1 00:00:07,680 --> 00:00:12,400 Matthew, Chapter 3, the title of tonight's message, Prepare the 2 00:00:12,400 --> 00:00:15,320 way for the King. We're introduced to a fellow 3 00:00:15,320 --> 00:00:17,680 called John the Baptist. Maybe you've heard of him. 4 00:00:18,240 --> 00:00:20,040 Maybe you're very familiar with his story. 5 00:00:21,720 --> 00:00:23,280 As is true now, it was back then. 6 00:00:23,280 --> 00:00:27,520 When someone truly important arrives into a town or a city, 7 00:00:27,880 --> 00:00:32,040 everything, it seems, changes in preparation, in readiness for 8 00:00:32,040 --> 00:00:36,360 them. Roads are cleared, obstacles 9 00:00:36,360 --> 00:00:40,680 removed, security tightened if needs be, and every detail 10 00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:45,360 prepared so that nothing would stand in the way of that guest, 11 00:00:45,360 --> 00:00:47,680 that arrival, that significant person. 12 00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:53,560 Now in the ancient world, when a king would head and plan a 13 00:00:53,560 --> 00:00:57,120 visit, they would often send a herald, a collective group, 14 00:00:57,200 --> 00:01:03,520 typically a voice announcing their arrival, making the path 15 00:01:03,520 --> 00:01:06,520 straight, as we'll see. And this is exactly what God 16 00:01:06,520 --> 00:01:10,640 does here, as we read in Matthew chapter 3, He sends a messenger 17 00:01:10,920 --> 00:01:12,840 ahead of the king. And Matthew is all about 18 00:01:12,840 --> 00:01:16,960 presenting Jesus as the king, the promised 1, the Messiah to a 19 00:01:16,960 --> 00:01:20,920 Jewish audience primarily. And this herald comes not into 20 00:01:20,920 --> 00:01:24,000 the temple. This herald comes not into the 21 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:28,640 city squares but out into the wilderness of Judea, And having 22 00:01:28,640 --> 00:01:31,200 been there, it's a pretty barren area. 23 00:01:32,440 --> 00:01:35,600 And his name is John the Baptist we know him as. 24 00:01:36,240 --> 00:01:40,360 Imagine a man who shows up, as I reminded us this morning, in the 25 00:01:40,360 --> 00:01:44,800 middle of nowhere, wearing camel's hair for his garments, a 26 00:01:44,800 --> 00:01:48,440 leather belt around his waist, and eating locusts, perhaps 27 00:01:48,440 --> 00:01:51,240 dipped in wild honey. It's part of his diet. 28 00:01:52,560 --> 00:01:58,720 No marketing team, no social media in advance, no musical 29 00:01:59,160 --> 00:02:04,160 instrumentation accompanying, no media hype, no convenient venue. 30 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:09,600 Just one wild looking prophet preaching and declaring a 31 00:02:09,600 --> 00:02:13,280 message, standing by the Jordan River as we'll see it, shouting 32 00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:17,760 Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. 33 00:02:19,280 --> 00:02:22,920 And if a church growth consultant were to have a word 34 00:02:22,920 --> 00:02:27,720 with John the Baptist back then, he would have laughed out loud 35 00:02:27,720 --> 00:02:29,240 initially at what John was doing. 36 00:02:30,240 --> 00:02:33,440 Probably declared, John, your ministry is doomed from the very 37 00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:35,960 get go. Let me advise you, nobody's 38 00:02:35,960 --> 00:02:41,000 coming out here to the desert. Put the temple in Jerusalem on 39 00:02:41,000 --> 00:02:43,200 the agenda. That's where people congregate. 40 00:02:44,720 --> 00:02:47,240 Alter your message. Change your tone a little bit. 41 00:02:47,240 --> 00:02:50,760 I mean, you're very offensive in the way that you speak. 42 00:02:51,600 --> 00:02:54,560 And let's do something about that wardrobe, mate, because 43 00:02:54,560 --> 00:02:56,280 that's just not going to cut it with the elite. 44 00:02:57,520 --> 00:03:01,920 But as we'll read and as we'll see, the crowds come anyway, 45 00:03:02,520 --> 00:03:04,840 tells us that all from Jerusalem, Judea and the 46 00:03:04,840 --> 00:03:09,320 surrounding areas flock. Many, many people come and they 47 00:03:09,320 --> 00:03:11,400 hear the message of John the Baptist. 48 00:03:11,880 --> 00:03:15,480 And they came because God was doing something fresh with the 49 00:03:15,480 --> 00:03:17,520 arrival of John, the John the Baptist. 50 00:03:17,520 --> 00:03:21,120 That preempts the arrival of Jesus as we see in the 51 00:03:21,120 --> 00:03:24,760 commencement of his ministry as we advance ahead now in years 52 00:03:24,760 --> 00:03:27,200 from where we last left off in Matthew chapter 2. 53 00:03:28,280 --> 00:03:31,600 And it's something that people did not expect from the Script, 54 00:03:31,600 --> 00:03:34,600 that they thought from the way that things they were 55 00:03:34,600 --> 00:03:40,400 anticipating should happen. Jesus himself said of this man, 56 00:03:41,040 --> 00:03:42,920 Matthew Chapter 11, verse eleven. 57 00:03:43,200 --> 00:03:48,280 Among those born of women, there has not arisen anyone greater 58 00:03:48,680 --> 00:03:51,960 than John the Baptist. That's Jesus word. 59 00:03:51,960 --> 00:03:56,720 So think of all prior to what we understand with the gospels. 60 00:03:57,960 --> 00:04:02,720 That means John greater than Abraham, John greater than 61 00:04:02,720 --> 00:04:07,800 David, John greater than all of the prophets and kings combined 62 00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:10,920 before him. Jesus said that he was greater 63 00:04:11,240 --> 00:04:16,160 even than Moses, and yet his entire public ministry, as we're 64 00:04:16,160 --> 00:04:20,920 introduced to John lasted maybe two or three years before he's 65 00:04:20,920 --> 00:04:24,960 beheaded. So how is it that somebody with 66 00:04:24,960 --> 00:04:30,000 such a a short seeming ministry can have such a a great impact 67 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:33,560 that Jesus declares it's the greatest life to have ever 68 00:04:33,560 --> 00:04:36,960 lived? That's the question Matthew 69 00:04:36,960 --> 00:04:39,800 chapter 3 will answer for us tonight, amongst other things. 