Baptism Service 25

Matthew 3:13-17

welcome everyone to the river!!

Today’s message is called: This Changes Everything

Because when you go under that water, it’s not just a cute photo op. It’s not a tradition. It’s not a ritual.

It’s a burial... and it’s a birth. It’s where your past gets washed, and your future gets unlocked.

lets read our passage Matthew 3.13-17

Matthew 3:13–17 ESV

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

preach on the passage

a few points but will go fast

point 1

POINT 1: EVEN JESUS GOT IN THE WATER

possibly talk about how some christians you know, some big timers are not baptized…I dont need to, God knows how much i love him why do i need to do that for him…

compare to living with someone your not married to…uh oh sorry…

even Jesus GOT IN THE WATER!!!

Think about it — Jesus didn’t need to get baptized. He had never sinned. He didn’t need to be washed clean.

But He said, “Let it be so now.” Why?

Because He was showing us the way. Baptism is not just something we do for God — it’s something God does in us.

again, We think of baptism like a gift we bring to God: "Here’s my public statement. Here’s my obedience. Here’s my promise to follow You." And yes, it is obedience. It is public.

I waited a while before i was baptized because to me I knew what I was saying by being baptized...

But if you only see baptism as you doing something for God, you miss the power of what God is actually doing in you.

It’s not just your hands going into the water — it’s His hands shaping your heart.

It’s not just you stepping forward — it’s Him stepping into your life in a whole new way.

When Jesus went into the water, He didn’t just model humility; He modeled surrender. He was saying, “Father, I’m aligning Myself fully with Your plan. My life is Yours.”

story time!!

It’s kind of like when I was a kid “helping” my grandpa fix the car. I’d be out in the driveway, holding the flashlight, feeling all important, like I was the mechanic.

But really… I wasn’t fixing anything. I was just holding the light. The real work? He was doing it the whole time.

Baptism is like that — you step into the water thinking you’re making this big move for God (and you are)…

But the deeper truth is, He’s the One doing the heavy lifting. He’s the One taking out what doesn’t belong. He’s the One putting your heart back together.

And just like my grandpo with the car — He doesn’t need your help… but He invites you in because He wants you close enough to see what He’s doing.

and what he is doing is taking the old and replacing it with new…

which leads to point 2

POINT 2: BAPTISM IS A BURIAL AND A BIRTH

Here’s what happens when you get baptized: Romans 6:4

Romans 6:4 ESV

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

today we showed up for a funeral BUT we also are here to celebrate a birthday!!

When you go down in that water — it’s a funeral for your past. When you come up — it’s a birthday for your future.

That’s not just water — that’s resurrection liquid.

Every chain, every regret, every LABEL the enemy put on you… stays buried. And when you rise, you rise forgiven, free, and full of the Spirit.

leads to final point

POINT 3: HEAVEN OPENS WHEN OBEDIENCE HAPPENS

Look what happened the moment Jesus came up out of the water:

“Heaven opened.”

Some of us have been praying, “God, open the heavens.” But God is waiting on us to first open our hearts.

Sometimes the thing you’re praying for is on the other side of your obedience.

When you step into that water — Heaven opens, the Spirit moves, and the Father’s voice speaks: “This is my son. This is my daughter. I’m proud of you.”

In a little while, we’re going down to that river. When your foot hits that water — that’s your line in the sand.

The old you doesn’t cross back. The enemy’s lies don’t follow. The shame, the guilt, the chains — they stay buried.

Because what dies in the water doesn’t come back out.

So let me ask you — have you been baptized? Not “sprinkled when I was a baby.” Not “I kinda did something at church camp.”

I mean… have you made the decision to say publicly: “I’m with Jesus”?

If not — why not today?

We’ve got water. We’ve got shirts and towels. But most importantly — we’ve got the presence of God right here, right now.

You don’t wait to get your life together before you get baptized. You get baptized so God can start putting it together.

Let’s make this more than a moment. Let’s make it a milestone.

One day you’ll look back and say:

“That was the day I left fear in the river.” “That was the day I buried addiction.” “That was the day Heaven opened over my life.”

The water is ready. Heaven is ready. The only question is — are you?

preach

Baptize

HOLY SPIRIT TAKE OVER!!!