Baptism Sunday September 2020
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WELCOME:
WELCOME:
Good morning, my name is Pastor Brad, and we are so glad that you have joined us for church today.
I just want to say up front that today isn’t going to be our typical Sunday morning service because today is Baptism Sunday. A day where we celebrate the life change that Jesus brings into our life! In fact, between the two services today, we have 20 people who have made the decision to follow Jesus and be baptized.
All that to say, it’s going to be an exciting day. So, to get things started, I want to invite you to stand with us as we begin our service today with song and spend the next few moments giving praise to God.
WORSHIP:
WORSHIP:
My Testimony
Graves Into Gardens
Pastoral Prayer
Meet & Greet
Abbreviated Announcements (Connection Cards, Loop, Please see back of sermon notes for upcoming events)
Offering/Prayer
Baptism Bumper Video
Message Part 1
Message Part 1
Before we get to our baptisms this morning, I want to take a few minutes and talk to you about the why of baptism. In other words, to talk about why we are taking time out of our normal service schedule and our study of the book of Acts today, to focus on baptisms, and why 20 people are making this public declaration today.
So, why are we doing it? Are we doing it because this is what our church tradition calls for? Is it because it’s one of our ritualistic ceremonies? Is it because we think it’s necessary for somebody to be right with God?
To be honest, it’s none of those reasons?
So, why are we doing it? Believe it or not, we’re doing it because it’s what the Bible teaches us to do. And so what I’d like to do is take a few minutes to show you what the Bible actually says about baptism, and in doing so give you three Biblical reasons for why we practice baptism at MCF.
Reason #1, we practice water baptism because:
Jesus commands us to be water baptized.
In Matthew 28, Jesus puts it like this:
19 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, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
If you’re not familiar with this passage, this is a passage that theologians often refer to as “The Great Commission”. Which in essence is Jesus’s marching orders for his disciples once He ascends into heaven.
And we know they are marching orders because in the Greek, this statement Jesus makes is in the imperative. Which means this isn’t a suggestion from Jesus or something He sees as optional.
Instead, it’s something He commands His disciples to do. So, they are marching orders.
And in these marching orders there are three specific actions that Jesus wants the disciples to complete.
The first action involves making disciples as Jesus says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”
The idea here is that one of our primary jobs as Christians is to make other Christians. In other words, to duplicate ourselves as we lead other people to faith in Jesus.
In Church world, we call this evangelism. Which at MCF is something we take very seriously as one of our primary vision focuses is to Lead People To Jesus.
The second action involves baptizing them as Jesus says, “…baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Couple things I want you to notice about this statement:
#1 - This statement follows the first action. Which means, the act of baptism follows leading a person to faith in Jesus.
And this is an important point, because unfortunately a lot of people tend to equate Biblical baptism with other forms of baptism, such as infant baptism or infant dedication.
And while infant baptism and dedication are wonderful rituals, it’s not what Jesus is talking about here. How do we know
We know because what Jesus is talking about here is an act that follows a faith decision. A faith decision that an individual has to make for themselves. A decision that you can’t make as an infant.
#2 - The the word “baptizing” in this passage is translated from the Greek Word “baptizo”, which literally means to submerge in water, and we know that to be true based on the context of this word in several passages in the Bible.
Maybe the best example is found in Matthew 3, when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, Matthew describes it like this:
16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;
Just like in Matthew 28, the word for baptized here is translated from the Greek word “Baptizo”. And what I want you to notice is when Jesus is baptized, Matthew says, “…immediately he went up from the water...”
So, what does that tell us? It tells us in order for Jesus to come up from the water, He had to be in the water first. Which means Jesus wasn’t sprinkled by John, Jesus was fully emerged by John the Baptist. Jesus was dunked.
So, there’s one example of baptism by submersion. And there are several others.
Another example of this word actually comes from outside of the Bible and from the world of archaeology.
The example comes from an archeological team that unearthed a pickle recipe from the 1st century. And engraved in stone on the recipe, it clearly states that the pickle needs to be baptized, or baptizoed, into the vinegar. The idea being that the pickle needs to be submerged or dunked.
So based on context of both a Biblical and non-biblical source, it’s clear that when we see the word “baptizo” in the NT, we’re not talking about infant baptism or sprinkling, but full water submersion of an individual who has made a conscious decision to follow Jesus.
