Jesus: Baptized in Water

Series Review

This year’s Vacation Bible School theme is also about water: Rolling River Rampage, where will be inviting children on a white-water rafting adventure to experience the ride of a lifetime with God!  In the weeks leading up to VBS, we will look at stories of water in the Bible, and like any story in the Bible, and see what they tell us about God and what He wants to do in our lives.

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Last week I preached what is probably the most famous water story in the Bible: God parting the Red Sea, and the Israelites crossing over safely. Some may think that the 1st story in the series - Noah’s Ark and the Flood, is the most popular water story in the Bible.

This morning you’ve heard Tom tell the story of Jesus being baptized. Baptism is one of the most important things we do in the Church. Back in April we had 2 baptisms, and you were not only able to see God acting through baptism, you saw that we use different modes of baptism in UMC.

This morning’s story is about something calmer. Something more relatable. Baptism. Many of you have been baptized. You might remember it if you were baptized as a believer. You can at least relate to the experience of been under water for some reason.

When someone wants to join HUMC, one of the requirements is baptism. It was commanded by Christ. It was never presented as an option, but something that was essential. But why did Jesus get baptized? This is something that might perplex us.

Story Introduction

This morning you’ve heard Tom tell the story of Jesus being baptized. - we baptize. It’s a beginning of a new life for people. It’s a serious commitment for the person being baptized or their parents. Back in April we had 2 baptisms, and you were not only able to see God acting through baptism, you saw that we use different modes of baptism in UMC.

This morning you’ve heard Tom tell the story of Jesus being baptized. Baptism is one of the most important things we do in the Church - we baptize. It’s a beginning of a new life for people. It’s a serious commitment for the person being baptized or their parents. Back in April we had 2 baptisms, and you were not only able to see God acting through baptism, you saw that we use different modes of baptism in UMC.

Baptism is one of the most important things we do in the Church

e.g. Presbyterian pastor, baptized in vinegar

When someone wants to join HUMC, one of the requirements is baptism. It was commanded by Christ. It was never presented as an option, but something that was essential. But why did Jesus get baptized? This is something that might perplex us.

John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin is perplexed, he’s intimidated. Why are you coming to me? You should be baptizing me?

When the Son of God, the Messiah, the Savior of the world comes to you, asking you to baptize them, how are you supposed to feel?

Did you know Jesus was baptized?

There have been a few times as a pastor I’ve been in the middle of a sermon, when I’ve looked out and seen a bishop or a district superintendent. It’s a little intimidating. Once a New Testament seminary professor was in attendance, listening to my sermon, and I was a bit distracted. What can I say about the New Testament that would interest an expert in the field? I could learn more from him that he can from me.

I wonder if that’s how John felt, having the Son of God ask for baptism.

Message Introduction

As a pastor I’ve sometimes people resist baptism: “Do I really need to do that?” “It’s what’s on the inside that counts.” “I can be a good Christian without being baptized.” “Can I still go to heaven if I’m not baptized?” I’m nervous about getting up in front of people, now you’re asking me to get wet in front of a crowd.”

As a pastor I’ve sometimes people resist baptism: “Do I really need to do that?” “It’s what’s on the inside that counts.” “I can be a good Christian without being baptized.” “Can I still go to heaven if I’m not baptized?” I’m nervous about getting up in front of people, now you’re asking me to get wet in front of a crowd.”

Those are very good questions, and to answer them we need to know what baptism is. We watch it. We might be excited by it. Moved by it. Or it might think it is cute when it happens to a baby.

Why do we baptize? So I’m going to teach 2 things about baptism, to show why it’s so important, and not just an empty ritual that doesn’t really mean anything.

Why do we baptize? So I’m going to teach 2 things about baptism, to show why it’s so important, and not just an empty ritual that doesn’t really mean anything.

So I’m going to teach 2 things about baptism, to show why it’s so important, and not just an empty ritual that doesn’t really mean anything.

Then I’m going to ask, “Why did Jesus get baptized.” I thought Jesus was God in the flesh. I thought Jesus lived a sinless life, he was the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Why did Jesus get baptized. I’m going to point out 2 reasons why Jesus was baptized. Not just so we can learn 2 new things about Jesus, but so that we can know Jesus better.

Then I’m going to ask, “Why did Jesus get baptized.”

Know Jesus better…wouldn’t we rather know and experience God, than just study facts about him? It can be the difference between having a parent’s name on a birth certificate and having parents who spend time with you, listen to you, take trips with you. Raise you.

So let’s look at baptism this morning and then let’s look at the Jesus who was baptized 2000 years ago.

difference - did Jesus really need this?

e.g. retired seminary professor not wanting to take a new members class; holy spirit - you will go to this class alongside the other people who are discerning their call to this church;

same - Jesus and the prof humbled themselves, set aside their status and lived among ordinary people;

difference - did Jesus really need this?

the problem: the deity of Christ; the perfection of Christ; baptism is a baptism of repentance

Quakers / Society of Friends = dry cleaned baptists.

To know why Jesus did it, we have to know

Can’t I be a good Christian and not be baptized?

I’m afraid of baptism. Being in front of people, talking in front of people is hard enough. Getting wet in front of people.

