Tag: John the Baptist

March 10th 2024: Adrian Brake

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To watch this service, please click on the link to our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/nSKIvr3DsPk?si=qeBHG3DeGzd8S3fK

Luke 7:11-23 Jesus offers salvation before He brings judgement.

In verses 11-15 Luke records perhaps what was Jesus’ most remarkable miracle up to that point – raising a man to life. Since the creation of the world, approximately 4,000 years earlier, very few people had been raised from the dead. Nobody had been raised from the dead for 900 years. This was truly an extraordinary event. Nobody who was in that day would ever have been able to forget what they had seen. People could never have imagined in their wildest dream such a thing would happen. They had seen Jesus give sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, speech to the mute, mobility to the paralysed, liberty to the demon-possessed. But to give life to the dead was something else altogether.

Those who had been raised in church are so familiar with the gospels, miracles no longer stun us as they should. “Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” (Luke 7:14-15). Astonishing!

How could those who were privileged to be present keep quiet? Today, people would be tweeting within minutes and having selfies with the dead man. There was no social media then, but word of mouth was very effective in getting the news out. Therefore, it spread like wildfire throughout Judea and the surrounding regions. “And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.” (Luke 7:17).

“Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.” (v.18). Luke focuses on one man in particular, a man who had already been quite prominent in the gospel – John the Baptist – who was more than 150 miles away. How did he hear about the news? The disciples of John reported it to him. Disciples were people who followed you, recognised you as a prophet of God. John was recognised by many as a prophet. Israel hadn’t had a profit for 400 years.

How to John respond to what he had been told about Jesus? It’s perplexed him. He had a burning question. John was unsettled; he couldn’t rest until the question was answered. There was only one person who could answer this question, “And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” (v.19). Why couldn’t John ask Jesus himself? Because John was in prison on the instructions of Herod Antipas. John had reprimanded Herod Antipas for his behaviour. Now Herod wanted to kill John but couldn’t because John was popular, and Herod Antipas didn’t want an uprising. John aas in lockdown but he was able to send messengers to Jesus to ask, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” (v.19).

The ’Coming One.’ God had told His people centuries before that He would send them a King, one who would deliver them from all enemies and bring blessings. He would set up a Kingdom that would never end. John the Baptist had come and said the prophecies were about to be fulfilled. John had said that He is coming, Jesus of Nazareth.

Yet, John, who had preached this to the people, now seems to have doubts and wants confirmation that Jesus is the Coming One. It is strange. John had been so sure. He had baptised Jesus. When Jesus came out of the water, John saw with his very own eyes the Holy Spirit descend on Jesus. He had told people, ‘This is the Messiah.’ (John 1:34). Yet here, John is unsure. This is the most important thing in all the earth – who is the Messiah, the one God gives as our saviour?

Why is John now uncertain? Some people say it is John’s disciples who have doubts, not John, who tells them to go and ask Jesus for themselves. But in verse 22, when Jesus answers the question, He tells the disciples to ‘Go and tell John the things you have seen.’ It is John who is uncertain.

In verse 24 the messengers come with a message from John. It is John who is second-guessing himself. Why is he uncertain?  It is understandable in Christian life to be uncertain. Have you ever felt as though, even though God is always with us, He seems far away? We can doubt and be uncertain. We should follow John’s advice and go to Jesus. Take our doubts to Jesus. Jesus doesn’t rebuke John, He ministers to him. We take our doubts to Jesus. Take them to the Lord. You’ll be welcomed and He will help.

In Luke chapter 3 we read of John the Baptist preaching. John the Baptist said the work of the Messiah would be, “Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Luke 3:7). John had never had PR training! Verse 9 continues, “And even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” In verse 17 we read, “His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.”

The Messiah has come to cut down the trees that don’t bear fruit, and to throw the chaff into the fire. He has come to administer God’s wrath on enemies, to punish sin. He is come to bring devastating judgement upon sinners. It is about to happen now (v.9). The axe isn’t on the shelf – it’s already at the root. The winnowing fan is not on the shelf but in His hands. This is a clear message. John had had the message from God but it was also referenced in the Old Testament (Malachi 4).

