2025-07-06 Baptism By The River

Sermon Title:

“When Heaven Speaks: Father, Son, and Spirit at the Water”

Main Text:

Matthew 3:13-17 (NKJV) Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Introduction: Setting the Scene

Today we gather at the Wells River here in Groton, Vermont, echoing a moment over 2,000 years ago by the Jordan River.

Heaven opened, the Spirit descended, and the Father spoke—revealing the Triune God actively involved in salvation.

Baptism is a God-ordained ordinance and a visible testimony of the saving work the Triune God has done in a believer’s life.

I. John the Baptist’s Unique Baptism

John introduced a baptism of repentance and preparation for the coming Messiah.

Matthew 3:5-6 (NKJV) “Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.”

This baptism was a unique, immersive ritual—distinct from traditional Jewish washings—that called people to change their hearts and lives.

Importantly, this baptism was also a picture of their belief that Jesus would die for their sins, be buried, and conquer death—a hopeful sign looking forward to the Savior’s work on the cross.

People came to John to show their readiness and belief that the Messiah would soon come to save by dying and rising.

II. Jesus’ Baptism: Fulfillment and Foreshadowing

Jesus was baptized by John, though sinless and fully God, to “fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15).

Through His baptism, Christ identifies with sinners. He will ultimately bear their sins; His perfect righteousness will be imputed to them:

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV): “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

This act of baptism is a necessary part of the righteousness He secured for sinners.

This first public event of His ministry is rich in meaning:

It pictures His death and resurrection:

Luke 12:50 (NKJV): “But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!”

It prefigures the significance of Christian baptism.

It marks His first public identification with those whose sins He would bear:

Isaiah 53:11 (NKJV) “He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities.”

1 Peter 3:18 (NKJV) “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.”

It affirms His messiahship publicly by testimony directly from heaven.

Sermon Illustration / Quote:

"Through His baptism, Christ identifies with sinners. He will ultimately bear their sins; His perfect righteousness will be imputed to them (2 Cor. 5:21). This act of baptism is a necessary part of the righteousness He secured for sinners. This first public event of His ministry is also rich in meaning: (1) it pictures His death and resurrection (Luke 12:50); (2) it, therefore, prefigures the significance of Christian baptism (see note on v. 6); (3) it marks His first public identification with those whose sins He would bear (Is. 53:11; 1 Pet. 3:18); and (4) it affirms His messiahship publicly by testimony directly from heaven.” — John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Bible Commentary, Mt 3:15

Jesus’ anguish leading up to His baptism and death was not fear of men or physical torment but sorrow over bearing the full wrath of God’s judgment on sin:

Matthew 26:38 (NKJV) “Then He said to them, ‘My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.’”

This “anguish” relates to the baptism of suffering and judgment He was about to undergo.

III. The Spiritual Meaning of Baptism for Believers and the Sealing of the Spirit

Believers are spiritually baptized into Christ by the Holy Spirit. This baptism by the Spirit is also the sealing of the believer.

The Spirit unites us to Christ, seals us, and guarantees our inheritance as God’s children.

This sealing assures us of God’s presence, protection, and power until final redemption.

1 Corinthians 12:13 (NKJV): “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.”

Ephesians 1:13-14 (NKJV): “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”

Sermon Illustration / Teaching Note:

"The church, the spiritual body of Christ, is formed as believers are immersed by Christ with the Holy Spirit. Christ is the baptizer (see note on Matt. 3:11) who immerses each believer with the Spirit into unity with all other believers. Paul is not writing of water baptism. That outward sign depicts the believer’s union with Christ in His death and Resurrection (see notes on Rom. 6:3, 4). Similarly, all believers are also immersed into the body of Christ by means of the Holy Spirit.” — John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Bible Commentary, 1 Corinthians 12:13

Water baptism is the outward, public sign of this inward spiritual reality—a visual testimony of new life in Christ.

Baptism itself does not save, but powerfully displays the salvation God has already worked in the heart.

IV. The Trinity United at the Baptism

At Jesus’ baptism, the Triune God was fully revealed:

The Father spoke from heaven, affirming the Son,

The Son humbled Himself to be baptized,

The Holy Spirit descended like a dove, anointing Jesus for His ministry.

Matthew 3:16-17 (NKJV) “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’”

This moment reveals the unity and work of the Triune God in salvation.

Today, the same Triune God is active in John Levee’s salvation and life.