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Grace World Outreach Church
Baptized and Baptizer
Pastor Daniel K Norris
Locations & Times
Grace World Outreach Church
20366 Cortez Blvd, Brooksville, FL 34601, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Greetings from Grace World
Thank you for joining us today at Grace World. Whether you are joining us in person or watching online, we are so glad you are here! It's our prayer that you discover life in all its fullness.
If you have a prayer request, you can send that to us here at https://www.graceworldag.org/prayer-requests
Every week we place these request on the altar of the church and our entire team lifts up each request by name.
We'd love to hear from you and be a friend. Connect with us online at
http://www.graceworldag.org
https://www.facebook.com/graceworldag
https://www.instagram.com/graceworldag
Thank you for joining us today at Grace World. Whether you are joining us in person or watching online, we are so glad you are here! It's our prayer that you discover life in all its fullness.
If you have a prayer request, you can send that to us here at https://www.graceworldag.org/prayer-requests
Every week we place these request on the altar of the church and our entire team lifts up each request by name.
We'd love to hear from you and be a friend. Connect with us online at
http://www.graceworldag.org
https://www.facebook.com/graceworldag
https://www.instagram.com/graceworldag
Baptized and Baptizer!
By: Richard Crisco
The year 2020 changed the World forever!
What changes and to what degree, is yet to be determined.
I believe there will be many negative repercussions manifested in the coming decade, especially among the young.
Painful seasons are designed
to make us, not to break us.
2020 has offered the Church the greatest opportunity to thrive in decades!
Because:
When people experience tragedy
they always turn to God!
From conception to the moment we are ushered into Heaven, we experience multiple transitions in life.
Life’s transitions start off with small, simple things, such as; rolling over, sitting up by ourselves, crawling or walking. (These early transitions are filled with excitement and celebration.)
However, life’s transitions are designed by God to become increasingly more difficult and often less celebrated by the masses. More difficult, due to fewer examples to follow; and less celebrated, because of the jealousy of the masses.
Many transitions are experienced on a personal level: Graduation, New Job, Married/Divorce, New House, Baby, Child’s first day of school, Empty Nest, Retired, fighting life threatening disease, etc.
Other transitions are experienced by the masses: Seasons of the Year, Annual Holidays, and Weather. National Changes in leadership, Business owners change, New management.
The Church is also in continual Transition.
In 4 decades I have watched the Church go through numerous transitions: Sunday School - Bus Ministry – Hymns/Choruses – Choirs – Pews/Chairs - Conferences – Evangelism Explosion – Cleansing Stream – 3 services per week – (Sunday Night) – Home Groups - Multiple Sites – Livestreaming – etc.
As we come to an end of one phase there are often many painful emotions we experience: Shock, Trauma, Anger, Denial, Fear, Sadness, Grief, to name a few.
During these transitional periods, as we enter into new unknown territory, we often feel confused, frustrated and disoriented. We can easily become skeptical and apathetic during this season.
However, when we successfully make that transition into the “NEW” there is always fresh excitement, energy and commitment experienced by all!
One thing is for certain, no one can avoid transition. So it is important that we know how to deal with it!
As Christians we must always remember that we serve an amazing God who loves us and has the best plan for us. As Jeremiah 29:11 says: “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper youand not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
The Jordan River often represented transition into one’s purpose and God’s promises!
Israel into the promise land.
Elijah and Elisha
One of the greatest transitions recorded at the Jordan was when Jesus ceased to be a carpenter and stepped into His Promise!
Mt 3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?"
15 But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him.
16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.
3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." 4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD.' "
John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance.
Why did Jesus Christ need to be baptized?
Possibility #1: Jesus was baptized in order to identify with those he came to save.
Possibility #2: Jesus was baptized in order to ceremonially cleanse himself before being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Possibility #3: Jesus was baptized in order to mark the official start of his ministry.
John was handing the ministry baton
over to Jesus.
Jn 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'
31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel." 32 Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.
33 I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' 34 I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."
Why did Jesus have to participate in the baptism of Repentance?
Jesus needed to repent and set an example of a repentance lifestyle.
Repent: Change the way we think.
We must stop associating repentance with just sin, guilt and shame. Repentance has a much broader implication and is required to grow in wisdom, freedom and power.
Jesus’ first sermon started with ‘Repent’.
Mt 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Repentance is a gift from God!
Repentance is a lifestyle.
Repentance is not merely the start of the Christian Life it is the Christian Life.
John Calvin
Because we have limited repentance to areas of sin we have stunted our ability to grow.
Repentance is to change one’s thinking,
which then changes one’s behavior!
What got you here will keep you here.
#1 Prayer:
“Lord, Help me unlearn some things.”
