When Towers Fall and Preachers Whisper

Devotional

Day 1: Repentance Is Essential for All—Not Just “Worse Sinners”

Jesus teaches that tragedy is not a sign of greater sinfulness, but calls everyone to repentance. When people told Jesus about the Galileans who suffered under Pilate, and about those killed by the falling tower in Siloam, He rejected the idea that these victims were worse sinners than others. Instead, He emphasized that all people stand in need of repentance, for all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. The call is not to compare ourselves to others or to justify ourselves by pointing to someone “worse,” but to humbly recognize our own need for God’s mercy and to turn from sin. Repentance is not a one-time act, but a continual posture of humility before God, acknowledging our need for His grace and transformation. [09:06]

Luke 13:1-5 (ESV)
There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Reflection: Is there someone you tend to compare yourself to in order to feel “better” spiritually? What would it look like to lay aside comparison and honestly bring your own need for repentance before God today?

Day 2: Repentance Means a Changed Mind and Life

True repentance is more than admitting sin; it is a Spirit-empowered change of mind that leads to a transformed life. The call to repent is not just about feeling sorry or making a decision in a moment—it is about a deep, ongoing change in how we think, what we value, and how we live. Repentance begins in the mind, as we agree with God about our sin and turn away from the world’s ways to embrace the ways of God’s kingdom. This change is not accomplished by our own willpower, but by the renewing work of the Holy Spirit, who transforms us from the inside out. As our minds are renewed, our desires and actions begin to reflect Christ, and we grow in holiness and obedience. [24:46]

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Reflection: What is one area of your thinking or behavior that you sense God wants to change? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to begin renewing your mind in that area today?

Day 3: God Expects Fruit from a Life of Repentance

God graciously expects those who belong to Him to bear the fruit of repentance—a changed life that reflects the character of Christ. In the parable of the fig tree, the landowner comes seeking fruit and is disappointed to find none. This is not an unreasonable expectation; a tree planted in good soil is meant to bear fruit. Likewise, God looks for the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—in the lives of His people. While God is patient and gracious, giving us time and tending to us through Christ’s intercession, there is an expectation that our lives will be transformed and fruitful. Repentance is not just about avoiding punishment, but about becoming who God created us to be. [39:10]

Luke 13:6-9 (ESV)
And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”

Reflection: What “fruit” is God looking for in your life right now? Is there a specific area where you sense He is calling you to grow or change?

Day 4: Repentance Requires Humility and Honest Accountability

Repentance flourishes in a community where believers humbly confess their sins and hold one another accountable in love. It is easy to settle for “greasy grace,” excusing ongoing sin in ourselves or others under the banner of tolerance or kindness. But true grace does not leave us unchanged. God calls His people to lovingly confront and encourage one another toward repentance and holiness, not out of judgmentalism, but out of a desire to see each other flourish in Christ. When we avoid honest conversations about sin, we risk leaving people stuck and powerless, and the church loses its witness to the world. Humility before God and one another opens the door for real transformation and revival. [44:19]

James 5:16 (ESV)
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Reflection: Is there a trusted believer you can confess a struggle to this week, inviting prayer and accountability? What step can you take to move toward honest community?

Day 5: Revival Begins with Repentance and Changed Lives

Revival is not just an emotional experience, but a movement of God that begins with deep repentance and results in transformed lives. Many long for revival, but true revival is costly—it means mourning over sin, surrendering old patterns, and allowing the Holy Spirit to radically change us. When God’s people become quick to repent, quick to agree with God about sin, and quick to walk in newness of life, the fruit of the Spirit increases and the world takes notice. Revival starts when individuals and churches get serious about repentance, seeking not just to feel good, but to be made new in Christ. [56:48]

2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Reflection: What is one area where you need to “mourn” before God today, rather than just seeking comfort? How might your repentance be the spark for revival in your family, church, or community?

Sermon Summary

When tragedy strikes or when the world seems to be falling apart, it’s easy to look for someone to blame or to assume that suffering is a sign of God’s displeasure. But Jesus challenges this thinking in Luke 13, reminding us that calamity is not always a direct result of personal sin, and that all of us stand in need of repentance. The call is not to compare ourselves to others or to justify ourselves by pointing out the faults of those around us, but to humbly recognize our own need for God’s grace and transformation.

