Order Of Service

Matthew 3:13-17

(13) Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. (14) But John forbad Him, saying, I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me? (15) And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered Him. (16) And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: (17) And lo a voice from heaven saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

John 13:6-10

(6) Then cometh He to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto Him, Lord, dost Thou wash my feet? (7) Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. (8) Peter saith unto Him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with Me. (9) Simon Peter saith unto Him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. (10) Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

Introduction

God’s Word is filled with astonishing paradoxes. In fact, our walk with Christ is filled with paradoxes. Why would a holy God be concerned with rebellious, sinful humankind and send His Son to save us? Sometimes, we are overwhelmed and astonished at the paradoxes God’s amazing grace produces. These two scriptural passages are examples of how we can be thrown aback by the privileges that our relationship with Christ affords us. John the Baptist and Peter both had a problem accepting Jesus’ acceptance of them. Let’s draw some principles from these two Scriptures.

Exposition

1. We Must Accept His Acceptance Of Us.

(Sometimes, It Is Hard.)

(Sometimes, We Seem Unworthy.)

(Jesus Demonstrated Redemptive Role Reversal.)

(John Baptized Jesus, Instead Of Jesus Baptizing John.)

(Jesus Washed Peter’s Feet, Instead Of Peter Washing Jesus’ Feet.)

(We Must Accept The Role Reversal.)

2. The Foolishness Of The Gospel Is The Foundation Of Our Faith.

(By Worldly Standards, The Gospel Message Seems Foolish Or Irrational.)

(It Does Not Make Sense To Leave 99 Sheep To Find The One Lost Sheep, Unless You Are The One Lost Sheep.)

3. His Blessings, Sometimes, Seem Too Good To Be True, But They Are, Indeed, True.

(Accept The Blessings With Thanksgiving And Praise.)

Closing Thoughts

Whenever the divine invades the natural, there will always be a paradox. Whenever the celestial meets the terrestrial, there will always be a paradox. Thank God for the paradox and power of His presence. Give God Glory! Give God All The Glory!

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