Sermon Cloud

Intro/opening: Now, it will take this week and next to finish our look at this section of John the Baptist’s ministry; and we are moving slowly because there is so much theology foundational to our understanding of the ministry, Person, and work of Christ, packed into such a short section. 

*As we come into this final portion of John’s ministry we cannot help but notice that he speaks much about judgment, hypocrisy, and eternal damnation. And there could be the subtle temptation to want to pass quickly over it because it. However, no apology is needed for this b/c it is the Word of God and hell is as much a reality as heaven and sadly, according to Scripture, more people will be there. Why the emphasis on Judgment?

*Judgement is just as much a part of the gospel as grace and frankly, grace is best understood in the light of judgment because it is there that the mercy of God shown to us in Christ is most evident. 

*Judgement glorifies God, because it places His holiness and justice on display and magnifies His grace to sinners accomplished through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Rom. 9:27; Rev. 19:1-3).

*Judgment teaches us the great seriousness of sin and God’s hatred of it. If we remove judgement from the concept of sin and only present it in the light of God’s forgiveness then we are subtly subverting the impact of the gospel message, and undermining the piercing and weighty consequence of rejection. And in so doing minimizing the weight and heinousness of sin. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ then becomes a good alternative not the necessary and only escape from the wrath of God and reconciliation with our Creator - with whom we are - by nature - at enmity. 

*The concept of judgment has been all but eradicated from the American consciousness because of both the evangelical church’s departure from fidelity to the authority of Scripture and the relentless assault and deceptions of the modern portrayals of the afterlife by such pagan gurus as Oprah, occult guru John Edwards, and the constant depiction in such films as Ghost, Highway to Heaven, Touched by and Angel, etc., which all have the affect of training the mind to have a lessened view of the reality of unrelenting, eternal, retribution for sin on the unrepentant by a holy God.

Heb. 9:27 “It is appointed for a man to die once and then comes the judgment,” and 10:26-27, 31 “For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a  terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of  a  fire which will consume the adversaries ... it is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” 

We as Christians must have our minds transformed by the truth of God’s word, not conformed to the lies of the god of this world. 

     *No one likes to think about the judgment of the wicked. *The thought of eternal judgment is grievous and sad and makes me tremble inside, and yetI find fear and grief at the thought of eternal punishment. God Himself said through the prophet Ezekiel, Ezek. 33:11, “Say to them, ‘As I live!’ declares the Lord God, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn form his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?”

God finds no secret pleasure in the torment of His rebellious creatures. Yet it is true and He has decreed it to be so and He does so in a way that does not affect His joy at seeing His glory on display - this is a paradox which shows the depth of God’s character (Matt. 23:37-38). 

So, we must deal with the issue of God’s judgment because it is true, it is clearly revealed by God, and it comprised the weight of the message of John the Baptist in preparing the hearts of the people for the Messiah. So, it is the message of judgment that is the chosen backdrop of God the Holy Spirit by which the Savior and Lord is introduced.

Here we enter into our verse this morning, Matt. 3:10, where: John warns the false religionist of God’s impending and final judgment. 

And the warning to the Jews, and to us: consider the cost of rejecting, or putting off genuine repentance, because the judgment of God is near and will come when you least expect it. 

Two Warnings of Judgment:

(1) Judgment is knocking at the door

(2) Judgment is final and eternal

READ: Matthew 3:7-12. 

(1) Judgement is Knocking at the Door. 

(10) “Even now the axe is laid at the root of the trees.” 

“Even now” - The NASB and NIV translate this phrase as “already,” which, is a good translation, but does not capture the drama of the time element as the more often used “even now” (ASV ESV NET NKJV NAB RSV). 

John’s point: Judgment is near, it is at your door, and it is knocking - even banging and demanding entrance. 

God is not considering judgment but has already determined it. It is simply a matter of time. It is not “If,” but “When." It is so close it can be spoken of as already happening. 

How are we to understand the immanency of this judgment. In other words, John said, “even now the axe is already laid” but the fact is that almost two millennia have past since this statement and still this judgement has not come. How are we to understand this?

John is an OT prophet and as such is viewing the future events of Jesus Christ as a single event (like mountain tops that appear near each other but are actually separated by great distances). So it is with much OT prophecy - though spoken of as a single event, in reality the blessing and judgment phases are separated by millennia (cf. Is. *11:1-4; 61:1-2; **Joel 2:28-31; *Mal. 4:1-2)

One author notes “John is not referring only the remote future; for those who have eyes to see things were already happening.”