Too often, the modern church has settled for a shallow version of faith—one that checks the box of belief, perhaps even baptism, and then simply waits for heaven. But the life Jesus calls us to is so much more than that. It is a life marked by ongoing repentance, a continual turning away from the world’s values and a turning toward God’s kingdom. Repentance is not a one-time event, but a posture of humility and openness to God’s work in us. It is about changing our minds, allowing the Holy Spirit to renew us from the inside out, and bearing fruit that reflects the character of Christ.

This transformation is not something we can accomplish by sheer willpower. True change comes as we surrender to God, invite Him into our struggles, and allow the Spirit to do the deep work of renewal. Repentance shifts our focus from self-justification and comparison to a desire to know and do God’s will. It also places us in a community where we hold one another accountable—not out of judgment, but out of love and a shared longing to see each other grow.

God’s grace is abundant, but it is not to be presumed upon. The parable of the fig tree reminds us that God expects fruit from those He has planted in His kingdom. Jesus, our great intercessor, pleads for us and works patiently in our lives, but there is an urgency to respond, to agree with God about our sin, and to walk in newness of life. When we embrace a lifestyle of repentance, we become the kind of people through whom God can bring real change—revival that is more than emotion, but a genuine transformation of hearts, families, and communities.

Key Takeaways

1. Repentance is a continual posture, not a one-time event. Jesus’ call to repent is not just for those who have never believed, but for all who desire to follow Him. It is a daily turning away from the world’s values and a turning toward God, marked by humility and a willingness to be changed. [18:55]
2. True repentance begins with a change of mind that leads to a change of life. It is not enough to simply believe in God or acknowledge Jesus intellectually; repentance means allowing the Holy Spirit to renew our minds, which in turn transforms our actions and desires. Without this, belief remains fruitless and stagnant. [24:46]
3. God expects fruit from those who belong to Him, and that fruit is the evidence of a life being transformed by the Spirit. The parable of the fig tree shows that God’s grace is patient, but not indefinite—He looks for the fruit of repentance, such as love, joy, peace, and self-control, to be growing in our lives. [39:10]
4. Accountability within the church is an expression of love, not judgment. When we see a brother or sister persisting in sin, it is not gracious to ignore it; rather, we are called to come alongside, encourage repentance, and help one another grow. This is how the church becomes a place of real transformation, not just empty ritual. [44:19]
5. Revival is not about emotional experiences, but about lives truly changed by repentance and the gospel. If we want to see God move in our families, neighborhoods, and cities, it begins with mourning over our own sin, agreeing with God, and allowing the Spirit to bring new life. Only then will we see the kind of revival that lasts. [56:48]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:46] - Reading Luke 13:1-5
[02:08] - When Towers Fall and Preachers Whisper
[03:29] - The Mission of the Church
[05:08] - The Life Between Salvation and Heaven
[06:24] - The Galileans and the Problem of Suffering
[09:06] - Jesus’ Response: Repentance for All
[12:25] - Comparing Ourselves to Others
[13:57] - The Modern Church and Sin
[16:17] - Repentance in Scripture
[18:55] - The Posture of Repentance
[20:40] - Belief vs. Repentance
[23:10] - Living Sacrifices and Renewed Minds
[26:26] - The Shift in Focus: Kingdom Values
[29:58] - Transformation by the Spirit
[33:51] - The Problem with Decision-Based Faith
[37:55] - The Parable of the Fig Tree
[42:12] - The Grace and Limits of God’s Patience
[44:19] - Accountability and True Grace
[47:08] - The Call to Repent and Believe
[49:50] - Augustine: A Life Changed
[52:18] - Responding to the Spirit’s Conviction
[56:48] - Revival: More Than Emotion
[57:38] - Invitation to Repentance and New Life

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 13:1-9 (ESV) —
> There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
>
> And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”

