Sermon Theme
If brought up in the church we come across it from time to time – frequently if a larger congregation
When royal families engage in it we get those special photos splashed across newspapers and magazines
Who gives much thought to their baptism?
Families about to have children baptized think a lot about baptism – but that of the infant!
Perhaps they may think of own baptism, especially if a baptism gown, ,perhaps an heir loom.
Of course baptism as an adult brings it’s own powerful memories
Is one baptism the same as another?
Does any baptism have more significance than another?
In this sermon we discover there was one baptism that had Heaven gasping for breath as it were.
Jesus’ submitting to John’s baptism speaks volumes about His love & glory!
As we sing – it also causes us to erupt in song: “What a faithful God have I, what a faithful God!”
Sermon outline
- A MOST CRUCIAL MOMENT IN HISTORY
- CHRIST TAKES UP MY LOAD OF SIN
- GOD IN THE FLESH!
Readings reproduced on this page:
The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996, 1984. Grand Rapids: Zondervan
Sermon Outline
Order of WorshipReadings
Isaiah 53 (NIV84)
1Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
5But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
6We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
8By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
9He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.
10Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
11After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
12Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Text
Matthew 3:13–17 (NIV84)
13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
14But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
15Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
16As 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 lighting on him.
17And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
