Who_is_Jesus_2_Advent_2025.docx

Devotional

Day 1: Baptism—A Bold Step Into Public Faith

Baptism is more than a private spiritual milestone; it is a public declaration that you are aligning your life with Jesus and his people. When Jesus stepped into the Jordan River to be baptized by John, he was making a visible statement of solidarity with John’s message and mission, even though he had no sin to confess. In the same way, baptism is a way of saying to the world, “I am with Jesus. I am choosing to be identified with his message, his mission, and his community.”

This act of public identification can feel both humbling and empowering. It roots your faith in a community and calls you to a visible commitment. Baptism is not about having everything figured out or being perfect; it’s about courageously stepping forward and letting others know where your allegiance lies. It’s a reminder that faith is not meant to be hidden, but lived out in the open, inviting others to see the transformation God is working in you.

“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33, ESV)

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you are hesitant to let others know you follow Jesus? What would it look like to take a small step of public faith today—at work, with friends, or in your family?

Day 2: God Transforms the Ordinary Into the Sacred

The word “baptizo” began as a simple term for washing or immersing, but God transformed it into a sacred act that marks a turning point in a person’s spiritual journey. This transformation is a powerful reminder that God often takes what is ordinary and infuses it with extraordinary meaning. Just as baptism became a symbol of new life and commitment, our everyday actions and words can become holy when they are offered to God.

God delights in using the simple things of life to reveal his presence and purpose. Whether it’s a conversation, a meal shared, or a daily routine, when we invite God into these moments, they become opportunities for grace and transformation. Baptism teaches us to look for God’s fingerprints in the ordinary and to trust that he can use even the simplest acts to draw us closer to him.

“For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven shall rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. These are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth.” (Zechariah 4:10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one ordinary part of your day that you can intentionally offer to God today, asking him to use it for his purposes?

Day 3: Baptism—A Visible Sign of Invisible Grace

Baptism is not a work that earns God’s favor or secures salvation. Instead, it is an outward sign of the inward grace we have received through faith in Jesus. This distinction is crucial: we are saved by grace alone, and baptism is a natural response to that gift. It is a visible testimony to the invisible work God has done in our hearts—a way of saying, “God has changed me, and I want the world to know.”

Obedience to Jesus’ call to be baptized flows from gratitude and love, not from a sense of obligation or fear. When we step into the waters of baptism, we are celebrating what God has already done in us. It’s a moment to remember that our identity is rooted in God’s grace, not our own efforts, and to let that truth shape how we live each day.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: How does knowing that you are saved by grace, not by your own efforts, change the way you approach God today?

Day 4: Embracing Vulnerability and Trust in Christ

Coming to Jesus does not require us to have it all together or to be strong in ourselves. Like the story of Josh’s baptism, we are invited to come as we are, with all our weaknesses and fears, and trust Jesus to hold us. True faith is not about projecting strength, but about surrendering to the loving arms of God, who welcomes us with grace and joy.

Vulnerability before God is not a sign of failure, but of trust. When we let go of the need to appear strong and instead bring our true selves to Jesus, we discover the depth of his love and the security of his embrace. Baptism is a picture of this surrender—allowing ourselves to be immersed, trusting that God will raise us to new life.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of weakness or vulnerability you can bring honestly to Jesus today, trusting him to meet you with his grace?

Day 5: Faith Is a Journey—Keep Growing Beyond Baptism

Baptism is not the finish line of faith, but a starting point—a public marker that you are committed to following Jesus. The journey of faith continues as you explore, learn, and grow, not just during Sunday worship but throughout the week. Engaging with Scripture, asking questions, and living out your faith in daily life are all ways to keep responding to God’s grace and deepening your relationship with him.

God invites you to keep moving forward, to seek him in new ways, and to let your faith shape every part of your life. The journey will have ups and downs, but you are not alone. As you walk with Jesus and his people, you will discover more of his love, wisdom, and purpose for you.

“Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.” (Hosea 6:3, ESV)

Reflection: What is one new step you can take this week to grow in your faith—whether it’s reading Scripture, joining a group, or serving someone in need?

Sermon Summary

of the Sermon**

This sermon explores the meaning and significance of baptism, especially as it appears in the story of Jesus’ own baptism in Matthew 3. The message begins by situating us in the Advent season—a time of waiting and preparation for the arrival of Jesus—and then moves to unpack the origins and evolution of baptism from a common act of washing to a profound public declaration of faith. The sermon explains how John the Baptist transformed baptism from a self-administered ritual into a communal act that signified repentance and identification with a new message. Jesus’ own baptism is highlighted not as a necessity for forgiveness, but as a way to publicly affirm John’s message and set a pattern for his followers. The sermon clarifies that baptism is not a requirement for salvation, but a natural and public response to God’s grace, and it challenges listeners to reflect on their own faith journey, consider baptism if they haven’t taken that step, and to continue exploring the depth of what baptism means. The story of Josh’s baptism serves as a moving illustration of the vulnerability, trust, and new life that baptism represents.

