Series: Learning From The Master – A Plan to Live By

Getting Started Right is Always Important

INTRO: I cannot tell you how good it was last week to gather and worship with everyone. Bro. Mike and Bro. Jeff’s Dad was with us – one I consider a good friend. I think he was a long-time friend of Bro. Frank’s. Bro. Dale was back and able to sing. Mom was here. My son and his family were here. And All of you that were here, with your family. It was a good day. Praise the Lord.

Today I would like to begin a series about the Lord’ teachings and insights in life. Don’t you think it would have been wonderful to have seen the Lord at work? Unbelievable to have witnessed His miracles? What if you personally would have been the recipient of one of His life-changing healings? To have been there when He taught some of His most profound lessons in life would have been memorable.

Well, we cannot go back, but we can peek into the past through God’s Word. This is what I would like to spend some time looking into God’s Word and letting it reveal some special things to our lives.

I encourage you to be faithful all the time to our services. May this summer be a time of getting close to the Lord and learn of His wishes for your life and His blessings as well.

Today I want to look into Matthew and look at the startup of Jesus’ ministry.

Matthew 3:1-17(KJV) ¹In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
²And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
³For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
⁴And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
⁵Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
⁶And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
⁷But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
⁸Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
⁹And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
¹⁰And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
¹¹I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
¹²Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
¹³Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
¹⁴But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
¹⁵And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
¹⁶And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
¹⁷And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

First, let us understand…

The time for Jesus to begin His earthly ministry was God’s planning

It was the right time – 1 “In those days…”

It was the right servant – 1 – “…came John the Baptist…”

It was the right method – 1 “…preaching…”

It was the right place – 1 “…the wilderness of Judaea,”

It was the right message – 2 “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

It was the right intro – 3-4

God sent a forerunner - 3

It was the message not the messenger that is important - 4

People needed the Messiah

We need Him still today

It was the right people - 5

Jerusalem, all Judea, around Jordan

It was for the right reason - 6

Remind them of the Promised One

It would bring the right result

Acknowledged and confessed their sins and shortcomings

For many there is never a right time – 7-10

It was the wrong people (highly religious)

⁷But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

It was the wrong warning (for them – rejected it)

It was the wrong method for them (vs. 8)

⁸Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

They had no need (or desire) to repent in their minds

It was the wrong pathway for them

⁹And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

Counted on their past heritage (in Abraham)

It was the wrong dispensation (era) in their mind - 10

¹⁰And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

God was changing His connection to mankind – they were not

God’s plan for salvation included help for the needy – 11-12

¹¹I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
¹²Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

John commended and pushed repentance and a new start – 11a

John foretold of One who brought greater connection to God - 11

John told of One who would help us serve better (Holy Ghost) – 11d

John told of One who would bring a great and exact harvest one day - 12

Jesus’ plan for ministry started and continued by example – 13-17

His example started with a forward movement – 13a

He went to John

We need to go to God

His start showed His obedience for all to see – 13b

We allow pride and self to hinder our obedience to Him

His Rightness was recognized by John – 14

His example was to be followed by us all – 15

His greatness was summarized by God

Visual effects

¹⁶And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

Audio input

¹⁷And lo a voice from heaven

Side commentary

This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Most importantly…

What can we learn from this, the Master’s example?

Although He was perfect, sinless, and not in need of repentance, we can see…

We all need repentance in the Lord

Repentance equals and brings?

Sorrow for our misdeed/sins

New direction for our lives

Forgiveness and help in following Him

Heritage and religion are not enough to bring a proper relationship with God

So, how?

Recognize Him for who He is

Realize our need for Him in our lives

What good thing (if any) can we do to obtain salvation?

Where do we obtain salvation in our lives?

Why would we wait to obtain salvation if we know our need?

Can He save us today?

If we fail to obtain salvation, knowing our need, who is at fault?

Repent for our sins and leave them behind

Having realized our great need for Him to save us, let us look to Him for true salvation

Call out to Him today

Reach out to Him for a better and victorious life through His Holy Spirit

Reach for salvation – He will give it

Ready your life to serve Him well – He exampled it

Reveal to others you serve Him completely

Make the steps that show His Spirit lives within you

I would give these steps…

Yearning for God’s touch in your lives

Understanding of your great need and inability to meet that need without Jesus

Call for salvation

Proper Baptism in the sight of God and man

Abundant and consistent worship with fellow believers

Walk the walk that shows you are His

Tell others of His greatness and part in your life

Gary Marcum – New Beginnings Church – 062710am