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The Messiah’s Messenger. Matthew 3. John the Baptist. A Hero of Faith, Luke 1:13-16 Great in God’s sight Filled with the Holy Spirit Turned many in Israel to the Lord Prophet of the Highest, Lk. 1:76-79 Courageous preacher, Lk. 3:18-20. Message and Life, Matt. 3:1-10.
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The Messiah’s Messenger Matthew 3
John the Baptist • A Hero of Faith, Luke 1:13-16 • Great in God’s sight • Filled with the Holy Spirit • Turned many in Israel to the Lord • Prophet of the Highest, Lk. 1:76-79 • Courageous preacher, Lk. 3:18-20
Message and Life, Matt. 3:1-10 • John fulfilled prophecy (King is coming) • Voice crying in the wilderness, Matt. 3:3 (Isa. 40:3-5); Lk. 3:4-6 • Messenger of preparation, Mal. 3:1 • Elijah of promise, Mal. 4:5-6 (Matt. 11:14) • Spirit and power, Luke 1:16-17 • Restore all things, Matt 17:11 (1 Kgs 18:37)
Message and Life, Matt. 3:1-10 • Kingdom is near, Matt. 3:2 • Expectation of Israel, Dan. 2:44; 7:13-14, 17-18 • Daniel 2:44 was being fulfilled, Mark 9:1 (Acts 1:8; 2:1-4) • Daniel 7:18 was being fulfilled (Heb. 12:28)
Message and Life, Matt. 3:1-10 • Message of repentance, Matt. 3:2 • Turn people back to God’s law, Malachi 4:6; Luke 1:16-17, 77 • Warned of wrath to come, Matthew 3:7, 10; Malachi 4:5-6 • Baptism of repentance, Matt. 3:5-6; Mk. 1:1-5 • Fruits of repentance, Matt. 3:7-10; Lk. 3:10-14 (Acts 26:20)
Message and Life, Matt. 3:1-10 • Self-denial, Matt. 3:4; 11:7-8 • Food and clothing • Reminiscent of Elijah (2 Kgs. 1:8) • His self-denying life was a living protest against the selfish indulgence of his day
Message and Life, Matt. 3:1-10 • Lessons: • God keeps His word (fulfilled prophecy) • The King has come and his kingdom exists today, Col. 1:13 • Repentance crucial, Lk. 13:3, 5; 2 Pet. 3:9 • We must deny self to live for God, Lk. 9:23
Contrasts with John, Matt. 3:11-12 • With Jesus: Jesus was mightier than John, 3:11; cf. John 3:28-30 • John’s reverence for Jesus, Matthew 3:14 • John rejoiced in being a servant of the Christ, John 3:29
Contrasts with John, Matt. 3:11-12 • With Mankind: None greater than John, Matt. 11:9-11a • Much more than a prophet; the Messiah’s messenger, 11:9-10 (Lk. 1:76) • None greater because of his work, devoted strength and humility, 11:11
Contrasts with John, Matt. 3:11-12 • With Kingdom Citizens: John not as great, Matt. 11:11b-12 • John was not an immediate participant in the Messiah’s kingdom, 11:11b • Forceful endeavor to enter the kingdom was the result of John’s work, 11:12 (Lk. 16:16)
Contrasts with John, Matt. 3:11-12 • Lessons: • Should rejoice in being servants of Christ (1 Tim. 1:12; 1 Pet. 5:5) • Be faithful in our work and receive Christ’s commendation (Lk. 16:10; Matt. 25:21) • Cannot sleep your way into the kingdom (Luke 13:23-24)
John’s Service, Matt. 3:13-17 • Helped to fulfill all righteousness when he baptized Jesus, Matt. 3:13-15 • Jesus came to do the will of God (Jno. 6:38; Heb. 10:7) • It was God’s will that Israel receive John’s message and baptism • Therefore, righteousness was served
John’s Service, Matt. 3:13-17 • Helped spread the gospel by identifying Jesus as the Son of God, John 1:29-34 • Once Jesus was identified, John pointed others to Christ and away from himself, John 1:35-37; 3:25-31
John’s Service, Matt. 3:13-17 • Lessons: • We must serve righteousness through obedience (Rom. 6:15-18) • We must point others to Jesus (Jno. 1:40-42, 43-46)
John: The Messiah’s Messenger • Knew his role and did his work, John 3:28 • John was a great man of faith • You can be greater than John by serving righteousness in the kingdom of Christ • Being born of “water and the Spirit” is greater than those “born of women”,Matt. 11:11; Jno. 3:5; Heb. 12:28