A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK
MATTHEW 3:16-17
INTRODUCTION… 3:16s Thus Far (p)
We have been on a journey since July as we have been looking at various 3:16s in the Bible:
Exodus 3:13-17 shared with us the Name of God and that we can trust Him.
Joshua 3:1-17 shows us that God makes a way in our lives in all circumstances.
Judges 3:12-30 talks to us about the deliverance of God and how He can use each of us.
1 Samuel 3:1-21 teaches us how to hear God’s voice.
Daniel 3:1-30 encourages us to trust God when we have faith in the fire.
Zephaniah 3:14-20 shared that God is mighty to save.
Malachi 3:16-17 reminds us that we are God’s treasured possession.
All of those were in the Old Testament which I hope have been very encouraging to you as you walk in faith. Today we jump into the New Testament and continue to look at 3:16s as we look at the Gospel of Matthew.
THE INCREDIBLES (wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Incredibles)
The Incredibles is a 2004 American computer-animated comedy superhero film written and directed by Brad Bird and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It was the sixth film produced by Pixar Animation Studios.
Mr Incredible has strength.
Elastigirl can stretch.
"Supers" – humans with superpowers – are forced into civilian relocation programs after facing several lawsuits from peripheral damage caused by their crime fighting activities. Fifteen years after relocation, Bob and Helen Parr, formerly Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl respectively, and their children Violet, Dash, and Jack-Jack live as a normal suburban family on the outside. Bob is dissatisfied with suburban life and his white-collar job and longs for the glory days of using his super powers to help others.
Through a series of events, Bob is able to use his powers freely on a side job which improves his attitude and relationship with his family and he begins rigorous training while waiting for more work. Once committed to this side job, Bob discovers that he is actually working for a super-villain named Syndrome. Of course this leads to trouble and he is captured. Helen borrows a plane to head to save her super hero husband, but finds Violet and Dash have stowed away wearing their own suits, leaving Jack-Jack in the care of a teenage babysitter. Syndrome, the evil mastermind, shoots down the plane, but Helen along with the kids survive and make it to the island. Helen proceeds to the base to find Bob, discovering Syndrome's intentions to wreak havoc in the world. In the end, this family of super heroes bands together, works together, and overcomes obstacles to defeat this super villain menace to society.
Why mention this movie? I mention this movie as we begin because even though it is a movie, in several ways it illustrates the old adage “A chip off the old block.” First, Mr Incredible has strength and Elastigirl can stretch… both super heroes… and they have children that also have super powers. Violet can make force fields. Dash can run super fast. By the end of the movie, the baby also has powers. The children of two super powered people end up having super powers themselves probably because they are family and related and that is how such things work. The children are made of the “same stuff” as their parents. Second, Mr Incredible and Elastigirl are ready and willing to put their life on the line to save the world from the evil villain Syndrome. So are Violet and Dash. As children of super heroes, Violet and Dash have been taught to value life and to have the willingness to step out and help others. Violet and Dash are most definitely “chips off the old block” and just like their parents.
Today as we look at Matthew 3:16-17, we will find that these verses describe Jesus Christ as a “chip off the old block” and these two small verses have much to say to us about Jesus Christ.
READ MATTHEW 3:16-17
“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. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased."
I. THE MANIFEST TRINITY
The verses that we read this morning first share with us about the nature of God which is quite complicated. We serve a God who is Eternal, Uncompromisingly Holy, All Powerful, All Knowing, Awesomely Gracious, Unconditionally Loving, and Creator of All that Exists. To think that our created finite minds could even begin to comprehend Him is a little presumptuous. We are fortunate on this point. God has seen fit to reveal some of Himself to us that we might know Him. All that we know about God He has revealed to us.
In Matthew 3:16-17, we find God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit all expressed and manifest in one place and at one time. I believe this is quite unique in Scripture and expresses to us a little bit about the nature of God.
Let us take a look at God in the order of His appearance in these particular verses and the purposes for which He appeared.
Jesus Christ the Son
First, we have Jesus Christ the Son. Jesus Christ the Son is the fully God and fully human Messiah promised in the Old Testament and born to the Virgin Mary in New Testament times. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John describe His birth, life, ministry, and death. Jesus was born in Bethlehem. A star from God announced His birth. Jesus and His family lived in Nazareth. Jesus taught crowds and His disciples how God wanted them to live. Jesus did miracles which attested to His identity as the Christ. Jesus Christ died on a cross for the forgiveness of sins which was His divine purpose on this Earth. Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, is the center of our faith as Christians.
In this particular passage, we find Jesus Christ the Son being baptized, not because He had sin to confess or sin to be made right, but He did so because it was “proper” and it “fulfill[ed] all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). At this time, baptism is the immersion of a person in water to signify the confession of sin and a fresh start with God. It was a spiritual cleansing act that made a person ceremonially clean before God. After the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Christian baptism is the immersion of a person in water to signify their faith in Jesus Christ, repentance from sin, and it is in baptism that one receives the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).
