Prepare The Way For The King | Matthew Chapter 3 | Pastor Israel

Matthew, Chapter 3, the title of tonight's message, Prepare the

Matthew 3 · chapter mention

way for the King. We're introduced to a fellow

called John the Baptist. Maybe you've heard of him.

Maybe you're very familiar with his story.

As is true now, it was back then.

When someone truly important arrives into a town or a city,

everything, it seems, changes in preparation, in readiness for

them. Roads are cleared, obstacles

removed, security tightened if needs be, and every detail

prepared so that nothing would stand in the way of that guest,

that arrival, that significant person.

Now in the ancient world, when a king would head and plan a

visit, they would often send a herald, a collective group,

typically a voice announcing their arrival, making the path

straight, as we'll see. And this is exactly what God

does here, as we read in Matthew chapter 3, He sends a messenger

Matthew 3 · chapter mention

ahead of the king. And Matthew is all about

presenting Jesus as the king, the promised 1, the Messiah to a

Jewish audience primarily. And this herald comes not into

the temple. This herald comes not into the

city squares but out into the wilderness of Judea, And having

been there, it's a pretty barren area.

And his name is John the Baptist we know him as.

Imagine a man who shows up, as I reminded us this morning, in the

middle of nowhere, wearing camel's hair for his garments, a

leather belt around his waist, and eating locusts, perhaps

dipped in wild honey. It's part of his diet.

No marketing team, no social media in advance, no musical

instrumentation accompanying, no media hype, no convenient venue.

Just one wild looking prophet preaching and declaring a

message, standing by the Jordan River as we'll see it, shouting

Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.

And if a church growth consultant were to have a word

with John the Baptist back then, he would have laughed out loud

initially at what John was doing.

Probably declared, John, your ministry is doomed from the very

get go. Let me advise you, nobody's

coming out here to the desert. Put the temple in Jerusalem on

the agenda. That's where people congregate.

Alter your message. Change your tone a little bit.

I mean, you're very offensive in the way that you speak.

And let's do something about that wardrobe, mate, because

that's just not going to cut it with the elite.

But as we'll read and as we'll see, the crowds come anyway,

tells us that all from Jerusalem, Judea and the

surrounding areas flock. Many, many people come and they

hear the message of John the Baptist.

And they came because God was doing something fresh with the

arrival of John, the John the Baptist.

That preempts the arrival of Jesus as we see in the

commencement of his ministry as we advance ahead now in years

from where we last left off in Matthew chapter 2.

Matthew 2 · chapter mention

And it's something that people did not expect from the Script,

that they thought from the way that things they were

anticipating should happen. Jesus himself said of this man,

Matthew Chapter 11, verse eleven.

Matthew 11 · chapter mention

Among those born of women, there has not arisen anyone greater

than John the Baptist. That's Jesus word.

So think of all prior to what we understand with the gospels.

That means John greater than Abraham, John greater than

David, John greater than all of the prophets and kings combined

before him. Jesus said that he was greater

even than Moses, and yet his entire public ministry, as we're

introduced to John lasted maybe two or three years before he's

beheaded. So how is it that somebody with

such a a short seeming ministry can have such a a great impact

that Jesus declares it's the greatest life to have ever

lived? That's the question Matthew

Matthew 3 · chapter mention

chapter 3 will answer for us tonight, amongst other things.

And what we see is this. If God can use this eccentric,

uncompromising desert dwelling relative of Jesus to prepare the

way for the King, then perhaps, perhaps he can still use

ordinary people like you and I to prepare the way for his

second coming to prepare the hearts and lives of people who

are yet to hear the good news of Jesus Christ and that the

Kingdom of hem is coming. Let's open our Bibles.

If you haven't Matthew chapter 3.

Matthew 3 · chapter mention

Listen to this voice crying in the wilderness and it'll

confront us with this, this central question.

