Firm Foundations Lesson 33: God sent John to teach and baptize Memory verse: John 1:29
Introduction How do you get someone’s attention? Mention something personally important to them God announced the coming Saviour through John the Baptist
John – God’s messenger Matthew 3: “Repent!” Agree with God about sin Prepare for the promised Saviour James 2:10 John – the promised messenger for the Saviour Isaiah 40:3 Matthew 3:3
John was a poor man He ate what he found in the wilderness Matthew 3:4 Does God promise that His children will be rich?
Many believed John’s message Matthew 3:5-6 Showed repentance & trust in God Baptism does not save you
Scribes, Pharisees, & Sadducees Scribes Copied God’s Word onto scrolls Proud of their knowledge Pharisees Made and kept many “righteous” laws Kept separate from “sinners” Proud of their righteousness Sadducees Did not believe many Bible truths (angels, resurrection) Tried to stay in good standing with Roman government Wanted to remain position as leaders of Jews
John’s words to the proud Matthew 3:7 God hates the proud! Matthew 3:8 Must repent and prove repentance Matthew 3:9 Thought their parents/family made them right with God Everyone is judged individually In themselves - nothing to boast about
The Deliverer John 1:24-27 John was God’s prophet Just a man Saviour was much, much greater than he Not worthy to be His servant
John baptized Jesus Jesus was now about 30 years old (Luke 3:23) Matthew 3:13-16 Did Jesus need to be baptized? He was born perfect He lived perfect It was God’s command to all who accepted John as a prophet Holy Spirit came to enable Him
What God said about Jesus Matthew 3:17 God called Jesus His Son He was a man …but He was also God God was pleased with Jesus He did everything that pleased God Jesus was without sin Jesus was perfect in God’s sight
Jesus, the Lamb of God John 1:29 The Lamb of God John 1:30-37 John now knew Jesus was the Deliverer!
Conclusion What about us? Do we need signs? We have testimony of signs – the Bible! Jesus Christ is the only Saviour