John Who John Why (Matthew 3:1-13)
Gary McManus, 01/10/2021Part of the God's New Year series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
January 10, 2021 Matthew 3:1-13
Last month was mentioned TWO extraordinary births.
Jesus and John the Baptizer are both a part of the
Christmas stories.
Mark’s Gospel book and John’s Gospel book mention
John the Baptizer in Chapter 1.
Matthew? Matthew 3:1, right after Christmas.
Why?
James 2:18 says it:
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
The Gospel writers have to show us John..
--not a prophecy
--not a genealogy, but a PERSON.
Some folks are just more impressed with other
people’s actions than impressed with words.
John’s Gospel book says: CHAPTER 1:6
Jesus came from God. John was SENT from God.
(Matthew 14:5)
John the Baptizer: Malachi 3:1
John is in second place because Jesus is in first place
and Jesus must BE in first place.
Is that why Americans don’t pay attention to John?
The Kingdom of heaven is near—imminent!
The Kingdom is breaking in over us from above—from God.
The Kingdom is coming and you may enter into it.
And John states a really big HOWEVER. . .
And therefore John said,
“Bear fruits that are in keeping with repentance. .
(Matthew 3:18)
If you want to see a miracle. . .you have to get up and walk.
The Lord can’t guide you if you are sitting down. (Mark 1:15)
“Bring forth therefore the fruits belonging to repentance.”
The change is not just internal—it needs to be external.
It isn’t a THINKING thing—
do you want to enter the Kingdom of Heaven?
It is an action thing. . .
A better answer is, “Let’s go NOW!” (Matthew 9:9)
John’s message is compelling.
Baptism itself IS obedience and an outward sign
of something already taking place inside—
but an OUTWARD sign. Baptism isn’t magic that
gets you something. Baptism is a doorway to a new life.
John the Baptizer preached to the covenant people.
God WANTS to save you.
Now, you have to want to be saved.
It isn’t enough to be Jewish. It isn’t enough to
be a Christian.
What we all need to do is repent.
John outlines what is needed. . .fruits of repentance.
Think? No. Do! (Luke 6:35, Luke 6:46)
Ever have anyone show you the door?
John the Baptizer is showing you and me the door
—the door to the Kingdom of Heaven, (John 10:2, John 10:7) Jesus, Messiah, the Christ. Amen.
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