Sunday, June 24, 2007

Part 6 - Jesus Calls First Disciples

SCRIPTURE READING

John 1:35 – 42 Jesus Calls

35 The next day (The day after John the Baptist was giving testimony about the Baptism of Jesus and how he saw the spirit of God descend upon Jesus) John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!"

37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?"
They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?"

39 "Come," he replied, "and you will see."
So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour.

40 Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John (Jona) had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter (rock)).

PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT AND UNDERSTANDING

JESUS BEGINS HIS MINISTRY WITH A FEW DISCIPLES

JOHN THE BAPTISTS DISCIPLES WERE WAITING FOR THE CHRIST

o They were already disciples of John’s teaching

o They were ready, able and looking (waiting) for the Messiah

THEY FOLLOWED JESUS IMMEDIATELY

o The two of them followed Jesus immediately

WE ARE TOLD WHO ONE OF JOHN’S DISCIPLES WERE

ANDREW, SIMON PETERS BROTHER

As Jesus chooses His disciples over the next few weeks, and we look at each of them, pay close attention to who they are and their character.

I believe each of us will be able to connect with one or more of them.

Seeing those Jesus chose then, will help us see why He chooses us now.

Because of His compassion, love and grace.

WHO WAS ANDREW, THE FIRST DISCIPLE?

Also called “Protokletos” which is Greek for “First Called”

Son of Jona (John 1:42)

Lived in Capernaum with his brother Simon

Was a disciple of John the Baptist

WHAT WAS ANDREW LIKE?

Enthusiastic about Christ (John 1:35-42)

o He was waiting for Christ to come

o He did not hesitate to follow Him when He did

Inquisitive (John 1:35-38)

o About Christ…asking questions, this is how we grow

o He wanted to be where Jesus was, to spend time with Him

Resourceful (John 6:8, 9)

When Jesus fed the 5000

John 6:8, 9

8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, 9 "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"

He may not have known the Lord could make do with that, but in time of need, Andrew drew on the available resources so that there would be something to work with.

HIS ENCOUNTERS WITH JESUS

Called to be a fisher of men (Matthew 4:19)

18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

This encounter took place after Jesus had already spoke with Andrew and met Simon, changing his name to Peter. In this account, the second unnamed disciple is not present, although many conclude that it was indeed John, the writer of this book.

But we see, here is where Jesus tells them to follow Him.

Andrew was sent on missions to preach to the Jews “the Kingdom of God is at hand”, heal the sick, cleanse the Lepers, raise the dead, and cast out demons (Matthew 10:5-8)

Was present when Jesus appeared to the disciples after the resurrection

Was present for the great commission given by Christ in Matthew 28:16-20

Witnessed the ascension of Jesus in Acts 1:8, 9

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM ANDREW?

Go out and eagerly share the good news about Jesus Christ.

Who was the second disciple of John the Baptist who followed Jesus that day with Andrew?

Some scholars think it was Thomas, while others believe it was John, the writer of this book, because he so often omitted his own name when writing.

But the scriptures do not tell us who the second disciples of John the Baptist was, just that two were turned over from John to Christ this day, and they eagerly went.

JESUS NOTICES THAT THE TWO OF THEM WERE APPROACHING HIM

Jesus quickly turns to meet the souls who seek Him

o Jesus is quick to turn to us when we show the slightest interest

We see also, Jesus spoke first to them

o Sometimes we don’t know what we need from Jesus, but He does

o If we draw close to Him, He will draw close to us

o We show effort, and His Word will draw us out of ourselves and closer to Him

What do you seek? Is an invitation, what are you asking of me?

o Jesus invites us too

o Do we answer with “Where to you live? We want to be there, with you!”

Andrew and the second disciple addressing Jesus as Rabbi signified that they were acknowledging Jesus as a master or teacher, whom they wanted to follow.

In asking where Jesus dwelt, or lived, they were saying they wanted to get to know Him more intimately, and go to where He was and spend time with Him.

Jesus invites them by saying, Come and see.

He invites them immediately and without delay.

The impact of the visit affected Andrew so much, that we see in the scripture he went and fetched his brother Simon.

We see that it was Andrew who was the first disciple of Jesus, and not Peter, as some religions teach.

Andrew tells his brother Simon “We have found the Messiah!”

And he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas " which, when translated, is Peter

Jesus changed his name.

He was Simon, named after Simeon which means “Hearer”

Now named Peter, which means “Rock”

Although it took time for Simon to become Peter, from the moment he stood before Jesus, Jesus recognized him as Peter.

