Quest 6
John the Baptist recognized the problem.
John’s baptism was “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:4).
Matthew 3:13-14 - Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
Sometimes we fail to see the bigger picture of Jesus’ baptism.
When John was hesitant, Jesus said, “But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). Was he baptized as just an example to us?
Or is there something more? Is it because we are absorbed into Christ?
o Just as he died on the cross for our sins, he was baptized vicariously for our sins.
o Principle: We have no spiritual experience outside of Jesus Christ.
o Colossians 3:1-4 - If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
o 2 Corinthians 5:21 - For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Let’s get an even bigger picture of Christ’s baptism by including his temptation in the wilderness. What can we learn?
1. Spiritual highs can be followed by spiritual testing.
The spiritual high (Mark 1:9-11) - In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
Spiritual testing (Mark 1:12-13) - The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.
Example of Moses: He spoke with God on the mountain for 40 days. Then when he came down, he discovered the people worshipping a golden calf (Exodus 32:19) - And as soon as he came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses’ anger burned hot, and he threw the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain.
2. Satan wants you to doubt your identity.
Matthew 4:3 - And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”
Matthew 4:5-6 - Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down.”
3. Satan pushes an alternate identity.
Find yourself through food, that is, physical appetites, including sex. (Matthew 4:3) – “Command these stones to become loaves of bread.”
Find yourself through the estimation of others (Matthew 4:6) - Throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”
Find yourself through the possession of things (Matthew 4:8-9) - Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”
Do you have the Christ identity? Christ identified with you in baptism,
will you identify with him in baptism?
If you have, live the bigger picture all the way to resurrection.
Quest 6 Sermon from February 6th, 2022