70 00:04:40,760 --> 00:04:44,040 And what we see is this. If God can use this eccentric, 71 00:04:44,560 --> 00:04:49,920 uncompromising desert dwelling relative of Jesus to prepare the 72 00:04:49,920 --> 00:04:56,400 way for the King, then perhaps, perhaps he can still use 73 00:04:56,720 --> 00:05:01,200 ordinary people like you and I to prepare the way for his 74 00:05:01,200 --> 00:05:05,520 second coming to prepare the hearts and lives of people who 75 00:05:05,520 --> 00:05:09,040 are yet to hear the good news of Jesus Christ and that the 76 00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:13,880 Kingdom of hem is coming. Let's open our Bibles. 77 00:05:13,880 --> 00:05:15,520 If you haven't Matthew chapter 3. 78 00:05:15,600 --> 00:05:18,800 Listen to this voice crying in the wilderness and it'll 79 00:05:18,800 --> 00:05:21,560 confront us with this, this central question. 80 00:05:22,000 --> 00:05:27,480 Are you ready for the king? I'm going to read 1st 6 verses 81 00:05:27,480 --> 00:05:30,240 as we consider our first point. If you're the note taking type, 82 00:05:30,240 --> 00:05:33,120 there's three that we'll go through in these three various 83 00:05:33,120 --> 00:05:35,400 movements of this passage. Verse one to six, the 84 00:05:35,440 --> 00:05:40,800 unconventional forerunner in those days, John the Baptist 85 00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:45,120 came preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, repent for 86 00:05:45,120 --> 00:05:46,680 the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. 87 00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:52,200 For this is he, Matthew writes, who was spoken of by the prophet 88 00:05:52,200 --> 00:05:55,960 Isaiah, saying the voice of one crying in the wilderness, 89 00:05:56,320 --> 00:05:59,200 prepare the way of the Lord, make his path straight. 90 00:06:01,040 --> 00:06:05,120 Now John himself 1st 4 was clothed in camel's hair with a 91 00:06:05,120 --> 00:06:09,240 leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild 92 00:06:09,240 --> 00:06:13,120 honey. And then Jerusalem, all Judea 93 00:06:13,800 --> 00:06:18,080 and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were 94 00:06:18,080 --> 00:06:22,680 baptised by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. 95 00:06:23,920 --> 00:06:27,520 Matthew wastes no time introducing us to John the 96 00:06:27,520 --> 00:06:33,320 Baptist verse one in those days. In those days, John the Baptist 97 00:06:33,320 --> 00:06:38,320 straight away and those days are ahead of where we last left off. 98 00:06:38,320 --> 00:06:42,120 Like I mentioned, probably about 25 years now ahead from where we 99 00:06:42,120 --> 00:06:45,200 last left in Matthew 2. But more particularly, those 100 00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:49,120 days refer to the dark days spiritually speaking, of 101 00:06:49,120 --> 00:06:52,960 Israel's climate. Over 400 years of prophetic 102 00:06:52,960 --> 00:06:56,560 silence from the last prophet in Malachi in the Old Testament. 103 00:06:56,960 --> 00:06:59,120 To hear where we begin in Matthew. 104 00:06:59,600 --> 00:07:02,960 It seemed as though heaven had been quiet these 400 years. 105 00:07:03,360 --> 00:07:06,200 And then this voice unders in the desert. 106 00:07:06,680 --> 00:07:09,920 John the Baptist. And John was no ordinary 107 00:07:09,920 --> 00:07:13,080 preacher. He was again Jesus relative. 108 00:07:13,240 --> 00:07:17,280 You remember the story of his mother Elizabeth and of Jesus 109 00:07:17,280 --> 00:07:21,200 mother Mary. And John was born to these 110 00:07:21,200 --> 00:07:24,680 elderly, barren parents in a miraculous way. 111 00:07:26,000 --> 00:07:30,360 He was a priest kid. His father, Zechariah, served in 112 00:07:30,360 --> 00:07:33,680 the temple. But instead of climbing the 113 00:07:33,680 --> 00:07:36,840 religious ladder, as perhaps might have been expected and 114 00:07:36,840 --> 00:07:42,560 anticipated in his family, John, it seems, went rogue, went out 115 00:07:42,560 --> 00:07:45,840 into the desert of Judea. In fact, if you'd, if we're able 116 00:07:45,840 --> 00:07:51,920 to go on the tour of Israel in January, we'll go into an area 117 00:07:51,920 --> 00:07:54,440 where they think that John might have joined with a group called 118 00:07:54,440 --> 00:07:58,160 the Essenes. It's interesting, but it's an 119 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:01,400 aside. He headed out 30 to 45 120 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:03,080 kilometres into this and you'll see it. 121 00:08:03,080 --> 00:08:08,240 Barren limestone wilderness of Judea near the Dead Sea, the 122 00:08:08,240 --> 00:08:12,520 lowest place on Earth, 440 metres below sea level. 