The Baptism of Jesus

TEXTMatt. 3

INTRODUCTION:

A.      THIS CHAPTER DESCRIBES THE BAPTISM OF JOHN.

          1.       Repentance unto the remission of sins.

          2.       Elijah.

B.      JOHN'S PURPOSE - TO POINT OUT JESUS( Matt. 3:13-17 ).

I.      WHY WAS JESUS BAPTIZEDWHAT DID IT ACCOMPLISH?

A.      IT WAS AN ACT OF OBEDIENCE( Heb. 5:8-9 ).

          1.       Thru his obedience, he became our Savior - if we obey him( Matt. 28:18 ).

          2.       Disobedience will be punished( 2 Thess. 1:7-9 ).

          3.       Jesus' obedience rewarded - so will ours be( Phil. 2:5-11 ).

B.      IT WAS AN EXAMPLE FOR US( 1 Pet. 2:21;  1 Cor. 11:1 ).

C.      AN OPPORTUNITY TO FULFILL PROPHECY( Isa. 42:1;  Mat. 3:16-17 ).

          1.       God's promise to endorse his Son.

          2.       His soul delights in him.

          3.       His Spirit will be upon him( Acts 3:18, 24;  John 5:39-47 ).

D.      IT PREFIGURED HIS DEATH, BURIAL & RESURRECTION.

                   OURS LOOKS BACK( Rom. 6:3-4 ).

II.     JESUS' REASON - "TO FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS."

        ( Matt. 3:15 ).

A.      USE OF THE WORD "RIGHTEOUSNESS."

          1.       Not merely a righteous act.

          2.       Involves Jesus' righteous character - but not referred to here.

B.      SIMILAR USAGE IN Rom. 1:16-17, 3:21ff. - "A" RIGHTEOUSNESS.

          1.       Refers to God's plan for making us right.

          2.       Involved many things - His vicarious death( Rom. 3:23-26;  2 Cor. 5:14-15 ).

C.      HIS BAPTISM HAS A PART IN GOD'S ETERNAL PLAN.

III.    WHAT PART DID IT PLAY?( John 1:29-34 ).

A.      JOHN KNEW HIM NOT( vs. 31, 33 ).

B.      JOHN'S PURPOSE IN BAPTIZING( vs. 31 ).

C.      WHEN THE SPIRIT DESCENDED, JOHN KNEW JESUS WAS THE CHRIST

          ( vs. 32-34 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      JESUS IS CONFIRMED BY PROPHECY, SIGNS, AND WITNESSES TO BE

          LORD AND CHRIST.

B.      SANCTIFY HIM IN YOUR HEART AS LORD( 1 Pet. 3:15;  Matt. 7:21 ).

C.      OBEY HIM( John 14:15 ).