We are continuing our series titled "Jesus Habits." We all develop habits. Some are good and some are not so good. Some habits are down right bad. As Christ followers, we should try to follow the example of Jesus as closely as possible. Today's habit topic is baptism. Jesus was baptized.
The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon. You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.
Jesus Was Baptized
Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan, coming to John to be baptized by him.14 But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have the need to be baptized by You, and yet You are coming to me?”15 But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.16 After He was baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and settling on Him,17 and behold, a voice from the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” - Matthew 3:13-17
Baptism is not a sacrament. Baptism is a Biblical command.
So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. - Acts 2:41
But when they believed Philip as he was preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were being baptized. - Acts 8:12
Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord together with his entire household; and many of the Corinthians, as they listened to Paul, were believing and being baptized. - Acts 18:8
Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins by calling on His name. - Acts 22:16
The Biblical order is this: Faith first, then baptism.
Baptism doesn't save you. Faith saves you. You can go to Heaven without baptism, but you can't go to Heaven without faith.
3. Baptism allows you to experience cleansing of sin.
Only faith can cleanse, but baptism is the public symbol of what has already happened. Only the shed blood of Jesus can cleanse you.
4. Baptism marks a new beginning in your life.
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?2 Far from it! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life. - Romans 6:1-4
5. Baptism bands believers together as Christ followers.
Baptism is an act of obedience in response to faith in Christ Jesus.
The one who has believed and has been baptized will be saved; but the one who has not believed will be condemned. - Mark 16:16
Jesus was generous. We should develop the habit of living generously. The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon titled "Jesus Habits: Generosity."
Jesus was generous.
You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.
What does it mean to be generous? Generosity is defined as being intentional in life by offering yourself and resources to others in the name of Jesus. We are never more like Jesus than when we are generous. Generosity is a foundational Jesus habit.
Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” - Mark 1:41
As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”When He entered the house, the blind men came up to Him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”Then He touched their eyes, saying, “It shall be done to you according to your faith.” - Matthew 9:27-29
A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years.When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, “Do you wish to get well?”The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.”Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk. - John 5:5-9
At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind.And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them. - Luke 7:21-22
Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” - Matthew 19:13-14
Jesus always made time for those who were hurting.
Jesus was generous to His enemies.
Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him.”Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.And Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him. - Matthew 26:48-50
But Jesus responded and said, “Stop! No more of this.” And He touched his ear and healed him. - Luke 22:51
34 But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing His garments among themselves. - Luke 23:34
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. - Romans 5:10
And you were dead in your offenses and sins,2 in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.3 Among them we too all previously lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest.4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,5 even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved). - Ephesians 2:1-5
Jesus gave Himself to us.
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. - John 3:16
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. - John 1:12
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves;4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,6 who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,7 but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men.8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross. - Philippians 2:3-8
When we see how much we have been given, it is easy to give.
What does the habit of generosity look like in our lives?
The biggest lie Satan wants you to believe is that you have to already have a lot in order to be generous. Not true! Let's read the parable of the talents in Matthew 25.
14 “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them.15 To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.16 The one who had received the five talents immediately went and did business with them, and earned five more talents.17 In the same way the one who had received the two talents earned two more.18 But he who received the one talent went away and dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.
19 “Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.20 The one who had received the five
talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you
entrusted five talents to me. See, I have earned five more talents.’21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master.’
22 “Also the one who had receivedthe two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have earned two more talents.’23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master.’ - Matthew 25:14-23
God has given each of us a "measure of talents" to be used to invest in God's kingdom. Some of have 5 and some of us have 2. The "talents" we are given are to be used as Jesus commands and that is to love Him and love others. How do we love others? We follow Jesus' example. We are to be generous to others.
We do not need a lot to be generous. We only need a changed heart.
There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are these for so many people?”10 Jesus said, “Have the people recline to eat.” Now there was plenty of grass in the place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number.11 Jesus then took the loaves, and after giving thanks He distributed them to those who were reclining; likewise also of the fish, as much as they wanted. - John 6:9-11
Generosity is not just and act. It is an attitude of the heart.
Generosity is not just a feeling. It is a lifestyle choice.
We don't always feel like being generous. Sometimes we don't want to be generous because we feel the other person doesn't deserve our generosity. Well, generosity is not based on how we feel or whether or not the receiver deserves our generosity. Our generosity is based on who we are in Christ Jesus.