Isa 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your waysmy ways," declares the LORD. 9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my wayshigher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
If His ways and thoughts are higher than our thoughts then we must repent (change our ways and thoughts) in order to walk in agreement with God!
Changing Seasons require Changing Behavior!
Jesus was emphatic about our need for Holy Spirit baptism.
Jn 16:7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
Lk 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Act 1:4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.
3. Jesus is the Baptizer of Holy Spirit
Lk 3:16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
4. Holy Spirit is released when we step out in obedience into impossible assignments.
Lk. 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit
into the wilderness…
His assignments are always outside
of our comfort zones.
When entering new territory it is extremely helpful to have an experienced guide!
Jn 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
By: Richard Crisco
The year 2020 changed the World forever!
What changes and to what degree, is yet to be determined.
I believe there will be many negative repercussions manifested in the coming decade, especially among the young.
Painful seasons are designed
to make us, not to break us.
2020 has offered the Church the greatest opportunity to thrive in decades!
Because:
When people experience tragedy
they always turn to God!
From conception to the moment we are ushered into Heaven, we experience multiple transitions in life.
Life’s transitions start off with small, simple things, such as; rolling over, sitting up by ourselves, crawling or walking. (These early transitions are filled with excitement and celebration.)
However, life’s transitions are designed by God to become increasingly more difficult and often less celebrated by the masses. More difficult, due to fewer examples to follow; and less celebrated, because of the jealousy of the masses.
Many transitions are experienced on a personal level: Graduation, New Job, Married/Divorce, New House, Baby, Child’s first day of school, Empty Nest, Retired, fighting life threatening disease, etc.
Other transitions are experienced by the masses: Seasons of the Year, Annual Holidays, and Weather. National Changes in leadership, Business owners change, New management.
The Church is also in continual Transition.
In 4 decades I have watched the Church go through numerous transitions: Sunday School - Bus Ministry – Hymns/Choruses – Choirs – Pews/Chairs - Conferences – Evangelism Explosion – Cleansing Stream – 3 services per week – (Sunday Night) – Home Groups - Multiple Sites – Livestreaming – etc.
As we come to an end of one phase there are often many painful emotions we experience: Shock, Trauma, Anger, Denial, Fear, Sadness, Grief, to name a few.
During these transitional periods, as we enter into new unknown territory, we often feel confused, frustrated and disoriented. We can easily become skeptical and apathetic during this season.
However, when we successfully make that transition into the “NEW” there is always fresh excitement, energy and commitment experienced by all!
One thing is for certain, no one can avoid transition. So it is important that we know how to deal with it!
As Christians we must always remember that we serve an amazing God who loves us and has the best plan for us. As Jeremiah 29:11 says: “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper youand not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
The Jordan River often represented transition into one’s purpose and God’s promises!
Israel into the promise land.
Elijah and Elisha
One of the greatest transitions recorded at the Jordan was when Jesus ceased to be a carpenter and stepped into His Promise!
Mt 3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?"
15 But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him.
16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.
3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." 4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD.' "
John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance.
Why did Jesus Christ need to be baptized?
Possibility #1: Jesus was baptized in order to identify with those he came to save.
Possibility #2: Jesus was baptized in order to ceremonially cleanse himself before being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Possibility #3: Jesus was baptized in order to mark the official start of his ministry.
John was handing the ministry baton
over to Jesus.
Jn 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'
31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel." 32 Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.
33 I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' 34 I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."
Why did Jesus have to participate in the baptism of Repentance?
Jesus needed to repent and set an example of a repentance lifestyle.
Repent: Change the way we think.
We must stop associating repentance with just sin, guilt and shame. Repentance has a much broader implication and is required to grow in wisdom, freedom and power.
Jesus’ first sermon started with ‘Repent’.
Mt 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Repentance is a gift from God!
Repentance is a lifestyle.
Repentance is not merely the start of the Christian Life it is the Christian Life.
John Calvin
Because we have limited repentance to areas of sin we have stunted our ability to grow.
Repentance is to change one’s thinking,
which then changes one’s behavior!
What got you here will keep you here.
#1 Prayer:
“Lord, Help me unlearn some things.”
Isa 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your waysmy ways," declares the LORD. 9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my wayshigher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
If His ways and thoughts are higher than our thoughts then we must repent (change our ways and thoughts) in order to walk in agreement with God!
Changing Seasons require Changing Behavior!
Jesus was emphatic about our need for Holy Spirit baptism.
Jn 16:7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
Lk 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Act 1:4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.
3. Jesus is the Baptizer of Holy Spirit
Lk 3:16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
4. Holy Spirit is released when we step out in obedience into impossible assignments.
Lk. 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit
into the wilderness…
His assignments are always outside
of our comfort zones.
When entering new territory it is extremely helpful to have an experienced guide!
Jn 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.