All in For God

Our text today is one that we may simply take for granted and pass over the tremendous significance of the event that is referenced in all four gospels.

Luke 3.23 - reveals that Jesus is around 30 years old as His ministry begins.

To this point, He has lived in obscurity. No one outside of some of the people of Nazareth in Galilee know of Him. Those who did, would have only seen him as one of the sons of Joseph, a carpenter by trade.

Nothing, at this time, would give any indication to His being the Son of God.

Now is the time for his earthly ministry to commence. Matthew 3.13 tells us He travels as many as 60 miles to John in order to be baptized.

John is the first prophet in Israel in 400 years. People went after him.

He was dynamic, forceful, and bold.

He was filled with the Spirit.

He was the son of a priest - Zechariah - so he would have had credibility.

He lived in the wilderness … and identified with poor people.

John 1.31, 33 says that when Jesus came, John did not recognize him.

Not surprising, even though Luke 1.36 identifies their mothers as relatives.

Not surprising because they had not lived in the same area over their lives.

Jesus lived in the village of Nazareth in Galilee, in the N of Israel.

John lived in the desert SE of Jerusalem.

Despite this, Jesus would have known about John … because of His omniscience.

John would have been looking for the Messiah … since He was the one making the way of preparation.

And so, on this occasion they meet … in the gospels, it’s the only time we see them together.

After Jesus departs, He is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to do battle with Satan.

John continues his ministry … probably another 6 months or so, before being arrested by Herod. He is beheaded around a year after that.

When Jesus came, we’re not sure exactly how long John had been doing public ministry.

Matthew 3.5 shows he had been doing it long enough for all of Jerusalem/Judea to hear about him and come to be baptized.

Luke 3.21 says all the people were coming to be baptized.

What is so important about this story?

What is the significance of Jesus’ baptism?

How does this story demonstrate for us Jesus’ faithfulness to the Father?

What is here that can inspire us in our victorious faith?

After we examine the text today we’ll learn:

Humility matters.

Your baptism means something.

You need to embrace your mission.

Let’s pray.

Matthew 3.13-15 - Jesus’ Baptism

➟ ➟ ➟ 3.13 - Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by Him.

Why does Jesus come?

To be baptized by John. It is his express intention.

Why does Jesus want to be baptized? Raises questions in our mind.

➟ ➟ ➟ 3.14 - After John finds out who Jesus is, it certainly raises questions in his mind.

3.14a - John tried to stop him. Why?

➟ ➟ ➟ 3.2 - John’s was a baptism of repentance.

➟ ➟ ➟ 3.6 - Respondents confessed their sin.

➟ ➟ ➟ 3.14 - So why would Jesus seek to be baptized?

Why would he join up w/a crowd of sinners?

Why did he participate in something that marked a time of repentance and conversion?

Jesus repents … not in the sense of turning from sin … he had none … but in the sense of dedicating himself to follow God’s will fully on earth.

He is submitting himself to the God-ordained message of life-dedication.

➟ ➟ ➟ Now, all John can see at this moment … you don’t need this. So he tries to stop Jesus.

Tried to stop - is written in the sense of prevention by forceful, energetic action or activity.

In other words, John kept on trying to dissuade Jesus.

All the pronouns in his statement to Jesus are emphatic. “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?”

John is earnestly, strongly, intensely continuing to hinder Jesus from being baptized.

It’s all backwards to him.

➟ ➟ ➟ 3.14 - think of the statement John is making about Jesus.

This is one of the loudest declarations in all of Scripture regarding the sinlessness of Jesus.

John is saying, my baptism is for sinners. I’m a sinner. You need to be baptizing me.

Matthew 11.11 declares John the Baptist as the prophet who ever lived. Think of the message he declared! The Messiah is at hand! The Messiah is here!

Now, here is the greatest prophet … exalting Jesus as sinless!

John’s statement is a declaration of the absolute sinlessness of Jesus Christ!

So, if Jesus is sinless and wants to be baptized w/a baptism for sinners, why is that?

➟ ➟ ➟ 3.15 - Jesus’ first recorded words in Scripture since he was 12 YO.

Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.

Let it go this time.

I know this is not the usual thing for you, but it’s necessary.

This is something for “us” to do. It’s the right thing. We both have a part here.

