Matthew 3

(1) In verses v2 ,7, 10, 11, 12, what are the 5 reasons given to repent?  

v2

v7

v10

v11

v12

(2) In what way has the Kingdom of God come near? v2

1. MBC - "Only Matthew’s Gospel uses this expression. It uses “heaven” as a euphemism for God’s name-to accommodate his Jewish readers’ sensitivities. The rest of Scripture refers to “the kingdom of God.” Both expressions refer to the sphere of God’s dominion over those who belong to Him. The kingdom is now manifest in heaven’s spiritual rule over the hearts of believers (Luke 17:21) and, one day, will be established in a literal earthly kingdom (Rev. 20:4-6). is at hand. In one sense, the kingdom is present but, in its fullest sense, is yet to be fulfilled.
2. What are some of the benefits for being in God's Kingdom?  
   1. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.  NLT
   2. John 1:12-13 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. [13] They are reborn-not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.  NLT
   3. John 8:31-32 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. [32] And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.  NLT

(3) What is the "coming wrath"? v7

1. Matthew 13:41-43 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather from his kingdom all who cause sin and those guilty of lawlessness (doing evil). [42] They will throw them into the blazing furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. [43] Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father's kingdom.  CSB

(4) What does it mean to be "thrown into the fire"? v10

(5) What does it mean to be baptized "with the Holy Spirit"? v11

(6) What does it mean the "fire that never goes out"? v12

1. LABC - "John spoke of repentance, but he also spoke of judgment upon those who refused to repent. The message is always the same; there is no middle ground and no gray area. Repent, turn to Christ, and be saved; or refuse to repent, refuse to turn to Christ, and be destroyed." 
2. Name 5 friends/neighbors/co-workers you know that are in danger of going into the never ending fire. 

(7) How does one repent? v2, 6a, 6b, 8

1. ESVSB - To repent, or “change one’s mind,” in the OT called for a change in a person’s attitude toward God that impacted one’s actions and life choices; it involved the idea of “turning,” that is, from one way of thinking and living to a different way. Common external signs of repentance included prayers of remorse and confession and renouncing of sin.
2. The NLT translates 'repent' in Matthew 3:2 as "Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near."  NLT

(8) How does one "Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance"?  

1. NLT translates v8 as "Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God."  
2. MBC - "Repentance itself is not a work, but works are its inevitable fruit. Repentance and faith are inextricably linked in Scripture. Repentance means turning from one’s sin, and faith is turning to God (1 Thess. 1:9). They are like opposite sides of the same coin. That is why both are linked to conversion (Mark 1:15; Acts 3:19; 20:21). Note that the works John demands to see are “fruits” of repentance. But repentance itself is no more a “work” than faith is."
3. CBC - Producing fruit as a metaphor for a repentant lifestyle occurs elsewhere in Matthew (3:10; 7:16-20; 12:33; 13:8, 23, 26; 21:19) and is common in the OT (Ps 1:3; Isa 3:10; 5:1-7; Hos 10:1). John now and Jesus later both affirm that the lifestyle of converts must fit or correspond to their profession of repentance.