John the Baptist – The Thrill of Prophetic Fire (Part A)

How many times we need prayer goal again.

I need a lot because sometimes I've made up my mind to God's already made up his mind that he's not going to answer my prayer is plenty enough time to do it hasn't done it been through this before. Why bother to go to school get and then the spirit of God says to me that you're going to get what you asked that you do ask is that I hear from that you depend on me that you not ashamed to come to me this is cross reference radio with our pastor and teacher Rick Gaston. Rick is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Mechanicsville. Pastor Rick is currently teaching through the book of Genesis. Please stay with us after today's message more information about cross reference radio, specifically how you can get a free copy of this teaching, but for now let's join Pastor Rick in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 3 as he begins his message. The thrill of prophetic fire going to consider character that is rather commonplace to us, but I think very beneficial, especially the time the political atmosphere that is surrounding us and that is John the Baptist and this evening's message is called the thrill of prophetic fire and this should be a thrill with prophetic fire. You know, if you go camping when that fire gets lit there's a thrill. There's a warmth. No pun intended, but there's just something nice about getting that campfire going, how much greater. One was speaking about holiness and the people of God. And so if you have your Bibles would you open to Matthews gospel chapter 3 Matthews gospel chapter 3 and the first verse is our text. It sets the pace for everything and then we go when we fill in what hopefully the Lord is sharing with us as an assembly and individuals like in their text is simply this.

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea first heart is will who's in the wilderness.

No one is twice the wilderness, but the timing was so much of God. The man was so ready by God. The people were so ripe for God's message they came to him, but he went to the wilderness and that alone is miraculous. But our text starts off with those days will those days were days of self indulgent tyrannical Roman Caesars unstable, violent mood, corrupt, angry, hostile towards the Jews, the God of the Jews and then in those days when John was in the wilderness preaching.

There were the corrupt clergy. The priest at the temple Sanhedrin. The Pharisees, there were the zealots. There were the people who wanted the corruption because they benefited from. And then there were the people who were starving for hope, hoping that God would not forget them that he would respond. This is not too much different than it is now we have corrupt government not just politicians the government the people in the offices are are corrupt, they want the power they lust for the power they enjoy the power they want more of it and then we have churches that are sold out, but still doing business as church or be a law against that you no longer preaching Christ the whole church thing is related to him call yourself something else. But that's not what's happening.

How convenient for Satan.

I used to say this all the time you known as a child watching war movies whenever the bad guys dressed up in uniform of the good guys. You knew a good guy you like was going to die because it was effective and it is effective when Satan dresses up like a Christian is much harm John's times were very similar to the days of Elisha's in both cases it called for a man with fire in his blood with fire in his blood for God's truth there many true the spirited truth on how to make a wheel well to start you can't be square, but that's not what we mean by God's truth that is the truth of creation and that since it is God's truth. The women concerning God himself, the person of the supreme being of creation, both spiritual and end of the physical and invisible, and these were days when wrongdoing was so prevalent that only man of passion could get something done, only people who had fire in their heart for truth could be used in such a way that they would actually get something done.

I think of the hymns is talking one of our brothers yesterday and we are talking about the hymns adjusted the distance in a separate class that doesn't mean all the songs they abandon outward singing, but it does mean that there are still distinct. Nonetheless, I think many of the songs that came out of the Jesus movement were very much anointed songs but still in a different class. I sing ones better than the other answered preference, but it's indisputable that the old hymns were born out of a time that I don't know that we've revisited the same passion the same intellect the same depth and I don't know what that is right and wrong. I only see it and try to call it like I see it as best I can but the thing about John the Baptist and Elisha is that you could not ignore those men to some degree, you could ignore a Mordechai Heyman could not because Mordechai got to a place with a fire so took over in a righteous way to lose control. But he was rather defiant in the face of this wrongdoer. I think the pertinence of such messages when we examine a character like John the Baptist.

We ask, is there a thrill in me for prophetic fire. Do I have any of this with gigantic how does it work will it do with it what I get to burn up as fire has to burn something, it feeds off something we burn up the lies. If were going to use it. It's what's missing is the fire of hypocrisy of prophetic fire of God linked to his word, not associated with people trying to stir up the Holy Spirit but devout convicted people who have seen God enough to act. That's what I want to get from the consideration of such a man of God and how the Holy Spirit worked in him. John wanted nothing to do with corrupted Judaism. This is important to I think we never see him ministering at the temple in Jerusalem. Even though he had a double ironic category. In other words, his mother and father came from the line of Aaron the priesthood was a closed system. You could not appoint yourself to the priesthood. You had to be born into it a little different from the royal priesthood that we enjoy when you are born again into it, but the ironic priesthood named after Aron, the first high priest of Israel. You had to be born in the family and the church in the clan of Aron, our own and John's parents both of them. Luke chapter 1 verse five there was in the days of Herod, these same rotten days pretty much immune course before John was born, but not much different in the days of Herod the king of Judah certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abbaye Asia.

