The ministry of John the Baptist… (3 things) vs. 1-20

• 1^st – Setting the date… vs.  1-2
  • Luke gives us an extraordinary amount of detail to pin point the date of John’s ministry…
  • 1^st – In the 15^th year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar – Emperor of Rome – 14-37 A.D.
    • The 15 year of his rule would be between 29-30 A.D. – the beginning of John’s ministry…
    • This also gives us an approximate date (same time) for the start of Jesus’ ministry!
  • 2^nd – Pontius Pilate was the governor of Judea…
    • Pilate ruled as governor of Judea from 26-36 A.D.
    • Most famous for presiding over the ‘trial’ and crucifixion of Jesus Christ…
  • 3^rd – The sons of Herod…
    • Herod Antipas – tetrarch – ruler of Galilee (western side)…
      • Antipas ruled ¼ of his father’s (Herod the Great) territory – from 4 B.C – 39 A.D.
      • Most famous for imprisoning and killing John the Baptist…
    • Herod Philip – tetrarch – ruler of Iturea and Trachonitis (eastern side of the Galilee)
      • Philip ruled ¼ of his father’s (Herod the Great) territory – from 4 B.C – 34 A.D.
      • Most famous for his wife Herodias – divorced him to marry Herod Antipas…
    • Lysanias – tetrarch – ruler of Abilene (north-east side of the Galilee)
  • 4^th – Annas and Caiaphas were the High Priests…
    • Annas was the 1^st Roman appointed ‘High Priest’ in Israel – 6-15 A.D.
      • He was succeeded (puppet leader) by his son-in-law Caiaphas – 18-36 A.D.
      • Luke considers both to be the ‘High Priest’ because Annas still made all the decisions
    • The fact that Rome (not God) appointed the High Priest – and that there were two…
      • Shows the moral decline of the Nation of Israel at the time of John’s ministry…
      • When leaders of a nation are more famous for their immorality – than their justice…
      • When faith in God (church) is directed more by politics – than by God’s Word…
      • A nation/world – is ready for an answer – they are ready to hear about Jesus!
• 2^nd – The Word of God came to John – the son of Zacharias… (4 things) vs.  3-14
  • 1^st – Preaching a baptism of repentance… vs. 3
    • There had not been a prophet in Israel for over 400 years – no Word from the Lord…
      • Instead the people were following their own ideas – morality was relative…
      • Judges 21:25 – “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes…”

• People had lost the knowledge of right and wrong – they had forgotten God…
• Not all the different from the world we live in today – no sure moral standards…
• When people don’t know God’s Word – they don’t know right from wrong…
• They live by their own rules – and morality tends to slip further and further away!
• 50 years ago – the number one problem in schools was ‘chewing gum in class’…
• Today – the number one problem is teen pregnancy and drugs!
• John came to remind the people of God’s Law – God’s standard – reveal their sin…
  • The commandments of God – 613 Laws – were never meant to make us ‘Good’…
  • They were given so that we would know we were NOT ‘Good’!
  • Galatians 3:24 – “Therefore the law was our teacher to bring us to Christ…”
  • The Law teaches us the standard of what ‘Good’ is…
  • Like a mirror that shows you how you look – but cannot make you prettier…
  • The Law shows us how bad we are – but cannot help make us ‘good’…
  • Realizing that is the Key to Heaven – because now we know we need help!
• 2^nd – Preparing the way for Jesus Christ… vs. 4-6
  • Quoting Isaiah 40:4-5 – John was the voice crying in the wilderness – prepare the way…
    • Every valley shall be filled – every mountain brought low – crooked path straight…
    • Everyone will see the salvation of God – a play on the name of Jesus!
    • The message of John put everyone on the same page – high or low – mighty or weak…
    • All of us are sinners – all of us have come short of God’s standard of perfection…
    • Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
  • Once we know the problem – we are ready to hear the solution!
    • The solution that John was preparing everyone for – the cross of Christ!

