Zechariah's Song | A Sermon on Luke 1:68-79

Introduction
As we look at the biblical songs of Christmas, we come to Zechariah, father of John the Baptist.

Zechariah was a priest—an older man who had served faithfully for many years. In this story, his priestly division was scheduled for its week of service in the Temple. Each division took turns throughout the year, and during that week one priest was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary and burn incense before the Lord. This was a great honor.

So they cast lots, and Zechariah’s was chosen. You can picture them drawing sticks—like deciding who gets the last piece of pie at Thanksgiving! Some might say it was chance, but Scripture makes it clear: God chose him. That’s why they cast lots—to discover whom God had appointed.

Zechariah entered the Temple to burn incense, and he stayed longer than expected. Everyone outside was wondering what was taking so long. Here’s why: while he was in the sanctuary, the angel Gabriel appeared. Gabriel told Zechariah that he and his wife, Elizabeth—both advanced in years—would have a son. This son would be a great prophet, “like Elijah,” and they were to name him John. John would prepare the people for the coming Messiah.

Now, Zechariah was an old man, and naturally he doubted. “How can this be?” he asked. “My wife and I are old!” He asked for a sign. Have you ever felt the Lord nudging you to do something, yet found yourself second-guessing it? That’s where Zechariah was. He knew the Lord was speaking, but he struggled to believe it.

Gabriel’s response is almost humorous. You can read it in Luke 1. Gabriel basically says, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God. I'm an angel!  Isn’t that sign enough?” But then he adds, “Since you need a sign, you will be unable to speak until this child is born.”

And so Zechariah entered nine months of silence. I imagine Elizabeth may have enjoyed the peace and quiet! But for Zechariah, those nine months must have felt very long.

Sure enough, Elizabeth became pregnant, and nine months later they gave birth to a baby boy. On the eighth day, according to Jewish tradition, neighbors and relatives came for the circumcision ceremony—a time of celebration and worship. This was also when the child received his name.

Elizabeth said, “His name will be John.”
But the relatives pushed back: “You can’t name him John! No one in your family has that name.” Tradition said you named a child after relatives.

So they turned to Zechariah.  Zechariah motioned for a writing tablet. And he wrote clearly: “His name is John.”

At that moment—instantly—his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak. And the first words out of his mouth were not, “I can talk!”  Scripture says the first thing he did was praise God.

Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and then he gave the powerful prophecy I call Zechariah’s Song, found in Luke 1:68–79.  Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:

Luke 1:68-79
⁶⁸ “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
    because he has visited and redeemed his people.
⁶⁹ He has sent us a mighty Savior^[h]
    from the royal line of his servant David,
⁷⁰ just as he promised
    through his holy prophets long ago.
⁷¹ Now we will be saved from our enemies
    and from all who hate us.
⁷² He has been merciful to our ancestors
    by remembering his sacred covenant—
⁷³ the covenant he swore with an oath
    to our ancestor Abraham.
⁷⁴ We have been rescued from our enemies
    so we can serve God without fear,
⁷⁵ in holiness and righteousness
    for as long as we live.

⁷⁶ “And you, my little son,
    will be called the prophet of the Most High,
    because you will prepare the way for the Lord.
⁷⁷ You will tell his people how to find salvation
    through forgiveness of their sins.
⁷⁸ Because of God’s tender mercy,
    the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,^[i]
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    and to guide us to the path of peace.”

A Prophecy of Old
Zechariah reminds us that all of this was part of God’s prophetic plan from the very beginning. In his song, he reaches back to King David, and for us that can be hard to grasp. We struggle to comprehend the vast span of time God has been working through.

Zechariah says the coming of the Messiah was prophesied long ago—by David, who lived around 1000 BC. That’s a thousand years before Zechariah’s time. Think about that. Most of us can trace our family line back maybe to our great-grandparents, perhaps a little further if we’re fortunate. Some families know their ancestors settled in this area in the 1820s—about 200 years ago.
But Zechariah is pointing back a thousand years.

And then he goes even further. He mentions Abraham, saying God is fulfilling the covenant He swore to him. Abraham lived around 2000 BC—that’s 2,000 years before Zechariah.

We all have doubts. When something threatens our health, our family, or our future, we pray, we worry, and we wonder whether God hears us or will work things out. But remember this when you doubt:

God has been working out the details of your salvation for over 4,000 years.