Now please hear me, when I say that I’m in anyway downplaying infant baptism. I’m just saying the two are not the same. And if you were infant baptized, I celebrate that with you. Because I think it’s awesome that at the beginning of your life, before you could make a decision, that you had a parent or parents who loved you enough to set you on the right path. A path that has led you to where you are today. And that is something to celebrate as well. In fact, I was infant baptized, and I’m thankful for that. But the two are not the same.
So along with leading people to Jesus, Jesus commands us to be fully submerged in the waters of baptism.
The third action involves teaching as Jesus then commands his disciples to now teach them God’s Word. Which again, is one of our core values here at MCF as on of our main vision focuses is to teach people God’s Word.
All that to say, one of the main reasons we are baptizing 20 people today is because Jesus commands us to Biblically baptize people who have put their faith in Him, which is something all 20 of those getting baptized today have done.
This leads us to a second reason we baptize, which is tied to the first. We baptize because:
2. Baptism Is My First Act Of Obedience.
The truth is, if it’s not enough that Jesus commands us to baptize and be baptized, we should do it because He models it for us, which raises an important question. The question being, “Why did Jesus get baptized?”
Well, the truth is, Jesus did’t need to be baptized, but He did it anyways. Why? Because by being baptized Jesus was setting an example of obedience. In fact, He says as much. Because as Jesus walks down into the water, listen to what John the Baptist had to say, and how Jesus responded to John’s comment.
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented.
The point Matthew is making here is that Jesus wasn’t getting baptized to confess any sin, but to fulfill all righteousness. Which basically means this was an act of obedience on Jesus’s part. Obedience to the heavenly Father as through His baptism, Jesus embraces His ministry and proclaims that He is the promised Messiah.
And we know that’s what Jesus is doing, because right after Jesus comes up out of the water, God has something to say about it. Listen to what Matthew says happened next:
16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
So, why is the Father pleased with Jesus? He’s pleased with Him because as Jesus begins His earthly ministry, Jesus begins it with an act of obedience, as He submits himself to the Father through the act of Baptism. And as a result, God bestows His blessing upon Jesus.
And what was true for Jesus is true for us. Because that’s what baptism demonstrates. It demonstrates an act of obedience as we publically identify with and declare the Lordship of Jesus upon our life. An act that declares from this point forward I am going to follow Jesus. An act that God blesses. An act that sets your life on a new path. A path of obedience.
And the reason this act is so important, is if a person isn’t willing to do this, then how would they ever be obedient to anything Jesus would ask them to do.
Because Jesus asking you to get baptized is nothing compared to what He may ask you to do in the future.
Because what if he asks you to make a financial sacrifice at some point.
Or what if He asks you to risk your reputation in order to witness to a friend at work.
Or what if He asks you to give something up that’s really important to you.
What will you do then? Because if you won’t even be obedient with the first act of obedience, to be baptized, then how would you ever be obedient with something greater. And the fact is, you probably wouldn’t.
All that to say, your obedience to Christ begins with your baptism. It begins as you submit to his rule and Lordship in your life.
This leads us to one final reason we get baptized. We get baptized because:
3. Baptism Is a Symbolic Declaration of My Faith In Jesus.
What we have to understand, is along with our obedience, baptism is a symbolic declaration that we have put our faith in Jesus. A symbolic declaration that you are no longer the same person. The Apostle Paul puts it like this:
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
What Paul is referencing here is the Christians new life in Christ. A new life that is no longer tied to fleshly desires. A new life that has been washed and cleaned through faith in Jesus. I love how Paul puts it in 2 Corinthians where writes:
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
And that’s what baptism declares. It’s a symbolic declaration of that new life. A testimony that the old you is dead and the new has been born.
A symbolic declaration that through faith in Jesus, the stain of sin has been wiped from your life. \
Here’s how I like to state it, “Water Baptism is an outward declaration of an inward transformation.”
A transformation that the Holy Spirit begins in you when you put your faith in Jesus.
That’s why when we baptize people, we ask them to share their testimony. To take a few minutes and declare what God has done in their life. To declare how their new relationship with Jesus has transformed their life. And then to publically demonstrate that transformation through the symbolism of water baptism.
Which is what we are here to do today. Because in a just a few moments, 10 of the 20 getting baptized today are going to symbolically declare their faith through testimony and baptism.
So, that’s what today is all about. It’s about obedience and it’s about declaration. And It’s about the celebration of life change that comes when a person puts their faith in Jesus.
