The Need to Repent

Sermon 58 in Series

Luke 13:1-9

[1] There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. [2] And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? [3] No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. [4] Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? [5] No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

[6] And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. [7] And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ [8] And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. [9] Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  How does Christmas encourage us to dig more deeply into the Bible? How can you make this more of a priority in the coming year?
2.  How is this passage related to the preaching of John the Baptist? What does it show about Jesus’ courage and role as the Prophet (Deut. 18:18)?
3.  How does Jesus correct the thinking of his hearers regarding suffering/tragedy? How is he calling them away from self-righteousness and false assurance?
4.  What is repentance? Why must it be a key ingredient of gospel proclamation?
5.  How does Jesus echo John’s preaching in connecting repentance with fruit? How does this sharpen your theology, self-examination, and evangelism?
6.  What do we see here about the character of God? How is it suggestive of Christ’s work as Mediator?
7.  How does this passage call the hearer to urgency? How does it caution us not to presume on God’s grace and patience?

References:  Matthew 3:1-17 (corporate reading); Psalm 19:7-11; Ezekiel 3:17-19; Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Job 4:7; 8:4; 22:5; John 9:2; 1 Corinthians 11:30; James 5:15; Luke 3:3; 5:32; Mark 6:12; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 26:20; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; Luke 3:7-9; Isaiah 5:1-7; Romans 2:3-5.