Not Guilty By Association

I.The Ambassador 3 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’” 4 Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.

I.The Ambassador 1.Credentials a.Prophet “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

I.The Ambassador 1.Credentials a.Prophet “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Malachi 3:7 Joel 2:12 Jonah 3:10 Jeremiah 35:15 Ezekiel 14:6 Zephaniah 1:4

I.The Ambassador 1.Credentials a.Prophet “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” ”Repent was the first word : of John the Baptist’s gospel (Matthew 3:1-2).Matthew 3:1-2 Jesus’ gospel (Matthew 4:14 and Mark 1:14-15).Matthew 4:14Mark 1:14-15 in the preaching ministry of the twelve disciples (Mark 6:12).Mark 6:12 in the preaching instructions Jesus gave to His disciples after His resurrection (Luke 24:46-47).Luke 24:46-47 of exhortation in the first Christian sermon (Acts 2:38).Acts 2:38 in the mouth of the Apostle Paul through his ministry (Acts 26:19-20).Acts 26:19-20 Guzik

I.The Ambassador 1.Credentials a.Prophet “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” “To change one’s mind and act on that change” - Wiersbe - Wiersbe “a change of mind and heart (metanoeite, “repent”) –Walvoord and Zuck

I.The Ambassador 1.Credentials a.Prophet b.Prophecy 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Luke 1:16-17

I.The Ambassador 1.Credentials a.Prophet b.Prophecy 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’”

I.The Ambassador 1.Credentials a.Prophet b.Prophecy – Isaiah 40:3-4 A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the L ORD ; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.

I.The Ambassador 1.Credentials a.Prophet b.Prophecy – Isaiah 40:3-4 c.Proper Attire 4 Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him,.

I.The Ambassador 1.Credentials 2.Job 1.Prepare the way!

I.The Message 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

I.The Message 1.Confessing 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

I.The Message 1.Confessing 2.Humbling 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.

I.The Message 1.Confessing 2.Humbling 3.Hurt and Healing 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

I.This Coming King 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

I.The Coming King 1.Mighty The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I.The Coming King 1.Mighty 2.Bring true life And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3

I.The Coming King 1.Mighty 2.Bring true life 3.Bring Judgement 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”