123 00:08:13,640 --> 00:08:21,440 Hot, ugly in many respects empty, and yet exactly where God 124 00:08:21,440 --> 00:08:25,840 wants John to be. Why the wilderness, you might 125 00:08:25,840 --> 00:08:27,800 wonder? Why not Jerusalem, where all of 126 00:08:27,800 --> 00:08:32,400 the spiritually elite are? Why not where more of the the 127 00:08:32,400 --> 00:08:36,520 congregated areas and regions are for people to go and just 128 00:08:36,799 --> 00:08:39,600 have an immediate audience with? Certainly for me. 129 00:08:39,600 --> 00:08:42,200 Why not along the coast? The Mediterranean Sea is 130 00:08:42,200 --> 00:08:45,560 beautiful. John could even take up surfing 131 00:08:45,560 --> 00:08:49,640 if you wanted to. Because God loves doing the 132 00:08:49,640 --> 00:08:54,160 unexpected. Jesus himself wasn't born in 133 00:08:54,160 --> 00:08:59,440 Rome, wasn't born in Jerusalem. He was born in a backwater 134 00:08:59,440 --> 00:09:04,280 stable in Bethlehem and raised and scorned Nazareth. 135 00:09:04,880 --> 00:09:08,800 So much so that you know the words Nathaniel when he heard of 136 00:09:08,800 --> 00:09:11,360 Jesus that can anything good come out of Nazareth. 137 00:09:12,800 --> 00:09:16,320 God's patent is clear. And Paul writes of this in one 138 00:09:16,320 --> 00:09:20,400 Corinthians chapter one, verse 27, where it says God has chosen 139 00:09:20,400 --> 00:09:23,720 the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. 140 00:09:25,440 --> 00:09:29,680 From John's location to John's clothes to his diet, all of it 141 00:09:29,680 --> 00:09:33,600 screamed this is not about human strategy. 142 00:09:35,640 --> 00:09:39,520 Camel's hair wasn't fashionable. It was practical. 143 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:44,840 But itchy locusts and wild honey weren't just some sort of fad, 144 00:09:44,840 --> 00:09:48,800 trendy pelayo diet. They were what the land 145 00:09:48,800 --> 00:09:54,080 provided. He looked and acted and lived 146 00:09:54,080 --> 00:09:59,040 like Elijah the prophet and the people who revealed the prophets 147 00:09:59,120 --> 00:10:03,120 instantly recognised this echo John was fulfilling. 148 00:10:03,120 --> 00:10:06,520 We're told in Isaiah 40 verse 3 here, as Matthew quotes it, the 149 00:10:06,520 --> 00:10:08,880 voice of one crying in the wilderness. 150 00:10:09,040 --> 00:10:11,400 So there's a prophetic fulfilment here going on. 151 00:10:11,680 --> 00:10:16,480 Prepare the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight again. 152 00:10:16,480 --> 00:10:19,200 In ancient times, when a king planned a visit into a region, 153 00:10:19,200 --> 00:10:23,960 into a town, an advance team often cleared the way, fixed up 154 00:10:23,960 --> 00:10:26,800 any roads, filled up potholes, removed rocks, straighten 155 00:10:26,800 --> 00:10:31,800 perhaps curves, and prepared the people for that royal chariot to 156 00:10:31,800 --> 00:10:35,480 come on through, for that smooth travelling, but more 157 00:10:35,480 --> 00:10:39,800 importantly, for the important one to be able to arrive and be 158 00:10:39,800 --> 00:10:43,320 received. And John was like this one man 159 00:10:43,320 --> 00:10:49,080 advance team for Jesus. The wilderness was a picture of 160 00:10:49,080 --> 00:10:53,040 Israel's spiritual barrenness at the time in their condition, 161 00:10:53,520 --> 00:10:58,840 dry, empty, in need of renewal and vibrancy. 162 00:10:59,440 --> 00:11:02,240 And John was calling them to clear the obstacles of their 163 00:11:02,240 --> 00:11:06,520 hearts away in readiness and in preparation for the King who has 164 00:11:06,520 --> 00:11:10,040 to come, King Jesus calling Jews to repentance. 165 00:11:10,960 --> 00:11:14,360 And the people came. Verse 5 tells us, read it again 166 00:11:14,360 --> 00:11:20,160 for us. Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and 167 00:11:20,160 --> 00:11:23,160 all the region around the Jordan went out to him. 168 00:11:24,640 --> 00:11:28,920 This is thousands upon thousands of people coming to this region 169 00:11:29,320 --> 00:11:33,280 here to hear John's message. And they came confessing their 170 00:11:33,280 --> 00:11:37,200 sins and they were baptised in the Jordan. 171 00:11:38,320 --> 00:11:41,720 Now again, if you're to join us on a tour of this region of the 172 00:11:41,720 --> 00:11:44,480 Jordan, it may have been a little more attractive and 173 00:11:44,480 --> 00:11:47,360 appealing back then, but it's certainly not today. 174 00:11:48,560 --> 00:11:51,080 But it's probably not much better than it was back then. 175 00:11:51,080 --> 00:11:53,920 Because even if you remember a few 100 years prior to this, a 176 00:11:53,920 --> 00:11:58,280 fellow who came with leprosy was told the dunk in the Jordan 177 00:11:58,280 --> 00:12:01,440 River. And he was like, I'm not putting 178 00:12:01,440 --> 00:12:04,120 myself in that river. I've got far better rivers back 179 00:12:04,120 --> 00:12:06,760 home. And yet they come on out and 180 00:12:06,760 --> 00:12:09,680 they're baptised. We got a picture of us in this 181 00:12:09,680 --> 00:12:14,440 area in April, standing in this part of the Jordan River, and 182 00:12:14,440 --> 00:12:17,880 it's etched on her face how uncomfortable and how unpleasant 183 00:12:17,880 --> 00:12:20,640 she's feeling in that moment. It was hot. 184 00:12:21,400 --> 00:12:23,320 The water was just this dirty brown. 185 00:12:23,480 --> 00:12:27,120 And there she is with a slut. Hurry up and take the photo and 186 00:12:27,120 --> 00:12:30,360 Get Me Out of here. Look, but think about that 187 00:12:30,360 --> 00:12:35,000 scene. Tax collectors, soldiers, even 188 00:12:35,880 --> 00:12:40,120 housewives, and even we'll see some religious leaders trekking 189 00:12:40,120 --> 00:12:44,520 out to this region, to this desert area, standing waist deep 190 00:12:44,520 --> 00:12:48,920 in the river. Many publicly admitting and 191 00:12:48,920 --> 00:12:52,960 confessing that they're sinners and that they're repenting and 192 00:12:53,400 --> 00:12:56,360 wanting to turn away from their old lives and their old way of 193 00:12:56,360 --> 00:12:59,480 doing things. And in readiness to receive the 194 00:12:59,480 --> 00:13:01,680 one that John was preaching. Who is to come? 195 00:13:02,400 --> 00:13:07,200 And after centuries of empty ritual and abiding by things 196 00:13:07,200 --> 00:13:10,200 that they perhaps practise but didn't fully understand or 197 00:13:10,200 --> 00:13:13,680 appreciate, real repentance was breaking out. 198 00:13:15,360 --> 00:13:17,000 And could you imagine the relief? 