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Terrain Day 7 The Jordan River: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out The Jordan River!

The Questions

1) Why did Jesus go to John at the Jordan? (verse 13)

2) What is the significance of John being the one to baptize Jesus? (verse 15)

3) How were the “heavens suddenly opened” and the Spirt of God seen? (verse 16)

Matthew 3:13-17

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 But John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?”15 Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John allowed him to be baptized. 16 When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.”.

Original Intent

1) Why did Jesus go to John at the Jordan River? (verse 13)
Although many translations add the word “river” for clarification, the Christian Standard Bible stays with original Greek text which does not include the word. Since the readers would be very familiar with the Jordan River, the clarification would only be necessary for those (like many of us) who have never lived in the area. All four gospels include the event of Jesus’ baptism at the Jordan River (Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 3, and John 1) This significance should not be lost on the Bible student. Westerners ought to read passages that contain references to locations with eager minds to see beyond what is familiar to our western eyes. Verse 13 makes it clear that Jesus intentionally came to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. John was intentionally baptizing people at the Jordan River. Throughout Jewish history, the Jordan became a symbolic place of God’s miraculous power and His covenantal promise to save His people. (Joshua 4:1-7, 2 Kings 2;11-14) John would have been well aware of the history and location of the events on the Jordan River. Yet Jesus did not go up from dry ground. He went up from the water. Jesus’ baptism was a demonstration that essentially Jesus conquered the Jordan and fulfilled God’s promise! Others were baptized that day, but Jesus’ baptism opened heaven! (Luke 3:21-23) Commentator Barnes says, “The expression ‘cometh’ [King James Version] implies that the act was voluntary on his part; that he went for that purpose and for no other. He left the part of Galilee – Nazareth – where He had lived for nearly 30 years, and went to the vicinity of the Jordan, where John was baptizing the people in great numbers, that He might be set apart to his work.” (Studylight.org)

2) What is the significance of John baptizing Jesus? (verse 15)
In chapter 3, the Bible writer Matthew introduced us to a man who would become a captivating character in the New Testament. John was the cousin of Jesus (Luke 1:36) who was born to Zechariah and Elizabeth. We read about His significant birth in Luke 1:5-25. John would become a great witness of Jesus’ coming to earth by telling others about His life and death. His ministry was promised by God through the prophets in Isaiah 40:1-3 and Malachi 3:1. When John’s father Zacharias was told about his divine purpose, he likely recalled the prophet Elijah who spoke the message of God passionately. It was a message that set Elijah against the established religious, political, and social power structures of his day. Would his son be this kind of prophet? (Luke 1:15-17) And let’s remember that Zacharias himself was the religious establishment! (Luke 1:5) John was set apart from his beginning. (Luke 1:14-15), and he developed a following with his powerful preaching. When he baptized Jesus, he began to recognize (John 1:29-34) that the One coming was far greater than he would ever be. “I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove his sandals. He himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11) When John identified Jesus as the Messiah (John 1:29-33), he was also introducing His divine nature (The Deity of Christ) to the Jewish leaders and the crowds that gathered. It had been 400 years since God had spoken to His people collectively. (blueletterbible.org) Now, here at the Jordan River that held such rich history, John brought a message from God to the people, “He has not forgotten you.”

3) How were the “heavens suddenly opened” and the Spirt of God seen? (verse 16)
Although Matthew, the writer of this book, offers a good description of the event, most of us have no frame of reference for this kind of experience. I have heard the expression “the skies opened up” when someone wanted to communicate that a sudden downpour of rain occurred, but it isn’t a phrase I use or hear often. For most, the connection between heaven and earth is shrouded in mystery. The people in Jesus’ day were no different. Based on the reactions of the disciples and the crowds to spectacular incidents, most of them were not accustomed to dramatic experiences. (Matthew 9:32-33, 12:22-23, 15:29-31) Those familiar with the Old Testament are aware that the work of the Holy Spirit was different in the New Testament than it had been in the Old. At the time of Jesus’ baptism, the Spirit of God had not yet come to stay in the way He would after Jesus returned to Heaven. (John 16:7-14) The Spirit’s coming upon Jesus in a manner that was observable by those nearby is similar to the coming of the Spirit upon the disciples in Acts 2:1-4. The apostle John wrote that John (the baptizer) knew this sign was evidence of God’s presence and blessing on Jesus. (John 1:31-32) Though present-day images often picture a visible dove, likely it was the appearance of something dove-like swooping down around Jesus. “The dove suggests to Jesus’ purity, meekness, innocence. It was not majestic like the eagle or fierce like the hawk or flamboyant like the cardinal. It was simple, common, innocent; the kind of bird poor people could offer for a sacrifice. So when God anoints Jesus with the Spirit in the form of a dove, He directs Him to use His power in meekness and tenderness and love.” The prophet spoke about this in Isaiah 42:1-4 and Jesus declared Himself the fulfillment in Luke 4:17-21. (John Piper, Christianity Today)