But they could not see; they did not know the danger of their position. John has already exposed their true nature (“brood of vipers”) and their false confidence (“we have Abraham as our father”). Now hie is exposing their end if they continue in their hypocrisy and rejection of true repentance.

What is the picture of this judgment? “axe (that is) laid at the root of the trees”

“the axe” - a sharp instrument used for cutting down trees. “is laid” It is not simply and inanimate object left lying around, but is an instrument of judgment firmly gripped by the hands of God. It is purposefully, unremittingly, personally, and intently placed by appointment at the root of the trees. It is precisely aimed at its intended target. (cf. Is. 10:15; Jer. 51:20). 

It is the decision of the judge against the ungodly that makes what is otherwise a lifeless tool an instrument of destruction. Thus, the imagery is an intensely personal and intentional picture of judgment.

At what is this axe of divine judgment aimed? “the root” - the source of the trees life. The imagery is meant to communicate finality; once the root is severed there is no longer opportunity for life. (13:6, 21). 

The picture is that of a large axe poised to be swung with all the might of omnipotence; the handle long and strong; the blade sharpened and glistening from the smooth fresh strokes of the flint; ready to be swung with terrible force even to sink beneath the ground and in one stroke to severe permanently the    root and life of the tree.

 This speaks of the total destruction; not even the stump will be left; cut off at the root it will be utterly destroyed. As long as the root (or stump) remains there is life , however, once the root is destroyed all life and hope is gone 

Is. 6:13 - This is God’s judgment was severe, but it was not final against His people - thought the bough and branches be lopped off yet a stump remained by which the life of the nation was preserved - God would not finally destroy His people due to His promises. (cf. Rom. 11:18ff). 

Note: “root of the trees [plural] … every tree [singular]”

God’s warning is to both the nation and each individual in it.

God’s judgement on the unrepentant and unconverted is not only a distant reality but is a present reality merely awaiting the appointed time of execution. It is a settled decision of God on all the unrepentant. 

John 3:18, “he who does not believe has been judged already” 3:36 “but to the one who does not obey the Son the wrath of God abides on Him” - “abides” remains on; currently, presently, at that moment is remaining over and upon him like a sword raised above his head at any moment ready to be brought down to fatally pierce him; restrained only by the will of the one who wields it. 

It is out of his sight, he cannot perceive it with his sense and so it seems as though all is well with his soul - he cannot see that there is a dark cloud of the anger and wrath of God over him - thought the wicked seem to flourish and go about life with ease. 

In his famous sermon, Sinners in the hands of an angry God (preached here in our our own state of CT, in the town of Enfield, in on July 8, 1741), Jonathan Edwards describes the imminency of God’s judgement of the unconverted in this way: 

“The sword of divine justice is every moment brandished over their heads, and it is nothing but the hand of arbitrary mercy, and God’s mere will, that holds it back … They are already under a sentence of condemnation to Hell. They do not only justly deserve to be cast down thither, but the sentence of the law of God, that eternal an immutable rule of righteousness that God has fixed between him and mankind, is gone out against them, and stands against them; so that they are bound over already to hell. John 3:18, ‘He that believth not is condemned already.’ So that every unconverted man properly belongs to Hell; that is his place; from thence he is, John 8:23, ‘Ye are from beneath:’ and thither he is bound; it is the place that justice, and God’s word, and the sentence of his unchangeable law assign to him.”

“They are now the objects of that very same anger and wrath of God, that is expressed in the torments of Hell. And the reason why they do not go down to Hell at each moment, is not because God, in whose power they are, is not then very angry with them; as he is with many miserable creatures now tormented in Hell, who there feel and bear the fierceness of his wrath. Yea, God is a great deal more angry with great numbers that are now on earth; yea, doubtless, with many that are now in this congregation, who it may be are at ease, than he is with many of those who are now in the flames of Hell. 

“So that it is not because God is unmindful of their wickedness, and does not resent it, that he does not let loose his hand and cut them off. God is not altogether such a one as themselves, thought they may imagine him to be so. The wrath of God burns against them, their damnation does not slumber; the pit is prepared, the fire is made ready, the furnace is now hot, ready to receive them ; the flames do now rage and glow. The glittering sword is whet, and held over them, and the pit hat opened its mouth under them.” 

What is the point? Do not put off salvation. Do not neglect repentance a moment longer. Judgment will come like a thief in the night - i.e. It will come at a time when it is least expected (1 Thess. 5:2; *Matt. 24:42-44). 

Repentance is not a casual decision that you are to put off until a convenient time, or as a last minute ditch effort before you die. You cannot determine that and that attitude belies a false faith anyway. 

