On the Second Sunday of Advent, Pastor Ron brings a straight-to-the-heart message from John the Baptist that might make you squirm in your pew: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near!”
This isn’t a feel-good Christmas sermon about sweet baby Jesus and twinkling lights. This is John the Baptist in camel hair, eating locusts, calling the most religious people of his day a “brood of vipers” and warning that the axe is already at the root of the tree. And the scariest part? He’s preaching to the church folks — the ones who already show up, already tithe, already have “Abraham as our father” (or in our words, “I’ve been Methodist all my life”).
With humor, personal stories (including a hilarious Christmas pageant memory involving a ZZ Top beard taped to a 10-year-old), and unflinching honesty, Pastor Ron asks the question we don’t want to hear:
If John the Baptist showed up at OUR church this Sunday… who would he be yelling at?
Key moments from the sermon:
- Why repentance isn’t a one-time altar call — it’s a daily turning (John Wesley said even he needed it constantly!)
- The danger of spiritual ruts that keep us from seeing what God is doing
- How the same people who missed John’s message missed the manger… and risk missing the Kingdom
- Real-life stories of recent repentance that brought shock, healing, and joy
- A loving but urgent call: the Kingdom is still coming — fast — and God wants YOU ready
Perfect for anyone who’s ever thought, “That sermon was for somebody else,” or who needs a fresh reminder that Advent isn’t just about preparing a nursery — it’s about preparing our hearts for a King who’s coming again with fire.
Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12 (NIV)
Preached: December 7, 2025
Mount Pleasant Methodist Church, A Global Methodist Church
If this message stirred your heart, drop “I needed this” in the comments.
Like, share, and subscribe for weekly sermons that love you enough to tell you the truth.
#Repentance #Advent #JohnTheBaptist #FireAndBrimstone #KingdomOfGod #Matthew3 #Sermon #Methodist #ChristianSermon #PrepareTheWay