MatthewChapter 3

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand

 I. Introduction

A. A new year!

1. An opportunity!

2. An opportunity to serve Him.3. God will guard our

hearts!a) Wish you all a wonderful New Year!

B. Matthew chapter 3.

1. John the Baptist!

2. John baptizing Jesus.

II. Matthew 3:1-2

A. John, Jesus cousin!

1. Malachi 3:12. John - just the “messenger”.

a) John’s in the wilderness of Judea.

(1) In Judea people were scattered.

(2) His message = “REPENT.”

(3) “Repent” = “to change your mind.”

(a) Think differently.

(i) Turning “from” something!

(a) “from” = sin and

self.3. Repentance not just

for the unsaved!a) Acts 16:31b) The Lord’s people are called to

repentance.

(1) 1John 1:9(a) Not a one-time event!

c) John was sent ahead!

III. Matthew 3:3-6

A. John’s ministry validated!

1. John’s message was sincere.a) Many discovered

they needed to change!

b) Religious leaders needed to see

what this was all about! IV. Matthew 3:7-10

A. The “fit” & “counterfeit”.

1. The Pharisees like whitewashed tombs.a) They appear holy.

2. The Sadducees didn’t believe in the eternal.

a) “A brood of vipers.”

(1) Repentance “bears fruit.”(a) You can judge a

tree by its fruit!(i) Our fruit will

prove it.(ii) Others see it

before we do.3. The kingdom of heaven was at hand!

a) = “the rule of heaven is over the earth.”

b) “at hand” = Jesus was ushering it in!

(1) Without Jesus - is another eternity.

(a) He is trying to communicate this.

(b) Would a preacher have success with

John’s approach?

(i) How would people react.

(ii) Would they find it meat or milk?

V. Matthew 3:11-12

A. Jesus would call for more that repentance!

1. A baptism with the Holy Spirit.

a) Everything purified through Him.

(1) Object of his devotion came!

VI. Matthew 3:13-17

A. John feels unworthy to baptize Jesus.

1. Isaiah 53:12a) Needed to be identified with man.

(1) He identified with us!

VII. Conclusion

A. His Father identified Jesus public ministry!

1. Matthew 4:12. That didn’t discourage Jesus!