We are currently studying Jesus habits. Jesus had no bad habits. He lived a perfect life. If we could all copy the good habits of Jesus, the world would be a much better place. Can you think of bad habits in your life? We all have good and bad habits. Our habits can make us or break us. Your habits determine the direction of your life. When we live like Jesus, it changes everything. When we live like Jesus, it is called Christ-likeness. Jesus worshiped.
Jesus worshiped. We should worship like Jesus.
The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon. You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.
If you are a Christ follower, then Jesus lives in you.
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. - Galatians 2:20
If you have given your life to Christ, He has given Himself to you.
The one who says that he remains in Him ought, himself also, walk just as He walked. - 1 John 2:6
We should live as Jesus did. His habits should be our habits.
Jesus Worshiped
Worship is an expression, an experience, an encounter with God. When we worship, we are glorifying God. We were created to glorify God. Jesus glorified God. Jesus worshiped every day of His life. Worship was a lifestyle of Jesus. Worship in the life of Jesus was both private and public.
1. The Worship Habit of Jesus
Jesus grew up in a home where worship was a priority.
And when the days for their purification according to the Law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. - Luke 2:22
His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up there according to the custom of the feast. - Luke 2:41-42
And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and people. - Luke 2:52
Your kids will never prioritize what you marginalize. Make worship a priority for your family every Sunday. - Pastor Paul Purvis
Jesus began His ministry by attending a worship service.
And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. - Luke 4:16
Jesus worshiped every day.
At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a man inciting a revolt? Every day I used to sit within the temple grounds teaching, and you did not arrest Me. - Matthew 26:55
Jesus was passionate about worship.
His disciples remembered that it was written: “Zeal for Your house will consume me.” - John 2:17
Jesus' Passion in Worship:
Jesus sang worship songs.
And after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. - Mark 14:26
Jesus loved to see children participate in worship.
But when the chief
priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done, and
the children who were shouting in the temple area, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became indignant,16 and they said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘From the mouths of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself’?”- Matthew 21:15-16
Jesus loved to see people fed from the Word.
And yet they could not find anything that they might do, for all the people were hanging on to every word He said. - Luke 19:48
And all the people would get up very early in the morning to come to Him in the temple to listen to Him. - Luke 21:38
Jesus was passionate about giving as an act of worship.
And Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and began watching how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large amounts. - Mark 12:41
Jesus' Promise About Worship
For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst. - Matthew 18:20
2. What does the habit of worship look like in our lives?
Everybody worships. The question is not about whether or not we worship. The question is about what we worship. Worshiping wrongly results in emptiness and misery.
"Without Worship, we go about miserable." - A.W. Tozer
True worship is not a place.
God's Word tells us about the place of worship in our lives when it comes to priority.
Not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. - Hebrews 10:25
True worship is not about us.
We cannot make worship about ourselves. Worship is not about our feelings, but about whether or not God is honored. It is about whether or not our hearts are right so that God can be honored by us.
"Worship is the strategy by which we interrupt our preoccupation with ourselves, and attend to the presence of God." - Eugene Peterson
True worship has requirements.
As the priests entered the house of God, there was a procedure as they entered the presence of God. They didn't just show up and automatically worship.
Now even the first covenant had regulations for divine worship and the earthly sanctuary. - Hebrews 9:1
Read more about the detailed procedure for worship described in Hebrews 9 here at Bible Gateway.
In Old Testament times, people who entered into the worship area (before the Holy of Holies), they came into the courtyard. At the entrance was a brazen altar. On the brazen alter, sacrifices were offered non stop. It probably smelled horrible but it was a reminder to the people of their sins. The symbolism of this tabernacle sacrifice points to Jesus in the future. This carries over into the New Testament.
Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. - Romans 12:1
Worship begins when we yield ourselves to God and give Him everything.
Back in the courtyard of the tabernacle, there was a piece of furniture called a laver. The laver was a huge bowl of water. The priest was to wash his hands and feet before he went any further into the presence of God. We are talking about cleansing. Dirty hands and feet (dirty hearts) are a contradiction to true worship.
This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. - Matthew 15:8
In this condition, our joy is gone. Our focus is gone. God is not honored.