• It is not being a sinner that keeps us from heaven…
• It is rejecting the solution for sin that God provided in Jesus Christ…
• We are saved by believing in the sacrifice that Jesus made for our sin on the cross
• 3^rd – Warning people to bear good fruit… vs. 7-9
  • When the multitudes came out to John – he rebuked them – ‘brood of vipers’…
    • This seems like a harsh response – but John knew how men’s hearts work…
    • Live like a sinner – then go be baptized – to ‘wash’ all the bad things away…
    • Only to go back out the next day and do those bad things again…
  • Bear fruit worthy of repentance…
    • Don’t just say you want to follow the Lord – don’t just ‘get wet’ – change you ways!
    • Words are easy – it is easy to say ‘I want to live for Jesus’…
    • But what kind of fruit is coming from your life – do your actions back up your words…
    • I could tell you all day long that I am a mango tree – but if I grow Jackfruit…
    • I can tell you I am repentant of my sin – want to change – but what do my action say…

• Don’t think you are OK – just because you are a child of Abraham…
  • The Jews assumed because they were ‘Israelites’ they were saved – going to heaven…
  • God could raise up children to Abraham from stones!
  • Just because someone is born in the Philippines – does not make them a Christian…
  • If you father was a Christian – even if your grandfather was a pastor…
  • It is no assurance you will go to heaven – God has no grandkids – only children…
  • Just because someone goes to church – does not make them a Christian…
  • We can say the right things to sound like a Christian – come to church every Sunday…
  • But it’s not about our words – or where we are – it’s about the actions from our lives…
  • If you live like the devil – then it’s a good bet you are not a child of God…
• The ax is laid to the root of the tree…
  • Every tree that does not bear good fruit – is cut down and thrown into the fire…
  • * John 15:6 – “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.”
  • It’s easy to be moved by words – it is easy to agree with God’s Word…
  • But if we are not willing to follow through with our actions – the ax is at the root…
• 4^th – The people’s response – ‘what shall we do then’… vs. 10-14

• Faced with these STRONG words from John – the people looked for direction…
• To the multitudes (the poor) – Be generous to others…
  • One of the hardest thing to do when you have nothing – is give to others…
  • We tend to think we are the poor – other should give to us…
  • But a repentant heart understands – ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
• To the tax collectors (the rich) – Do not be greedy – take more than you should…
  • One of the hardest things for the rich – is to not want more…
  • It seems no matter how much you have – you always want ‘just a little more’…
  • But a repentant heart understands – the richest person ‘is the one who is content’
• To the soldiers (the powerful) – Do not be a bully – and be content with your wages…
  • One of the hardest things for those who have power – is not to abuse it…
  • Those who have authority – love to lord it over – and bully those who do not…
  • But a repentant heart understands – we are all equal under one Lord – God in heaven
  • And be content with your wages – because He is the one who provides for you!
• When the poor give – the rich are content – and the powerful are humble…
• You know there is the fruit of repentance – hearts that have been changed…
  
• 3^rd – The end of John’s minsitry… vs.  15-22
  • Baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire… vs. 15-18
    • Many among the people reasoned (optatitve) – hoping John was the promised Messiah…
    • But John responded – I baptize you with water – but one mightier than I is coming…
    • To those who believe – He (Jesus) will baptize with the Holy Spirit…
      • The water baptism of John was only an outward confession of sin…
      • The baptism of Jesus would be with the power of the Spirit – to change the inside!
      • God does not expect us to change first – be perfect – then come to Him…
      • He calls us to see our need for Him and repent – then He changes us on the inside!
    • To those who reject – He (Jesus) will baptize with fire – speaking of coming judgment…
      • Jesus was ready to separate the chaff (unbeliever) from the wheat (believer)
      • And when He does the chaff will be taken out and burned with unquenchable fire…
      • The judgment of those who reject the Gospel of Jesus – the fires of hell…
      • There are only two choices in life – Jesus or the World / Heaven of Hell…
      • We do not choose with our words – we choose with our actions…
  • The end of John’s ministry… vs. 19-20
    • John rebuked Herod Antipas for marrying his brother Philips wife – Herodias…
    • So Herod had John thrown into prison – ending his ministry…
    • John 3:30 – “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
    • But the end of John’s (rather short) ministry – meant the beginning of Jesus!