Objection: I don’t think that is necessary. I can be a good Christian and not be baptized. Quakers / Society of Friends = dry cleaned baptists.

So what is baptism?

One of the reasons people can be skeptical, is that they’ve been baptized and they have experienced no change. They are no different coming out of the water then they were going into it. Or, they’ve seen someone else go in the water a real jerk, and came out of it as a wet jerk - and there was never a change.

Baptism is an Act of Repentance.

So what is baptism?

Baptism is an Act of Repentance.

Acts 2:38 NIV

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

There is a direct connection between repentance and baptism.

Remember - there is no church at this time. No Christians. Just Jesus and a few disciples. Baptism wasn’t something Jesus started: In Jesus’ day, there were non Jews (Gentiles) who wanted to become a part of God’s people were baptized. They were leaving behind one way of life and entering another. They were repenting.

To leave

They were openly declaring their commitment, their desire not to improve their existing life, but to leave an old life and enter a whole new way of living. Following God is not about home improvement Sometimes I think we prefer home improvement over renovation.

So many words we associate with baptism: washing away sins, the holy spirit poured out, the dying with Christ and being raised with Christ to a new life: all of these fall under the same word: repent.

The problem with that word is that we misuse it or avoid it:

(e.g. “say you’re sorry” - ever seen this with parenting; not bad, but you want to see long term change - not bullying others as a way of life)

Not just saying your sorry, but a change of mind, a change of direction.

Repentance is not sorrow in the moment, but

holy spirit poured out

The problem with that word is that we misuse it or avoid it:

Not just saying your sorry, but a change of mind, a change of direction.

How to measure change: ask someone who knows you and will be honest with you. (you’ve changed a bit - a good thing or not?)

There is a huge difference between someone who is truly sorry for their sins, and actually repented of your sins? Make a comparison.

How to measure change: ask someone who knows you and will be honest with you. (you’ve changed a bit - a good thing or not?)

Our baptism is a part of our repentance.

Baptism is also a

Baptism is a sign of the Holy Spirit

Matthew 3:16 NIV

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 alighting on him.

Acts 2:38 NIV

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

What is a sign? (e.g. Cracker Barrel - it shows you that the reality is there - it brings you closer to it)

Sprinkling: the Holy Spirit poured out. Baptism is a sign that we have received the Holy Spirit. How do we know if we have the Holy Spirit living inside us: Signs of the Spirit? Besides baptism, think of these questions:

Is God near, or far away?

Is Jesus a historical figure, or do you have a personal relationship with Jesus?

Do you just believe that Christ rose from the dead, or is that same power at work in your life?

Do your beliefs just affect your head? Or do they affect your heart and life?

Why:

Is the church an organization that does good things, or do we make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world?

Baptism: It’s more than getting wet in front of a congregation: sign of our repentance and sign of our receiving of the holy spirit

e.g. summer camp, headache, getting better?

It may not happen from the sky: you may experience it in the water, after the water, but the Holy Spirit is def. poured out.

the problem:

the deity of Christ; (explain doctrine, why it is important; if I tell you that Jesus is just a good teacher, maybe even performed a few miracles, I’m outside the bounds of Christianity;

the problem: the deity of Christ; the perfection of Christ; baptism is a baptism of repentance, did Jesus need to repent? baptism is a sign of the Holy Spirit poured out - wasn’t Jesus already filled with the Holy Spirit?

the perfection of Christ; baptism is a baptism of repentance, did Jesus need to repent? baptism is a sign of the Holy Spirit poured out - wasn’t Jesus already filled with the Holy Spirit?

Why? When we can answer this, we can know Jesus better.

Jesus Identified with Us

Hebrews 2:17 NIV

For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 4:15 NIV

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

Let me ask you a question: A single mom with children surrounded by drugs and gang activity: how can I raise my kids? If From whom would you rather hear advice? Someone who grew up with children in a similar neighborhood? Or someone who grew up in a suburban neighborhood?

same - Jesus and the prof humbled themselves, set aside their status and lived among ordinary people;

Jesus grew up in our neighborhood. He experienced the worst kind of poverty and the worst kind of temptations: insults, seductions, fatigue, frustration, sadness, fear. The full human experience. Including the need for baptism.

He does more than experience all of these things: he shows us how to deal with these things.

He doesn’t just teach baptism, he shoes us how it’s done. It’s a part of our leaving the world’s way of life and following God’s way of life.

Jesus Demonstrated Humility

Philippians 2:5–6 NIV

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

Jesus wasn’t “too good for baptism.”

e.g. retired seminary professor not wanting to take a new members class; holy spirit - you will go to this class alongside the other people who are discerning their call to this church;

same - Jesus and the prof humbled themselves, set aside their status and lived among ordinary people;

to model for us what exactly we are to do - If baptism is good enough for Jesus, it should be good enough for us;

Conclusion

Have you been baptized? (not have you been wet) Jesus’ final commandment, make disciples, teaching them, baptizing them...

It’s a part of the great commission (not just getting wet, but what it signifies). We must do it. It is a sign of our repentance, it is a sign of the HS in our lives.

Jesus, who lived and died in our place. Jesus, who taught us how life is to lived. Did it, and says we are to do it too.