Led By The Holy Spirit

“Led By The Holy Spirit” March 4, 2012

One of the greatest scientists of our time was Albert Einstein. He was a man who was so focused on his scientific theories. One time, Albert Einstein was taking a train out of town for a speaking engagement. As he sat in his seat engrossed in his work, the conductor stopped by to punch his ticket. Looking up in shock, Einstein realized he didn’t know what he had done with his ticket. Frantically, he began to search his coat pockets, and then his briefcase.

Gently, the conductor said, "We all know who you are, Dr. Einstein. I’m sure you bought a ticket. Don’t worry about it."

But, as the conductor moved along, he looked back to see Einstein on his hands and knees searching under the seats for his ticket. The conductor walked back, "Dr. Einstein, please, don’t worry about it. I know who you are."

Exasperated, Einstein looked up and said, "I, too, know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going."

There are many who do not know where they are going either in this life or the hereafter and the reason is because they do not have the Holy Spirit leading them.

The Holy Spirit is essential to the life of a Christian and the only way to acquire the Holy Spirit today is through the act of baptism.

There are three different baptisms mentioned in God’s Word and this morning I want to take a closer look at all three,

The first baptism was done by John the Baptist and it was for repentance

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Matthew 3:1-2 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

John the Baptist, who was a distant cousin of Jesus, was unique. He wore odd clothes, he ate strange food, and preached an unusual message. He was appointed by God as a messenger to announce the arrival of Jesus.

Matthew 3:11 I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

This wild looking man had no power or position in the Jewish political system but he spoke with irresistible authority.

People were moved by his words because he spoke the truth challenging them to turn from their sins and baptizing them as a symbol of their repentance.

Matthew 3:13-17 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

We can just imagine how John felt. He was baptizing people as a sign that they would turn from their sinful ways and here comes Jesus, a man who had no sin wanting John to baptize him.

That would be like an astronaut coming to me for instructions on flying the space shuttle.

Why did Jesus, this perfect man, this Son of God, this Savior to the world need to be baptized?

The next verse Jesus tells us. Jesus said, “Let it be so now it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteous.”

Jesus wanted to be baptized for five reasons. 1. He was personally confessing the sin of the nation. 2. He was showing support for what John was doing. 3. He was beginning His public ministry. 4. He was setting an example for the world to see. 5. He accepted it to show obedience to God and God voiced His approval.

Read verses 16&17

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Now that John had prepared the way for Jesus let’s take a look at the second type of baptism, the baptism of fire, which John spoke of in verse 11.

Acts 1:4-5 This is Jesus talking to his disciples. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus is talking here about the baptism of fire which came directly from God to the disciples

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Acts 2:1-4 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues as the spirit enabled them.