He has not forgotten you. He has been faithful for millennia—and He will be faithful to you.

He is not slow or silent.  But your rescue is difficult because your sin-sickness is deep. 
And God is not just saving you; He is saving the whole world.

A Prophecy for the Future
Then Zechariah turns to the future.  He prophecies about his son, John:
“And you, my little son,
will be called the prophet of the Most High,
    because you will prepare the way for the Lord.
⁷⁷ You will tell his people how to find salvation
    through forgiveness of their sins.

John came to prepare people for Jesus.  He was the voice crying in the wilderness:
“Make a straight the path for the Lord.” 

Now, you may not know this, but in ancient times when a king traveled, he never traveled alone. He came with his guards, his servants, and his whole entourage. And before the king arrived, they would send a detachment of soldiers and servants ahead of him to make sure the road was clear.

After all, how embarrassing would it be for a mighty and famous king to be rolling down the road only to be stopped by a herd of cows wandering across his path? At that point it doesn’t matter how powerful you are—you’re stuck like everybody else, waiting for the cows to move! Kings wanted to avoid that, and far more importantly, they wanted to avoid bandits or an ambush up ahead.

So the advance team would clear the way. If someone was blocking the road, they’d shout, “Move aside—the king is coming!” And if people wanted to stay there, they’d better be ready to cheer and welcome him. Towns would gather, crowds would line the streets, and a parade of sorts would form as the king approached.

It’s not so different today. Imagine the President of the United States trying to drive through Atlanta in his motorcade and getting stuck in a traffic jam. It would make headlines around the world—and it would be dangerous. So what happens? The route gets cleared. Roads are blocked off. Everyone else sits in traffic so the motorcade can pass safely.

That’s John’s job. John came to “make straight the path for the Lord”—to prepare people for the arrival of the greatest King of all. His message was simple:  “The King is coming. Either get out of the way—or join the parade.”

And that’s the message for us too.  If you think about it, we should all be like John the Baptist.
We should, “prepare the way for the Lord.”
We should, “tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins.”

Salvation through the Forgiveness of Sins
Here’s the situation.  All have sinned and fall short of God’s glorious standard. (Romans 3:23)
Every single person in this room (and in the whole world) is guilty of sin.

And the consequence of sin is death. (Romans 3:23a)  You will die physically because of sin.
And you face eternal punishment for your sin.  You cannot save yourself. 

You are guilty and there is no hope for you—except through Jesus Christ.
Romans 6:23b says, “the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.”
It is a free gift.  You cannot earn it.  You cannot be good enough to deserve it.  It is God’s grace.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “⁸ God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. ⁹ Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”

Romans 10:9-10 says, “⁹ If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  ¹⁰ For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.”

So, we must accept Jesus as Lord.  And we should become little “John the Baptists” declaring:
“The Lord, Jesus Christ, is coming!  He is coming!  Either become join the victory parade by becoming one of His subjects or get off the road, because the King is coming down this road very soon!”

The Meaning of Advent

We are now in the second week of Advent.
The first Sunday focused on Hope—the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Before Christ, we were sinners under the penalty of death and eternal punishment. But because of Him, we have hope where there was none.

The second Sunday is the Sunday of Peace.
Christ did not come as a conquering king. He came as a baby, offering peace to a rebellious world. It’s as if God said:  “Yes, you have turned your back on Me. Yes, you have rebelled. But I am offering you peace—not a sword. Not judgment. Peace. Turn back to Me, and you will be forgiven. You will be welcomed into My kingdom. I will be your King, and you will have peace.”

But there is no peace without Christ.
If we remain in rebellion against God, how can we have peace? Peace is found only in surrendering to Him.

So we mark the First Sunday—Hope.
We mark the Second Sunday—Peace.
And we still have two more Sundays before Christmas.

Advent is a time to remember Christ’s first coming as a baby in Bethlehem.
Advent is also a time to prepare their hearts for His coming into their lives today.
Advent is also a time to look forward to His promised coming again in glory.

The word Advent actually means, “coming” or “arrival.”
It is a season of preparation for the Lord’s coming.
Yes, we prepare for the celebration of Christmas, but we also prepare for Christ’s return.
The first time He came in peace as a child.
But He promised He will come again in the clouds—not as a suffering servant, but as the conquering King.
For those who have already joined His “victory parade,” His coming will be a glorious celebration.
But for those who refuse His offer of peace, His return will be a day of reckoning.

