Veritas Columbus Sermons

Q: Was there ever a time when you experienced being in the presence of greatness - a great man or woman? Or have you ever wondered what it would be like to meet someone really famous? In Brad’s last few sermons he has explained just how famous John was at the time, and that many people came seeking him. But John went our of his way to say that the One following him was greater still. We often think of Jesus as our friend - which is absolutely true; but how might we miss or gloss over the greatness of Christ in our prayers and our reading of Scripture? The very rich and famous are just created people; they are human. Even a famous and righteous man - like John - still pales in comparison to our King…do we remind ourselves of this and experience awe of His presence in our lives?

Q: Jesus said John was the greatest prophet to have lived, yet still wouldn’t hold a candle to the least in the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 11:1), and John himself said he wasn’t fit to take off Jesus’ sandal (Matt. 3:11). How is it possible to be so great, and yet, compared to those in the kingdom…not?

Q: Given what Pastor Brad said about the (rather disgusting) nature of feet in Jesus’ day, what is the significance of Jesus’ act of washing the disciple’s feet (John 13)? What part of us needs washed by Jesus to “have part with him”?

Q: John is saying there’s a difference between his baptism, and the baptism of the Spirit which Jesus will bring later. What’s the difference?

Q: Continuing that thought - what does John mean by being “baptized in the Holy Spirit and fire”?

Q: Sometimes life feels really unsettled, as though its just blowing us everywhere, as if we are untethered and unsure of what life will be like from day to day. How does the Holy Spirit anchor us to Christ throughout the violence of life’s threshing/winnowing? (Leaders: There is a sense of safety that we will not end up on the threshing floor, but in the barn. It is Scripture and the gospel that reminds us forgetful fretting people that our identity is in Christ).

J.C. Ryle once said of Matthew 3: “Take comfort, I say once more, if you have really come to Christ. Take comfort, and know your privileges. Cast every care on Jesus. Tell every need to Jesus. Roll every burden on Jesus...He loves to see His people ceasing from the vain effort to carry their burdens for themselves. Only be among Christ's wheat now — and then, in the great day of separation, as sure as the Bible is true — you shall be in Christ's barn forever!”

APPLICATION:
1. We are prone to self-justify.
2. Our need is for transformed hearts.

COMMUNITY GROUP REFLECTION:
1. Do you tend to compare yourself to others or God’s Word?
2. If you’re a Christian, what are some examples of how the desires of your heart have transformed?

Q: The Ice Breaker...If you had to choose between wearing a leather belt with camel’s hair clothing OR eating locusts with honey…which would you choose?

Q: John started what became the christian practice of baptism, how do you think the understanding or purpose of baptism changed before and after Jesus’ death and resurrection? (see Romans 6:1-11 for help) If you have been baptized as a believer, share about that experience, what was powerful about it? How does it remind you of and demonstrate what is true for you in the gospel?

Q: John calls the Pharisees and Sadducees a “brood of vipers”, based on what you know of Pharisees and Sadducees, what prompts Jesus to use that terminology…why is he calling them out? (You might reference matthew 23 and the woes for background reference) What things (teachings or idols or behaviors) are you often tempted to think are appealing and good, but are actually a brood of vipers?

Q: If you were living in John’s day, what would he say to you when you approached him for baptism? What would lead you out to the Jordan River?

Q: What was the purpose and mission of John's baptism; how does it differ from the way we practice baptism today? (if you use the question above this one may seem repetitive.)

John Piper says this about baptism, "The way of salvation is repentance and faith in Christ, not ethnic identity or birth to Christian parents. God calls us today, no matter who our parents were, and no matter what ritual we received as infants: God calls us today to repent and believe on Christ alone for salvation and to receive the new sign of the new covenant of the people of God: the sign of repentance and faith, baptism. So I call on every one of you who has not followed Christ in this way, "Repent and be baptized”. This is the call of God. This is the path of obedience and life.”

Q: What are the “presumptions” in your life that tell you that you’re “okay"? For the Jews in Palestine during John’s day, it was “Abraham’s my father, I’m okay” or “I follow the law in every point” (what is our “presumption”?)

Q: What has to take place in someone’s heart to 1. go out to see John, and then 2. confess sins in front of a crowd of strangers and friends? What has to take place in OUR hearts in order for true repentance to take place? What do we need to come to/realize? (is this a motive from fear of God/love of God?)

Q: How is it possible to truly bear fruit? (Abiding in the True Israel, the True Vine, Jesus Christ).

Q: What are some ways that Christ has called you to be a co-laborer with Him in His vineyard?

1. John's first words recorded in Matthew are tough ones. Pastor Nick described them as a "defibrillator to our dead hearts." When you read this words, what emotions or feelings do you experience? Frustration? Comfort? Conviction?

2. The first words of the Pharisees and Sadducees portray the true presumption upon which they were standing. Their identity as children of Abraham gave them a false confidence about their standing with God. What sort of presumptions do you see most people in our context leaning on? What about you - what are some of your presumptions? (consider this: on what basis do you know that you are saved?)

3. Adopting John's (and Pastor Nick's) imagery of a tree producing fruit as an analogy for a person's life, what do you think makes a good, living tree? What does good fruit look like? When you consider your life, do you see good fruit?

4. Pastor Nick reminded us that confession, repentance, and following Christ are fruits that lead to true life. Do you actually believe that this practice of living out of weakness is what truly provides strength, life, and freedom? Why/why not?

5. As a community group, consider this: are people able to fall apart within your group OR is there more of a "serpentine" environment waiting to strike down it's next vulnerable victim? What would it look like to grow into a space where people can be open about their sin? What are some practical changes you could make?

Q: When you hear John the Baptist’s message about the kingdom and repentance, what conclusion do you draw about God's heart for his people and his design in sending John before Jesus?

Q: It had been 400 years since God had sent a profit to his people; this silence was basically broken by one word: repent. What comes to mind when you hear the word “repent”?

Theologian D.A. Carson says that the word repentance has often been explained as “to change one’s mind” or to “be sorry for something” but that neither is really adequate. He says that “what is meant is not a merely intellectual change of mind or mere grief, still less doing penance, but a radical transformation of the entire person, a fundamental turnaround involving mind and action and including overtones of grief, which results in “fruit in keeping with repentance.”

Q: How do you see yourself responding to John’s message if you lived in those days?

Q: Some really took John’s to heart, admitting their sinfulness and need to repent, but others scornfully rejected him. What about his message made people react in the way they did?

Q: John quotes from Isaiah 40 - a passage we studied as a church not long ago. Why does it matter that he is drawing from this passage? Is there anything of significance that stuck with you from what we learned on Sunday morning?

Q: Isaiah’s message of a coming King (and kingdom) figures prominently in John the Baptist’s words and ministry. As a group it might be helpful to read through Isaiah 40 together, and think about/discuss how Jesus fulfills the kingly role Isaiah is anticipating.