Everyday Application

1) Why did Jesus go to John at the Jordan River? (verse 13)
When I traveled to Israel several years ago, we took a boat across the Sea of Galilee. I remember our guide telling us the body of water wasn’t nearly as massive as some we had likely seen in America. Still, the Sea of Galilee was famous for followers of Jesus because of the Man of Galilee, and not the sea itself! Although the Jordan is dwarfed by the Nile River in many ways, it served the people in Israel much like the Nile has done for Egypt. The Jordan River not only was an important source of water, but it also carried great spiritual significance in biblical times. Though I had been baptized in a church by my preacher-daddy many years before, I stepped into the Jordan River a couple of years ago and was immersed again by my daddy as a demonstration of my salvation. My first baptism had no saving power, and the Jordan’s waters have no mystical power to cleanse us differently. Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward change, but it is an action displaying obedience to Christ. The day I went down into the water of the Jordan River, I wanted to remember and rehearse what God declared about Jesus at the Jordan thousands of years ago, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.” (Luke 3:22)

2) What is the significance of John baptizing Jesus? (verse 15)
To most of us in the West with little knowledge of what a middle Eastern prophet might look like, John seems a different kind of man, but he wore the garb of other prophets. (Zechariah 13:3) John’s uniqueness was in the message he carried for it broke the silence and resonated with many. The Bible timeline reveals that 400 years had passed since God had communicated with His people. John was chosen by God as a witness to the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. It was he who saw and heard God’s approval and acknowledgment of the Son. “And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.’” (Matthew 3:17) Additionally, Jesus’ coming to John showed God’s approval of John’s ministry of baptism. John likely etched this moment in his soul, as it would no doubt be critical in the future as others would doubt John’s authority. Even he would need the reminder in his moment of wondering and doubt. Had he been misled by proclaiming Jesus as Messiah? (Matthew 11:2-3) But John’s moment of crisis did not define him. Jesus spoke to the people of how He thought of John, “A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet … I tell you, among those born of women no one greater than John the Baptist has appeared.” (Matthew 11:9) In his humility, John made much of Jesus at the Jordan River. In a glorious reality, it’s Jesus who makes places and people significant! Like John, when we make much of Jesus, it is to our pleasure and reward. Pastor John Piper said, “there is no tension between finding our significance in making much of God and being as happy as we can be.”

3) How were the “heavens suddenly opened” and the Spirt of God seen? (verse 16)
At the Jordan River, God the Father proclaimed His love for, and pleasure with, Jesus Christ, His Son. The sky appeared to open as the Spirit descended upon Jesus and the Father honored Him before the watching world. Psalm 19 is a declaration to this God, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of His hands.” When we look at the night sky and thousands of glowing stars, we marvel at the Creator’s handiwork. It is as if creation itself speaks to us the wonders of our Maker. When Jesus came to the Jordan, the heavens declared God’s glory in a new and wonderful way. In Jesus, God came to us and we “observed His glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John testified concerning Him and exclaimed, ‘This was the one … [who] ranks ahead of me because He existed before me.’) Indeed, we have all received grace upon grace from His fullness!!” (John 1:14-18) There’s an old spiritual song about the Jordan, “Jesus will be waiting, He’s gonna’ help me to cross.” (Jordan River Lyrics) The amazing truth is that our Savior God is going to do much more than help us across. He HIMSELF opened the heavens to us. He is the river, the bridge, and the promised land of Heaven. Diving into the waters of grace gives us assurance of a glorious future! (Revelation 7:11-17)

