Open Heaven

Dakota Community Church

August 3, 2008

Open Heaven

I want to begin by praying for the family and friends of Tim Mclean.

My spirit is deeply grieved by the endless horrific examples of depravity that have resulted from the fall of man.

2 Peter 3:11

You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.

Revelation 22:20

Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

The topic for this morning is water baptism but as I prepared this message the roundabout truth that emerged is really about the Lordship of Christ.

Let’s begin by looking at Jesus’ baptism.

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?"

Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.

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."

There are three things that I want us to take special note of from this passage this morning.

1. Jesus doesn’t have to do it.

Baptism is symbolic of repentance from sin, death to self and resurrection in Christ.

Romans 6: 1-7

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Jesus doesn’t have to die to sin, He is the holy one, He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings, He is the righteous pure spotless lamb, when He speaks the demons tremble, sickness flees, darkness is dispelled and heaven and earth respond in obedience. And yet; Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness."

Jesus does not have to get baptized and yet He does it in order to fulfill all righteousness!

If you have not been baptized can I ask you why not?

Do you feel silly being out in public at the lake “getting dunked”?

Do you feel that your baby sprinkling was good enough and you don’t want to offend your family?

Baptism is a choice to obey and follow Jesus. It is a choice that can only be made by an adult.

Greek:

Baptizo - to plunge under, dip, or immerse.

Two Greek words translated "sprinkle" are RANTIZO and ECHEO. Neither word is found in the Bible in relation to baptism.

Think about this for a minute, Jesus, the one who was without sin, got baptized in order to fulfill all righteousness… but you don’t have to?

We are living in a wonderful age of grace where mercy and forgiveness flow in abundance; however, JESUS IS STILL LORD!

The emergent church has been bringing some wonderful and vital topics of discussion to the table in recent years… but the Lordship of Christ is not open for discussion if you are a Christian.

Since that is true let me just ask you;

- If no one is telling what to do with your money

- And no one is telling you about church attendance

- And no one is telling you about commitment to the Body

- And no one is telling you who to associate with or not

- And no one is telling you who to forgive or not

Just when and where is Jesus Lord of your life?

Let me word it another way. If YOU decide about giving, and YOU decide about when, where, or if you will participate in the Body, and if YOU decide who will be your friends, and if YOU decide what ministry you will or will not do, and YOU decide whether or not baptism makes any sense

THEN… Jesus is not Lord of your life because YOU STILL ARE!

Matthew 28:19-20

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."