Foundry Community Church
Baptism of our Lord - Year A
  • Children Of The Heavenly Father

      • Psalm 29NIRV

      • Acts 10:34–43NIRV

  • The Church's One Foundation (Aurelia)

      • Matthew 3:13–17NIRV

  • ~ Understanding the Calling of Jesus

    Matthew 3:13–17, Acts 10:34–43, Psalm 29, Isaiah 42:1–9
    People send me things on Facebook, text or show me things because they know I am a Pastor. Once, someone sent me a video of a baptismal service and everything was going just fine. People were coming into the baptismal, being baptized, people were cheering and praising God for what was happening to these people’s lives.
    Then from off screen, you hear a kid probably 8 or 9 scream, “CANNONBALL! THANK YOU, JESUS!” Then the boy comes flying in from the side and cannonballs into the baptismal splashing the Pastor and everyone close by, then climbs out of the baptismal, turns to the pastor and says, “Anything else?” then walks away.
    Now, I understand, “making a splash” for Jesus takes on many forms. This one probably isn’t on the top ten, but it certainly made a memorable experience for everyone being baptized that day.

    Jesus: Divinely Commissioned

    Well… That isn’t exactly what happened when Jesus was baptized…
    Let’s set the stage. John ~ Jesus’ cousin was out in the Jordan baptizing people, calling them to repent, preaching and teaching, you know, just “doing his thing. Along comes Jesus and changes the whole thing.
    Matthew 3:13-17.
    Matthew 3:13–14 ESV
    13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
    Keep in mind, this isn’t the first encounter of John and Jesus. The first one was actually in utero for both of them. Mary came to visit Elizabeth and Scripture tells us in Luke 1:41…
    Luke 1:41 ESV
    41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,
    John, even before birth, knew who Jesus was. So, now, this encounter doesn’t seem so strange in that context. It isn’t as if John had never experienced the power of the Messiah, because he had, BEFORE HE WAS BORN!
    Matthew 3:15 ESV
    15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented.
    Let’s unpack that verse a little. We need to understand this concept.
    According to Osborne and MacArthur…
    The verb “fulfill” carries the sense of bringing something to completion or filling it to the full, and when connected with God’s will, it means accomplishing all that God has designated for him to do.
    1 Rather than suggesting Jesus needed repentance—he did not deny his sinless perfection
    2—the statement affirms his intentional submission to God’s plan. Because Jesus perfectly submitted to the will of God in everything, it was fitting for him to receive John’s baptism, and since God had authorized John’s baptism, Jesus submitted to it.
    The concept of “righteousness” here encompasses both obedience and identification. Righteousness refers to God’s demands on humanity to live according to his norm, and Jesus fulfills this by identifying with his people and assuming the role of the suffering Servant, thereby endorsing John’s ministry.
    1 Through his baptism, Jesus identified himself with the sinners he had come to save.
    2 This wasn’t merely a symbolic gesture—Jesus’ baptism looked forward to the cross, with being lowered into the water and rising again picturing his death and resurrection, as he was immersed in the river of death to bear the sins of those who would believe in him.
    In essence, Jesus meant that his baptism was both an act of obedience to his Father’s will and the beginning of his messianic work through which he would accomplish humanity’s redemption.
    Matthew 3:16–17 ESV
    16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
    Now, like the little boy I told about in the beginning, God, makes a pretty amazing “Splash!” ~ Heavens open, Spirit of God descending like a dove, coming to rest on Jesus… but if that was’t “splashy enough,” a voice from Heaven saying…
    Matthew 3:17 ESV
    “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
    Now, let’s understand something very important. Like Jesus, we should desire that very statement to be made over us by God. So, how do we please God? ~
    Not to oversimplify, but follow Jesus’ example, obey the Lord’s commands. Live and die for the sole purpose of Glorifying God.

