Luke 3

"Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his public ministry. Jesus was known as the son of Joseph. Joseph was the son of Heli. Heli was the..."

The season has a reason Centuries ago, in a small unimportant town, our salvation began with a baby's cry. We continue to search and hope for: Peace, goodwill toward men.

"[In response to John's accusation, the] crowds asked, "What should we do?" John replied, "If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you..."

Why put something like this on your Christmas list? Larry Davies reminds of our need to repent and get our hearts and behavior right if we are going to prepare the way for Jesus at Christmas.

"Isaiah had spoken of John when he said, "He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord's coming! Clear the road for him!..."

"Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah. John answered their questions by..."

"When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, "You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? Prove by the way you live that you....."

You mean he means me? Patrick Odum confronts us with the words of John the baptist about repentance and how we need to face ourselves honestly in the mirror.

"Dear Friend, My cousin John the Baptist "appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins" (Mark 1:4 NIV)......"

"It was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea; Herod Antipas was ruler over..."

"When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form..."

"One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form,....."

"John also publicly criticized Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, for marrying Herodias, his brother's wife, and for many other wrongs he had done......"

"Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their..."

"Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his public ministry."

"Dear Follower, I surprised people when I went to the Jordan River to be immersed by John the Baptist. John's baptism — like baptism in the..."

"[After Jesus' baptism by John,] the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with..."

"Produce fruit in keeping with repentance."

"The voice crying in the wilderness demanded a way for the Lord, a way prepared, and a way prepared in the wilderness. I would be attentive to the..."

"John used many such warnings [like Jesus will separate the chaff from the wheat] as he announced the Good News to the people."

Inspirational illustration of Luke 3:22 -- ...the Holy Spirit descended on him [Jesus] in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

Inspirational illustration of Luke 3:8 -- Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

Have you seen or heard any attaways lately? Phil Ware reminds us of the importance of affirmation by talking about a nearly extinct species of blessings called an attaway or attaboy or attagirl.

What I had missed was the human element of this event in Jesus' life. The heavenly Father was affirming his Son! Phil Ware shares insight into affirmation of God's leaders from the life of Jesus and the ministry of Paul.

Where do we begin to change the cynicism and negativity we bring into our families, workplaces, and churches? Phil Ware continues his series on building a culture of honor focusing on affirmation.

What does God long to say to you? Phil Ware reminds us of the importance of baptism to Jesus as a new beginning and how that should be important to us.

Luke's account of Jesus' baptism and the Father's response provides our focus for today: They remind us of how powerful loving affirmation can be! ToGather.church for March 22, 2020

"Dear Child of the Father, While Paul was in Corinth, he waited anxiously to hear how the new believers in Thessalonica were doing. The Thessalonians...."

When Luke wrote his good news story about Jesus, he wants us to know that as much as we may resent and resemble Adam 1.0, the Holy Spirit is transforming us into Adam 2.0! Phil Ware leads us in exploratory devotional thoughts about the first and second Adams and what they mean to us and that Jesus came as Adam 2.0 to bring us a better future and life eternal with and like Jesus.

When Jesus was hungry, alone, and had been contemplating his mission that would end on a cross, Satan's temptations were quite enticing! Phil Ware shares very frank and clear teaching about how Jesus resisted temptation and reminds us that simply knowing the Bible is not enough to win the war with Satan.

The best way I know to start trying this love language shift is to use it with Jesus. Phil Ware reminds us how important it is to use love language with those who are precious to us and we can begin by doing this with Jesus.

How frequently are you affirming your kid? Our kids need our discipline and correction, but that need our affirmation andpositive support even more.

What has repentance led you to change? Repentance leads us to life change, not to just doing the same ol' relgious thing each week.

First Stage of Jesus' Ministry First stage of Jesus' ministry.

Can you actually feel good about your sorrow for sin? This is an honest look at repentance and sorrow and life change, and reminds us that God's goal isn't our sorrow, but our reformed life.

If Jesus was baptized and if Jesus wants you to be baptized, what's holding you back? Phillip Morrison reminds us of the most simple and basic reason of all to be baptized: Jesus wants us to be!

Should we be surprised that so many call themselves Christians but never live for Jesus? Phil Ware shares a passion on his heart about the way we have privatized and personalize conversion and salvation that eliminates the necessary grace of Jesus' community, family, and spiritual community.

God has done great things and is worthy of all of our praise. Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to give us confidence in our salvation because our God is able!

Have you lost your identity? Phil Ware challenges us to look at our identity built around the question of "Who are you?" and the answer framed by the work of Jesus.

Godliness means having the commitment and the spiritual discipline to live in ways that honor and reflect the character and compassion of God. Demetrius Collins & Phil Ware lead through worship in song, the Lord's Supper, a powerful message from God's word, and a closing blessing for worship from home with family and friends in a meaningful way - we are called to live godly lives, intentionally!