Repentance Part V: Bring forth good fruit

Repentance Part V

Repentance Part V

The Preaching of John the Baptist

Matthew 3:1-12

King James Version (KJV)

3 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

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 Judaea, 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.

Definition:  Repent: (Gr. Metanoeo) means a change of mind that results in a change of behavior, lifestyle, or conduct. 

Repentance is not just sorrow.  Repentance is complete change of attitude toward sin and complete reverence toward God and his holy character.  Repentance is accompanied by sorrow for one’s sins along with a change in conduct.   Both Jesus and John the Baptist came preaching: Repent.  (Matthew 3:2, 8; Matthew 4:17*)

In this lesson, we will focus on verses 7 -9.  In lesson III we learned who Pharisees and Sadducees were.  Let’s review the definitions:

Pharisees:  A section or party of the Jews prominent during New Testament times, known for their dedication to religion especially matters concerning ritual purity.

Sadducees: An aristocratic, conservative party of the Jews prominent during New Testament times.  As a distinct party they did not survive the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.

Let’s look at this passage of scripture closely.  Verse 7, John the Baptist, the Prophet is preaching along the Jordan River and the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism to be baptized of John.  John knows their religious background: 

Pharisees: pharisaios , from an Aramaic word peras (found in Daniel 5:28), signifying “to separate,” owing to a different manner of life from that of the general public.  The “Pharisees” and Sadducees appear as distinct parties in the latter half of the 2^nd century, B.C., though they represent tendencies traceable much earlier in Jewish history (Judaism) tendencies which became pronounced after the return from Babylon (537 B.C.)  In their zeal for the Law they almost deified it and their attitude became merely external, formal, and mechanical.  They laid stress, not upon the righteousness of an action, but upon its formal correctness. Consequently, their opposition to Christ was inevitable; His manner of life and teaching was essentially a condemnation of theirs; His denunciation of them (Matthew 6:2, 5, 16; 15:7; 23^rd chapter.) 

While the Jews continued to be divided into these two parties, the spread of the testimony of the gospel must have produced what in the public eye seemed to be a new sect, and in the extensive development which took place at Antioch, Acts 11:19-26, the name “Christians” seems to have become a popular term applied to the disciples as a sect, the primary cause, however, being their witness to Christ. The opposition of both “Pharisees” and Sadducees (still mutually antagonistic, Acts 23:6-10) against the new “sect” continued unabated during apostolic times.  (“Vines”)

The Pharisees and Sadducees were very religious, not righteous.  Jesus actually called them hypocrites repeatedly:

Matthew 16:1-12  Jesus warns us to beware of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Matthew 22  The Pharisees and Sadducees tried to tempt Jesus. 

Matthew 23:12-14  Jesus rebukes the scribes and Pharisees.  Scribes: teachers of the law (Law of Moses) Judaism.

Matthew 23:15-16  Jesus rebukes them for being blind guides and making one a proselyte.  

Matthew 23:23  Jesus rebukes them  for omitting matters of the law, judgment, mercy and faith.

Matthew 23:25–29 Jesus rebukes the hypocrites for appearing to be righteous, but they were not.

Mark 7: 1-23  Jesus rebukes the hypocrites for being vain worshipers and having unclean hearts making the word of God of none effect by their traditions. Jesus exposes what’s in a man’s heart is what defiles him.  Defile: to make unclean.

• As you study your bible, what other scriptures do you see that Jesus called the scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees hypocrites?  What was the lesson to be learned from each rebuke?

Continuing with John the Baptist ministry of Preaching Repentance and Baptism by the Jordan River: In the early stages of John’s ministry the people received his ministry with enthusiasm and fear.  John preached in verses 7 – 9 and see Luke 3: 1-8, 10 (9-20), that they should Repent and bring forth fruit worthy of repentance and not to think that they had Abraham as their father. John taught they must bring forth good fruit or be cast into the fire, which is hell.  The people responded to the preaching of John the Baptist by asking him, what shall they do to be saved from the wrath that was to come?  John actually called them vipers (that’s a snake).  

• Didn’t a serpent deceive Eve in the Garden of Eden? Where is that found? Book, chapter, verse?
• When John called them vipers in Luke 3:7 and Matthew 3:7, why did he call them vipers, after all they were the religious elite?

Serpent is alluded to in Scripture and metaphorically used to describe the scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees in their evil character.  The serpent symbolizes sin in its origin, hatefulness and deadly effect, sin is a curse.  There is no love in sin.*

1. Proverbs 8:36

But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

2. Ezekiel 18:4

Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

3. Ezekiel 18:20

The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

For those who would love to think that they can continue in sin because Jesus died for your sins, think again. God has never given us a license to sin. He has promised the Comforter who is the Holy Spirit to give us power to become sons of God.  This is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.  The power of the Holy Ghost will help you to not sin, if you allow him to lead and guide you. (We’ll learn more about the Holy Ghost/Holy Spirit later in this study.)

Romans 6:1-3

King James Version (KJV)

6 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

² God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

³ Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

-In our Lesson, what are we repenting of?  There is one answer what is it? 

- What did the people confess when they were baptized by John?  

Verse 8 “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance (worthy of repentance)”.  Review the definition of Repentance above. In short, the term in the Old Testament for repentance in Hebrew is shub: which is more than an intellectual change of mind (legalistic, the law: practicing Judaism).  Genuine repentance is proven by the fruits of a changed life. (You will see in this study, the only way to truly change your life is by the Spirit of God.)

Matthew 3:8-9

King James Version (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.

