Focal Passage: Matthew 3:1-12
John the Baptist could not have been a member of a local Baptist church. He was too blunt. Too abrasive. Too honest. This is not to say that our churches do not have members who are plenty blunt, abrasive and honest. It is to say that John “the baptizer” was of a different kind when it came to speaking truth. But God wanted it that way. God appointed John to bridge the gap between the Old Testament prophets (prophesiers of truth) and the Messiah, Jesus Christ (the fulfillment of truth as THE truth).
Matthew 3:1-12 introduces us to John and the kind of God-enabled bold faith he possessed. While we may not mimic John’s prophetic “style” (you are not John the Baptist), we are called to mimic the kind of faith he displayed in serving and honoring Jesus Christ.
John’s Call for Repentance and Faith (Matthew 3:1-6)
What do we know about John’s ministry? We know …
• He was on mission – “In those days John the Baptist came…”
• He came preaching – “In those days John the Baptist came preaching…”
• He called for repentance – “In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, ‘Repent’…”
• He preached the kingdom – “In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”
• He paved the way for the REAL leader, Jesus Christ – “In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness; ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’”
• He was on mission in a ‘lean and mean’ manner – “Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.”
• He called people to repentance and faith symbolized by a baptism of repentance and preparation – “Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.”
What should we learn from John’s ministry? John’s ministry was clear, concise, consistent, unwavering, and path-making for Jesus to enter the scene. This is our role as well. We simply path the way for Jesus!
John Confronted Wickedness and Sin (Matthew 3:7- 10)
John was clear about the goals of his ministry – (1) confronting sin, (2) calling for repentance, and (3) demanding spiritual fruit produced by faith.
• John confronted sin directly with words like, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”
• John called for repentance – “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.”
• John called for spiritual fruit-bearing – “Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
Confronting sin can be unpleasant. Most of us dislike confrontation. But we don’t have to be ‘jerks’ when we speak truth. We speak truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and let the truth be the offense.
John’s Ministry Was All About Jesus (Matthew 3:11-12)
The goal of John’s ministry was Jesus! It was all about Jesus. John admitted he was unworthy to carry Jesus’ sandals. He acknowledged that Jesus was “mightier” than he. Judgment is coming (vs. 12). Our ministry should reflect John’s by calling people to repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ. B&R