Behold The King: His Forerunner

Behold The King  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  47:06
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Matthew 3:1–12 KJV 1900
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Prophesied Preacher

Isaiah 40:3 KJV 1900
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Mark and Luke both share this fulfilment of prophecy. Mark adds another prophecy found in Malachi.
Malachi 3:1 AV 1873
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: And the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, Even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: Behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.

His Purpose

John had one burning desire, to see his countrymen repent of a religion that glorified men and human abilities rather than the Almighty God. He knew that the King of kings had already arrived and would start His earthly ministry soon, so John desired that Israel would get their hearts right.
The people in the wilderness of Judaea were the outcasts, the robbers, and the religious ascetic (people devoted to the Law and self removed from comfort and civilization).

His Preaching

Unlike the prophets of the Old Testament, John never proclaims “this saith the Lord” but rather preaches “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This difference is indicated by the use of the Greek word “Kerusso.” Showing a public proclamation of facts disclosed to someone.

His Problem

religious “elite” individuals thought they had the corner of all things Biblical.

Polemic Priests

Problematic Presuppositions

Pharisees:
Matthew 15:9 KJV 1900
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Colossians 2:20–22 KJV 1900
Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
1 Timothy 1:3 KJV 1900
As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
Sadducees:
Matthew 22:23 KJV 1900
The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
John referred to both of these religious groups as vipers.
The Pharisees believed their relationship was secure because of their biological origin and their dedication to the Law.
The Sadducees believed that their stature in the world would be secure because they followed a pragmatic understanding of the Bible.

Prideful Precepts

Galatians 2:16 KJV 1900
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Galatians 3:11 KJV 1900
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
1 Corinthians 10:31–33 KJV 1900
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
Romans 14:1–2 KJV 1900
Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

Pitiful Pandemonium

Matthew 3:9–10 KJV 1900
And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Proclaimed Potentate

Almighty

John 1:1–3 KJV 1900
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
John 1:14 KJV 1900
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Hebrews 1:8 KJV 1900
But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

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