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

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Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

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Terrain Day 6 The Jordan River

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Joshua 3:1-17
2 Kings 5:1-14
Matthew 3:13-17
Ephesians 2:1-10

Terrain, Day 6

I don’t like dirt. I know it’s necessary for gardening, farming, and supplying life nutrients, but in my home or on my person, no thanks. Dirt equals unclean and impure. So, one could imagine how my mind struggles with a dirty river making anyone clean, cured, or blessed. But that’s exactly the role of the Jordan River in Biblical times.

The Jordan River starts at the base of Mount Herman and descends, flowing through the Sea of Galilee and ending in the south at the Dead Sea. It twists and turns through steep-walled valleys; the Jordan Valley contains reeds, tamarisks, willows, white poplar, and dense bushes, also known as thickets. Perhaps because it’s a floodplain, vegetation is so lush it concealed lions within those thickets in biblical times! And finally, Joshua and the Israelites found themselves on Jordan’s flooded banks as they traveled to the Promised Land. (Joshua 3:1-17)

After God rescued the Israelites from slavery in Egpyt, they crossed the Red Sea on dry land (Exodus 13:17-14:31), and camped at the foot of Mount Sinai. Terrified and refusing to enter the Promised Land, they wandered the desert for 40 years. At last, Joshua was tasked with leading them into the Promised Land, but how would they cross the Jordan at flood stage, a half mile wide by 10 feet deep with swift currents?

God instructed, “Command the priests carrying the ark of the covenant: When you reach the edge of the water, stand in the Jordan.” (Joshua 3:8)

Stand. In water 10 feet deep.

This could have evoked the same fear that kept them wandering in the desert, but God was gracious to share His plan. “When the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the Lord, the Lord of the whole earth, come to rest in the Jordan’s water, its water will be cut off. The water flowing downstream will stand up in a mass.” (Joshua 3:13) They obeyed, which allowed the people to cross over to Jericho on dry land.

For a generation, the Israelites had been confined within the boundaries of their fear and disobedience. But now, like the Jordan River overflowing the boundaries of the riverbanks, their obedience allowed them to break through their boundaries. They crossed over from their old life of wandering to a new life of the blessings of God’s fulfilled promises.

Now let’s imagine you have a skin disease. You’re told the cure is washing seven times in a particular, dirty river. Would you do it? Personally, I would protest first and then speed to the river.

Far from hypothetical, this is Naaman’s story (2 Kings 5:1-14). The prophet Elisha told Naaman, a leper and the commander of the Syrian army, to wash in the Jordan River seven times to be healed. But Naaman was prideful and resisted. Why couldn’t he wash in the Abana or Pharpar rivers, which were clear and always abundant, unlike the Jordan, which was swampy, muddy, and shallow in places?

Thankfully for Naaman, his servants convinced him to follow Elisha’s instructions. So there amongst the thickets, also known as ga’on, or pride, he washed seven times and God healed his skin immediately. Naaman became renewed by leaving his pride in the pride. Who would think a little dirt could cure what ails you?

Naaman wasn’t the only one who took a “dip” in the Jordan. Journey with me to the southern tip of the Sea of Galilee, where John the Baptist performed baptisms, an outward act of obedience that reflected inward purification by God. Baptism by John affirmed belief in the coming Messiah and repentance of sin. One day, Jesus came to be baptized in the Jordan; not for repentance, because He was sinless and holy, but to consecrate Himself for His earthly ministry.

Again, this dirty river served as a source of purification. The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus, identifying Him as the Son of God through God the Father’s voice. The dirt and mud did not, and do not, diminish the Jordan River’s significance to Christians. Jesus’ Jordan River experience led Him into ministry for three years before He shed His red blood to pay for “our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Ephesians 2:1-4 tells us, “you were dead in your trespasses and sins,” “walked according to the ways of this world,” and we lived in “our fleshly desires.” But
God…”made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses.”
God takes us from old to new, from death to life.
In the same way, He took the Israelites from the desert to the Promised Land,
Naaman from diseased to cured,
and Jesus from unknown to known so we could be cleansed.

