The Greatest Man Series

THE GREATEST MAN

Luke 3: 1-20; 7:28

INTRODUCTIONœ: Consider what it means to be GREAT.

A. Greatness Defined: Important, Notable, Renown,

B. Greatness Desired

· Matthew 20:20-21 - The mother of James & John asked that her sons be given a prominent place in the kingdom

· Mark 10:35-37 - James & John request a place of prominence for themselves in the Kingdom.

· Acts 8:18-19 - Simon the Sorcerer attempts to buy the power of God.

C. Greatness Determined:

· By the world - Family; Finances; Fame

· By God - Demonstrated by John the Baptist

+ Luke 3:2-3 Be obedient to God’s Word

+ Luke 1:15 - Be filled with the Spirit

+ Luke 3:16 - Be humble

+ Luke 3:4-9 - Faithfully proclaim the Word

+ Luke 1:16 - Win people to Christ.

I. THE MAN (Luke 3:2)

A. The Prophecies concerning his coming.

· Isaiah 40:3 - "A voice of one calling: `In the desert prepare the way for the Lord make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.’

· Malachi 3:1 - "See, I will send my messenger who will prepare the way before Me."

B. The Promise concerning his coming. (Luke 1:11-20)

C. The Parents to whom he was born. (Luke 1:5-10)

D. The Provision of his name. (Luke 1:13. 57-66)

E. The Prophesying at his birth. (Luke 1:67-79)

F. The Preparation for his ministry. (Luke 1:80)

G. The Personality that he possessed. (Matthew 3:4)

II. HIS MINISTRY (Luke 3:1)

A. The Time of his ministry (Luke 3:1-2)

· 15th year of Tiberius’ reign 26 AD.

· Pontius Pilate, governor of Judah

· Herod (son of Herod the Great), rulling in Galilee

· Philip (Herod’s brother), rulling Iturea & Traconitis

· Lysanias, ruling Abilene

· Annas, High Priest deposed by Rome, but still recognized by the Jews

· Caiaphas, Annas’ son-in-law, official High Priest

B. The Place of his ministry

· Luke 3: 3 = in the desert

· Matthew 3:5-6 = the region of the Jordan River

· John 1:28 = Bethabara, on the other side of Jordan

· John 3:23 = Aenon, because there was much water there

C. The Purpose of his ministry

· Luke 3:4-6 = to prepare the way for the Lord

· John 1:6-8 = to bear witness to the Light, that all men would believe in Him

D. The Extent of His ministry

· Luke 3:7 = the crowds

· Matthew 3:5 = people...from Jerusalem, all Judea, an the whole region of the Jordan

· Acts 18:24 = Apollos, a Jew from Alexandria, Egypt knew the baptism of John

E. The Symbol of his ministry

· Luke 3:3 = a baptism of repentance

III. HIS MESSAGE (Luke 3:2-18)

A. Repentance is imperative, and must be demonstrated in life.

· Luke 3:3, 8 = "He went…preaching…repentance for the forgiveness of sin...Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

· Matthew 3:2 = "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

B. The Kingdom of God is ready to appear. (Matthew 3:2)

C. Sin is serious, widespread, and must be forsaken.

· Luke 3:7-14

+ "You brood of vipers"

+ "Out of these stone God can raise up children for Abraham -.

" Don’t depend on human ancestry

+ "The ax is already at the root..." = judgment is certain

+ v. 11 - don’t be selfish

+ v. 13 - don’t cheat

+ v. 14 - don’t be oppressive

D. The Messiah is among men.

· Luke 3:15-18 - John preached of Messiah’s:

+ Power = "He is more powerful than I..."

+ Preeminence = "I am not worthy to untie His shoe"

+ Purging = "...Baptize with fire...burn up the chaff"

· John 1:15-18 = He came to provide bountiful blessings from God, and grace and truth.

· John 1:29 = As God’s sacrificial Lamb, He takes away the sin of the world.

· John 1:32, 34 = he is the Son of God

· John 3:36 = He gives eternal life to those who believe in Him.

IV. HIS MARTYRDOM (Luke 3:19-20)

A. Herod’s Adultery - Mark 6:17

B. John’s Rebuke - Mark 6:18 ; Leviticus 18:16

C. Herodias’ Hatred - Mark 6:19

D. John’s Death - Mark 6:21-29

E. Jesus’ Sorrow - Matthew 14:12- 13