Jesus sees us for what we were created to be, not what this world and circumstances have made us.

Today, right now, Jesus sees you for what you were created to be.

If you move towards Jesus, call out “master”

Accept His invitation, and allow Him to change you from the inside out, as He did with Simon, then you too will experience the greatness of the Lord in your life.

You, like Simon, will be made a new creation, and a new creature.

Your very nature will change.

The Holy Spirit will transform you into what the Lord intended for you to be.

It’s as easy as turning to Him.

Accepting His invitation, and submitting to His teachings.

ALTAR CALL

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Part 5 - The Temptation of Jesus

SCRIPTURE READING

Matthew 4:1 – 11

1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."

4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:
”‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."

7 Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test."

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."

10 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”

PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT AND UNDERSTANDING

JESUS LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

AFTER THE BAPTISM JESUS WAS LEAD

o You cannot be led, if you do not have the Holy Spirit

o As soon as Jesus received, He was instructed by

o “Lead up” Greek Anago – means to sail away

o “into the wilderness” – perhaps somewhere close to Jericho

o “To be tempted of the devil” – Like Adam, He was to be tempted.

Hebrews 4:14

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

1 Corinthians 15:21 – 22

“For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

1 Corinthians 15:45

“And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.”

1 Corinthians 15:47

“The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.”

FASTING BEFORE SPIRITUAL BATTLE

o Three others fasted 40 days & nights in the Bible, Moses, Joshua & Elijah

o What is fasting? Weakens our flesh & strengthens the Holy Spirit in us

o Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit to prepare for a spiritual battle by fasting

o The scriptures say “Afterward, He was hungry”, His flesh was FEELING the effects of the fast. He was not miraculously spared.

WHEN JESUS’ FLESH WAS WEAKEST, SATAN ATTACKED

  • Just after the Bible tells us Jesus was hungry, the tempter (Satan) appears.
  • Our temptations and battles in this world are not with flesh & blood

Ephesians 6:11 – 13

“Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

  • Does not say “defeat” or “destroy” or “bind”

Matthew 16:19

“And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

The Kingdom of Heaven is here and now, and believers hold the keys.

So what are we binding? It’s not Satan, or else he’d be bound by the countless Christians around the world and through the centuries binding him.

We are told what we have the power and authority to bind;

Luke 10:19

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

It’s not Satan we are binding, but his power…

His power and authority belong to his kingdom. We belong to the Kingdom of God, and Christ’s power and Authority rule us.

We bind the schemes, the plans, the attacks or effects of attacks which happen against us and others with the power and authority given to us by Christ Jesus.

We have “veto” power over Satan’s earthly rule.

And because we have the Holy Spirit, and the power and authority of the Kingdom of heaven, we can, as Ephesians says, we are able to “WITHSTAND” Satan’s attacks.

And when we continue to withstand his attacks, and bind those things he sets in motion, his attacks are defeated.

And when we continue to thwart all of his attacks, the Bible has another promise for believers.

James 4:7

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Jesus is our example, and He shows us what we just read in the Bible.

If you could bind Satan, Jesus would have just bound him and been done with it.

But that’s not what happened.

Jesus withstood Satan’s attacks, resisted Satan’s temptation, and Satan in the end did just as the scriptures say, he fled.

Satan will be bound though, by a mighty angel with a great chain.

Revelation 20:1 – 3

“And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.”

He will be bound by an Angel, for a thousand years, just after the Second Coming of Christ.

Jesus will come and rule, and we beside Him for a thousand years, then the devil will be loosed for judgment, and cast into Gehenna, the final eternal hell, with the false prophet and the antichrist, the fallen angels and all of those who believed not on the name of the Lord.

IF YOU ARE THE SON OF GOD…

  1. MAKE STONES TO BREAD…

SATAN TEMPTED JESUS’ FLESH

We know from the scriptures that Jesus was hungry.

The devil wanted to tempt Jesus’ flesh, as he does with all of us.

Nothing is more tempting to us carnally than food.

We feel the need for food from the time we are born. It is one of the most basic instincts God has placed within us.

JESUS WITHSTANDS THE DEVIL

“We do not live by bread alone,”

Our physical bodies may, but we are more than that. And our spiritual bodies need food to live as well.

“…but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

Jesus was letting the devil know, He was walking in the spirit, by the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit was in control. He was going to withstand the devils attacks because of the Holy Spirit.

But the devil doesn’t take a hint.

  1. THROW YOURSELF DOWN…

SATAN TEMPTED JESUS TO MISUSE WORD OF GOD

Oldest trick in the book, read a scripture out of context, then misapply it.

