{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"December 7, 2025 \u2013 Matthew 3: 1-12\u00a0 \u2013 by Pastor Nathan Pratt","description":"1\u2006In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming,\u202f2\u2006\u201cRepent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.\u201d\u202f3\u2006This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, \u2003\u201cThe voice of one crying out in the wilderness: \u2003\u2018Prepare the way of the Lord; \u2003\u2003make his paths straight.\u2019\u202f\u201d 4\u2006Now John wore clothing of camel\u2019s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.\u202f5\u2006Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region around the Jordan were going out to him,\u202f6\u2006and they were baptized by him in the River Jordan, confessing their sins. \u2003\u202f7\u2006But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, \u201cYou brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?\u202f8\u2006Therefore, bear fruit worthy of repentance,\u202f9\u2006and do not presume to say to yourselves, \u2018We have Abraham as our ancestor,\u2019 for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.\u202f10\u2006Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. \u2003\u202f11\u2006\u201cI baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I, and I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.\u202f12\u2006His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.\u201d  ","author_name":"Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church","author_url":"https:\/\/spaceshipchurch.org","html":"