199 00:13:17,840 --> 00:13:21,960 Many of these people who'd only known dead religion suddenly 200 00:13:22,240 --> 00:13:28,680 encountering a man who spoke with raw authority from God and 201 00:13:28,680 --> 00:13:32,480 real confession poured out of them because they sensed the 202 00:13:32,480 --> 00:13:40,880 Kingdom was near. Now if God used this camel hair 203 00:13:40,920 --> 00:13:49,480 wearing desert preacher, then he can use you right where you are. 204 00:13:51,360 --> 00:13:57,440 You don't need a platform, a polished image, a perfect 205 00:13:57,440 --> 00:13:59,640 pedigree. You need to be available. 206 00:14:01,160 --> 00:14:03,680 Maybe you feel tonight too ordinary. 207 00:14:04,840 --> 00:14:08,040 You have a heart and a desire to be used by God, but you think, 208 00:14:08,040 --> 00:14:12,840 oh it'll never happen, or I'm too broken or I'm just too 209 00:14:12,840 --> 00:14:18,080 different. How could why would God use such 210 00:14:18,080 --> 00:14:22,600 a one as me? Remember how earlier I mentioned 211 00:14:22,600 --> 00:14:27,640 of Jesus his declaration about John in Matthew Chapter 11 verse 212 00:14:27,640 --> 00:14:31,160 11? Can I get you to turn ahead to 213 00:14:31,240 --> 00:14:35,200 to that verse, Matthew Chapter 11 and let's read and consider 214 00:14:35,200 --> 00:14:38,120 something else Jesus says because I only quoted the first 215 00:14:38,120 --> 00:14:43,640 part of that verse, John Chapter 11, verse 11. 216 00:14:43,640 --> 00:14:50,280 Jesus says assuredly I say to you, among those born of women, 217 00:14:50,280 --> 00:14:53,320 there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist. 218 00:14:54,960 --> 00:14:59,600 Look at the next part. But he who is least in the 219 00:14:59,600 --> 00:15:03,400 Kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 220 00:15:05,000 --> 00:15:07,320 Do you know who Jesus is talking about there? 221 00:15:09,040 --> 00:15:14,000 That's you, that's me, that's us. 222 00:15:15,360 --> 00:15:18,440 And Jesus says, though he declared of John the Baptist to 223 00:15:18,440 --> 00:15:24,440 be far greater than any, that we have the privilege of being 224 00:15:24,440 --> 00:15:26,360 greater. Why? 225 00:15:26,360 --> 00:15:29,600 How is that so? Because you and I, we have seen 226 00:15:29,600 --> 00:15:36,160 and understood things about Jesus that that John couldn't or 227 00:15:36,160 --> 00:15:39,680 didn't. John later would even question 228 00:15:40,280 --> 00:15:43,800 and wonder about Jesus. Are you the one? 229 00:15:44,800 --> 00:15:50,480 Remember he had those questions. And you and I, with hindsight, 230 00:15:50,720 --> 00:15:55,800 with Christ's salvation at work in US, we've seen the need for 231 00:15:55,800 --> 00:15:58,720 the suffering Saviour that Jesus came to die, and what we 232 00:15:58,720 --> 00:16:03,200 remembered and celebrated last weekend, that before Jesus would 233 00:16:03,200 --> 00:16:07,200 come as the conquering glorious King, he would must first be a 234 00:16:07,200 --> 00:16:11,640 suffering Saviour. But the path to that is through 235 00:16:11,640 --> 00:16:15,480 the cross, through his death and through his resurrection 3 days 236 00:16:15,480 --> 00:16:18,880 later. And what a privilege then you 237 00:16:18,880 --> 00:16:25,720 and I now enjoy in understanding and in knowing that John's life 238 00:16:25,720 --> 00:16:28,880 says that God specialises in using the unconventional. 239 00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:34,240 So what wilderness has God placed you in? 240 00:16:37,360 --> 00:16:40,760 And who in your world right now needs to hear a clear, 241 00:16:41,400 --> 00:16:46,680 unpolished call to get ready for Jesus, because He is coming very 242 00:16:46,680 --> 00:16:50,800 soon. Clear the path in your own heart 243 00:16:50,800 --> 00:16:54,320 tonight and help others do the same. 244 00:16:55,920 --> 00:16:58,520 Let's move ahead to our second consideration, the 245 00:16:58,520 --> 00:17:02,440 uncompromising message. We see that in verses 7 to 12. 246 00:17:02,440 --> 00:17:05,760 I'll read all of those verses now and come back and deal with 247 00:17:05,760 --> 00:17:08,400 a few key phrases and components out of that. 248 00:17:09,040 --> 00:17:17,440 Excuse me, but when he saw many of the Pharisees verse 7 and 249 00:17:17,440 --> 00:17:21,920 Sadducees coming in His baptism, He said to them, brood of 250 00:17:21,920 --> 00:17:25,440 Vipers, that's a pretty welcoming message. 251 00:17:27,839 --> 00:17:33,240 Who warn you to flee from the wrath to come, therefore bear 252 00:17:33,240 --> 00:17:37,680 fruits worthy of repentance. And do not think to say to 253 00:17:37,680 --> 00:17:40,560 yourselves, verse 9, we have Abraham as our father. 254 00:17:41,560 --> 00:17:44,480 For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to 255 00:17:44,480 --> 00:17:49,320 Abraham from these stones. And even now the axe is laid to 256 00:17:49,320 --> 00:17:53,880 the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does 257 00:17:53,880 --> 00:17:57,760 not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 258 00:17:57,840 --> 00:18:02,360 Verse 11 Indeed I baptise you with water unto repentance. 