Show Don't Tell: Luke 3:7-18

Instead of saying "John preached repentance with specific applications," hear the crowds get practical advice. John says to the crowds coming out to be baptized: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?" Not gentle. "Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." The crowd asks: "What should we do then?" "Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none. Anyone who has food should do the same." Tax collectors come for baptism: "Teacher, what should we do?" "Don't collect any more than you are required to." Soldiers ask: "And what should we do?" "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely—be content with your pay." Specific, practical, unglamorous repentance. The people wonder if John might be the Messiah. "I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."