PODCAST
An Inconvenient Preacher
November 28th, 2012
Matthew 3:1-12
“Want to go hear this new preacher?”
“Sure, where is he preaching?” I ask.
“I don’t know, somewhere in the wilderness perhaps down by the river. He is preaching and baptizing people. People are going to him from all over. Even the top leaders are going to check him out.”
“Have you ever walked to the river?” I inquired. “It is miles downhill and uphill all the way back. There is little water, no food, and nowhere to stay. This guy must be some great preacher if people are going there to hear him.”
“I can’t say if he is really a great preacher. They say he only has one message, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’”
“Let’s see,” I summarize. “People are marching into the wilderness to hear this preacher with one message, ‘repent.’ Some are getting baptized. But, I don’t understand why? Why would children of Abraham need to repent?”
The friend suddenly remembered something, “That’s it! It’s not about him; it is about the one who will follow–the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. He has been sent to prepare the way for the Lord.”
“So, when are we going?” I ask.
Tags: Jesus
November 28th, 2012 at 5:18 am
“—the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
From explanation, this is the tongues of fire at Pentecost (taking the receipt of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament on various individuals to the “body of believers” in the New Testament).
The tongues of fire could also represent the refining fire that comes with the world’s judgment & immature Christian judgment (James 3:5).
Furthermore, in Acts 2:3 the tongues separating could represent the “not peace but division” (Luke 12:49-51) that comes with being one of Jesus’ disciple (Matthew 10:36-37).
Fire brings light and “tests” the quality of character (1 Corinthians 3:13), getting rid of the worthless to God (Matthew 3:12) until the fire overcomes you (rather than you overcoming the fire – putting it out). (Hebrews 12:29)
November 28th, 2012 at 6:32 am
“Heavenly Father hear our call,
Let your Holy Spirit fall,
Send down the power let it fall like rain,
As we lift our praises to your name.
Send it on down, Send it on down, Lord let your Holy Ghost come on down!”
November 28th, 2012 at 9:19 am
Thanks for joining in Steve.