Looking at our spiritual lives, how has God taken us from old to new, from diseased to healed, from abandoned to loved? Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.” We might get a little dirt on us, or have to tread floodwaters from our own “Jordan River,” but God will faithfully see us through these challenges into newness and fullness of life!

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Sketched VI Day 5 Paula

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Sketched VI Day 5 Paula

Guest Writer

October 4, 2019

Christ,Deep,God,Jesus,Relationship,Scripture,Sketched,Trust,Worship

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 46
Isaiah 40:21-31
Isaiah 41:8-14
Colossians 3:12-17

 

My parents were both raised with Catholic backgrounds, but never attended services.  As a result, I was unfamiliar with anything involving religion as a young child. However, when I was in grade school, a friend invited me to a Christmas service at his church. That was my first time encountering any type of worship. I was hooked and my curiosity grew. When he moved away, I was unable to go back to church until I began high school and started driving.

After the Christmas service, my friend and I attended the youth services and I really started honing-in on what Christianity was all about. I couldn’t quite wrap my head around the idea of a God who died for MY sins, who loves each one of us as His creation, despite our brokenness. I loved going each week and seeing the new friends I was making…
Each friend has a story and a background; some very different than mine, but some very similar.

After my friend moved, I stopped attending church and kind of felt like that entire season of my life was a dream; I forgot about God. In high school, before I started driving, I met a girl in band class who was involved in her youth group. She invited me to go with her and I was reintroduced to Christ, but this time, it stuck.

After I graduated from high school, I decided to go back to my now-current church where I volunteered in kids’ ministry, worship, and met more Christ-followers, which led to my baptism in May of 2016.

After being baptized, I started taking my relationship with Christ seriously.  I studied Scripture and listened to online sermons from other churches. I attended every Sunday service I could and stayed actively engaged in serving.

However, I was also on a teeter-totter after a relationship break up, a big move away from home, several deaths, and the loss of a job I loved. I definitely kept Jesus at arm’s length.
I wanted Him around, but I also wanted nothing to do with Him. I considered myself “Christian,” but I had drifted away from a deep relationship with Jesus and His followers.

After several months of skipping church, I “woke up” and returned. I saw the director of volunteers (my now-mentor) from afar, and avoided her. I felt like she was someone who could “see into my soul” and would know everything about my emotional and spiritual turmoil.

But God’s plan was bigger than my fear!
One week, she caught up with me after service, and after meeting later in follow-up, she connected me with the worship team.

I was incredibly happy!
I was FINALLY part of a middle school worship band ministry like I had dreamed of for YEARS. My way of communicating with God was through music, almost as if I had written the lyrics I was singing. God and I were chit-chatting as if we were best pals; I loved every single moment of it. 

I was on my way home from a full day of serving at church when I was involved in a car accident. I vaguely remember getting home after the accident and feeling that something wasn’t right. I collapsed to the floor in my front entryway, barely making it inside my house. I went to the ER, had scans done, and received terrifying news the next morning:
“You have a shadow on your brain.”

Strong words I will never forget.

Several weeks later, after my first seizure and losing my vision, I had emergency surgery to remove a good portion of this “shadow.”

More strong words: 
Anaplastic Astrocytoma
Grade 3 brain cancer

Following surgery, I wasn’t myself. I was so angry!
I refused to listen to or play music, knowing I’d hear God’s voice.
He was the last person I wanted to speak with.

I had so many questions for the Lord:
If we had such a great thing going, why throw a wrench in my plans by taking away my joy and dream? Why make me learn to trust You all over again?  

While I don’t have all the answers to my questions, this past year has brought deep spiritual growth I didn’t realize I was desperately craving.

Since my diagnosis last November, the Lord has brought people into my life for whom I’ve prayed since my teenage years. Both were strangers I’d connected with and are now as close as family.

