Here Comes John

The Gospel of Matthew Here Comes John - Matthew 3:1-12 January 5, 2025 So, Christmas is over, but we're not yet done talking about the arrival or coming of Jesus. This morning, as we return to our sermon series in the Gospel of Matthew, we're going to read the account of John the Baptist, the forerunner to Jesus from the third chapter. I think there are always mixed reactions when an announcement comes. If we know an announcement is coming, we may be excited or anxious to hear what it is. If we don't know an announcement is coming, we may be shocked or surprised - whether it is good news or otherwise. The messenger is also important. For Jesus, His messenger was a very interesting man named John. A preacher and forerunner of Jesus. Let's see what Matthew says about him in Matthew 3:1-12: 1 IN THOSE DAYS JOHN THE BAPTIST CAME PREACHING IN THE WILDERNESS OF JUDEA, 2 "REPENT, FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND." 3 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.' " 4 NOW JOHN WORE A GARMENT OF CAMEL'S HAIR AND A LEATHER BELT AROUND HIS WAIST, AND HIS FOOD WAS LOCUSTS AND WILD HONEY. 5 THEN JERUSALEM AND ALL JUDEA AND ALL THE REGION ABOUT THE JORDAN WERE GOING OUT TO HIM, 6 AND THEY WERE BAPTIZED BY HIM IN THE RIVER JORDAN, CONFESSING THEIR SINS. 7 BUT WHEN HE SAW MANY OF THE PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES COMING TO HIS BAPTISM, HE SAID TO THEM, "YOU BROOD OF VIPERS! WHO WARNED YOU TO FLEE FROM THE WRATH TO COME? 8 BEAR FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE. 9 AND DO NOT PRESUME TO SAY TO YOURSELVES, 'WE HAVE ABRAHAM AS OUR FATHER,' FOR I TELL YOU, GOD IS ABLE FROM THESE STONES TO RAISE UP CHILDREN FOR ABRAHAM. 10 EVEN NOW THE AXE IS LAID TO THE ROOT OF THE TREES. EVERY TREE THEREFORE THAT DOES NOT BEAR GOOD FRUIT IS CUT DOWN AND THROWN INTO THE FIRE. 11 "I BAPTIZE YOU WITH WATER FOR REPENTANCE, BUT 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. 12 HIS WINNOWING FORK IS IN HIS HAND, AND HE WILL CLEAR HIS THRESHING FLOOR AND GATHER HIS WHEAT INTO THE BARN, BUT THE CHAFF HE WILL BURN WITH UNQUENCHABLE FIRE." Let's jump right in, here's the main idea for this morning: The arrival of John reminds us to repent and turn to Jesus. John is - and always will be - connected with Jesus. We see this played out in two ways, first through: JOHN'S MINISTRY For some reason or another, Luke provides a lot more information about John than Matthew does. For example, Luke records the birth account of John, who was born 6 months before Jesus to Mary's cousin Elizabeth. Here's what Gabriel - the angel - told Zechariah, John's father in Luke 1 beginning at verse 14: 14 AND YOU WILL HAVE JOY AND GLADNESS, AND MANY WILL REJOICE AT HIS BIRTH, 15 FOR HE WILL BE GREAT BEFORE THE LORD. AND HE MUST NOT DRINK WINE OR STRONG DRINK, AND HE WILL BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, EVEN FROM HIS MOTHER'S WOMB. 16 AND HE WILL TURN MANY OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL TO THE LORD THEIR GOD, 17 AND HE WILL GO BEFORE HIM IN THE SPIRIT AND POWER OF ELIJAH, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS TO THE CHILDREN, AND THE DISOBEDIENT TO THE WISDOM OF THE JUST, TO MAKE READY FOR THE LORD A PEOPLE PREPARED." Luke and Matthew's accounts agree that John's ministry was to ... * Prepare the way for Christ o The word used for "prepare" in verse 3, or "make ready" in some translations is used to describe the process of getting something ready for a specific usage. o Sort of like cleaning your house before company. o Here's how pastor and commentator David Guzik put it: "John's purpose was to prepare hearts for the Messiah, and to bring an awareness of sin among Israel so they could receive the salvation from sin offered by the Messiah" o What did this preparation look like? o First, it was preaching. So, let's look next at ... JOHN'S MESSAGE John's message was direct and concise. Now, you may recall I broke a rule several weeks ago and read Jonah's sermon to you. I'm going to do it again and read John's sermon recorded by Matthew, beginning in verse 2 ... here it goes, bear with me: REPENT, FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND. Believe it or not, John's sermon was longer - by one word - than Jonah's sermon. Later, of course, we'll see that he preaches more than these nine powerful words, and Luke's account in chapter 3 of his account provides more of his