So let me end with a question for you to seriously ponder:  Are you ready?

Guest Speaker: Sherry Dickson - Judgement

My prayer this morning is that what I say is pleasing to God and that it will encourage your mind and your heart, and stir you to grow—to love Jesus more deeply and more intimately today.

I did make an outline—a hard copy outline—if you want to hold it and take notes. If you would like one, there are copies available. You can raise your hand and I'm sure Tom would give you one. There are also some in the narthex; Scott can get those for you.

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The Word of God and the Five Judgments

In 1982, my parents gifted me with this Bible. It is the New American Standard Study Bible, and it has been my go-to Bible since that time. It contains the Word of God, and there are also Christian study outlines in it. I wanted to share one of those outlines with you today.

Most people, when they think about God's judgment, might stiffen a little. But I hope that some of what I say today will round that out for you, so that you can see how wonderful God's judgments are.

I think most people—even on the street—understand that one day, they are going to have to give an account to God for their lives. This outline describes five different judgments. I used to think, "Yes, Jesus is coming, and my life is going to be judged, and I’ll give an accounting." But this outline shows that there are actually five different judgments, and they differ in time, place, and purpose. What they have in common is that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Judge. God the Father has given all authority of judgment to Jesus the Son.

Don’t worry—I’m not going to talk about all five today. I’ll talk about three.

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Judgment #1: The Judgment of the Believer's Sin (Justification)

To begin with: God is holy. He is perfect in justice. He is great in mercy. He is all-loving, and His judgments are just as wonderful as He is.

Anything less than holiness is sin. It must be paid for and atoned for by death to be made right. This is God’s standard. He wants us to live by a high standard.

The first judgment is the judgment of the believer’s sin. The verse here is John 5:24. Jesus says:

"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life and does not come into judgment but has passed out of death into life."

Notice—it says those who believe have passed out of death into life. That’s spiritual death.

This judgment happened 2,000 years ago on the cross. It also happens afresh every time a person repents and is born again.

You might ask, “How can something that happened 2,000 years ago affect me today?” Well, God is supra-time—He is outside and above time. He encompasses time. He’s not limited by it.

Scripture tells us, “To God, one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

So God, who is holy, requires righteousness. Unrighteousness has a cost—death. God cannot be pure and wink at sin, no matter how small we think it is. Grace is costly. Anything less than good must be redeemed.

Purpose: The purpose of this judgment was to redeem all of humanity from the curse of the Fall—for all time.

Adam and Eve had the perfect place, perfect relationship with God, and perfect spouse. But they were tested and failed. Spiritual death came immediately; physical death followed later. Everyone born from Adam has a spirit dead to God—disconnected from Him.

But Jesus is the second Adam. He passed the test. He resisted Satan. He humbled Himself and surrendered His perfect life on the cross. He took our sins, died the death we deserved. The perfect Lamb of God, pierced and crushed for our iniquities.

The cross is the greatest act of love ever known.
The debt of sin is paid—not in part, but the whole: past, present, and future.

Jesus triumphed over evil. The cross is where the greatest love met sin and death—and love won.

Think about the events of the cross:

• The veil was torn

• The sky darkened

• The earth shook

• The tombs opened

All sin was laid on Jesus, and He paid the price. The victory is won.

“He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of light…” (Colossians)

Jesus has redeemed paradise lost. He’s opened the doors of heaven. He’s given believers the everlasting gift of God’s grace.

"There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

This first judgment is summed up in one word: Justification.

It’s "just as if I never sinned." God made Jesus—who knew no sin—to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God. That’s who we are.

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Resurrection Power and New Identity

Jesus’s resurrection is our resurrection. His sacrifice didn’t just clean up our mess—it took care of the root of the mess: our unregenerated, stony heart.

Now, resurrection power lives in us. Our old self was crucified, and now we have the Spirit of the living God inside us to become more like Jesus.

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are."

We are adopted into God’s family. That’s why we can claim righteousness.

We are saints. We are a new creation. A royal priesthood. Born anew. No longer in Adam’s family—we’re in the family of God, the Kingdom of Light.

And God longs for every person to receive this eternal life.

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Judgment #2: The Judgment of the Believer's Self (Sanctification)

1 Corinthians 11:31–32 says:

"But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world."

