Sermon Notes - Luke 3:1-20 - Littleby Baptist Church - March 22, 2026

1.       As we continue in Luke we are moving from Jesus to His herald.

a.       Jesus is still the focus of the Gospel.

b.       But John the Baptist plays a key role.

c.       We have looked at the prophecy in Micah pointing to John being the herald.

d.       The prophecy states that one was coming to pave the way for Jesus.

e.       Zechariah said that John the Baptist was going to teach about the need for salvation and repentance.

f.         As we look at Luke 3, we find John doing exactly that.

2.       Luke 3:1-2

a.       Here Luke related to both Jews and Gentiles.

b.       The Gentiles would have understood the timing of verse 1.

c.       The Jews would understand when in history verse 2 pointed to.

3.       These verses help to set the stage.

a.       Help people to think about those leaders.

b.       What life was like at that time.

4.       The last bit of verse 2, reenforces that this is a God thing.

a.       It was the Word of God that came upon John. (re-read)

5.       It is amazing when God works.

a.       Studying the Word of God is important.

b.       Reading commentaries provides knowledge.

c.       They can help us to understand what other Bible believers think about the verses.

d.       But we still need God to work in us.

e.       Without God, it would simply be book knowledge.

f.         With God it is life and eternity changing.

g.        Knowledge is important, but only God can change hearts.

6.       Luke 3:3

a.       The area in Jordan that is suspected that John was in, was not far from Jerusalem or Jericho.

b.       An ideal spot.

c.       One that is easy for people to get to.

d.       An area that likely had a lot of traffic.

7.       Repent, be baptized, and your sins will be forgiven.

a.       This was a new message for people to hear.

b.       For the Jews, Baptism was not something they did.

c.       Repentance to them was going to the temple to make the required sacrifice.

d.       What we would call true repentance, was not part of the process.

e.       For Gentiles all of this was new.

f.         John’s message would have raised eyebrows of anyone who heard it.

8.       Luke 3:4-6

a.       Luke is quoting from Isaiah 40:3-5

b.       These words were originally written for the expected return of the exiles from Babylon.

c.       Yet we find that several of the Gospel writers, as led by the Holy Spirit, reference them for John the Baptist.

9.       To put these words in context a bit.

10.  It is believed that some kings would have a work crew go before them.

a.       Their job was to make the king’s trip as smooth as possible.

b.       Find the straightest and fastest paths.

c.       Fill in holes or valleys.

d.       Remove the bumps in the road.

e.       They were preparing the way for the king.

f.         Exactly what John the Baptist was doing for the coming of King Jesus.

g.        John called people to repent of their sins.

h.       Helping them to understand that what they were doing was not good enough.

i.          To see that the message that John and soon Jesus shared was the only correct path.

11.  John was helping them to repent.

a.       To get smoothed or straightened out.

12.  Luke 3:7

a.       The good news here is that people are seeking John out.

b.       His message must be resonating with some of them.

c.       I would suspect it was changing the outlook of some.

d.       Maybe driving real life changes.

e.       They are realizing that sacrifices are not enough. 

f.         They needed to live what they believed.

g.        Some saw the change in people who heard the message and were baptized.

h.       It intrigued them.

i.          So, they came looking for John the Baptizer to learn more.

13.  Then there was this other group.

a.       Those that John called the brood of vipers.

b.       It is safe to say that this was not a good nickname.

c.       When I think of vipers, I think of poisonous snakes.

d.       Those that can take the life of others.

e.       Vipers tend to be seen as evil.

f.         All of this fits with John’s message to them.

14.  Re-read the last part of verse 7.

a.       Did they think they could come and be baptized and all would be good?

b.       Did they seek salvation but did not truly repent.

c.       Wrath and Judgement are coming.

d.       An act, a baptism, a temple sacrifice, being a good person…

e.       None of which will save anyone without true repentance.

f.         Repentance is not a simple prayer or moving words.

g.        It is heartfelt.

h.       A desire for change.

i.          This brood of vipers did not come from a place of heart felt repentance.

15.   Luke 3:8

a.       Being Jewish was not enough.

b.       Being a child of Abraham was not going to connect the dots for them.

c.       True fruit was needed.

d.       Heart change.

e.       Turning from wickedness.

f.         Turning from sin.

g.        They needed to pursue righteousness.

h.       They could not achieve it on their own.

i.          We cannot earn it or achieve it in our own strength.

j.          But we should desire to be righteous and to work at it.

16.  Hopefully this is sounding familiar.

a.       Sounding like the message that came from Jesus.

b.       John’s message was the introduction to the life changing Gospel of Jesus.