Although the Pharisees and Sadducees were followers of Judaism observers of the Mosaic Law, John the Baptist preached to them to “bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance and not to say that Abraham was their father.”  (Jesus said in Matthew 12:49 – 50 and Mark 3:34 – 35, whoever does the will of the Father which is in heaven is his mother, sister and brother.  Matthew 7:15-20, 21 – 27, explains the actions of one that does the will of the Father and the deceitfulness of Church people who do not do the will of the Father (God). 

 

People misunderstand the purpose of why Christ came (for you to bring forth fruit), Attending church, bible study, intercessory prayer, women’s meetings, men’s meeting, singing on the praise team/choir/ praise dancers, being an instrument player, even a prophet, teacher, preacher, serving in the church on some level, is not what Jesus came for.  All of this is null and void, if you don’t bring forth good fruit in your life.

Look at what Jesus said about bring forth fruit:

Matthew 7:15-20

False Prophets and People that don’t bring forth good fruit:

¹⁵ Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

¹⁶ Ye shall know them (people) by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

¹⁷ Even so every good tree (people) bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree (people)  bringeth forth evil fruit.

¹⁸ A good tree (people) cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree (people)  bring forth good fruit.

¹⁹ Every tree (person) that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire (hell).

²⁰ Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 

The scriptures tells us, “by their fruits we will know them”. Not by the works they do, not by their service in the church, not by how faithful they are to church, prayer, bible study, choir practice attendance, etc.  Do not misunderstand; all of these things are good if you are bringing forth good fruit while you participate in them.  But they do you no good if you are only a participant.  The Lord will judge you by the fruit you produce, not by the works and rituals you perform.

Many times people are hurt by those they love and respect that are in church when they see the bad fruit.  They are quick to look at the service they perform or attendance at church. But that tells us nothing more than you are a good and faithful church attendee.  Your fruit tells you who you belong to: Good fruit to the Lord; Evil fruit to your father the devil.* (We’ll get those scriptures later in this study)

Matthew 7:21-23

Jesus said to Church people: “I never knew you”.

²¹ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

²² Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

²³ And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.



Jesus makes it very clear, just because you say his name, doesn’t mean you will enter into the kingdom of heaven. Only when you do the will of God will you enter into heaven.  These are Christians in verse 22-23 that prophesied in his name, cast out devils and done many wonderful works. Yet Jesus will say, “Depart from me, ye that work iniquity declaring he never knew you. Wow that’s pretty tight.  Now don’t even think, well I’m not a prophet, so this scripture does not apply to me.  Reread verse 21, this scripture applies to every person that claims to be serving the Lord, he said “not every one”, in verse 22, these are a few examples of what people will say to the Lord: You may say, I went to church every Sunday, I served on the usher board, I worked in the media ministry, I served on the homeless feeding program, I was an intercessor or prayer partner, I sung in the choir/ performed on  the praise team, I evangelized, I cleaned the church, I study Judaism which does not save, only Jesus saves. The list of what you have done or may be doing is endless; the point is “Are you bringing forth good fruit, fruit meet for repentance?”

-Define the word: iniquity

-Now that you have defined the word iniquity, do you have iniquity in you?  If you do, Repent. 

Read and Study Matthew 7:24-27 for greater enlightenment.

Luke 3:8

King James Version (KJV)

⁸ Bring 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.

I touched on this above.  The Pharisees and Sadducees knew the Law of Moses and practiced what is called Judaism,  and as religious as they were, they still needed to Repent, be baptized and bring forth fruit meet for repentance being warned by John the Baptist.  Nor could they say, well we have Abraham to our Father, yes Abraham was righteous in the sight of God, but they evidentially were not. Are you righteous in the eyes of the Lord? It does not matter how people view you, all that matters is how God views you. What does God see when he looks at you? Good fruit or corrupt fruit?

For those of you who don’t know Christ, your first step is to repent and be baptized in Jesus name.  Continue with the bible study to learn more.  And those of you who do know Christ, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (2 Corinthians 13:5) You can only do this by seeing what is required of you according to the Word of God: The Holy Bible. 

Upon examination of oneself, many times we will see something that we need to repent of, so we can bring forth good fruit. Bringing forth good fruit is an ongoing process, not a one-time event.  The bible teaches us exactly what we need to do to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Questions:

1. As you study your bible, what other scriptures do you see that Jesus called the scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees hypocrites?  What was the lesson to be learned from each rebuke?
2. Didn’t a serpent deceive Eve in the Garden of Eden? Where is that found? Book, chapter, verse?
3. When John called them vipers in Luke 3:7 and Matthew 3:7, why did he call them vipers, after all they were the religious elite?
4. In our Lesson, what are we repenting of?  There is one answer what is it?  Sins
5. What did the people confess when they were baptized by John? Sins
6. Define inwardly.
7. “Are you bringing forth good fruit, fruit meet for repentance?”
8. Define the word: iniquity
9. Now that you have defined the word iniquity, do you have iniquity in you?  If you do, repent. 
10. Are you righteous in the eyes of the Lord?
11. What does God see when he looks at you? Good fruit or corrupt fruit?

Homework:

• Study the Word of God - (Matthew 3:1-9; 2 Timothy 2:15 )
• Examine yourself according to the word – (2 Corinthians 13:5)
• Confess your sins and faults one to another (Matthew 3:6; James 5:16)
• Repent if needed (Matthew 3:2)
• Get baptized if needed (Matthew 3:6)
• Apply the Word of God to your life daily (Matthew 4:4; James 1:22)

Next week I’ll complete verse 9 and begin with verse 10-12 for Part VI of the Repentance Study. 

I pray this Repentance Study is a blessing to you.  Minister Mary Waters

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