Are you ready for the king? I'm going to read 1st 6 verses

as we consider our first point. If you're the note taking type,

there's three that we'll go through in these three various

movements of this passage. Verse one to six, the

unconventional forerunner in those days, John the Baptist

came preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, repent for

the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.

For this is he, Matthew writes, 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 path straight.

Now John himself 1st 4 was clothed in camel's hair with a

leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild

honey. And then Jerusalem, all Judea

and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were

baptised by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.

Matthew wastes no time introducing us to John the

Baptist verse one in those days. In those days, John the Baptist

straight away and those days are ahead of where we last left off.

Like I mentioned, probably about 25 years now ahead from where we

last left in Matthew 2. But more particularly, those

days refer to the dark days spiritually speaking, of

Israel's climate. Over 400 years of prophetic

silence from the last prophet in Malachi in the Old Testament.

To hear where we begin in Matthew.

It seemed as though heaven had been quiet these 400 years.

And then this voice unders in the desert.

John the Baptist. And John was no ordinary

preacher. He was again Jesus relative.

You remember the story of his mother Elizabeth and of Jesus

mother Mary. And John was born to these

elderly, barren parents in a miraculous way.

He was a priest kid. His father, Zechariah, served in

the temple. But instead of climbing the

religious ladder, as perhaps might have been expected and

anticipated in his family, John, it seems, went rogue, went out

into the desert of Judea. In fact, if you'd, if we're able

to go on the tour of Israel in January, we'll go into an area

where they think that John might have joined with a group called

the Essenes. It's interesting, but it's an

aside. He headed out 30 to 45

kilometres into this and you'll see it.

Barren limestone wilderness of Judea near the Dead Sea, the

lowest place on Earth, 440 metres below sea level.

Hot, ugly in many respects empty, and yet exactly where God

wants John to be. Why the wilderness, you might

wonder? Why not Jerusalem, where all of

the spiritually elite are? Why not where more of the the

congregated areas and regions are for people to go and just

have an immediate audience with? Certainly for me.

Why not along the coast? The Mediterranean Sea is

beautiful. John could even take up surfing

if you wanted to. Because God loves doing the

unexpected. Jesus himself wasn't born in

Rome, wasn't born in Jerusalem. He was born in a backwater

stable in Bethlehem and raised and scorned Nazareth.

So much so that you know the words Nathaniel when he heard of

Jesus that can anything good come out of Nazareth.

God's patent is clear. And Paul writes of this in one

Corinthians chapter one, verse 27, where it says God has chosen

the foolish things of the world to shame the wise.

From John's location to John's clothes to his diet, all of it

screamed this is not about human strategy.

Camel's hair wasn't fashionable. It was practical.

But itchy locusts and wild honey weren't just some sort of fad,

trendy pelayo diet. They were what the land

provided. He looked and acted and lived

like Elijah the prophet and the people who revealed the prophets

instantly recognised this echo John was fulfilling.

We're told in Isaiah 40 verse 3 here, as Matthew quotes it, the

Isaiah 40:3

voice of one crying in the wilderness.

So there's a prophetic fulfilment here going on.

Prepare the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight again.

In ancient times, when a king planned a visit into a region,

into a town, an advance team often cleared the way, fixed up

any roads, filled up potholes, removed rocks, straighten

perhaps curves, and prepared the people for that royal chariot to

come on through, for that smooth travelling, but more

importantly, for the important one to be able to arrive and be

received. And John was like this one man

advance team for Jesus. The wilderness was a picture of

Israel's spiritual barrenness at the time in their condition,

dry, empty, in need of renewal and vibrancy.

And John was calling them to clear the obstacles of their

hearts away in readiness and in preparation for the King who has

to come, King Jesus calling Jews to repentance.

And the people came. Verse 5 tells us, read it again

for us. Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and

all the region around the Jordan went out to him.

This is thousands upon thousands of people coming to this region

here to hear John's message. And they came confessing their

sins and they were baptised in the Jordan.