There are two main reasons for Jesus’ baptism. First and foremost, Jesus states in Matthew 3:15 that He is being baptized because He is “fulfill[ing] all righteousness” and showing us by His example what we should do to follow Him. Baptism is a public profession that is part of life with God. It is part of being one of God’s people. Second, if we add Matthew 3 with Luke 3 which describes the same episode in Jesus’ life, Luke adds right after the baptism, “Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry” (3:23). Jesus’ baptism was the watershed event (pun intended) which began Jesus’ public life in ministry. Jesus’ baptism was the springboard into the pool (pun intended) of life of service, teaching, miracles, and accomplishing the divine purposes for which He came. Once baptized, Jesus Christ was all in on being a teacher, prophet, priest, and Savior. All this officially began in a very public way at His baptism.
Spirit of God
Second appearing in this brief passage is the Holy Spirit. If you like reading the KJV, He is called the “Holy Ghost.” You may also see words in various translations such as “the Spirit of God” or “the Spirit of the Lord” which are also used. The Holy Spirit is the active spirit of God which interacts with His Creation and His people. We read about the Holy Spirit from the very beginning for in Genesis 1:1-2 the Bible says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” The Holy Spirit was recognized in Joseph by Pharoah in Genesis 41:38 which gave him the ability to interpret dreams. The craftsmen who made the Ark of the Covenant in Exodus 31 were filled with the Spirit (31:3, 35:31). Othniel (Judges 3), Gideon (Judges 6), Jephthah (Judges 11), and Samson (Judges 13-15) all had the Holy Spirit come on them which gave them divine ability to make war, lead people, and also gave physical strength. The presence of the Holy Spirit enabled King Saul to prophesy and rule God’s people (1 Samuel 10:10, 19:20). The Holy Spirit came on many prophets in the Old Testament and allowed them to speak the Word of God boldly (2 Chronicles 15:1, 2 Chronicles 24:20, Ezekiel 11:24). And all of that was just in the Old Testament.
In this particular passage in the New Testament, we find the Spirit of God acting as the agent of God by adding a stamp of approval on Jesus Christ as the Son. The Holy Spirit “descends like a dove” which suggests to us that despite what you have seen in art, no actual bird appeared. The Holy Spirit was visible and was manifested so that those watching could see God’s stamp of approval on the Son. Literally the sky opened and divine light shone upon Jesus.
What was the purpose of the Holy Spirit lighting on Jesus? I believe this lighting of the Spirit on Jesus was a mark of authority for Jesus. Everything He would do and teach is given by God and Has His authority to do it. Jesus’ Ministry has the authority of God with it.
God the Father
In Matthew 3:16-17, we find God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit all expressed and manifest in one place and at one time. We now come to the portion of the passage where God the Father steps in and makes Himself manifest. God the Father is present in all passages of Scripture. God created the Heavens and the Earth. God made a covenant with Abraham. God led His people out of Egypt and provided the Promised Land for them. God sent angels to save servants from burning furnaces and to shut mouths of lions. God spoke through prophets to His people. All of that and more were just in the Old Testament.
In this particular passage, we find God the Father speaking audibly in “a voice from heaven.” I imagine based on Job 40:9, Isaiah 33:3, Jeremiah 25:30, and Joel 3:16 that when God speaks audibly in this manner that His voice sounds like thunder. I can only imagine what that must be like. I know it is awesome and unlike anything we have heard because in Acts 9:7 those that were with Saul heard God’s voice audibly and it says, “The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.” They were speechless!
What was the purpose of God the Father audibly speaking to Jesus and about Jesus? God’s words echo and are a mash-up of Psalm 2:7 and Isaiah 42:1 which are Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah that He would be the Son of God and that He would be a Suffering Servant. God’s words were specific. What we see here is God formally commissioning Jesus to go forth and be His Son. Jesus will be God’s representative amongst all of those He lives with, heals, ministers to, and teaches. Jesus was certainly already God’s Son, but this was God the Father’s way of formally sending Jesus out for His good purposes.
ILLUSTRATION… Explaining the Trinity (reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2009/08/the-trinity-is-like-3-in-1-shampoo-and-other-stupid-statements/)
I do believe this passage in Matthew 3 brings up the “Trinity” for us. Illustrating the Trinity is a noble goal and something that many people have spent time trying to do. In the end it is futile, because none of our examples quite explain fully who God is because He is transcendent and in many ways unknowable.
You may have heard…
The doctrine of the Trinity is like an egg: three parts, one thing.
The doctrine of the Trinity is like a three leaf clover: three leaves, one clover.
The doctrine of the Trinity is like water: three forms (ice, steam, liquid) one substance.
The doctrine of the Trinity is like 3-in-1 shampoo: three activities, one substance.
None of those examples quite explain who God is… because He is a being far above us whose nature is ultimately not for us to understand.
