Luke 3: 21.22. My Beloved

 

Kids are great - and they are always full of surprises - but I have found that Pastors kids are very intriguing - source of many good illustrations

  1. One thing I find very interesting about my 2 older kids at this age in their lives is the way that they view what I do.
  1. In their minds their daddy is extra special - because I " work for God"
    1. Market w/ Amy - in the check out line - My Dad is the Pastor

Not a Pastor - but the pastor

  1. What is also interesting about - Pastors kids is the way they like to imitate what their dads do.

Charles Foster is a minister in Elwood, IN, - When He baptizes someone always says In name of Father Son & HS

One Sunday, He & his family went to a friend's home in the country.

His four children went outside to play with the other kids . Now The kids were being awfully quiet / so the adults went to investigate what the children were up to. They found them behind a barn quietly playing "church."

Fosters 4-year-old daughter Susan was conducting the baptismal service. She held a cat over a barrel of water. Trying to be serious like her father, she repeated the phrase she had heard many times: "I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and in the hole you go!"

 

 

  1. Today we are going to talk about Baptism / specifically the Baptism of Jesus. V.21 ,22

21 When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. 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."

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.

14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?"

15 But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him.

16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.

17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

There are several things that we want to note about Jesus Baptism

1st thing we want to answer the question why did Jesus get Baptized ?

  1. You recall from our last study - Johns baptism was a baptism of preparation -
  1. He was calling people to repent of their sins/ to turn from their sins & to turn to God.
    1. Yet Jesus didn’t have any sin to repent of - He had no reason to come & to be baptized - as the other people did.
  1. John recognizes this fact as it’s recorded in Matt. Gospel - says inv.14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?"
  1. The Greek verb for prevent is in the imperfect tense and suggests a continued effort by John-"he kept trying to prevent Him."
  1. And there was a intensity in his voice.
  1. E) John’s statement - "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?" speaks of his bewilderment that Jesus would come to Him.
    1. Forget that John was Jesus’ cousin - mother had revelation that Mary was carrying the Messiah - Mother of my Lord …..me
  1. Sure she shared these things w/ John - as well as what his own mission was to be as the forerunner of the Messiah.
    1. it seems evident that John knew who Jesus was by his statements here as well as those recorded in the gospel of John Behold the ….world

 

So why did Jesus come to be baptized by John?

  1. We are given the reason in v. 15 of Matt. Gospel - 15 But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness."
  1. The answer is simple it was in keeping w/ the Fathers plan for His life .
    1. This is what Jesus was most interested in - the Fathers will - plan - way - Heart -& Fathers time.
  1. Jesus modeled for us - submission to the Father - He modeled a life of obedience to the will of God. Fulfill Plan Fulfill prophecy

1) But why did God want Jesus to do this? Consider 4 reasons

 

1st His Baptism was a perfect Presentation of the Trinity! Triune Godhead

  1. Son praying in the water - / you have the father speaking from Heaven & the H.S. descending in the form of a dove upon Jesus.
    1. Each member of the Godhead clearly yet separately represented here
  1. A Perfect presentation of a fact that is given to us clearly in the scriptures that the Godhead consist of 3 persons - God Father / Son / Spirit
    1. yet all one
  1. Yet this can be very perplexing to us - but what makes it preplexing is & the reason we struggle w/ the trinity so often is we look at it & say
    1. It is humanly impossible - And guess what it is - but it is not Heavenly impossible .
  1. I believe one of the greatest leaps of faith that all of us have to take as believers that shows God we really do believe is embracing the doc. Trinity
    1. It takes faith

 

Now one of the problems philosophically that many wrestle w/ in looking at the trinity is that we make the mistake of placing creation w/ conception

  1. and we do that w/ Christ Jesus ( Conception = Beginning )
  1. Now I can do that w/ myself I was created at the point of conception. But we can’t do that w/ Jesus

1)Because He pre-existed before He came./ Which is a great

thing to remember in studying or read thru the gospels -

  1. Jesus comes to us from the perspective of someone who has already been in the glory of Heaven / as one who was w/ the Father .
    1. Sees man - sees situations - sees temptation from that vantage pt.