When the Messiah comes there will be a devastating judgement for sinners. Then, John gets to hear Jesus is doing anything but judgement. Instead, He is healing the sick, raising the dead. John is expecting God’s wrath to be unleashed, yet Jesus is lavishing God’s love. This Saviour is bringing nothing but salvation. This is why John asks the question. Jesus answers with actions, “And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.” (Luke 7:21). More healings! Then Jesus says, ‘There’s your answer.’ Jesus is saying, ‘Yes, I am the Messiah, the Coming One. The proof is what I am doing.’

John had got half the story, not all of it. When the Messiah comes He will unleash God’s wrath  on the ungodly.  But what John did not understand was that the Messiah would come twice. It is when Christ comes back that He will unleash devastating judgement. John had got the timing wrong. Jesus brought grace and salvation and healings (Isaiah 35). Before Christ brings judgement, He comes to offer salvation. Jesus is saying, ‘Now is the time for grace, now is the time for the offering of salvation.’ Now is the time for the first part of Old Testament prophecy to be fulfilled Later, the other part will come to pass.

One day there will be judgement. But God is so gracious, God is so merciful, that He holds back. He could do it now, but He holds back because He is patient with sinners. Now is the day of mercy, now is the day of salvation. “Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.” (v.22).

The chief characteristic of the Lord’s ministry is the poor will have the gospel preached to them. Jesus has come to warn people of what is to come. He offers salvation.

God is a merciful, patient God. He hates sin and those who do not repent will be punished with everlasting destruction. But God does not delight in wrath. He has a compassionate heart. Have we got the heart of God for sinners? Have we got compassion for the lost? Are we concerned for sinners?

We are working against the clock. We are still in the day of grace. But John was right. The day of judgement is coming. We don’t know when that will be. We have to seize the time and do what we can. Every day that passes is a day closer to judgement. There is no time to waste.

For those who do not know Christ, there is a warning. Now there is a welcome, but that won’t always be the case. Seek the Lord whilst He may be found. There is a time limitation on God’s offer of mercy. In 2 Corinthians, Paul says, ‘Now is the day of salvation.’ We must come. God’s patience does not last forever. We need to act. Christ is the Messiah, Jesus is the saviour, Jesus is the one who can save you. Come to Him while you may.

October 29th 2023: Jonathan Scott

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Mark 1: Everyone’s Talking

There are moments in history that stand out in our lives that last for a lifetime. Can you name any that stand out for you? Whether that could be the birth of a family member, the death of a monarch, a tragedy or disaster? I’m sure we can all remember a time like this.

There are significant moments in history, like the death of Queen Elizabeth 11, that are remembered for generations to come.

Today we will be looking at an event in the bible which had been talked about and was foretold for centuries. This had everyone talking about something so amazing and significant they couldn’t stop talking about it until it actually happened. They lived in the hope and trusted in the promises given by God that one day He would send the Messiah, the ultimate sacrifice for each and every one of us.

The first questions you may ask are ‘Who is talking and what are they talking about? This account found in Mark chapter 1 has many people talking about the arrival of the Messiah, including the Old Testament prophets, Malachi and Isaiah, as well as New Testament followers and disciples, the four gospel writers, everyone in between The Testaments, those in heaven, those in hell, people today. Jesus is a historical fact, even included in secular history. Time 100 magazine did a list of the most influential historical figures and Jesus Christ came number 1. Even the secular world is talking about this event.

So, if there were so many people talking about this, what was this amazing event that everyone was talking about?

  • Isaiah is talking about The Messiah coming, the messenger that is preparing the way for the Messiah and extraordinary things are going to happen that we don’t expect.
  • Salvation – talked about by the 4 gospels and John the Baptist
  • Hope, One is coming who is Yahweh, Jehovah the Son of God the Messiah.

