King Jesus and the Queen City

John the Baptist was prophesied by Isaiah in Isaiah 40:3, “A voice cries: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD.'” After 400 years of silence, John the Baptizer begins his ministry with the word “repent”. Repent means to change your mind and to move from thing to something else. It is a radical shift. For those who need new life in Christ, it is a 180 degree turn from death to life. Godly sorrow brings a repentance that leads to salvation. For those who have already professed Christ, it is an acknowledgement of humility for the rest of life. Conviction is God’s gift to know how to have a growing relationship with Him. The same Holy Spirit that convicts us also comforts us through His grace.

Jesus’ baptism was so important to him. In that day,kings, priests, and rabbis were anointed to begin their ministry or rule. Jesus’ baptism was His coronation as King and was His initial act to start His earthly ministry. At His baptism, we see the Trinity…Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We also see Jesus setting an example for us, and we see an affirmation of John’s ministry as the one who came. It is so important that we see it in Jesus’ final teaching through the Great Commission.

Remember, BIF, the angry theologian (Back to the Future reference)

B – Baptized with the spirit at conversion

I – Indwelled with the spirit forever

F – Filled daily by the spirit. You don’t get more of Him, but He gets more of you!

Baptism comes from the word “Baptizo” which means to “dip under” or “immerse”. It is an outward expression of an inward change, but that all starts with repentance.

Questions to discuss as a family today

1. When was the last time you truly spent time repenting for sin in your life? How does that sin hinder your relationship with God? How does it hurt the church?

2. Do you really want to see revival happen? What does that look like? What steps are you willing to take to see that happen?

Prayer

Thank God for His kindness of conviction that leads to repentance. Spend some time asking the Holy Spirit to convict your heart of sin that is hindering your relationship with Him. Confess you sin. Commit this week to be filled with the spirit each morning, and that you will act in accordance to the spirit’s prompting in your life. Cry out to God for revival in our city, and confess that it begins with each one in your home first.