1. Sermons From The New Testament Text: Mark 1.1-4 John Was A No Nonsense Preacher… Was Of Priestly Descent His Father Was A Priest His Mother Was Of The Family Of Aaron He Was 6 Months Older Than Jesus He Lived As A Nazarite

2. He Had Disciples Matthew 9; Luke 5,11 He Taught Them To Pray And Fast [Matthew 9; Luke 11]

3. When Jesus Came On The Scene… His Work Decreased, John 3.30 For A Short While, He Still Baptized While Jesus Was Working And Baptizing John 3. 22,26…4.1,2

4. Here Was A Man! Took No Guff… Could Not Be Bribed… Was Not Politically Correct… Galatians 1.10 Knew, Understood And Applied God’s Law Of Marriage… Mark 6.18

5. Like Paul… Acts 20.24 Result: Mark 6.27

6. Our Present Study— John’s Preparatory Sermon Found In Three Texts… Matthew 3 Mark 1 Luke 3

7. The Common Traits Of These Texts: Fulfilled Prophecy Of Isaiah Prepare The Way For And Pointed To Jesus Repentance Baptism Unto Remission Of Sin Confession Of Sin Scolded Religious Leaders Warned Of Coming Wrath, Judgment, Reward And Punishment

8. Common Traits… Being Abraham’s Children Insufficient Necessity Of Fruits Worthy Of Repentance 3 Times Warned Of Fire II Corinthians 5.11 Promise Of Holy Spirit

9. Peculiar Traits Of These Texts: From Matthew’s Text: Gospel Of The Kingdom From Luke’s Text: Salvation Of God Is Seen… Salvation Is Not Merely A “Feeling”

10. Questions From The Penitent: “What Shall We Do?” To The Crowd Generally: Benevolence Ephesians 4.28 To The Publicans: Honesty Ephesians 4.25

11. To The Soldiers: No Undue Violence/Cruelty Romans 12.18 Honesty II Corinthians 8.21 No False Witness For Money Contentment Hebrews 13.5

12. He Preached Many Other Words Of The Gospel Just Like Peter, Acts 2.40

13. Question: What Did John Preach?

14. Answer: The Glad Tidings That Isaiah’s Prophecy Has Been Fulfilled In His Work Of Preparing The People For The Messiah And His Kingdom. To Prepare For Him, Repent, Confess Your Sins And Be Baptized Unto The Remission Of Your Sins. Prove Your Repentance By Your Works Of Benevolence Honesty, Peace, Truthful Testimony, And Contentment.

15. He Warned: Christ Will Winnow Out The Chaff And Burn It When He Gathers His “Fruit” (Followers) Into Eternity.

16. Summary Of John’s Preaching: The Salvation Of God Is At Hand… Prepare For It. God’s Salvation Is In The Christ… Prepare For Him. Judgment Is Coming!

17. Our Present Conclusion: Acts 4.12 II Corinthians 6.2 Acts 17.30,31 Are You Ready?