2. Matthew 3:1-12
Introducing Jesus

3. 30 year gap between Matthew Chapter 2 & Chapter 3
Only Luke 2 gives us a glimpse of His childhood
He was faithful in the small things, learning obedience (Heb. 5:8)
John The Baptist
No introduction to him
He was famous - F.F. Bruce: More historical record of John than Jesus outside of the Bible
From Luke we know he was related to Jesus - Mothers were 1st cousins
John and Jesus were born within months of each other

4. The role of John:
To prepare the way for The Messiah
To fulfill the prophecy through Isaiah (ch. 40:3)
To announce the new covenant
Things were about to change - the axe will cut it down
Being from Abraham was not enough
There will be a new way

5. John’s Message:
“Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is near.”
Repent (metanoeo) = Response has 3 parts to it
Thought:
Romans 12:2 = renewed mind
Proverbs 23:7 = state of the heart
Word: Matt. 3:6 & 1 John 1:9
Deed: Matt. 3:8 - Expectations follow in Luke 3:10ff

6. The kingdom of heaven is near = Reason
The King is about to set up His Kingdom - Future tense
Get on His side
Where is The Kingdom - Luke 17: “in / among you”
After His death & resurrection comes Matt. 28:18
Because of His death & resurrection is Phil. 2:9 & 10
Matt. 16:28 = Something changed while Jesus was around!

7. John’s message about Jesus
His baptism is different
John’s baptism = coming out of the old life
Jesus’ baptism = bringing into the new life
What’s the difference?
The Spirit of God - 1 Cor. 12:13
Only He can bring us into Christ
True Christianity is beyond belief and response. It includes this experience of God