Note for 20250523

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

According to Matthew

Part 120 - Mat 3 - Who Told You

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The House of Bread · Note for 20250523 - The Gospel of Jesus Christ - Part 120 - Mat 3 - Who Told You

Matthew 3:1-17 KJV

[1] In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judæa, [2] and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. [3] For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight. [4] And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. [5] Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judæa, and all the region round about Jordan, [6] and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. [7] But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? [8] Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: [9] and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. [10] And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. [11] I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: [12] whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. [13] Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. [14] But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? [15] And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. [16] And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: [17] and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.3.1-17.KJV

There is something undeniable the believer in Jesus Christ knows, and that is that there are those who will not see the Kingdom of Heaven. John takes this on head-on when he addresses the Pharisees and scribes with the profound statement that the axe is at the tree.

Matthew 3:8-9 KJV

[8] Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: [9] and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.3.8-9.KJV

You know the account of the baptism of Jesus Christ, not? You have just heard it here in Matthew 3. Are you able to hear the warning? Don't consider yourself saved because you are born from believing parents. Not even the Pastor's child, neither the children of Abraham, as it is written here quite clearly. There is a requirement of Spiritual fruit. The axe is against the tree.

There is a certain silliness that is making its rounds, especially here in South Africa. Those that call them the seed of Abraham, just like these that came to John the baptist. They also came to Christ, always laying in wait to catch Him by His words. The entire New Testament makes it clear, it is not of the seed of the flesh, but of the seed of the Spirit. For many that come to faith, it is like turning stones into children of Abraham.

Earlier this week, I was questioned about "the fire" in verse 11 here. The Holy Spirit we know of, or at least, I hope you do by now; but what of the fire mentioned then? What is that? The answer might be too much to answer here in text, because of the constraint we have on time. So often it is time that frustrates me, there always seems to be a lack of it. Because of that I will just briefly give a few verses, though this will still fall far short.

Mark 9:49-50 KJV

[49] For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. [50] Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

https://bible.com/bible/1/mrk.9.49-50.KJV

Acts 14:22 KJV

[22] confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

https://bible.com/bible/1/act.14.22.KJV

1 Peter 4:12-13 KJV

[12] Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: [13] but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

https://bible.com/bible/1/1pe.4.12-13.KJV

Please take note that these are just a few I grabbed at this moment. It is as a refinement of metal by fire, so these circumstances the believer face day-on-day shapes us into worthy vessels to receive the glory that awaits us. It is not just by the Holy Spirit, but also of enduring all until the end.

Your family bloodline, your people's heritage, that is not what saves the soul of mankind. No, you know the words, we are sinners saved by Grace. But even Christ explained to Nicodemus about the rebirth process. So, just the mere mention of "and fire" in verse 11 here requires a full study in scripture to define, while the Christian believer faces that day-to-day. We know it, but it takes a bit to define it to others, which has made me wonder, do they know it? Christ said this world loves its own.

John 15:19 KJV

[19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.15.19.KJV

So, it is almost like we experience those tribulations that await the nonbelievers, here and now under the Grace of GOD, that we can walk right through that fire with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When we endure until the end, then our fire trials are done my friends, and like Shadrach, Messiach and Abednego; we will walk out unharmed. And please note friends, this is a very abbreviated talk on that which is also known as the process of sanctification and deliverance. But, it is here in this text, with a wealth of texts in the Word of GOD on that.

Even so did Israel go through the baptism of the water at the red sea, and fire at the mountain of GOD. Was David not hunted by Saul? Did Saul not face the Amalakites, Gideon the Medianites and Elijah, the prophets of Baal? Who endured until the end? Was Elijah not even collected to be taken to GOD in Heaven?

All of this lies in just two words added in verse 11, "and fire." But, then there are those who never suffered here, they had prosperity in all. Psalm 37 speaks very clearly to that. Are you for the storeroom of GOD, or for the fire? It will take endurance, but GOD sent us another comforter in the Holy Ghost, who comes in the Name of Jesus Christ.

It would have benefited if there was more time this morning to write here, and in the voice recording today, I will try to expand a little more. But know also of those who are called out as a generation of vipers. If you only see half of the truth, how will you suffer for not understanding? GOD and the children of GOD have an enemy here on earth.

Selah, Shalom.

The House of Bread

(NOTE: If You feel that you want more, please take note that this here is basically just the notes for the Audio version of the Note. There is much more in the Audio and Video Versions of the Daily Notes)

Verse of The Day

From the YouVersion Bible App

Matthew 25:34 KJV

[34] Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.25.34.KJV