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KEY VERSE:
Matthew 3:13-17 ESV
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented.
16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;
17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
INTRODUCTION:
John’s baptism of Christ would launch Jesus’ ministry. Moses brought the Law but Grace and Truth came through Jesus, the Son of God.
I. THE BAPTISM OF JESUS.
Matthew 3:13-15 ESV
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented.
A. John was baptizing for the repentance of sin. Jesus had NO Sin and did NOT need to repent.
B. John resisted baptizing Jesus thus acknowledging.
1) His own sin.
2) Jesus’ perfection.
C. There are many reasons why Jesus was baptized.
1) Jesus identified himself with the sins of his people, much as Moses, Nehemiah and Daniel had done.
2) Jesus validated John’s ministry in front of the mass of people.
3) The baptism marked the beginning of Jesus’ own ministry.
4) Jesus aligned himself with the tenderhearted masses who also got baptized, rather than with the Pharisees and Sadducees who refused to be baptized.
5) Jesus’ baptism illustrated his death, burial and resurrection. Baptism symbolizes a person dying to the old self and rising to a new life in Christ.
II. JESUS’ MINISTRY.
Matthew 3:16-17 ESV
16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
A. Here we have the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost all together in one place. Signifying the Trinity.
B. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct Persons, each Person is fully God, there is only one God.
C. When the Father spoke, He was quoting from TWO OT verses:
Psalm 2:7
I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you
Isaiah 42:1
Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations
III. Matthew Chapter 3 Summery.
A. The Prophet John’s Birth was a miracle since his parents were way beyond child bearing years.
B. John was known as John the Baptist because of his ministry of baptism.
C. John and Elijah had many similarities between them. Nonetheless, John was NOT a reincarnation of Elijah but rather a prophet with a similar ministry and calling.
D. John’s clothing and diet were well suited for the desert, indicated that perhaps he was raised in the desert.
E. John’s ministry was to call the people of Israel to repentance and to announce the coming of the messiah Jesus Christ.
F. Jesus’ ministry officially began with His baptism.
CONCLUSION:
Today we have many false religions and many people who fake their relationship with God. But Christ is true forever more. And His message is one of Hope and of Eternal Life. We must heed His Words, repent and come to Him through Faith.