Don't Do What I Did!

“DON’T DO WHAT I DID!”

SERMON ON BAPTISM

Introductions

Recap of what happened in the tank…

My story of my Baptism

Text

Colossians 3 1-17, 23-25 New International Version (NIV)

3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.

Exegesis and Commentary

Respond to Educate

1. Do obey the command of Jesus but don’t REACT (like I did). Respond to Baptism by:

a. Inquire and learn about Baptism.

i. What are the types of Baptism?

ii. Why are there so many?

iii. What are the scriptures surrounding this act?

iv. What is it? What is it not?

v. Why does it have an impact on me?

b. Talk to your pastor about baptism (Cora and I had lunch and looked at a workbook from the CBWC)

2. Verses 1-11

a. We see the pendulum of our ways and our new regenerated identity.

b. We see God’s promise in how he sees us once we have made the decision to follow Jesus.

c. Lastly, vs11 we see that salvation and baptism is open to all men and women! No special requirements!

Respond to Involvement

1. Don’t do it alone (like I did)

a. We are to live inter-dependent with one another as a whole Body.

b. We are to live fully dependent on God but His plan always involves others.

c. We are to involve those who know Jesus and our Baptism is meant also as a Testimony to people that are on the fence with Jesus. NOONE can refute your story!

2. In vs12-15, we see the call to live in the Body as Chosen people.

a. We are to live in unity with Jesus’ peace in our hearts

b. We are to bear with one another (vs 13) our grievances and forgive one another

c. We are to bound in LOVE

d. We are to grow with one another in this place we call church!

3. All these verses show us the blueprint in how we live the LIFE of a disciple.

a. How many times have we missed one or all of these?

Respond with Right Reasons

1. Do your baptism for the Right Motivation (not like me).

a. Not to gain anything: Membership or Food ( Pilipino pastor on the dump)

b. Not for peer acceptance: Camp baptisms

c. Do it because it is “time” for you to make that step of faith and commitment.

2. In vs17, 23-25 we see doing all things either with our words or actions FOR the LORD and not man or anything else.

a. We are to serve the LORD. Our chief motivation should be for him and not for anything else.

b. We need to always ask the LORD where our hearts are.

i. Is what I am doing LORD giving you all the Glory?

ii. Am I building my kingdom or yours?

Challenge

I. Have you been baptized?

II. Have you made the right responses?

III. Maybe we haven’t got to this yet and we still haven’t made a decision for Jesus?

IV. It’s never too late to be baptized! 9 or 99 years old… it’s about your HEART!