Upside Down Kingdom: Mission & Message | Week 1 | Preparing for the King | Matthew 3:1-12

Week 1 | Preparing for the King 

“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” – Matthew 3:11

Matthew 3:1-12

Before a king arrives, a herald is sent to announce the kingdom and the king. In Malachi, God promises He will send a messenger who will proclaim the great and awesome day of the Lord’s arrive. Before Jesus begins His public ministry, He is preceded by John the Baptist. John, like the prophet Elisha, will call people to repentance, announce the impending arrival of the King, and lay the groundwork for His Kingdom.
 
Wilderness Witness (3:1-3) – Removed from the seats of power and the noise of the cities, John speaks to the poor and marginalized out in the wilderness. His sermon is simple yet powerful, “Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand” John called people to turn from their crooked ways and to preparing the Lord’s arrival.

Confessing Crowds (3:4-6) - While his location was less than ideal the response to his message was both broad and significant. People from Jerusalem and the whole region were drawn to this excentric figure seeking to be cleansed from their unrighteousness. Contrite hearts were moved by John’s call and participated in ceremonial repentance and purification through baptism in the Jordan River.

Religious Opponents (3:7-10) – Not everyone was excited about John’s wilderness revival. Religious Pharisees and Elite Sadducees, usually opposed to one another, unite to see the spectacle and render their judgement. Yet John is undeterred and responds to their presence with salty language. Jesus’ kingdom is not fit for the proud but the humble.

Better Baptism (3:11-12) – Outward washing is insufficient to clean a soiled soul. Only Jesus, and the work of the Holy Spirit can truly save.

Jesus never praises anyone as much as John the Baptist. As important as John is, he is only significant because of who is coming after him. John is a herald, like a trumpeter giving a blast that the king is about to appear. John’s entire function, purpose, calling, role in life was to announce the kingdom of God. The kingdom of heaven is not defined by a realm, a fixed limited place that merely exists. It is defined by the active reign of the King, ruling and working over everything. The kingdom is where the King is. Jesus is the king, and He is coming to His people.

QUESTIONS: 

1. What part of the text or sermon had the greatest impact on you? Did you learn anything new about Jesus or John the Baptist?
2. How is John’s (and later Jesus’) sermon both simple yet difficult? How is it convicting? How is it comforting?
3. What obstacles need to be removed from your heart or from your life to prepare Jesus to work in your life?  How have you tried to clean yourself up apart from the work of God?
4. Why is humility so essential to responding to the Good News of the Gospel? When has pride lead you to self-righteousness?

PRAY – Praise God the Father for His plan of redemption. Thank Jesus for being a just and merciful King. Ask the Holy Spirit to work in cleaning and renewing our hearts.