Luke 3:1-20  Luke gives us a summery of the ministry and life of John the baptist. "And he came into the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin."  John's calling and purpose since before his birth was to be the "voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make ready the way of the Lord."  The words of Isaiah continue .. speaking of a smooth path, a straight path, a road that John would prepare so that " all flesh"  would be able to "see the salvation of God." 

John did not try to please his audience with his words.  He did not excuse their sinfulness.  He spoke sternly and powerfully.  He called them "a brood of vipers" and warned them of the "wrath to come".  John did not pull any punches.  His message was the gospel of repentance.. repentance that changed the heart and the life of those who believed in God. There are still people who believe in baptism.. but do not understand true repentance. Those who count on getting into heaven because they went down into the water.. but who have not turned their lives over to the Lord, allowing Him to reign in their hearts... they have not forsaken their sin, and they do not have the Holy Spirit guiding them into all righteousness.  

John preached that a person who truly found salvation would be changed.. They would "bring forth fruits in keeping with repentance."  They would be generous with those in need. They would be honest in all they did.  They would be content with what they had and not demand what was not theirs.  They would have a change in the way they thought and in the way they acted.  Only then would their lives reveal God's forgiveness and salvation. 

John also made it very clear that the Messiah was coming.  The Messiah would be greater than himself and that he would surrender his own life to the  Him.. "As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."  

Verse 17 "And His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."   Luke records John's message about what Jesus will do.. He will separate those who are "sheep"... those who follow Him and are changed by His Spirit... and those who refuse, the "goats"... those who will not believe but will reject the gospel message. 

We often speak of the message of the gospel.. the good news that Jesus came to earth, that  He lived a perfect, sinless life, that He died on the cross and rose again... all for us, that we might be saved.  But, sometimes we neglect to speak of what we are saved from.  There is a judgment that is coming.. in fact Jesus said we have already been judged and found wanting.. "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." ( John 3:18) 

Father in heaven, give us ears to hear the true message of salvation that we might be completely changed and continue to be renewed... that our minds and lives will be transformed by Your Spirit working in us to will and to do Your good pleasure.  Grant us faith that grows and deepens. Bless us with the gifts of Your Spirit in all fullness, that we might overflow with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, self-control,  gentleness, faithfulness and humility.  We proclaim the name of Jesus Christ , our Lord and Savior, our only Hope and sure salvation. Fill us Lord we pray, Amen.