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Matthew 3:1-17 (NIRV)

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¹ In those days John the Baptist came and preached in the Desert of Judea. ² He said, "Turn away from your sins! The kingdom of heaven is near." ³ ⁴ John's clothes were made out of camel's hair. He had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. ⁵ People went out to him from Jerusalem and all of Judea. They also came from the whole area around the Jordan River. ⁶ When they admitted they had sinned, John baptized them in the Jordan. ⁷ John saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing. He said to them, "You are like a nest of poisonous snakes! Who warned you to escape the coming of God's anger? ⁸ Produce fruit that shows you have turned away from your sins. ⁹ Don't think you can say to yourselves, 'Abraham is our father.' I tell you, God can raise up children for Abraham even from these stones. ¹⁰ The ax is already lying at the roots of the trees. All the trees that don't produce good fruit will be cut down. They will be thrown into the fire. ¹¹ "I baptize you with water, calling you to turn away from your sins. But after me, one will come who is more powerful than I am. And I'm not fit to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. ¹² His pitchfork is in his hand to clear the straw from his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the storeroom. But he will burn up the husks with fire that can't be put out." ¹³ Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River. He wanted to be baptized by John. ¹⁴ But John tried to stop him. He told Jesus, "I need to be baptized by you. So why do you come to me?" ¹⁵ Jesus replied, "Let it be this way for now. It is right for us to do this. It carries out God's holy plan." Then John agreed. ¹⁶ As soon as Jesus was baptized, he came up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened. Jesus saw the Spirit of God coming down on him like a dove. ¹⁷ A voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, and I love him. I am very pleased with him."

This passage relates to the following topic(s):
(v. 2) Repentance - John the baptist - "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
(v. 6) Confession - John - Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him
(v. 11) Humility - John the Baptist - One is coming, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie

This passage relates to the following question(s):
(v. 2) What is the difference between the "Kingdom of God" and the "Kingdom of Heaven"? Kingdom of heaven is near

This passage is referenced in the following quiet time(s):
(v. 3) Prayer of the Righeous - More Powerful Than We Can Imagine (part II) (2013-03-06)
(v. 7) Master Plan - Reproduction (part 2) (2009-12-15)
(v. 8) Master Plan - Reproduction (part 2) (2009-12-15)
(v. 11) Jesus with People - Humility in Action (2009-01-17)
(v. 14) Mind of Christ - Servant (part II) (2011-07-26)
(v. 14) Support (2015-12-02)
(v. 17) Mind of Christ - Obedience (part III) (2011-06-23)
(v. 17) Fearing God - A Father's Pain (2011-08-29)
(v. 17) Assurance (2015-07-30)

This passage is referenced in the following study note(s):
(v. 1) Sermon: God calls Man to do the Impossible (2012-01-14)
(v. 2) Sermon: God calls Man to do the Impossible (2012-01-14)

Definition(s):
Abraham (Ab-ra-ham): father of a great multitude
Abraham (Ehb-ra-ham): father of a great multitude
Galilee (Gal-ih-lee): wheel; revolution
Isaiah (Eye-zeh-a): the salvation of the Lord
Isaiah (Eye-zy-a): the salvation of the Lord
Jerusalem (Je-roo-sa-lem): vision of peace
Jesus (Jeez-us): savior; deliverer
Jordan (Jor-dan): the river of judgment
Pharisees (Fehr-iss-ees): set apart
Sadducees (Sad-you-sees): followers of Sadoc, or Zadok
So (Soh):