Through Him then, let’s continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips praising His name. - Hebrews 13:15 (Now we are ready to worship.)
What does it look like to continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God?
It is praise, thanksgiving, singing. It is the Word of God. It is prayer, giving, and serving. Worship is also nourishing, strengthening, healing, refreshing, and contagious.
Worship is costly.
Worship cannot happen inside the church unless it first begins outside the church.
True worship is what God is seeking.
Worship is a matter of the heart. It is about a truthful heart and an humble spirit - a repentant sinner abandoning all hypocrisy.
Read the story about the woman at the well in the gospel of John, chapter 4. The first person Jesus revealed Himself to as the Messiah in the book of John was a failed, despised woman who knew nothing but failure. Jesus tells this woman that He is looking for people like her to worship Him.
God is looking for people YOU to worship Him.
The best worshipers come with their brokenness, scars, failures . . . and God opens His heart to them. Their hearts are forever changed.
God is searching for true worshipers. Being a true worshiper is a daily habit, just like Jesus.
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Jesus worshiped. We should worship like Jesus (Jesus Habits)
The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon. This sermon about prayer is part of my pastor's sermon series titled Jesus Habits.
Jesus Habits: Prayer
One reason habits matter is this. Successful people do consistently what other people do occasionally. In what area of your life do you need to become more consistent?
While you are thinking about the answer to that question, you are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.
There are three points to ponder while developing Jesus habits. We need these three things.
1. We need the power of Christ in our lives.
2. We need a system. We need a lifestyle that consistently allows us to develop Jesus habits.
3. We need accountability and encouragement from others. We were created for community.
Today's specific topic related to forming Jesus habits:
Jesus Habit: Prayer
Jesus began His day by connecting with His Father, God, before doing anything else. Jesus prayed.
In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. - Mark 1:35
All that God wants to do in your life, your family, your business, etc is done through prayer.
1. Why did Jesus pray?
Jesus was and still is fully God and fully man. He was and is flawless but He experienced the hard stuff of life such as temptation, pressure from others, etc.
Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You. - John 17:1
When Jesus experienced the hard stuff of life, He took refuge in His Father, God.
If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God you'll be at rest. - Corrie Ten Boom
Let's focus on developing good Jesus habits, not bad habits. Bad habits, even private bad habits, will eventually come out publicly. Private good habits will eventually come out too.
2. When did Jesus pray?
Jesus prayed early in the morning.
Starting our day with God helps shield us during spiritual battles during the day.
Jesus also prayed at night.
It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. - Luke 6:12
If you wake up in the middle of the night, pray.
Jesus prayed in a variety of places. He tells us to keep seeking, asking, and knocking.
Jesus prayed with people, not just for people.
Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. - Luke 9:28
Do you have a prayer group? I am part of a small prayer group that meets once per week. I always look forward to our prayer time together and I feel refreshed after we have prayed. If you are not part of a prayer group, consider seeking one out or start one.
Jesus prayed before making decisions.
It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles. - Luke 6:12
Jesus prayed after great victories.
After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. - Matthew 14:23
Jesus prayed to overcome temptations.
When He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray. - Luke 22:40-41
Jesus prayed for those whom He loved.
Jesus prayed during crisis.
3. Why is prayer a difficult habit for us to develop?
Perhaps we pray while hanging on to sin in our lives. Practice the habit of confession. Confess your sins to the Lord and turn from them.
Perhaps we pray with wrong motives.
Perhaps we doubt prayer is effective.
But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord. - James 1:6-7
Perhaps we aren't walking in faith.
Perhaps we have never been discipled.
It happened that while Jesus
was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His
disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught
his disciples." - Luke 11:1
4. When we embrace the habit of prayer, choose to pray. Don't wait for a feeling.
Never lose expectancy in prayer. Our prayers are instantly heard in Heaven. Consider the following beautifully written piece by Charles Spurgeon.
Prayers are instantly noticed in heaven.
The moment Saul began to pray, the Lord heard him. Here is comfort for
the distressed but praying soul. Oftentimes a poor broken-hearted one
bends his knee, but can only utter his wailing in the language of sighs
and tears; yet that groan has made all the harps of heaven thrill with
music; that tear has been caught by God and treasured in the
lachrymatory of Heaven. “You have collected all my tears in Your
bottle.” This implies that they are caught as they flow!