Malachi is talking about a messenger being sent ahead of one who is the Messiah, who will prepare the way for Him. This messenger mentioned in Malachi and Isaiah is John the Baptist, the most famous prophet and the one who was noted to be the greatest amongst people, Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. (Matthew 11:11).

Jesus Himself said no one would rise up greater than John the Baptist. This is high praise, but he is only here to pave the way for the one who is the Messiah and redeemer, Jesus.

“As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
“I will send my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way”
Mark 1:2

John the Baptist’s ministry represents a fulfilment of the promise of a new exodus in which Israel is delivered and finally enters into the Jordan river to receive God’s promise of salvation. He was pointing the people to the true Messiah, one who was much greater than him. He was the messenger, preparing Judea for Jesus’ life-changing ministry. Freedom that they had never known – baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin. Confessing their sins, the people were baptised by him in the Jordan River (Mark 1:5).

John the Baptist was calling people to repentance, turning away from their sins and turning to God for forgiveness of sins. The act of repentance had to precede baptism, and therefore baptism was not the means by which sins were forgiven but rather a sign showing that a person has truly repented. John the Baptist’s ministry in the wilderness was once again a fulfilment of prophesy found in Isaiah 40:3, “A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare    the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”

This is John the Baptists message: ‘After me comes the one who is more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.’ (Mark 1:8). The unfastening of someone’s sandals in Jewish times was seen as a task reserved for the lowest of slaves, and certainly wasn’t meant to be done by a Jew. Jewish instructions said that a disciple should do everything for his teacher that a slave would do. However, Jesus is so great, John the Baptist, who was considered the greatest of the prophets, is not worthy to do the most menial of tasks of a servant for Jesus.

John the Baptist Continues: ‘I baptise with water, but He will baptise you with the holy spirit. (Mark 1:8). This is the true reason behind why Jesus came into this world – to die so that our sins can be forgiven on the cross at Calvary, the innocent lamb of God dying for us when we don’t deserve it. John the Baptist’s baptism could wash sins clean temporarily, but Jesus Christ can wash away sins for eternity, including the forgiveness of sins in the past, present, and future. He does this for us because He loves us unconditionally.

Colossians 1:13-16 tell us that:

13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

Who is this special person that everyone is talking about? Mark 1:1 gives us this answer,

“The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah the son of God.” What a way to start a gospel! Who is Jesus? The meaning of the name Jesus is ‘to deliver, to rescue.’ 

When we talk about Deliver, we are used to that from the Old Testament in the likes of Exodus when God delivers the Israelites from the hands of the Egyptians. However, the idea of complete rescue is a new concept which Jesus brings to completion in His new age of ministry. Romans 10:13 says, “For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Not just a few, but everyone! This is a gospel truth not to the elite, but to the many.

Jesus’ humility and love for others is unparalleled, flowing from the infinite love of God for His people. The ‘ransom’ of Christ’s life was paid to God the Father, who accepted it in full, as a just payment for the sins of the world, past, present and future. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rmans 5:8).

Has there ever been a time when they have not been talking about the Lord Jesus, the Messiah? Isaiah had been talking about the Lord Jesus the Messiah at least 700 years before Jesus or John the Baptist came on the scene. Malachi had been talking about this 400 years before this account in Mark 1.  Then after Malachi there was 400 years of silence. This is the period between the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. There was nothing shared in the Bible of what happened during this period. The people had to live in Hope that the Messiah was coming soon. There was suspense of when the Messiah might come. Not knowing when His arrival will be and with this silence of 400 years between the old and new testaments the expectation grew with time, generation after generation.

They were looking forward to the physical coming of the Messiah, but Jesus has been present from the beginning. There has never been a time when Jesus has not been there. In Genesis 1:1-2 reads, ‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.’

At first glance the account of creation found in Genesis 1 v 1 seems to focus on God the Father and the Holy Spirit. However, the opening words of John’s gospel adds clarity to show that the Lord Jesus, the Son of the God was present as an integral part of the Trinity,

‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.’ (John 1:1-5).

