Pastor Rene's Bible studies
The Gospel of Luke-- Chap 3
New beginnings
New beginnings
Today’s message is an introduction, of what our life should be like – living in the power of the Kingdom, following our perfect model: JESUS THE PERFECT MAN.
Luke presents Jesus as the ideal man, the perfect savior of an imperfect
mankind, not only as the jewish messiah, but as the savior of the entire
world. (He presents the universality of the gospel, the Christian message
: Gentiles, nations, outcasts, woman…)
One of his important titles in Luke is Son of Man (26 times) to
emphasise that he is the true representative of the entire human race.
Luke 3:21 (NIV) When all the people were being
baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened
22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And
a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well
pleased." 23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began
his ministry.
21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too.
THE PICTURE IS NOT - that Jesus kept waiting, waiting… then being the
last one, he was baptized.
Instead, at the peak of John’s ministry, (he came to prepare
the way), during this period of time, Christ was to be revealed.
Emphasis not on John, neither on the people, neither on the
baptism itself - but on what event took place – Heaven, Holy
Spirit, the Voice. Jonh’s name is not even mentioned. The focus is
the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.
Why did jesus submitted to baptism, if he was without sin and didn’t
need repentance?
By looking at what happened, we’ll have a picture to answer this question…
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According to Scriptures, Christ or Messiah was to take on Himself the guilt
of the people, and as a substitute, He was to bear its punishment. (ISA.
53 :4-6; MK 10 :45; 2COR 5 :21; GAL 3 :13)
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In order to accomplish this redemption, the Holy Spirit with all His power
descended on Jesus to anoint and qualify him (as a MAN) for the task he
had taken upon Himself.
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For this public recognition of his task :- « OF TAKING AWAY THE SIN
OF THE WORLD », the Father showed his love and his approval in speaking
from heaven. (Trinity : In redemption or in any divine works, we see the
trinity and the unity of God).
-
Afterward, John the Baptist, introduced Jesus saying : « Look the
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. » (John 1 :29-34).
We see a clear picture of the Christ in the act of publicly assuming
his task :
God showing openly that he had chosen his Son Jesus to be the
One who accepted willingly and openly to take upon Himself, to atone for,
to carry away « the sin of the world ».
23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry.
Luke’s purpose is to emphasize God’s public recognition of Jesus taking
upon him his task, and the moment is the beginning of his public ministry.
(ministry= Life of service to God and man).
Jesus’ task is to Live his life and to lay his life as a living, holy sacrifice
pleasing to God.
Why did jesus have to take this role? why was it necessary?
Because men, WE, I have broken the rules
of the Kingdom of God (government, reign, dominion, lordship).
We have been created by him, for him, for His pleasure.
We declared our independence, our rebellion. We sinned by choice against
God’s rules.
We felt under the domination of another kingdom. (of darkness)
God sent his Christ as the perfect representative of man to become
our substitute, our atoning sacrifice.
Through a decision of our self-will, we must decide to repent of our
offenses against God’s rules.
We must accept by faith the works of Jesus on our behalf – and accept
his rule over our life.
-
After we receive the grace of forgiveness, how should we then
live in the kingdom of God?
We have looked at Jesus baptism, let’s look at the meaning of baptism…
Roma 6:5 (NIV) If we have been united with
him like this in
his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.
6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the
body of sin might be done away with, {[6] Or be rendered powerless}that
we should no longer be slaves to sin—
Roma 6:10 (NIV) The death he died, he died
to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
11 In the same way, count
yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do
not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.
13 Do not offer the parts of your body to
sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God,
as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts
of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 14 For sin shall
not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
Roma 6:16 (NIV) Don't you know that when you
offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves,
you are slaves to the one whom you obey--whether you
are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which
leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to
be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching
to which you were entrusted.
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Look at Jesus our example= the perfect man. (See V.10)
Look at his public life – as a model of what our life should be like.
(V.11 In the same way)
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We see 3 symbolisms:
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Union with Him
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Death to sin.
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A new beginning – One with Christ – Beginning a new life offered
to God as instruments of righteousness. A new life where we willingly and
wholeheartedly obey the teaching of God’s Words.
That’s where Jesus the perfect man begins his ministry. That’s where
we begin our new life because of his work of redemption.
Jesus’ task is to live his life and to lay his life as a living, holy sacrifice
pleasing to God.
In union with Him, when we enter in the Kingdom of God through being born
again and we accept the rule of God on our lives, we also offer ourselves
(see V. 13 and 16) as instruments of righteousness.
Let's meditate on V.16: offer yourselves - obey - slaves and let's
apply it to our new life.
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That’s where Heaven is open to us (revelation of God) - 2COR 3 :14-16;
4 :3,4
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That’s where the Spirit produces the new Life of God in us (eternal
life, God’s character). We are born again. JN 3 :3
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That’s where God accepts us as his sons and daughters. GAL 3 :26-27
Conclusion:
Next week – we will learn from Jesus’ temptation.
Before he began his public ministry, he was temptedjust like us and He
passed the test.
From the very beginning of our new life, temptations
will come our way. Temptations to break God’s rules and standards. Can
we pass the test too?
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