Prepare The Way

Gospel Light Church

Matthew Series

March 29th, 2026

PREPARE THE WAY

Matthew 3:1-17

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”[a] 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare[b] the way of the Lord;
make his paths straight.’”

4 Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. ”Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him,[c] and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son,[d] with whom I am well pleased.

Before Jesus does a public work through you, He wants to do a deep work in you.

INTRO:

Matthew 3 shifts the scene dramatically. After silence and genealogy, now comes a voice crying out in the wilderness.

“In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea…” (Matthew 3:1)

Before Jesus begins His ministry, God sends a messenger to prepare hearts.

• God always prepares before He moves.

Before a king would visit a city in the ancient world, roads were cleared, obstacles removed, and paths made straight. John is doing that spiritually.

C.S. Lewis said:

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains.”
John is God’s “shout” to a spiritually dull nation.

I. THE CALL TO TRUE REPENTANCE (Matthew 3:1–6)

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

John’s message is simple but piercing: Repent.

A. Repentance is urgent

• “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” = it’s here, it’s near, it’s now

“Repentance is the first step in real religion.” – Matthew henry

B. Repentance is visible

“They were baptized by him… confessing their sins.” (v.6)

• Not private regret, but public transformation
• Confession accompanies repentance

“Repentance is not just feeling sorry—it is a change of direction.” – David Guzik

C. Repentance prepares the way for Jesus

“Make his paths straight.” (v.3)

• Crooked hearts must be straightened
• Pride must be lowered
• Sin must be removed

You don’t pour new wine into a dirty vessel. Repentance cleans the vessel so Christ can fill it.

• Where have I grown comfortable with sin?
• What needs to be straightened in my life?

II. THE WARNING AGAINST EMPTY RELIGION (Matthew 3:7–10)

“Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.”

John confronts the religious leaders—Pharisees and Sadducees.

A. Religion without repentance is dangerous

“You brood of vipers!” (v.7)

• Strong language because eternal stakes are high

“You can be religious and still be spiritually dead.” – Skip Heitzig

B. Heritage does not equal salvation

“We have Abraham as our father…” (v.9)

• They trusted in lineage instead of transformation
• God is not impressed with spiritual resumes

“External privileges… will not save us without inward grace.” – Matthew Henry

C. Fruit is the evidence of repentance

“Every tree… that does not bear good fruit is cut down…” (v.10)

• Real repentance produces real change

“No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good.” C. S Lewis

An apple tree doesn’t strain to produce apples—it produces fruit because it is alive.
If there is no fruit, there is no life.

• Am I relying on church attendance or true transformation?
• Is there visible fruit in my life?

III. THE COMING OF A GREATER ONE (Matthew 3:11–17)

“He who is coming after me is mightier than I…”

John shifts focus from himself to Jesus.

A. Jesus brings a greater baptism (v.11)

• John: water (external)
• Jesus: Holy Spirit and fire (internal transformation)

“John’s work was preparation; Jesus’ work is transformation.” – David Guzik

B. Jesus brings judgment and salvation (v.12)

“His winnowing fork is in his hand…”

• Wheat gathered → salvation
• Chaff burned → judgment

Jesus is not just Savior—He is also Judge.

C. Jesus fulfills all righteousness (v.13–15)

“Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” – vs. 15

Why was Jesus baptized?

• Not for repentance (He had no sin)
• But for identification with sinners
• To fulfill God’s plan completely

“Jesus didn’t need baptism—but we needed Him to be baptized.” – Skip Heitzig

D. The Father affirms the Son (v.16–17)

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

• The Trinity is revealed:
  • Son baptized
  • Spirit descending
  • Father speaking

“God will own and honor those who own and honor Him.” – Matthew Henry

• Before Jesus does a single miracle or sermon, the Father declares His pleasure.
  Identity comes before activity.
• Am I submitted to Jesus as Savior and Judge?
• Am I living from identity or striving for approval?

PREPARE YOUR HEART

Matthew 3 gives us a clear progression:

1. Repentance prepares the way
2. Religion without transformation is empty
3. Jesus is the One who changes everything