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How God Uses Preaching to Change People’s Lives

God uses a preacher to call people to repentance 

In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” The prophet Isaiah was speaking about 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!’ Matthew 3:1-3 NLT

Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2 NLT

God uses unusual people to preach his message

John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey. People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. Matthew 3:4-6 NLT

God uses preachers to challenge the powerful and the comfortable

But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire. Matthew 3:7-10 NLT

The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 NLT

God uses preachers to point people to Jesus

“I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never ending fire.” Matthew 3:11-12 NLT

but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:23-24 ESV

Jesus shows us how to honor biblical preaching 

Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him. Matthew 3:13-15 NLT

We should work hard to honor and support those who preach

In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it. 1 Corinthians 9:14 NLT

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Go to a place that is quiet and helps you reflect on the sermon. Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings and ask God to calm them. Take some deep breaths and go for a walk if you need to. When you are ready, ask God to speak to you what He wants you to hear. Begin your time of reflection with a posture of repentance. Ask God to help you discern any sin in your life that He wants you to turn away from? Picture what repentance would look like for you, and embrace God’s grace for you. Take an action this week to turn to God and away from this sin, and invite Jesus to help you do this. What are your thoughts and feelings about the purpose and importance of biblical preaching? Pray for God to help you discern some ways that your life has been changed by Jesus through sermons. Thank God for what He has spoken to you, and thank Him for the people who have faithfully preached His Word. Ask God how you could better prepare to hear from Him each week, and commit to doing it with His help. As you close this time, what do you sense God was challenging you to do through this sermon, especially about joining the team at Sandals Church and pointing people to Jesus? Pray He would empower and enable you in what He is leading you to do. Take action this week to obey this leading.

Discussion Questions

For our Matthew series, we’re offering a couple options for how to discuss the sermon and scripture. Choose option A or B to guide your group’s discussion time.

(A) The R.E.A.L. Bible Study Method:

  1. Read the Passage. Start by reading Matthew 3:1-15 (NLT) out loud.
  2. Explore the Theme. What is the main point or theme of the passage? What does this passage reveal about God and/or humanity?
  3. Ask God. How do we apply this passage to our lives today? How might God be encouraging or challenging you?
  4. Live It Out. What prayerful and specific action will you take based on this passage?

(B) Choose a couple of questions from each section below to discuss as a group:

  1. START HERE: Think about a time when someone told you something you didn’t want to hear, but needed to. How did you respond?
  2. START HERE: Have you ever heard a sermon that challenged you to change? What was it about, and how did it impact you?
  3. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 3:1-6 (NLT). How does it encourage you to know that God uses all kinds of people to build His Kingdom?
  4. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 3:7-10 (NLT). What does the way you live say about the direction of your life? (It’s not about perfection, it's about direction.)
  5. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 3:7-10 (NLT). Who are 3-5 of the closest people in your life, and which direction do they point you: towards Jesus or away from Him?
  6. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 3:11-12 (NLT). How could you point people to Jesus?
  7. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 3:13-15 (NLT). Have you been baptized? If so, what was that experience like? If not, what is keeping you from being baptized? (Learn more about Baptism at sandalschurch.com/baptism)
  8. LIVE IT OUT: What can you do to better prepare yourself each week to hear what God has for you?
  9. LIVE IT OUT: What is one area of your life that you need to take a step in obedience with God this week?