Now again, if you're to join us on a tour of this region of the

Jordan, it may have been a little more attractive and

appealing back then, but it's certainly not today.

But it's probably not much better than it was back then.

Because even if you remember a few 100 years prior to this, a

fellow who came with leprosy was told the dunk in the Jordan

River. And he was like, I'm not putting

myself in that river. I've got far better rivers back

home. And yet they come on out and

they're baptised. We got a picture of us in this

area in April, standing in this part of the Jordan River, and

it's etched on her face how uncomfortable and how unpleasant

she's feeling in that moment. It was hot.

The water was just this dirty brown.

And there she is with a slut. Hurry up and take the photo and

Get Me Out of here. Look, but think about that

scene. Tax collectors, soldiers, even

housewives, and even we'll see some religious leaders trekking

out to this region, to this desert area, standing waist deep

in the river. Many publicly admitting and

confessing that they're sinners and that they're repenting and

wanting to turn away from their old lives and their old way of

doing things. And in readiness to receive the

one that John was preaching. Who is to come?

And after centuries of empty ritual and abiding by things

that they perhaps practise but didn't fully understand or

appreciate, real repentance was breaking out.

And could you imagine the relief?

Many of these people who'd only known dead religion suddenly

encountering a man who spoke with raw authority from God and

real confession poured out of them because they sensed the

Kingdom was near. Now if God used this camel hair

wearing desert preacher, then he can use you right where you are.

You don't need a platform, a polished image, a perfect

pedigree. You need to be available.

Maybe you feel tonight too ordinary.

You have a heart and a desire to be used by God, but you think,

oh it'll never happen, or I'm too broken or I'm just too

different. How could why would God use such

a one as me? Remember how earlier I mentioned

of Jesus his declaration about John in Matthew Chapter 11 verse

Matthew 11:11

11? Can I get you to turn ahead to

to that verse, Matthew Chapter 11 and let's read and consider

Matthew 11 · chapter mention

something else Jesus says because I only quoted the first

part of that verse, John Chapter 11, verse 11.

John 11:11

Jesus says assuredly I say to you, among those born of women,

there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist.

Look at the next part. But he who is least in the

Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Do you know who Jesus is talking about there?

That's you, that's me, that's us.

And Jesus says, though he declared of John the Baptist to

be far greater than any, that we have the privilege of being

greater. Why?

How is that so? Because you and I, we have seen

and understood things about Jesus that that John couldn't or

didn't. John later would even question

and wonder about Jesus. Are you the one?

Remember he had those questions. And you and I, with hindsight,

with Christ's salvation at work in US, we've seen the need for

the suffering Saviour that Jesus came to die, and what we

remembered and celebrated last weekend, that before Jesus would

come as the conquering glorious King, he would must first be a

suffering Saviour. But the path to that is through

the cross, through his death and through his resurrection 3 days

later. And what a privilege then you

and I now enjoy in understanding and in knowing that John's life

says that God specialises in using the unconventional.

So what wilderness has God placed you in?

And who in your world right now needs to hear a clear,

unpolished call to get ready for Jesus, because He is coming very

soon. Clear the path in your own heart

tonight and help others do the same.

Let's move ahead to our second consideration, the

uncompromising message. We see that in verses 7 to 12.

I'll read all of those verses now and come back and deal with

a few key phrases and components out of that.

Excuse me, but when he saw many of the Pharisees verse 7 and

Sadducees coming in His baptism, He said to them, brood of

Vipers, that's a pretty welcoming message.

Who warn you to flee from the wrath to come, therefore bear

fruits worthy of repentance. And do not think to say to

yourselves, verse 9, we have Abraham as our father.

For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to

Abraham from these stones. And even now the axe is laid to

the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does

not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Verse 11 Indeed I baptise you with water unto repentance.

