1^st – John the Baptist… vs. 1-6

• 1^st – Who was John… vs. 1
  • 28 Years…
    • In those days John the Baptist came!
    • The Gospel of Matthew picks up almost 28 years later – Luke 3:23
    • Jumping from the return of Jesus to Nazareth – to the start of His public ministry…
    • It began with a man called John the Baptist – one of the KEY men in the Story of Jesus!
  • Cousin of Jesus – Luke 1:13-17
    • John was the son of Zachariah [priest] and Elizabeth [relative of Mary]
    • They were UNABLE to have children – and were VERY old – Luke 1:7
    • But an angel appeared to Zechariah in the Temple – Elizabeth would have a son called John…
    • JOHN [יוֹחָנָן] – meaning the LORD [יְהוָה] is GRACIOUS [חָנַן]
    • He would be a NAZARITE from birth [no alcohol] – set apart to serve the Lord – Numbers 6:2
  • Filled with the Spirit…
    • Luke 1:15 – “[John was] filled with the Holy Spirit – even from his mother’s womb.”
    • After Mary found out she was carrying Jesus – she went to see Elizabeth…
    • When Elizabeth heard Mary John leapt in her womb – filled with the Spirit– Luke 1:41
    • There is a great deal of controversy today over when life begins…
    • The Bible removed all question – makes it very clear – life begins at conception!
    • Psalms 139:15-16 – “You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.  You saw me before I was born.” [NLT]
  • Prophet Elijah…
    • Malachi 4:5 – “I will send Elijah the prophet before the… great and dreadful day of the LORD.”
    • The very last verse of the Old Testament promised the return of Elijah…
    • Elijah was one of only TWO men in the OT who never died [chariot of fire] – II Kings 2:11
    • Elijah will return and prepare the hearts of the people to receive the Messiah…
    • John the Baptist would deny he was Elijah – John 1:21
    • But Jesus would confirm John was Elijah to those who BELIEVE – Matthew 11:14
    • To UNBELIEVERS – Elijah will return as one of the TWO witnesses – Revelation 11:3
• 2^nd – His message… vs. 2
  • Preaching…
    • Preaching in the wilderness of Judea!
    • The Judean wilderness extends all the way from Jerusalem eastward to the Jordan River…
    • It is a barren desert wasteland – with very rain or vegetation – or PEOPLE…
    • The only source of water is the Jordan river that flows through it into the Dead Sea…
    • It was here that John began PREACHING [κηρύσσω] his message!
    • PREACHING [κηρύσσω] is not the same as TEACHING [διδάσκω]
    • The emphasis on PREACHING is declaring the TRUTH…
    • The emphasis on TEACHING is explaining the TRUTH!
  • Repent…
    • Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand! 
    • The MESSAGE of John was simple – people need to REPENT…
    • REPENT [μετανοέω] – to think about our sins [νοέω] – and CHANGE our ways…
    • And to do so while there was still time – because the Kingdom of heaven is CLOSE!
    • Sadly the message of REPENTANCE has been neglected by the church in recent years…
    • While it is TRUE that God does accept SINNERS – he does NOT accept SIN…
    • The KEY to receiving Jesus – is seeing our need to CHANGE!
• 3^rd – His Purpose… vs. 3
  • For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah. The voice of one crying in the wilderness.
  • Prepare the way of the LORD. Make His paths straight!
  • The PURPOSE of John – according to the prophet Isaiah – Isaiah 40:3
  • Was to prepare the way for the coming of the LORD [יְהוָה]
  • He prepared the hearts of the people to receive Jesus – by telling them to REPENT…
  • So that the LORD could bring comfort to His people – by forgiving their SINS!
  • Isaiah 40:1-2 – “Comfort My people… that her iniquity is pardoned.”
  • God gave us the most incredible GIFT – He DIED so that we could LIVE – John 3:16
  • What is amazing – is that MOST of the world does NOT want His GIFT!
  • The problem is most people do NOT want to admit they are SINNERS…
  • But if we do NOT admit the PROBLEM – we will NOT see our need for the SOLUTION…
  • Jesus [יְהוָה] came to take away our SIN – but FIRST we need to prepare our hearts and REPENT!
• 4^th – His appearance… vs. 4
  • Now John himself was clothed in camels hair – with a leather belt around his waist.