So, with that as our foundation, we are going to baptize some people. And as they are baptized, I want to encourage you to cheer them on and show your excitement and enthusiasm for them as take this step of obedience.
Let’s Pray
BAPTISMS:
BAPTISMS:
9AM - Edison, Jocelyn, Brian, Traci, Eric, Jonathan, Quinn, Jessica, Megan, & Kim.
10:45AM - Carson, Tyler, Sterling, Zariah, Josh, Brittany, Chancie, Rob, Ashley, & Nora.
MESSAGE PART 2:
MESSAGE PART 2:
Are those not some amazing testimonies! I don’t know about you, but as I listened to those stories of life change, I found myself being encouraged, strengthened, and even challenged.
Encouraged because of the life transformational work that God is so obviously doing in people’s lives.
Strengthened as the faith of others builds up my own faith.
And challenged as it causes me to consider my own relationship with Jesus. Because the fact is, when we witness something like Water Baptism, it should cause us to consider where we are with Jesus. Where our faith is. And maybe more importantly, what we’re going to do when it comes to Jesus.
Because at the end of the day, each of us has to make a decision concerning Jesus. We have to decide what we are going to do with Jesus.
I think one my favorite examples of this is found in Matthew 27, as just hours from his crucifixion, Jesus stands before Pilate. And it’s in this moment that Pilate, the Roman Governor, presents a question to the Jewish people concerning Jesus. Listen to how Matthew records it:
“Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Matthew 27:22a ESV
In this moment Pilate asks the million dollar question. And the question is, “What should I do with Jesus?”
It’s a great question. And a question that must be answered.
So, I ask you, what should we do with Jesus?
Well, the truth is, we have three options, two of which are negative, and one that is positive. So, let’s start with the negative.
Option #1 - I could reject Jesus because He doesn’t fit into my religious box.
This is what the Jewish people that day ultimately did. In fact, they shouted it. Listen again to how Matthew records it:
22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!”
That’s rejection at the highest level. So, a great question would be, “Why did they reject Jesus?”
They rejected Him because Jesus didn’t fit into the religious box they had created for Him. In other words, Jesus didn’t match what they hoped or needed Him to be.
Because for the religious Jew, they were looking for a Messiah that would take care of physical needs, not spiritual needs.
A Messiah that would make their temporal life easier.
A Messiah that would accommodate their need for happiness.
A Messiah that would drive Rome out and establish an earthly Kingdom that they could financially and socially flourish in.
But that’s not what Jesus came to do. If fact Jesus verifies that. Because listen to what Jesus says about why He came. In John 10 He makes this statement:
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
You see Jesus didn’t come to offer temporal pleasure and happiness. He came to offer eternal life. Because that’s what He’s referring to when He says “Abundant Life”. A life that goes beyond this life.
But the religious leaders of His day wouldn’t have it. That’s not what they wanted or needed Jesus to be. So, instead of embracing Jesus, they rejected Him. Because for them, their religion, traditions, and temporal power were more important. In fact, listen to how they put it themselves:
47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”
You see, their view of what Jesus should be and the reality of what He was were not the same. And so when Jesus wouldn’t bend to their rules, their traditions, and their religious thinking, they rejected Him.
Because Jesus didn’t come to make life on planet earth more comfortable. He came to deliver us from this life, and to give us new life. A life that extends beyond this life. A life that comes through faith in Him.
And the Jews of that day struggled with this idea. Why? Because they were focused on the temporal.
And unfortunately what was true then is still true today as religion and tradition become the boxes many try to put Jesus in.
Boxes that fit their lifestyle.
Boxes that provide what they think will make them happy.
Boxes that makes Jesus into what they need Him to be.
Boxes that Kee Jesus from actually becoming the Lord of their life.
And that’s where I see a lot of people get hung up with Jesus as they cling to religious thinking. As they cling to traditions. As they look to rituals instead of relationship. As they search for a Jesus that fits their box.
But can I just tell you, Jesus didn’t come to fit into your life or meet all your temporal needs. Jesus came to save and transform your life. Jesus came to deliver you from the bondage of sin and death. Jesus came so that the old you could die and a new could be born. Jesus came so you could have life and life eternal.
But for you to receive what Jesus offers, you have to let go of your religious thinking and embrace a relationship with Him. A relationship based on Faith. A relationship that requires you to acknowledge your need for a savior. A relationship that makes Jesus Lord of your life.
Option #2 - I could reject Jesus because He would threaten my reputation.