Cults do this all the time.

We sometimes do this to either clear our conscience about something we have done, or clear the way for something we want to do.

Sometimes we do it so the word looks like it lines up with what we believe instead of searching the word for the truth so we know what to believe.

EXAMPLE

“We can let poisonous snakes bite us, and drink strychnine because the scripture says in Luke 10:19 “…tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

First of all, the scriptures do not say to dance with snakes and drink poison!

Secondly, A handful of poisonous snakes and a bottle of liquid drain-o is NOT OUR ENEMY!!!!!

One of the devils favorite tools is taking scripture out of context and misapplying it!

In fact the scriptures warn us of this very thing!

Hosea 4:6

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…”

This is why it is so important to read the scriptures. How are you to know if someone is taking something out of context or misapplying the scripture if you do not know the scriptures?

And it is because of your lack of knowledge of the Word of God, you will be destroyed in this life.

JESUS WITHSTANDS SATAN’S ATTACK

Jesus says, “It is written also, thou shalt not tempt the Lord your God.”

Tempting God is distrusting His word, or questioning His instruction. Not questioning it for better understanding, questioning it in the way to say, “Is this really what is best?”

This rebellious spirit comes from the heart, and no change in outward conditions will change what comes from the heart.

We see this in the children of Israel when they were in the desert for 40 years.

Because of their murmuring and constant questioning of God’s way, they were all to die in the wilderness, and were not allowed to see the promise land.

We should not tempt, or try to cause God to “prove” himself or His word.

Jesus says this to Satan, do not tempt the Lord your God.

  1. I WILL GIVE YOU THE WORLD, IF YOU BOW DOWN TO ME…

SATAN OFFERS THE DESIRE OF JESUS’ HEART

Satan tried to tempt Jesus flesh through His hunger.

He tried getting Jesus to tempt God to prove His Word.

Satan was running out of tricks.

So he tried to reason with Jesus.

He KNEW who Jesus was, even though he didn’t fully understand HOW God was going to accomplish getting humankind back.

So Satan tried to reason with our Lord.

Satan says, “You want the world back, and everything in it? Just bow to me and worship me as God and it will all be yours.”

The devil tempts us with “things” of the world daily.

He will promise whatever it takes, and sometimes even deliver, if you will just bow to him and worship him.

JESUS ANSWERS

Jesus says, “Hit the road Satan! It is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him alone shall you serve!”

CLOSING / ALTAR CALL

Have you received the Holy Spirit?

Has He led you in a direction in your life?

Are you obeying?

Is the devil trying to stand in your way?

Submit to the Lord, resist the devil and he will flee.

Withstand the devils attacks because of the Armor of God from the Holy Spirit.

Bind the attacks, and loose the blessings with your confessions.

If you need prayer, come forward.

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Part 4 - The Baptism of Jesus

SCRIPTURE READING

Matthew 3:11 – 17

11 I (John) baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

The Baptism of Jesus

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"

15 Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.

16 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. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

The word “baptism” comes from the Greek word baptidzo, which simply means “to identify” or “to be made one with.”

In the Greek culture, this word had both religious and secular meanings, and in general referred to the act of identifying one thing with another in such a way that its nature or character changed, or the representation that a real change has already taken place.

There are two types of baptisms in the Bible, with many examples of each of the two types.

There are REAL baptisms, which involve actually identifying a person with something or someone.

There are also RITUAL baptisms, or CEREMONIAL baptisms, when water is used as a symbol for something else. The water represents something.

The individual is placed in the water, which means, symbolically, that he is identified with that which the water represents.

In the scripture here we see three examples of baptisms.

JOHN BAPTIZED WITH WATER

Water

In verse 11 “I (John) baptize with water unto repentance:”

The Greek word translated “baptize” here means to make fully wet. John was dunking.

And the scriptures tell us he was baptizing unto repentance. Repentance here means reversal.

The Greek word translated “unto” is ice, and means “a point that has been reached”, so John was baptizing those who had reached the point of repentance.

This baptism of John was an outward act of an inward work already carried out.

An inward work of what?

Of a confession, and repentance of sin because the Kingdom of God was at hand.

And the baptism of John was also an example of what was to come, the real baptism of Jesus.

Just as the sacrifices in Old Testament times showed of the coming real sacrifice, Jesus Christ.

John also tells us that he is the one mentioned in Isaiah who was to prepare the way for the messiah, who is Jesus.

He prepares the way by preaching confession of sin, repentance and the baptism of John to show what must take place within you, a reversal.