  • And his food was locusts and wild honey!
  • The clothing of John was a direct connection to Elijah…
  • Who was also described as HARRY [camel] – with a leather belt – II Kings 1:8
  • The food of John ate was based on a KOSHER diet – honey and locusts [protein] – Leviticus 11:22
  • Put together it spoke of a man who lived SIMPLY – desiring to follow the commands of God!
  • That does NOT mean we have to wear camel hair and eat locusts…
  • It does mean we realize it is NOT about the outside – it is about the inside…
  • We should NOT be putting on a fashion show – drawing attention to ourselves…
  • We should want instead people to see what is on the inside – let them see Jesus in us!
  • I Timothy 2:9 – “Be modest in appearance… wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention… by the way [we] fix [our] hair or by wearing gold… or expensive clothes.” [NLT]
• 5^th – His audience… vs. 5
  • Then Jerusalem – all Judea – and all the region around the Jordan went out to him!
  • Multitudes continually [imperfect] came from ALL [πᾶς] over to see John…
  • But WHY did so many people want to come see some guy preaching in the wilderness…
  • It was the very question Jesus would ask them the multitudes!
  • Luke 7:24 – “What did you go out into the wilderness to see?”
  • Malachi was the LAST of the prophets from the Old Testament…
  • God had been silent – He had not spoken to His people – for FOUR hundred years…
  • Which is why when John spoke – a prophet of God – everyone came – Luke 7:26
  • They were willing to walk for days – into the desert – just to hear the Word of the LORD! 
  • We live in unprecedented times – with access to the Word of God like no other generation…
  • Not only do we have church – we have online teachings – Bibles on our phones…
  • The question is do we have the DESIRE – to we make the time to hear the WORD!
• 6^th – His Baptism… vs. 6
  • Unclean…
    • [They] were baptized by him in the Jordan – confessing their sins!
    • John BAPTIZED the people that came in WATER – as they CONFESSED their sins…
    • He used the picture of needing a BATH – so show people they were spiritually DIRTY!
    • Water baptism was common even back in the Old Testament among the Jews…
    • They would use MIKVEH [מקווה‎] to become ceremonially clean!
    • If someone never takes a bath – they might think they are OK – but in truth they STINK…
    • If we refuse to tell them – confront them – they go on smelling BAD…
    • In the same way we need to confront SIN – let people know they are UNCLEAN…
    • Let them know they are SINNER – so they see their need for a SAVIOR!
  • When …
    • There is some debate within Christianity over WHEN someone is baptized…
    • John was NOT baptizing INFANTS – these were ADULTS!
    • BAPTISM is about CHOOSING to REPENT and letting God make us CLEAN…
    • An INFANT cannot CHOSE – therefore baptism is for those old enough to DECIDE!
  • How…
    • There is also a debate over HOW to baptize – sprinkle or dunk…
    • BAPTISM [βαπτίζω] literally means to be fully immersed!
    • The poet Nicander [200 B.C.] wrote down a recipe for making pickles…
    • You BAPTIZE [βαπτίζω] the cucumber – and it comes out changed – a PICKLE!
    • I love the picture – when we are BAPTIZED [βαπτίζω] – we go in a SINNER…
    • But we come out something different [pickled] – we come out a SAINT!
  • Picture…
    • We are commanded as believers to be water BAPTIZED – Acts 2:38
    • But water BAPTISM does not save us – the thief on the cross – Luke 23:43
    • Neither does BAPTISM make us part of a denomination…
    • BAPTISM is a picture of what happens when we believe in Jesus!
    • Romans 6:4 – “We were buried with Him through baptism into death – that just as Christ was raised from the dead… even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
    • If we have a diploma – the paper does not give us any more knowledge…
    • But the paper represents the time and effort that went into earning that diploma!
    • Water baptism is the OUTWARD statement of what takes place WITHIN us…
    • We are BURIED with Jesus – taken under the water – a picture of our DEATH…
    • We are RAISED up with Jesus – taken out of the water – a picture of new LIFE…
    • We do it publicly so that everyone can see – we believe in Jesus – Romans 10:10

• 2^nd – Religious Leaders… vs. 7-12
  • 1^st – Vipers… vs. 7
    • Two Groups…
      • When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism.
