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Main Theme

Receiving the gift of salvation requires repentance of sin.

Outline

  1. Receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior requires repentance. (vv.1-14)
    1. Key Verses - And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins….Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. (v. 3 and v. 5)
    2. John’s ministry of calling people to repent (turn away from) of their sins prepared people to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. Knowing you need salvation requires knowing you’re a sinner. Thomas Watson said, “Until sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet.”
  2. Our response to Jesus has eternal consequences. (vv. 15-20)
    1. Key Verse - John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (v. 16)
    2. Those who repent of their sin and place their faith in Jesus receive the gift of the Holy Spirit who sustains and strengthens their faith until the end. Those who do not will be engulfed with the fire of God’s eternal judgment.
  3. Jesus is the Son of God (vv. 21-38)
    1. Key Verses -  Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (vv. 21-22)
    2. Jesus’ baptism was not a sign of repentance since he is sinless. It was a sign that he identifies with and takes up the cause of sinful mankind. Just like Adam, Jesus is mankind’s representative before God.
    3. For further study, see Romans 5:12-21

 

 

Gospel Connection

The good news of salvation from sin is only good news if you know you are a sinner in need of saving. Repentance is acknowledging your sin, hating your sin, and forsaking your sin. Only a repentant heart can receive the gift of salvation through faith in Jesus.

 

Whole Bible Connection

For thousands of years, God sent prophets to call His people to repent and turn back to worshipping and following Him. John is the last in the line of prophets who prepared people for salvation by calling them to repent of their sins.

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