This is ultimately why Pilate rejected Jesus and turned him over to be crucified. Because when push came to shove, Pilate succumbed to the pressure. We see this in John 18 as Pilate challenges the Jews concerning Jesus. John writes:
29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”
What Pilate wants to know is, “What has Jesus done? Why are you so bent on killing Him? What charge do you bring against Him?”
Because in Pilates mind, Jesus is innocent. He’s done nothing to deserve death.
But the Jews aren’t about to have it. And so they respond to Pilate with a threat. Listen to how John records it:
12 From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.”
To be honest, this is the last thing Pilate wanted to hear. Because what they are basically accusing Pilate of is treason. Because the charge they’ve brought against Jesus is that He’s a self proclaimed King. And in that world, to proclaim yourself a king was a treasonous act. And now Pilate is concerned. Because if he doesn’t have Jesus crucified, his reputation, position, and maybe even his life, will be at stake. And so he weights the consequences, and then he makes his decision. John writes:
13 So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha. 14 Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” 15 They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” 16 So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.
So they took Jesus,
Pilate decides his reputation and safety is more important than standing up for Jesus. And so in an act of cowardice, he rejects Jesus and turns him over to be crucified.
And unfortunately, people still make that choice today. Because putting your faith in Jesus takes courage. Because putting your faith in Jesus will change the way people look at you and maybe even treat you. And in some cases, it may even lead to persecution.
And for some people, that’s to much of a cost. And so in their concern of what others might say or do if they knew they were a Jesus Freak, they reject Jesus.
Because, what if people knew I was one of those born again Christians.
What if they knew I got baptized at that church out by Taco Bell.
I mean what would people say? What would they think? What would that do to my reputation?
Can I just tell you, the last thing you should be worried about is what others might think, and instead you should be worried about what God thinks. Because when it comes to rejecting Jesus over your reputation, their is a cost as well. Jesus puts it like this:
38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Jesus says, “Listen. You don’t get to have your cake and eat it too. Either you’re all in with me, or you’re all out. There is no in-between. So, you decide. Who are you more worried about? What man thinks or what God thinks?”
And that’s what some of you need to decide this morning. You need to decide what’s more important to you. What your friends think. What your relatives think. What your parents think. What your co-workers think. Or, what does God think?
You see, we all have to decide what we’re going to do with Jesus. And so, on the negative side, we can either choose religion and reputation over relationship, or we can choose a third option:
Option #3 - You can choose to make Jesus Lord of your life.
Like I said a moment ago, Jesus came so you could have life, and life abundantly. A life that extends beyond this life. But in order to have it, you have to choose to make Jesus Lord. The question then is, “How do you do that?”
To be honest, it’s simple:
#1 - You have to recognize your need for a savior.
In other words, you have to come to a place where you recognized you are a sinner in need of saving. That while you may think you’re a good person, the reality is, you’re not. In fact, the Bible actually says that. Paul puts it like this in Romans 3:
11 no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”
He then goes on to say in verse 23:
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
You see, that’s the starting point. Because in order to be saved, you have to recognize your need for a savior. Because the fact is, without a savior, there is no hope for you. Paul puts it like this:
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
What Paul is saying here is that because we are sinful, the only thing that awaits us is death. But Jesus can change that. Because Jesus offers us life, and not just in this life, but in the life to come. And the truth is, deep down you know that. Deep down you know how much you lack. Deep down you know there’s something missing that you can’t provide. And the good news is, Jesus is here today to provide that to you. But you have to acknowledge that need.
Which leads us to the second step in this process. Because in order to be saved:
#2 - You have to accept that Jesus is the only one who can save you.
In other words, you have to quit trying to be right with God and let Jesus make you right with God. Paul puts it like this:
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
The point Paul is making here is that a person can only be made right with God through faith. Faith in Jesus.
And this is the problem with religion. Because religion says, “In order to be right with God, I have to do this, and do that, and perform this, and take that class, and go through this ceremony.”
But Paul says, “Nope, none of that will save you. The only thing that will save you is faith in Jesus?”
Now, does that mean that good works, rituals, baptism, and classes aren’t important? No. But none of those things will save you or make you right with God. Because the only person that can do that is Jesus.
And it’s not something He offers you because of something you did or earned. No. It’s a gift. Something He gives because of His grace and Mercy. Why? So that no one may boast. So no one will ever be able to stand before God and say, “I earned my way to heaven.”
