Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. The birth of John the Baptiser was foretold Luke 1:5-23

a) This was revealed by the angel Gabriel to Zacharias

b) But Zacharias, being old, found it hard to believe he could become a father at his age

2. Zacharias overcame his unbelief finally, and he foretold the ministry of John

a) John would be called a prophet of the Highest Luke 1:76a

b) He would go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways Luke 1:76b

c) He would give knowledge of salvation to people Luke 1:77a

d) He would preach a message of remission of sins Luke 1:77b

FULFILLING PROPHECY

1. John fulfilled the prophecy spoken about him Matthew 3:1a

2. His ministry was to be in the wilderness of Judea Matthew 3:1b

3. Prophecies about John:

a) In the Gospel of Matthew
For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the LORD;
Make His paths straight.’ ” Matthew 3:3

b) In the Book of Isaiah

3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the LORD;
Make straight in the desert
A highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be exalted
And every mountain and hill brought low;
The crooked places shall be made straight
And the rough places smooth;

5 The glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
And all flesh shall see it together;
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” Isaiah 40:3-5

4. Features to take note of:

a) It would be “a wilderness ministry”

i) His ministry would not be in the Temple or synagogue

ii) His ministry would be in the wilderness

b) His task was to prepare the way of the Lord

i) He would be addressing the problem of sin

ii) He would be making “a highway” for the Lord

5. John’s ministry

a) It would be a difficult one

b) Preaching is not easy

c) Even more challenging is to be a good forerunner for the Lord

d) The core of John’s message

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Matthew 3:2

i) Repentance from sin

iii) The Kingdom of God is at hand

6. Describing John’s attire and diet

a) He was dressed simply

i) Camel’s hair

ii) Food wad locust and wild honey Matthew 3:4

b) Meaning:

i) His focus was not on Fashion

ii) Neither was it about Food

ASSESSMENT OF THE MINISTRY OF JOHN THE BAPTISER

1. John was very successful in his ministry

2. Many came to hear John preach

3. Many were baptised by John

4. The people who flocked to hear John the Baptiser:

a) Jerusalem

b) All Judea

c) All the region around the Jordan

5. Baptism offered

a) People came confessing their sins

b) As they were baptised Matthew 3:6

CONFESSION OF SIN

1. Admission of sin

2. Sorrow because of sin

3. Sins need to be confessed

4. They would then be forgiven by the Lord

BAPTISM OF JOHN

1. Water symbolised cleansing

2. It also symbolised Life

3. This was a Preparatory Baptism

4. It may be called “a baptism of repentance”

CONCLUSION

1. Things to appreciate

a) Prophetic Scripture

b) Fulfilment of Scripture

2. Ministries to be appreciated:

a) John as God’s faithful servant

b) His character

i) Humility

ii) Faithfulness

iii) Courage

iv) Commitment

v) Strength

vi) Faith