Observation Questions

In Luke 13:1-5, what question do the people bring to Jesus about the Galileans and those killed by the tower, and how does Jesus respond?
According to the parable of the fig tree (Luke 13:6-9), what does the landowner expect from the tree, and what is the response when there is no fruit?
The sermon mentions that Jesus repeats the phrase “unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” twice in this passage. Why do you think Jesus emphasizes this point? [[09:06]]
What is the connection between repentance and bearing fruit, as described in both the passage and the sermon? [[39:10]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus challenge the idea that suffering is always a result of personal sin? What does this reveal about God’s perspective on tragedy and human suffering? [[07:55]]
The sermon says repentance is not a one-time event but a continual posture. What does it mean for repentance to be a “posture” rather than a single act? [[18:55]]
In the parable, the vinedresser asks for more time to work with the tree. What does this teach us about God’s patience and expectations for our lives? [[42:12]]
The sermon describes accountability in the church as an act of love, not judgment. How does this understanding change the way we approach others who are struggling with sin? [[44:19]]

Application Questions

The sermon warns against comparing ourselves to others to justify our own actions. Can you think of a recent time when you compared your sin to someone else’s? How did that affect your attitude toward repentance? [[12:25]]
Repentance is described as a daily turning away from the world’s values and toward God. What is one specific area in your life where you sense God calling you to “change your mind” or direction? [[18:55]]
The fruit of repentance includes qualities like love, joy, peace, and self-control. Choose one of these fruits. What is a practical step you can take this week to let the Holy Spirit grow this fruit in your life? [[40:00]]
The sermon says true change comes not by willpower but by surrendering to God and inviting the Holy Spirit to work in us. Is there a struggle or habit you’ve been trying to overcome on your own? What would it look like to invite God into that struggle? [[32:22]]
Accountability is described as “digging and dumping manure”—coming alongside others to help them grow. Is there someone in your life who needs encouragement or gentle correction? How can you approach them in love this week? [[44:19]]
The parable of the fig tree shows that God’s grace is patient, but not indefinite. Is there an area where you’ve been presuming on God’s patience? What would it look like to respond with urgency today? [[42:12]]
The sermon says revival starts with mourning over our own sin and agreeing with God. What is one way you can practice honest confession and repentance this week, either privately or with a trusted friend? [[56:48]]

Sermon Clips

What we've missed is the life that God gives us between the moment we said Jesus is Lord and the moment that we see him face to face. It's as if the modern church has decided that that time is irrelevant. It's just a time of waiting for us to finally die and then go into the presence of the Lord and live forever in perfection. [00:05:01] (25 seconds) #LiveBetweenNowAndThen

We all like to think that we're good people. You know why we think that? Because we compare ourselves to one another. If I can find somebody that I think is a worse sinner than me, then I feel pretty okay about myself, right? [00:11:52] (19 seconds) #StopComparingYourself

In the modern church, we don't like to think about sin. We don't like to think about the fact that sin, it separates us from God. We don't like to think about, you know, what sin brings. Jesus says the wages of sin is death. And so we think that, well, I accepted Christ. Therefore, the penalty has been paid in full. And therefore, my debt is clear. So that clears me of all sin. So, hey, while I wait for heaven, I've got to get out of hell free card. And many use that as an excuse to keep on sinning and to stay in the very same mud holes that we've been living in. But, friends, as Paul would say, we haven't learned Christ that way. [00:14:28] (60 seconds) #SinSeparatesUs

Repentance is a frequent word used in the New Testament. Again, we don't hear it a lot in our modern churches. Even in the way we present the gospel, we don't use the word repent. We tell people to come and admit their sin. Believe in the gospel and the confess of Jesus as Lord. The abc is of salvation. Who's ever heard that? Admit, believe, confess. We need to add an R to that because Jesus certainly did. [00:15:28] (36 seconds) #RepentanceMatters

Repentance attacks the religious pride that tries to invade our hearts and tell us that we are righteous. That same pride that learns to look down on people and conclude that we have enough insight into their lives to determine whether or not God is pleased with them. Repentance is an attitude. Repentance is a posture, if you will, a posture of humility before God as we begin to understand and recognize that God is God and we are not. [00:18:39] (42 seconds) #HumilityBeforeGod

The way you live your life is your worship. How you live Monday through Saturday says more about your position with God than what you do on Sunday morning. Church, do you get that? You died. You are a living sacrifice. [00:23:56] (18 seconds) #WorshipInLife

Because you have died with Christ, don't be conformed to this world, but instead be transformed by what? The renewal of your mind. Change your mind. Change your mind. Repent. Repentance starts in your mind. It starts with a change of mind. [00:24:40] (32 seconds) #RenewYourMind

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