Place: Our heart
Time: Ongoing
Purpose: Sanctification—fullness of maturity in Christ

If our sins are forgiven, what’s our relationship to sin now?

We know sin still happens. Christians fail. We disobey. But our relationship with sin is now different.

Sin is still sin. It’s evil, deceptive, and destructive. But now we are not condemned.

We are convicted, not condemned. Conviction is being convinced by the Holy Spirit of our sin. Before Christ, sin flowed from a sinful heart. Now, our heart is new. Sin brings dissonance.

Now, our job is to put off the old self, be made new, and be transformed into the image of Christ.

"Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. We are not our own; we were bought with a price."

Sin is more than disobedience—it hurts the heart of God.

1 John 1:9 is for believers:

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

That restores fellowship with God. This is part of the growth process.

Illustration: Parent and Child
A child born or adopted into a family belongs there. They bear the name and receive all benefits—guidance, protection, discipline, provision, and love.

When they disobey, fellowship—not relationship—is broken. That disobedience creates a barrier. But when the child repents, fellowship is restored. Same with God and us.

Sin doesn’t break our relationship with Christ—but it breaks our fellowship. Restoration comes through confession and agreement with the Holy Spirit.

We must examine ourselves, be shaped more into the likeness of Jesus.

Jonathan Edwards said he resolved every night to review where he had failed.
Charles Spurgeon, John Wesley—all emphasized that justification without sanctification is not salvation. They are inseparable.

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Judgment #3: The Judgment of the Believer’s Works (Evaluation and Reward)

This is the judgment of the believer’s deeds. Not sin—but deeds. It’s about reward or loss.

2 Corinthians 5:10:

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."

This is not about eternal destiny. It’s about evaluating how we lived as redeemed people.

We’ll give an account of:

• Our time

• Our opportunities

• Our resources

• Our gifts

• Our use of grace

There will be differing rewards.

God won’t compare me to Billy Graham or Jimmy Carter. He’ll evaluate me based on what He gave me.

Metaphor: The Builder

1 Corinthians 3:11–15 says:

"No one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, their work will be shown for what it is… If it survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss—but will be saved, even though only as one escaping through flames."

So are we building with eternal materials or temporary ones?

Good deeds done with compassion, love, wisdom, and integrity—those last.
Deeds done for selfish reasons—those burn away.

Good deeds are the natural outflow of a redeemed heart. They are the proof of true faith.

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Judgments 4 & 5 (Brief Mention)

• Judgment of the Nations – Christ separates sheep and goats.

• Judgment of the Wicked – Great White Throne Judgment; the wicked dead judged.

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Summary

• The debt is paid.

• Your sins are forgiven.

• You have a new life and a firm foundation—Jesus Christ.

• You are called to examine yourself.

• You will receive rewards.

Let us love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Amen.

Jesus' Baptism | A Sermon on Matthew 3:13-17

Introduction
Today, we continue our journey through the beginning parts of the Gospel of Matthew.  Last Sunday, we were introduced to John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin.  He was called the Baptist because he preached repentance and baptized those who repented—turned away from their sin.

John came to prepare the way for Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Lord and Savior of the world.  Today, Jesus comes to be baptized by John.  Let’s read the story.

Matthew 3:13-17
¹³ Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. ¹⁴ John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” ¹⁵ But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. ¹⁶ And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him,^[a] and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; ¹⁷ and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son,^[b] with whom I am well pleased.”

Introducing Jesus
This is the first time in Matthew that we meet Jesus as an adult.  The earlier chapters show Jesus as a baby.  But now Jesus comes down from Galilee to be baptized by John and he is probably 30 years old (according to Luke 3:23).

John preached about repentance—that everyone needed to turn away from their sins and turn to God because the God’s Kingdom was at hand. When they repented, John baptized them as a sign.  But Jesus doesn’t need to repent.  1 Peter 2:22 tells us Jesus “committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”  Jesus did not need to repent.  And so, John is taken aback.  He says, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

John recognized Jesus was special.  Of all the people who ever lived, Jesus is the only one who never sinned.  Think about that.  Everyone you have ever known has sinned.  And you know yourself; and you know you have sinned.  Even if it was only a small sin, you sinned.  You have been angry at someone in your heart. Or you have lusted in your heart.  Or you have been jealous or coveted what you neighbor had.  Romans 3:23 tells us, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glorious standard of God.”  Everyone has sinned in one way or another.  But not Jesus.  Jesus was absolutely perfect and Holy, just as God is perfect and holy.  Yet Jesus was baptized for other reasons.

