Pointing People to Christ Matthew 3

John the Baptist used: Used his lifestyle to point people to Christ. Used his ministry to point people to Christ. Preached a clear message to point people to Christ

Matthew 3 3:1 – “In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 3:2 - “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 3:3 - 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.’”

Matthew 3 3:4 – “Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.” 3:5 - ”Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him,” 3:6 - “and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.” 3:7 - “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?”

Matthew 3 3-8 – “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” 3:9 - ”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.” 3:10 - ”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.” 3:11 - “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.”

Matthew 3 3:12 -  “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.” 3:13 – “ Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 3:14 -  ”John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

Matthew 3 3:15 – “But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 3:16 - “And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 3:17 – “and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Believers Are To Use Their Lifestyle To Point People To Christ Verses 1-4 John the Baptist’s talk pointed people to Christ John the Baptist’s dress pointed people to Christ 2nd Kings 1:8 - Elijah John the Baptist’s diet pointed people to Christ John the Baptist’s humbleness pointed people to Christ – verse 11

Believers Are To Use Their Lifestyle To Point People To Christ Does your lifestyle point people to Christ? Your speech? The places you go? Your attitude? When people look at your life, do they see Christ?

Believers Are To Use Their Area Of Ministry To Point People To Christ Verses 5-7 John’s ministry” Prepare and point people to the coming Messiah Call people to repent Baptize those who did repent and were awaiting the coming Messiah

Believers Are To Use Their Area Of Ministry To Point People To Christ 7 types of baptism in the Bible The baptism of Moses – 1st Corinthians 10:1-3 The baptism of John – Matthew 3 The baptism of Jesus – Matthew 3 The baptism of fire – Matthew 3 (judgment) The baptism of the Holy Spirit – Ephesians 1:13-14, 1st Cor 12:13 The baptism of the cross – Mark 10:35-39 – suffering The baptism of believers - Matthew 28:19, Romans 6:3-4

Believers Are To Use Their Area Of Ministry To Point People To Christ You can have a wilderness ministry Just be faithful to what God has called you to do

Believers Are To Proclaim A Clear Message To Point People To Christ Verses 8-12 John’s message – REPENT Going in one direction, turning around, and heading the other direction What did the Jews need to repent of? Their sin Their dependence on physical descent from Abraham for righteousness before God Present the clear message of the gospel when witnessing

John the Baptist Baptizes Jesus Verses 13-17 Why did Jesus need to be baptized? No sin, perfect Verse 15 – in order to fulfill all righteousness To be identified with those Jews repenting and breaking form unbelieving Judaism in Matthew 3 To be identified with sinners To give believers an example

Conclusion Our purpose as believers Our lifestyle points people to Jesus Christ Our ministry points people to Jesus Christ Our message points people to Jesus Christ

Help others get prepared Conclusion Are you personally prepared for Jesus’ return? Believers – are you helping the lost world around us to get prepared for Jesus’ return? Get prepared yourself And then Help others get prepared