John The Baptist's Message

since we kicked off this series on the book of Matthew it has been a long time! We have had snow days and nerf wars and I would even dare say we have had a lot of fun at the Nerf war, What do you think? Well, tonight we get to direct that excitement back to the book of Matthew. Before we carry on, i want to give you a recap of what we talked about the night we kicked this series off since so much time has passed between then and now.

We set out in the book of Matthew with a two part focus. based on the following 2 important questions:

1) “Who is Jesus?”

2) “What does Jesus’ identity tell me about who I am?

In an effort to answer the first question we took a looked at Where Jesus confronted his disciples and asked them 2 quesiotns

1) “Who do people say that I am?”

2) “who do you say that I am?”

The answer to this second questions tells us everything we need to know. I want to catch us up here by adding in some context as we move along into the book of Matthew.

I’d like to start tonight off by pointing you all to who Jesus says that He is so that we can understand the power that is in His plan and His words.

58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

These passage are a few of those that show that Jesus is deeply involved in a story long before Christmas. Jesus is the one whose power created all things

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Since before the creation of the world, God had a plan for each person in it

Since before the creation of the world, God had a plan for each person in it. The same Jesus who has all power and authority also had a plan for John the baptist. I want you to follow along in with me to find John the baptists purpose according to Jesus.

English Standard Version Chapter 3

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

These 2 verses show just how simple the message and ministry of John the baptist was. John was a simple man who lived a simple lifestyle out in the dessert.

Let’s focus in here on this word “repent”. I want y’all to take 30 seconds with the people around you, stay in your seats, and answer this questions “what does it meant to repent?”

The word “repent” is better defined with an idea than a specific definition

- to stop in the current dirrection, turn, and head in the opposite direction.

John The Baptist's Message

Recap:

Intro

Lesson