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John the Baptist's Warning to the Sadducees and Pharisees

Text: Matthew 3:7-12, Luke 3:7-19
2 June 2013

1. Sadducees and Pharisees coming to John’s baptism           Matthew 3:7a

2. John’s response to the Sadducees (Matthew)

a) Brood of vipers           Matthew 3:7b
b) Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come           Matthew 3:7c
c) Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance           Matthew 3:8

3. Luke applies this word to the multitudes           Luke 3:7

4. Fruit of repentance           Luke 3:10-14

a) Given away a spare tunic           Luke 3:11a
b) Giving away food           Luke 3:11b
c) Tax collectors were not to extort money from taxpayers           Luke 3:12-13
d) Soldiers           Luke 3:14
i) Do not intimidate           Luke 3:14a
ii) Do not accuse falsely           Luke 3:14b
iii) Be content with wages           Luke 3:14c

5. The myth of being Abraham’s offspring challenged

a) We have Abraham as our father           Matthew 3:9a
b) Thought: Since they are the children of Abraham they would be in good standing before God
c) God is able to make stones to become Abraham’s children           Matthew 3:9b

6. Strong words of warning

a) The axe is laid to the tree           Matthew 3:10a
b) Every tree that does not bear good fruit would be cut down and thrown into the fire          Matthew 3:10b
c) Warning of judgment
i) Impending
ii) Certain
iii) Serious

7. The baptism of John explained in context

a) Baptism of water unto repentance           Matthew 3:11a
b) Baptism of the Holy Spirit by the One coming after John           Matthew 3:11d

8. Preaching of the coming Messiah

a) He is mightier than John           Matthew 3:11b
b) John sees himself as unworthy to even carry His sandals           Matthew 3:11c
c) He will come with a winnowing fan           Matthew 3:12a
d) He will thoroughly clean out the threshing floor           Matthew 3:12b
e) He will gather His wheat into the barn           Matthew 3:12cM
f) He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire           Matthew 3:12s (Psalm 1: 5-6)