My love for Christ has grown deeper than I ever imagined possible.  Even though I struggle with trusting Him, He has never left my side. Even though I prayed, and lost patience when I wasn’t given exactly what I’d wanted, He has never failed to give me something better.

Today, I have such a grand appreciation for life, friends, family, my church community, worship, music, gifts, God, and the list goes on. There are so many hardships God has brought me through, though He had no obligation. He has reminded me HE is good, even in the midst of darkness.

I get comments all the time about how “brave” and “courageous” I’ve been or questions about where my positivity comes from.
It didn’t happen overnight, but God drew near.

God has more for me to discover!
More songs to sing, and more people to meet and help them come to faith.

The enemy tried to silence me.
The enemy tried to discourage me.
The enemy tried to steal my joy.
The enemy tried to stop God’s work in me.

BUT GOD
Changed everything.

October 7th, 2018.
The day that changed my life forever.
The day I so badly wish had never happened, but am so thankful it did.
A day that could’ve ended everything, but here I am.
. . .  because He’s not finished with me yet.

His words.
His truth.
His song within my heart.
These give me courage and hope.

A Note About Sketched

In Sketched themes, we imaginatively step into the shoes of various characters throughout history. Some are biblical, some are well-known in modern day times, and some are people our writers know personally.

We do our best to research the culture and times surrounding these individuals to give an accurate representation of their first-person perspectives on life and the world, but we can’t be 100% accurate. “Sketched” is our best interpretation of how these characters viewed God, themselves, and the world around them.

Perhaps we will find parts of our story reflected in theirs!

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Digging Deeper

We are the people who God chooses to work through to accomplish His greater purposes just as He worked through those chosen in the Old and New Testament.

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Roads Day 10 The Gospel + Something = Nothing

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Ephesians 1:7-8 
Galatians 1:6-10
Romans 10:9-10 
Psalm 73:23-28 

Roads, Day 10

 Many have said people can believe in the biblical view of God,
while still ascribing to the Catholic faith.  

In preparing for this Journey Study, I set out to examine this claim for myself.
A difficult task, I might add.  

I began with the Twelve Articles of Catholic Faith, which are central to the Catholic faith. These mirror the Apostle’s Creed, a summary statement of apostolic beliefs.   

The 12 Articles 
A triune God who created the universe. 
Jesus as Divine Savior; He is fully God. 
Jesus was born of a virgin, conceived through the Holy Spirit, proving He is fully human and fully God.
He was crucified under the word of Pontius Pilot, a Roman governor of Judea. He died and was buried. 
Jesus then descended into Hell and rose from the dead three days later. 
Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God the Father in Heaven, mediating for us. 

Jesus will return to earth to judge the living and the dead.
They believe in the Holy Spirit.
They believe in the catholic Church (meaning one global church) and communion of Saints. 
The forgiveness of sins. 
The resurrection of the body. 
And finally, in everlasting life.  

While these 12 are core doctrine for Catholic and Christian beliefs,
the difference lies in definitions.   

Forgiveness of Sin
According to Catholic doctrine, Christ’s death “afforded grace for the forgiveness of sin.”
But it wasn’t actually “enough”, we still need to “work” to be “good enough” for that forgiveness to be extended to us.
Catholicism says “original sin” is removed only through baptism, which is a bit like the “Door to Forgiveness” being opened for you. To walk through it, however, you must participate in the “Sacrament of Penance.” This mainly happens through Confession with a Catholic priest. The priest is said to be the mediator between God and humankind, able to extend God’s forgiveness to us on His behalf.  

To a Catholic, Christ’s work on the cross was insufficient to forgive sin without these works of baptism and confession to a priest on our part.

Christian doctrine also holds to Baptism and Confession,
but with different definitions.  

Ephesians 1:7-8 makes it clear:
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, 
according to the riches of His grace, that He richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding.”

Through His blood.
By His grace.
Nothing more, nothing less.
We don’t need to work for forgiveness,
it’s freely given through Christ’s complete sacrifice.  

Our Catholic friends are constantly working to cover up the bad things they’ve done through penance, instead of walking into the guaranteed forgiveness the cross and shed blood of Christ brings.  

