Identification

Identification Identification Michael Morse / General CrossFit / Identification; Identifying with Christ; Humility; Boldness; Baptism of Jesus; Genealogy of Jesus Christ / Luke 3:15-38 Introduction 1. Identification has multiple uses and definitions a. The action or process of identifying someone or something b. A means of proving a person's identity c. a person's sense of identity with someone or something 2. Baptism - consisting of the process of immersion submergence and emergence a. Baptism is a symbol of identification - especially as an identification into Christianity b. Baptism identifies you with which you are being baptized 3. Our study this week Luke gives us the distinction of 2 baptisms and the associated identity with each. a. Johns baptism of repentance b. Jesus baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire c. As we look at this recollection of the baptism of Christ may we be drawn to His baptism to be identified with Him. › SLIDE Luke 3:15-16 CSB 15 Now the people were waiting expectantly, and all of them were questioning in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I am is coming. I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. › SLIDE Luke 3:17-18 CSB 17 His winnowing shovel is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with fire that never goes out." 18 Then, along with many other exhortations, he proclaimed good news to the people. › SLIDE Luke 3:19-21 CSB 19 But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and all the evil things he had done, 20 Herod added this to everything else-he locked up John in prison. 21 When all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized. As he was praying, heaven opened, › SLIDE Luke 3:22-23 CSB 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in a physical appearance like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased." 23 As he began his ministry, Jesus was about thirty years old and was thought to be the son of Joseph, son of Heli, › SLIDE Luke 3:24-27 CSB 24 son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Melchi, son of Jannai, son of Joseph, 25 son of Mattathias, son of Amos, son of Nahum, son of Esli, son of Naggai, 26 son of Maath, son of Mattathias, son of Semein, son of Josech, son of Joda, 27 son of Joanan, son of Rhesa, son of Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, son of Neri, › SLIDE Luke 3:28-32 CSB 28 son of Melchi, son of Addi, son of Cosam, son of Elmadam, son of Er, 29 son of Joshua, son of Eliezer, son of Jorim, son of Matthat, son of Levi, 30 son of Simeon, son of Judah, son of Joseph, son of Jonam, son of Eliakim, 31 son of Melea, son of Menna, son of Mattatha, son of Nathan, son of David, 32 son of Jesse, son of Obed, son of Boaz, son of Salmon, son of Nahshon, › SLIDE Luke 3:33-35 CSB 33 son of Amminadab, son of Ram, son of Hezron, son of Perez, son of Judah, 34 son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, son of Terah, son of Nahor, 35 son of Serug, son of Reu, son of Peleg, son of Eber, son of Shelah, › SLIDE Luke 3:36-38 CSB 36 son of Cainan, son of Arphaxad, son of Shem, son of Noah, son of Lamech, 37 son of Methuselah, son of Enoch, son of Jared, son of Mahalalel, son of Cainan, 38 son of Enos, son of Seth, son of Adam, son of God. › SLIDE The People's Identity In Their Need › SLIDE Luke 3:15 CSB 15 Now the people were waiting expectantly, and all of them were questioning in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah. 1. John's message brought people a. John's message was a message of come repent and be baptized for the remission of sins i. The people were being called out to be baptized by John - his baptism would align them with sinners - as we looked at last week. ii. The people were baptized and identified themselves as sinners b. The people came to follow John because now that they were sinners - they were in need - of forgiveness. 2. The people were waiting in expectation and questioning in their hearts about who John was a. John's preaching and teaching on Messiah and the kingdom of God stirred the people's hearts i. Their hearts were stirred to know their misery - they were sinners in desperate need of a savior ii. John preached a savior was coming, but who and where - they were so desperate to know their sins would be covered and forgiven 1. If only they could find this savior b. The people searched and waited, looking and expecting with such zeal that they began to reason in their hearts i. Questioning - means they reasoned - perhaps John was the Christ ii. But why would he hide this from them? 3. Despite the lack of evidence they began to question if he was the Messiah and reason in themselves that he was Messiah a. Though he was a prophet - he had wrought no signs up to this point b. Though again he was a prophet - he should have been a priest which meant he was from the tribe of Levi - Aaron's lineage specifically i. Messiah would bring signs and wonders ii. Messiah would come from the Root of David - of the Tribe of Judah › SLIDE Genesis 49:10 NKJV 10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people. › SLIDE - to David about the never ending kingdom 2 Samuel 7:12 NKJV 12 "When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. c. John's message of repentance and forgiveness was so strong - even the Sanhedrin would send a formal committee to explicitly ask John his identity › SLIDE John 1:19 NKJV 19 Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" d. Despite these shortcomings of John - the people were so wrapped up in their identity of need - sinners in need of salvation from a savior they suspected and questioned if it could be John › SLIDE John's Identity in Ministry › SLIDE Luke 3:16-17 CSB 16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I am is coming. I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing shovel is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with fire that never goes out." › SLIDE Luke 3:18-20 CSB 18 Then, along with many other exhortations, he proclaimed good news to the people. 19 But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and all the evil things he had done, 20 Herod added this to everything else-he locked up John in prison. 1. John knew well what his identity was a. John would not forget or pretend to be anything else than what he was called to be i. Not even for the flattery of people - he didnt for one second relish in the thought that they saw him as possibly Messiah ii. Many today forget who they are or where they came from and where they had wanted to go because of the flattery and pleasing of the people. › SLIDE If we are going to lose identity to please anyone may it be to remain loyal and please Christ in serving Him and lifting Him up totally - He is WORTHY b. John knew his identity in ministry, position and power was inferior to the coming Messiah i. His ministry was inferior in that all he could do was baptize with water 1. His baptism worked only to identify you as a sinner, identifying you among the sinners, identifying your need of salvation 2. This baptism could not save anyone - John was well aware of this - his baptism identified their need but left the people in it ii. He was inferior in position in that John was a person in the same position as those whom he baptized. 1. John was also identified as a sinner in need of a savior 2. John remained humble though he had reason to be proud or boast a. John had a miraculous birth, a prophesied destiny, he was a man called by God to fulfill prophetic promises, people responded to his preaching and he had many followers b. John knew his identity in ministry that he was low in comparison to Christ i. John also identified that the one who is coming after him is so high and lifted up that he wasnt even worthy to perform the most demeaning tasks for Him ii. The rabbis in Jesus' day taught that a teacher might require anything from his followers EXCEPT to have him take of his sandals iii. This was a humiliating task to demand, yet John said he wouldnt even be worthy of this task › SLIDE John maintained his proper posture because he kept his Master lifted up higher than himself › SLIDE Spurgeon Because of our little estimate of Christ, it is often unsafe for the Lord to trust us in any but the very lowest positions 2. John knew well Messiah's ministry as well a. He knew Messiah's baptism had real power i. John proclaimed that the Messiah when he came wouldnt be baptizing with water but with the Holy Spirit 1. John's baptism could identify you but it couldnt save you 2. Messiah's baptism is a baptism of division a. One baptism is in the Holy Spirit i. This baptism has the power of God unto salvation and to seal you - identifying you as the redeemed ii. Holy Spirit give you new life making you born-again identified now in the family of God b. Messiah also baptizes with fire - a baptism of judgment i. This baptism is in reference to his second coming - and it for those who have rejected him and his first baptism in the Holy Spirit ii. Believers will never experience the baptism of fire b. Messiah would separate the people into groups i. This is seen in the winnowing shovel - which is a tool used to throw wheat into the air and allow the breeze to do the work of removing the chaff from the wheat 1. He will gather the wheat (those who believe in Him for salvation and are baptized with the Holy Spirit) into his barns 2. He will burn the chaff with an unquenchable fire a