​This Sunday April 25, 2021 we will spend some time talking about the beginning of the ministry of Jesus. We will look at the baptism of Jesus and the temptation of Jesus. We will also answer the question why Jesus got baptized. Jesus was sinless. John the Baptist, baptism was one of repentance. In the Book of 1 John 3:5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.
 
So, we know Jesus was sinless.
But in His baptism, He associated with us sinners & placed Himself among the guilty.
1.          Not for His own salvation but for ours.
2.          Not for His own guilt but for ours.
3.          Not because He feared the wrath to come, but to save us from it.
 
So, should we be baptized? We know it is not required for salvation. Just look at the thief on the cross in the Book of Luke 23:43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”, He was not baptized but with Jesus to paradise. When I am asked, I always say sure cause Jesus did it. I remember when I was going start radio ministry Pastor Louie asked me if I would get baptized first. I said sure, but the week leading up to that Sunday baptism was a real battle between the flesh and the Spirit. I am so glad I did do it. Remember baptism is an outward sign of inward change. You are letting everyone know publicly you belong to Jesus.

In the early church a false gnostic teaching of ‘reincarnation” was taught based upon Malachi 4:5 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.” The teachers name was Origen. He taught about reincarnation and that Elijah was reincarnated through John the Baptist. It was a false teaching. Jesus says this promise was fulfilled in John the Baptist (Matt 11:14). Origen’s teaching was finally officially condemned in the Second Council of Constantinople in 553, but we see many false religions teaching reincarnation like Mormons, Buddhism and Hinduism still today. 

Now we see “Progressive Christianity or Woke Christianity” worldviews teachings trying to come into the church today. A push of social justice and also nontraditional view of scripture on many topics (sex, gender and sin). They have even come up with eight points of belief. Members of this movement do not believe that the Bible is the literal Word of God. They also emphasize what is known as “collective salvation” over the biblical concept of personal salvation. The Bible is clear that God redeems those individuals who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and rescues them from an eternity of being separated from Him in torment. John the Baptist was rough looking and rough in his teaching, but he had only one chord he knew to play “repent, repent repent” and he kept playing that one chord till Jesus came to him. Be alert many false teachers will come during the last days. 

2 Timothy 4:3-5 ESV
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, [4] and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. [5] As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

God Bless 
Pastor Michael 

This week we have the privilege to start the Book of Mark. The Book of Mark is one of the synoptic gospels (Luke & Matthew are the other two).
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 This Book was written to a Roman audience, and so it is fast pace and straight to the point. Apparently, Romans did not like a lot of beaten around the bush just wanted you to hurry up and get to the point, sounds like New Yorkers. It also is a lot like our culture today most of us bounce from Twitter, Instagram or Facebook just looking for that next big topic or thing to occupy our time.

 If you get anything from this gospel, please remember Jesus came to serve not be served. So, we are called to do the same as followers of Jesus. We are to serve in our marriages, families, church, and communities. I am really looking forward to just simply going through this book verse by verse and learn about Jesus the suffering servant.

Blessings-Pastor Michael