II. INTRODUCTION OF IDENTITY
The verses that we read this morning secondly share with us about the identity and the nature of Jesus of Nazareth Himself. When God the Father speaks from Heaven, He specifically calls Jesus “My Son.” What does that mean? Is that significant? What does it mean that God has a Son?
Let us read from a few other additional passages in the Gospels to get some perspective:
Luke 1:34-35, "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" 35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”
John 1:18, “No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made Him known.”
John 5:18, “For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill Him; not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.”
John 10:30, “I and the Father are one."
John 10:37-38, “Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. 38 But if I do it, even though you do not believe Me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father."
All of these passages tell us that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and He is made of the “same stuff” as God the Father and God the Spirit. Jesus is claiming to be a “chip off the old block.” I don’t want to get too technical, but there is a specific word that the Early Church used to explain their understanding of who Jesus was and is. They used the Greek term “Homoousios” (homo-ooo-see-oss) that means "of the same substance." God and Jesus were of the same substance, or in other words, were of the same being (theopedia.com/homoousios). They used this term because:
#1 there were some people that thought and taught that Jesus was just another created human being like me and you.
#2 there were some people that thought and taught that Jesus was not God, but something in between God and an angel.
#3 there were some people that thought and taught that Jesus, even though He was made of the same substance, He was not the same God as the God of the Old Testament.
All three of these are false teachings. They were false teachings then and when you find them today in religions like Jehovah Witnesses or Mormonism they are false now as well. Jesus Christ was and is 100% God and 100% human. He was God on Earth. He was and is made of the same substance. He is God.
ILLUSTRATION… (Nicene Creed, http://www.theopedia.com/nicene-creed)
We believe, as the Early Church believed, in basic normal Christian Doctrine which was expressed in the Nicene Creed. Now I know we do not use creeds in our church, but nevertheless, this creed explains well what normal Christian belief is about the identity of Jesus Christ:
“We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary and became truly human.”
III. PROMISE OF CONSISTENCY
The verses that we read this morning thirdly share with us about a promise of consistency that we would see from Jesus Christ. God’s voice thundering from Heaven says that God loves Jesus and He is pleased with Him. It is the second part of that which grabs my attention.
God says He is pleased with Jesus. I take that to mean that God has been pleased with Jesus thus far from when He was born until his baptism. I take that to mean God is pleased with Jesus in coming to John the Baptist and being baptized and fulfilling righteousness. I also take that to mean that God is pleased in everything Jesus is about to say, every place He goes, everything he does, all the healings and the miracles, and all that He is about to teach.
You see everything that Jesus Christ did was an extension of God. Every single time Jesus taught it is what God wanted to say. Every decision Jesus made is the decision that God wanted Him to make. Jesus Christ was constantly and unwaveringly consistent in representing God and being God on Earth. God was most pleased that when the time came, Jesus would die on the cross and satisfy the debt of sin that we might be saved. All of that comes from consistency and it pleased God. Jesus never shrunk back from what He was supposed to do (Hebrews 10:37-38). Colossians 1:19-20 says, “For God was please to have all His fullness dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross.”
ILLUSTRATION… How do we Please God? (sermonillustrations.com/a-z/p/pleasing_god.htm)
In 1984, Dr. David Hocking wrote a book called “Pleasing God.” The book shows the reader how a refocused God-centered lifestyle can lead into a new wholeness and an active, witnessing Christianity. It will be a life that pleases God. We can read in the Gospels how Jesus pleased God. This book gives us a suggestion about how can we please God.
1. By exalting Jesus Christ, His Son (Matt 3:17; Col 1:15-19)
2. By proclaiming the message of the cross (I Cor 1:18-2:5)
3. By believing in God and his promises (Heb 11:6)
4. By asking for wisdom (1 Kings 3:10, Col 1:9-14; James 1:5-8)
5. By staying away from sexual sin (Eph 5:3,4,10; 1 Thes 4:1-8)
6. By sharing the gospel with unbelievers (I Cor 9:14-27, 10:31-33)
7. By giving to others in time of need (Phil 4:10-20; Heb 13:16)
8. By submitting to authority (Rom 8:7-8, Col 3:20; 1 John 3:22)
9. By praising God for all things (Ps 69:30-31; Heb 13:15-16)
APPLICATION AND CHALLENGE
What does any of this have to do with us? As I was thinking and praying about Matthew 3:16-17, one thought kept coming back to me. This is the thought: Jesus was a “chip off the old block” who fulfilled all righteousness and pleased God. Our goal needs to be the same thing! Our lives need to be a “chip off the old block” of Jesus and please God.
Our challenge is to live our lives so that we hear a voice from heaven say, "This is My son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
Our challenge is to live our lives so that we hear a voice from heaven say, "This is My daughter, whom I love; with her I am well pleased."
May you be a “chip off the hold block.”
CONCLUSION