fire that never goes out (those who reject Him and His baptism) › SLIDE Messiah's baptism has the power to save and none will be saved without it 3. John's temporary identification is revealed - verses 18-20 a. John is clearly revealed as not being as powerful or prominent as Jesus i. Even if he had claimed to be - which he didnt - he would have been fully exposed here ii. John's role was to be temporary and it was temporary - for his power was not the power of Messiah b. John preached a message of the gospel of good news - repentance for the remission of sins from the one who coming after him. i. He did not compromise this message - for anyone - John didnt change his message for those who would flatter him and he didnt change it for those who would harm him either. 1. John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias his brother's wife a. His niece and sister-in-law whom he divorced his wife and took his brother's wife - its a total Jerry Springer Jerusalem episode. 2. Herod didnt care for Johns rebuke and he locked him up - this is end of his public free ministry not he is starting the first baptist jail ministry ii. John would die at the hands of Herod - his head displayed on a silver platter › SLIDE Faithfulness in ministry and to God does not preclude us from suffering c. John and Messiah's ministry are very different in terms of power i. John was temporary he could be contained by the political powers and ended when put to death ii. Jesus - though the political powers killed Him was not temporary and though they arrested Him, condemned Him, crucified Him and buried Him in a tomb - He could not be contained › SLIDE Jesus' Identity Revealed › SLIDE Luke 3:21-22 CSB 21 When all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized. As he was praying, heaven opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in a physical appearance like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased." › SLIDE Luke 3:23-26 CSB 23 As he began his ministry, Jesus was about thirty years old and was thought to be the son of Joseph, son of Heli, 24 son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Melchi, son of Jannai, son of Joseph, 25 son of Mattathias, son of Amos, son of Nahum, son of Esli, son of Naggai, 26 son of Maath, son of Mattathias, son of Semein, son of Josech, son of Joda, › SLIDE Luke 3:27-30 CSB 27 son of Joanan, son of Rhesa, son of Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, son of Neri, 28 son of Melchi, son of Addi, son of Cosam, son of Elmadam, son of Er, 29 son of Joshua, son of Eliezer, son of Jorim, son of Matthat, son of Levi, 30 son of Simeon, son of Judah, son of Joseph, son of Jonam, son of Eliakim, › SLIDE Luke 3:31-34 CSB 31 son of Melea, son of Menna, son of Mattatha, son of Nathan, son of David, 32 son of Jesse, son of Obed, son of Boaz, son of Salmon, son of Nahshon, 33 son of Amminadab, son of Ram, son of Hezron, son of Perez, son of Judah, 34 son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, son of Terah, son of Nahor, › SLIDE Luke 3:35-38 CSB 35 son of Serug, son of Reu, son of Peleg, son of Eber, son of Shelah, 36 son of Cainan, son of Arphaxad, son of Shem, son of Noah, son of Lamech, 37 son of Methuselah, son of Enoch, son of Jared, son of Mahalalel, son of Cainan, 38 son of Enos, son of Seth, son of Adam, son of God. 1. Jesus was identified among the people He would save a. It says that when all the people were baptized - but it should read when all the people were being baptized. i. This is not pointing to a chronology of Jesus being baptized after or apart from all the people being baptized ii. Rather Luke is saying Jesus came to be baptized with the people and among the people being baptized. b. Why did Jesus come to be baptized? i. Especially curious is why did Jesus come to be baptized with John's baptism 1. John baptized with water for repentance of sin - wasnt Jesus sinless? 2. Understand that Jesus did not get baptized because He needed repentance and forgiveness of sin a. Matthew records more of this discussion with John and Jesus › SLIDE Matthew 3:14-15 CSB 14 But John tried to stop him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?" 