17.  Luke 3:9

a.       Produce fruit or be cut down and cast into the fire.

b.       True repentance that changes your life.

c.       Or face a horrible eternity.

d.       Very similar to some verses we read in John.

18.  John 15:1-8

a.       Being a Jew was not enough.

b.       The sacrificial system was not going to help.

c.       Fruit was needed.

d.       These verses in John as well as Luke 3:9

e.       Were words that needed to be said.

f.         Words that woke up some of the people.

g.        Helped them to see that the status quo was not enough.

h.       They needed to repent.

i.          They needed to hear what was being shared.

j.          We need to repent and follow Jesus.

19.  Luke 3:10

a.       Maybe John got their attention.

b.       A reminder that hard truths need to be taught and shared.

c.       A sugar-coated truth leads people astray.

d.       That sugar-coated message is really not a truth at all.

e.       The Gospel is black and white, and we need to share it accordingly.

20.  Luke 3:11

a.       John starts sharing things that can be done.

b.       We have to be careful as the actions don’t save us.

c.       But we are to love others.

d.       Water baptism does not save us.

e.       But it is something we should do.

f.         Faith in God, believing in Jesus is what saves us.

g.        Which true heartfelt repentance should result in life change.

h.       Our faith in God should be seen in how we love Him and love others.

21.  Luke 3:12-13

a.       Some of the most despised people of the day wanted to know what showing repentance looked like.

b.       What we see here is John giving them guidance.

c.       Be honest about what is owed and should be collected.

d.       Be content with what you have.

e.       Honesty and contentment.

f.         Good things for each us to model.

22.  Luke 3:14

a.       These could be Jewish or Roman soldiers.

b.       They hear the same message as the tax collectors.

c.       Be honest.

d.       Be content.

e.       Treat others as you would want to be treated.

f.         Put another way, love your neighbor as you would yourself.

23.  Luke 3:15

a.       If we knew nothing about Jesus.

b.       If our knowledge was limited to what the public ministry of John, their has been nothing about Jesus yet.

c.       This would be a reasonable question.

d.       John’s message contains part of what Jesus teaches.

e.       Which fits, as he is the one paving the way for Jesus.

24.  Luke 3:16

a.       John understands that he is nothing in compared to the one that is coming.

b.       He is unfit to untie Jesus sandals.

c.       When we look at this in context to that day and age.

d.       This is a strong statement.

e.       Sandals were worn to keep your feet out of the garbage, animal droppings, and more.

f.         The person who removed and cleaned the sandals were the lowest of the slaves.

g.        John did not see himself as worthy to remove Jesus sandals.

h.       He was a herald, the one bringing God’s message to the people.

i.          Not the Messiah.

25.  Jesus on the other hand is awesome.

a.       He released the Holy Spirit.

b.       If we follow Him.

c.       He will refine us.

d.       Purify us.

e.       But He will also bring judgement.

26.  Luke 3:17

a.       Separating the wheat from the chaff.

b.       The righteous from the judged.

c.       John was called to start that process.

d.       He was calling people.

e.       Encouraging them to repent.

27.  Jesus will finish the process.

a.       He will store His wheat.

b.       Those who repent and believe.

c.       Securing them for all eternity.

d.       As only He can do.

e.       It will not be nice for those who do not confess Jeus as Lord.

f.         Cast into the fire that never goes out.

g.        Judgement forever.

h.       That is the choice before us, forever with Jesus or an unending judgement.

28.  Luke 3:18

a.       John kept pointing people to Jesus.

b.       Calling them to repent.

c.       Paving the way for Jesus.

d.       In hope that people would believe and repent.

e.       A key part of the path to salvation.

29.  Luke 3:19-20

a.       We don’t know all the information here.

b.       The improper marriage is only a small part.

c.       We are told Herod did evil things.

d.       Sadly it is safe to believe that he never repented.

e.       Instead, when John called him on his sin, he lashed out.

f.         Not loving others.

g.        Not being honest.

h.       Not showing contentment.

i.          The king did not get the message being shared.

30.  John the Baptist pointed people to Jesus.

a.       Preparing them to hear Jesus’ truth.

b.       Some listened.

c.       Some did not.

d.       But John kept on talking about Jesus.

e.       We need to do the same.

31.  Repent.

a.       Believe.

b.       Then tell others about our awesome Jesus.

32.  What choice do you need to make today?

a.       Do you need to choose to believe in Jesus.

b.       The Jesus, who died to redeem you.

33.  Or do you need to choose to step out and do what He called you to do.

a.       Love God.

b.       Love Others.

c.       Serving Him and those you encounter.

d.       Telling as many as possible about Jesus and His awesome gift.  

34.  Make your choice today.