The Gospel of Fire

by Rev. Kirby Williams

John the Baptist preaches a Gospel of baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Text: Matthew 3:7-12
Date: 02/14/2010, the Contemporary service.
Series: "Matthew" Part 6

In this passage, Matthew relates three very graphic images of prophetic fire. At first glance it appears to be a message of "Hell fire and brimstone". The Pharisees and Sadducees have come to be baptized and John the Baptist is disgusted by their hypocrisy. But John's vivid warnings of the fires of eschatalogical judgment were not just designed to condemn, but also to save. His "Gospel of fire" points to Jesus as the One who will not only bring judgment, but also redemption and sanctification. John's message is as relevant today as it was when it was delivered on the banks of the Jordan river.

1. Introduction
2. Exposition of the text, Matt. 3:7-12.
1. Context.
2. The fire in the snake pit, vs. 7-8.
1. John's confrontation with the Pharisees and Sadducees, vs. 7.
1. Who were they?
1. The Pharisees.
2. The Sadducees.
2. Why were they there? (John 1:22)
1. A peculiarly Jewish baptism.
2. The entrance to the "Messianic highway".
3. Why was John so confrontational?
1. Children of the snake.
2. John's prophetic warning.
2. The fruit of repentance, vs. 8.
3. The fire in the olive grove, vs. 9-10.
1. The perils of the "entitled", vs. 9.
1. A dangerous presumption.
1. The treasury of merit.
2. Misunderstanding the covenant.
2. The new Israel: new sons from rocks.
3. The danger of entitlement.
2. The fruitless tree, Matt. 7:19.
4. The fire on the threshing floor, vs. 12.
5. The true baptism, vs. 11.
1. The baptism of John.
2. The Almighty Christ.
3. The baptism of Jesus.
1. The fire.
2. The Spirit, Isa 29:6, Ezek. 1:4, 36:25-26.
3. Application
1. Three images of fire.
1. Fire in the snake pit.
2. Fire in the olive grove.
3. Fire on the threshing floor.
2. John's prophetic fire.
1. Fire in the snake pit.
2. Fire in the olive grove.
3. Fire on the threshing floor.
3. John's Gospel of fire.
1. Fire in the snake pit.
2. Fire in the olive grove.
3. Fire on the threshing floor.
4. "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand".
4. Conclusion