Matthew 6:9-13 - After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom
come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive
our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
forever. Amen.
Happy and Blessed New Year to everyone – Let us continue with our sermons
in Matthew
The Sermon for This Week is: Preparing The Way Of The Lord - Matthew 3:1-12
- In those days came John the Baptist,
preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was
spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his
paths straight. And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was
locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized
of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said
unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for
repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I
say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root
of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize
you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall
baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is
in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with
unquenchable fire.
INTRODUCTION
1. Prior to the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, we read of the work of John the Baptist...
a. Who preached in the wilderness of Judea - Matthew 3:1 - In those days came John the Baptist,
preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
b. Who at first appears to have had a very successful start - Matthew 3:5-6
- Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in
Jordan, confessing their sins.
c. Whose ministry was later cut short by his imprisonment - Matthew 4:12 - Now when Jesus had
heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
2. Though John’s work was short-lived, it was clearly important...
a. Each of the four gospels preface Jesus’ ministry with that of John’s
b. His ministry prepared people for what was to come
[If we seek to understand the message and ministry of Jesus Christ, we must start with the one who was
sent to “prepare the way of the Lord”. In this study we shall begin by observing what we can regarding...]
I. THE MINISTRY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
A. HIS MESSAGE...
1. A call to repentance - Matthew 3:1-2 - In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in
the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
a. Lit., “a changing of the mind”
b. Which change prompts one to turn from sin and turn to God
c. Prompted by sorrow for one’s sins, manifested by a zealous desire to do what is right - cf. 2
Corinthians 7:10-11 - For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow
of the world worketh death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought
in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation,
yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things
ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
2. A proclamation of the coming “kingdom of heaven” - Matthew 3:2 - And saying,
Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
a. The term “kingdom” in Jewish thought meant “rule, reign”
b. The phrase “of heaven” implies the source of such rule; other gospel writes use “of
God” - cf. Mark 1:14-15 - Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel
of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent
ye, and believe the gospel.
c. The rule or reign of God was about to be manifested in a special way; it was “at hand”
(near)
B. HIS PURPOSE...
1. To fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah - Matthew 3:3 - For this is he that was spoken of by the
prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
a. Which was to “Prepare ye the way of the LORD” - Isaiah 40:3 - The voice
of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
b. I.e., to prepare people for the coming of the Messiah
2. To fulfill the prophecy of Malachi - Matthew 3:4 - And the same John had his raiment of camel's
hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
a. Concerning the sending of Elijah - cf. Malachi 4:5-6 - Behold, I will send you Elijah the
prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children,
and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
b. John came “in the spirit and power of Elijah”, not that he actually was Elijah - cf. John
1:19-23 - And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art
thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias?
And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give
an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? He said, I am the voice of one
crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.; (cf. Matthew 3:4 -
And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts
and wild honey. - With 2 Kings 1:8 - And they answered him, He was an
hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the
Tishbite.)
-- As the angel told Zacharias, his son John was to “make ready a people prepared for the Lord”
- Luke 1:16-17 - And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before
him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom
of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
C. HIS SUCCESS...
1. People from Jerusalem, all Judea, etc., went to him - Matthew 3:5 - Then went out to him
Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
2. They were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins - Matthew 3:6 - And
were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
a. For he preached a baptism of repentance - Mark 1:4a - John did baptize in the wilderness,
b. A baptism for the remission of sins - Mark 1:4b - and preach the baptism of repentance for
the remission of sins.
D. HIS CHALLENGE...
1. When people came to be baptized, he expected to see fruits in keeping with true repentance - Matthew
3:7-8 - But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of
vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
a. He expected compassion for the poor - Luke 3:10-11 - And the people asked him, saying, What
shall we do then? He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that
hath meat, let him do likewise.
b. He expected honest business dealings - Luke 3:12-13 - Then came also publicans to be baptized,
and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
c. He expected fair treatment, contentment with one’s wages - Luke 3:14 - And the soldiers
likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
2. He told them not to trust in their heritage or ancestry - Matthew 3:9 - And think not to
say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able
of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
a. It was not enough that they were Jews, descendants of Abraham
b. God could just as easily raise up children to Abraham out of stones
3. He warned them that the time of judgment was near - Matthew 3:10 - And now also the axe is
laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the
fire.
a. The “ax” (God’s judgment) was at the root of the trees
b. That which did not bear good fruit would be cut off - cf. Romans 11:11-23 - I say then, Have
they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation
is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more
their fulness? For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any
means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. For
if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall
the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the
root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches
be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness
of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt
say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou
standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take
heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity;
but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be
cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
- John 15:1-6 - I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now
ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As
the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth
in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If
a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
E. HIS PROMISE...
1. One mightier than he is coming - Matthew 3:11 - I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance:
but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost,
and with fire:
a. Yes, John did indeed baptize with water with repentance
b. But one (Jesus) was coming to baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire!
2. Whose work would be to separate the wheat from the chaff - Matthew 3:12 - Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but
he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
a. Using a “winnowing fan” (the Holy Spirit? cf. John 16:7-8 - Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not
come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness,
and of judgment: - John 16:12-13 - I have yet many things to say unto you, but
ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not
speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall
he speak: and he will shew you things to come.)
b. And burn up the chaff with “unquenchable fire” (the Judgment? cf. Matthew 13:30 - Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather
ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.)
[We can learn more of the ministry of John the Baptist by studying the other gospels, but what Matthew
records is sufficient to make several observations about how he was “Preparing The Way Of The Lord”...]
II. OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING THE MINISTRY OF JOHN
A. JOHN PREPARED PEOPLE FOR JESUS’ MESSAGE...
1. John preached a call to repent - Matthew 3:2 - And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of
heaven is at hand. - Matthew 3:8 - Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
a. Jesus did the same during His earthly ministry - Matthew 4:17 - From that time Jesus began
to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. - Matthew 9:13
- But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. -
Matthew 11:20 - Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because
they repented not: - Matthew 12:41 - The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with
this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas
is here.
b. Jesus expected the call to repentance to be proclaimed in His name to all nations – Luke 24:46-47
- And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise
from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning
at Jerusalem.
c. And so His apostles proclaimed the need to repent - Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them,
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift
of the Holy Ghost. - Acts 3:19 - Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when
the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; - Acts 17:30 - And the times of this ignorance
God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: - Acts 20:20-21 - And
how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught
you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith
toward our Lord Jesus Christ. - Acts 26:19-20 - Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly
vision: But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
-- Unless we heed to the call to repent, we have not begun to understand nor act upon what it means to
truly be a disciple of Jesus Christ!
2. John proclaimed the good news of the kingdom, that it was near - Matthew 3:2 - And saying,
Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
a. This was the same message proclaimed by Jesus - Matthew 4:17 - From that time Jesus began
to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. cf. Mark 1:14-15 - Now after that
John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
b. By His disciples, in the Limited Commission - Matthew 10:7 - And
as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
c. The theme of the kingdom was an important part of the gospel following the Great Commission - Acts
8:12 - But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ,
they were baptized, both men and women. - Acts 14:22 - Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom
of God. - Acts 19:8 - And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing
and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. - Acts 20:25 - And now, behold, I know that ye all,
among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. - Acts 28:23 - And when they
had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and
testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out
of the prophets, from morning till evening.
-- What came to be taught concerning the kingdom, we shall consider in another lesson; but it was “at
hand” during Jesus’ earthly ministry, and in existence following His ascension to heaven - cf. Colossians 1:13
- Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the
kingdom of his dear Son: - 1 Thessalonians 2:12 - That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto
his kingdom and glory. - Revelation 1:9 - I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and
in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony
of Jesus Christ.
B. JOHN PREPARED THE PEOPLE FOR JESUS’ WORK...
1. He spoke of Jesus as One who would baptize with the Holy Spirit - Matthew 3:11 - I
indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy
to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
a. This did not rule out Jesus baptizing in water, or that His disciples would
1) Indeed, Jesus did baptize in water, via His disciples - John 4:1-2 - When therefore the Lord
knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not,
but his disciples,)
2) He later commanded water baptism in the Great Commission, which His disciples carried out - Matthew
28:19-20 - Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am
with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
- Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ
for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. - Acts 8:35-38 - Then Philip opened
his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their
way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder
me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe
that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water,
both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. - Acts 10:47-48 - Can any man forbid water, that these should
not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the
Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
b. But Jesus would also baptize with the Holy Spirit, as promised - cf. Acts 1:4-5 - And, being
assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem,
but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he,
ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost
not many days hence.
1) Which occurred at Pentecost - cf. Acts 2:1-21 - And when the day
of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of
a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like
as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues,
as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak
in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak
Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the
dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the
parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our
tongues the wonderful works of God. And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said
unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you,
and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third
hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith
God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall
see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of
my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire,
and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of
the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord
shall be saved.
2) The result of which affects all who are saved - cf. Titus 3:5-7 - Not by works of righteousness
which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs
according to the hope of eternal life.
-- Yes, John “indeed” baptized with water (as would Jesus), but John prepared the people for
a work Jesus would do that went far beyond what he was doing!
2. He spoke of Jesus as One who would separate the “wheat” from the “chaff” -
Matthew 3:12 - Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor,
and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
a. Jesus’ work would divide the good from the bad - cf. Matthew 13:47-50
- Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered
of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the
good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels
shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace
of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
b. His work would even cause division within one’s family - cf. Matthew 10:34-39 - Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law
against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be
they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than
me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And
he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth
his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
-- From what John said, we can expect that the effect of Jesus’ work would sometimes cause division,
not peace!
3. He spoke of Jesus as administering judgment - Matthew 3:12 - Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn
up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
a Jesus later depicted Himself as judge - Matthew 26:31-46 - Then
saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will
smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen
again, I will go before you into Galilee. Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men
shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter
said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. Then cometh
Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while
I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch
with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father,
if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not
watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed
is willing, but the flesh is
weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my
Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep
again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands
of sinners. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
b. He spoke of how His words would judge us in the last day - John 12:48 - He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall
judge him in the last day.
-- It is true that Jesus came the first time to save the world, but He is coming again, this time to judge
the world! - 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 - And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall
be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey
not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord,
and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe
(because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
CONCLUSION
1. The ministry of John the Baptist was an important one...
a. To “prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight”
b. This he did by preaching the same themes, letting people know what to expect
-- Of course, there was more, as John was to actually identify the Messiah to Israel
2. But when Jesus began preaching, people were more likely to:
a. Repent of their sins
b. Answer the call to be baptized
c. Accept the good news concerning the kingdom
...for John had been preaching such themes in the wilderness of Judea!
3. In a sense, John’s message is still needed today...
a. There are some who turn the message of Jesus Christ into some sort of “easy-believism”
b. But John reminds us of the need to bear fruits in keeping with true repentance
As Jesus would say later (Luke 6:46 - And why call ye me, Lord, Lord,
and do not the things which I say?). Are you showing true acceptance of Jesus as Lord by doing the things He says?
Matthew 28:19-20 - Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Mark 16:15-16 - And
he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Prayer:
Lord I truly thank You for giving me the opportunity to present these words to my brethrens. I pray that You will
give them Your eternal blessings and accept them into Your heart - this I pray
in the name of Thy Son, Jesus, the Messiah, Your only begotten son which Ye sent to save mankind from themselves. Amen
Peace
be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace
be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. - Ephesians 6:23-24
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That it never be used for profit.
