Baptism Sunday | Pastor Shane Johnston | Resonate Church

Baptism marks a decisive break with the old self and a public embrace of resurrection life in Christ. The rite signals that sin’s sentence no longer defines a person; spiritually dead parts receive new life and the new creation begins to emerge. Scripture anchors this truth: just as Christ rose, believers step into newness of life. The congregation pauses to pray, celebrate, and witness that turning point, recognizing baptism not as a guarantee of perfection but as the start of restored union with God.

Attention stands at the heart of spiritual formation. The biblical portrait of Mary and Martha exposes how right actions can assume the wrong order when attention drifts. Doing good without presence can lead to anxiety and a troubled heart; Jesus summons the one necessary thing—being present with him. The text insists that union with God must claim first place so that every other need falls into its proper order.

Distraction functions as the enemy’s chief strategy against that union. Modern life layers noise, screens, and constant demands onto the soul, and studies tie that noise to rising anxiety and depression among younger generations. The contemporary fight for attention pits billion-dollar industries against spiritual practice; guarding attention becomes a spiritual discipline as vital as prayer or Scripture.

Practical, concrete steps open space for deeper listening. Three invitations aim to reduce noise: make the smartphone less dominant, give driving time to God, and end the day without screens. Each practice creates margin for presence, cultivates sound sleep, and invites the joy that comes from God’s presence rather than from constant consumption. The promise stands: hungering and thirsting for righteousness results in being filled. When attention returns to Jesus, God fills and reorders life, equips for daily wisdom, and enables the church to carry an anointing outward into community and mission.

The gathering closes with a call to respond—those who need Christ receive an invitation to begin a real relationship and to trust the cross as the source of forgiveness and hope. The faithful response anchors spiritual rhythm: detach from distraction, discover what fills the gap, delight in newly created space, and determine to sustain that change so union with God remains first.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God desires undivided attention A flourishing spiritual life begins when attention rests on God first. Discipleship requires more than intellectual belief; it demands presence that tunes the heart to Jesus’ voice. Prioritizing union with God reorders other needs so they no longer drive decisions or cause futile worry. [47:27]
• 2. Distraction breeds anxiety and unrest When attention fragments across tasks and screens, the soul grows anxious and troubled—just as Jesus diagnosed in Martha. This inner unease signals a spiritual misalignment: activity without presence cannot satisfy. Recognizing anxiety as a symptom points to the spiritual remedy of focused worship and listening. [46:05]
• 3. Practical rhythms reclaim spiritual space Simple habits create margin for God: silence the phone, give drive time to Scripture or worship, and end evenings screen-free. These rhythms replace reactive consumption with intentional presence and allow spiritual formation to proceed. Small, sustained practices reset attention and produce compound spiritual fruit. [56:27]
• 4. One thing necessary: presence with Jesus Scripture elevates a single priority—being with Jesus above busyness and service. Choosing presence prevents missing the life-changing word God intends to speak and protects service from becoming anxious drudgery. Make the single choice to listen regularly; the rest of life follows in healthier order. [46:41]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [08:20] - Baptism introductions
• [08:36] - Baptism as new life
• [09:27] - Prayer for those baptized
• [30:57] - Guided worship and thanks
• [32:45] - Easter results and decisions
• [37:45] - Series launch: Distracted
• [38:18] - Rooftop recovery and Psalm insight
• [44:07] - Mary and Martha story
• [46:05] - Distraction’s fruits: anxiety
• [56:27] - Practical invitations to detach
• [60:13] - Promise of being filled
• [65:40] - Worship response
• [66:31] - Invitation to begin relationship

1. What two specific things did Jesus say were the results of Martha's distraction?
2. What did Jesus identify as the "one thing" that was necessary?
3. According to the sermon, what is the primary thing God is after in our relationship with Him? [47:27]
4. What practical invitation was given to help make a smartphone less of a distraction? [56:27]

1. Why do you think Jesus responded to Martha's complaint by addressing her internal state (anxiety and trouble) rather than the external problem (needing help in the kitchen)?
2. The story presents a tension between doing things for Jesus (service) and being with Jesus (presence). Is it possible to do both, and if so, how does being with Him change the way we serve Him?
3. Jesus said Mary's choice "will not be taken away from her." What does this imply about the lasting value of choosing presence with God over productive activity?
4. The sermon connected modern anxiety and depression to a distracted life, much like Martha's. [52:51] Why might a lack of focused attention on God lead to these feelings of inner unrest?

1. What does your typical "daily reins" moment look like, where you stop listening and start taking control of your day without God's direction? [48:30] What is one small step you could take to hand the reins back to Him in that moment?
2. "One thing is necessary." If Jesus were to ask you what the one thing you need most in your life is right now, what would your honest answer be? How does that compare to His answer of being present with Him?
3. Of the three practical invitations to detach (making your phone "dumb," giving God your drive time, winding down without a screen), which one feels the most challenging for you to try for a week? What is the fear or feeling (like FOMO [58:37]) that makes it difficult?
4. Where in your life are you, like Martha, doing the "right things" but potentially in the "wrong order"? [59:43] How could putting union with God first change the motivation behind those activities?
5. The promise is that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled. [01:00:13] What are you currently using to "fill" the gaps in your day or your heart instead of turning to God? What would it look like to create a little space to be filled by Him instead?
6. Imagine going into your day trusting that God wants to speak into your everyday situations and conversations. [01:00:55] How would that belief change your approach to a challenge you are facing this week?