 Luke 13:6-9 records a parable of the Lord, in the context of repentance, that brings out both the mercy and the severity of God (cf. Heb. 9:27; *Rom. 11:22).

God is patiently waiting (2 Pet. 3), but there is a time when that patience will come to an end. 

(2) Judgement is Final & Eternal. 

“therefore, every not bearing good fruit is cut off and thrown into the fire” 

“therefore” - introduces the necessary result & the ground judgment:  namely, that every tree that does not bear good fruit is to be cut down. This takes us back to v. 8 - it is the character of life that genuine faith and repentance produces. 

They would have understood this imagery: Is. 5:1-7; Jer. 11:16-17 God always expected and provided for His people so that they would be the bears of good fruit. He patiently cared and waited, but there is a point when the settled decision has been made and will be executed (Jer. Do not pray for this people). 

What is the judgement? “is cut off and thrown into the fire” - the present tense (prophetic present). 

(1) “is cut off” - (FINAL) the result of the axe being swung and the root being severed. There is no second chance (Heb. 9:27). (ILLUST: like a gardner that trims the dead leaves from his plants; cf. John 15:6). 

The sense is of effortless severing. It is not multiple chops and swings of the axe bearer who with much effort is finally able to severe the root, but it is the picture of an effortless, immediate, and decisive cut accomplished in the instant the axe bearer ceases to restrain Himself. (same verb 5:30; 7:19; 18:8). 

*Judgement: to pass a sentence. It is the irreversible act of God. It cannot be stopped. Here man is confronted with the absolute majesty of God. Is. 43:13 “Even from eternity I am He, and there is none who can deliver out of My hand; I act and who can reverse it?”

(1) Authority, (2) Omnipotence, (3) Omniscience, (4) Holiness, (5) Righteousness, (6) Justice, and (7) Wrath. (cf Rom. 9:22). 

(2) “and thrown into the fire” - (ETERNAL) present passive; once severed there is no other use than to discard and destroy it so that it no longer pollutes the ground. 

“Useless for any other purpose except to be firewood, as the wood of many fruit trees is.” (Alexander Bruce). 

To push the imagery even further it could be easily assumed that is a fire prepared by the axe bearer; one created and maintained for the very purpose of burning the unfruitful trees (cf. *7:19; 13:42, 50; 18:8; *25:41; also Rev. 20:14-15).

3:7 “wrath to come.” The “fire” here represents in part the wrath that is coming to all who do not evidence the fruit of repentance. 

“the fire” -is a reference to eternal judgment/damnation.. the final destination of the cut down trees. It is the fire prepared by Him for the purpose of burning. It is what he describes in v. 12 as “unquenchable fire,” which speaks of its duration.

Hell: “ A place of eternal conscious punishment for the wicked.” (Grudem) (Note that I will only introduce the topic here in a general fashion, but will address it again as we come across it many times in Matthew). 

A definite place; a specific location that has been prepared for the devil and his angels (Matt. 25:41)

Variously described: “outer darkness” “weeping and gnashing of teeth” “where their worm never dies” “smoke of their torment goes up for ever and every” “lake of fire” “eternal fire” “unquenchable fire” 

Conscious suffering 

Physical resurrected bodies ([cf. John 5:29] Rev. 20:13)

Punitive result of those who have broken God’s law and refused to repent and believe in Jesus (John 3:18; Lk. 16:19-31). 

Eternal (Matt. 3:12 “unquenchable”; 18:8 “eternal fire” Mark 9 “worn never dies”; Rev. 14:11)

On this last point Jonathan Edward’s again notes: 

“Eternity is the sting of the doctrine of hell torments whereby chiefly it is that it stings the consciences of wicked men and there is no other way to avoid the torment of it but to deny it”

Later he notes, “When you look forward, you shall see a long forever, a boundless duration before you, which will swallow up your thoughts, and amaze your soul; and you will absolutely despair of every having any deliverance, andy end, andy mitigation, any rest at all; you will know certainly that you must wear out long ages, millions of millions of ages, in wrestling and conflicting with this almighty merciless vengeance; and then when you have done so, when so many ages have actually been spent by you in this manner, you will know that all is but a point to what remains. So that your punishment will indeed be infinite.”

Many outright reject the clear and plain teaching of Scripture on the final and eternal damnation of sinners simply because its reality Is too much for their minds and hearts to bear. So, men have developed the idea of annihilationism (and universalism): 

(1) Suffer and then cease to exist

(2) Suffer and then be purified for heaven

(3) Suffer until they repent

Also, they argue, that it is inconsistent with the character of God and His nature of love; that the punishment does not fit the crime, and that it would disturb heaven’s felicity. 

