Axe and Winnowing Fork! Lk. 3:1-23
“Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” vs. 9 “His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” vs. 17 These words are true today as they were in the time of John and Jesus. Over the years of my ministry some have heard the Word of God and rejected that word. They are trees without the fruit of repentance. They have no Christ likeness. As far as we can know, they have been cut down and thrown into the fires of hell. The axe of God’s judgment is even now hitting against the roots of some fruitless trees. In time all fruitless trees will be cut down and thrown into the fire. The preaching of a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins is urgent! Each day men, women, boys and girls are dying. Each day, some are being cast in the flames of torment. “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” Lk. 16:22,23
God in His grace and mercy today is giving you His word. He is showing you the path of repentance, faith and salvation. God is giving you the gift of conviction for your sins. God is giving you the gift of repentance and faith. Will you receive the gift of salvation given to you by God’s grace through faith? The time of harvest at the end of the age will come. “He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire: His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will throughly purge His floor, and will gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with fire unquenchable.” Lk.3:16,17 Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit. He will give salvation and new life to all who trust in Him. They will be born of the Spirit. Jesus will also baptize with fire. “He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” His winnowing fork is in His hand! Even now He is making ready for His final judgement, to thoroughly clear His threshing floor. All will go before the Lord of the Harvest. He will separate the wheat from the chaff. He will separate the sheep from the goats. He will separate those who received the gift of salvation from those who rejected that gift. The wheat will be gathered into the barn. The chaff will be cast into the flames of hell.
Today, I call upon you to flee the coming wrath of God’s judgment. Don’t reject the gift of God’s salvation! Our salvation was purchased with the life of the beloved Son of God. He willingly went to the cross and died for your sins and mine. “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;” Heb.2:3 “O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance.” Lk.3:7,8 God is looking for a true heart. Truly show the proof of your repentance. If you have two coats; give one to the man who has none. If you have food share with the person who has none. Be honest in you work and do not cheat or steal from your neighbor. True salvation will always show itself by love for God and love for neighbor. True salvation will always bear fruit to the glory of God. True salvation is like the life giving head of grain not the worthless chaff. Come today and repent of your sins. Trust only in Jesus Christ to save you. Receive the gift of salvation. Be baptized giving testimony to the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. To God be all the glory. Amen.