‘a River, A Dove & A Voice’

SERMON OUTLINE:

• (1). Jesus and John (vs 13-15):

• (2). Jesus and the Baptism (vs 16-17)

• (3). Jesus and the Father (vs 17).

SERMON BODY:

Ill:

• Saturday night TV has always been a big hitter in the TV ratings war!

• To find that hit show and dominate the airways is key.

• Over the years we have had TV shows like, ‘The Generation Game.’

• ‘Noel’s House Party,’ ‘Gladiators,’ ‘Stars in their Eyes,’ &’ Beadle’s About.’

Ill:

• Then came along Ant and Dec’s ‘Saturday Night Takeaway,’

• A variety show that was really was based on the best bits from previous hit shows.

• One of the most popular parts of that show was their undercover pranks.

• Where the Geordie duo dressed up in disguises,

• In a bid to prank their celebrity pals.

• Having wound up or panicked their celebrity friends,

• Eventually they would put their victims out of their misery and reveal themselves,

• And the celebrity got to see their real identities!

• TRANSITION:

• In this chapter we get to see the real identity of Jesus.

• For thirty years he has been in disguise – Jesus the carpenter,

• But in these verses, he starts to reveal to us his true identity - the Son of God!

This account of Jesus being baptised makes it into all four Gospels,

• With Matthew’s account,

• Being the briefest account of this incident.

• But the fact all four gospels record this incident should tell you of its importance!

• The baptism of Jesus is the launch of Jesus into three years of public ministry.

• It was his coming out party - his grand opening, so to speak.

• And it is also a reminder that the life of Jesus was part of a plan,

• We are told he was born (Galatians chapter 4 verse 4 TLB).

• “But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman.,.”

• The beginning of his ministry was also part of God’s timing,

• As we will see in a few minutes time,

• The start of his ministry has a strong link to his death,

• This link, this emphasises reveal to us the real reason Jesus came.

• He came to be the Saviour and not just a teacher and a prophet.

Note:

• Luke in his gospel tells us the age of Jesus,

• He was “about thirty years of age”.”

• (Luke chapter 3 verse 23”

There are several possible reasons for this:

• Cultural reason:

• In Jewish tradition, the age of 30 was considered the time of reaching full maturity,

• You could not be a priest (or a Rabi) until you were 30.

• You could not take up many leadership roles until you reached 30.

• (Numbers chapter 4 verse 3).

• Because 30 was considered the time of reaching full maturity,

• Symbolic Significance:

• Jesus knows what it is like to have to work and earn a wage.

• He is not a pampered prince.

• He has worked hard and at times probably had blisters and calloses on his hands.

• The age of 30 also symbolizes a period of preparation.

• Jesus can identify with us in every way.

Ill:

• When I had hair, I used to go to a barber for a haircut.

• And I remember on when occasion the barber asking what I did for a living.

• So, I told him I was a preacher.

• He replied, “I hope you don’t mind me saying this but, how old are you?”

• I was about 26 years of age.

• He then said, “In Churches people tend to be older, so why should anyone listen to you?”

• Good question!

• His point was what do you know about life?

• My reply was, “That would be true if all I was giving was my opinion,

• But I teach the Bible and my authority for what I say comes from this book.”

• TRANSITION: The point of Jesus starting his public ministry at aged 30,

• Is because he would have been considered mature,

• He would have had greater weight (or life experience) to his ministry.

Now last week you looked at the first part of this chapter (3:1-12),

• Where you met John the Baptizer.

• Matthew describes John and explains that he was the forerunner,

• The one who came to prepare the way for Jesus.

• Quote: Someone summarised John’s ministry as.

• “He came to prepare the way, identify the way and then get out of the way!”

John’s name ‘the Baptist’ was of course a nickname.

• He was not a member of the Baptist Church.