Introduction

Talk about the Inauguration of the President of the United States or some other public officer - leader - etc; It is a ceremony to mark the commencement of a new four-year term of the president of the United States. This ceremony takes place for each new presidential term, even if the president is continuing in office for a second term. If you’re able you can display some imagery from a recent ceremony to help illuminate the point.

Welcome to week 3 of our series, Matthew; Discover the Kingdom. We’ve already gone over the unlikely events surrounding Jesus’ birth and last week we looked at the announcement of Jesus’ kingdom by John the Baptist.

Today we’re moving through the Kingdom timeline and looking at the Inauguration of Jesus. The definition of Inauguration is; The formal admission of someone to office OR a ceremony to mark the beginning of something. (That last bit seems pretty broad)

The inauguration of Jesus marked the beginning of his formal ministry on earth. There are two important things that take place. First, he is baptized by John the Baptist and instantly the God of heaven, Jesus’ father, bursts from the clouds and affirms that Jesus is loved and He is pleased with him.

Second, and immediately following His baptism, Jesus is tested in the wilderness by the evil one. This is a natural progression for many who follow Jesus. One day you get a deep sense that you are loved by God and find all you need from that affirmation. The very next day you find yourself second guessing how God feels about you and are tempted to take matters into your own hands to find fulfillment and happiness.

Today we get a front row seat to learn from Jesus and consider how He handled the beginning of His role in the Kingdom.

The inauguration of Jesus marked the beginning of his formal ministry on earth.

Main Teaching

Jesus humbled himself. Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he consented. Matthew 3:13-15

Jesus requests John to baptize him not because he was sinful, but to give an example for his followers. This was Jesus’ obedience and humility on display for all to see in the present, and also for centuries yet to come.

Humility is an undeniable component to great leadership. The humility of Jesus began well before the baptism of John. As the apostle Paul shares with the Philippian church it was Jesus; Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Philippians 2:6-8

Jesus humbled himself and took on the nature of a servant in a human likeness. Then he humbled himself again and became obedient to death. His consistent obedience and humility are examples to us in how to lead and how to love.

Humility is a key component of Kingdom life. It permeated the life of Christ and it should be a primary identifier of His church. If pride comes before a fall then humility comes before growth, or promotion, or greater responsibility.

As we see through the life of Jesus, He was given increasing responsibility and raised up to the right hand of God where He now intercedes for the church and has dominion over all creation ... View this full sermon with PRO Premium