Living for God in a hostile world

Today is our Baptism Service.

This seems to be a great kick off to our Fall Season

What a privilege it is to Baptize these folks today.

In just a bit we are going to participate with them.

Illustration; When I was baptized, it was In a big church in Edmonton, it also had the baptismal behind the stage.

Because I was such a hard case, I thought there was going to be lightning bolts from heaven and a dove would fly by.

I knew it was important, but I didn’t know how spiritually deep the experience was.

It is deep and significant.

So what Is it?

I.Baptism is obedience to the instructions of our savior.

Jesus instruction to the disciples was to: go and make disciples, baptize those who believe, and teach them His commands (Matt. 28:19-20).

If for no other reason, we baptize because Jesus told us to.

It begins the journey.

Your not in the race until you start running

Its like all the swimming you watch at the Olympics. It isn’t until you stand on those blocks and get into position does the race start.

RC Sproul said “I do believe that baptism is essential for obedience because Christ commands it. It’s just the same thing as when people say, “Do you have to go to church to go to heaven?” I would say, “Obviously not.” But do you have to go to church to obey Christ? Yes, you do. And if you are not inclined to obey Christ and have no inclination to follow his mandates, that may be a sign that you are not headed for heaven. So church involvement becomes a very serious matter of obedience.

Obedience is a characteristic of followers of Christ.

In Matthew 28:20, Jesus said we should teach new believers "to observe everything I have commanded you." Baptism is an act of obedience both for the new believer and the church. We baptize because we desire to obey Christ's command.

To me it is like the command “Follow Me” We follow because Christ ask us to follow.

Obedience is a precursor to sacrifice.

II. Baptism is an opportunity to reveal to the world Christian Community.

It doesn’t save you, it highlights you Christians are set apart for the Gospel –

Has to do with the world recognizing the Kingdom of Jesus Reign.

We usually associate baptism with something personal. I believe not only is it personal it is global.

It is telling the world, I believe in Jesus and all these people with me sill see that and it is our sign to the world.

It is your first faith step.

Philip preached Jesus to the Ethiopian Eunoch, and his first request was to be baptized (Acts 8).

When the Philippian jailer responded to the preaching of Paul and Silas, he and believing members of his family were baptized (Acts 16). The same is true for Lydia (Acts16), Cornelius (Acts 10), the Corinthians (Acts 18), and others. For these believers, baptism was not a silent witness, it was an outward expression, of their new inward faith and new way of life.

The symbolism of immersion – gives everyone around you the impression that you are all in - your more than just a fan – you are a follower.

III. Baptism is a “Newness of Life”

Romans 6:1-4, our baptism is a witness to the saving work of Christ - His death, burial, and resurrection. As a symbol, baptism visually reenacts His burial in the grave and His resurrection to life.

When we see a new believer walk into the water, go under the water, and come up from the water, we are seeing what Jesus did to save us.

The Greek term baptizo was commonly used in the first century to describe dipping cloth into dye. The cloth came out of the dye vat looking different than when it went in.

Being a new creature in Christ means that our lives have changed.

Who here is glad that you are a new creation in Christ Jesus?

As believers adopt a Christ like character, the change becomes evident to those with whom they associate.

Your reflection in the mirror has changed. You are a different person.

You now belong to God, You are recognizable as a Christian.

Colossians 2:6 NASB95

6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,

Colossians 2:12–15 NASB95

12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

Not only is it newness – but it shames the devil.- It lets him know Gods got you. It lets him know he lost another one.

The Holy Spirit can use the act of baptism as the initial entry point into the lives of those who will come to faith in Christ.

Therefore, the very act of baptism can serve as a powerful witness of the saving work of Christ and the salvation experience of the believer.

Peter said in the book of acts to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Salvation accompanied by Baptism is the starting point where you are charged up and empowered , regenerated, sanctified, and adopted .

IV. Entry point for church membership

The early church was made up of believers who had been baptized.

This church is made up with believers who have been baptized.

At baptism, the new believer is making a commitment not only to Christ but to the local church.

He or she is identifying publicly with this body of believers.

Conclusion

The body at this point also is assuming a responsibility for the new believer.

There is a new member in the family. Being part of that local church means the congregation has a responsibility to include the new Christ follower, to encourage him or her in personal pilgrimage of faith, and to support the new believer as a brother or sister and as a friend. Everyone who is part of the fellowship of a local congregation should have experienced personal salvation and believer's baptism.

So is this church ready to encourage those being baptized in their faith and this journey they have embarked on?

Lets as a family pray for all these that are getting baptized today. Lets welcome them into walk with us as we walk with Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit.