Baptism and New Life - "That we may Believe"

Water Baptism - Today we are celebrating baptism!

— We believe that baptism doesn’t save but is a testimony to God’s Grace that He has saved us from the penalties of our sin.

— Simplified… Baptism, tells the world that you are a Christian!

— Tyler Schilperoort one of our Elder’s will be present in the tank with the candidates.

— Tyler will baptize Koty Kollmar. Who will in-turn baptize his wife Amanda and his oldest son Kason.

— What a privilege it has been getting to know this large extended family across three or four generations.

— They have added so much to our congregation. Life, love, laughter, and language [lots of language] especially from the littles. Hopefully not so much from the adults

— We are a better church with those rows filled.

Baptism Candidates

— Koty Arthur Kollmar

— Amanda Dawn Kollmar and their son,

— Kason Arthur Kollmar

— Congratulations Kollmar Family

— The tank is easily filled, thanks to Mark Cook for pitching in and filling the tank this week.

Introduction

— Today, we have seen a message of Hope, a message of transformation and a message of New Life.

— Through their families and us as a witness of their wading onto the waters of Baptism.

— We know that Baptism does not “save” anyone. Baptism this that act that we do as “believers” in Christ to tell the world what Christ has done.

— At the end of the service today we will be dedicating children to the Lord. Amanda and Koty will be dedicating Kason Arthur, Kashton Dale and Kooper Arthur Kollmar.

— Mark and Amariah Bradshaw along with Amariah’s brother Olin with be dedicating Aurora Bradshaw.

And finally… We will be welcoming into membership by transfer Joe Merry, Joe Trancoso, Rose Trancoso, Koty and Amanda Kollmar.

It is a GREAT DAY to be here at Sunnyside First Baptist Church!

—I hope it is always a great day to be here!

— But there are days like today… When joy and smiles and celebration are especially easy!

— You don’t have to look far beyond the Joy to see...

Hope, Transformation and New Life

— This message of Hope, Transformation and New Life is found throughout the Gospel of John.

The Gospel of John, is filled with powerful accounts of:

— Jesus' ministry,

— His teachings, and miracles.

— In The Gospel’s, we witness Jesus' baptism.

— This symbolizes not only a new beginning but also the profound spiritual transformation that takes place when we surrender our lives to Him.

--Join me as we explore the significance of baptism and the new life it offers.

— Open your bibles or your apps.

— Bibles can be found on the pew racks in front of you.

English-Spanish Bibles can be found in the last two rows.

Turn if you will to the Gospel of John, chapter 4

— In the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.

— If you are using the pew bibles it in on page 888.

“The Water of Life”

— Jesus after he leaves Judea for Galilee, marches right through Samaria.

— That is significant because Jesus broke with the longstanding law, rules, guidelines and went to Samaria.

— Jews hated the Samaritans and Samaritans likewise hated the Jews.

— We pick the story up in John 4, verses 4-7

John, Chapter 4, Verses 4-7

John 4:4–7 NLT

4 He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. 7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.”

— Here Jesus engages in a “life transforming” conversation with the Samaritan woman.

— Jesus knew many things about this woman. How many times that she had been married, the fact that she was currently “living with” her last husband.

— Note here that Jesus NEVER condemns her for her actions.

— His purpose was to transform her life not to judge or condem,

— And then she knew of her transformed life. She would tell many others in her village what had happened to her.

Jesus was going to Transform this Samaritan Woman

— He was going to change her from the inside out.

— He was going to make sure that it was recorded for us to follow.

— In their encounter, Jesus offers her living water, a symbol for eternal life through Him.

— He tells her and us that this water is not physical, but a spiritual source that quenches the deepest thirst of our souls.

It symbolizes the “New Life” we receive when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

— Baptism, as practiced by John the Baptist and later by Jesus' disciples, represents a spiritual cleansing by immersion into this living water.

— It’s our commitment, our promise to leave our old life behind to follow Christ.

— It’s our repentance from sin.

— It’s and acknowledgement of the receipt of the Holy Spirit.

What’s all of this about being “born again?”

— The famous dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus is in John 3. John 3.3-6

John 3:3–6 ESV

3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

— This is a pivotal moment for Nicodemus and for us in understanding the connection between baptism and new life.

This “New Birth” is a “Spiritual Transformation” that occurs through water and “The Spirit!”

— When we are baptized, we participate in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

— Just as Jesus rose from the dead, we rise to a new life, freed from the bondage of sin.

— After our personal encounter with Christ, where we turn our lives toward the Cross and away from the world, we chose to tell the world, “Jesus is my Savior.”

Baptism is also a a pivotal moment for us!

— It is a divine commissioning that equips us to become witnesses of Christ's transforming power.

— We are called to share the good news, not only through our words but also through the way we live our lives.

--Baptism is a visible declaration of our faith, a powerful testimony of the change that has taken place within us.

Our “Baptism” and Our “New Life”

— As we reflect on the accounts of baptism and new life in the book of John, we are reminded of the profound transformation that occurs when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

— Baptism serves as a visible sign of our commitment to follow Christ, to be born again in Him, and to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.

— I hope what you have seen and heard today, inspires you to embrace the new life that Jesus offers.

— May seeing and participating in this baptism be a testimony of God’s grace, love, and transforming power, through the person of Jesus Christ

Finally...

— Remember, the journey of faith is not meant to be traveled alone.

— Seek out a community of believers who will support and encourage you as you grow in your relationship with Christ.

Just as exciting as baptism is the

Dedication of Children to the Lord

— Today we get to witness parents and godparents dedicating the children to Lord.

— IT IS A GREAT DAY TO BE AT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

Kollmar Family

— Kason Arthur, Kashton Dale, and Kooper Arthur, together with your parents who love you dearly.

--And for those who call First Baptist Church their church home who care about the outcome of your faith.

We, Koty and Amanda dedicate you to God, surrendering together with them all worldly claim upon your life in the hope that they will belong wholly to Jesus Christ, forever."

We the church dedicate our lives, our strength to growing up these precious children to the Lord.

If you agree say we will!

[Koty has recorded his letter to the boys… we will here that now [have a box of tissue available, I think I ‘m going to need it.]

Mark and Amariah Bradshaw, along with Olin Osborn

— Amariah Bradshaw is related to the whole Emery, Kollmar, Osborn, Bradshaw clan.

— Mark and Amariah Bradshaw, along with Olin Osborn, Amariah’s brother are bringing baby Aurora Elizabeth for dedication to the Lord.

— The three of you crowd together as we dedicate Aurora to the Lord.

--And for those who call First Baptist Church their church home who care about the outcome of your faith.

We, Mark, Amanda and Olin dedicate you Aurora Elizabeth to God, surrendering together all worldly claim upon your life in the hope that you will belong wholly to Jesus Christ, forever."

We the church dedicate our lives, our strength to growing up these precious children to the Lord.

If you agree say we will!

[Amariah Letter]

We have one more bit of business to do

— Will the membership candidates please stand and face the congregation.

I along with Bethany Gallo, one of our Elders. We have heard the salvation testimonies of these candidates. We present these individuals for membership via baptism or transfer from another Christian church.

Membership Candidates

— Koty Kollmar

— Amanda Kollmar

— Joe Trancoso

— Rose Trancoso

— Joe Merry

— We will see their names at our next annual meeting

— We will welcome you to the membership of Sunnyside First Baptist Church.

Closing

— After the closing song

Please take a few minutes to come up to the front and give this extended family

— a handshake, hug or a pat on the back

Joe