Welcome to atheist church.

I hope you had a great week.

Today's thought-provoking and fascinating video is extremely unique. I have carefully watched it three times. When you look at each person, even the young boys holding onto the back of the car, ask yourself, "Where are they all now?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=NINOxRxze9k

Today’s sermons is once again from the Gospel of Luke:

"But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison. Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, You are my beloved Son; in you I am well pleased" (Luke 3:19-22).

Jesus called John the Baptist "a burning and shine light," and his ministry was to put a bright spotlight on the coming Messiah. He was to prepare the way of the Lord--to make His paths straight. When Jesus appeared to be baptized by John it was such a big occasion that the skies opened, the Holy Spirit descended like a dove, and God spoke from Heaven and said "This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased."

The words spoken by God combined key phrases from the Old Testament: the words "My Son" are from Psalm 2 and Psalm 10. "Beloved" is from the incident with Isaac in Genesis 22, and "with whom I am well pleased" is reference to the servant of God in spoken of in Isaiah 42:1. What better affirmation than to have God Himself give a verbal personal commendation--this was indeed the Son of God!

But if John’s baptism was for the forgiveness of sins, why did Jesus get baptized? He was perfect in thought, word, and in deed. Perhaps it symbolized His coming death and resurrection--He was going down into death and rising up again. Maybe it was to identify with the High priest of the Old Testament, who was washed before he began his work in the Temple. Here, the High Priest of our Profession was being washed by the Jordan as He began His ministry.

When John objected to His baptism, saying that John should be baptized by Jesus, Jesus answered that it was needful for Him to "fulfill all righteousness." He came, not to do away with the Law, but to fulfill it. Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day according to the Law, dedicated in the Temple according to the Law, and it was also according to the Law of Moses that he began His training to serve God at the age of 30. The Law dictated that the sons of Levi began their training to serve God in the Temple at the age of 30 years.

Up until this point, we are only given glimpses of His life--His birth in the manger, the flight to Egypt, His dedication by Simeon, and His teaching the elders in the Temple. Now, at the age of 30 years, He is washed in the river Jordan, and begins His amazing ministry to those who sit in the shadow of death--He is ready to be revealed to Israel.

Announcements: Watch for something incredible next week.

Benediction: May you prepare a straight path for the Lord. May nothing hinder you from coming to know Him whom to know is life eternal.