Your Kingdom Come

Opening Illustration

Trump / Kim summit .. the hope of the World?? The peace of the world

The arrogance of world leaders who think they are in control .. thinking that nuclear armament = power

REVIEW : So far .... Matthew has introduced Jesus the MESSIAH . In Ch.1 we see a GENEALOGY which reflects Joseph’s family tree which includes ABRAHAM and KING DAVID and displays all the brokenness and sordidness of humanity .. still .. Joseph is from a KINGLY LINE

In the same chapter we saw the BIRTH of Jesus the Messiah .. conceived by the HOLY SPIRIT .. Jesus is 100% MAN and 100% DIVINE .. the SAVIOUR who identifies with us and SAVES us from our sins 1:21

In chapter 2 Matthew uniquely gives us the history of some GENTILE Magi .. astronomers .. wise men from the EAST (Babylon) who follow the star that points them to the house of the KING OF THE JEWS. Not a FAKE king like herod .. but the One that fulfils prophecy .. the light to the GENTILES .. the King and Saviour of ALL God’s creation. God has been working ALL of history to this END. It all points to .. and is FULFILLED .. in Jesus.The right response is to WORSHIP Him .. to surrender our lives and honour Him in everything we do and say

As we jump into Matthew Ch.3, Jesus is grown up but a highly significant person is also introduced to us .. as in all the gospels .. we see the importance of these historical events because a HERALD is sent to announce the Lord’s anointed and describe His ministry .. enter John the Baptist .. which has nothing to do with the church he goes to BUT it describes what he is DOING .. John the baptiser .. and he has a very distinctive MESSAGE

Remorse .. Ritual .. or REPENTANCE?

NB the Scene is the WILDERNESS .. (some mss “desert”) just means INHOSPITABLE land .. it’s not sand and cactus .. there’s water here .. and maybe deepish water so that you can baptise them

John’s message is straight to the point “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near!” How would you know? Well .. the big clues are in what John WEARS and EATS .. John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. Why is that significant? Coz the Jews were waiting for ELIJAH to come back. Elijah .. the prominent prophet of Israel, the prophet that had NOT died but taken directly to heaven .. the prophet who wore rough clothing and a leather belt () .. and ate wilderness food. tells us that Elijah will return before the Lord’s return

John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

So Matthew is saying .. have a good look at John .. he’s an ELIJAH LOOK-A-LIKE .. but it’s not that he’s a sausage short of a barbie .. he’s the real deal .. look at what he is PREACHING .. John is PREPARING the way .. preparing your thinking .. about the events that are about to unfold

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near

The WAIT is over .. the LORD has come .. the KINGDOM has come .. just as ISAIAH had prophesied ( ; )

A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him

God is about to come to earth .. to visit His world .. to SAVE His world .. AND if the LORD is coming, there are things that have to be prepared

‘Prepare the way for the Lord,

ILLUSTRATION

That’s what happened when TRUMP/KIM world summit was announced .. lot of preparation .. can you imagine the security .. all the logistics .. the best 5 star hotel .. the food .. and with a communist dictator coming to town, it brings a whole new idea of roll out the RED carpet!

What’s the MAIN POINT .. the KEY to the preparation needed as the Messiah comes?

REPENT

God’s coming … REPENT!

John is preaching repentance .. and he is saying if you mean it .. be BAPTISED .. and it’s catching on

5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptised by him in the Jordan River.

The BIG question is .. what does it mean to REPENT?

Y’see .. we can have REMORSE .. I can see my mistake .. confess my mistake .. which is what Judas Iscariot did after betraying Jesus .. knew he’d done the wrong thing .. abused the authorities and through back the 30 pieces of silver .. the blood money .. and then hung himself .. remorse but no repentance and NO salvation

And there is a RITUAL happening here in the passage too.. the RELIGIOUS PEOPLE .. the ones who looked the part when it came to piety and godliness… but look at what John says 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptising, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

These guys were FRAUDS .. they were HYPOCRITES .. they have this veneer of piety .. they think they are right with God .. they like the BADGE of holiness .. they will check out the religious activity .. be associated with people who quote the Scriptures .. I doubt whether they were actually BAPTISED .. I don’t think they would see the need .. they are the religious elite .. NB they have “Abraham as our father” .. a PEDIGREE .. oh really ?! .. Everyone can be part of the Kingdom of God .. this is not just for Jews

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

See, it's the thing generations of Presbyterians say as well. My grandfather was an elder. My mum did the flower roster for years. As if somehow the heritage credit points add up with God and rub off on you.

