Welcome To The Body! (2)

I. YOUR INTRODUCTION IS BAPTISM, 13.

1. The agent of baptism is the Holy Spirit.

2. The candidate for baptism is every believer.

1) We don’t seek baptism of Holy Spirit. A common reception.

2) We recognize the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

3. The application of baptism is unity with the body.

II. YOUR FUNCTION IS GOD’S DETERMINATION, 14-18.

God makes the choice.

"The picture of divine sovereignty in Scripture is that God positively ordains whatsoever comes to pass. He always acts with a purpose. Even the wicked unwittingly do His bidding, and they thus, fulfill His sovereign purpose in the end." -Dr. John MacArthur, "The Truth War"

He appoints.

A free gift, freely given, to be freely exercised.

1. A free gift.

1) There is no respect of persons.

2) There is thus, no room for feelings of inferiority, 14-19. Because I am different, I do not belong. “They don’t need me. I am not talented or gifted.”

3) There is also no room for feelings of superiority, 20-26.

a) “I don’t need them.”

b) When one suffers, all suffer, 25-26.

c) No one says “I’m fine but my lung has cancer. Rather, you say, I have cancer.”

2. Freely given.

III. YOUR OPERATION IS MUTUAL DEPENDENCE, 19-30.

1. Depend upon God.

2. Depend upon each other.

Paul’s legs will get broken.

The player who took his lineman to dinner after being named most valuable back.

1) There is no hierarchy, 28.

2) Not all have the same gift, 29-30.

IV. YOUR MOTIVATION IS LOVE, 31.

1. Love for God.

2. Love for others.