The Voice in the Wilderness

by Rev. Kirby Williams

John the Baptist preaches for all to repent and prepare for the Kingdom of Heaven.

Text: Matthew 3:1-6
Date: 02/07/2010, the Traditional service.
Series: "Matthew" Part 5

When John the Baptist began his ministry near the Jordan river, he was the first prophet to hear the revealed Word of God in over 400 years. Matthew applies Isaiah's prophecy to John as a "voice crying in the wilderness." The New Testament presents John as the herald of the King, preparing the way for the more complete message of salvation brought by Jesus. But there is much to be learned from this last Old Testament prophet as we study closely his preaching of repentance, baptism, and the coming of the Kingdom of God.

1. Introduction
2. Exposition of the text, Matt. 3:1-6.
1. Introducing John "the baptizer", vs. 1,3-5.
1. The last Old Testament prophet, vs. 1.
2. The voice of the prophet in the wilderness, vs. 3-4.
1. The road in the desert, vs. 3, Isa. 40:3.
2. The "new Elijah", vs. 4, Mal. 4:5, 2Kings 1:8, Mal. 3:1.
3. Limited visibility.
3. The popularity of the prophet, vs. 5.
1. Revising our graphic image of John at the Jordan.
2. Expanding the "highway in the desert" imagery.
2. The message of the prophet, vs. 2, 6.
1. True repentance.
1. Godly Sorrow.
2. Confession.
3. "Metanoia".
4. Submission to God's solution.
2. The advent of the Kingdom of Heaven.
1. The arrival of the King.
2. The true Kingdom of God.
3. The weal and the woe.
3. The baptism of John.
1. A peculiarly Jewish baptism.
2. Closely tied to confession & repentance from sins.
3. The entrance to the "Messianic highway".
3. Application
1. Repent.
2. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
3. Be baptized.
4. Conclusion