message as well. But Matthew here sort of summarizes his message which is twofold. First: * Repent o Repent is a churchy word. I don't believe that I've heard the word outside of the context of church or spiritual conversations. o The context here means to change one's mind and act on that change. o The idea is that of a complete change of direction. o The bible teaches that we are a new creation in Christ, which means we are no longer like our old selves. o Unfortunately, we still have a sin nature (just read Romans 7!), but as Christ followers, we confess, repent, and move towards Christlikeness. o It's when we stay in that place that may mean that true repentance has not occurred. o The real-time example that John uses is when the Pharisees and Sadducees show up. * At first glance, it almost looks like they came to be baptized, but John saw right through their nonsense. * He knew that they believed that they were already right with God because they were Jewish. That's what he's talking about in verse 9. In effect, he reminds them that their heritage does not save them. Faith saves them, faith followed by repentance. o Wiersbe made an excellent connection to this message of repentance: * The call to repentance is important and must not be neglected. It is entirely accurate to say that it is the first word of the gospel. * He then goes on to connect the message of repentance as the first word for John, Jesus, the Twelve, the instructions to the Eleven after His resurrection, the first "Christian" sermon in Acts 2 by Peter, and the opening words of Paul's sermons, as illustrated in Acts 26. o For Christians, it is important that we understand repentance. o We cannot confuse it with "being sorry" o We are very good about being sorry for doing something wrong, but not as much about not doing it again. o If you have ever been married - you know this to be true. o If you have children - or were a child - or are a child - you know this to be true (yes, that means all of us). o Look at what John says in verse 8: BEAR FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE o Then, later at the end of verse 10, he follows up with, EVERY TREE THEREFORE THAT DOES NOT BEAR GOOD FRUIT IS CUT DOWN AND THROWN INTO THE FIRE. o What John is saying is that true faith is seen through repentance and the bearing of fruit. o Our faith should lead us to repentance and that repentance should bear fruit. o It's been a while since I've quoted the famed 19th Century English Preacher C.H. Spurgeon, so I figured I should start the year right. Here's what he said about repentance: "Repentance and faith must go together to complete each other. I compare them to a door and its post. Repentance is the door which shuts out sin, but faith is the post on which its hinges are fixed. A door without a doorpost to hang on is not a door at all, while a doorpost without the door hanging on it is of no value whatever. What God hath joined together let no man put asunder, and these two he has made inseparable-repentance and faith" o I think we get the idea, but John tells us why, which is the second part of his message. Here's what John said: * The kingdom of heaven is at hand o This phrasing is unique to Matthew. Elsewhere, the "kingdom of God" is used. o Jesus uses the same phrase in chapter 4 o In the parallel account of Mark 1 and one of Jesus' early sermons in Luke 4, Jesus uses the phrase "Kingdom of God," which seems to me that these two phrases are speaking of the same thing. o In other words, "Kingdom of Heaven" is likely the same as "Kingdom of God" o Now, what is the Kingdom of God? o Here's a good explanation that I found this week: Kingdom of Heaven can be a somewhat complex subject but suffice it to say that it has a PRESENT REALITY which awaits a FUTURE REVELATION. The PRESENT REALITY is that the King is reigning in the hearts of those who have repented and believed in Him. The FUTURE REVELATION is the return of the King of kings to defeat His enemies and establish His Messianic rule on Earth (Millennium). o But John's message is more than churches and bible teachers trying to figure out what he means, but more about an urgent call for repentance and salvation. o John - no doubt - was led by the Spirit in his preaching ministry (which we see from verses 5-6 was very impactful), but I'm sure that he had his own ideas of the Messiah. o If you were here last week, we observed the Lord's Supper. One of the