Baptism Pictures Intention to Live for Jesus

Pray – (1/2 minute)

Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. . .” (Matthew 3:16a)
     Passage: Colossians 3:1-17

        The baptism of Jesus was the beginning of His public ministry. The statement in Matthew is not a side note. Jesus did not linger in the water with John. As soon as He was baptized, He went up out of the water and moved forward into His public ministry. He did not go back to His home in Nazareth. He did not go back to the carpenter shop. He moved forward into the purpose for which He came.
       Jesus set the example for us that the final part of the baptism testimony is giving a living picture of intention to live for Jesus. No one is left in the water. The person is raised up from being laid down or buried under the water. That pictures salvation of having sin washed away and being raised up to new life. The next step is moving forward out of the water. This shows that we now move on to the purposes God has for us in life. We are to glorify Him and work with Him as He builds His Kingdom. We need to grow in Christ and learn how to live in a way that reflects Him to the world. Walking out of the water shows the beginning of that life. Jesus moved forward from that day at the Jordan. Keep moving forward in your life for Him.  

 Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
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Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)