta be kidding me, only to be baptized with Abraham's descendents now what you notice that John did not mince words. In fact, if he will rot. It's a Russ want you to step aside, let me take it from here, but since he's not, I will try not to embarrass myself. So why did John the Baptist call his audience vipers. We can't here use the offer for two a lot this year. He's got a gray, derelict your Shabbat. He said he writes he was saying they were like snakes fleeing a brush fire tried to escape but having no intention of allowing their evil nature to be changed.

See that's what a lot of men do been observing the mother judged by the way guys stand in judgment of anyone, but I do discern and make judgments about what I see were all supposed to do that and nothing observing men for 40 years who were members of churches and come in and out of Bible studies that have led in the John Youngs of lead in the Joe nonslip with files and generally go through these Bible studies and they say they believe, but their lives do not show evidence of any change. You see, what a man truly repents. That is when he really recognizes the depravity of his heart and he turns away from it. You think people will notice that this one Bible says that you become a new creation seat is an end, God has a doing insight is an inside job is gotta change us from the inside out in the end the only one who can do that is the Holy Spirit. His question number two what it John proclaim such a foreboding message with so many warnings to no one you love people were telling the truth being a Christian is not about being religious but about having a dynamic alive relationship with Jesus Christ you been listening to finding purpose with pastor Russ Sanders, a local triangle ministry glorifying God by helping men and their purpose for living. You can discover more about finding your purpose in life by checking out the resources@purpose.net will connect to finding purpose on Facebook pastor Russ would also like to extend a special invitation for you to join him in over 300 other local tribal men to study God's word together every Tuesday night at 7 PM in downtown Raleigh. Find out more finding purpose.net. This is the Truth Network