But he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I

am not worthy to carry. He will baptise you with the

Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand

and he will thoroughly clean out his threshing floor and gather

his wheat into the barn. He will burn up the chaff

unquenchable fire. John didn't soften his words for

the VIP section, verse 7 in his group, Pharisees, Sadducees,

religious leaders travel down from Jerusalem to come and hear

what is going on. And perhaps word has travelled

there. Have you heard of what's

happening out in the wilderness of this, this guy and he's

preaching this message and he's dressed like this and he looks

like that. And, and, and so they, they come

on down and, and maybe they came to listen, perhaps initially,

but perhaps to argue as well. And he challenges them.

And these Pharisees, the Pharisees were part of the

religious group. They were the legalistic

conservatives. We'll see a lot more of them

through our journey through the Gospel of Matthew.

And they prided themselves on keeping every detail of the law.

The Sadducees, interestingly, were another group in the

religious leadership who were at odds with the Pharisees.

And yet now they seem to come together with this common enemy

in John the Baptist, and later on they'll be doing the same

with Jesus. And the Sadducees were more of

the the wealthy kind of liberal aristocrats who ran the temple.

They denied the resurrection and they controlled the money and

the power. As I say, they typically hated

each other, but they came together to check out this

desert phenomenon. And John?

John looks both groups in the eye, calls them a nest of

rattlesnakes. Slytherin away from a grass fire

that's about to consume them and he doesn't let them hide behind

their pedigree. In verse 9, he says do not think

to say to yourselves we have Abraham as our father.

You see, ancestry meant nothing when it came to repentance.

God, John says, could raise up children from Abraham from these

very stones, and there's plenty of them out there in the

wilderness. Even Gentiles could be raised

up. And the axe, John says, is

already at the trees ready to chop them down, and every tree

not bearing good fruit will be cut and thrown into the fire.

And John's message was simple and urgent, and they heard it

and received it. Going back.

Verse 2, Repent. For the Kingdom of heaven is at

hand. Repent.

The language of Matthew, it's in the Greek Methanoa.

Perhaps you're familiar with it. It's not about just feeling

sorry to repent. Oh, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, though that's a part of it.

It's a complete change of mind, a change of direction away from

the course that you thought was right and the direction that you

thought you should be going for your life and instead turning

unto God, away from your sin and turning to God and His Holiness.

And that's why John here is baptising in the Jordan.

Jewish baptism had elements for Gentiles in converting to

baptism. It was also a purpose for ritual

cleansing and something that was practised after defilement.

But here John was calling Jews to repent and be baptised as a

public sign of heart change. And he pointed ahead to Jesus.

Verse 11 we read again that says, I indeed baptise you with

water unto repentance. But he who is coming after me,

Jesus is mightier than I, whose sandals I'm not worthy to carry,

and he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 3 baptisms

in one verse, water baptism for repentance.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit we see in the book of Acts to

unite believers into Christ's body, that identification that

we're also a part of, and the baptism of fire, of this

unquenchable judgement that would consume the chaff as it

separated from the wheat. You see, genuine faith, genuine

repentance, turning unto God produces fruit life change.

And John wasn't impressed with the religious credentials,

particularly of the Pharisees and the Sadducees or their

outward appearances. Well, they had the guard, they

had the paraphernalia, they had all of the the head knowledge

and could could quote scripture. They had the religious activity.

They were respected in their positions, but no real

repentance going on in their hearts.

These men trusted in their heritage.

We have Abraham as our father, and John cut straight to the

heart, bear fruit. In keeping with repentance and

using nature as a metaphor, he says that a tree can look

healthy, can have all of the appearance of being vibrant, a

strong trunk, luscious leaves, full branches.

But if it produces no fruit, John says, it's useless.

And the farmer has his axe handy.

And John warned, even now the axe is laid to the root of the

trees. It's a pivotal moment in the

time of Israel. Therefore every tree which does

not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

It doesn't mince his words. John, you know likewise, you and

I, we can have the tendency to trust in something other than

Jesus, our family, church membership, our moral track

record, our achievements, our finances.

