The Baptism of the Lord
Chaplain (CPT) O. Alan Jones
White Sands Missile Range
Protestant Chapel
January 21, 2007
The Baptism of the Lord
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
15 And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;
16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
17 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.
21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.
Sermon Aim:
Introduction:
1. Jesus was intentional about His baptism.
2. Are we intentional about our baptism?
I. Contrast the baptism of John with the baptism of Christ
A. John’s baptism
1. John’s baptism was a preparation for the greater baptism with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.
2. John’s baptism was a baptism of promise.
B. The Lord’s Baptism
Matthew alone records that John the Baptist at first hesitated to accept Him.
John thought: “it is not you who need baptized, but I should be baptized by you.”
1.Why did Jesus submit himself to John’s baptism?
a. to obey his Father
Jesus did not need baptism as a sign of repentance,
Because He was sinless, but He chose to be baptized by John.
b. The baptism of Jesus Christ is an Epiphany,
A manifestation or a divine witness that He is the Christ,
The Messiah to come.
The Holy Spirit was a sign of His anointing for public ministry.
c. He received power
It is in the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus battles against all the evil forces.
The coming of the Holy Spirit is not to make Jesus the Son of God,
Because He was.
But, to empower the Servant for His task.
In undergoing baptism, Jesus received his commission from God.
This brings me to the main point of my sermon today:
C. Jesus’ entire life was a lifetime of obedience to God!
1. From the very beginning when He was only 12 years old
I wonder how Jesus’ parents felt when they figured out that their son was missing?
They thought he was in “the company” of their neighbors who also were returning home from their travel to the Passover in Jerusalem.
After one day they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances (Luke 2:45).
After looking for him and not finding him they returned to Jerusalem (Luke 2:45).
After looking for three days, they found Jesus in the temple.
He was sitting in the midst of the teachers,
Listening to them
And asking them questions.
All that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
Mary asked Jesus, “Why have you done this to us (Luke 2:48)?”
Your father and I grew anxious over you loss (Luke 2:48).
They worried greatly.
Luke 2:49 (NKJV)
And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”
2. Jesus’ food
John 4:34 (NKJV)
“Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.’”
3. In the Garden of Gethsemane
Luke 22:42 (NKJV)
42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”
4. The Lord’s Prayer
Matthew 6:10 (KJV)
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
5. Jesus’ mission was to accomplish His Father’s will
John 5:30 (NKJV)
30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.
John 6:38 (NKJV)
38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
Philippians 2:8 (NKJV)
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Application:
Luke 3:21-22 (NKJV)
21 When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened.
22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”
Illustration: A Father’s Pride in his Son
Baseball, Football, Soccer teams
Helping run the family business, etc.
Illustration: An old TV spot graphically illustrated the bad influence of cigarette smoking (from the late 60’s). In the TV spot, a father throws a cigarette down on the ground and his son picks it up and begins to immitate him. The TV spot ends with with a voice that says, "Like father…like son."
That father set a bad example, didn't he?
God the Father set a good example for His Son to follow.
God was proud of His Son.
Are you following Christ today?
Are you setting a good example for others?
Let us pray...