This tells of the Word being there in the beginning. The Word is Jesus Christ. He wasn’t just there at Creation; He was part of every aspect of it, working in total unity with the Father and the Holy Spirit. This is amazing that the One who died for our sins on the cross and who came to earth to walk amongst us, was the same One who created all things with God the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is the thread which runs throughout the Bible. He was there through it all, at the beginning, middle and end of the Bible. From Genesis every story points to Him and whispers His name. ‘Jesus says I AM the alpha and omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end (Revelation 22:13)’. He is there from beginning to the end of time. Jesus is this thread which leads to a roadmap in the Bible going from the Old Testament in Genesis to Revelation in the New Testament.

When we talk about this roadmap, we see Isaiah pointing to Jesus. However, the Israelites and Isaiah were in a completely different place spiritually than the Jews we find in Mark chapter 1. Isaiah was in agony with all the oppression going on around him. However, he writes in Isaiah 64 and in other chapters about a hope. Firstly, that a messenger is coming to point to the long-awaited Messiah, which is John the Baptist. Secondly, and more importantly, there will be one coming who is greater than John the Baptist. Isaiah is not looking to someone who is merely a human but is looking further to Heaven – to God and Jesus, who is fully God in human form. Isaiah 64:1-3 reads,

Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down,
    that the mountains would tremble before you!
2 As when fire sets twigs ablaze
    and causes water to boil,
come down to make your name known to your enemies
    and cause the nations to quake before you!
3 For when you did awesome things that we did not expect,
    you came down, and the mountains trembled before you.

This is a plea from Isaiah to God, Why? Well, he is in agony. He pleads that God will ‘rend the heavens and come down.’ This is fulfilled with Jesus coming to earth. The mountains were the most solid thing of their time; Isaiah believes that the power of God can make even the most solid thing tremble and he is pleading for it to happen.

There is hope! Someone is coming that will do all this. Isaiah isn’t pleading for John the Baptist, he is pleading for Jesus. He is not settling for the greatest in human form but looking to God.

But then looking at this roadmap it points directly to this account in Mark 1, to the baptism of Jesus, and all the way to Jesus on the Cross. As he died this all came true. The mountains tremble, nations quake and the enemies knew your name on that cross. The things in Isaiah also are reiterated in Malachi about a messenger preparing the way for Jesus, “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the LORD you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.”” (Malachi 3:1).

In the Old Testament the LORD is in capitals in this section. This is interesting to look into to see the context of who Isaiah and Malachi are describing. The LORD, when in capitals in the Old Testament refers to the Hebrew name Yahweh which describes God in the most sacred of ways. The name suggests that God simply is. He possesses an underived existence; He is the eternal “I AM”.

Malachi is saying that John the Baptist is preparing the way for Yahweh, Jehovah, God in His most sacred form. Although it hasn’t been revealed as to what form this will take at this time, we know with hindsight this to be the divine Messiah, Son of God, Jesus, and in this most miraculous and beautiful act of baptism in Mark 1 we see the fullness of the holy Trinity displayed.

We find the Baptism of Jesus in Mark 1 vs 9-11.

Jesus, is the perfect lamb of God, the Messiah, who is free from sin, yet He identifies with the sins of His people. Even though He Himself was free from sin, He was still baptised (Mark 1:9-11). This is to fulfil the prophesy in Isaiah 40.

Mark is known as the whistle stop gospel. He attacks it at full speed, but he doesn’t miss the important details. Anything that is mentioned due to Mark’s brief nature must be taken into consideration as the fact that it is mentioned means the details given are hugely important.

In verse 10 as Jesus came up out of the water, this is the unexpected event that was prophesied in Isaiah 64. “Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.” (Mark 1:10). This is the moment we see the trinity in its entirety. The Holy Spirit was there at the beginning of creation, hovering over the waters, and also the Holy Spirit is described in the gospel of Mark descended like a dove and hovering over the waters. This account in Mark’s gospel links straight back to creation, the roadmap as mentioned earlier pointing to Jesus.