259 00:18:02,360 --> 00:18:08,600 But he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I 260 00:18:08,600 --> 00:18:12,200 am not worthy to carry. He will baptise you with the 261 00:18:12,200 --> 00:18:17,520 Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand 262 00:18:17,520 --> 00:18:21,360 and he will thoroughly clean out his threshing floor and gather 263 00:18:21,360 --> 00:18:24,760 his wheat into the barn. He will burn up the chaff 264 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:30,360 unquenchable fire. John didn't soften his words for 265 00:18:30,360 --> 00:18:37,240 the VIP section, verse 7 in his group, Pharisees, Sadducees, 266 00:18:37,480 --> 00:18:42,080 religious leaders travel down from Jerusalem to come and hear 267 00:18:42,080 --> 00:18:45,040 what is going on. And perhaps word has travelled 268 00:18:45,040 --> 00:18:46,560 there. Have you heard of what's 269 00:18:46,560 --> 00:18:49,720 happening out in the wilderness of this, this guy and he's 270 00:18:49,720 --> 00:18:52,760 preaching this message and he's dressed like this and he looks 271 00:18:52,760 --> 00:18:55,480 like that. And, and, and so they, they come 272 00:18:55,480 --> 00:18:59,320 on down and, and maybe they came to listen, perhaps initially, 273 00:18:59,320 --> 00:19:04,360 but perhaps to argue as well. And he challenges them. 274 00:19:04,360 --> 00:19:07,360 And these Pharisees, the Pharisees were part of the 275 00:19:07,360 --> 00:19:11,320 religious group. They were the legalistic 276 00:19:11,320 --> 00:19:13,160 conservatives. We'll see a lot more of them 277 00:19:13,160 --> 00:19:15,800 through our journey through the Gospel of Matthew. 278 00:19:16,280 --> 00:19:20,640 And they prided themselves on keeping every detail of the law. 279 00:19:21,640 --> 00:19:26,080 The Sadducees, interestingly, were another group in the 280 00:19:26,080 --> 00:19:30,000 religious leadership who were at odds with the Pharisees. 281 00:19:31,120 --> 00:19:34,800 And yet now they seem to come together with this common enemy 282 00:19:35,040 --> 00:19:38,160 in John the Baptist, and later on they'll be doing the same 283 00:19:38,160 --> 00:19:40,840 with Jesus. And the Sadducees were more of 284 00:19:40,840 --> 00:19:46,120 the the wealthy kind of liberal aristocrats who ran the temple. 285 00:19:47,080 --> 00:19:51,160 They denied the resurrection and they controlled the money and 286 00:19:51,160 --> 00:19:54,720 the power. As I say, they typically hated 287 00:19:54,760 --> 00:19:57,200 each other, but they came together to check out this 288 00:19:57,200 --> 00:20:00,360 desert phenomenon. And John? 289 00:20:01,080 --> 00:20:06,280 John looks both groups in the eye, calls them a nest of 290 00:20:06,320 --> 00:20:10,840 rattlesnakes. Slytherin away from a grass fire 291 00:20:10,840 --> 00:20:15,480 that's about to consume them and he doesn't let them hide behind 292 00:20:15,480 --> 00:20:18,200 their pedigree. In verse 9, he says do not think 293 00:20:18,200 --> 00:20:22,200 to say to yourselves we have Abraham as our father. 294 00:20:23,720 --> 00:20:27,720 You see, ancestry meant nothing when it came to repentance. 295 00:20:28,840 --> 00:20:33,120 God, John says, could raise up children from Abraham from these 296 00:20:33,120 --> 00:20:36,040 very stones, and there's plenty of them out there in the 297 00:20:36,040 --> 00:20:40,120 wilderness. Even Gentiles could be raised 298 00:20:40,120 --> 00:20:42,640 up. And the axe, John says, is 299 00:20:42,640 --> 00:20:46,360 already at the trees ready to chop them down, and every tree 300 00:20:46,360 --> 00:20:49,800 not bearing good fruit will be cut and thrown into the fire. 301 00:20:51,080 --> 00:20:54,720 And John's message was simple and urgent, and they heard it 302 00:20:54,720 --> 00:20:55,800 and received it. Going back. 303 00:20:55,800 --> 00:20:59,520 Verse 2, Repent. For the Kingdom of heaven is at 304 00:20:59,520 --> 00:21:02,440 hand. Repent. 305 00:21:03,680 --> 00:21:07,000 The language of Matthew, it's in the Greek Methanoa. 306 00:21:07,080 --> 00:21:10,680 Perhaps you're familiar with it. It's not about just feeling 307 00:21:10,680 --> 00:21:13,800 sorry to repent. Oh, I'm sorry. 308 00:21:13,800 --> 00:21:15,880 I'm sorry, though that's a part of it. 309 00:21:16,320 --> 00:21:21,400 It's a complete change of mind, a change of direction away from 310 00:21:21,400 --> 00:21:24,040 the course that you thought was right and the direction that you 311 00:21:24,040 --> 00:21:27,480 thought you should be going for your life and instead turning 312 00:21:27,480 --> 00:21:32,200 unto God, away from your sin and turning to God and His Holiness. 313 00:21:32,800 --> 00:21:36,120 And that's why John here is baptising in the Jordan. 314 00:21:37,200 --> 00:21:41,120 Jewish baptism had elements for Gentiles in converting to 315 00:21:41,120 --> 00:21:45,760 baptism. It was also a purpose for ritual 316 00:21:45,760 --> 00:21:49,080 cleansing and something that was practised after defilement. 317 00:21:49,680 --> 00:21:54,920 But here John was calling Jews to repent and be baptised as a 318 00:21:54,920 --> 00:22:00,360 public sign of heart change. And he pointed ahead to Jesus. 319 00:22:00,360 --> 00:22:05,560 Verse 11 we read again that says, I indeed baptise you with 320 00:22:05,560 --> 00:22:09,280 water unto repentance. But he who is coming after me, 321 00:22:09,280 --> 00:22:13,880 Jesus is mightier than I, whose sandals I'm not worthy to carry, 322 00:22:14,440 --> 00:22:20,360 and he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 3 baptisms 323 00:22:20,360 --> 00:22:27,280 in one verse, water baptism for repentance. 