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Dear friends Shalom I have posted for upcoming Bible study note. Please read the Bible and this note before participating class and be ready to share your understanding and views regarding following issues. God bless you.     English Bible Study<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> Text: Matthew 3: 7-12 <o:p> </o:p> Pharisee: (Legalistic 율법적인, Hypocrisy 위선자) from all classes of people. More religious minded. Believe in resurrection of the dead. Rejected Jesus’ as Messiah. Sadducees were more political minded. They were from priestly, wealthy and upper class Jewish. Denied the resurrection of the dead. <o:p> </o:p> The message of John to the people was just ‘repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near’ (v. 2). But when Pharisees and Sadducees came to him, he boldly opposed them and introduced more clearly about him and forthcoming Messiah. Why? <o:p> </o:p> What was John’s strong message to the religious leaders (vv. 7-12)? What was their basic sin? <o:p> </o:p> Brood of Vipers: Wicked generations. They were from the seed of Abraham but John showed them from the seed of viper (Gen. <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:time w:st="on" o:ls="trans" Hour="15" Minute="15">3:15</st1:time>) and their father is devil (John  <st1:time w:st="on" o:ls="trans" Hour="8" Minute="44">8:44</st1:time>). <o:p> </o:p>  v. 8: Produce fruit: Changing our behavior is important. Our actions should match with our words. Without repentance we cannot produce good fruit. Do we do so? <o:p> </o:p> v. 9: Fruit tree should produce fruits. God’s people should produce good deeds, actions. God’s people in name only is not working anymore (like John’s day). We are of no value if we are Christians in name only. Others can see our faith in the way we treat them. <o:p> </o:p> Salvation doesn’t come as a birthright (for Jews also) but through faith in Christ (Gal. 6-9)<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> v. 10: (Judgment is near) People will be judged for their unproductive lives. John compared people who claim they believe God but don’t live for God. The unproductive trees will be cut down. <o:p> </o:p> How can we be productive for God? (obeying His teaching, serving/helping others, sharing our faith, resisting temptations/evil) <o:p> </o:p> Share: Are we producing good fruits for God? <o:p> </o:p> v. 11. Fire: Represents the Pentecost (tongues of fire: Acts <st1:time w:st="on" o:ls="trans" Hour="14" Minute="3">2:3</st1:time>) and judgment to come (v.12). Winnowing: God’s judgment. wheat: Repentant people (repent-believe-save-use by God). Chaff: unrepentant people (these people will be judged because they are worthless (useless) in doing God’s work) <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p>