Chosen and Loved: Discovering Who Jesus Is
Second Sunday • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 10 viewsTo recognise that at his baptism Jesus' identity and his role were made clear.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction (3m)
Introduction (3m)
What’s your identity?
What’s your identity?
Choose a volunteer
Has many roles.
What roles/names would you write on this person’s ID badge?
E.g. parent, partner, work position, son/daughter, brother/sister, supporter of charity/football club, church member, vehicle driver, neighbour, musician, pet owner, friend.
Explanation (4m)
Explanation (4m)
How God identified his people
How God identified his people
Descendants of Jacob, I, the Lord, created you and formed your nation. Israel, don’t be afraid. I have rescued you. I have called you by name; now you belong to me. When you cross deep rivers, I will be with you, and you won’t drown. When you walk through fire, you won’t be burned or scorched by the flames. I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, the God who saves you. I gave up Egypt, Ethiopia, and the region of Seba in exchange for you. To me, you are very dear, and I love you. That’s why I gave up nations and people to rescue you. Don’t be afraid! I am with you. From both east and west I will bring you together. I will say to the north and to the south, “Free my sons and daughters! Let them return from distant lands. They are my people— I created each of them to bring honor to me.”
Did you spot the identity God gave his people through Isaiah?
Did you spot the identity God gave his people through Isaiah?
God had created them
God had created them
Created nation of Israel.
Had a special relationship with them.
Called them by name
Called them by name
To be the ones who belong to him
Been with them in disasters
Been with them in disasters
Many times in their history he had protected Israel in times of trouble.
When he allowed his people to suffer destruction and captivity, he was always preparing them for redemption later.
He had been their God
He had been their God
Treated them as very precious to him.
An important message, as God’s people currently in exile in Babylon.
It must have meant so much to them to hear how much they mattered to God.
The Story of Jesus’ baptism also tells us how God identified him
The Story of Jesus’ baptism also tells us how God identified him
Luke tells us people were asking who John the Baptist was
Luke tells us people were asking who John the Baptist was
Not been a prophet in Israel like Isaiah for over 400 years.
God’s people thought God had forgotten them again, had gone silent on them.
They were waiting for Messiah - God’s Anointed One promised to them by the prophets of old.
Widely believed that when he came then prophecy would reappear.
When John burst onto scene, people were excited.
Was this it?
Was John the great prophet who was announcing the awaited age of the Messiah had arrived.
Some were even eager to know if John was Messiah himself.
But as they asked themselves these questions, they actually discovered far more about Jesus’ identity
But as they asked themselves these questions, they actually discovered far more about Jesus’ identity
John spoke like the prophets of old.
He told the people they must turn from the wrong things they were doing to avoid punishment.
He told them they must turn to God instead to experience his mercy and approval.
John spoke to the people with particular urgency because he was preparing the people for Jesus - who was the coming Messiah
John spoke to the people with particular urgency because he was preparing the people for Jesus - who was the coming Messiah
More powerful than John
More powerful than John
John told the people the coming Messiah - Jesus - would be more powerful than he was.
This must have been shocking and exciting for John’s audience, because John had already done some amazing things, and spoke with authority of a prophet.
In John’s day, a lowly slave would be required to untie the sandals of all household guests and then wash their feet.
John told them he was even lower than a lowly slave in comparison to Jesus.
John wasn’t even worthy enough to do the most routine tasks for him, like untying his sandals.
Able to baptise with the Holy Spirit
Able to baptise with the Holy Spirit
John baptised with water.
It symbolised the washing away of someone’s sins.
It was an outward sign of that person’s commitment to God and to doing right.
But to be effective, it needed to be accompanied by an inward change of attitude leading to a changed life.
John’s baptism didn’t save the person being baptised.
It prepared them to welcome the coming Messiah - Jesus - and to receive his message and his baptism.
John tells his audience Jesus would baptise with the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is who we need for the inward change God calls for to be effective.
He purifies us inwardly.
He shines his light on our hearts and minds, showing us the areas that need to be confessed, repented, and brought under the leadership of Christ.
He prompts us to deal with our sins.
He illuminates God’s path for our lives before us, guiding us in the truth.
He helps bring healing and wholeness to the believer.
A Judge
A Judge
John tells his audience would also judge those who refused to repent of their wrongdoing.
He uses the pictures of threshing that separates grains of wheat from the useless outer shell called chaff, and the burning of the chaff because it is useless for anything.
Those who refuse to be used by God will ultimately be discarded because they have no value in growing God’s Kingdom.
This must have made John’s message even more riveting!
A voice from heaven called him, “My son, my beloved”
A voice from heaven called him, “My son, my beloved”
God the Father recognised Jesus as his much-loved Son.
Jesus Christ has a different, unique relationship with the Father.
He is the one unique Son of God.
God confirmed he was well pleased - took great pleasure in the person Jesus was.
Jesus was no ordinary man.
This event - his baptism - set him on the start of his public ministry on earth.
People now knew what he had been called to be and do.
Application (3m)
Application (3m)
Who does God think you are?
Who does God think you are?
Badges and Sharpies
Imagine what God would write on your ID badge.
Could be name, nickname, a role, relationship to God.
Remember what God told his people they were to him.
You are created by God.
He calls you by name.
He is with you when you walk through life’s challenges.
He is your God.
He loves you and treats you as his most treasured possession.
He loves you so much, that the Son he said was beloved and precious to him, who brings him so much pleasure, died and rose again so you could have a relationship with his Father.
As we listen to music, write on your ID badge and wear it with pride!
Prayer
Prayer
We thank you, Lord God, that you call each of us by name.
In the silence, we thank you for the specific name or identity he has given us.
We thank you, Father God, that you called Jesus your much-loved Son.
At the start of his ministry, when he was baptised, he knew who he was and what role he had to play.
Help us to listen to you, and to obey you.
This week, help us to show others we belong to you, at school, work, home, or play.
Amen.
Next Steps
Next Steps
Written in Red
Written in Red
Video: Written in Red | 4:00
