Baptized in Fire and Spirit

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Speaker: Steve Estes
Scripture: Luke 3:16-18
February 25, 2024

Luke 3:16-18: The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. 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. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them.

Sermon Outline

1. The voice in the desert

2. Why people came

• Many felt spiritual need

• Fear of death

• Others came for lesser reasons

3. “I baptize you with water”

• A Ritual cleansing

• An illustration of a greater person than John

4. “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit”

• What John means by “baptize”

• Holy Spirit at creation

• Holy Spirit helps people over what threatens them

• Holy Spirit purifies people’s very souls

• John proclaims people will gain the Holy Spirit through the Messiah

5. “He will baptize you with fire”

• Terrible judgment/consequences for sins

• John exhorts, “Repent!”

• To those who repent, the fire of judgment was endured by Jesus Christ

• Thus, Messiah’s offer of baptism is good news

6. Final applications