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Key Takeaways

1. Baptism as a Public Declaration of Association Baptism is not just a private spiritual act; it is a public declaration of a new association. When Jesus chose to be baptized by John, he was publicly identifying with John’s message and mission, even though he had no sin to confess. In the same way, our baptism is a way of saying to the world, “I am with Jesus. I am aligning my life with his message and his people.” This act of identification is both humbling and empowering, as it roots our faith in community and visible commitment.
2. The Evolution of a Simple Word into a Sacred Practice The word “baptizo” started as an ordinary term for washing or immersing, but over time it was transformed into a sacred practice that marks a turning point in a person’s spiritual journey. This transformation reminds us that God often takes the ordinary and infuses it with extraordinary meaning. Our everyday actions and words can become holy when they are offered to God and used to express our faith and commitment.
3. Baptism as an Outward Sign of Inward Grace Baptism does not save us; it is not a work that earns us God’s favor. Instead, it is an outward sign of the inward grace we have received through faith in Jesus. This distinction is crucial: we are saved by grace alone, but that grace naturally leads us to obey Jesus’ commands, including the call to be baptized. The act of baptism is a visible testimony to the invisible work God has done in our hearts.
4. The Power of Vulnerability and Trust in Following Jesus The story of Josh’s baptism beautifully illustrates that coming to Jesus does not require us to have it all together or to be strong in ourselves. Like Josh, we are invited to come as we are, to trust Jesus with our weaknesses, and to let ourselves be held by him. True faith is not about projecting strength, but about surrendering to the loving arms of God, who welcomes us with grace and joy.
5. The Ongoing Journey of Faith Beyond the Moment of Baptism Baptism is not the end of our spiritual journey, but a beginning—a public marker that we are committed to following Jesus. The sermon challenges us to keep exploring, learning, and growing in our faith, not just during Sunday worship but throughout the week. Engaging with Scripture, discussing questions with others, and living out our faith in daily life are all ways we continue to respond to God’s grace and deepen our relationship with him.

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Meaning and Significance of Baptism**

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### Bible Reading

- **Matthew 3:1-17** (The baptism of Jesus by John)
- **Matthew 28:18-20** (The Great Commission)
- **Ephesians 2:8-9** (“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith…”)

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### Observation Questions

According to Matthew 3, what was John the Baptist’s main message, and how did people respond to it?
What was unique about the way John practiced baptism compared to earlier Jewish traditions?
In Matthew 3:13-17, how did John react when Jesus came to be baptized, and what reason did Jesus give for wanting to be baptized?
In Ephesians 2:8-9, what does Paul say is the basis for our salvation?

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### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus chose to be baptized, even though he had no sin to confess? What does this say about his relationship to John’s message and to us as his followers?
The sermon described baptism as a “public declaration of a new association.” Why is it important for faith to be expressed publicly and not just privately?
The word “baptizo” started as an ordinary word for washing or immersing. What does it mean that God can take something ordinary and make it sacred? How might this idea apply to other areas of life?
The story of Josh’s baptism highlighted vulnerability and trust. Why do you think God values us coming to him as we are, rather than pretending to be strong or perfect?

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### Application Questions

If you have already been baptized, what did that experience mean to you at the time? Has your understanding of baptism changed since then? If so, how?
If you have not been baptized, what questions or hesitations do you have about taking that step? What would help you move forward?
Baptism is described as an outward sign of inward grace. In what ways can you make your faith more visible in your daily life, not just through baptism but in other actions or words?
The sermon challenged us to keep growing in faith beyond the moment of baptism. What is one specific way you can continue exploring and deepening your faith this week (for example, reading Scripture, joining a group, or having a spiritual conversation)?
The story of Josh’s baptism showed the power of coming to Jesus with vulnerability. Is there an area of your life where you need to trust God more fully or let go of the need to “have it all together”? What would it look like to bring that to God this week?
Baptism is a public declaration of being “with Jesus.” Are there places in your life where you find it hard to identify as a follower of Jesus? What might help you be more open about your faith in those situations?
The sermon mentioned that God often takes ordinary things and gives them extraordinary meaning. Can you think of an ordinary part of your life that God might want to use for his purposes? How could you offer that to him this week?

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Sermon Quotes

Every year we celebrate Christmas, and while the story can become so familiar that we risk going on auto-pilot, it’s worth repeating because the life of Jesus changed human history forever. It’s absolutely worth meditating on and studying each year.

Baptism is a public declaration of a new association. When you invite someone else to baptize you, you’re saying, “I’m on board with what they’re teaching. I want to identify myself with them and their message.”

The act of baptism itself doesn’t save us or play a part in our salvation. We are saved when we accept the grace that God offers us. Baptism is just an external sign that points toward that inward grace.

Baptism is not a condition of salvation; it is evidence of salvation. It’s not the means by which we enter a faith relationship with Jesus Christ, but it is closely associated with faith.

When we choose to make a public declaration of our faith, we are saying that we identify with the message of Jesus Christ. That we want to follow Him, just as we are, without pretending to be tougher or better than we are.

The New Testament uses a variety of images to describe baptism: it’s a way to be united with Christ in his death and resurrection, a way to join God’s family, a way to show that we have been washed clean.

The sermon is always designed to be the start of your conversation or study of a topic—not the end. Keep digging. The hour you spend in worship is important, but the other 167 hours in your week are rich for growing in your faith.

If you’ve never been baptized but feel God is calling you, it’s time to make that public declaration of your new association. We love to hear when people decide to go public with their faith and celebrate that step together.

God invites all of us to draw close to Him, to jump into His arms, and to follow Him. We don’t have to have it all together—He loves us just as we are and wants us to experience new life and new hope.

The fact that we can experience God’s love, go public with our decision to accept His grace, and follow Him is WHY we celebrate Christmas. It is only possible because Jesus came.

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