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THE PRELUDE TO THE KING

John the Baptist is mentioned in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. John is the one who prepares the way for Jesus. He will introduce Jesus as the Messiah. See Matthew 11:11. John the Baptist was greater than Abraham, Moses, David and Daniel. He is someone we should pay attention to. He was filled with the Holy Spirit before he is born.

1. The coming of John the Baptist (vs 1-3)

The arrive of John the Baptist is announced.

His preaching - John came preaching in the wilderness. He is announcing as a herald. A herald would go before the king to announce his arrival. John preaches that the king is coming. Every preacher has to be an introducer to the king. This is also true for every Christian. We are to introduce people to the Lord Jesus Christ. Your Christianity should not be a secret society. We are to announce Jesus Christ as the King.
His message (vs 2) - His main message is to repent. This is the same message that Jesus preaches. See Matthew 4:17. The Apostles also preached repentance. See Acts 20:21. This is the message for the Church today. There is no salvation without repentance. There needs to be a change in the way that you lead your life. The change is from the inside out. John also preaches that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
His prophecy (vs 3) - "Prepare ye the way of the Lord". The road was made straight for the coming of the King. We are to get ready. The Lord is always coming - are your ready? See Jonah 3:1. The Word of God came to Jonah again. God is a God of a second chance. You can fail and you can start over again. You can have a brand new start.
His lifestyle (vs 4) - John is a wild man. He wears clothes of camel's hair. He eats locusts and honey. He rejects the world and its opulence.

2. His popularity (vs 5-12)

The coming of John the Baptist - There may have up to a million people who came to hear John preach. He baptised many in the wilderness. It was an old-fashioned revival.
The condemnation of John the Baptist (vs 7-10) - John was not afraid to condemn the hypocritical religious leaders. The Pharisees had burdened down the people with so much legalism that they wanted nothing to do with them. The Sadducees were liberals who denied the resurrection. The religious leaders were no doubt stunned by John's condemnation of them. They were used to respect from men. They were shot between their religious eyes! John calls them snakes! John was not tactful but he told the truth. The people would love his straight talking. The religious leaders would want him dead. John makes it clear that you don't get to heaven by your physical birth. You get to heaven by a spiritual birth.
The commendation of John (vs 11) - The one coming after John would be mightier than John. John hid behind Jesus Christ. He did not promote himself. Christians should be doing the same. John was here to tell us about Jesus. John showed great humility. The more arrogant you are, the least great you are. The ministry of John was to baptise on the outside with water but Jesus would baptise on the inside with the Holy Spirit. Water baptism won't give you power. Spirit baptism will give you power.