Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Advent Worship

Sermon Text: Matthew 3:1-12

"[1] In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea [2] and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.’ [3] This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah; ‘A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’’ [4] John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. [5] People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. [6] Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. [7] But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them; ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? [8] Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. [9] And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. [10] 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. [11] ‘I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. [12] His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.’"

Sermon Theme: "Orphaned Nicholas, Bishop of Marra"