The Messiah’s Messenger Matthew 3

2 John the Baptist A Hero of Faith, Luke 1:13-16 Great in God’s sight Filled with the Holy Spirit Turned many in Israel to the Lord Prophet of the Highest, Lk. 1:76-79 Courageous preacher, Lk. 3:18-20 A Hero of Faith, Luke 1:13-16 Great in God’s sight Filled with the Holy Spirit Turned many in Israel to the Lord Prophet of the Highest, Lk. 1:76-79 Courageous preacher, Lk. 3:18-20

3 Message and Life, Matt. 3:1-10 John fulfilled prophecy (King is coming) Voice crying in the wilderness, Matt. 3:3 (Isa. 40:3-5); Lk. 3:4-6 Messenger of preparation, Mal. 3:1 Elijah of promise, Mal. 4:5-6 (Matt. 11:14) Spirit and power, Luke 1:16-17 Restore all things, Matt 17:11 (1 Kgs 18:37) John fulfilled prophecy (King is coming) Voice crying in the wilderness, Matt. 3:3 (Isa. 40:3-5); Lk. 3:4-6 Messenger of preparation, Mal. 3:1 Elijah of promise, Mal. 4:5-6 (Matt. 11:14) Spirit and power, Luke 1:16-17 Restore all things, Matt 17:11 (1 Kgs 18:37)

4 Message and Life, Matt. 3:1-10 Kingdom is near, Matt. 3:2 Expectation of Israel, Dan. 2:44; 7:13-14, Daniel 2:44 was being fulfilled, Mark 9:1 (Acts 1:8; 2:1-4) Daniel 7:18 was being fulfilled (Heb. 12:28) Kingdom is near, Matt. 3:2 Expectation of Israel, Dan. 2:44; 7:13-14, Daniel 2:44 was being fulfilled, Mark 9:1 (Acts 1:8; 2:1-4) Daniel 7:18 was being fulfilled (Heb. 12:28)

5 Message and Life, Matt. 3:1-10 Message of repentance, Matt. 3:2 Turn people back to God’s law, Malachi 4:6; Luke 1:16-17, 77 Warned of wrath to come, Matthew 3:7, 10; Malachi 4:5-6 Baptism of repentance, Matt. 3:5-6; Mk. 1:1-5 Fruits of repentance, Matt. 3:7-10; Lk. 3: (Acts 26:20) Message of repentance, Matt. 3:2 Turn people back to God’s law, Malachi 4:6; Luke 1:16-17, 77 Warned of wrath to come, Matthew 3:7, 10; Malachi 4:5-6 Baptism of repentance, Matt. 3:5-6; Mk. 1:1-5 Fruits of repentance, Matt. 3:7-10; Lk. 3: (Acts 26:20)

6 Message and Life, Matt. 3:1-10 Self-denial, Matt. 3:4; 11:7-8 Food and clothing Reminiscent of Elijah (2 Kgs. 1:8) His self-denying life was a living protest against the selfish indulgence of his day Self-denial, Matt. 3:4; 11:7-8 Food and clothing Reminiscent of Elijah (2 Kgs. 1:8) His self-denying life was a living protest against the selfish indulgence of his day

7 Message and Life, Matt. 3:1-10 Lessons: God keeps His word (fulfilled prophecy) The King has come and his kingdom exists today, Col. 1:13 Repentance crucial, Lk. 13:3, 5; 2 Pet. 3:9 We must deny self to live for God, Lk. 9:23 Lessons: God keeps His word (fulfilled prophecy) The King has come and his kingdom exists today, Col. 1:13 Repentance crucial, Lk. 13:3, 5; 2 Pet. 3:9 We must deny self to live for God, Lk. 9:23

8 Contrasts with John, Matt. 3:11-12 With Jesus: Jesus was mightier than John, 3:11; cf. John 3:28-30 John’s reverence for Jesus, Matthew 3:14 John rejoiced in being a servant of the Christ, John 3:29 With Jesus: Jesus was mightier than John, 3:11; cf. John 3:28-30 John’s reverence for Jesus, Matthew 3:14 John rejoiced in being a servant of the Christ, John 3:29

9 Contrasts with John, Matt. 3:11-12 With Mankind: None greater than John, Matt. 11:9-11a Much more than a prophet; the Messiah’s messenger, 11:9-10 (Lk. 1:76) None greater because of his work, devoted strength and humility, 11:11 With Mankind: None greater than John, Matt. 11:9-11a Much more than a prophet; the Messiah’s messenger, 11:9-10 (Lk. 1:76) None greater because of his work, devoted strength and humility, 11:11

10 Contrasts with John, Matt. 3:11-12 With Kingdom Citizens: John not as great, Matt. 11:11b-12 John was not an immediate participant in the Messiah’s kingdom, 11:11b Forceful endeavor to enter the kingdom was the result of John’s work, 11:12 (Lk. 16:16) With Kingdom Citizens: John not as great, Matt. 11:11b-12 John was not an immediate participant in the Messiah’s kingdom, 11:11b Forceful endeavor to enter the kingdom was the result of John’s work, 11:12 (Lk. 16:16)

11 Contrasts with John, Matt. 3:11-12 Lessons: Should rejoice in being servants of Christ (1 Tim. 1:12; 1 Pet. 5:5) Be faithful in our work and receive Christ’s commendation (Lk. 16:10; Matt. 25:21) Cannot sleep your way into the kingdom (Luke 13:23-24) Lessons: Should rejoice in being servants of Christ (1 Tim. 1:12; 1 Pet. 5:5) Be faithful in our work and receive Christ’s commendation (Lk. 16:10; Matt. 25:21) Cannot sleep your way into the kingdom (Luke 13:23-24)

12 John’s Service, Matt. 3:13-17 Helped to fulfill all righteousness when he baptized Jesus, Matt. 3:13-15 Jesus came to do the will of God (Jno. 6:38; Heb. 10:7) It was God’s will that Israel receive John’s message and baptism Therefore, righteousness was served Helped to fulfill all righteousness when he baptized Jesus, Matt. 3:13-15 Jesus came to do the will of God (Jno. 6:38; Heb. 10:7) It was God’s will that Israel receive John’s message and baptism Therefore, righteousness was served

13 John’s Service, Matt. 3:13-17 Helped spread the gospel by identifying Jesus as the Son of God, John 1:29-34 Once Jesus was identified, John pointed others to Christ and away from himself, John 1:35-37; 3:25-31 Helped spread the gospel by identifying Jesus as the Son of God, John 1:29-34 Once Jesus was identified, John pointed others to Christ and away from himself, John 1:35-37; 3:25-31

14 John’s Service, Matt. 3:13-17 Lessons: We must serve righteousness through obedience (Rom. 6:15-18) We must point others to Jesus (Jno. 1:40- 42, 43-46) Lessons: We must serve righteousness through obedience (Rom. 6:15-18) We must point others to Jesus (Jno. 1:40- 42, 43-46)

15 John: The Messiah’s Messenger Knew his role and did his work, John 3:28 John was a great man of faith You can be greater than John by serving righteousness in the kingdom of Christ Being born of “water and the Spirit” is greater than those “born of women”, Matt. 11:11; Jno. 3:5; Heb. 12:28 Knew his role and did his work, John 3:28 John was a great man of faith You can be greater than John by serving righteousness in the kingdom of Christ Being born of “water and the Spirit” is greater than those “born of women”, Matt. 11:11; Jno. 3:5; Heb. 12:28