Cc) So conception wasn’t His beginning because He has always been

  1. And The doctrine of the trinity is one that is seen throughout scripture - beginning in the very 1st book of the bible.
    1. We are told in the Beg. God created the heavens & the earth -

 

  1. The Heb. Word translated God is the word Elohim
    1. El is the singular form of the Word / Ella = Dual form or 2 / Elohim is used in ref. To 3 or more.
  1. So in Gen. 1:1 read In Beg. God - Elohim - referring to 3 created the ..
    1. Gen 1:26 Let Us make man in Our image according to Our likeness
  1. Obvious speaking of more than one -
    1. But then in Duet. 6:4 4 "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! 5 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
  1. In this foundational teaching of Judiasm - the word translated one is ec’hod - which is always used when speaking of a compound unity
    1. So we get the idea of the trinity - in the very beg. Of the bible in the OT - writings of Moses /

 

And there in the heavenlies before the world ever began the Godhead is talking about the plan of salvation -

  1. Knowing that this man that the Godhead would create in His own image would fall - & need to be redeemed
  1. It was decided amongst that godhead that Jesus would leave the throne / leave glory and become Deity cloaked in humanity
    1. And concerning His Incarnation the Psalmist wrote in Psa. 2:7 'You

are My Son, Today I have begotten You.

  1. What that means in relationship to the trinity is on that day that Jesus came into the world as a Baby
    1. It was by the agreement of the Godhead that this would be the beginning of a different type of relationship
  1. Prior to that each one equally co-existing /co-working / co-laboring - all 3 diff. Yet all 3 one!
    1. And here co- existing / co- laboring - co working yet manifesting themselves in 3 distinct persons !

Teaching is Seen woven throughout the Bible -

  1. And we see it here also at the Baptism of Jesus - So first of all the baptism of Jesus gives us a clear portrayal of the trinity at work.

 

2nd It was an affirmation of John’s ministry : In joining the masses who were coming out the Jordan to be baptized by John Jesus saying

  1. I approve of john’s ministry - even though John knows he is a sinner - he is aware of his short comings - I approve of his service for me
  1. His message of repentance is a valid one - In fact when Jesus first began His public ministry he preached the same message.

1) So first illustration of the trinity - 2nd affirmation of John’s ministry /

 

3rd -by it Jesus was identifying w/ sinful humanity

  1. baptism actually, means identification, / and Isaiah had prophesied in Isa. 53:12 that He would be numbered with the transgressors
  2. That was the first act of His ministry, the first step in the redemptive plan that He came to fulfill.
    1. He who had no sin took His place among those who had no righteousness.
  1. He who was without sin submitted to a baptism for sinners. In this act the Savior of the world took His place among the sinners of the world.

1)The sinless Friend of sinners was sent by the Father we are told in

(Rom. 8:3);He came "in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering

for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh"

  1. and in 2 Cor. 5:21 He "made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our

behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him"

So at His Baptism Perfect Presentation of the Trinity - affirmation of John’s ministry - identification w/ sinful the Humanity/ He came to save

4th It was a symbolic Illustration of His death & resurrection!

  1. Water baptism is symbolic of death. Jesus death was a baptism.
    1. In Luke 12:50 Speaking of His death He said "But I have a baptism

to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!

B) You recall what He said to James and John in Matt. 20:22 when they wanted to be seated on His right hand & on His left hand in the Kingdom,

  1. , "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, & be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized w/?
  1. You see, Christ's death was a baptism. He entered into death for you and for me. He was buried in the tomb - symbolized by going under water

1) 3 days later He arose from the dead. Symbolized by coming up

  1. Now in Rom. 6 Paul links this symbolism w/ our lives in the Lord-

v.4 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

  1. In Baptism we are identifying w/ what Jesus did for us - on the cross that He died to set us free from sin - power of death -
    1. And He rose - and now lives to empower us to walk in a newness of Life.
  1. So baptism represents; the death of the flesh life; the old man; the old

nature; the old ambitions; and the old desires.

    1. Going down into the water symbolizes "your old man is dead and buried: coming up out of the water, the new life, the life of the Spirit.

Another thing to note is that Baptism declares the superiority of the spiritual over the material.

  1. In 1Pet 3:21 Peter wrote that Noah & the flood was a picture of Baptism.
  1. What happened at the flood ? The material was drowned out.
    1. So In Baptism we are saying that the worlds system around me has been left behind
  1. Stating that I see the world around me for what it is empty & corrupt / that Man is living after the desires of the flesh.
    1. But I am one who wants to live not after my flesh - but after my spirit
  1. So Baptism is the outward expression of that inward work - that is why it is always linked w/ Believing -
    1. Believe & be baptized - always in that order
  1. Reason why we don’t do infant Baptisms - not scriptural
    1. Dedications are .

