Skip to content
A Stone In The Shoe
A Stone In The Shoe

Something you can't forget about

  • Home
  • Letters To My Children
  • Why Christianity
    • Biblical Discussions
    • Philosophical Discussions
    • Scientific Discussions
  • Beginners Bible Study
    • BBS: Start Here!
    • How To Read The Bible
    • Gospel of Luke
    • Gospel of Matthew
    • Gospel of John
    • Paul’s Letter – Galatians
    • Paul’s Letter – Ephesians
    • Letter of James
  • Teachings
    • General Teachings
    • How To Read The Bible
  • Mission
A Stone In The Shoe

Something you can't forget about

Beginner's Online Bible Study: Matthew 3: 7-12 –

Thomas Less, January 4, 2011
7But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee God’s coming wrath?8Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.9Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.10Even now the axe of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.
 

11“I ebaptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will ebaptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.12He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”
 
The Pharisees and Sadducees were the most religious people of the time.  They were everything we would usually think of as “good”.  The kept all the “rules”…and they were Satan’s snakes.  You see, we don’t come into God’s kingdom by being good enough, and when we teach others to try to be “good enough”, we are helping Satan.  John also rebukes them for thinking that just because they are Abraham’s descendents they will be saved.  He makes it clear that membership in the right tribe would do them no good. 
 
So what will save us from the axe and the fire?  Jesus and only Jesus.  When we come into God’s kingdom by admitting our sins, admitting our desperation, and putting all our trust and hope and faith in Jesus, then we are truly “baptized” into a new life and we truly become God’s children.  John calls on the these religious people, and us, to be truly changed in our hearts and minds. 
 
Lord, change me.  I know I can get so caught up in following the rules that I can be down right evil.  Soften my heart Lord.  Make my words to be kind, my thoughts to be pure, and my ways to be merciful to everyone I meet today.
 
When are you tempted to be “religious” but not holy?
If being a follower of Jesus were a crime, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
 
Beginner’s Online Bible Study *obbs*

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
  • Print

Related

All Beginner Online Bible Study OBBS Matthew Teachings beginner bible studybibleJohn the BaptistMatthewsnakesvipers

Post navigation

Previous post
Next post

Comment

  1. Anonymous says:
    January 10, 2011 at 5:26 pm

    It is so easy to get caught up in following the :rules” and miss the whole boat of learning to be like God! And once we are working on becoming Christlike, we learn to follow the rules, and soon we can start to judge others for not following the rules. I have to guard myself a lot on this one…..it is easy to become a Sadducee or Pharisee in our own world!! When we know we are doing right things, it is HARD not to judge others who are not doing the same right things! I pray that God helps me NOT to become someone who is all about following the rules, but to be one who lives in the spirit of God’s laws!

    Reply

Take the discussion furtherCancel reply

My Worst Boss And How I Handled Them

My Worst Boss And How I Handled Them

Remember The Valleys

Remember The Valleys

If you had to go back in time and start a brand new career, what would it be?

If you had to go back in time and start a brand new career, what would it be?

Just Playing Games

Just Playing Games

What Am I Proudest Of?

What Am I Proudest Of?

So You Want To Talk Comfort Food...

      

Categories

Recent Posts

  • My Worst Boss And How I Handled Them
  • Remember The Valleys
  • If you had to go back in time and start a brand new career, what would it be?
  • Just Playing Games
  • What Am I Proudest Of?
©2025 A Stone In The Shoe | WordPress Theme by SuperbThemes
 

Loading Comments...