324 00:22:28,080 --> 00:22:33,560 The baptism of the Holy Spirit we see in the book of Acts to 325 00:22:33,560 --> 00:22:38,080 unite believers into Christ's body, that identification that 326 00:22:38,080 --> 00:22:43,360 we're also a part of, and the baptism of fire, of this 327 00:22:43,360 --> 00:22:47,160 unquenchable judgement that would consume the chaff as it 328 00:22:47,160 --> 00:22:53,160 separated from the wheat. You see, genuine faith, genuine 329 00:22:53,160 --> 00:22:58,880 repentance, turning unto God produces fruit life change. 330 00:22:59,880 --> 00:23:02,840 And John wasn't impressed with the religious credentials, 331 00:23:03,040 --> 00:23:06,240 particularly of the Pharisees and the Sadducees or their 332 00:23:06,240 --> 00:23:09,000 outward appearances. Well, they had the guard, they 333 00:23:09,000 --> 00:23:13,080 had the paraphernalia, they had all of the the head knowledge 334 00:23:13,080 --> 00:23:17,240 and could could quote scripture. They had the religious activity. 335 00:23:17,840 --> 00:23:20,640 They were respected in their positions, but no real 336 00:23:20,640 --> 00:23:23,480 repentance going on in their hearts. 337 00:23:23,840 --> 00:23:25,920 These men trusted in their heritage. 338 00:23:25,920 --> 00:23:30,480 We have Abraham as our father, and John cut straight to the 339 00:23:30,480 --> 00:23:36,080 heart, bear fruit. In keeping with repentance and 340 00:23:36,080 --> 00:23:39,120 using nature as a metaphor, he says that a tree can look 341 00:23:39,120 --> 00:23:45,000 healthy, can have all of the appearance of being vibrant, a 342 00:23:45,000 --> 00:23:49,160 strong trunk, luscious leaves, full branches. 343 00:23:49,800 --> 00:23:54,720 But if it produces no fruit, John says, it's useless. 344 00:23:56,280 --> 00:23:58,200 And the farmer has his axe handy. 345 00:23:58,520 --> 00:24:01,680 And John warned, even now the axe is laid to the root of the 346 00:24:01,680 --> 00:24:04,280 trees. It's a pivotal moment in the 347 00:24:04,280 --> 00:24:07,560 time of Israel. Therefore every tree which does 348 00:24:07,560 --> 00:24:11,360 not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 349 00:24:11,840 --> 00:24:17,320 It doesn't mince his words. John, you know likewise, you and 350 00:24:17,320 --> 00:24:22,760 I, we can have the tendency to trust in something other than 351 00:24:22,760 --> 00:24:29,120 Jesus, our family, church membership, our moral track 352 00:24:29,120 --> 00:24:34,480 record, our achievements, our finances. 353 00:24:36,520 --> 00:24:40,000 And John's rebuke here exposes not only the self righteousness 354 00:24:40,000 --> 00:24:43,520 of the Pharisees and the Sadducees, but any of us who 355 00:24:43,520 --> 00:24:46,400 cling to anything other than Jesus. 356 00:24:47,720 --> 00:24:52,200 And the question presses in for us to consider in this, the 357 00:24:52,200 --> 00:24:56,640 uncompromising message is just as real tonight as it was back 358 00:24:56,640 --> 00:25:00,160 then. Is there evidence of real 359 00:25:00,240 --> 00:25:06,640 transformation in our lives? Are we growing in holiness, 360 00:25:07,560 --> 00:25:12,400 becoming more like Christ? Or are we maintaining a 361 00:25:12,840 --> 00:25:16,360 religious appearance on the outside while our heart remains 362 00:25:16,360 --> 00:25:20,880 unchanged from within? And what John preaches and would 363 00:25:20,880 --> 00:25:25,280 remind you and I tonight is this, that repentance that 364 00:25:25,320 --> 00:25:28,400 produces no fruit is no real repentance at all. 365 00:25:30,240 --> 00:25:33,480 Where is God maybe pressing in your heart now? 366 00:25:35,880 --> 00:25:39,120 What sin have you excused or delayed dealing with? 367 00:25:41,720 --> 00:25:45,360 Have you brought it to Jesus? Have you confessed it to Him? 368 00:25:48,600 --> 00:25:51,760 Look honestly at the fruit in our life. 369 00:25:53,360 --> 00:25:56,080 Are we turning away from sin in tangible ways? 370 00:25:58,200 --> 00:26:02,480 And on the flip side are a Lovejoy, peace, patience, self 371 00:26:02,480 --> 00:26:06,680 control the fruits of the Spirit growing in our lives. 372 00:26:09,880 --> 00:26:15,280 Ask the Holy Spirit to produce what you cannot manufacture on 373 00:26:15,280 --> 00:26:20,040 your own. The same Jesus who baptises with 374 00:26:20,040 --> 00:26:24,840 the Spirit is ready to empower you and I for a life that bears 375 00:26:24,840 --> 00:26:30,040 lasting fruit. So John's message rings true 376 00:26:30,040 --> 00:26:32,560 tonight. But here's the good news. 377 00:26:33,280 --> 00:26:35,240 Lastly, the unparalleled Saviour. 378 00:26:35,880 --> 00:26:39,760 We all need Jesus and Jesus comes. 379 00:26:40,160 --> 00:26:43,760 Verse 13. Then Jesus came. 380 00:26:44,680 --> 00:26:48,520 Oh man, I love that. Then Jesus came from Galilee, 381 00:26:48,520 --> 00:26:51,800 it's been up in the north, Nazareth. 382 00:26:52,840 --> 00:26:56,040 Later we'll see the majority of his time in the area of 383 00:26:56,040 --> 00:26:59,800 Capernaum. But now he travels down to John 384 00:26:59,800 --> 00:27:01,720 the Jordan to be baptised by him. 385 00:27:02,680 --> 00:27:07,480 And John tried to prevent him, saying I need to be baptised by 386 00:27:07,480 --> 00:27:13,080 you and are you coming to me? But Jesus answered and said to 387 00:27:13,080 --> 00:27:17,560 him, Permit it to be sown now, for thus it is fitting for us to 388 00:27:17,560 --> 00:27:22,920 fulfil all righteousness. And he allowed him stop there. 389 00:27:24,000 --> 00:27:30,960 Jesus had no sin to repent of. So why was Jesus here baptised? 