The Life of John the Baptist, Part 4 of 6.

The Life of John the Baptist, Part 4 of 6. 

​John the Baptist, part 4 of 6
Message: (From Matthew’s account, Matthew 3:1-12).

• Verse 2: The kingdom of heaven is imminent (certain to happen soon).
• Verse 10: Each person will face God’s exhaustive, omniscient judgment.
• Verse 2: Therefore, repent.
  • Repent…a 180 degree turn from, a leaving regret behind, a changing of mind.

And in response to John’s message, multitudes of people came and responded by

• Confessing their sins
• Being baptized into the Baptism of John; a life statement that “I repent, and I am leaving the sins of my past, from this time forward seeking to lead a life of fruitful service to God.”

• Verse 8: You must bear fruit in keeping with a changed life.
• Verse 9: Don’t satisfy your conscience through self-justification.
  • POINTS:
    • Our human reflex/reaction is self-justifying…but the best excuse, (my ancestry), puts me on par with a stone…
    • God’s judgment is not going to be an ancestry test
    • God’s approval is on those who are repenting of their sins and seeking to live a fruitful life.
    • …BUT HOW WILL THAT HAPPEN?...

Messiah:

• Verses 11-17 Introduction of Jesus, the Son of God.
  • “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire…”