Larry’s Baptismal Service

Turning through the Pages of Life

Text: Psalm 32:3–5; Psalm 30:2–3

“When I kept silence, my bones waxed old Through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: My moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin unto thee, And mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; And thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.”

Ps 32:3-5

Introduction

Briefly describe how I met Larry and Lorie Kidd

Randomly walked into the driveway and met Larry

Found out he had cancer and the Spirit moved upon me to pray for him

Several weeks later we find out that he was cancer free - his health was returning

Today, we stand knowing Larry’s cancer has returned, but God is still in control

Today is a momentous occasion because even though it may seem like we’re fighting an uphill battle, the battle is already one through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Brief Teaching on Baptism

The Bible likens Baptism to being buried in Christ where Paul said “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom 6:4).

Paul also said, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” ( 2 Corinthians 5:17 ).

Being baptized is a means in which we are buried with the Lord, if we are buried with Him the Word of God promises us eternal salvation with Jesus!

- Larry, today you are fulfilling the plan of Salvation. Today, you are allowing Christ to put his name upon you through water baptism.

The Bible says to be baptized in Jesus name in Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5; 22:16.

Quote Acts 2:38.

When we are buried in His name, we are stepping out in obedience to His Word; hence, opening the door for His promise to take place in our sins - that is, having all of our sins washed away and covered by the blood of Jesus Christ who was the pure lamb slain for all of the world’s sins.

David’s Sin

For a brief moment I’d like to speak to you about a man named David.

David was known for being a man after God’s own heart; however, he was a man like everyone else. 2 Sam 11-12 tells the story of David committing adultery with Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba. 2 Samuel 24 tells of David being tempted by Satan and falling for his trap - as a result David directed Joab to number the people.

David made mistakes, but there was one thing that kept David - humility and repentance. David refused to get a hardened heart. David also listened to the prophet’s, Nathaniel and Gad when they spoke into His life. When a man obeys God - life is brought into his household.

Larry, I’m not going to sugar coat anything. You’ve had a good life, but the last two years have been hell. Many days, you feel like David did when his bones were literally decaying within Him - as this is one of the sicknesses you are dealing with under this cancer.

But I would like to encourage you today - your spiritual cancer is about to be completely wiped away through the saving blood of Jesus Christ today as you take on His name through Water Baptism.

David’s Triumph

“O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: Thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.”

Psalm 30:2-3

The story of David doesn’t end in chaos, pain, or suffering - it ends with him gathering the materials to build God’s house, the Temple. His son, Solomon, would go on to build the Temple, but it took a repentive and humble David to get everything in place in order for that to happen.

Our story also didn’t end with a sick David. I want to reiterate this:

“O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.”

Let me say this, God hears us when we cry out to Him. When we’re hurting, cry out to Him. When we are struggling with doubt and fear, cry out to Him. When we have nowhere else to turn, cry out to Him!

In fact why don’t we just do that right now because God is here right now and present to move! We don’t have to wait till Sunday when He’s here right now. Let’s just let God be God right now!

Yes, He’s got a several miracles about to take place today, but the biggest one is that someone is being obedient to Him

It’s not about the miracle as much as it is the one who gives the miracles, Jesus Christ!

Let us call upon the name of the Lord!