And John's rebuke here exposes not only the self righteousness

of the Pharisees and the Sadducees, but any of us who

cling to anything other than Jesus.

And the question presses in for us to consider in this, the

uncompromising message is just as real tonight as it was back

then. Is there evidence of real

transformation in our lives? Are we growing in holiness,

becoming more like Christ? Or are we maintaining a

religious appearance on the outside while our heart remains

unchanged from within? And what John preaches and would

remind you and I tonight is this, that repentance that

produces no fruit is no real repentance at all.

Where is God maybe pressing in your heart now?

What sin have you excused or delayed dealing with?

Have you brought it to Jesus? Have you confessed it to Him?

Look honestly at the fruit in our life.

Are we turning away from sin in tangible ways?

And on the flip side are a Lovejoy, peace, patience, self

control the fruits of the Spirit growing in our lives.

Ask the Holy Spirit to produce what you cannot manufacture on

your own. The same Jesus who baptises with

the Spirit is ready to empower you and I for a life that bears

lasting fruit. So John's message rings true

tonight. But here's the good news.

Lastly, the unparalleled Saviour.

We all need Jesus and Jesus comes.

Verse 13. Then Jesus came.

Oh man, I love that. Then Jesus came from Galilee,

it's been up in the north, Nazareth.

Later we'll see the majority of his time in the area of

Capernaum. But now he travels down to John

the Jordan to be baptised by him.

And John tried to prevent him, saying I need to be baptised by

you and are you coming to me? But Jesus answered and said to

him, Permit it to be sown now, for thus it is fitting for us to

fulfil all righteousness. And he allowed him stop there.

Jesus had no sin to repent of. So why was Jesus here baptised?

Why was he coming to John here? And John's been preaching of

repentance and of the need for baptism as a consequence For

that. Firstly, consider Jesus was

identifying fully with sinners, stepping into the place that you

and I, we deserve to stand. Second, Jesus own words, he's

obeying the Father perfectly, fulfilling all righteousness

where we have failed. And 3rd in this moment, moving

forward, going down into the water pictured Jesus coming,

death, the picture Jesus rising out in his resurrection.

And even here at the start of Jesus ministry, Jesus was

already moving towards the cross.

That's his focus, that's his goal.

What we just came out of last weekend celebrating and

remembering when he had been baptised.

Verse 16, Jesus came up immediately from the water and

behold the heavens were open to him.

He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and a

lighting upon him. Suddenly a voice came from

heaven saying, this is my beloved son in whom I am well

pleased. Wow, what a scene, what a

moment. The entire Trinity showed up,

God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, and this is

God's authenticating seal at the commencement of Jesus ministry.

And it's this most impressive testimony and declaration to all

and to you and I. The sun in the water, the Spirit

as a dove, the Father, a voice speaking from heaven declaring

truth. And the same three persons who

are present at creation are now present at the launching of

redemption here on earth. The Father's words would echo

those spoken at the transfiguration.

This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.

The sinless Son of God humbled himself to stand in the sinner's

place. And the voice that spoke the the

world into being into existence now speaks pleasure over his

Son. This is my beloved Son, the

Father said of Jesus. And the Spirit who hovered over

the waters at the beginning of creation in Genesis, now

descends like a gentle dove. This is the God who saves

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, working together for your

rescue, for my rescue. Have you identified with Jesus,

the baptism being a practise, a part of your experience as a

believer, as a Christian? And baptism is that beautiful

picture. We were able to celebrate some

three weeks ago, 15 people being baptised down there at the beach

and just hearing of God being at work in their lives, of publicly

declaring that I'm identifying with Jesus Christ, that just as

Jesus was baptised, now I'm being baptised and the symbolism

of what Jesus went through, of him having died in my place and

rising again three days later, later, I am now coming out of

the water, a brand new creation. Behold, old things have passed

away, all things have become new and I make that public

declaration before all. Have you done that?

