1. John the Baptist confronts the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, calling them "offspring of vipers" and questioning who warned them to flee from the coming wrath of God. 2. He tells them to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance, not relying on their lineage from Abraham, saying God can raise up children from stones. 3. True repentance involves changing one's actions, with examples given of sharing possessions with those in need.

1. THE FRUITS OF TRUE REPENTANCE Part 1 Mathew 3: 7 to 10

2. 1.) The Congregation “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism . . . “ vs. 7

3. Who were the Pharisees and The Sadducees ? There were three major religious sects during the time of Jesus, The Pharisees, The Sadducees and the Essense

4. Difference between the Pharisees & Sadducees: Doesn’t care about “Hellenism” Only cares about their political standing Believes in a independent Israel, struggled for the purification of Jewish culture Political stand Unknown, possible from Zadok, High priest in the time of King Solomon Comes from the Hasidim (pious) a group that originated during the Macabean period Origins Sadducees Pharisees

5. Aristocrats Mostly commoners Position in society Compromising stand, free thinker Separatist stand, ritualistic, legalistic Known to be Doesn’t believe in the resurrection, believes in free will alone Believes in the resurrection, believes both in freedom and divine will. Theological differences Does not believe in oral tradition. Believes only Scripture is Superior, believes in superiority of the first 5 books Two standards of divine truth, Scripture and Oral tradition View of Scripture Sadducees Pharisees

7. 2.) The Confrontation “. . . he said unto them, Ye offspring of vipers , who warned you to flee from the wrath to come ? “ vs. 7

11. Genuine Salvation = Repentance + Faith Proof of real repentance = “Fruits worthy of repentance”

12. Luke 3: 7 -14 “ 7Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin 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. 9And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 10And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?

13. 11He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. 12Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? 13And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. 14And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages“

14. The Jews are no stranger to repentance in fact in Isaiah chapter 1: 16 it says “ "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean, put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes, cease to do evil, learn to do well, seek justice, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow."

15. However John believes they would not respond to the invitation to repent so he rebuked their reliance upon their being children of Abraham. ” 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.

16. Most of the Notes in this slide are lifted from John MacArthur’s Bible Commentary on the book of Mathew. For Bible study Guide notes, sermon notes and the audio message of this series by John MacArthur visit www.gty.org . Other inputs and revision of outlines and notes by Zigfred Diaz To download other slides that can be used for sermons visit the Master’s Community Fellowship website at www.tmcf.zdiaz.com