He then tells them that Jesus is coming, but he will not baptize with water, because the water baptism is a ritual, a symbolic meaning of something else.

A symbol of what Jesus was GOING to do when He came.

Water baptism is an outward confession to the world that you have confessed your sin and repented.

Is the baptism of John what saves us? No.

Faith and Grace saves, not works or anything we could “do”.

Faith in Jesus Christ and the work of the cross and God’s grace of dying for us as the scriptures say “while we were yet sinners.”

Is water baptism our salvation? No.

1 Peter 3:21

“…and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,”

We are saved by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, not the baptism of water. The scriptures tell us so.

Act 18:24

“And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.”

Yet he knew only the baptism of John; he was instructed in the gospel of Christ as far as John's ministry would carry him, and no further; he knew the preparing of the way of the Lord by that voice crying in the wilderness, rather than the way of the Lord itself.

We cannot but think he had heard of Christ's death and resurrection, but he was not let into the mystery of them, he either had not had opportunity of conversing with any of the apostles since the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost; or he himself had been baptized only with the baptism of John, but was not baptized with the Holy Ghost, as the disciples were at the day of Pentecost.

John himself told us in the scriptures John’s baptism with water was symbolic of what was to come with Christ.

I (John) baptize with water, BUT the one who comes, who is GREATER than I, will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Act 19:1

“And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.(this is water baptism) 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Water baptism, what the scriptures call “the baptism of John” is not what Christ came for.

It was symbolic of what Christ would bring through His death and resurrection, the promise of the Father in heaven, the Holy Spirit.

John tells us in the scripture, When Jesus comes, He will baptize you with the real baptism, not a symbol.

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire.

Where John’s baptism represents an inward change, it is only symbolic.

Jesus was water baptized, then baptized with the Holy Spirit to show the connection. To tell us what the water baptism represented.

He did the same thing when He was the perfect sacrifice.

He was crucified during the Passover at the same time the high priests were performing the ritual sacrifice of the lambs which represented the real sacrifice of Christ.

He died on the same day, to tell us what ritual represented.

Is baptism important?

Yes, or Jesus wouldn’t have been baptized.

Does baptism get us into heaven?

Not water baptism.

How do I know? Jesus tells us so, from the cross in the Holy Word of God.

Luke 23:40

“But answering (one thief to the other), the other rebuked him, saying, Do you not fear God, for you are in the same judgment? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive things worthy of what we did. But this One did nothing wrong. 42 And he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when You come in Your kingdom. 43 And Jesus said to him, Truly I say to you, Today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

RECOGNIZED JESUS AS GOD

Do you not fear God

CONFESSED SIN

And we indeed justly, for we receive things worthy of what we did.

ACKNOWLEDGED JESUS WAS SINLESS

But this One did nothing wrong

HE ASKED JESUS TO LET HIM INTO JESUS’ KINGDOM

Lord, remember me when You come in Your kingdom

AND Jesus said to him…

Truly I say to you, Today you will be with Me in Paradise.

The Word of God.

Is water baptism necessary at all?

First of all, public confession that you have confessed your sin to God, and repented of that sin and have submitted yourself to the Lord to become a new creation in His hands and through His Spirit.

Secondly, you must be baptized if you expect to serve the Lord here on earth.

Without the baptism, without your public confession and submission to the Lord, you have not come to a place where you have made yourself available for the Holy Spirit.

You cannot serve the Lord here on earth without the Holy Spirit, and you can only receive the Holy Spirit after your confession of sin, repentance, and public confession of your conversion which is done symbolically through the water baptism.

Do you have to be baptized to go to heaven?

The bible does not say that. We are saved through our faith, and God’s grace, not through any acts or “things” we do.

We can do nothing to save ourselves; we can not earn or work our ways into heaven. It is only through our faith in Jesus Christ and His grace that saves us, and this is only possible because of His payment for our sins as the atoning sacrifice on the cross.

The scriptures do show us that you can go to heaven without baptism. The thief on the cross next to Jesus Christ, confessed he was a sinner and deserved the cross, and he also exclaimed that Jesus was innocent, after that he believed in Jesus to be the King, and asked Jesus to remember him when He entered His kingdom.

Jesus promised this man, today you will be with me in paradise.

BUT…

The thief was on the cross, he was not going to be serving Jesus on earth, he was about to die.

He did not need the Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit is where we receive our Spiritual Gifts, which are for “building & edifying the body of Christ.”

Jesus shows us, that if you are saved, you need to be baptized so that you can receive the Holy Spirit, this is your power and authority on earth through Christ, where you receive your Spiritual Gifts so that you can serve our Lord here on earth.

