The King is Coming

the time frame is 27–29 AD. Decades have past since Matthew 2:23

John’s Message: The Kingdom is at Hand

Matthew 3:1–2 ESV

1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

John’s message is

Repent: Change one’s Mind. feel remorse, repent, be converted

BECAUSE:

2. The Kingdom is at hand.

Take down and look at these verses later: Matthew 3:8, 11; 4:17; 9:13; 11:20, 21; 12:41 to see what repentance looks like in Matthew

“[Repentance] is the turning of the whole person from sin to God in obedience to the message of the kingdom. This entails recognition of need, sorrow for sin, a decision to turn from sin to God, and a subsequent obedient lifestyle”

~David L. Turner,

Scripture’s Anticipation: Prepare for God

Matthew 3:3 ESV

3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’ ”

John’s Lifestyle: Like Elijah

Matthew 3:4 ESV

4 Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.

Cultural Response: Excitement

Matthew 3:5–6 ESV

5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

Kingdom Focus: Not physical Lineage.

Matthew 3:7–10 ESV

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Judgement for reliance on Physical Lineage

Kingdom Focus: Mighty One coming

Matthew 3:11–12 ESV

11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Reference to Pentecost when Jesus poured out His Spirit.

Matthew Guide Thus Far:

Moving Towards the Light

The Hope of Grace Past. Dec 1, 2024. Matthew 1:1-17

Love Refined and defined. Dec 22, 2024 Matthew 1:18-25

God Uses the Wisdom of Man. Dec 29, 2024. Matthew 2:1-18

Kingdom Living

Called a Nazarene. Feb 16, 2025. Matthew 2:19-23

God the King is Coming Feb 23, 2025 Matthew 3:1–12

Have you turned your whole person from sin to God in obedience to the message of the Kingdom?

What value do you place on your physical lineage when it comes to your walk with Jesus?