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Introduction:
For over 3 years, Jesus walked this earth as a human being. He put aside His heavenly rights and home to complete the work of salvation. He understands the daily pressures, struggles, and temptations we all face.
When we follow Jesus and walk with Him, we gain the insight and strength we need to press on in this life. Jesus challenges us to trust Him, learn His ways, and do His work. When we do this, our life becomes A Walk to Remember.
“So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, 7being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude.” —Colossians 2:6-7
In this 10-week collection of talks, we will walk with Jesus through His earthly life and ministry and ask Him to show us our next steps on our journey with Him. This collection will Include:
September 29th/October 2nd Jesus’ Birth
October 6th/9th Jesus’ Childhood
October 13th/16th Jesus’ Baptism
October 20th/23rd Jesus’ Temptation
October 27th/30th Jesus’ Ministry
November 3rd/6th Jesus’ Transfiguration
November 10th/13th Jesus’ Last Meal - Communion
November 17th/20th Jesus’ Death
November 27th Jesus’ Resurrection - Online Only
December 1st/4th Jesus’ Second Coming
Text: Matthew 3:13-17 (CSB, New Testament)
Today’s Takeaway: We must be baptized like Jesus.
Week 3 - Jesus’ Baptism
The baptism of Jesus was a significant event because it was the launch of His
THREE DETAILS ON THE BAPTISM OF JESUS
I. JOHN’S
(3:13-14)
Two obstacles loomed in John’s mind about baptizing Jesus:
A. Jesus’
“You know that he was revealed so that he might take away sins, and there is no sin in him.” —I John 3:5
B. John’s
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;” —Romans 3:23
II. JESUS’
(3:15-16a)
A. Jesus’
- Why was it right for
a. An
“There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him 8 He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light.” —John 1:6-8
See Matthew 3:1-12
b. An example for all people
“Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ. 2 Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold fast to the traditions just as I delivered them to you.” —I Corinthians 11:1-2
2. Why is it right for
a. To
“Therefore, everyone who will acknowledge me before others, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever denies me before others, I will also deny him before my Father in heaven.” —Matthew 10:32-33
b. To
“Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28:18-20
“So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them.” —Acts 2:41
BAPTISM IS THE OUTWARD REFLECTION OF THE INWARD CONNECTION.
B. Jesus’
“For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,” —I Corinthians 15:3-4
“ Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4 —Romans 6:4
III. HEAVEN’S
(3:16b-17)
A. The
B. Heaven
“So it is sin to know the good and yet not do it.” —James 4:17
“Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not as the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” —I Peter 3:21
CONCLUSION: Have you been baptized like Jesus?
For more resources on Jesus’ baptism, including the Deep Dive Questions, download the “A Walk to Remember” guide.
Upcoming Events at City United
1. Trunk or Treat Candy Collection: Be a part of making Trunk or Treat a successful and safe community event by helping us with candy. As you are out and about shopping, just pick up bags of individually packaged candy and bring it to an on-campus gathering with you. The candy bin is located on the Connect Side.
2. Trunk or Treat: October 22, 4-6pm: Trunk or Treat is almost here! This is a big deal at City United Church. Take your little costumed monsters, ballerinas and superheroes trick or treating from one decorated trunk to another. Families can also enjoy a photo area and refreshments! Come join in on the fun and take home a load of candy! You’ll be able to enter a raffle for a great prize too! Our City Teens will also be selling their famous caramel apples to raise money for AMP, a New Year’s Eve all night event open to all teens in the community.
To get your tickets, either text “candy” to (978) 300-8685 or visit cityunited.church/events and click on Trunk or Treat.
3. The Vitality Conference: October 29, 8:30am-3pm: City United Church is partnering with the Baptist Churches of New England (BCNE), Church Answers, Revitalize Network, and Logos to bring you this one-day event designed to help churches in the Northeast revitalize and thrive within this current post-pandemic climate.
Cost for this conference is $25 per person; ministry couple $30; group (3 or more from the same church $20 per person).
4. Membership and Baptism Sunday, October 30: Membership Sunday is a time when we honor those who have taken their Next Steps and are ready to make City United Church their church home. We will be recognizing them at the end of our online and campus gatherings. If you would like more information on taking this next step, please email the church office at office@cityunited.church. We will have baptisms during the 10:30 a.m. on-campus gathering.
If you have questions or would like to sign up to be biblically baptized, visit cityunited.church/events, choose Baptism and click on the link.
5. Campus-wide Workday: Saturday, November 5: Come join us for a fall campus clean-up from 8am-noon. For more information, contact Dennis Stott at dennis@cityunited.church.
6. Next Steps Open House, November 6, 2022: Are you new to City United Church? Do you want to learn more about the mission and vision of our church? Are you ready to start serving? If so, plan on joining us at our Next Steps Open House. During this 1 hour on-campus meet-up you will have the opportunity to meet some of the staff and leadership of our church, hear about how we got started and why we do what we do, and hear about ways you can get connected and be a part of what’s happening here. Lunch is provided.
To RSVP, visit cityunited.church/events and click on the event, then click “Register Now” and complete the form.