15 Jesus answered him, "Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then John allowed him to be baptized. b. Jesus was baptized in order to fulfill all righteousness i. Perhaps to fulfill the culmination of John the baptists ministry - Jesus being the climax of his ministry ii. I personally believe it is two - fold 1. Jesus was a High Priest - even though He isnt of the tribe of Levi (tibe of Judah remember?) a. So he isnt a Levitical High Priest He is a High Priest of the order of Melchizedek › SLIDE Psalm 110:4 NKJV 4 The LORD has sworn And will not relent, "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek." › SLIDE Hebrews 5:8-10 NKJV 8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10 called by God as High Priest "according to the order of Melchizedek," › SLIDE Hebrews 6:20 NKJV 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. a. in order to be consecrated as a priest He had to be baptized 2. Jesus was to be identified with sinners and as a sinner - He who knew no sin became sin that we might become His righteousness › SLIDE Jesus was baptized to be identified with us as sinners 2. Jesus was identified by God as Son of God a person of the Triune Godhead a. Jesus prayed at His baptism and heaven itself opened up i. The Spirit like a dove descended upon Jesus ii. a voice speaking from heaven - "You are My Beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." › SLIDE - We have here a core doctrine of the Christian faith The baptism of Jesus is one of the places where we see the Triune God in all three persons separately acting b. This was not the beginning of Jesus incarnation - Jesus identity was not changed at baptism it was revealed and confirmed at His baptism. i. The voice was not conferring a new status on Jesus but confirming what we have already in Luke -Jesus was the Son of God at His baptism ii. Jesus was fully God - Son of God and the councils have codified what this means and many martyrs have died for this truth - that Jesus Christ was Son of God - God of very God of the same essence and substance › SLIDE Jesus is not some of God but all of God - 100 % God › SLIDE Matthew 16:13-16 NKJV 13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" 14 So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." › SLIDE John 20:28 NKJV 28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" 3. Jesus is identified as the Son of Man - by His lineage a. The lineage of Jesus goes all the back to Adam - this lineage is different from Matthews in that it is believed to be Mary's i. Now you might be wondering why Mary isnt listed and its because women were not used in genealogies 1. Joseph is inserted - Jesus was thought to be the son of Joseph but the lineage is Mary's 2. Going all the way back to Adam - Jesus is 100% man - via Mary's lineage which also avoided the sin nature since that is passed through the seed of men and Christ was born of a virgin - remember???!!!! What you believe is important - doctrines are important ii. If Jesus is truly the Son of Man he must be a son of Adam - the first man 1. 76 names including Jesus and Adam 2. The genealogy is not going to be studied in detail it is important to note there is a thread of theology expressed in Luke's genealogy a. He related Jesus not only to Abraham - tying him to the Abrahamic covenant but all the way back to Adam and God. b. I believe this is indicative of the universality of the offer of salvation - for the whole of man - again an aspect common to Luke's gospel. i. Jesus came to save all people - Gentiles and Israel The son of Adam, the son of God: Luke traced his genealogy all the way back to Adam, to show that Jesus belonged to all mankind, not only to the Jewish people. i. A genealogy may not seem like much, but it exactly established Jesus' credentials as a member of the human race. A Bible translator to a distant tribe saved the genealogies for last, because he thought them the least important part of the gospels. But when he finally finished them last of all, the tribesmen were astounded-they told the translator, "You mean to tell us that this Jesus was a real person, with real ancestors? We had no idea!" Conclusion At the time of Jesus Jews had their genealogies recorded all the way back to Adam as you can see. Jesus and Adam being real people. Jews could trace their identities all the way back to the beginning - at least up until A.D. 70 when the temple was destroyed and all Jewish genealogies were destroyed along with them and now Jews cannot trace their history lineage and have no way to identify themselves. Today we are concerned with our ancestry roots - we have 23 and me and other DNA tests because we are all looking for some identity but there is only one identification that brings salvation - that is your identification in Jesus Christ - He is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit Jesus left heaven came born of a woman grew up in this sinful world - all the while remaining spotless so that one day when He began His ministry He could be identified with us › SLIDE Jesus was identified with us as a sinner so that He could give us salvation, we need to be identified with Him in order to receive that salvation Page . Exported from Logos Bible Software, 12:14 PM September 7, 2019.