TEXT:  Matthew 3:1-12

I. Proclaims the truth of people’s need to repent   Matthew 3:1-2, 6b

1. Turn from their current sinful condition (v. 1)
2. Turn to the authority of God’s domain (v. 2)
3. Turn to the Lord confessing their sins (v. 6b)

II. Prepares people for eternity with God in Heaven    Matthew 3:3-6a

1. By fulfilling God’s purpose for our life (v. 3)
   1. Calling out to those who are lost in the spiritual wilderness of sin
   2. Calling people to walking in the ways of the Lord
   3. Calling people to get right with God through Christ

2. By focusing on God’s priorities for their life (v. 4)
3. By fixing ourselves on being faithful to God’s will (vv. 5-6a)
   2. Faithful to speak truth
   3. Faithful to share with whoever will listen
   4. Faithful to baptize those who believe in the true Messiah
   5. Faithful to do the will of God for your life

III. Provokes the religious lost to examine their hearts    Matthew 3:7-12

1. By calling them to true faith repenting from man’s religion Matthew 3: 7-8
   1. Religious lost people are often intrigued by spiritual information
   2. Religious lost people need to hear the truth of the spiritual condition
   3. Religious lost people need to be confronted with judgment to come
   4. Religious lost people need to repent of their sinfulness and self-righteousness

2. By causing them to question their religion of the flesh (vv. 9-10)
3. By challenging them with the reality of eternity (vv. 11-12)
   2. The essential work of the Holy Spirit (v. 11)
   3. The inescapable requirement of accountability to God (v. 12)