      • Not everyone who came to John was there to be BAPTIZED…
      • There were TWO groups who came to SEE what John was doing!
      • Pharisees – a conservative SECT of Judaism created after the Babylonian Captivity…
      • Sadducees – a liberal SECT of Judaism who did NOT believe in the supernatural…
      • These TWO groups DISAGREED on almost everything – unless it challenged their POWER…
      • And the large crowds coming to see John – was just such a THREAT!
    • Warning…
      • He said to them – Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
      • Generation [from] of VIPERS – a title both John and Jesus used– Matthew 23:33
      • Connecting them to their TRUE father – the SERPENT [satan] – John 8:44 
      • They taught empty RELIGION – that KEPT people from a true relationship with God…
      • Therefore – John warned people to flee from them – because of the COMING [present] wrath!
      • Mathew 23:13 – “Woe to you… Pharisees – hypocrites! You shut up the kingdom of heaven to men. For you neither go in yourselves – nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.”
      • We live in a country where many are hardened towards the Gospel…
      • Because they have been indoctrinated in a lifetime of RELIGION…
      • And they need to be WARNED – their RELIGION will not save them from the coming WRATH!
  • 2^nd – Empty Religion… vs. 8-10
    • Good Fruit… vs. 8
      • Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance!
      • John would challenge RELIGION in THREE ways…
      • FIRST – he called on them to examine their FRUIT…
      • Just because they went it the water – it was NOT enough!
      • Just because we have been BAPTIZED – does not mean we have REPENTED…
      • Our lives after we BELIEVE in Jesus should be DIFFERENT – there should be good FRUIT!
      • II Corinthians 13:5 – “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves – that Jesus Christ is in you.”
    • Stones… vs. 9
      • Do not think to say to yourselves – We have Abraham as our father.
      • For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones!
      • SECOND – John warned them NOT to put their FAITH in their NATIONALITY…
      • Some Jews believed because Abraham was their FATHER – they were SAVED…
      • But God could make ROCKS children of Abraham – and ROCKS are not going to heaven!
      • Just because someone is born in the Philippines – does not make them a Christian…
      • Just because someone belongs to a church – does not make them a Christian…
      • It does not matter if our parents are Christians – even if they are a pastor [sorry Hallel]
      • Everyone has to CHOSE for themselves – God does not have grandkids!
    • The Fire… vs. 10
      • Even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. 
      • Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire!
      • THIRD – John warned of the DANGER of NOT bearing GOOD [καλός] fruit…
      • The AX was already [present] on the root of the tree [religion]
      • If God did not see GOOD fruit – He would chop it down – and throw it into the fire!
      • John 15:6 – “If anyone does not abide in Me – he is cast out as a branch and is withered. They gather them and throw them into the fire – and they are burned.”
      • Those who are RELIGIOUS – people who just go through the motions [even baptism]
      • Anyone who thinks they are a Christian by birth – or church membership
      • But are not ABIDING in Jesus – if there is no good FRUIT – then they are NOT saved…
      • And the consequence for NOT being saved – is ending up in the FIRE [hell]
  • 3^rd – Baptism of the Spirit… vs. 11
    • External…
      • I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance!
      • John was LIMITED to water BAPTISM – it could only change the EXTERNAL…
      • It was an outward confession made to show someone had REPENTED!
    • Internal
      • He who is coming after me is mightier than I – whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. 
      • He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire!
      • John knew someone MIGHTIER than him was coming…
      • A person so great he did was NOT even worthy to carry His shoes…
      • This person [Jesus] – would BAPTIZE in the Holy Spirit – setting us on FIRE for God!
      • It is one thing to ADMIT we are SINNERS [baptism] – but how do we STOP sinning…
      • Not one makes us SIN – we SIN because we want to – Romans 7:15
      • And we do NOT have the POWER to be able to change our desires…
      • But God can – His SPIRIT can transform us INTERNALLY – change our DESIRES…
      • Jesus can FILL us – OVERFLOW [ἐπί] us – BAPTIZE us in the Spirit – all we have to do is ASK!
      • Luke 11:13 -“Your heavenly Father [will] give the Holy Spirit to those who ask…”
  • 4^th – The Harvest… vs. 12
    • The Wheat…
      • His winnowing fan is in His hand – and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor.