390 00:27:30,960 --> 00:27:34,880 Why was he coming to John here? And John's been preaching of 391 00:27:34,880 --> 00:27:39,880 repentance and of the need for baptism as a consequence For 392 00:27:39,880 --> 00:27:42,560 that. Firstly, consider Jesus was 393 00:27:42,560 --> 00:27:47,360 identifying fully with sinners, stepping into the place that you 394 00:27:47,360 --> 00:27:52,440 and I, we deserve to stand. Second, Jesus own words, he's 395 00:27:52,440 --> 00:27:56,760 obeying the Father perfectly, fulfilling all righteousness 396 00:27:57,000 --> 00:28:01,160 where we have failed. And 3rd in this moment, moving 397 00:28:01,160 --> 00:28:06,360 forward, going down into the water pictured Jesus coming, 398 00:28:06,360 --> 00:28:12,120 death, the picture Jesus rising out in his resurrection. 399 00:28:12,920 --> 00:28:16,880 And even here at the start of Jesus ministry, Jesus was 400 00:28:16,880 --> 00:28:19,800 already moving towards the cross. 401 00:28:20,320 --> 00:28:21,960 That's his focus, that's his goal. 402 00:28:22,400 --> 00:28:25,200 What we just came out of last weekend celebrating and 403 00:28:25,200 --> 00:28:28,840 remembering when he had been baptised. 404 00:28:28,840 --> 00:28:33,160 Verse 16, Jesus came up immediately from the water and 405 00:28:33,160 --> 00:28:35,520 behold the heavens were open to him. 406 00:28:36,960 --> 00:28:40,360 He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and a 407 00:28:40,360 --> 00:28:44,920 lighting upon him. Suddenly a voice came from 408 00:28:44,920 --> 00:28:50,000 heaven saying, this is my beloved son in whom I am well 409 00:28:50,000 --> 00:28:52,560 pleased. Wow, what a scene, what a 410 00:28:52,560 --> 00:28:56,400 moment. The entire Trinity showed up, 411 00:28:56,920 --> 00:29:02,400 God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, and this is 412 00:29:02,400 --> 00:29:06,120 God's authenticating seal at the commencement of Jesus ministry. 413 00:29:06,560 --> 00:29:10,440 And it's this most impressive testimony and declaration to all 414 00:29:10,440 --> 00:29:14,560 and to you and I. The sun in the water, the Spirit 415 00:29:15,040 --> 00:29:19,320 as a dove, the Father, a voice speaking from heaven declaring 416 00:29:19,320 --> 00:29:22,320 truth. And the same three persons who 417 00:29:22,320 --> 00:29:26,720 are present at creation are now present at the launching of 418 00:29:26,720 --> 00:29:31,400 redemption here on earth. The Father's words would echo 419 00:29:31,400 --> 00:29:34,520 those spoken at the transfiguration. 420 00:29:35,040 --> 00:29:38,920 This is my beloved Son. Listen to him. 421 00:29:40,560 --> 00:29:43,880 The sinless Son of God humbled himself to stand in the sinner's 422 00:29:43,880 --> 00:29:47,640 place. And the voice that spoke the the 423 00:29:47,640 --> 00:29:52,040 world into being into existence now speaks pleasure over his 424 00:29:52,040 --> 00:29:54,920 Son. This is my beloved Son, the 425 00:29:54,920 --> 00:29:58,280 Father said of Jesus. And the Spirit who hovered over 426 00:29:58,280 --> 00:30:01,320 the waters at the beginning of creation in Genesis, now 427 00:30:01,520 --> 00:30:06,280 descends like a gentle dove. This is the God who saves 428 00:30:06,280 --> 00:30:09,920 Father, Son and Holy Spirit, working together for your 429 00:30:10,760 --> 00:30:16,520 rescue, for my rescue. Have you identified with Jesus, 430 00:30:17,760 --> 00:30:22,480 the baptism being a practise, a part of your experience as a 431 00:30:22,480 --> 00:30:26,160 believer, as a Christian? And baptism is that beautiful 432 00:30:26,160 --> 00:30:28,280 picture. We were able to celebrate some 433 00:30:28,280 --> 00:30:32,120 three weeks ago, 15 people being baptised down there at the beach 434 00:30:32,120 --> 00:30:35,800 and just hearing of God being at work in their lives, of publicly 435 00:30:35,800 --> 00:30:39,240 declaring that I'm identifying with Jesus Christ, that just as 436 00:30:39,240 --> 00:30:43,960 Jesus was baptised, now I'm being baptised and the symbolism 437 00:30:43,960 --> 00:30:48,320 of what Jesus went through, of him having died in my place and 438 00:30:48,320 --> 00:30:53,040 rising again three days later, later, I am now coming out of 439 00:30:53,040 --> 00:30:57,280 the water, a brand new creation. Behold, old things have passed 440 00:30:57,280 --> 00:31:00,120 away, all things have become new and I make that public 441 00:31:00,120 --> 00:31:04,360 declaration before all. Have you done that? 442 00:31:05,200 --> 00:31:10,280 Have you repented in your heart? Have you trusted in Jesus the 443 00:31:10,280 --> 00:31:14,040 Lamb of God, as John would declare about him who takes away 444 00:31:14,040 --> 00:31:19,800 the sin of the world? If you have, then live like it, 445 00:31:20,920 --> 00:31:22,880 and many of you have. I know that to be true. 446 00:31:23,680 --> 00:31:30,040 So daily identifying with Jesus in his death by saying I am dead 447 00:31:30,040 --> 00:31:34,240 to sin. Romans chapter 6 And now I am 448 00:31:34,240 --> 00:31:36,640 alive in him, in his resurrection. 449 00:31:37,160 --> 00:31:40,360 I have new life. I'm no longer mastered by sin. 450 00:31:40,360 --> 00:31:43,000 I have the freedom and the liberty to say no. 451 00:31:44,920 --> 00:31:49,400 And the power of Jesus is available to me to pursue the 452 00:31:49,400 --> 00:31:52,480 things of God. And if you've already trusted 453 00:31:52,480 --> 00:31:54,880 Christ tonight, then hear this John. 454 00:31:55,240 --> 00:32:00,080 John was the voice preparing the way for Jesus first coming 455 00:32:01,360 --> 00:32:04,680 today. Jesus has given that same 456 00:32:04,680 --> 00:32:09,120 privilege for you and I with respect to His Second Coming in 457 00:32:09,120 --> 00:32:12,520 the Great Commission our risen King commands us. 458 00:32:12,520 --> 00:32:15,920 Let me read it to you. Go, therefore make disciples of 459 00:32:15,920 --> 00:32:20,160 all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of 460 00:32:20,160 --> 00:32:24,560 the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all 461 00:32:24,560 --> 00:32:28,160 that I have commanded you. Matthew 2819 to 20. 