With constant work comes a constant question,
“Am I good enough for forgiveness?”

Eternal Life
Death, for a Catholic, continues to beg the question, “Am I good enough?’.
At death, if their soul is deemed holy by God, they go to Heaven.
If the soul is evil, they go directly to hell.
If the soul is neither holy nor wicked, they go to purgatory until the soul is cleansed of any sin (through others praying to Mary on their behalf) before going to Heaven.

In the Catholic faith, Mary is the mediator between us and Jesus, as we pray to her, and she prays to Jesus for us.  

However, Scripture teaches two precious truths:
There is only one mediator between God and man, Jesus Christ! 1 Timothy 2:5
We are given access, through Christ’s precious blood, to boldly and directly enter His throne room of grace. (Hebrews 4:16)

When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, he tore the veil in the temple.
That veil separated the Holy of Holies, where the presence of God resided, from the rest of the temple. Only a priest could enter the Holy of Holies to intercede for forgiveness on the peoples’ behalf. If the priest entered in with sin in his life, he would be struck dead.  

But Jesus, who is the only sinless one,
came to earth to make God accessible to us through Himself.  

Jesus came to take the place of the priests as mediator.
He is our perfect mediator because He is the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.
Mary was a great woman, but being human means that we are sinful.
She was never intended to be the mediator between us and Jesus. 

The Gospel
The gospel says Jesus’ shed blood and resurrection plus our acceptance equals salvation. Romans 10:9-10 

But Catholicism says the gospel plus work equals potential salvation.  

For all of the good, solid doctrine Christianity shares with Catholicism,
when we start adding things to the gospel, it’s no longer the gospel.  

Good Enough?
If we’re honest, it’s a question we’ve all asked ourselves.
It’s one I’ve been asking myself a lot lately.

Good enough to go to Heaven?
Good enough to bypass purgatory?
Good enough for God’s forgiveness?  

If we’re honest, it’s a question we’ve all asked ourselves.
It’s one I’ve been asking myself a lot lately.  

In truth, Sisters, we can trust that neither are we good enough, nor do we need to be!
Because our God is more than good enough. 
It’s not by baptism that our “original sin” is removed.
It’s not by attending mass without missing.
It’s not by confessing sins to a priest, or any other requirement.
Salvation is found, and forgiveness atoned for, by confessing with our mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord. (Romans 10:9)

Our eternity is secure.
Nothing can ever snatch us from His hand once we’ve crossed the line of salvation for ourselves. (John 10:28)
The full gospel, nothing more, nothing less, is solid enough to hold our souls for eternity.
Jesus + Nothing = Everything!
Have you trusted Him?!

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Creed Day 12 Into The Waters: Digging Deeper

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Creed Day 12 Into The Waters: Digging Deeper

Dr. Leslie Umstattd

July 25, 2017

Believe,Bold,church,Digging Deeper,Excuses,Faith,Forgiven,Freedom,Fullness,God,Gospel,Grace,Hope,Jesus,Life,Love,Peace,Power,Praise,Purpose,Relationship,Remade,Transformation,Truth

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

This DD Connects With "Into The Waters"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Luke 3:1-21

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, 6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

7 He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?8 Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 9 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

10 And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” 11 And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.”14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”

15 As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, 16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

18 So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people. 19 But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done, 20 added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison.

21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Who is John in relation to Jesus?

John was the cousin of Jesus. When recalling the lineage of Jesus one must venture through the first chapter of Luke to see that Mary, Jesus’ mother, went to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was also pregnant at the time.

The baby in her stomach was John. He leapt in his mother’s womb when Mary, carrying Jesus in her stomach, entered the room.

The Everyday Application

1) Who is John in relation to Jesus?

I think it is easy for us to read genealogy verses in the Bible and shut down because it seems boring or useless information. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

In this case, we see John prophesied about, and when he comes on the scene, even in the womb, he recognizes and reacts to Jesus in ways no one else did.

The Original Intent

2) What is the intent of John’s message when he speaks of trees that do not bear fruit being cut down?

Jesus changed everything! John’s message was directed at those who claimed, “We have Abraham as our father” thinking they were “good enough” before the God.

