Luke 3:15-38
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Last week we saw John the Baptist proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
We talked about what repentance is and what it produces in the life of a believer.
We saw that repentance means unconditional surrender to God.
For those of us who have repented, He is the boss with total control over every aspect of our lives.
We saw that repentance is both an inward response of emotion and will, and an outward response of action on the part of the believer.
Those who heard John’s message asked the essential question of “What do we do?”.
Genuine repentance produces life change.
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Today we will finish chapter 3.
Please turn with me in your bibles to Luke 3 - we will start in v.15.
15 As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ,
16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
18 So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people.
19 But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done,
20 added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison.
21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened,
22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
23 Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,
Now instead of me reading all these names, let’s hit a couple of high points.
In v. 31 we see that Jesus was the son of David.
v. 34 the son of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
…but it keeps going even past Abraham
all the way to Adam and ultimately, God.
Look back with me though to verses 15 and 16
15 As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ,
16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
What does it mean to be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire?
What does it mean to be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire?
John’s baptism was symbolic.
It was a public declaration of repentance.
Remember that last week we learned that repentance is action, not merely attitude.
John could baptize you and there be no real change.
I can baptize you and there be no real change.
The baptism that Jesus brings is salvation.
He will baptize with the Holy Spirit.
Believers are indwelt with the Holy Spirit at salvation.
If someone tells you that you need a second event to occur after salvation in which you receive the Holy Spirit, they may mean well, but they are incorrect.
Now, we progressively learn to listen to the Spirit as we grow in our sanctification.
We read the Word of God and are empowered by the Spirit of God to understand it and obey it.
If you were baptized before you were saved, then you just got wet.
Because water baptism is symbolic, does that mean it is unimportant?
Definitely not!
Anything God commands the believer to do is important simply because God commanded it.
But also...
If you were baptized after you were saved, then you publicly proclaimed your allegiance to King Jesus.
I started asking questions that led to my understanding the gospel and repenting because of the baptism of one of my classmates in school.
God used this kid’s testimony of baptism to lead me to salvation.
You can’t convince me that baptism is not important!
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What about the fire part of “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire”?
Fire in the bible normally represents judgment.
And this certainly makes sense in the context here because he goes on in v. 17 to say
17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
He may be saying that Jesus is coming to either be your savior or your judge.
Jesus will judge everyone.
The difference is he will be the advocate and the judge of the saved, and he will judge the saved on his own merit rather than their own.
He will be the judge of the lost and they will have no advocate and no hope.
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We saw in v. 15 that people were wondering if John was the Christ.
They wanted to know if he was the main event.
His response in v. 16 shows the humility that must accompany faithful Christian service.
There are two sides to this next point.
The first is...
We must not idolize christian leaders.
We must not idolize christian leaders.
John was an exceedingly great man.
Jesus said there were none greater born of woman.
That pretty much covers everybody… right?
So if there were someone who had a reason to have a pride problem, it would be John.
Instead of making much of himself we see John displaying profound humility and pointing to Christ.
((Stuff about loosing the sandal))
(Now I do not think anyone here is likely to idolize me, but there are some extremely charismatic and gifted teachers out there.)
If we put too much stock in them we will be strongly discouraged if they fall.
(Story about Butler and Bro. John) - He warned me not to let it effect my spiritual life - I thought it wouldn’t - I was wrong.
I don’t plan to disappoint you, but if I do that’s on me - not God.
Listen to Christian teachers and leaders.
Appreciate them - but realize they are pitifully feeble in their own strength.
We should expect them to finish the race well, but only if they stay humbly submitted to God.
The other side of this point is...
Christian leaders must not become prideful.
Christian leaders must not become prideful.
This warning is not just for pastors, but it is one that every pastor needs to hear.
If three years from now we had 2 growing campuses and a combined Easter attendance of 1000 people don’t you think I would be tempted by pride?
Unfortunately, I assure you that I would.
I could get stupid enough to take credit for God’s work.
Let’s first pray that I have that challenge, and secondly pray that I don’t get that stupid!
SS teachers, Worship leaders, etc. need to watch out for pride too.
I complement Jimmy fairly regularly on the job he does. - Am I not worried about him becoming prideful?
My job is to encourage him. - His job, through the empowering of the Holy Spirit is to remain humble.
Pride is an ever-present danger though.
That is why the bible tells us regarding overseers...
6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
People should not rush into vocational ministry.
Jesus began his public ministry at 30 years of age.
23 Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,
Our next point is a reality that is fast approaching.
Real preaching can get us in trouble.
Real preaching can get us in trouble.
18 So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people.
19 But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done,
20 added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison.
The gospel is foolish and offensive to the lost.
18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”
8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
If the government thinks it can shut down a church for public health reasons, it will not be long before they try to shut us down for the mental health of those who do not like our message.
The early believers spread the gospel under the constant threat of persecution and martyrdom.
What would they have done with the freedom that you and I have?
What are you doing with that freedom while we still have it?
Real preaching is going to get us in trouble.
Plan on it - part of our church budgets in upcoming years may have to go to attorney’s fees.
Pray for perseverance.
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Now I want to talk about some good news that you hear from me fairly often , but that I don’t think many Christians fully understand.
Jesus’ perfect obedience for you
Jesus’ perfect obedience for you
Why was Jesus baptized?
This was a baptism of repentance!
Contrary to the statements of the eminent theologian and CNN anchor Don Lemon, Jesus was indeed perfect.
I don’t know if you saw that, but Don Lemon explained to the Cuomo that is on CNN that Jesus was not perfect and never claimed to be.
That, my friends, is FAKE NEWS!
So why was Jesus baptized?
He did everything that you and I should have done.
He obeyed God in every way that you and I should have, but failed to.
He fulfilled the law down to the most minute detail.
When a believer is saved, he exchanges his unrighteousness for Christ’s righteousness - and that righteousness is absolutely complete.
Do you want to know what pleases God the Father?
The Son pleases God the Father.
That is why all of those who are “in Christ” have God as a father who is pleased with them.
If you really learn and internalize that truth it will do away with the nagging fears that say God is not really pleased with you. (IF YOU ARE IN CHRIST)
God will chastise those he loves to turn them away from sin...
but that is BECAUSE he loves you.
1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
If you, by repentance and faith, are in Christ, then you are loved and accepted by God forevermore.
If you are in Christ, then you are pleasing to the Father.
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Another thing that we see in verses 21-22 is the trinity on display.
21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened,
22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
Jesus was praying.
The Holy Spirit was descending.
and
The Father was speaking from heaven.
(explain modalism - why it is attractive, but wrong)
God is one in essence - 3 in person
Be careful how you explain this - ice, water, and water vapor - really teaches modalism.
(Probably can’t completely get our heads around it, but...
One in essence and three in person is correct.)
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Further good news that we see in this passage is that…
Jesus is savior of both Jews and gentiles.
Jesus is savior of both Jews and gentiles.
V.23-38 give us the high points of Jesus’ genealogy back to Adam
In our introduction to Luke we said that is one of the things that is distinctive about Luke’s presentation.
He stresses Jesus being savior of both Jews and gentiles.
The offer of the gospel is open to everyone.
(( Gospel ))
God has given you the opportunity to hear it.
Have you repented and believed?
If not, please do so now.
If you have, please allow someone else to hear it through you.
(( Invitation ))
Pray
Join
Be Saved