➟ ➟ ➟ 3.15a - ➟ ➟ ➟ What does it mean To fulfill all righteousness? Two things:

➟ ➟ ➟ Jesus wants to do absolutely everything God required.

John 1.33 - John the Baptist tells us God required baptism.

He says God sent him to baptize with water.

This, baptism for sinners, was the will of God.

When Jesus is saying he wants to be baptized to fulfil all righteousness, it is with the attitude of obedience.

If this is what God commands - regardless of the fact I have no sin - I will obey.

What incredible insight here to the comprehensive and complete obedience of Christ to the will of God.

If God said this is to be done, I’ll do it.

➟ ➟ ➟ Jesus wants to identify with sinners. He is the sacrificing servant for all of humanity.

Jesus’ desire to be baptized is a statement - as his ministry begins - a declaration that He who had no sin was going to take his place among the unrighteous.

➟ ➟ ➟ Isaiah 53.12 - Jesus was counted among the rebels / Numbered with the transgressors.

➟ ➟ ➟ Isaiah 53.11 - My righteous servant will justify many and he will carry their iniquities.

➟ ➟ ➟ 3.15b - Then John allowed him to be baptized.

Now, John understands.

This is the moment that Jesus affirms his determination to do his assigned work.

This is the moment where Jesus declares His willingness to take on a servant’s role … and identify with the people he came to save.

John baptizes Jesus.

Matthew 3.16 - The Spirit Descends

➟ ➟ ➟ 3.16a - note the first part of the verse … When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water.

This is immersion.

Note He is identified here as “Jesus.” … “Savior.”

Jesus is his human identity. In this verse, God is going to empower Jesus in his humanness, empowering him for ministry and supply with strength.

➟ ➟ ➟ 3.16b - The heavens suddenly opened for him...

In Scripture when this happens, … two things occur:

God appears in some way.

God speaks.

Ezekiel and John had similar experiences. Must have been totally amazing and wonderful.

➟ ➟ ➟ 3.16c - the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him.

Luke 3.22 says this was not a vision … but a physical reality. Everyone present would have seen it.

➟ ➟ ➟ It’s the fulfillment of Isaiah 61.1: The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners;

The Spirit gave Jesus the power to:

Matthew 12.28 - cast out demons.

Acts 2.22 - work miracles, signs, and wonders.

Acts 10.38 - preach

Matthew 4.1 - strengthen him physically

➟ ➟ ➟ 3.16c - The Spirit descending on Jesus is also a sign for John the Baptist.

➟ ➟ ➟ John 1.33 - He was told the one you see the Spirit descending and resting on - he is the one who baptizes with the Spirit.

The Spirit descending on Jesus in such a visible way was also a sign for every person there that day .... Jesus is the Messiah … the long promised Savior.

3.17 - The Father’s Confirmation

Thus far we’ve seen:

3.15 - Jesus - it is fitting to fulfill all righteousness.

3.16 - The Spirit - now resting upon Jesus.

➟ ➟ ➟ And now, 3.17, the Father’s confirmation - This is my beloved Son in who I am well pleased.

God has now broken His silence and is now revealing himself to mankind again. This is the beginning of the Messianic age.

God again is abundantly active, speaking with direction and authority.

➟ ➟ ➟ It’s the fulfillment of Isaiah 42.1: This is my servant; I strengthen him, this is my chosen one; I delight in him. I have put my Spirit on him; he will bring justice to the nations.

➟ ➟ ➟ Note that Jesus is God’s beloved Son.

Think deep, rich, profound relationship.

Although we’re not told specifically that this was an audible statement that everyone heard, I’d like to believe it was every bit as physical as the Spirit descending on Jesus like a dove.

If everyone saw that … everyone would have heard this.

3.17 is a divine confirmation with 2 members of the trinity openly declaring that Jesus is the Messiah.

It’s an unmistakeable public affirmation and confirmation of the launch-point of Jesus’ earthly ministry.

Are You All in for God?

➟ ➟ ➟ p. 20 Vision Plan: When Faith Becomes Sight.

1 John 5.4 - we’re overcomers.

What gives us victory? Faith.

Faith that believes Jesus is the Son of God.

Faith serves as our strength as we move toward the ultimate victory - eternal life - and total transformation into the image of Christ.

