Be Baptized!

Highlighted sections are what I would like as slides

Title Slides

Verses

Quotes

“Be Baptized”

Matt. 28:19-20, Rom. 6:1-4, Gal. 3:27

Introduction:

● Baptism Sundays are some of my favorite days of ministry.

● It’s going to be a great day. Some people are going to…

Why Do We Baptize?

● Matt. 28:19-20 “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.”

○ Did someone just come up with this one day?

○ Mark Dever “Getting wet is the easiest command Jesus gave us to follow. It only gets harder from there.”

What Is Baptism?

● Baptizo = to immerse, dip, or cover.

● This word was used to describe various practices in the ancient world and in Jewish life.

○ Dying clothes, Ritual cleansings, Proselyte baptism, John’s baptism (repentance)

○ Not just a dunking but a change as well. It is with this understanding that Paul explains the meaning of Christian baptism for us in Romans 6

■ Right before Paul essentially shares the gospel message (grace).

■ Romans 6:1-4

● “Into Christ” identifying with Him, how? With His death, burial, and resurrection, why? “So we too may walk in newness of life”

● This is what baptism is all about. It symbolizes the old self dying, being buried, and then risen to new life with Christ.

● Declaring with Paul, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).

● Robert Lewis “Baptism represents our death to the self-ruled life and our submission to the rule of God, our willing embrace of His mission for us.”

○ I live now for Christ the King, not Kaden the king. But I am not perfect…

● Charles Spurgeon“Evil enters us now as an interloper and a stranger, and works sad havoc, but it does not abide in us upon the throne; it is an alien, and despised, and no more honored and delighted in. We are dead to the reigning power of sin.”

● So baptism is a visual representation of what has already gone on in the heart. That you havebelieved and now you are devoted to living for Christ.

● You are committing to walk in a new direction.

● Outward sign of an inward change.  Outward expression of an inward reality.

● Regarding this new identity and lifestyle, Paul likens it to putting on new clothing.

○ Galatians 3:27 “For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ.”

○ Your declaration is public, others can see on the outside the change that has taken place on the inside.

■ Personal baptism story of black and white shirts. Savior AND Lord.

Who Can Be Baptized?

● Believers, those who have placed faith in Christ.

● Faith is the difference.

● Faith also comes before baptism.

○ You do not get baptized to get saved, but because you already are saved!

■ John 3:16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

■ Ephesians 2:8 “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift”

■ Romans 10:9 “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

■ Acts 16:29-33 “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

● So if you come up here to be baptized, know that nothing in the waters saves you.

● Rather, baptism is for those who have already professed faith in Christ whether minutes or years earlier.

Why Should You Get Baptized?

● It is a way of expressing your love publicly before God.

○ John 14:21 “The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal myself to him.”

○ I love my wife and I love telling people about my wife. When we are in love, we tell people!

○ How strange is it if someone says they love and follow God and yet they do not tell anyone? Private faith vs. baptism.

● It can provide you comfort for when life gets hard.

○ Oaths. They make a commitment to a set of principles. Know what they stand for.

○ Likewise believers can have that same reassurance and confidence.

■ Hebrews 10:21-23

● When life gets hard, when temptation comes, when others shame you, you can remind yourself of your declaration and find strength to endure.

● It invites the Church family to support you in following Christ in your new life.

○ Big steps, what’s next?, we need guidance…

○ Church family bonds.

○ The Church is here to love you, encourage you, and help you in your walk with Christ.

○ Those who have already been baptized, note who is a new brother or sister and devote yourself to walking beside them.

■ Luke 15:7 “I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who don’t need repentance.”

● To be “all in.”

○ Jesus did not tell us to make converts. People who just have their toe dipped into the water.

○ Instead, Jesus commanded us to make disciples. Disciples are learners and devoted followers.

■ Max Lucado “Baptism separates the tire kickers from the car buyers.”

■ Being all in impacts every aspect of our lives.

Closing:

● I would now like to invite up anyone who wants to take that step. Who wants to declare their love, who wants that comfort, who wants to have the support of the Church family, and who wants to be “all in.”

○ This is your moment to stand for God and publicly commit to walking in the new life with God and to share the change that God has worked in you. To identify yourself with Christ.

■ Empty your pockets.

● Wrestling, saved a long time, clean yourself up first, afraid of commitment, baptized when a kid

○ “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30).

■ If you’re ready to turn to God or even back to God then I want to pray for you.