Key verse
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” – Matthew 3:2
Repentance is key gospel teaching. Repentance comes with saving faith. Faith and repentance are two sides of the same coin. Repentance and our ability to respond is the clarion call of the Holy Spirit.
- Romans 11:29 God's gifts and call are irrevocable. Gospel is for everyone, clarion call to repent and believe God (See John 3:15-21, for people to reject is to blaspheme the Holy Spirit - unpardonable sin Matt 12:31)
Matthew 3:1-4) John the Baptist came in spirit and power of Elijah, fulfilling prophecy
- Malachi 4:5-6 contains a promise that the prophet Elijah would come before the day of the Lord. The New Testament opens with John the Baptist entering as a prophet to Israel, breaking the silence of 400 years. Malachi stated that the role of “Elijah” would be to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the hearts of the children to their parents. When the angel of the Lord announced John’s birth to his father, Zechariah, he was told that John would come “in the spirit and power of Elijah” and quoted the reference from Malachi (Luke 1:17). John dressed and lived in the wilderness like Elijah (referenced in 2 Kings 1:8; Mark 1:6). In Matthew 17:9-13, Jesus verified that John served as the promised “Elijah.” Matthew 11:11 Jesus said John was the greatest man
5-10) John the Baptist prepared the way for Messiah calling for repentance
- Confession of sin involves identifying and admitting specific ways we have offended God and others. As believers, we confess our sin with faith that God forgives our sin because of what Jesus has done on our behalf. Confession of sin, owning the wrong you have committed as an offense to God and others, is a part of
- Repentance (Acts 3:19; 20:21; 26:20; James 5:16; 1 John 1:9). Repentance involves turning away from sin and toward God. We forsake sin and trust God for deliverance. A change in direction and behavior demonstrates repentance
- True repentance is demonstrated by humility, lack of self-defense, and acknowledgment of personal responsibility for the sin committed. True repentance is not a superficial act, but a deep heart commitment that produces evidence of a change demonstrated by deeds (Joel 2:13; Acts 26:20). A change in behavior – visible changes – follow true repentance (Matthew 3:8). The Holy Spirit produces true repentance as evidence of God’s mercy and kindness (Romans 2:4). Sorrow over sin, not just for its consequences, but for its offense against God and others, indicates true repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). Merely being sorry for getting caught or disliking the consequences of wrong actions falls short of true repentance
- Fruit of Spirit and desire to yeild to the Spirit and abide in Christ. Sin has lost it's taste. God is asking me to repent from judging people.
3:11-12) John prophesized that the Messiah would baptize with the Holy Spirit
- The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity who comes from the Father to reveal the Son (John 15:26). The Holy Spirit reveals spiritual truth to the believer (John 16:13-14). All true believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9). The Holy Spirit works within the heart of the believer to lead us to fellowship with God (2 Corinthians 13:14). The Holy Spirit cries out to the Father, proving we are God’s children (Galatians 4:6).
- The Holy Spirit awakens dead, stony hearts to make them alive and responsive to God (Ezekiel 36:25-27). The Holy Spirit is given to believers when they place their faith in Christ, the source of spiritual life (John 7:37-39). In this way, believers are baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5, 7-8). The Holy Spirit guides believers into truth, revealing God and His ways (John 16:13)
- The Holy Spirit in my life recently: In the silence of the heart God speaks
13-17) Jesus identify with us in baptism
- The mesiah is one whom the Holy Spirit rest upon (John 1:32-34)
- Jesus was praying when the Holy Spirit came to him (Luke 3:21-22)
- Sensing God's pleasure motivates our devotion
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