Don't claim your proud Jewish heritage. If God wanted Israelites he could make them from rocks.

John gives them the name that best describes them .. a BROOD OF VIPERS .. only God’s JUDGEMENT and WRATH is waiting for them

So John gives us clear direction for what REPENTANCE really is ..v.8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. .. and then a bit further down John says The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire

The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire

What a deception! .. to think you are right with God when you are on your way to DESTRUCTION

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

See, it's the things generations of Presbyterians say as well. My grandfather was an elder. My mum did the flower roster for years. As if somehow the heritage credit points add up with God and rub off on you.

Don't claim your proud Jewish heritage. If God wanted Israelites he could make them from rocks.

ILLUSTRATION

I remember having this plum tree .. beautiful purply leaves .. waited a while til it was big enough to fruit .. the year finally came and there were flowers .. and where there are flowers .. fruit will come! The flower blossomed .. very pretty .. then fell off! Beate told me it was an ORNAMENTAL PLUM TREE! Doh! Pretty .. looks great but not practical! No fruit

John says to Israel, "Start bearing the fruit of repentance. " No good looking the part ... PRODUCE SOMETHING

See the Jews can trace the promises all the way back to Abraham. That they're the special people of God. But time's up. If they don't want to repent... then the waiting game's over. John says in verse 9, "the axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."

When the king comes... Israel's going to get sorted. Like never before. And if they're not growing the fruit of repentance, they'll be cut down and thrown in the fire.

You start to see how serious this is .. without repentance we are destined for destruction / hell ... we either TURN or BURN ...

Hi Josh .. we are having trouble with the toilet in the ensuite .. the water level goes right down and then it STINKS .. press the button and flush it and it’s OK again until it does it again .. just wondering what the problem is .. I know that you are an academic now but just after some direction .. look forward to your words of wisdom .. cheers Steve

It's a great question, isn't it? And one that I hope you've echoed yourself.

It's in verse 10. "What should we do then?" the crowd asks. Which is a promising sign of at least some humble hearts. And John tells them.

Now the interesting thing is John doesn't understand he's not being politically correct. John doesn't seem to realize you're meant to put up a concrete wall between your private beliefs and your public behaviour. Especially in the workplace. And so if you're a doctor or you're a lawyer or if you're a judge or if you're a politician, the thing you've got to do is leave your own ethics at the door and not let your personal beliefs about what's right and what's wrong interfere with your decisions. Did you notice the other day how upset people were with Kevin Rudd on same sex marriages. When is he going to get with the programme and do what everybody wants .. legalise homosexual weddings

That’s the big point .. Matthew is saying that THE King of Israel is coming .. get ready

Same with Tony Abbott he was made mincemeat in the media because there's a hint that his view that there are too many abortions has been tainted by his Catholic faith. I mean, what a terrible thing. If your faith... somehow interferes with your thinking. About what's right and wrong.

Now if you're in a position like that, it needs some careful thinking. Because I'm not saying the thing to do is just impose Christian values on everybody else either. Because we're living under the rule of democratic law.

The Son of God .. the KINGDOM of Heaven .. and everyone knows that they need to HUMBLE themselves and turn to Him .. Jesus is the ONLY HOPE

And yet in a profound way in the nation of Israel, John the Baptist says that the fruit of repentance isn't just feeling bad. It's in a very practical Monday to Friday kind of workplace way... doing good.

This morning are you 100% sure that Jesus is YOUR KING .. if so your life is characterised as one of repentance .. genuine FAITH is about confessing our rebellion .. keeping short accounts with God .. it’s living that life where I want to worship my king.. where I fall short .. I want to change my behaviour and that can be tough .. it’s not just sorry for my disobedience, its .. what do I need to do to stop this .. and it will be RADICAL .. .. If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire.

Ultimately we are of course saving by trusting in Jesus .. FAITH in Him .. His death and resurrection

8 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire.