462 00:32:29,200 --> 00:32:32,920 And so just as John called people to repentance back then 463 00:32:32,920 --> 00:32:36,400 and to be baptised in preparation for the king, repent 464 00:32:36,400 --> 00:32:40,400 for the Kingdom is at hand. You and I, we are now called to 465 00:32:40,400 --> 00:32:46,520 go and to make disciples and to baptise and to teach and to 466 00:32:46,520 --> 00:32:50,320 clear the the spiritual obstacles in in people's hearts 467 00:32:50,320 --> 00:32:53,280 and to prepare the way for them to meet Jesus. 468 00:32:54,960 --> 00:33:01,920 For Jesus is coming soon. And who in your world has God 469 00:33:01,920 --> 00:33:07,560 called you to reach? Who needs to hear the same 470 00:33:07,760 --> 00:33:11,440 urgent message? Repent, for the Kingdom of 471 00:33:11,440 --> 00:33:16,280 heaven is at hand. Will you be a voice crying in 472 00:33:16,280 --> 00:33:20,840 the wilderness, pointing people to the Lamb who takes away the 473 00:33:20,840 --> 00:33:27,600 sin of the world? I pray and hope it to be so well 474 00:33:27,600 --> 00:33:32,320 John the Baptist as we close and finish Matthew chapter 3. 475 00:33:32,360 --> 00:33:37,000 He was unconventional, uncompromising in his message, 476 00:33:37,880 --> 00:33:42,360 and utterly focused on Jesus. He prepared the way he 477 00:33:44,000 --> 00:33:50,240 confronted sin, and then he stepped aside so that the 478 00:33:50,240 --> 00:33:54,280 spotlight would fall on Jesus. It was John the Baptist who said 479 00:33:54,280 --> 00:33:58,920 of Jesus that he must increase. Prior to that he said about 480 00:33:58,920 --> 00:34:05,680 himself, I must decrease. 2000 years later the same king is 481 00:34:05,680 --> 00:34:11,199 coming again, and soon. The question is, Are you ready? 482 00:34:13,480 --> 00:34:16,400 And Matthew 3 leaves us with this very clear message. 483 00:34:16,880 --> 00:34:22,800 The king has come, the Kingdom is near, and the call remains. 484 00:34:23,360 --> 00:34:27,600 Repent, receive the King, bear fruit. 485 00:34:29,080 --> 00:34:32,159 To summarise, if you forget anything else about tonight, let 486 00:34:32,159 --> 00:34:34,840 me try and wrap it all up succinctly before we finish. 487 00:34:35,159 --> 00:34:39,840 Get ready for King Jesus by repenting of sin, bearing real 488 00:34:39,840 --> 00:34:43,800 fruit in your life and fully identifying with the humble 489 00:34:43,800 --> 00:34:48,440 Saviour who has already identified with you, and then 490 00:34:48,440 --> 00:34:51,840 join him in preparing others for his soon return. 491 00:34:54,040 --> 00:35:00,560 Some heard John's message and responded with confession and 492 00:35:00,560 --> 00:35:05,880 changed lives. Others resisted, especially 493 00:35:05,880 --> 00:35:07,760 those who thought they were already fine. 494 00:35:09,440 --> 00:35:12,080 And that same tension exists today. 495 00:35:15,280 --> 00:35:20,680 But let me ask you honestly, are you prepared or just familiar? 496 00:35:22,520 --> 00:35:25,680 Are you transformed or just informed? 497 00:35:27,400 --> 00:35:30,880 Are you bearing fruit or just leaves? 498 00:35:33,840 --> 00:35:35,760 God has done everything necessary. 499 00:35:36,720 --> 00:35:38,720 He sent the messenger, John the Baptist. 500 00:35:39,400 --> 00:35:41,680 He sent the Son, Jesus the Christ. 501 00:35:42,480 --> 00:35:46,600 He has opened the way and now the response is yours. 502 00:35:47,360 --> 00:35:51,840 The King has come. Prepare your heart today and 503 00:35:51,840 --> 00:35:55,440 help prepare others hearts that don't yet know him. 504 00:35:56,120 --> 00:36:01,800 Let's pray our Father God in heaven, You are the great God 505 00:36:01,800 --> 00:36:06,200 and Lord above all. There is no one, no thing that 506 00:36:06,200 --> 00:36:10,800 can compare to you. And we're so grateful and 507 00:36:10,800 --> 00:36:15,480 thankful, Jesus, that you came, that you died in our place, that 508 00:36:15,480 --> 00:36:20,520 you rose again, that you defeated our sin. 509 00:36:20,960 --> 00:36:23,680 But now in repentance, we can come to you and we can 510 00:36:23,680 --> 00:36:28,880 experience and enjoy forgiveness and freedom from sin and your 511 00:36:28,880 --> 00:36:34,320 resurrection power at work in our lives as you sanctify us. 512 00:36:35,480 --> 00:36:39,960 And ultimately, you will glorify us as we're fully and completely 513 00:36:39,960 --> 00:36:44,160 transformed. And until that time, may we, 514 00:36:44,160 --> 00:36:49,480 Holy Spirit, with your help, be faithful to declare the good 515 00:36:49,480 --> 00:36:54,720 news of Jesus the Christ, for it is a message that needs to be 516 00:36:54,720 --> 00:37:01,520 heard in the wilderness, in the streets, in our homes, in our 517 00:37:01,520 --> 00:37:08,280 workplaces, amongst our friends, in our schools, everywhere that 518 00:37:08,280 --> 00:37:11,520 we find ourselves. May we be messengers of you, 519 00:37:11,520 --> 00:37:16,760 Lord Jesus Christ. And now God, I thank you for 520 00:37:16,760 --> 00:37:20,680 each person here. I pray that you would pour out 521 00:37:20,680 --> 00:37:23,120 your grace and your mercy abundantly upon them. 522 00:37:24,520 --> 00:37:29,320 Bless them not only for being here tonight, but for desiring 523 00:37:29,320 --> 00:37:33,840 to seek you more, to receive and hear from your Word and help us 524 00:37:34,280 --> 00:37:37,320 to live it. And to apply this we pray in 525 00:37:37,400 --> 00:37:41,320 Jesus mighty name God's people said Amen, Amen. 526 00:37:41,320 --> 00:37:42,760 Just to know you.