The Genealogy of Jesus Christ…  vs. 21-38

• The beginning of the ministry of Jesus the Christ… vs. 21-22
  • The baptism of Jesus… vs. 21-22
    • While all of the people were being baptized by John…
    • Jesus came also to be baptized by John – officially beginning the ministry of Jesus!
    • While John was still praying – the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus like a dove…
    • And the voice of God came from heaven – ‘this is My Beloved Son…’
    • One of the great mysteries of the Bible – the three-fold nature of God…
    • God the Father – God the Son – God the Holy Spirit – three in one!
  • Jesus began to minister when He was 30 years old…
    • Levites did not go into the service of God until they were 30 years old – Numbers 4:3
    • Jesus waited 30 years for God’s time to begin the work God had for Him to do…
    • Some fruit takes longer to grow than others – but if we are abiding in God’s Word…
    • John 15:5 – “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit!”

• From Joseph to Adam… vs. 23-38
  • The Genealogy from Joseph to Nathan…
    • Not from the kingly line of David…
      • The genealogy in Matthew 1:1-17 – follows Joseph – the adopted father of Jesus…
      • The genealogy here in Luke is for Mary – the true mother of Jesus…
      • If Jesus had been the legitimate son of Joseph He could not have been king…
      • God cursed the line of Kings from David – no more kings in Judah…
      • The Curse of Jehoiakim – Jeremiah 22:30 – “For none of his descendants shall prosper, Sitting on the throne of David, and ruling anymore in Judah.”
    • As the adopted son of Joseph He inherited the rights of the Royal lineage…
      • And as the son of Mary He was in the direct lineage of David (through Nathan)
      • Yet He avoided the ‘blood curse’ placed on the kingly line!
      • Satan must have though he had God pegged when God cursed Jehoiakim
      • How could the messiah be the son of David when the lineage was cursed…
      • Funny how God seems to always see a way even when we cannot…
      • Perhaps you are in an “impossible” situation today, you see no way out…
      • Know that we serve the God of the impossible – only believe!
  • The Genealogy from David to Abraham…
    • Jesus had to be the Son of David…
      • II Samuel 7:16 – God promised David the messiah would come from his family…
      • David wanted to build a temple for God – the ‘Ark’ was still housed in the Tabernacle
      • God told David he could not – he was a man of war – but his son Solomon would…
      • But ‘God would build David a house’ an everlasting dynasty on the throne of Israel…
    • Jesus had to be the Seed of Abraham…
      • * Galatians 3:16 – “God gave the promise to Abraham and his child. And notice that it doesn’t say the promise was to his children, as if it meant many descendants. But the promise was to his child—and that, of course, means Christ.”
      • All the nations were blessed through Abram – because of Jesus!
  • The Genealogy from Terah to Adam…
    • Jesus also had to be a descendant of Adam…
      • When God created the world – it was perfect – sinless…
      • Adam choose to eat of the forbidden fruit – cause he sinned – sin entered the world
      • The result of sin – was death – immediate spiritual death / eventual physical death
      • All men since have ‘inherited’ from Adam – sin and death….
      • Romans 5:15 – “One man, Adam, brought death to many through his sin. But this other man, Jesus Christ, brought forgiveness to many through God’s bountiful gift.”
    • Because Jesus choose to come and die on the cross – forgiveness entered the world…
      • The result of the cross – was life – a blessed life here – and eternal life to come…
      • We were once under Adam – cursed – destined for death and hell
      • But now we are under Jesus – blessed – destined for life and heaven!