aspects of the Lord's Supper is to proclaim Jesus' death until He returns. One of the things we discussed was that in His Second Coming, He will return as judge. o John knew this, and He was preaching a message that pointed to this very thing. o Obviously, we are closer today to Christ's return than John was, and sometimes it seems like his urgency exceeds ours. o Earlier, we said this: The arrival of John reminds us to repent and turn to Jesus. o John's message was simple and direct. o It should be no different today. o Jesus will return, so if you have not made that life altering decision to follow Him and make Him Lord, you must change that today. o But, as I look around this room, I know that most - if not all of you - have already made that decision. So, the question left to be answered is ... HOW THE CHRISTIAN SHOULD RESPOND TO JOHN'S MESSAGE * Repent and confess your sin o Unfortunately, we are still sinners. o The difference between the believer and the non-believer is that we know we are sinners, and we have been forgiven and washed clean by the blood of Jesus. o The Bible teaches us that we are to confess our sins and repent as followers of Jesus. o Confession means that we agree with God. Recognizing and agreeing that we have not met the standard to which the Lord has set. o Agreeing that we need Jesus. o Notice how John connected confession with baptism. He is clearly teaching us of that very fact, that we are showing and telling of our commitment to Jesus. o So, we can respond to John' message by repenting and confessing our sin, next, we are to ... * Be fruit bearers o Fruit bearing is the outward - and sometime inward - expression of our faith. o I say inward, as our fruit may come in the form of knowledge and wisdom. o The writer to the Hebrews had something to say about this in Hebrews 5:11-14, here's what he said: 11 ABOUT THIS WE HAVE MUCH TO SAY, AND IT IS HARD TO EXPLAIN, SINCE YOU HAVE BECOME DULL OF HEARING. 12 FOR THOUGH BY THIS TIME YOU OUGHT TO BE TEACHERS, YOU NEED SOMEONE TO TEACH YOU AGAIN THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE ORACLES OF GOD. YOU NEED MILK, NOT SOLID FOOD, 13 FOR EVERYONE WHO LIVES ON MILK IS UNSKILLED IN THE WORD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, SINCE HE IS A CHILD. 14 BUT SOLID FOOD IS FOR THE MATURE, FOR THOSE WHO HAVE THEIR POWERS OF DISCERNMENT TRAINED BY CONSTANT PRACTICE TO DISTINGUISH GOOD FROM EVIL. o In other words, we should be spending time in His Word and in prayer, seeking to know Him more o But obviously, the outward expression is what is seen by others. o And, John is really addressing this outward expression - particularly when we read verses 7-12. o He did not see any outward evidence of repentance from the Pharisees and Sadducees o For us, it is often reflected in how we treat one another, how we speak, how we act - especially when no one is watching, what we think about, who we spend our time with, what we spend our time doing ... you probably get the idea. o The real-life equivalent of this may be various certifications you may need to show your competence in a certain field. o Another might be exercising and eating right, so you are healthy and fit. o Basically, doing instead of only saying. o So, we can respond to John' message by being fruit bearers, next ... * Be baptized o John speaks of two - maybe three - baptisms in this passage. * Water - the water baptism is the action a Christian makes when they confess Jesus as Lord and are saved * If you have done that, and have not been baptized, then we urge you to be obedient to God and be baptized. Speak with Pastor Pat or I after the service if you want to learn more or want to be baptized. * Holy Spirit * And fire (it's not completely clear to me to whether "Holy Spirit and fire" are the same phrase or separate). * It's generally known and understood that the baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs at conversion, when the Holy Spirit enters the new believer. * A baptism of fire would imply judgment Frankly, the message that John brings should draw every person to action. If you are not a believer, then repent and confess faith in Jesus, as He will return soon. If you are a believer, then you too are called to repent and confess your sin. You're also called to bear fruit, and to be filled with the Holy Spirit. So, what's it going to be? How will you respond to John's message this morning? Let's pray. 2