THE IMPACT OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
MT. 3: 1-15
THE CHALLENGE-TO IDENTIFY FOUR FACTS REGARDING JOHN THE BAPTIST’S MINISTRY.
I. INTRODUCTION
A. SOME SCHOLARS BELIEVE THAT THIRTY YEARS HAD PASSED BETWEEN CHAPTER 2 AND CHAPTER 3.
B. JESUS LIVED IN NAZARETH AND WORKED AS A CARPENTER (MARK 6:3). DURING THIS TIME JESUS WAS PREPARING FOR HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY. PERHAPS THE TIME ELEMENT MENTIONED HERE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WHEN SEEKING OUT CHURCH MINISTERS.
C. AT THE ADVENT OF JOHN THE BAPTIST OVER FOUR HUNDRED YEARS HAD PASSED AND A PROPHETIC WORD HAD NOT COME FORTH. THE VOICE OF JOHN THE BAPTIST CAME AT A CRUCIAL TIME AND WAS A VOICE THAT STUNNED THE EARS OF THE LISTENERS. OUT OF THE WILDERNESS HE CAME WITH A PROPHETIC VOICE ANNOUNCING THE COMNG OF CHRIST AND THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
II. FOUR FACTS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST’S MINISTRY
A. HIS MESSAGE- MT. 3: 1-2 AND 7-10
B. HIS MESSAGE CENTERED ON REPENTANCE AND THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
C. HIS DELIVERY WAS DIRECT AND FORCEFUL. HIS MESSAGE OF REPENTANCE MEANT A CHANGE OF HEART AND DIRECTION, PARTICULARLY FOR JEWISH LEADERS, THE PHARISEES AND SADDUCES.
D. HE ASKED FOR ALL ISRAEL TO REPENT! MT. 3: 3-5
III. HIS AUTHORITY
A. JOHN THE BAPTIST FULFILLED THE PROPHECY MENTIONED IN ISA. 40:3.
B. LUKE 1: 16-17 INDICATES HE CAME WITH THE SPIRIT AND POWER OF ELIJAH.
C. HE WAS THE GREATEST AMONG THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS ( MT. 11: 7-15 AND 17: 9-13).
IV. HIS BAPTISM
A. MT. 3: 5-6 AND 11-12
B. THE JEWS BAPTIZED GENTILES BUT JOHN BAPTIZED THE JEWS.
C. JOHN BAPTIZED WITH AUTHORITY FROM HEAVEN (MT. 21:23-27)
D. HIS BAPTISM DID TWO THINGS; PREPARED A NATION FOR CHRIST AND PRESENTED CHRIST TO THE NATION (JOHN 1:31-34).
V. HIS OBEDIENCE
A. MT. 3: 13-15
B. CHRIST’S BAPTISM GAVE APPROVAL TO JOHN’S MINISTRY.
C. JOHN’S BAPTIZED IN WATER “CONNECTED WITH REPENTANCE”. HOWEVER CHRIST WOULD BAPTIZE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT (JOEL 2: 28-29) AND FIRE (MAL. 3:2-5). THE MALACHI PROPHECY SPEAKS OF FIRE AS A REFINING OR PURIFYING AGENT , NOT AN INSTRUMENT OF DESTRUCTION. BOTH PROPHECIES PRIMARILY CONCERNED THE NATION ISRAEL.
VI. THE QUESTION-WE HAVE EXAMINED FOUR FACTS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST’S BAPTISM. ARE YOU TRULY BEEN SAVED AND RECEIVED A BAPTISM OF WATER AND OF FIRE?
REF: “WITH THE WORD” AND “BE LOYAL” BY WARREN WIERSBE, EXCERPTS FROM DR. CONSTABLE’S NOTES ON MATTHEW
