Firm Foundations

Lesson 33:God sent John to teach and baptize

Memory verse: John 1:29

Introduction

How do you get someone’s attention? Mention something

personally important to them

God announced the coming Saviour through John the Baptist

John – God’s messenger

Matthew 3:1-2 -- “Repent!” Agree with God about

sin Prepare for the

promised Saviour James 2:10

John – the promised messenger for the Saviour Isaiah 40:3 Matthew 3:3

John was a poor man

He ate what he found in the wilderness Matthew 3:4

Does God promise that His children will be rich?

Many believed John’s message

Matthew 3:5-6 Showed

repentance & trust in God

Baptism does not save you

Scribes, Pharisees, & Sadducees

Scribes Copied God’s Word onto scrolls Proud of their knowledge

Pharisees Made and kept many “righteous”

laws Kept separate from “sinners” Proud of their righteousness

Sadducees Did not believe many Bible truths

(angels, resurrection) Tried to stay in good standing with

Roman government Wanted to remain position as

leaders of Jews

John’s words to the proud

Matthew 3:7 God hates the proud!

Matthew 3:8 Must repent and prove

repentance Matthew 3:9

Thought their parents/family made them right with God

Everyone is judged individually

In themselves - nothing to boast about

The Deliverer

John 1:24-27 John was God’s

prophet Just a man Saviour was much,

much greater than he

Not worthy to be His servant

John baptized Jesus

Jesus was now about 30 years old (Luke 3:23)

Matthew 3:13-16 Did Jesus need to be

baptized? He was born perfect He lived perfect

It was God’s command to all who accepted John as a prophet

Holy Spirit came to enable Him

What God said about Jesus

Matthew 3:17 God called Jesus His

Son He was a man …but He was also God

God was pleased with Jesus He did everything that

pleased God Jesus was without sin Jesus was perfect in

God’s sight

Jesus, the Lamb of God

John 1:29 The Lamb of God

John 1:30-37 John now knew

Jesus was the Deliverer!

Conclusion

What about us? Do we need

signs? We have

testimony of signs – the Bible!

Jesus Christ is the only Saviour