"Heaven Came Down"

by Rev. Kirby Williams

The glorious, heavenly response to the baptism of Jesus Christ.

Text: Matthew 3:16-17
Date: 02/28/2010, the Contemporary service.
Series: "Matthew" Part 8

After Jesus is baptized by John, the heavens open and both the Father and the Holy Spirit are manifested. The Spirit as a Dove, and the Father through His Words. What is the significance of the Spirit descending of Jesus "like a dove"? What does it mean when "heaven comes down"? What statements are being made by this passage and what OT imagery is being fulfilled? This message concludes the amazing event of the baptism of Jesus, the Christ, by looking at what happens when, "Heaven comes down".

  1. Introduction
  2. Exposition of the text, Matt. 3:16-17.
    1. Context
    2. Images of the baptism of Jesus, vs. 16a.
      1. A word about the mode, Rom. 6:4, Eze. 36:25.
      2. Images in the water.
        1. A new Creation, Gen. 1:2.
        2. A people redeemed, Ex. 15:19.
        3. A new nation, Josh. 4:18.
    3. The descent of the Spirit of God, vs. 16b.
      1. When the heavens open...
      2. The Spirit as a dove.
        1. A pure sacrifice, Gen. 15:9, Lev. 5:7.
        2. Back to Genesis, Isa. 43:19.
        3. Tracking the Dove of Noah.
          1. The end of judgment, Gen. 9:1.
          2. The curse lifted, Gen. 8:20-22, Gen. 3:17.
          3. The pleasure of the Lord, Gen. 8:21.
      3. The "meeting" of Jesus with the Spirit.
        1. Union or communion?
        2. The gentle nature of the meeting, Judg. 14:6, 1Sam. 10:10, 1Sam. 16:13, Acts 2:2.
    4. The Voice of God, vs. 17.
      1. Breaking the silence.
      2. Affirmation of the "Son of God".
        1. Old Testament fulfillment, Isa. 42:1, Psa. 2:7, Matt. 1:18,23.
        2. The significance of "the Son of God", Matt. 2:15.
          1. The divinity of Jesus.
          2. The humanity of Jesus.
          3. The "Suffering Servant".
          4. The new Israel.
          5. The Messianic King, 2Sam. 7:13-14.
      3. The pleasure of the Father.
  3. Application
    1. The power of heaven is at hand.
    2. The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.
      1. God's redemption is extravagant.
      2. God's redemption is here, now.
      3. Preparing for the next time "heaven comes down", Rev. 6:12-17.
  4. Conclusion

The Preaching Ministry of

Kirby Williams

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