Jesus is commissioned for a unique purpose and to finally complete God’s rescue plan for humanity. God the Spirit anoints Jesus as Israel’s long-awaited King and Messiah and commissions Him as God’s righteous servant. (Isaiah 42:1)

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
    my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
    and he will bring justice to the nations.

At Jesus’ baptism the heavens were ripped open and the heavenly voice of father comes down, confirming the eternal, loving Sonship of Jesus and the eternally existing relationship of divine love that the Son and Father share, as well as Jesus’ identity as the messianic Son of God, “And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11). The heavens ripping open is a violent picture of the awesome power of God the Trinity. Imagine actually being there. This foreshadows to the events at the cross. When Jesus died the curtain was torn top to bottom in the temple.

This beloved Son is the triumphant King, yet He is also the humble servant into whose hands the Father is well pleased to place the mission to bring Salvation to the nations

Then, in Verses 12-13 of Mark 1 Jesus is sent by the spirit into the wilderness for 40 Days where Jesus is tempted and equipped for the start of His ministry. In verses 14-15 we read, “

14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

This is the final fulfilment of the prophesy in Isaiah 40; Jesus announcing to the world, the wait is over. Finally, the time has now come, I am here. But there is one small clause, life-changing clause, “Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15b).

All you have to do is repent and believe to receive the gift of salvation and be a part of the kingdom of God, His chosen family. However, when you look into it a bit more in depth, it isn’t as easy as just saying sorry and believing in God and be done with it to get a free ticket to heaven. Repenting is not just saying sorry. It is a complete change in character, in nature and a clear transformation in your life. It is a full 180-degree spin to acknowledge that we are all born with sinful natures, (Romans 3:23). All the things we have done wrong is not just against others or ourselves, but deeply hurts our Heavenly Father and Jesus. We need to completely turn from our sinful ways and not do these things, but I know that this is not an easy task. This is where God in His goodness to us, left the Holy Spirit as a helper and comforter to all who believe in Him. You can ask for forgiveness from Jesus and He will give you the Holy Spirit’s help to change you from the inside and help you fight against our human nature, living for a far greater purpose. When you accept Jesus, it is a wonderful day, especially knowing that the best is always yet to come. Jesus promises to take your sins away, as far as the east is from the west, and we know that He always keeps His promises.

Summary

We have gone on a road trip through the bible, from Genesis to Revelation, including Old Testament prophets Isaiah and Malachi, to New Testament scholars in Hebrews and Romans, from Old Testament through the silence to the New Testament, eventually crash landing looking at the events in Mark 1 about, John the Baptist and Jesus.

I would like to summarise with 3 points and a challenge.

  1. Declaration of Isaiah and Malachi saying that a ‘messenger is coming’. Also looking forward with expectation and suspense to the Messiah Jesus is coming. John the Baptist paving the way for the Messiah.
  2. Confirmation – God ‘This is my Son’. Everyone who has gone before calling for repentance and the sacrifices that have been offered to Himself will one day be finished and completed in Jesus.
  3. Proclamation – ‘The time has come. Repent and believe the Good News.’

    Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. – John 14:6

I encourage you to turn your eyes upon Jesus, and in His strength we can move mountains.

So, everyone is talking. What should everyone be talking about? The good news – Jesus died for us and rose again to a glorious ascension to heaven, to be at the right hand of the Father. Mission complete. He has WON. Victory Assured. Death defeated, sins forgiven. IT IS FINISHED!!!

Then, as stated in Matthew 28:18-20, we are called to make disciples of all nations, knowing that the Lord is with us always even to the very end of the age. Put our trust in Him, repent and believe. Share the good news that ‘He Has Risen’ each and every day and in His strength, we can do immeasurably more through our Saviour the Messiah the Lord Jesus Christ.

July 2nd 2023: John Funnell – Baptism Service

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To watch this service, click on the link to our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/3CSQMoDh2s0

Mark 1:1-13

We’ve met a character called John. I’m John, I’m a Baptist, but not John the Baptist. He wore camel hair, a belt and ate locusts. He spent most of his time in the Jordan shouting at people. He was a very great and powerful man, so great that our Lord Jesus Christ described him as the greatest person ever born (Matthew 11:11). Yet, despite his greatness, when he met with Jesus Christ he says, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (v.7-8). John the Baptist, the greatest man who ever lived, didn’t feel worthy enough to do the lowest job for Jesus. Why? Because John the Baptist knew that this real, tangible, historic person in front of him was not just another man, He’s God. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1).