Yet being His followers calls for radical amputation .. if I’m in constant debt .. overspend .. maybe I need to cut up the credit card and learn to budget … if I’m constantly angry .. bitter .. negative .. over critical .. then true repentance means I have to work at that because I don’t want to dishonour our King .. struggle with _____________ maybe it’s time to take a good friend into your confidence .. pray and take some practical steps to work at things

Jesus Not John

The clear issue is that John the B is the VOICE calling in the wilderness and pointing to JESUS .. water baptism definitely won’t save you .. no matter how it’s done v.11 “I baptise you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

BUT .. when this One comes .. Jesus .. he comes to be baptised by John! Who knows this is just WRONG .. why would Jesus acknowledge a need for repentance??! and Jesus says v.15 “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness.”

NO .. Jesus had nothing to repent of .. but Jesus identifies with His people .. ..he is “numbered with the transgressors” .. Matthew underscores that it is Jesus is pointing to humanity’s great need .. Jesus is DEDICATING himself to to the task of making sinners righteous .. and His public ministry is about to begin .. so there are some very public markers as to the UNIQUENESS of Jesus .. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him

Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.”

At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him

And what is played out is a public testimony from God the Father “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

And what is played out is a public testimony from God the Father

This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

At this point John the Baptiser will DECREASE and Jesus will INCREASE .. John will urge his disciples .. his followers to follow Jesus coz Jesus is the LAMB of GOD who will take away the sins of the world

How will that play out ? What will Jesus the SPIRIT FILLED King do so that we will be assured of forgiveness and cleansing ?

Tested and True

The first 11 verses in Ch.4 continue the DIVINE PURPOSE .. the Spirit leading Jesus deeper into the WILDERNESS

Jesus is being TEMPTED by the devil = TESTED .. same word

Think back to OT .. the wilderness is the scene of a great deal of Israel’s rebellion .. and failure .. disobedience .. the nation that wandered for 40 years before entering the PROMISED LAND

Jesus is 40 days and nights fasting .. again the identifying with Israel .. and Humanity .. eg. Adam .. will Jesus, the SON OF GOD, remain faithful even when STRONG TEMPTATIONS are before Him .. a flash back to the serpent coming to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden

The devil seeks to deflect Jesus from doing the will of God .. and the test/temptations are specifically suited to the Son of God

To a famished Jesus .. who has divine POWER .. the devil says “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” .. prove yourself .. show us all your power .. a real temptation for Jesus who could miraculously make bread .. but Jesus quotes Scripture “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God”

If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God

The devil is a quick learned .. and he quotes Scripture at Jesus Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” but Jesus corrects the devils proof-texting Do not put the Lord your God to the test.

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Do not put the Lord your God to the test.

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

The third TEST .. the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” .. Hmm .. the devil is never the one to let the truth get in the way of a good temptation .. he makes it sound as if he is control of everything … here is the offer of sovereignty of the whole world .. just worship me says the devil .. here’s an offer of world dominance without the cross .. tempting ? Just acknowledge me Jesus .. the satan .. Lord of all

“ ‘He will command his angels concerning you,

Jesus is focussed and clear .. ONLY God is the object of our WORSHIP .. Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’

the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

and they will lift you up in their hands,

Jesus the Son of God tested in the wilderness .. the evil one whispering seductive temptations .. but Jesus resists .. is perfectly OBEDIENT .. is TRUE to God

Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

You know the most encouraging thing here? Jesus doesn’t press any miracle buttons .. it’s not any supernatural powers .. it’s Jesus’ deep love for His Father, for God himself .. and a deep knowledge of the Scriptures .. the BIBLE informs his mind

APPLICATION

And so if you haven't picked it up yet, here's what Matthew wants to point out to people: One man did what no-one else has ever been able to do before or since.

Not a single son of Adam, not a single daughter of Eve, not a single son of Abraham, Isaac or Jacob has ever been able to do what Jesus did - resist temptation and serve God perfectly as a Son should.

Now you’ve got to get this. Because this is WHO JESUS IS. He’s the perfect man. The first perfect man. HE’S THE NEW ISRAEL – the Israel they could never be.

He’s fulfilling EVERYTHING on HUMAN’S side of the covenant to satisfy God’s requirements.

And you see – so much is at stake here. EVERY PERSON’S salvation is riding on Jesus this day. If he caves in and disobeys God – he’s blown it. If he lets the devil bring him undone then the whole of salvation history will run off the rails.

Here the hopes and dreams of millions and millions of people are piled upon one back. Last Melbourne Cup Millions and millions of dollars were bet on ONE HORSE – (about $350 mil in total betting). Millions of people watched and cheered him across the finish line. If that horse HAD NOT WON they would have ALL LOST.

