Thinking Through The Questions | Matthew 3:13-17 | Pastor Neil McClendon

Aug 10, 2025  GRAND PARKWAY BAPTIST CHURCH

Neil McClendon, Lead Pastor
Grand Parkway Baptist Church


Thinking Through The Questions
Matthew 3:13-17

1. What does it look like to be missional? v. 13

2. Why does Jesus get baptized?

Four reasons Jesus gets baptized…
a) identifies with the people
b) submits to the will of the Father
c) practices what He preaches- Matthew 28:18-20
d) to fulfill all righteousness


   Two ways…
1) confirms John as the forerunner to the Messiah
2) confirms Jesus as the Messiah

• Isaiah 42:1
• Acts 8:30-35

3. What are my real needs?, v. 17

Our three biggest needs…

a) identity- “This is my son…"
b) affection- …whom I love…"

Could we with ink the ocean fill and were the skies of parchment made, 
were ev’ry stalk on earth a quill and ev’ry man a scribe by trade, 
to write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry;
  nor could the scroll contain the whole, tho' stretched from sky to sky. 

• Disbelief- the inability to accept something as true
• Unbelief- the unwillingness to believe

c) acceptance- “...with whom I am well pleased.” 


Three back to school questions…

1) “In God, who’s word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh (people) do to me?” - Psalm 56:4
2) “The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear: The Lord is the stronghold of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?”  - Psalm 27:1
1) Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”  - Psalm 42:5


Mental worship…

1. If un-seized time flow to your weakness, where does your unseized time most often go?
2. Which is bigger, your “from” or your “to?” 
3. Have you ever been baptized? Why did you or why haven’t you? 
4. Are you more guilty of disbelief or unbelief? 
5. Where were you when you really understood the love of God for what it is? 
6. Who's acceptance do you probably want too much?