No, no you didn’t. And no you can’t. Because outside of faith in Jesus, there’s nothing you can do to be right with God. You have to acknowledge that He’s the savior. Paul actually says it’s inevitable whether you do it in this life or not. In Philippians 2 he writes:
Paul says at some point, everybody is going to be forced to acknowledge it. And for those that have to be forced, there will be no salvation.
This leads us to a final step:
#3 - I have to make Jesus Lord of my life.
Paul puts it like this:
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Paul says for a person to be saved and be made right with God, they have to come to a place where they make Jesus Lord.
Where they give their life compeltely to Him. Where they quit living for themselves. Where they let go of religion and reputation and embrace a relationship with Jesus. Only then can they be saved. Only then can they experience the New Life that Jesus offers.
And that my friends is where salvation is found. It’s found in faith in Jesus. A faith that comes through an acknowledgment of your need and a willingness to make Jesus Lord of your life.
The question then is, “Now that you know that, What will you do? What will you do with Jesus?”
As Phoebe comes, for the next few minutes I’d like you to consider that question. That as we are here in the presence of the Lord, as we consider the testimonies of those who have been baptized, that you and I consider as well, what we will do with Jesus.
SPECIAL MUSIC:
SPECIAL MUSIC:
Phoebe - What Will You Do?
CLOSING/SALVATION CALL:
CLOSING/SALVATION CALL:
As we close this morning, I think it would only be appropriate that we respond to that question.
The fact is, I don’t know where you are with Jesus today. But what I do know, is just like Phoebe just sang, the King is in the room, your healer is in the room, your savior is in the room, your provider is in the room, your redeemer is in the room, your champion is in the room. And He wants to offer His free gift of salvation to you. The question is, are you willing to receive it? Are you willing to drop your pride and your fear and make Him Lord of your life?
Because I can’t think of a better time to make that decision than today. But for that to happen, you’re going to have to step out of your religious box and let go of your pride. You’re going to have stop worrying about what others might say or think. And you’re going to have to step into what the Bible says. Step into a relationship with Jesus that comes by faith.
So, if that’s you, I’m going to invite you to do something very brave. As we close with this next song, I’m going to ask you to possibly do a few things:
First, if you’ve never made Jesus Lord of your life, I’d like to invite you to make that decision today. And as a testimony of that decision, as the worship team closes with this last song, I want to invite you to come down front where we can meet with me and Denise so we can pray with you.
Now, you might be thinking, “Oh, I don’t know pastor. What are people going to think? That will be so embarrassing.”
Listen, it doesn’t matter what they think. The only thing that matters is what God thinks. And I can tell you with certainty, that if you come down and make Jesus Lord of your life today, God is going to be well pleased. There’s going to be cheering in heaven.
And I can also tell you that there will be cheering in this room, because everybody in this room will be cheering you on as you make this decision.
Second, maybe at one point you made Jesus Lord, but the truth is, you’ve fallen away from that relationship. And so what you need to do today is rededicate your life. You need to reaffirm your faith in Jesus. And as a testimony I’d like to invite you to come down as well.
Finally, whether it’s your first time making Jesus Lord or a rededication of your life to Him, I want to invite you to get baptized. Because I can’t think of a better testimony this morning than you to not only give your life to Christ, but to follow through with your first act of obedience as you get baptized.
It’s kind of like the story of the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8. In the story a disciple named Philip is on a road to the city of Gaza, and he encounters an Ethiopian Eunuch in a chariot who is reading from the OT book of Isaiah. And as Philip hears what the Ethiopian is reading, he recognizes he’s reading a prophecy concerning Jesus. And so Philip gets up in the chariot with the Ethiopian and he explains the scripture and leads the Ethiopian to faith in Jesus. And it’s what happens next that I think is so cool. Because listen to what Luke tells us:
36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
Is that not awesome. Well, that’s exactly what I’m challenging you to do today. Because if you are going to put your faith in Jesus today, then what’s to stop you from getting baptized as well. Because look, there’s some water. So, what prevents you from being baptized?
Now, you might be thinking, “Ok pastor, but I don’t have a change of clothes. I’m didn’t come prepared.” That’s ok. We have plenty of towels and we have a change of clothes for you after you get baptized. So, guess what. There are no excuses.
So, as we sing this next song, “My Testimony”, I want to challenge you to let today be your day of testimony. The day that you make Jesus Lord of your life.
So, tell me, What will you do?!