Matthew 3:7–12 (NKJV)
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, 9 and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 10 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
I. The Call to Repentance
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,
II. The Deception of Tradition
9 and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
III. The Coming Judgment
10 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
IV. The Baptism of Repentance
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.
V. The Baptism of Fire
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
A. Purging
12 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor,
B. Empowering
VI. The Separation
“…and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Takeaway Thoughts
Repent Often
Do Not Be Deceived Be Ready for Judgment
Be Baptized for Repentance
Be Baptized in the Spirit
Be Ready When the Separation Comes
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