Highway 316
Curt Zehner Sermon
Sermon Notes
Highway 316 Why Was Jesus Baptized?
I. Why was John the Baptist sent by God?
Luke 3:3 (NIV84) He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Luke 1:76 (NIV84) And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him.
Matthew 3:14 (NIV84) But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
Matthew 3:15 (NIV84) Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
II. Why would Jesus need to be baptized by John?
Mark 1:1 (NIV84) The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Luke 3:23 (NIV84) Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry.
Leviticus 8:6 (NIV84) Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons forward and washed them with water.
Leviticus 8:12 (NIV84) … poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron's head and anointed him to consecrate him.
Matthew 3:16 (NIV84) As 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.
Matthew 4:1 (NIV84) Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.
Matthew 3:17 (NIV84) And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Hebrews 4:14 (NIV84) Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.
III. What difference does that make to us?
IV. It is more than just an expression.
V. Significant things take place at our baptism.
1 Peter 2:9 (NIV84) But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Galatians 3:27 (NIV84) ...for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Romans 6:3-4 (NIV84) Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Acts 2:38 (NIV84) Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 8:36 (NIV84) ...the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?”
2 Corinthians 6:2 (NIV84) ...I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.