T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
S39
September, 1940
John also warned them of the certain outcome, unless they repented. The “axe” would be laid to the roots. Before that “axe” fell, the people were given forty years in which to repent. But at the end of that, time, the Romans de scended upon them, and ever since, they have been hewn away. Before God is through with Israel, even the "roots” of their rebellion will be cast away. We should not overlook the fearless ness and faithfulness of John, together with his courage and directness, and the plainness of his ministry. He had a message to declare, and he declared it without equivocation. In this he is a shining example for every servant of the Lord. John not only warned, but he also taught the people (vs. 10-14). He' taught that they should practice unselfishness and generosity. The grace which God showed to them they were to show to others. His teaching was exactly suited to each class of hearers. Moreover, John taught by prophecy concerning Jesus (vs. 15-17). The rea son for this teaching was the wide spread wonder as to whether John him self was, or was not, the promised Messiah. But John emphatically denied that he was the Messiah. He proclaimed that the Messiah would come after him, and would be One for whom John would not be worthy even to unlatch His shoe strings. That One would baptize, not with water, but with the Holy Spirit. The baptism with the Holy Spirit refers to a fulfillment connected with our Lord’s first advent, while the “fire” re fers to that which will occur at His second advent (vs. 16, 17). III. J ohn ’ s A ssurance (21, 22) To John had been given the revela tion that Jesus was indeed the Messiah promised by the Old Testament proph ets. John saw the heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descending like a dove upon Jesus. He heard the voice of God de clare that this Jesus was the beloved Son of the Father. Thus he was pre pared for the prison days, when this scene must have returned to his mind with power to encourage and assure him that he had made no mistake in proclaiming that Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah of His people. Points and Problems “John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to un loose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire” (Lk. 3:16). We have here a reference to a very important and much disputed doctrine— the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. There are four other passages which are paral lels, and which the student shoold be careful to read. They are *>und in Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, John 1:33, and
man, neither accuse any falsely) and be content with your wages. 15 And as the people were in expecta tion and all men mused in their hearts oi John, whether he were the Christ, or not; 16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptise you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet oi whose shoes 1 am not worthy to un loose; he shall baptise you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: 17 Whose fan is In his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquench able. 21 Now when all the people were bap tised, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptised, and praying, the heaven was opened, 22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from' heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee 1 am well pleased. GOLDEN TEXT: “Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance” (Lk. 3:8). DEVOTIONAL READING; Isa. 40:1-5. Outline and Exposition I. J ohn ’ s P lace (3 ) ■y OHN’S place of ministry was in the wilderness, outside the great m j city of the king, away from the headquarters of the nation. Because of the people’s rejection of Him, God had long ago officially left the temple and had departed from the city, in reality being driven out by the unbelief and rebellion of His people. They were in bondage to and under the dominion of a foreign power. From such a condition as this, they must be called away to the Lord, who was outside their city. The calling was to repentance and baptism, which formed the foundation of John’s message. The repentance would involve not only sorrow for their rebellion against God, but also a turning away from it. Repentance might be said to be the judgment which one pronounces against oneself in favor of the righteousness of God. The baptism would be the sign of cleansing from their sinfulness which had been mani fested in their rebellion. II. J ohn ' s M inistry (8-12) John warned the people that there must be harmony between their pro fession and their conduct. Their trust In externals, such as their descent from Abraham, was one of their great dan gers. God demanded reality in their forms and ceremonies, without \vhieh reality all else would be vain. BLACKBOARD LESSON '&R.lflG FORTH TU£R£FOR.£ f CUITS UJORTHy OF R€PEnTflnC£- ---------— -------------------LUKE 3 : 6 ~ ----------------;---- 1 1 ...........
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