Mat 3:7-10; Rotten Fruit Stinks Up Your Life.

Class Outline:

Wednesday January 3, 2023

 

MAT 3:7-10

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 "Therefore bear fruit in keeping [axios - worthy] with repentance; 9 and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father'; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. 10 "The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

 

Theme: John is warning the Pharisees and Sadducees that they must bear the good fruit worthy of repentance or that generation will be removed (destroyed) without experiencing the kingdom of heaven. 

 

“brood” - gennemata = generation.  

That generation will face severe discipline, and worse, not receive the kingdom of heaven.  

 

The Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes, and chief priests on the pages of the Gospels give us insight into the great majority of ruling elites in the world. Once they have power, wealth, and influence; they will do anything to keep it. They will all be judged.

 

Satan took the form of a serpent to destroy and devour, and he has continued to do so throughout history (1PE 5:8).

 

What is repentance?

Change your mind from things not of God to God.

Be converted by faith.

 

All believers have many repentances to make in regard to their conception of all areas of their lives.

 

All are born slaves to sin and we must be set free. The Pharisees and Sadducees are no different from anyone.

 

Fruit worthy of repentance - it cannot be in word only. 

 

The fruit must be “worthy” of repentance.

Fruit of a life that looks to God in all realms.

 

Further reveals that water baptism was a ritual representing something that should happen in the heart.

 

Do not think, saying to yourselves that you have Abraham as a father.

Ancestry needs no repentance. A heart filled with false ideas does.

 

False idea that we are justified as Jews.

JOH 9:34 [man born blind concludes correctly concerning Jesus]

“You were born entirely in sins, and are you teaching us?” So they put him out.

 

A modern application would be the conclusion that we are fine spiritually if we are living comfortably, if we’re not sick, if we’re prosperous.

 

Their false idea that being Jews was enough enabled them not to fear God.

 

The actual fruit of the Pharisees (bad fruit).

 

Stand aloof from the common people. Why does He eat with sinners (9:11). They sit in Moses’ seat (23:2).

 

Do we think that we are free from this attitude because we are spiritually enlightened? Do you think that you are better than others?

 

Elevate ritual (no reality to their thoughts). Eat grain on the Sabbath (12:2). Wash hands (15:1).

 

Are we free from this? Do you think you are better than other Christians because of the church you attend or because you think your pastor is the best one?

 

Lack faith. Want to see a sign (12:38; 16:1).

 

Do you lack faith because you have not seen anything spectacular from God?

 

Do you lack faith in God’s plan for your life being wonderful?

 

Can God have a great plan for you where you are right now?

 

Seek to destroy their rivals (especially the kingdom of heaven). He casts out demons by the devil (9:34). They tempt Him (16:1; 19:3). Try to trap Him in what He said (22:15).

 

Do you wish that your enemies would be destroyed or saved? Love of our enemies is a constant work.

 

Blanket solution of destroy (12:14; 21:45).

 

Knowing that many things that involve people are complex, do you pray for insight and wisdom (JAM 1:5). Our prayer life is a realm of continual repentance.

 

Assume that others are like them, i.e. that only deceit can get things done (trying to prevent them from taking Jesus’ body, 27:62).

 

Do you judge others?

 

Do you paste your faults upon others whom you don’t really know?