1. The Beginning of Ministry Pt. 1 Luke 3:1-22

2. Luke 3:1-2 “It was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea; Herod Antipas was ruler over Galilee; his brother Philip was ruler over Iturea and Traconitis;

3. Lysanias was ruler over Abilene. Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. At this time a message from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living in the wilderness.”

4. Luke 3:3 “Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.”

5. Repentance: “To sorrow or be pained for sin, as a violation of God’s holy law, a dishonor to His character and government, and the foulest ingratitude to a Being of infinite benevolence.” Noah Webster

6. “A unique feature about John’s ministry was baptism. Baptism was nothing new to the people, for the Jews baptized Gentile proselytes. But John baptized Jews, and this was unusual.

7. Acts 19:1–5 explains that John’s baptism looked forward to the coming of the Messiah, while Christian baptism looks back to the finished work of Christ.” Wiersbe

8. Acts 19:1-5 “And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”

9. And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.”

10. And Paul said: “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the One who was to come after him, that is, Jesus. ‎ On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

11. John 3:25-30 Then there arose a dispute between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purification. And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified--behold,

12. He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!" John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said,

13. 'I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent before Him.' He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice."

14. "Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled." "He must increase, but I must decrease."

15. Matthew 3:2 … "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"

16. Luke 3:4-6 “Isaiah had spoken of John when he said, ‘He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming! Clear the road for Him! ‎

17. The valleys will be filled, and the mountains and hills made level. The curves will be straightened, and the rough places made smooth. ‎ And then all people will see the salvation sent from God.’ ”

18. “The metaphor is derived from pioneers (proclaimers) who go before the march of a king. The general meaning of the prophecy is that no obstacles, whether they arose from depression, or power, or pride, or cunning perversity,

19. or menacing difficulties, should be able to resist the labours of the pioneers and heralds of the kingdom of God” Farrar

20. Luke 3:7-8a “When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee God’s coming wrath? ‎ Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.

21. Matthew 3:7 “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”

22. Luke 3:8b “Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.”

23. “Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”

24. Luke 3:10-14 “The crowds asked, “What should we do?” ‎ John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.” ‎

25. “Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?” ‎ He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.” ‎

26. “What should we do?” asked some soldiers. John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”

27. Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”

28. Luke 3:15-17 “Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah. John answered their questions by saying,

29. “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am— so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be His slave and untie the straps of His sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

30. ”The baptism “with fire” referred to the judging and cleansing of those who would enter the kingdom, as prophesied in Malachi 3.” John Walvoord

31. Malachi 3:2-3 "But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire And like launderer's soap.

32. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the LORD An offering in righteousness.”

33. Luke 3:17 “He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with His winnowing fork. Then He will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into His barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”

34. Malachi 4:1 "For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up," Says the LORD of hosts, "That will leave them neither root nor branch.”

35. Luke 3: ‎ 18 “John used many such warnings as he announced the Good News to the people.” ‎

36. Luke 3: ‎ 19 “John also publicly criticized Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, for marrying Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for many other wrongs he had done.”

37. Luke 3: ‎ 20 “So Herod put John in prison, adding this sin to his many others.”

38. “Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias: The relationship between Herod and Herodias was both complicated and sinful. He was her uncle, and he seduced her from his half-brother.

39. “In marrying Herodias, Herod at once married a woman both his niece and his sister-in-law.” David Guzik

40. May the peace of God be with you ALL!