You can NOT serve Jesus without the Holy Spirit.

If you do anything on your own, this is a work of the flesh, and is unworthy in the kingdom.

Only the work of the Holy Spirit through us is worthy.

John tells us that when Jesus comes, He will baptize with the Holy Spirit & Fire!

The Holy Spirit

To serve the Lord on earth, we MUST have the Holy Spirit. And only Jesus can give the Holy Spirit to you.

Fire

Fire in the scriptures represents judgment, and purifying. Jesus will be judging ALL we do in His name. Works of the Holy Spirit through us are acceptable and Holy to the Lord.

Works of the flesh will be burned up, and not counted. Because there is nothing we can DO, no work from us is holy, only the work of the Holy Spirit through us.

Wheat & Chaff

Jesus will baptize us with fire, purifying our deeds, separating the works of the flesh and the works of the Spirit.

He will thoroughly purge His floor so that He may bring forth more fruit.

Chaff is what covers the wheat.

It is useless and worthless and must be removed so that the seed within the chaff can be exposed.

In the same way, Jesus through His judgment will remove the chaff so that the seed can bear fruit.

Our flesh gets in the way of the seed of God within us, and sometimes God must make judgments against our flesh, the chaff which is our flesh, so that the seed of God within us, we received through the Holy Spirit, can be exposed and produce fruit.

The Lord had to do this with Paul.

A judgment was made on Paul’s flesh, the chaff so that the seed of God within Him could be exposed and produce fruit.

The scriptures tell us Paul prayed three times for this “thorn” to be removed, and God said “No, my grace is sufficient.”

We read that Paul says that he found this was necessary, so that he would remain humble.

The Lord’s fire (judgment) on Paul, Paul’s thorn, allowed Paul to remain humble, and in remaining humble, the seed within the chaff was exposed and produced much fruit.

The scriptures tell us that God seeks out the humble, but resists the proud.

The scripture tells us, Jesus will gather His Wheat into the harvest; but He will burn up the chaff (works of the flesh) with an unquenchable fire.

JESUS FULFILLED ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS

The scriptures say that Jesus fulfills all righteousness when He was baptized.

Romans 6:3 – 5

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:”

We are told here by Paul, that when we are submerged in baptism, it is symbolic of dying with Christ, and when we rise again, it is like when Christ rose again, therefore, we should be walking in NEWNESS of life!

We are a new creature, and a new creation. And if we are claiming Christianity, claiming that we too have died, been buried and rose again with Christ, we should be living it!

Jesus, at the baptism, symbolically died to Himself, making a public statement that He was submitting completely to God the Father’s will for Him in His life.

Have you done this?

Have you fulfilled the righteousness that you claim by your confession, repentance and baptism?

Are you WALKING IN NEWNESS OF LIFE, as Paul says?

JESUS RECEIVES THE HOLY SPIRIT AFTER HIS BAPTISM

The Heavens opened to Him

Heaven – ouranos = sky

The Spirit of God descends on Him

Spirit – breath = reconciled with the Father in Heaven through the Holy Spirit.

This was lost at the fall, when God first created man and breathed His spirit in him.

Sin caused the separation of man and God, and we lost the Holy Spirit.

Through Jesus’ sacrifice, it is possible to regain relationship with the Father in heaven through the Holy Spirit once again.

The Fathers blessing

There is blessings, benefits and protection with receiving the Holy Spirit.

The Whole armor of God as David had when facing Goliath.

Spiritual gifts for building and edifying the body of Christ.

Spiritual fruits, which are the works of the Holy Spirit through us, love, joy, peace.

By receiving the Holy Spirit, we are members of the Kingdom of God here on earth, with Jesus Christ as our Lord. We are ambassadors to the Kingdom.

God the Father speaks at Jesus’ baptism.

“This is my son, whom I love, with Him “I AM WELL PLEASED”

I am well pleased – the Greek word here (eudokeo) means approved act.

JESUS BEGINS HIS MINISTRY

Jesus begins His ministry

CONCLUSION

Have you confessed your sins to the Father in Heaven?

Have you repented, or recognized your wrong direction, and turned from it?

Have you been baptized so that you too can receive the Holy Spirit and all God’s blessings that come with it?

If not, come forward and I will pray with you.

If you were not baptized with an understanding of what you were doing or what it was about, or you were never baptized, as soon as the weather breaks, we will be having a baptism service in Tawas Lake behind Gale Wojahn’s mother’s house and everyone is invited.