➟ ➟ ➟ During October we’re looking @ how faithfulness to the Father inspires us to that victory.

What do we see in His faithfulness to the Father that inspires us to excel even more?

What have we seen today in this important beginning point of Jesus’ ministry?

➟ ➟ ➟ What does it mean to be all in for God?

➟ ➟ ➟ Humility matters.

This is the single greatest key to understanding the success of Jesus’ mission while on earth.

Philippians 2.3-4 - Paul reminds us of two things:

With humility, consider others more important than yourself.

Look to the interests of others.

Philippians 2.5-8 - This is how and what Jesus did. The occasion of his baptism is where we begin to see this in action.

➟ ➟ ➟ 2.5-6

➟ ➟ ➟ Look especially @ v. 7. On the occasion of his baptism is the first instance where we observe the Son of God … divesting Himself of all of the majesty and position as Creator .... learning and demonstrating submission.

➟ ➟ ➟ Now, look @ v. 8. Will we immolate the attitude of Jesus in active and conscientious obedience?

Will we allow Jesus’ example to inspire us to greater humility?

If Jesus was willing to go so far for others, can we not put the needs of others before our own?

➟ ➟ ➟ Humility is a key element of victorious faith.

Do I have the type of heart that says, whatever God says, I’ll do it?

Humility is what stands behind that type of heart.

A readiness to obey. An eagerness to please the Father?

➟ ➟ ➟ Your Baptism Means Something.

For Jesus, it is a forceful statement regarding His role as the obedient Son by living in this world with wholehearted devotion to God.

For us, baptism carries the same type of declarative statement.

We are making a statement to God, ourselves, and to the world that from that point forward we intend to live with wholehearted devotion to God.

We’re going to lead a new life. The old is gone and the new has come.

There is no better picture of the reality of Christ than that of our baptism into Him.

➟ ➟ ➟ Colossians 3.3 - we are baptized into His life.

Romans 6.1-11 - we have died to our old and sinful ways and have true life.

➟ ➟ ➟ 6.4 - your baptism was for the purpose of your walking in newness of life.

➟ ➟ ➟ 6.6 - your old self was crucified with Christ so that the body ruled by sin …might no longer be enslaved to sin.

➟ ➟ ➟ 6.11 - we are:

dead to sin

alive to God

➟ ➟ ➟ Your baptism was inseparably tied to repentance.

When you think back to the call of repentance … what is it?

Simple definition. A turning from sin.

Let’s go deeper. And let’s look at it from the positive:

Repentance is the urgent invitation to reorient our values, habits, loves, thinking, and behavior to a different nature.

It is a whole person response or behavior that moves in accord with God’s will.

It results in heart-deep, faithful obedience.

Now, how good are we doing with that? Resist the urge to have have divided affections.

➟ ➟ ➟ It’s All About the Mission

➟ ➟ ➟ John 1.29 - why did Jesus come to earth?

Our story in Matthew 3 is where we find Jesus’ public declaration of His acceptance of this mission.

This is where everything begins. This is where the mission of Jesus’ active, physical work of bringing mankind back to God commences. This is the moment.

He was going to fulfill it no matter what:

No matter how much trouble he had to go through.

No matter how much sorrow he has to endure.

No matter where it leads … all the way to the cross.

➟ ➟ ➟ Our mission is to be a disciple … someone like Jesus. What does Jesus say to His disciples?

➟ ➟ ➟ Matthew 16.24

➟ ➟ ➟ Matthew 16.26 - What will you give in exchange for your soul?

Conclusion

➟ ➟ ➟ As we think about how Jesus inspires our faith … let’s return to Matthew 3.17 where the Father says, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.

What is the driving force fueling Jesus’ life on earth?

It’s His relationship with the Father.

There is no more deep, close, and personal relationship possible.

It’s the type of relationship I want with God.

It’s the type of relationship God wants with you. God loves you more than you can possibly know.

He wants to, He is eager to forgive your sin, make you whole, and be your guide every single day. This is why He sent Jesus:

Look at what Isaiah said about Jesus:

➟ ➟ ➟ Isaiah 42.2-3 - If you’re weak & hurting today … you have no better friend than Jesus.

➟ ➟ ➟ Isaiah 42.6-7 - If sin has blinded you … If it’s put you in your personal prison … God wants to bring you out.