Jesus is God. John the Baptist knew this man. He could see in flesh before him was Logos, the Word who the spoke time, space and matter into existence. John the Baptist knew that Jesus is the Almighty, the Alpha and Omega, Kings of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Lion of Judah, the great I am, the Promised Messiah. At His name every knee shall bow, even those today who deny Him. He came to the River Jordan to undertake a sinner’s baptism, to do what TJ is about to do this afternoon. Why?

Before I was a pastor, I was a prison chaplain. I loved it. But I was with some vile people – murderers and worse. Prison is not exactly how you think it is. At times, it can be a very open place where inmates move around and are free to wear their own clothes. On Sundays, I dress smartly, but the rest of the week I am in casual clothes, similar to the inmates. I looked like them. On occasion, the prisoners would be ushered back into their cells when alarms went off. As they were herded in, I would begin to panic. I would make sure that my pass and keys could be seen, so that the prison wardens did not mistake me for one of the prisoners. I wanted them to know I wasn’t one of the prisoners.

I don’t know why I panicked. I knew the inmates well and trusted them. I had built up strong relationships with them as their chaplain and I know they would never hurt me. Even if I was locked in, I had my keys and my pass, so I could get myself out. So, why did I panic? Because of a deep-seated issue in my heart. I didn’t want to be numbered with the inmates, who had done some vile and disgusting things. I didn’t want the shame of the guards thinking I was one of them. How un-Christian! It pains me even more now, in how the Lord Jesus Christ came to save me from my sin and reunite me with the Living God.

Jesus Christ is the perfect Son of God, yet He came here to this broken earth that rejects Him, and He chose to go through a sinner’s baptism. Isn’t that beautiful? He came so that He could be numbered with us, so that as one of us He could go to the cross as a substitute for us and die that death that we all deserve because of our sin, so we can have His life. Hallelujah! Just as Jesus passed through the waters to be named with us, TJ is willing today to publicly show you all that he is now numbered with Jesus. TJ is going through the waters to show you through the act of baptism that Jesus Christ is his Lord and Saviour.

For some of you here today, what TJ is about to do might seem very odd. Yet, well over two billion people alive today, which is a third of humanity, have done what TJ is about to do. Praise be to God there are hundreds of thousands of people around the world today that are going to be doing the same thing TJ. Isn’t that great! Baptism isn’t weird. Baptism has been in the central place of practice in the West for 2000 years. It is the core that’s built our society. It is a public profession of faith. It’s a symbol showing you all, this afternoon, of TJ’s commitment to Jesus and His teaching. It is a symbol of Christ’s washing away of TJ’s sin. It also symbolises the death to TJ’s former self and, as he comes out of the water, it symbolises his re-birth as a Child of God. It’s a joy to see.

TJ, do not think that when you’ve been baptised you’ve ticked all the boxes. Baptism is just the start of a wonderful journey with God that never ends. When you leave this life, you have eternity with Jesus. Jesus’ baptism marked the beginning of His ministry, and it marks the beginning of yours, as a Christian. You must be on your guard. I say this from personal experience. When Jesus left the waters of baptism He was led straight to the wilderness where He was tempted. The devil will be after you. Over the coming weeks, stand your guard. Stay close to the Word of God and stay close with your church family. There is safety in numbers. When a lion attacks a zebra, he doesn’t go for the herd, he gets the ones that are on their own. Stay with the church.

It is a most blessed time. Jesus loves you. You are joining His church. Today, you are publicly proclaiming citizenship in God’s Kingdom. Hallelujah! Enjoy it. As you pass through the waters, you now have a new and better life with peace. We love you. I love you and we’re going to support you. Welcome to the family.