Jesus was Baptized “…to fulfill all righteousness.”
In Matthew 3:15, Jesus says He is to be baptized “…to fulfill all righteousness.”  What does that mean?  Jesus’ baptism was part of God’s plan and symbolized His obedience to God and His identification with humanity.  Though Jesus was sinless, He was baptized to fully identify with us—the people He came to save. His baptism symbolized taking our sin and dying in our place.

Jesus was Baptized To Mark the Beginning of His Ministry
Baptism is a sacred ceremony that marks the beginning of a spiritual journey.  For Jesus, baptism served as the launching point for His public ministry.  Immediately after His baptism, the Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove, and the Father declared from heaven, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Mt. 3:16-17). This was a clear affirmation of Jesus’ divine identity and mission.  And it was the starting point for His ministry.

Jesus was Baptized To Set an Example for Us
Jesus’ baptism was an example for us to follow. We are baptized when we start following Jesus.  At the end of His ministry, Jesus commanded His disciples to baptize others (Mt. 28:19-20), signifying a commitment to God and new life in Jesus and their beginning of a new life.

Lessons for Us Today
Jesus' baptism matters to us today because it shows His humility and His willingness to identify with sinners, even though He was sinless. We often struggle with pride.

We don’t want people looking down on us or to feel like people are judging us.  We may even avoid coming to the altar to pray in church just because we wonder, “What will people think?”  Jesus’ humility to be baptized right alongside all the other sinners of His day—even though Jesus was innocent without any sin in his life—should be an example to us.  Stop worrying about what everyone else thinks.  Just be obedient to God.  Listen to His voice and obey.

Jesus’ baptism also marks the beginning of His public ministry and sets an example for us.  How do you officially mark the beginning of your faith journey?  It is through baptism.

Some are baptized as infants, a sign that they are part of God’s family from the very beginning.  What a beautiful and sacred thing to seek God’s grace to raise our children in the Christian faith.  But even children who are born into a Christian family that promises to raise them in the faith must confirm their faith for themselves when they are old enough to make their own decisions.  In the Christian church, we call this ceremony “confirmation”, because the person who was baptized as an infant “confirms” they have decided for themselves to follow Jesus as Lord.  And those who were not baptized as infants and decide to follow Jesus as adults, begin their discipleship with the sacrament of baptism.  Baptism is the beginning for us, just as it was for Jesus. 

For us, baptism is a symbol of repentance, cleansing, and a new life in Christ.  It is an outward sign of something real God does inside us.  Jesus didn’t need to repent, but He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness (Matthew 3:15), showing us the importance of obedience to God. His baptism also foreshadows His death and resurrection, reminding us that through Him, we too can be made new.  Ultimately, Jesus' baptism points us to our own need for salvation and a relationship with God. It’s a call to follow Him, turn from sin, and live as citizens of His Kingdom. 

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
When Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit descended on Him, and God the Father affirmed Him, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17).  This moment reveals the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—all present together.  But it can reveal something else too.  It reveals how God see us when we walk with Christ. 

There are several Scriptures that teach when we are in Christ, God sees Jesus in us. For example:
Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Romans 8:1 – “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

The mystery of the Christian faith is that our sins are washed away by the blood of Christ.  When God looks at us, He doesn’t see the dark and shameful deeds of our past.  Instead, He sees Christ in us.  And the affirmation the Father spoke of Jesus, He speaks over us:  “This is my beloved Son [or daughter], with whom I am well pleased.” 

Now, if you’ve ever had your earthly father or mother affirm their love and admiration for you, it is a tremendous blessing.  But now imagine the Father of the whole universe affirming His love for you.  Wow!  What a blessing!

If you are a Christian—meaning, you have repented of your sin and decided to follow Jesus—God looks at you and affirms you just as He affirmed Jesus:  “This is my beloved Son (or daughter), with whom I am well pleased.”  Take a moment to imagine God the Father saying these words to you right now…  If you follow Jesus, this is how God sees you.

