Sermon July 19, 2026
JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD
1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 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, & he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 A voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” -- Matthew 3:1, 13-16
Principle: It is great when a Father praises his child.
WHY WAS JESUS BAPTIZED BY JOHN? The Old Mosaic Law…
#1 “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this
#2 “…to fulfill all righteousness.”
WHY ARE WE TO BE BAPTIZED? The New Covenant…
#1 THE COMMAND OF CHRIST…40 days after resurrection…GREAT COMMISSIONS…
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel, whoever believes and is baptized shall be saved!” -- Mark 16:6
#2 THE TEACHING OF APOSTLES…50th day after the resurrection…PENTECOST
36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart & said to Peter & other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 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. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about 3,000 were added to their number that day. -- Acts 2:22-24 and Acts 2:36-41
UPON YOUR BAPTISM…WHO ARE YOU IN CHRIST? “26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26-28 ANSWER: A CHILD OF GOD!
AFFIRMATION OF THIS LESSON IN ACTS 10”34-48 34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. ...39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. --
LESSONS:
John’s baptism -- “I’m sorry for sins!”
New Testament baptism -- “I’m forgiven of sins...since Jesus died for me!”
Someone in your life today needs to know they are a child