His wife was of the daughter of Aron and her name was Elizabeth, mother and father both related to Aaron and yet their son with his miraculous birth from heaven is never seen at the Temple ministering as a priest because he was fed up he would have anything to do it. Those people the corruption was just too much for him so he goes to the wilderness. He rather go to the Judean wilderness then be in Jerusalem. What a rebuke on the people how consistent how in line with Ezekiel telling us of the Shekinah backing out of the temple.

The exit plan of God on out of here I will not associate with myself with this same thing happened to John were a few good men in Jerusalem. Simeon was one of them.

For example, but John's position was. I am sure not to be with him in Jerusalem that the Savior suggested he knew Simeon but he knew they were still good men interest but that's not where he was going to set up camp and fight the lies, the wrongdoing that were dragging people down in this life, and many down after this life to ear retrievable health and so it looks gospel in chapter 3.

We further read about our text in Matthew chapter 3 Matthew 31. Our text in those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea and then in Luke's gospel chapter 3 verse two while Annas and Caiaphas were high priest pause there lumps these two criminals and together. Annas was a high priest of the Jew. That's the one.

The people want to but Caiaphas was the one appointed by Rome. They didn't like to work with Annas and so Luke Keene on the scent of what was historically taking place and politically going on.

He captures it he says that they were both high priest when the law called for one and Esther Smith is so consistent with the accuracy of Luke. The Gentile physician and then it continues the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness where God met him out of the temple in the wilderness and he went into all the region around Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins yeah baby that's what I want. That's the kind of man to God. I want to be. I want God to meet me where God is put me and hopefully is put me in a place where I have distanced myself from that which is corrupt, especially when it associates itself with his name and yet we got Christians buying any book out there that's on the bestsellers list, regardless of content because it makes them feel good. Doesn't make God feel good. It should make us feel good, that's not complicated. I think it's rather profound and so simple, but is so true.

John's position was looking they don't need another priest we need a profit. I'll be that man. I will I will walk away from the priesthood, and walk in to a prophetic office. I will thunder God's word if he would have me do it and he knew God was going to have him do it, so no need for another priest but a prophet, and he was right, we say do you really need another church. I mean really have a place not far from your culture.

She'll visit a church on every corner. We need less churches with more people in the churches who are prophetic and thrilled with the fire of prophecy to be unleashed on a loss, culture, and preach it is the Holy Spirit will teach simply teaching the word of God simply opens up its fire if we don't hear sermons like this we will wilt and die will go away will be here for the pulpit means so much again. You know that the world puts all this emphasis on counseling.

The church puts the emphasis on the pulpit because the church's position is what the Bible's position is that he is the wonderful counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting father he has appointed. He is given to the church.

He doesn't steal from the church as some Christians do for whatever cause they find important. He gives to the church because that's where his people are Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want that shepherd leads me to a place where I can feed and get strong and be nourished and help others, and so the Jordan and the springs of the promise land became the temple and the pulpit for John that's wise in the wilderness offset my pulpit up by five pond of water and use that water also as his pulpit as the pew is the place the temple of God and so if you look at this man, John the Baptist, and you find out he's got this priestly pedigree that he has walked away from. Not from God but from what men had done with it.

Disable what would have given him the authority to do this is birth.

His parents would've told him about the morale of the miracles surrounding the announcement of his birth, the coming of his birth, the Christ, whom he was the forerunner for he would've known this is my authority would've dawned on him or been a great epiphany or it would've been an incessant walk in the sunshine of God's revelation and that's what I think it was.

I think when when he was being told the story from the time he could understand stories that fire was burning in him hotter every day and as he grew older and his dad would take him to the temple and perform the priestly duties and he would watch the Lord was teaching him all the time preparing him for such a time as this was such a another little story of Esther. That phrase is so profound and that story. Who knows, but for such a time as this God is put you in the palace who knows where you work where views go to school where you live, maybe for such a time as this God put you there.

Are you going to be ready.

