Sermon Central
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The Inaugural Event Series
Contributed by Carl Willis on Feb 19, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: The baptism of Jesus proved to be the inaugural event of Jesus’ earthly ministry. The descending of the Holy Spirit, the proclamation of a proud Father...the work was now at hand.
The Inaugural Event
February 24, 2008
Mark 1:9 (HCSB)
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John
Are You Sure?
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. But John tried to stop Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and yet You come to me?”
Matthew 3:13-14 (HCSB)
Are You Sure?
- Jesus request
- To be baptized by John
- The baptism of repentance
- John’s resistance
- Not worthy
- John knew his sinful nature
- We battle the same with our obedience
- Not needed
- Jesus was the perfect Lamb of God
John 1:29 (HCSB)
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!...”
Matthew 3:15 (HCSB)
Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him to be baptized.
The Motivation
- Completion of God’s redemptive plan
- Confessing the sin of man
- The public launch of His ministry
Mark 1:10-11 (HCSB)
As soon as He came up out of the water, He saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending to Him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: You are My beloved Son; I take delight in You!
The Endorsement
- Heaven was torn open
- The Spirit of God descended
- Like a dove – Luke 3:21
Luke 3:21-22 (HCSB)
When all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized. As He was praying, heaven opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in a physical appearance like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: You are My beloved Son. I take delight in You!
The Endorsement
- Heaven was torn open
- The Spirit of God descended
- Like a dove – Luke 3:21
- Confirmation for John – John 1:32-34
John 1:32-34 (HCSB)
And John testified, “I watched the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He rested on Him. I didn’t know Him, be He who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The One you see the spirit descending and resting on-He is the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and testified that He is the Son of God!”
The Endorsement
- Heaven was torn open
- The Spirit of God descended
- Like a dove – Luke 3:21
- Confirmation for John – John 1:32-34
- A proud Father
- God expressed the relationship
- Divine
- God expressed His pleasure
- His will would be accomplished
The Significance
- Jesus confessed our sin
- Jesus was here for you
- Jesus was testifying of new life to come
**Powerpoint available on request
