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John the Baptist An important figure in Scripture: Prepares the way for Christ The birth of John (Luke 1) – Like that of Christ – Born to parents advanced in age (Elizabeth and Zechariah) – Foretold by an angel Prepares the way for Christ: – Out in the wilderness preaching “repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” – He is the one who will announce Jesus as the lamb that takes away the sin of the whole world. – He’s the one who will baptize Jesus before his ministry begins. – He fulfills all of these OT prophecies and prepares the way of the Lord.

Luke 3: Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, 2 in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness. 3 And he came into all the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins; 4 as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,

Luke 3:1-20 “T HE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘M AKE READY THE WAY OF THE L ORD, M AKE H IS PATHS STRAIGHT. 5 ‘E VERY RAVINE WILL BE FILLED, A ND EVERY MOUNTAIN AND HILL WILL BE BROUGHT LOW ; T HE CROOKED WILL BECOME STRAIGHT, A ND THE ROUGH ROADS SMOOTH ; 6 A ND ALL FLESH WILL SEE THE SALVATION OF G OD.’”

Luke 3: So he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. 9 Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Luke 3: And the crowds were questioning him, saying, “Then what shall we do?” 11 And he would answer and say to them, “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.” 12 And some tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than what you have been ordered to.” 14 Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, “And what about us, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.”

Luke 3: Now while the people were in a state of expectation and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he was the Christ, 16 John answered and said to them all, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Luke 3: So with many other exhortations he preached the gospel to the people. 19 But when Herod the tetrarch was reprimanded by him because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the wicked things which Herod had done, 20 Herod also added this to them all: he locked John up in prison.

THE TEACHINGS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

Taught a Message of Repentance A Contrast to the teachings today – Many preach “come as you are” – Change who you are. Get yourself right with God. Repent!!! – Luke 3:3 “A baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sins – Matt. 3:2; “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” – Luke 3:8; “bear fruits in keeping with repentance…” Are we willing to teach these things? Are we willing to receive these teachings?

Taught Exactly what people needed to hear Personlized his message: – Luke 3:10-14 The crowds: share your tunic Tax collectors: collect only what had been ordered Soldiers: Don’t oppress, Don’t falsely accuse, be content Pointed out specific sins – Herod (Luke 3:19; Matt. 14:4; “it is not lawful…”) Are we willing to teach these things? Are we willing to receive these teachings?

Taught with Courage and Boldness In what his message entailed: – Told hard truths Didn’t just teach that the kingdom was coming… Taught a message requiring sacrifice and self-control – Included judgment Luke 3:7; “who warned you to flee from the wrath to come” Luke 3:9 “Every tree that doesn’t beard good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” Luke 3:17 “17 His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” In how he brought his message: – “Brood of Vipers” (Luke 3:8)

Taught with Courage and Boldness In what his message entailed In how he brought his message In who he addressed with his message: – Pharisees (Matt. 3:7- “you brood of vipers”) – Herod (Luke 3:19) Taught regardless of consequences – Imprisonment (Luke 3:18-20) – Beheading (Matt. 14:6-12). Are we willing to teach these things? Are we willing to receive these teachings?

Taught with Humility Truly was preparing the way for Christ – Understood this was not about him. – Did not seek glory for himself. (1 Cor. 1:11-13) Luke 3:16 “One is coming who is mightier than I, and I’m unworthy to untie his sandals” Matt. 3:13; “I have need to be baptized by You, and do you come to me?” John 3:22-30; “…I must become lesser” Are we willing to teach these things? Are we willing to receive these teachings?

Taught with Urgency Matt. 3:2 “Repent, for the kingdom is at hand” Luke 3:9 “Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees…” The Time is NOW!!! Are we willing to teach these things? Are we willing to receive these teachings?