 

So Jesus was Baptized in order to fulfill the plan of the Father

  1. And In His Baptism we see a perfect presentation of the trinity
  1. Thru it Jesus gave affirmation to the ministry of John
    1. It was a identification w/ sinful humanity / a symbolic illustration of His death & Rez.
  1. And for us it is an identification of what He did for us & our desire to walk after Him in that newness of life.
    1. And it is also a Proclamation that we are leaving the world behind us

 

Now there is one last thing that I want us to note about what took place at the Baptism of Jesus. Back to Luke’s gospel v.22 again last part

  1. Father says "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased."
  2. God the Father looks at God the Son & says you are my much loved Son & I am so pleased w/ you !
    1. That was the Fathers heart toward Jesus- / Now perhaps you are thinking why wouldn’t it be Jesus was perfect.
  1. Of Course the Father would love Him in that way .
    1. Guys listen because that is His heart for you here today - who know Him! Those of you are in Christ
  1. You are His beloved Sons & daughters & it has nothing to do w/ what you have done this past week - yesterday - this morning
    1. See it has everything to do w/ what Jesus did.
  1. And as we identify w/ what he did on Calvary for us in paying the price for our sins - and we ask Him into our hearts - he comes in
    1. But He not only takes up residence in our hearts by the H.S. - but we are placed in Him as well - ( Father sees us in His Son) Beloved

Now It is interesting to trace that word thru scripture - see how often the Lord refers to us in that fashion.

  1. For instance - In Song of Sol. In a passage - which speaks symbolically of the Lord’s relationship w/ the Church - we read I am my beloved’s & He is mine His banner over me is love

B) Or in Eph. 1:3 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved.

C) 1John 3:1,2 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

  1. JN writing under the inspiration of the H.S. says we are God’s beloved Kids

 

Now when you think about that the Bible is the inspired word of God - that He told the writers what to write - expressing His heart

  1. It is interesting to consider when reading passages like these
  1. (1 Cor 4:14) I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved

children I warn you.

(1 Cor 10:14) Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

(2 Cor 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

  1. Now this is what I find interesting / those of you who have been w/ us on Wed. nights - learned - Corinth was a messed up place / Church
    1. Divisions - immorality - abuse of gifts - Lord’s supper & more
  1. Yet when the Lord instructed Paul what to put in this letter as far as how to address them - He says refer to them as My Beloved.
    1. Incredible - Beloved flee Idolatry / Beloved cleanse yourself from all filthiness of the flesh
  1. Notice the Lord doesn’t say if you do those things you will be my Beloved - No opposite -
    1. because you are already my beloved I want you to stay away from that stuff
  1. Because you are already my beloved I warn you - to avoid those things that are going to hurt you .
    1. Amanda - Hot stove - Amanda - out of the street - she gives me that look but dad it looks like so much fun.

 

Because He loves you so much & has so much for you - the Father had Peter write in 1 Pet 2:11Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,

  1. Beloved - because this world is not your home - pilgrims & sojourners - abstain from those things which war against your soul
  1. And again in 2 Pet 3:14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
    1. Looking forward to these things - speaks of what awaits us in Heaven

Live in peace - pursue righteousness - so experience all I have for you

  1. Guys when a believer gets a hold of this truth - it revolutionizes their whole walk w/ the Lord - their service to Him/ Worship of Him.
    1. When they realize that because I am in Christ I am beloved of God
  1. Suddenly their life is no longer a serious of events where by they are trying to get God to Love them. & be proud of them.
    1. Nor are they trying to prove their love for God by doing certain things and following certain task. Not at all
  1. - Listen Jesus was totally & completely secure in His Fathers love
    1. His life was a living example of living in response to His fathers love
  1. He lived His life the way that He did not because He was seeking for the Father to be well pleased but because He knew the Father was well pleased.
    1. Guys that is how He wants us to Live - Resting in our Fathers Love - knowing we are His beloved - and responding to it. ( MOTIVATION)

Now a lot of People don’t get this - and their Christianity is built upon this sense that God is mad at them/ disappointed w/ them

  1. They don’t feel like they have been to church unless the preacher makes them feel horrible . - term Beloved isn’t in Vocab.
  1. Ever watch TV preachers - turn off volume ( never get the feeling that they are saying You are God’s beloved & He has a wonderful plan for your life)
  1. Guys Why is this so hard to grasp - 3 reasons
    1. We like a Challenge - our flesh like that message that says we need to do something .
  1. We like to say this is what I am going to do for God. - Problem is so often the motivation isn’t in what God has already done for us.
    1. result Christianity often in the energy & efforts of the flesh

2nd reason Because we feel guilty - and when someone points it out somehow it makes us feel better.

  1. We think I have got to change the way I feel .

3rd We don’t understand the Fathers heart - New Cov. My spirit in you cause you to walk in my ways

  1. Eph. 2:10 His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works

 

Because we are His Beloved

  1. He warns us about false teachers -1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

B) Because we are His Beloved - He allows us to go thru trials 1 Pet 4:12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;

C) Because we are His Beloved He expects us to Love one another 1 John 4:7Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

1 John 4:11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

 

(revised 19971209)