The suppliant, who groans out his words,
will be well understood by the Most High God. He may only look up with
misty eye; but prayer is the falling of a tear! Tears are the diamonds
of Heaven! Sighs are a part of the music of Jehovah’s court, and are
numbered with the most sublime strains which reach the majesty on high!
Do not think that your prayers, however
weak or trembling, will be unregarded. Our God not only hears prayers,
but also loves to hear them. “He does not forget the cry of the humble.”
True, He does not regard proud looks and lofty words.
He has no concern for the pomp and pageantry of kings.
He does not listen to the swell of martial music.
He does not regard the triumph and pride of man.
But wherever there is a contrite heart
full with sorrow, or a lip quivering with agony, or a deep groan, or a
penitential sigh—the heart of Jehovah is open! He marks that prayer down
in the registry of His memory! He puts our prayers, like rose leaves,
between the pages of His book of remembrance, and when the volume is
opened at last there shall be a precious fragrance springing up
therefrom! - Charles Spurgeon
We know the Bible tells us to love our neighbors, but who are our neighbors? I grew up in the pre-social media age. Our neighbors were the people who lived next to us in our neighbors. It was that simple. Today, the definition of the word "neighbor" has changed a bit. Vocabulary.com defines "neighbor" as "a nearby person or thing." That's a pretty general definition. In our current "everything is instant" culture, even people are as near as your phone or computer screen. We can see someone face-to-face almost anytime we want with a few clicks of a few buttons or keys. Therefore, our neighbors extend beyond the people who live right next to you. My pastor's first sermon in his new series (Love Where You Live) is titled, "Love Your Neighbors." Let's learn how to love our neighbors like the Lord tells us to love them.
Love Your Neighbors (Love Where You Live Series)
The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon titled Love Your Neighbors. You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.
The past is a nice place to visit, but a terrible place to live. We need to let go of past grudges and move forward into the future.
See your world with clear vision. Learn to love the people around you because God has brought them into your path. He has placed you where you are so you can love the people where you are.
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." There is no other commandment greater than these. - Mark 12:30-31
Love the Lord with all your being and love your neighbor as yourself.
Loving God flows into loving others.
And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:18-20
It is possible to reach even your most difficult neighbors because you have the authority of Christ.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. - Acts 1:8
Start where you are. Love where you are first. People like Billy Graham are great and wonderful with huge platforms and God uses them to reach large numbers of people, but God uses people like you and me to reach people face-to-face, one person at a time too. Who is your neighbor? Your neighbors are the people who live near you but they are also any people who God places in your path. Who lives with you? Your spouse, kids, a parent, a grandparent? a dorm roommate? Someone else? Do the people who live with you know Jesus? Do the people who live with you know you know Jesus? Don't let difficult people keep you from sharing Jesus with them because according to Acts 1:8, it is not you but the power of the Holy Spirit who reaches them.
2020 Focus: Love where you live by continuing to bless and and love your family and friends. Create a "love where you live" culture by discipling your church family to make a gospel impact in the community by using your resources, influence, and voice.
Who lives around you? Only 10% of people can name one of their neighbors and only 1% has had a meaningful conversation with one. (The Art of Neighboring) We have gone from front porches to privacy fences. We have many connections on social media but we have only shallow relationships and those relationships are growing less and less meaningful.
Our culture has changed but God has not changed.
We can't love our neighbors if we don't know who they are.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. - Romans 12:10-13
This kind of hospitality as described in Romans 12:10-13 is not and option or a spiritual gift. It is a command that we are all supposed to obey.
Jesus came to serve and to save. He was focused on building relationships.
For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. - Luke 19:10
The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, "Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!" - Luke 7:34
A meal is a good way to build a relationship. People don't care how much you know (about Jesus, the Bible, or God) until they know how much you care (about them). Our current culture has us somewhat afraid of people we don't know, but if we get to know them, we won't fear them. Who lives in you? This is the most important question because if God lives in you, then you will love your neighbors.
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. - Romans 8:11
As we move forward in this new year, we will not go alone. If we want God to do something new, we need to get to know new people.
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Love Your Neighbors (Love Where You Live Series)
Read all other posts in the Love Where You Live Series here.
