Why Obey the King? Matthew 3:1-17

1. JOHN the BAPTIST (Matt. 3:1-15) His message (Matthew 3:1-2; 3:7-10) "John came to you and showed you the way that God wants you to live, but you didn't believe him. The tax collectors and prostitutes believed him. But even after you had seen that, you didn't change your minds and believe him.” Matthew 21:32 “You poisonous snakes! How can you evil people say anything good? Your mouth says what comes from inside you”. Matthew 12:34

His AUTHORITY (Matthew 3:3-4) “A voice cries out in the desert: "Clear a way for the LORD. Make a straight highway in the wilderness for our God.” Isaiah 40:3. His BAPTISM (Matthew 3:5-6; 3:11-12) “While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul travelled through the interior provinces to get to the city of Ephesus. He met some disciples in Ephesus and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?" They answered him, "No, we've never even heard of the Holy Spirit." Paul asked them, "What kind of baptism did you have?" They answered, "John's baptism." Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. John told people to believe in Jesus, who was coming later." After they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came to them, and they began to talk in other languages and to speak what God had revealed. About twelve men were in the group.” Acts 19:1-7

“John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." Acts 1:5 “For example, the body is one unit and yet has many parts. As all the parts form one body, so it is with Christ. By one Spirit we were all baptized into one body. Whether we are Jewish or Greek, slave or free, God gave all of us one Spirit to drink.” 1Corinthians 12:12-13 “His winnowing shovel is in his hand, and he will clean up his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into a barn, but he will burn the husks in a fire that can never be put out." Matthew 3:12

His OBEDIENCE (Matthew 3:13-15) “I have a baptism to go through, and I will suffer until it is over.” Luke 12:50 “John saw Jesus coming toward him the next day and said, "Look! This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” John 1:29

2. The HOLY SPIRIT (Matthew 3:16) “Then some scribes and Pharisees said, "Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign." He responded, "The people of an evil and unfaithful era look for a miraculous sign. But the only sign they will get is the sign of the prophet Jonah. Just as Jonah was in the belly of a huge fish for three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.” Matthew 12:38-40

3. The FATHER (Matthew 3:17) “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17 “Then a voice came out of the cloud and said, "This is my Son, whom I love and with whom I am pleased. Listen to him!" Matthew 17:3 “The crowd standing there heard the voice and said that it had thundered. Others in the crowd said that an angel had talked to him. Jesus replied, "That voice wasn't for my benefit but for yours. "This world is being judged now. The ruler of this world will be thrown out now. When I have been lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people toward me." By saying this, he indicated how he was going to die.” John 12:27-30

“The Lord hath said unto Me, ‘Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee.’” Psalm 2:7 Acts 13:33 “My beloved, in whom My soul is well pleased.” Matthew 12:18; Isaiah 42:3

"But who do you say that I am?" —Mark 8:29