2. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, (2 Peter 1:3 ESV) God’s Answer to Life

3. “So with many other exhortations also he preached the gospel to the people. But when Herod the tetrarch was reproved by him on account of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and on account of all the wicked things which Herod had done, he added this also to them all, that he locked John up in prison.” Lk. 3:18-20

4. of salvation

5. Ê basic facts - 1 Cor. 15:1-4 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

6. on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. (Romans 2:16 ESV) interpretation of thosefacts - Rom. 2:16

7. ...was no respecter of persons Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Luke 3:8-9 ESV)

8. “And opening his mouth, Peter said: ‘I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right, is welcome to Him.” Acts 10:34-35 For God shows no partiality. (Romans 2:11 ESV)

9. ...was no respecter of persons …directed their behavior...was no respecter of persons …directed their behavior And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” (Luke 3:10-11 ESV)

10. “Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” Phil. 2:4

11. And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. (Titus 3:14 ESV) So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10 ESV)

12. ...was no respecter of persons …directed their behavior …directed their heart...was no respecter of persons …directed their behavior …directed their heart Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” (Luke 3:12-13 ESV)

13. As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, (1 Timothy 6:17-18 ESV)

14. ...was no respecter of persons …directed their behavior …directed their heart …directed their mind...was no respecter of persons …directed their behavior …directed their heart …directed their mind Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.” (Luke 3:14 ESV)

15. But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. (1 Timothy 6:6-10 ESV)

16. ...was no respecter of persons …directed their behavior …directed their heart …directed their mind …addressed their homes...was no respecter of persons …directed their behavior …directed their heart …directed their mind …addressed their homes But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done, (Luke 3:19 ESV)

17. For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress. (Romans 7:2-3 ESV)

18. “Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be embittered against them. Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.” Col. 3:18-21 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. (1 Peter 3:7 ESV)

19. ...was no respecter of persons …directed their behavior …directed their heart …directed their mind …addressed their homes …directed them to Christ...was no respecter of persons …directed their behavior …directed their heart …directed their mind …addressed their homes …directed them to Christ

20. As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” (Luke 3:15-17 ESV)

21. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.’” Jn. 14:6

22. ...was no respecter of persons …directed their behavior …directed their heart …directed their mind …addressed their homes …directed them to Christ...was no respecter of persons …directed their behavior …directed their heart …directed their mind …addressed their homes …directed them to Christ

23. The facts - 1 Cor. 15:1-3 ? Rom. 6:3-6 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:3-4 ESV)

24. Interpreting these facts ? 2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)

25. “Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” 1 Peter 1:3