The direct audience would have been the Israelite nation. They expected that following the religious law of the day would put them in right standing before a righteous and holy God.

John, in preparing the way for Jesus to come, began to preach a different message to the Jewish people as well as anyone who would listen outside of the Jewish realm. John’s message, inspired by the Holy Spirit, forced the Jewish nation to realize that God cared more about the spiritual condition of their heart than all of their laws.

The Everyday Application

2) What is the intent of John’s message when he speaks of trees that do not bear fruit being cut down?

It is an important message then and now. God desires those who wholeheartedly desire to be in His presence and out of complete dependence on Him live their life.

John’s message reminds us, compels us, to look beyond the everyday and seek God first so as to be right before Him. In the pruning of our life, God makes disciples through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Original Intent

3) Why does Luke specifically mention tax col lectors and soldiers as part of the group that came to be baptized?

The Jewish people were governed by Roman rulers. The tax collectors, although Jewish, were paid by the Roman government so they were not seen in a favorable light. The reality for most tax collectors is they cheated the Jewish people out of money by taxing them beyond what they owed in order to pad their own pockets.

In the same vein, Roman soldiers were considered the same, employers of the Roman government. Jewish people didn’t want anything to do with them, but John wanted his audience to know that Jesus was for everyone.

The Everyday Application

3) Why does Luke specifically mention tax col lectors and soldiers as part of the group that came to be baptized?

Come all! Scripture does not say come some or come those who have it together. Come those who understand or come those who have it figured it out. It simply says come!

Tax collectors, soldiers, prostitutes, lepers…the outcast, unseen, and hated in the 1st century…these are just a few of the people groups that Jesus kept company with during His three-year ministry. The people He extended the grace of the gospel to were all peoples. 

Jesus tore down borders as He preached and reached with the gospel! I can come to Him, knowing full well that Jesus doesn’t need me, He wants me. He extends His gospel far and wide that all may believe and be baptized!

The Original Intent

4) Why was it important to John that people knew he was not the Messiah?

As far back as the prophets of the Old Testament, John was prophesied about as the one who would be the forerunner of Jesus. When the time came for that to happen, John was very clear in his message that he was not the Messiah. The Jewish people of the day were looking for the coming Messiah to save them.

When John began preaching and prophesying, the natural assumption would have been that he could be the Messiah. John states, “I baptize you with water, but He who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

John was always pointing towards Christ and His divinity.

The Everyday Application

4) Why was it important to John that people knew he was not the Messiah?

God uses us to proclaim His message. Just as He used John to be the forerunner for His son, there are times we need to keep perspective that we are not God, but rather His instrument. We are His people and He desires to use us to bring others to Himself.

Our role as believers is not to be another person’s Holy Spirit but rather to walk along side, encourage, and bear the burdens of those around on His behalf. Never for a moment do we take God’s place, but rather we show His love, His light, and His grace so that others see Him more clearly.

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Creed Day 11 Journey Study

Why should we be baptized?
Can I be a believer and not be baptized?
What is the significance of being submerged in water?

I remember the first time I saw someone get baptized. It was on a Sunday night at the church I grew up in. I was young, and a tad confused as to why there was a bath tub behind all the choir chairs, but felt there was some sort of significance to it, which was made clear on this very night.
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Creed Day 11 Into The Waters

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Creed Day 11 Into The Waters

Sara Colquhoun

July 24, 2017

Adoption,Believe,church,Courage,Faith,Flawless,Forgiven,Gospel,Grace,Love,Purpose,Redemption,Relationship,Remade,Sin,Transformation,Trust,Truth

Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 51:2
Luke 3:1-21
Acts 19:4-5

Why should we be baptized?
Can I be a believer and not be baptized?
What is the significance of being submerged in water?

I remember the first time I saw someone get baptized. It was on a Sunday night at the church I grew up in. I was young, and a tad confused as to why there was a bath tub behind all the choir chairs, but felt there was some sort of significance to it, which was made clear on this very night.

The person being baptized had just come out of the water, with their hands lifted above their head like they had just won a marathon, grinning ear to ear. Everyone began to cheer and shout and lift their hands towards Heaven, while the man grabbed a towel to dry off and the next person made their way down the stairs and into the tub, starting the process over again.

