Introduction / Recap
- We know that Luke was a physician – helped Paul throughout his ministry
-- He was most likely a Gentile from Antioch (Syria) addressing a Gentile audience
- Examining the language of the text indicates that he was well educated
-- EX: Familiar with Greek; well versed in communication skills (skilled orator)
-- Luke also had an excellent understanding of politics & culture of the time
- What we truly see is Luke’s genuine interest in people is undeniable
-- EX: Much of the material in Luke involves Jesus’s interactions with people
-- Many on the fringes of “acceptable” society: sinners, sick, women, children
- Last week, we discussed the earliest story we have of Jesus as a 12 yr. old
-- RE: To be about His Father’s business … he was listening, asking, & answering
-- Our CH was that we have the same opportunities, if we will look for them …
- TR: Today, let’s dive in and look at a very critical character, John the Baptist
- Read Luke 3:1-22 / Pray
Point 1 – Who was John? He prepared the way for Jesus! (3 key things)
1. He was a man who launched the most pivotal ministry in history!
- John was last of the OT prophets, and declared the Messiah’s arrival
-- Historically speaking, Luke starts this discovery & gives us a timeframe
-- In this timeframe, we have a few key men in power to orient ourselves
- Tiberius Caesar, 2nd Roman Emperor, was in his 15th year (began in AD 14)
-- This tells us John would be on the scene around AD 28 or 29
-- Caesar was a man with the power to make someone disappear … feared
- Pontius Pilate was the gov of Jerusalem as civil ruler, and military commander
-- Roman rule was required due to the civil unrest in Judea
-- Pilate held his office from AD 26-36; comes into play with trial of Jesus
- Herod Antipas was tetrarch (ruler of quarter of area) of Galilee and Perea
-- Was instilled from BC 4 to AD 39 (he was primary ruler over Galilee)
-- RE: Galilee was Jesus’ primary ministry area for three years
-- Interesting … I’m sure Herod heard about Jesus and vice-versa
- Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, who come into play later
-- Of note here: there was only to be ONE high priest at a time
-- However, under Roman rule, they had corrupted this position
-- Religious positions of this day were not honors, but political (power) offices
-- Jesus was taken to Annas first to be tried (Jn 18:13) … and then Caiaphas
- So, we have a pretty good summary, from these leaders, of the timeline
-- Knowing that Elizabeth was 6-mo pregnant when Mary visited her
-- John would be slightly older that Jesus – just about at the age of 30
2. He was a man called by God
- What we don’t see is how he was called (angel, vision, etc.)
-- Really believe this was a genuine, personal experience he kept to himself
- EX: This part of his ministry was only His; valued relationship that much
-- Today’s app: Not going to cheapen it by posting it on FB for the world to see
- The calling was simple: Serve God, and not traditional religion of the day
-- RE: Zechariah was a priest, John was his son, would’ve been tng. for this
-- Matter of fact, he’d prob been training for 5-10 years to follow his dad
-- But God’s calling on his life was different – to not to serve in temple
- MUST SEE THIS: It is God’s calling on a life that matters
-- First loyalty is to God – not to institutional religion and others’ opinion
-- EX: Pastorate is not about me, or about the church, but obedience to Caller
3. What was John’s ministry?
- He was one who cried out apocalyptically (def: warning of future disaster)!
• Humbled shall be exalted and the Proud shall be made low
• Crooked shall be straightened out and the rough shall be smoothed
• Most importantly: God’s salvation shall be seen (choose to accept it)
- TR: Understanding his message gives us insight to his delivery …
Point 2 – John was empowered to be brutally honest
- When you consider his message, it is simple AND direct – just like God!
• He preached condemnation (v7)
Preached the truth about men and who they had become – vipers, snakes
APP: They allowed themselves to become poisonous; were poisoning others
• He preached repentance (v8)
His point is that once you repent, you must bear fruit that is worthy
APP: When you are living, live in a way that shows God is in your life
• He preached against pride (v8)
Don’t lean on your heritage (Abraham) to consider yourself good to go
No, God make the stones descendants … we each have a challenge here
APP: Change from our ways and turn away from the sin we love
• He preached judgment (v9)
States that God is already prepared to judge (visual of ax to a tree)
And what happens after the judgement? Tossed into the fire! (eternal)
• He preached social justice (v10-14)
- Don’t get wrapped around the perversion that this term has become today
-- Definition: Social justice a mandate of faith and a fundamental expression of Christian discipleship. From a scriptural point of view, justice means loving our neighbor as we love ourselves and is rooted in the character and nature of God.
-- Message is simple (remember, this is a forerunner of Jesus’ message)
o The people: Were to love and care and share material possessions
o The tax collectors: Were to love and care and stop cheating people
o The soldiers: Were to love and care enough to provide security and service
• He preached the Messiah’s coming (v15-17)
- The Messiah’s person: more worthy and powerful than him
- The Messiah’s baptism: his would come with fire, not water
- The Messiah’s judgment: able to judge eternally, separating chaff from wheat
o Wheat: believers who truly repent and bring forth fruit
o Chaff: those who only give God lip-service, but are counterfeit believers
- John even preached against sin in high places (v19-20)
-- Primary focus was to exhort (GR: parakalon); to admonish or urge them
-- Against the governor’s sin (marrying his brother’s wife and other things)
-- Result? He was arrested and probably thrown under the jail …
- CHALL: Are you willing to demonstrate this kind of boldness?
-- APP: Maybe we ought to examine that in our own lives?
-- FACT: Sin is still sin, even when we try to excuse it and cover it up …
- TR: John was not about to water down what God called Him to do
-- In the same way, you and I are called to be just as bold and just as obedient
- But get this … what is the bigger result of John’s obedience? (v21-22)
- Not only is he the forerunner for the Messiah (some thought he was)
-- He got the honor to baptize Jesus, as a show of faith and reception to God
- RE: Jesus was in the crowd, showing His own obedience to God
-- He was obedient in this calling – because of what God had sent Him to do
-- Tie in: Jesus was sent to show us the way to the Father … so in this He …
1. Shows us He was fulfilling His mission (Matt 5:17-18, “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.”
2. Demonstrated His own humanity (and humility) to live obediently to God
- TR: For us today, we get three big ideas (results) to take away …
Big Ideas
- Big question: Why is John the Baptist important to us?
-- Because He obeyed God, God showed him his approval (we can experience this)
1. The heavens were opened (just as they are opened to you and me today)
-- Eph 1:3, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.”
2. The Spirit descended (we receive the same Holy Spirit to follow)
-- John 14:21, “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” How? Through the Spirit within us!
3. The voice of God spoke (through the Spirit, we hear the voice of God)
-- Rev 3:20, “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
- The calling of John the Baptist is direct: Repent (turn) and receive
-- It appears to be tough challenge today … but it’s no different than AD 29!!!
- The same Jesus that was revealed then is the same Jesus you can know today
-- And to know Him, it begins with you and I: Asking, Believing, and Confessing
-- Then, once we know Him, we are called to obey … are we?
- Pray