(1) God defines was is consistent with His character - incredible arrogant for men to reject God’s plain and clear teaching because it does not fit their idol of God. 

(2) The offensiveness of the crime is measured by the One sinned against. Sin against and infinite and holy God requires and infinite judgment.

One old theologian from the 13^th century noted well, 

“the magnitude of the punishment matches the magnitude of the sin … Now a sin that is against God is infinite; the higher the person against whom it is committed, the graver the sin - it is more criminal to strike a head of state than a private citizen - and God is of infinite greatness. Therefore an infinite punishment is deserved for a sin committed against Him." 

(3) God is glorified in the judgment of the unrepentant. God does not take pleasure is the death of the wicked yet He is pleased at the display of His glory in judgment. This simply shows the depth of God’s character is so far beyond us. 

It is imperative that we maintain a clear and right balance in the gospel between both judgment and grace. *The reason the gospel has not teeth for many is that there are no severe consequences to its implications and demands. “No gospel is needed if there is no judgement.” (Filson). “The vague and tenuous hope that God is too kind to punish the ungodly has become a deadly opiate for the consciences of millions.” (Tozer).

“This again is a teaching which is deeply important. We need to be straitly warned, that it is no light matter whether we repent or not. We need to be reminded, that there is a hell as well as a heaven, and an everlasting punishment for the wicked, as well as everlasting life for the godly. We are fearfully apt to forge this. We talk of the love and mercy of God, and we do not remember sufficiently His justness and holiness. Let us e very careful on this point: it is no real kindness to keep back the terrors of the lord. It is good for us all to be taught that it is possible to be lost forever, and that all unconverted people are hanging over the brink of the pit.” (J.C. Ryle). 

This has long been lost - we as the evangelical church almost act as if the only consequence to rejecting the gospel of Jesus Christ is that you won’t be as fulfilled in this life, or e a better person, or will miss out on all the goodies and blessings of the next. 

Beloved, the consequences of rejection of Jesus Christ and being unrepentant over sin is eternal torment and damnation!

If God does not judge then why should men fear Him? Why should men fear a God who is so emotionally mushy that He would never condemn men and uphold the standard of His holiness and justice and magnify the greatness of His glory. 

Yet, to this Jesus would reply Matt 10:28 “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” - Beloved, we cannot act as if Jesus never said this. To remove the threat of judgment from the gospel is to set ourselves on the throne of Jesus Christ, accuse Him of lacking our superior insight and character, and redefine a Christ and God of our own liking. 

It is to believe and mouth the same lie that Satan told Eve in the Garden, “Surely you shall not die!” So he says through the mouth of his servants now, “You surely shall not be judged!”

It is not the mercy, graciousness, and kindness of men to keep back the preaching of judgment; but rather it is more often arrogance and pride in censoring God’s Word and loving the praise and affection of men rather than there ultimate good and God’s glory. 

Preaching about sin, judgment, and repentance - like Jesus and John the Baptist - will not make on a popular preacher. In a culture that loves to have their ears tickled, this is not the message that leaves them tingly, warmed, and self-satisfied inside. 

It would be unkind and unloving to say nothing and leave people in the darkness about the consequences of their sin only to be eternally shocked and suffering when they stand before God. 

No more kind than leaving a child on the train tracks with an oncoming train because you did not want to disturb their play!

The warning is an expression of His incredible mercy. He does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked and therefore He warns them from heaven to flee. It is an act of God’s kindness - 2 Pet. 3:9. 

But above all else, it is here that the gospel is seen in all of its glory. 

Jesus took the swing of the axe; the sword of God’s justice & wrath pierced His hands, feet, and even His own soul as He - the Holy One of God, the eternal Son of God, who spoke all creation into existence; this is the One who bore God’s judgment and wrath against sin in the place of sinners; in the place of all who flee to HIm in repentant faith. He was forsaken so men would not have to be, He bore the curse so that we would not have to. 

The Lord is giving all now the “time to repent” and return to Him (cf. Rev. 2:21). 

Heb. 3:15 “Today if you hear His voice, do not harden you hearts, as when they provoked Me” - by their sin and unbelief. They knew the truth about God, but it was not united with faith.  

But for those who do repent and believe all of what has been said is removed and there is entrance into a life of freedom from the penalty and power of sin; and entrance into a relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, founded on and secured by unending love and grace.