There may be some reading this message who have not yet decided to follow Jesus.  Maybe you don’t believe because something about the story is really hard to believe: that God could overlook your sins, or that God would become a man and die for us, or that Jesus could rise from the dead.  I understand that it is remarkable and hard to believe.  I can't prove the Good News about Jesus to you the way a scientist can prove gravity, but I'm not asking you to believe blindly.  There is plenty of evidence for a Divine Creator God and for the Love of God reaching out to us.  And there is plenty of evidence for the real difference faith in Jesus makes in a person's life and the hope.  Being a Christian requires a leap of faith.  It's not blind faith, because we have evidence that we can trust God, but we need faith to leap across what we can see and know to full trust in God.  But it is so worth it.  I encourage you to take that leap.

Maybe you are afraid, but I pray you will be bold and courageous.  Maybe you are too proud and don't want to admit your mistakes.  But don't let pride deter you from something so important.  Turn to Jesus today and be saved.

The saddest and most dangerous reason some people don't follow Jesus is because they don't care.  They are just fine with living their life however they want.  They don't care about God or even if there is a God.  They don't care about what will happen once they die.  They just want to live their life however they please and don't care what God or anyone else thinks.  I pray that God's message through Jesus and John the Baptist will shake those who don't care to the core.  I pray that God will send whatever trials or tribulations necessary to wake people up so they do care. 

John and Jesus preached the same message. They said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  God has extended an offer of grace and mercy.  He will forgive your sin.  He will give you a new and perfect heart—one that is full of love for God and your fellow man.  And He will welcome you into His Kingdom if you will accept Jesus as Lord.  And He will look at you too and say with genuine love:  “This is my beloved child, with whom I am well pleased.”

But if the Kingdom comes before you repent and you are found still to be in rebellion, then there will weeping and gnashing of teeth and eternal punishment.  Jesus and John both said there would be hell to pay for anyone who doesn't repent of their sins and enter into the Kingdom of God.  For only those who accept Christ as Lord can dwell in the eternal Kingdom of God where there is eternal love, and joy, and peace, and life.  For all others, their will be eternal punishment. 

The choice is yours.

Introducing, John the Baptist | A Sermon on Matthew 3:1-12

Introduction
Today, we continue our journey through the beginning parts of the Gospel of Matthew.  And today, we come to the fascinating figure of John the Baptist in Matthew 3:1-12.  And I have three points to make today from this passage.  Let’s start with the first 6 verses.

Matthew 3:1-6
¹ In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, ² “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” ³ The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said,

“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!
    Clear the road for him!’”

⁴ John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey. ⁵ People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John. ⁶ And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.

Point #1 – John Was Not Of This World
My first point is simple.  John was not of this world.  I don’t mean he was an alien, obviously.
He was a human being.  He was born in this world and into the systems of this world.  We know from the Gospel of Luke that John was related to Jesus–his cousin.  We also know John’s father was a priest in the Jerusalem Temple, probably of the Pharisaic tradition.

Jewish priesthood was hereditary, John was expected to follow in his father’s footsteps.But John had a different calling.  Instead of joining the priests, John was filled with the Spirit to preach against the deeply corrupt Temple priesthood. He rejected both Pharisees & Sadducees.  

John was much more aligned with groups like the Essenes who rejected the Temple system and chose to live in isolation apart from the corrupt worldly systems of the time. The Essenes tried to create their own religious community apart from the world.  But even the Essenes were infected by their own problems and corruptions.  So John would have rejected them too in favor of something better he knew was coming.  

You might say, John was the original doomsday prepper.  He preached about a coming Day of God's judgments.  he preached it was imminent.  And John lived in isolation out in the wilderness, very self-sufficient.  He made his own clothes out of camel hair; he wore a leather belt.  He ate wild food he gathered himself–locust and wild honey.  And because he didn’t rely on the political systems and marketplaces of Jerusalem’s social systems, John could stand apart from it all and prophecy the truth with holy clarity and fiery force. 

Like John, Christians are called to be in this world but not of it.  Jesus said, “My Kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36)  And though His followers live in this world, we are not to be of it.  In other words, we aren’t to be infected by the world or enamored with it.  We must always remember, we are citizens of heaven above all else.  This world is not our home.  Our hearts desire must be for our true home–the Kingdom of Heaven where Jesus reigns and heavenly principles govern.  When you love this world and the things in it, it begins to control and corrupt you and ensnare you and enslave you.

Matthew 3:7-10
⁷ But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? ⁸ Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. ⁹ Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. ¹⁰ Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.

