John the Baptist

Northwest Bible Church – June 22, 2023 – Matthew – Alan Conner

Matthew 3:1-2

John the Baptist

Intro

A.  THE MAN (Matthew 3:1, 4).   

1. Family.   Lk. 1:5

2. Supernatural birth.   Luke 1:7 

3. Lifestyle (Matthew 3:4).   

a. Clothes – camel’s hair and leather belt. 

b. Food – locusts and wild honey.  

B. THE MINISTRY (Matthew 3:1).

1. Preacher in the wilderness (Matthew 3:1) –  

2. The Baptist (Matthew 3:1) –   

a. Baptism means “to dip or  plunge”.

b. Baptism by immersion was not novel for the Jews.   

c. John’s baptism was novel:

(1)  John administered baptism to others.    

(2)  John’s call for a JEWS to undergo baptism.

 

C. THE MESSAGE (Matthew 3:2).

1. REPENT.    

a. “to change one’s mind, attitude” or “to be sorry for something.” 

b. “radical transformation of the entire person,   Matt. 3:8 

c. Repentance was necessary for baptism.  Matt. 3:6 

d. Repentance brings about salvation.   

e.  “Repent” – Present tense imperative so on-going.  

 

2. REASON.   “For the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”    

a. Comparison with “kingdom of God.”     

b. Rule/reign not a realm.   

c. “at hand”.  

d. Kingdom with two aspects.  PRESENT/FUTURE;  

(1) Spiritual NOW.   Matthew 12:28; Rom. 14:17; Col. 1:13

(2) Physical consummation in the FUTURE.   Judgment

Conclusion/Application