      • [He will] gather His wheat into the barn!
      • John concluded by stating God had already started His HARVEST – His fan was in His hand…
      • And he would separate all men into either piles of WHEAT or CHAFF!
      • In biblical times the way to separate what from chaff – was with WIND [fan]
      • The chaff was lighter and would be carried farther than the wheat…
      • Because much like when rice when it is first harvested – it is not ready to be cooked…
      • The rice stalk needs to be dehusked – to separate the labhang [chaff] from the bugas [wheat]!
      • God uses this LIFE to separate us into two piles – we either chose to be WHEAT…
      • And He will gather them into His BARN – take them to Heaven!
      • II Timothy 2:19 – “Having this seal: The Lord knows those who are His. Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
    • The Chaff…
      • He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire!
      • Those who do NOT chose to REPENT – will be counted as CHAFF…
      • They are gathered together – and thrown into the unquenchable [ἄσβεστος] FIRE!
      • Mark 9:43 – “Hell… the fire that shall never be quenched [ἄσβεστος].”
      • There is only ONE alternate eternal destination for men…
      • Those who do not end up in HEAVEN [wheat] – will be burned forever in HELL [chaff]

• 3^rd – Baptism of Jesus… vs. 13-17
  • 1^st – Unworthy… vs. 13-15
    • Baptism… vs. 13
      • Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him!
      • This is one of only handful of events in the life of Jesus – recorded in all FOUR Gospels…
      • We do NOT know how long [weeks – months] John was preaching before Jesus came…
      • But when the time was RIGHT – it was Jesus turn to be BAPTIZED!
    • Argument… vs. 14
      • John tried to prevent Him – saying – I need to be baptized by You – and are You coming to me?
      • At first John REFUSED [imperfect] to baptize Jesus…
      • He recognized Jesus as being the one who should do the BAPTIZING!
    • Righteousness… vs. 15
      • But Jesus answered and said to him – Permit it to be so now.
      • For thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he allowed Him!
      • Jesus commanded [imperative] John to Baptize Him…
      • Not because John was wrong – Jesus was the greater [He is God]
      • But the BAPTISM needed to happen to fulfill ALL [πᾶς] righteousness!
      • The purpose of BAPTISM – is to confess our SINS – desire to be CLEAN…
      • Why then would Jesus need to be BAPTIZED – He had NO sin!
      • I Peter 2:21 – “Christ… [left] us an example – that you should follow His steps.”
      • Everything Jesus did – was meant to be a PATTERN for our lives to follow…
      • That is why Jesus came to the earth as a CHILD [born]
      • He was called out of the world [Egypt] – to live separate for God [Nazarite]
      • And when the time came – He was water Baptized – as He began His ministry…
      • Because in every way – we can look to Jesus – and know how we also are to walk!
  • 2^nd – Trinity… vs. 16-17
    • The Son… vs. 16
      • When He had been baptized – Jesus came up immediately from the water…
      • Behold – the heavens were opened to [John]!
      • Something miraculous happened at the Baptism of Jesus…
      • The moment Jesus out of the water – the heavens opened [clouds parted] for John [dative]
    • Holy Spirit… vs. 16
      • [John] saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon [Jesus]!
      • Jesus was filled [ἐπί] with the Spirit – at His Baptism…
      • This was the confirmation John was looking for – that Jesus was the SON of God!
      • John 1:33 – “[God] told me – The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirt… [He is] the Son of God.” [NLT]
    • The Father… vs. 17
      • [Behold] a voice came from heaven – This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased!
      • The FINAL evidence was the VOICE that came from heaven…
      • The FATHER declared Jesus was His SON – and He was PLEASED [εὐδοκέω] in Him…
      • God was PLEASED because Jesus was willing to be the SACRIFICE to save us…
      • Because the dilemma was – God was NOT pleased by any other sacrifice!
      • Hebrews 10:6 – “In… sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure [εὐδοκέω].”
      • As Jesus went under the water [death] – and came back up [new life]
      • His Baptism foreshadowing the HOPE that He would bring through the cross…
      • Do not miss WHO was there to CONFIRM His calling and purpose…
      • All THREE persons of the Godhead [Trinity] – as Jesus officially began His Ministry!