Matthew 3:12-17

The Baptism of Christ.

The meeting: God brought salvation closer to us down by the river.

A unique day in the life of the world.

Christ comes out of obscurity and into public ministry.

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Christ undergoes baptism to identify himself with fallen and seeking humanity.

Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

"...to fulfill all righteousness."

Ps 40:7-8 "Then I said, "Behold, I come; in the scroll of the Book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart."

Phil 2:8 "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross."

Ezra 9:6ff; Nehemiah 1:5ff

Rom 5:19 "For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous."

1Cor 15:22 "For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive."

The testimony: God manifested himself down by the river to confirm Christ's ministry.

God demonstrates that Jesus is his chosen One to bring redemption to Israel.

Luke 3:22 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."

John 1:32 And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him.

Isaiah 42:1 "Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.

Isaiah 11:2 The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.

God the Father testifies that Jesus' ministry has approval from heaven.

Matthew 3:16; 12:18; 17:5.

The Holy Spirit testifies that Jesus' ministry will be effective.

Ephesians 1:13-14 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Isaiah 61:1 "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has

sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

The testimony of God to us is that this Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior of the world.

John 1:32 And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33 "I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' "And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God."

Through Christ, we are equipped for battle against sin and the devil.

Coming to Christ, we repent and obey and the Holy Spirit keeps us in Christ's care.

John 10:29 "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.

In Christ, we too are filled with the Holy Spirit, and so are enabled to do God's will.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:8-10 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.

In Christ, we can anticipate the day when we will see heaven opened to reveal Christ in his glory, returning to judge the world.

1Corinthians 1:7-8 ....eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 1:36 ..."Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"