    God's Global Mission

    We have heard the saying, “God is not a respecter of persons…” We joke about “being God’s favorite” and that is 100% true, but you are also “God’s favorite.” And that person out on the street, strung out on drugs and alcohol, is also “God’s favorite.”
    Remember Peter’s first sermon in Acts 2:38?
    Acts 2:38 ESV
    38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one…”
    Peter, at that time felt “every one” meant one thing, but later found out that his idea of “every one” actually encompassed “EVERY ONE!” After this revelation, Peter proclaimed this in Acts 10:34-38.
    Acts 10:34 ESV
    34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,
    But what about them?
    Acts 10:35 ESV
    35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
    EVERY NATION ANYONE WHO FEARS HIM AND DOES WHAT IS RIGHT IS ACCEPTABLE TO HIM!
    kInda takes the limits off doesn’t it? Now many people today want to parse this verse and say, “every nation anyone.”
    They eliminate the part of “…who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”
    We have responsibility on our part to fear him and do what is right and acceptable to Him! We can’t expect God’s blessings to reside on and in our lives if we aren’t meeting the terms of the agreement.
    Peter then proceeded to remind those listening of the narrative of the baptism and subsequent example Christ set for us to follow…
    Acts 10:36–38 ESV
    36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
    This sermon preached by Peter was in response to his revelation from God regarding Cornelius and that through Jesus,. God extends His grace beyond Israel to

    “…who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to Him.”

    The Power of God's Voice

    Earlier in the service we read Psalm 29. It’s easy to think this is “cause and effect.” Let’s read it again and reformulate the opinion through what we have learned thus far today.
    Psalm 29 ESV
    1 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness. 3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over many waters. 4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. 5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire. 8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare, and in his temple all cry, “Glory!” 10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever. 11 May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!
    This isn’t we ascribe to the Lord and then we hear God’s voice. We ascribe to the Lord what is due Him, and we declare to the nations what God is saying.
    The voice of the Lord being heard is akin to “This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” God’s voice guides us in our mission, providing strength and courage.

    Called to Serve Like Jesus

    So how do we follow Jesus and follow “as Jesus?”
    Isaiah was a mighty prophetic voice declaring who Jesus would be and what He would do. He wrote a couple of what are referred to as “Servant Songs” about the coming Messiah. Isaiah 42 is one of them portraying a Divine servant with a unique mission of redemption and justice. Let’s read this in context of the fulfilment that we have seen throughout the life and ministry of Christ.
    Isaiah 42:1–9 ESV
    1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. 2 He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; 3 a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. 4 He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law. 5 Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: 6 “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, 7 to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. 8 I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. 9 Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
    This servant is chosen by God ~ You are chosen by God!
    Empowered by the Holy Spirit ~ You are empowered by the Holy Spirit
    Tasked with bringing justice to the nations. ~ We are charged with the same task.
    So, what did Jesus do as an example for us?
    Matthew 9:36 ESV
    36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
    Matthew 14:14 ESV
    14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
    Matthew 18:27 KJV 1900
    27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
    Mark 1:41 KJV 1900
    41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.
    He will persistently work towards establishing justice, demonstrating remarkable gentleness and determination. His mission extends beyond Israel, as God declares it “too light a thing” to only restore Israel, and instead commissions him to be “a light for the nations” so that salvation may reach the entire earth.
    Maybe we, like Jesus as the Servant who brings justice, we should be fulfilling God's promise to be a light to the nations. His anointing is the fulfillment of God's plan for salvation. Believers are called to mimic this servant-hearted approach, bringing light and justice to their circles of influence.
    So, as we have heard the Word today, the simple, yet hard question is this…
    How can I, like Jesus
    Establish justice
    Demonstrate remarkable gentleness and determination
    Lord, Let us be moved with compassion. Let us demonstrate our Love by action.

      • Matthew 3:13–14NIRV

      • Luke 1:41NIRV

      • Matthew 3:15NIRV

      • Matthew 3:16–17NIRV

      • Matthew 3:17NIRV

      • Acts 2:38NIRV

      • Acts 10:34NIRV

      • Acts 10:35NIRV

      • Acts 10:36–38NIRV

      • Psalm 29NIRV

      • Isaiah 42:1–9NIRV

      • Matthew 9:36NIRV

      • Matthew 14:14NIRV

      • Matthew 18:27NIRV

      • Mark 1:41NIRV

  • MYSTERION
  • Doxology
  • To God Be The Glory
  • Now Unto Him
Foundry Community Church
2 members • 1 follower