That was what Esther had to face thanks Mordechai for being such a godly man convicts people here again we find similarity between John the Baptist and Eliza, and there is a is is not only a link. It's a dynamic link is this a force that belongs pushing within this connection between these two men and another one Eliza knew of the prophetic authority he knew that it was imperative that you could not speak on behalf of of God unless God at first giving you that authority. The prophecy, for example, of Isaiah is so much right about Messiah. He speaks so much. I know almost 900 years before the event and beyond because much of his prophecy as a do the millennial reign of Christ. God given that authority will go to take one picture from the life of Elijah and first Kings. God tells the prophet it's going to rain first Kings chapter 18 verse when it came to pass after many days of the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year, third year of the drought single percent is still present yourself to Ahab, the skunk that Bible to put that I can put that there because it's true and his wife affectionately referred to as dog meat. You have to know the storage appreciated. It is a sermon for the lost about a very real health which makes dogs look like stuffed animals were supposed to preach the story of Jezebel as a continues go present so they have and I will send rain on the earth. Okay, those of I is a got that he got it. Just like when God said, hey, go tell Ahab's neck and rain for three years. Now he's telling him it's gonna rain now verse 43 of first Kings 18 Eliza speaking to his servant go up now look toward the sea. So he went and looked and said there is nothing and seven times. He said go again. How many times we need that in prayer goal again. I need a lot because sometimes I've made up my mind that God's already made up his mind that he's not going to answer my prayer had plenty enough time to do it hasn't done it been through this before. Why bother and spirited goddesses go again and then the spirit of God says to me that you're going to get what you asked that you do ask is that I hear from you that you depend on me that you not ashamed to come to me that you are man enough because of the Holy Spirit to accept my know is your answer and that you know by faith I will hold your prayer forever in my heart. Amen that I will go again because the story goes, he goes in and rains so my point is, John the Baptist got this authority to distance himself from the corrupt care about their feelings. They care about what they said about him. Today we have people to see that about the Catholics there all and I'll say that about anybody in you should know that biblically out of line with Jesus Christ and still claiming to be under his authority not can have it both ways you can. Just don't expect me to applaud it is not arrogance. That's what we here for this is the prophetic fire that thrills us. That's why we love such characters in Scripture such as Elijah, and Tempest my servant who was martyred. You read that is what I want to be me, but I sure would like.

Note know more about this guy, because we were born again this fire. This appreciation for the drill. This is an emotional moment that in the Christian is linked to faith to Jesus Christ is that yeah is that I mean it. No joy. Sometimes down in the dumps and then sometimes it's physical sometimes you just need to eat something maybe need some sleep.

Get away from somebody does mechanical things could be involve hindering the joy champion Christians have joy no matter what, I'm not a champion yet, but I do know that God wants me to overcome and I don't want to overcome… Easy that's on overcoming the system joy as you get older you get a little tired of this but then you get wiser to that offsets the weariness to begin this a.m. tired of it but I know how this game is played and I'm going to play it as though there's a Hall of Fame for me.

In Hebrews 11 to not Hebrews 11 verse two. Hebrews 11 also has a John here's John the Baptist with this authority. He's fed up with those who played games in God's name is done with them, distances himself, Eliza and John assumed their roles as men of God because of God, not in their own strength and it does get irritated with this thing saw the wrong and that was that Nick does not want to do my thing.

They waited for the voice of God to lead them and that is the part. Also, I think that pertains to us today is to identify what is my role as a Christian. What is my short-term my long-term you know the business exec that will come up and say will where you see yourself in five years leading more people to have and that's where I see myself in five years because the business where you can keep that some words that might not be fair, but it could be part of the answer. When is it not fair. He's asking a question concerning the business were giving answers concerning life and so that is fair that we give answers concerning life but not to a fault where we are not able to communicate with people about the things that surround us and so Eliza and John assumed their roles that God had given them in their day one.

His role was dominated by the power of miracles.

That was Eliza when he showed up. Fire could be not far away. I made it to be quickly cursed God's guys going lightning down on people. John, on the other hand, his power was in preaching. In fact he's called the Herald the corrupt, in the Greek the one this is make way for the king. He's coming, it's still the ancient Bay CIA owner, CIA, Secret Service, you know that they go ahead of the leader and they make sure the rotor is clear for him well in the ancient kingdoms. There were runners that were sent before the king's entourage to make so the roof of the roads were clear and people were out of the way and everybody behave the way they were supposed to behave. That was John's role for Jesus Christ weapons of our warfare being spiritual and it was his intolerance of false faith that led him to be so outspoken and rebuked the sin in anybody that came in to either side of this bad. It was parallel murderous Herod and Tempest that is it John the Baptist you are supposed to have your brother's wife care who you are. You cut my head off going to care, but not enough. That's what happened to him will get back to a little bit of that.

Not too much and why the glory always makes us wake up. He preach Christ by exalting Christ and telling people this is the only way to him.

I got to sandal straps are not getting this.

This is so righteous I don't deserve to touch them that that's the idea behind this there stands one among you knew it was already here and was preaching it, but the way to this holy one was through repentance group calling sin sin and not pretend he was anything less and to pretend that sin is less than what it is is due immediately distance yourself from the Savior. He saves us from sin so he preach Christ exalting him. Matthew chapter 3 how text is verse one but now quoting verse two. This is what he preached, saying, repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Now this is true in any age is essentially what Noah preached it in diet any minute, and the kingdom of heaven is at hand. And if you haven't repented it on acts chapter 13 the apostle Paul in the synagogue, not in Israel. Now in the Gentile world is preaching a sermon and he's using John the Baptist as his text. He says that after John had first preached. Acts chapter 13. Before his coming before the Christ came the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel and as John was finishing his course. He said who do you think I am. I am not he.

But behold, there comes one after me sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to lose Paul picked up on that part of John's message and it resonated his heart move you've been listening to cross reference radio daily radio ministry of Pastor Rick Gaston of Calvary Chapel in Mechanicsville, Virginia.

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