Point #2 – God’s True Kingdom is Bigger Than Family Ties
Being set apart from the corrupt systems of his day, John was free to boldly preach the truth, criticizing the Temple system and the religious leaders of his day.  He called both political parties–the Pharisees and Sadducees–a bunch of snakes!  And he pointed out that God’s true Kingdom is bigger than family ties.  Being a descendent of Abraham doesn’t make you part of God’s Kingdom.  Neither does being a priest, a Pharisee, or a Sadducee. 

Now these were bold words to say to the people of John’s day (and they are just as bold today).  The Jewish people of John’s time believed they were God’s chosen people because they were descendants of Abraham.  Somehow, people in Israel thought this made them special to God–more special than any other nation in the world because God promised to bless the descendants of Abraham back in Genesis.  Many people today still believe the Jewish descendants of Abraham are more special and blessed (or protected) by God than anyone else.  (I mean, the Bible does say it, doesn’t it? See Genesis 12:2-3, 13:16, 15:5-6, 17:4-8, & 22:17-18)

But John challenges this reasoning.  He preached in Matthew 3:9, “Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.”  And he goes on to warn that God was ready to cut down and burn with fiery judgment anyone who isn’t living the fruitful life God told them to live.

What is it then?  What makes you right with God?  According to John, it’s turning away from your sins (repentance) and living the right way according to God’s commands instead of your own selfish ambitions.  But it’s going to take even more than that to be made right with God.  And that brings me to the final point I draw from this passage about John the Baptist.

Matthew 3:11-12
¹¹ “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. ¹² He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”

Point #3 – John Points to Jesus
John’s purpose was to prepare people for Jesus.  Jesus is the one who makes people right with God.  John called people to recognize their sin and to turn away from it.  Repentance is the first step toward salvation, healing, and reconciliation.  But something else is needed–something much more than John is able to give.  Only Jesus can seal the deal.  And so, John points to Him.

Conclusion
John the Baptist’s mission was to prepare the way, but Jesus is the way. He is the only door to salvation, the only path into the Kingdom of Heaven—a Kingdom that is both a future promise and a present reality for those who follow Him.

You cannot enter this Kingdom through the broken, corrupt systems of the world. No political system, no religious institution, no worldly success can get you there. In fact, these things often distract and deceive us, keeping us from fully embracing God's Kingdom.

You cannot enter this Kingdom through family ties. Just because your parents, grandparents, or spouse are believers does not make you one. Being raised in a Christian home, attending church, or calling yourself a Christian does not mean you belong to Christ. Faith is not inherited—it is a personal decision to repent of sin and follow Jesus.

Now, some have sinned badly and will easily see that they need to repent of that sin.  But others may struggle with this.  They may think, “I’m a good person.  I don’t do bad things.  I’m trustworthy, honest, and a good human.”  But sometimes the sin is a simple and subtle as thinking you are in charge of your own life.  It seems reasonable.  But the message of Scripture is we belong to God.  We are not our own.  We do not get to determine how we live, who we are, and where we want to go in life.  We were made by God for His purposes.  And it is sin to think we are in charge of our own life.  And we all need to repent–even of this.  We need to recognize that Jesus is Lord of all.  And that means He is even Lord of our will.  And so we need to repent of our own selfish ambitions and let Jesus truly be Lord of our life–Lord of our life.

John’s baptism was symbolic, a way of preparing hearts for Christ. Today, Christian baptism is also symbolic, marking our public entrance into the church. But the real baptism—the one that matters most—is spiritual. It happens when we surrender to Jesus, and He fills us with His Holy Spirit, transforming our hearts and lives.  As the physical water of baptism washes over us, the spiritual baptism of the Holy Spirit circumcises our hearts and marks us as part of God’s people.

So, let me ask you today:
Have you truly entered God’s Kingdom?
Have you made a conscious decision to repent and follow Jesus?

If not, don’t wait. Come to Jesus today. He is ready to receive you, to wash away your sins, to fill you with His Spirit, and to welcome you into His Kingdom.

Will you choose to follow Him?

Guest Blog - Lifted Up: Embracing Jesus' Sacrifice for Eternal Life by Noah Hunt

This past Sunday, we were blessed to have guest speaker Noah Hunt deliver a powerful sermon at Pleasant Grove Methodist Church. Noah's message, centered on John 3:14-18, beautifully illustrated the profound connection between Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness and Jesus being lifted on the cross for our salvation. For those who couldn't be with us or who wish to revisit Noah's insightful words, here is a summary of his sermon.