Jesus is our bet. He’s the one who has to cross the line for us to win. And if he failed this day – we would have all lost.

But because of HIS incredible obedience to God – we are winners. That’s what’s at stake here.

It's on this platform that Jesus is going to begin and continue his ministry - that of obedience to the Word and the leading of God.

And that obedience was not easy, and it was not simple - it was painful and gruesome, yet glorious and amazing at the same time.

Obedience that did not shy away from humiliation, from floggings, from crucifixion... obedience that brought life.

So .. just as through one man's disobedience (Adam), death and disobedience was brought into the world for all who followed (including you and me) - so just as through the obedience of one man (Jesus) life and forgiveness is also offered to the world.

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Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

By default, and before Christ entered the world and died, we had no choice but to be Sons of Adam. We followed the pattern that had been passed down, from the time of Adam's disobedience, to when we were born. We couldn't escape it, we couldn't avoid it - the result of Adam's trespass meant that we were all made guilty in the eyes of God, and we carried around the corruptness inherent in being human.

But through the obedience of the one perfect and true Son - Jesus Christ, another way of life has opened up to us. A life where we no longer follow the pattern of Adam, we follow the pattern of the one who resisted temptation and brought life to many.

Death comes through Adam. But life comes through Christ.

Friends .. this is so encouraging as we consider our future .. y’see … You’ve Passed the Test ... if you are a genuine Christian you are right with God because Jesus has been faithful .. every step of the way where the devil has sought to drive Jesus away from His mission .. away from the cross .. yet Jesus has humbly stood in our place .. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin — because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.

You’ve Passed the Test ... if you are a genuine Christian you are right with God because Jesus has been faithful .. every step of the way where the devil has sought to drive Jesus away from His mission .. away from the cross .. yet Jesus has humbly stood in our place .. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin — because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.

So .. if you are not already, be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. By default, and without exception, you and I stand in the line of Adam, have given in to temptation again and again, and will fall under the judgement of God.

But with the arrival of Christ, with his life of obedience, we now have the option of standing in the line not of Adam, but of Christ himself. The second Adam. A line not with condemnation and death, but righteousness and life - because we now come from Christ.

Keep Resisting the Devil .. for those who have Christ as their saviour - let me encourage you to live up to the calling you have received.

It’s so easy when tempted to do wrong to say “What’s wrong with a bit of bread?” Or “Surely God doesn’t want ALL my worship?” Or most commonly it’s easy to say “Won’t God save me even if I constantly disobey him?”

When it’s your turn to be tempted – don’t tread underfoot what Jesus sweated and suffered for you. Don’t insist on keeping your sin. Remember Jesus Christ. Remember his obedience. Remember his sacrifice. Remember he won the race for YOU.

Don’t live with a foot in either camp - you are sons and daughters of the creator of the world, bought with the blood of Christ.

The devil knows you .. knows your weaknesses ... knows that for some it’s SECURITY .. getting enough to live on later in life ... what about the stock market .. what if it crashes .. and the temptation is not to be generous for fear that God won’t be able to look after me .. tricky balance that .. eh?

For some it is our SIGNIFICANCE .. we’ll take a promotion no matter what .. we’ll take on more and more work .. maybe even church work just so we are noticed .. and have to have the latest and the best .. so people will notice us .. so we can impress

What’s the temptation that easily presses your buttons? The devil knows even if you don’t

You are not sons and daughters of your career. You are sons and daughters of your God.

And you are not slaves to money and a secure future. As sons and daughters of your God, he will supply what you need without you having to grasp after it as the world does.

And you are no longer slaves to your sinful nature, because you have been given the Spirit of God which empowers you to overcome temptation and live as God's child.

You are not characterised by things of this world - anger, bitterness, envy, selfishness, greed - you are characterised by the things of your Saviour and your Father. Love, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control.

These are the things which characterise the sons and daughters of God. Live no longer as people under the curse of Adam, but live as those who have been given life by the perfect Son - Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

There’s a lot of comfort in the fact that Jesus is the perfect Son of God ... despite the trials .. the suffering the temptations Jesus remained faithful .. so that we may be declared FAITHFUL too .. let us continue on knowing the strength of God’s Spirit to fight the devil and his ways .. and may we take the comfort from Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

make straight paths for him