Have you repented in your heart? Have you trusted in Jesus the

Lamb of God, as John would declare about him who takes away

the sin of the world? If you have, then live like it,

and many of you have. I know that to be true.

So daily identifying with Jesus in his death by saying I am dead

to sin. Romans chapter 6 And now I am

Romans 6 · chapter mention

alive in him, in his resurrection.

I have new life. I'm no longer mastered by sin.

I have the freedom and the liberty to say no.

And the power of Jesus is available to me to pursue the

things of God. And if you've already trusted

Christ tonight, then hear this John.

John was the voice preparing the way for Jesus first coming

today. Jesus has given that same

privilege for you and I with respect to His Second Coming in

the Great Commission our risen King commands us.

Let me read it to you. Go, therefore make disciples of

all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of

the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all

that I have commanded you. Matthew 2819 to 20.

And so just as John called people to repentance back then

and to be baptised in preparation for the king, repent

for the Kingdom is at hand. You and I, we are now called to

go and to make disciples and to baptise and to teach and to

clear the the spiritual obstacles in in people's hearts

and to prepare the way for them to meet Jesus.

For Jesus is coming soon. And who in your world has God

called you to reach? Who needs to hear the same

urgent message? Repent, for the Kingdom of

heaven is at hand. Will you be a voice crying in

the wilderness, pointing people to the Lamb who takes away the

sin of the world? I pray and hope it to be so well

John the Baptist as we close and finish Matthew chapter 3.

Matthew 3 · chapter mention

He was unconventional, uncompromising in his message,

and utterly focused on Jesus. He prepared the way he

confronted sin, and then he stepped aside so that the

spotlight would fall on Jesus. It was John the Baptist who said

of Jesus that he must increase. Prior to that he said about

himself, I must decrease. 2000 years later the same king is

coming again, and soon. The question is, Are you ready?

And Matthew 3 leaves us with this very clear message.

The king has come, the Kingdom is near, and the call remains.

Repent, receive the King, bear fruit.

To summarise, if you forget anything else about tonight, let

me try and wrap it all up succinctly before we finish.

Get ready for King Jesus by repenting of sin, bearing real

fruit in your life and fully identifying with the humble

Saviour who has already identified with you, and then

join him in preparing others for his soon return.

Some heard John's message and responded with confession and

changed lives. Others resisted, especially

those who thought they were already fine.

And that same tension exists today.

But let me ask you honestly, are you prepared or just familiar?

Are you transformed or just informed?

Are you bearing fruit or just leaves?

God has done everything necessary.

He sent the messenger, John the Baptist.

He sent the Son, Jesus the Christ.

He has opened the way and now the response is yours.

The King has come. Prepare your heart today and

help prepare others hearts that don't yet know him.

Let's pray our Father God in heaven, You are the great God

and Lord above all. There is no one, no thing that

can compare to you. And we're so grateful and

thankful, Jesus, that you came, that you died in our place, that

you rose again, that you defeated our sin.

But now in repentance, we can come to you and we can

experience and enjoy forgiveness and freedom from sin and your

resurrection power at work in our lives as you sanctify us.

And ultimately, you will glorify us as we're fully and completely

transformed. And until that time, may we,

Holy Spirit, with your help, be faithful to declare the good

news of Jesus the Christ, for it is a message that needs to be

heard in the wilderness, in the streets, in our homes, in our

workplaces, amongst our friends, in our schools, everywhere that

we find ourselves. May we be messengers of you,

Lord Jesus Christ. And now God, I thank you for

each person here. I pray that you would pour out

your grace and your mercy abundantly upon them.

Bless them not only for being here tonight, but for desiring

to seek you more, to receive and hear from your Word and help us

to live it. And to apply this we pray in

Jesus mighty name God's people said Amen, Amen.

Just to know you.