Matthew - Week 7

Fruitless Lives 

READ 

Matthew 3:9-10 

9 “Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 10 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.” 

John the Baptist rebuked the Pharisees and Sadducees who came to him to be baptized. The Pharisees were scrupulous about keeping the law and even added regulations to it. The Sadducees did not believe in anything supernatural. Both groups were trusting in their heritage to suffice for anything they needed. John the Baptist told them that was a useless idea and God would be bringing judgment. 

REFLECT 

Do you know of some who think they are acceptable to God because of their parents or grandparents? If so, these people would be as foolish as the Pharisees and Sadducees.  

RESPOND 

Meet with another follower of Jesus and talk about this false thinking some of your friends might have. Pray that God would break through their thinking to make them realize their only hope is to trust in Jesus as Savior.  

Baptisms of Water and Fire 

READ 

Matthew 3:11 

11 “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” 

John the Baptist distinguished himself and his ministry from the one who would be coming after him. John’s ministry was preparatory to the ministry Jesus would have. John was baptizing with water, but Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit. This baptism is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:13. John said that Jesus would also baptize with fire, which seems to speak of the judgment He will execute at His second coming.  

REFLECT 

If you have believed in Jesus as your Savior, then you have been baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit. 

RESPOND 

Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 to learn about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Read Revelation 19:11-16 to learn about the judgment He will execute at His second coming. 

Wheat and Chaff 

READ 

Matthew 3:12 

12 “He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” 

John the Baptist told the Pharisees and Sadducees about a coming judgment that would separate believers from unbelievers. The figures of speech he used were “wheat” (believers) and “chaff” (unbelievers). Those who think they have merit with God because of their ancestors will be thrown into the “never-ending fire.” Only faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will spare them from this judgment. 

REFLECT 

Think of how blessed you are by trusting in Jesus as your Savior. He has delivered you from any wrath to come, as John 3:16-18 says. 

RESPOND 

To read about the separation of believers (sheep) and unbelievers (goats) at the end of the seven-year Tribulation, see Matthew 25:31-46. Especially notice verse 46 that tells about the final destiny of each group. 

All That God Requires 

READ 

Matthew 3:13-15 

13 Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” 15 But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him. 

John the Baptist tried to dissuade Jesus from being baptized by him. From other Scriptures, such as John 1:33, it seems John would keep baptizing until he saw the Holy Spirit descending on God’s chosen one. Matthew 3:13-15 reveals John knew enough about Jesus to know he wasn’t worthy to baptize Him because Jesus had no sin to repent of. Jesus insisted on it, however, and John baptized Him. 

REFLECT 

Jesus wanted to be baptized to identify with the teaching of John the Baptist and with Israel. Today believers are baptized to show their identification with Jesus and His followers. 

RESPOND 

Consider the command of Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20 about baptizing believers. When one believes in Jesus, nothing external is immediately seen. When the belief is expressed in baptism it is witnessed by others. 

The Spirit of God 

READ 

Matthew 3:16-17 

16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” 

This passage refers to all three persons in the Godhead. God is one, but He exists in three persons each having the attributes of being God. Jesus came up out of the water; the Spirit of God descended like a dove on Him; and the Father in heaven gave His approval to “his dearly loved Son.”  

REFLECT 

Do not be concerned if the concept of God is more than you can understand. One would have to be God to completely understand. 

RESPOND 

Join with a friend in considering each person of the Godhead. Read Scriptures that have to do with the Father (James 1:16-18); Son (John 1:1-3, 14; 8:58); and Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10-12). Notice that in Matthew 28:19 “name” is singular and all three persons are mentioned.