I had a lot of questions that night, and knew that I wanted to be baptized one day, I just wasn’t sure of the true purpose behind it.

Flash forward to my young teenage years when I’m really starting to dive into my relationship with the Lord. My youth pastor led a series about baptism and from the first week it captivated me. We talked in great lengths about the symbolism of submersion. Going under the water symbolizes dying to our old self and being buried, just as Christ was buried. As we are raised out of the water, it symbolizes being raised to walk in newness of life. We are reborn through salvation in Jesus and are clothed in His righteousness! (Galatians 3:27)

How is this different than being sprinkled as an infant? Baptism by submersion is an outward action that reflects an inward change, but an infant hasn’t made any choice to follow Jesus at that point in their life. Those who choose infant baptism generally believe one of two things. That this baptism infers salvation upon the child at that moment, or that it is done in hopes that the child will one day, after going through catechism, will own Christian beliefs as their own. 

What matters at the end of the day when it comes to baptism?
The gospel.
The Bible is incredibly clear that:
1) those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved.
2) those who profess Christ are commanded to be baptized.
3) baptism, though a strong command, does not save you.

As believers, when we come to accept Christ, our next command is to be baptized. When the disciples went out to preach the Gospel, they had clear direction from Jesus on what was to be done.

In Matthew 28:18-19, Jesus is speaking and states:

All authority in Heaven and on Earth has been given to me.

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.

According to the Bible, baptism should be our first act of obedience after turning over our lives to Jesus as our Savior.

That doesn’t mean for those who accept Christ in the final moments of their lives that they will not have salvation because they aren’t baptized. But, for those of us that make the decision to follow Jesus now, we should be eager to follow Jesus’ example and be baptized as quickly as possible. If that isn’t the case, we should examine our hearts and see what could be stopping us from making this decision.

Jesus was perfect. I mean y’all, He was completely sinless, but you know what? Even He was baptized by John the Baptist, in order to fulfill the command that His Father had given.

After my youth pastor finished the sermon series on baptism I had made up my mind that I wanted to get baptized as soon as I could. I remember that day vividly, even ten years later. It was during a Sunday night service, in the balcony of the sanctuary. All the youth being baptized that night were given white robes to put on. When it was my turn, I made my way into the tub, and something shifted inside of me the moment I came out of the water. It’s a feeling I could only describe as the Holy Spirit coming over me in a different way that I had experienced before.

I’ve seen many people be baptized since this day, in fact, on one sunny day towards the end of my second trip to Africa, I was in the Red Sea in Dar Es Salaam Tanzania, when I watched my now husband be baptized. It was the most beautifully simplistic moment of my life, one that I will hold forever dear to my heart.

So today I ask you, sweet sister, have you made the choice to follow after Jesus forever? If you have, and haven’t been baptized, I encourage you to speak to someone that can help you with this next step of faith. If you have more questions about this, we’d love to chat with you! Leave us a comment or write us an e-mail. This journey study is so near and dear to our hearts, and we want this to be a safe place for you to explore biblical beliefs and how they affect our everyday lives!

Tags :
baptism,creed,faith,gospel,grace,transformation,Truth,worship
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Recent Journeys

Creed Day 12
Digging Deeper

It is an important message then and now. God desires those who wholeheartedly desire to be in His presence and out of complete dependence on Him live their life. John’s message reminds us, compels us, to look beyond the everyday and seek God first so as to be right before Him. In the pruning of our life, God makes disciples through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Dig Deeper!

Can We Pray With You?

Prayer is central to our ministry as believers in Jesus as we carry eachother’s burdens and intercede for one another. Our team is honored to share the work of praying alongside you!

This Week's Lock Screen
Explore This Journey Theme!
July 10th - July 28th, 2017 -- Journey Theme #19

Join a GT POD!

Authentically living out a life of worship to the God who rescued us from darkness requires accountability and intentionality. Join a GT POD and take the next step in your faith journey!

Join the GT Facebook Community!
Free Registration!
Share Your Story!