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If you have a Bible with you this morning, or if you'd like to grab a pew Bible in front of you, the verses this morning will come from page 1,513. For those of you who brought a Bible with you, we will be in John chapter 3, reading verses 14 through 18. It is indeed a pleasure to be here with you this morning and to bring a word from the Lord. We'll begin reading at verse 14:

"Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. For God loved the world in this way: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God."

Let us pray.

Our Father in heaven, we are thankful for Your word to us. It is a clear word and a word of truth. You speak to us from the pages of Scripture, the Gospel, the good news. I pray this morning that You would awaken faith, belief, and trust in our hearts, that we might believe upon the name of Jesus Christ. I pray for those this morning who have believed for many years, that You would encourage our hearts, that we might want to follow You to greater depths of faith, and that we might want to act in greater acts of service for Your name's sake. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Amen.

I don't know how many of you own pets out there or how many of you are dog people, but if you've ever had a dog and watched it grow old and gray in the face, seen its joints begin to move slower than they used to, it's sort of a sad picture. You realize the truth of the old adage: it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks. I've had limited time in education—four years—but I can also say it's hard to teach older teachers new lessons. As we grow old, it's harder for us to learn, to become open to things that challenge us, to look at old truths with new sets of eyes.

In today's text, many of you who have studied the Bible for years know this passage comes from a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a wise teacher of the Bible, an older man with experience. I'm sure he was locked into his best practices and his understanding of how to communicate truth to his people. But here we have Nicodemus, an old Pharisee, coming in the dead of night to sit at the feet of Jesus of Nazareth, the Light of the World, a young Rabbi, a Carpenter's son. Who is He to you today?

Nicodemus, while old, callous, and perhaps jaded, knew there was something in the miracles and message of Jesus that he needed to hear. This morning, I invite you to turn the eyes of your heart upon Jesus and look full in His wonderful face, because the concerns of this world will grow dim in the light of His glory and grace.

Jesus does not condemn Nicodemus. He does not berate him or tell him he should know more by now, though He is a little critical. Jesus begins to build on what Nicodemus already knew. He turns to what Nicodemus knew best—the Old Testament, specifically the book of Numbers, chapter 21. Jesus mentions an example from Moses: "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up."

This might seem confusing at first. You might think of Moses' miracle before Pharaoh where he threw down a stick that became a serpent, but that's not what Jesus was referring to. In Numbers 21, the children of Israel were brought out of Egypt and wandered in the wilderness. They began to grumble and complain against God and Moses. In response, God sent snakes into their camp. As the snakes bit them and they began to die, the people cried out to Moses, confessing their sin and asking for intercession. God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and lift it on a pole. Those who looked at the serpent in faith were healed.

This morning, do you need to turn your eyes upon the One who was lifted up on a cross for you, to cover your sin with His blood? Do you need to turn your eyes upon the One who did not stay in the grave but was raised for your justification and freedom from sin?

Jesus was building new faith in the heart of Nicodemus, and He can do the same for you today. You might ask, "Why should I turn my eyes upon Jesus?" I offer you two points from these verses:

1. Jesus is God's greatest gift, given so that believers will live forever.
2. Jesus is God's Son, sent to save believers from condemnation.

This morning, I encourage you to wrestle with the truth of who Jesus is to you. Is He someone you acknowledge in passing, a good teacher, a moral philosopher? Or is He the very Son of God? Jesus is God's final offer, the only offer for eternal life, a life that begins today and continues into eternity. If you believe this gospel, you are living that eternal life now. It's not something to wait for; it starts today.

To appropriate this gift into your life, you must believe—not just intellectually, but to trust, to have faith, to rest yourself in Jesus. This morning, if you want to believe in Jesus Christ, you are trusting in a personal Savior who will carry you from this world into eternity.

Let us pray.

Our Father in heaven, we thank You this morning for Your word to us. Convict us of our sin and show us the condition of our hearts. Help us to believe that Jesus Christ is who He says He is, and that He is Lord. If someone is making a decision of belief today, I pray they would not leave this church without confessing that belief. Go with us this day and help us to seek and save that which was lost. In Jesus' name, amen.

Thank you for joining us for this powerful message. We pray that Noah Hunt's sermon has touched your heart and inspired you to turn your eyes upon Jesus, embracing His gift of eternal life. If you have any questions or need prayer, please reach out to us. God bless you!