1. The Life of Christ Lesson 3
The Ministry of John the Baptist
The baptism of Jesus by john
Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness
John the Baptist’S Testimony of Jesus

2. The Ministry of John the Baptist – Matthew 3:1-12; Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3:1-20
His work and message – repentance/bear fruit:
“Then what shall we do?” John was ready to tell them what they needed to do.
Luke 3:10-14 – the practical application of repentance.
Everything begins with: “Start …” or “Stop …” Which is easier/harder?
Share what you’ve been blessed with … Don’t be greedy and don’t cheat … Don’t steal … Tell the truth … Be content
Luke 13:6-9
And He began telling this parable: "A certain man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it, and did not find any. 7 "And he said to the vineyard-keeper, 'Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?' 8 "And he answered and said to him, 'Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; 9 and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.' “
A good farmer is always looking after his crop and he does everything he can to cause his tress to bring forth fruit. He will till the soil and fertilize it, and prune the trees. If however you should walk through his orchard and see an axe lying at the base of a tree and there is no fruit on the tree, you can safely assume, the tree has proven to be incurable and at a convenient time he will cut it down and burn it. For it is not fit that such a tree should be allowed to take up space and rob him of his precious time of caring for it. Furthermore it never has given any fruit and it becomes obvious that it never will.

3. The Ministry of John the Baptist – Matthew 3:1-12; Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3:1-20
The impact of John’s preaching –
Multitudes (including Pharisees and Sadducees) coming out to be baptized. Luke 3:7; Mark 1:5; Matthew 3:7
Crowds of people questioning him about what to do. Luke 3:10
Do I believe the gospel still works today? Romans 1:16; Acts 8:4.
Luke 13:6-9
And He began telling this parable: "A certain man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it, and did not find any. 7 "And he said to the vineyard-keeper, 'Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?' 8 "And he answered and said to him, 'Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; 9 and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.' “
A good farmer is always looking after his crop and he does everything he can to cause his tress to bring forth fruit. He will till the soil and fertilize it, and prune the trees. If however you should walk through his orchard and see an axe lying at the base of a tree and there is no fruit on the tree, you can safely assume, the tree has proven to be incurable and at a convenient time he will cut it down and burn it. For it is not fit that such a tree should be allowed to take up space and rob him of his precious time of caring for it. Furthermore it never has given any fruit and it becomes obvious that it never will.

4. The Baptism of Jesus by John Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22
Jesus came to John.
John tries to prevent (utterly prohibit, Strong) Jesus – “I have need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
Jesus’ response – “Permit it at this time, for in this way it is fitting (see also Ephesians 5:3) for us to fulfill all righteousness.”
Why was Jesus baptized by John?
Not for remission of sins or repentance (Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22), nor to become deity.
“To fulfill all righteousness” – Psalms 40:7-8; Luke 7:29-30; Matthew 21:25; John 8:55; 6:38. Note John 1:33-34.
To please His heavenly Father.
What do we need to do to “fulfill all righteousness”?
Jesus did what was right for him to do and all that was right for him to do.
Ps 40:7-8 – “Then I said, "Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is 1written of me. 8 aI delight to do Your will, O my God; bYour Law is within my heart."
Luke 7: When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they 1acknowledged aGod's justice, bhaving been baptized with cthe baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and the 1alawyers rejected God's purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by 2John.
John 8: Jesus answered, "aIf I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; bit is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, 'He is our God'; 55 and ayou have not come to know Him, bbut I know Him; and if I say that I do not know Him, I will be ca liar like you, bbut I do know Him and dkeep His word.
John 1: "I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, 'He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.' "I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.
Ps 2:6-7 - "But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain." 7 "I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.”
John 8:55 – “…but I do know Him and dkeep His word.”

5. The Baptism of Jesus by John Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22
The testimony/confirmation –
Baptism in order to be manifested to John and all.
“The heavens were opened” and “the Spirit of God descending as a dove”... “in bodily form.”
The Spirit not only descended upon Jesus but remained. John 1:32; Acts 10:38; Isaiah 42:1; 61:1; Luke 4:18-21
The voice of God the Father: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” John 1:29-34; Psalms 2:7
The first of 3 instances when God spoke from heaven to His Son: Matthew 17:5; John 12:28
In Jesus’ baptism, we see the distinction of the godhead: Jesus baptized, the Father spoke, the Spirit descended.
Jesus did what was right for him to do and all that was right for him to do.
Ps 2:6-7 - "But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain. I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.
John 1:32 – “John atestified saying, "bI have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him.”
Isa 42:1 – “Behold, My bServant, whom I 1uphold; My cchosen one in whom My dsoul delights. I have put My eSpirit upon Him; He will bring forth fjustice to the 2nations.
Isa 61:1 – “The aSpirit of the Lord 1God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me To bbring good news to the 2cafflicted; He has sent me to dbind up the brokenhearted, To eproclaim liberty to captives And 3freedom to prisoners;”
Luke 4:17-21 – “And the 1book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the 1book and found the place where it was written,
18…20 And He aclosed the 1book, gave it back to the attendant and bsat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your 1hearing."