1. John’s baptism was not about appearing _____________ but            being made ____________— from the inside out— and baptism represented that transformation.

Matthew 3:11, “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes One who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

Matthew 3:13-15, ”Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. ¹⁴ But John tried to deter Him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?’ ¹⁵ Jesus replied, ‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then John consented.”

Matthew 28:19-20, ”Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

2. Why does baptism matter?                    

Matthew 10:32-33, “Whoever acknowledges Me before others, I will also acknowledge before My Father in heaven. ³³ But whoever disowns Me before others, I will disown before My Father in heaven.”

1. Worry accomplishes absolutely _______________.

Matthew 6:27, ”Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

2. God _______________.

Matthew 6:30-32, ”If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.”

3. God is completely ____________________.

Matthew 6:33, ”But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

4. It’s worth noting…

1. As a teenager, Jesus was respectful and ________________  to His parents.

John 2:1-5, “On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, ² and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding. ³ When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to Him, ‘They have no more wine.’  ⁴ ’Woman, why do you involve Me?’ Jesus replied. ‘My hour has not yet come.’ ⁵ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever He tells you.’”

2. There may be sometimes in your adult life when you feel like your mom is _________________ in your life.

Proverbs 15:20, “A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.”

Mark 3:20-21, ”Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that He and His disciples were not even able to eat. ²¹ When His family heard about this, they went to take charge of Him, for they said, ‘He is out of His mind.’”

See Matthew 13:54-57

Mark 3:31-35, ”Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call Him. ³² A crowd was sitting around Him, and they told Him, ‘Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.’ ³³ ’Who are My mother and My brothers?’ He asked. ³⁴ Then He looked at those seated in a circle around Him and said, ‘Here are My mother and My brothers! ³⁵ Whoever does God’s will is My brother and sister and mother.’”

3. Honor your mom by __________________________.

 John 19:25-27, ”Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother, His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus saw His mother there, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to her, ‘Woman, here is your son,’ ²⁷ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.”

4. Honoring your parents means making __________________ __ for them.

1. The ____________ are so high.

Matthew 19:29, “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for My sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.”

2. Five reasons why we need to avoid Hell.                                                  

Luke 12:4-5, “I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. ⁵ But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him.”

3. Another reason the race really matters is because the spectators are so __________________ and inspirational.
4. Another reason the race is so important is because the               ____________________ is so demanding.

2 Peter 2:20, “If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.”