Title: Restructuring of Faith / Matthew 3:1-12
Content
I. Restructuring through Repentance (1-6)
When John the Baptist came into the world, he exclaimed, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” When the Jews heard this, they came to him from Jerusalem and from all Judah and from all around the Jordan River, confessing their sins and being baptized by him.
Repentance means turning from sin. It is turning the steps toward the world toward God. It is to look back on your life in the light of God's goal in Jesus. It is to find out what kind of life Jesus requires of me. Therefore, your goals should be clear and specific.
And you need to diagnose your current life. Furthermore, if Jesus were in my position, I had to figure out what he would do and find a practical way.
II. Forward-looking restructuring (7-10)
The restructuring of my faith is to have a better faith than my current faith. Therefore, the restructuring of faith should always be forward-looking.
It is not a past-oriented, clinging to the old and falling behind or struggling. In the words of John the Baptist, it is meant to bear fruit worthy of repentance, so that even these stony men will become descendants of Abraham. Although I am inferior to care, God wants me to be a descendant of Abraham, an heir of God, and a holy priesthood.
He wants to know that they are not a cursed people, but a masterpiece of God, a creative minority chosen for His glory.
Ⅲ. Restructuring for Soul Change (11-12)
The restructuring of faith is a serious matter of life or death of the soul. Whether it is wheat or chaff is a question Because of the power of God, the work of the Holy Spirit and the work of fire, a dead soul must be changed into a living soul.
Such a soul change requires a simple decision or readjustment of concrete and practical life elements for soul change. Through the power of God, your heart must be changed and a new change must occur in your life. I have to reorganize and redeploy all the elements of my life: the time, money, talents, interests, etc.
How can I find out how to live my life today while walking with God and being conscious of God's presence?