Celebrating Faith: The Power of Baptism

Devotional

Day 1: Baptism as a Public Declaration of Faith

Baptism is a profound act of obedience that symbolizes being buried with Christ in His death and raised to walk in newness of life. It is a public declaration of one's faith in Jesus Christ, demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel. This act of obedience is not just a ritual but a powerful testimony that Jesus is the Lord of one's life. Each person being baptized is essentially preaching the gospel through their actions, showing that they are not ashamed of the gospel. Baptism is a moment of great joy and significance, not just for the individuals being baptized but for the entire church family. [19:11]

Romans 6:4 (ESV): "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

Reflection: Think about your own faith journey. Have you publicly declared your faith in Jesus through baptism? If not, what is holding you back from taking this step of obedience today?

Day 2: Unity in Diversity

Our congregation is a beautiful tapestry of diverse backgrounds and languages, all united under the same mission of following Jesus Christ. This unity reflects the beauty of heaven, where people from all backgrounds come together to worship. The diversity within the church underscores the universal nature of the gospel, showing that no matter where someone is from, there is a place for them in the body of Christ. This unity in diversity is a powerful testimony to the world of the inclusive love of Jesus. [24:32]

Revelation 7:9 (ESV): "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands."

Reflection: How can you actively contribute to the unity and diversity of your church community? Is there someone from a different background you can reach out to and build a relationship with this week?

Day 3: The Simplicity of Salvation

The story of the Philippian jailer in Acts 16 highlights the simplicity of salvation. When he asked Paul and Silas, "What must I do to be saved?" their response was simple: "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." This simple yet profound truth is the foundation of our faith. Salvation is not about complex rituals or works; it is about believing in Jesus Christ and accepting His gift of grace. This belief leads to immediate transformation and a new life in Christ. [49:15]

Acts 16:30-31 (ESV): "Then he brought them out and said, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' And they said, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.'"

Reflection: Reflect on the simplicity of the gospel message. How can you share this simple yet profound truth with someone in your life who does not yet know Christ?

Day 4: The Joy of Obedience

Obedience to Christ brings immense joy and fulfillment. Whether it's through baptism or other acts of faith, following Jesus leads to a life of purpose and satisfaction. The joy of obedience is a testament to the transformative power of the gospel. When we obey Christ, we experience the fullness of life that He promises. This joy is not just for ourselves but is also a powerful witness to others of the goodness of God. [30:58]

John 15:10-11 (ESV): "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from obeying Jesus? What would taking a step of obedience in this area look like today?

Day 5: Encouragement to Share the Gospel

The testimonies of those being baptized should motivate us to share the gospel with others. There are many people who do not know Christ, and it is our responsibility to share the message of salvation with them. Let's be bold in our witness and invite others to experience the same transformation that we have experienced in Christ. Sharing the gospel is not just a duty but a privilege, as we get to participate in God's redemptive work in the world. [01:26:10]

2 Timothy 4:2 (ESV): "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."

Reflection: Think of one person in your life who does not know Christ. How can you share the gospel with them this week? What specific steps can you take to initiate a conversation about faith?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone! Today, we gather for our "I'm Not Ashamed" service, a special time of celebration and baptism. This marks the 15th year of this event, and it's a joy to witness so many people publicly declaring their faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism is a powerful act of obedience, symbolizing being buried with Christ in His death and raised to walk in newness of life. Each person being baptized today is preaching the gospel through their actions, showing that Jesus is the Lord of their lives.

We have a diverse congregation, including our Cross-City International and Cross-City Español services, all united under the same mission of following Jesus Christ. This diversity reflects the beauty of heaven, where people from all backgrounds come together to worship. Today, we celebrate not just individual baptisms but the collective joy of lives transformed by Christ.

Baptism is more than a ritual; it's a declaration of faith and a step of obedience. In Acts 16, we see the story of the Philippian jailer who, after witnessing a miraculous event, asked Paul and Silas, "What must I do to be saved?" Their response was simple: "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." This belief led to immediate baptism, demonstrating the transformative power of faith in Jesus.

As we prepare for the baptisms, I encourage you to reflect on your own faith journey. If you have never been baptized by immersion after accepting Christ, today is an opportunity to take that step. Baptism doesn't save us; it's the blood of Jesus that washes away our sins. However, baptism is a public declaration that we are not ashamed of the gospel.

Let's celebrate each baptism with the same enthusiasm as if our favorite team won the Super Bowl. This is a moment of great joy and significance, not just for the individuals being baptized but for our entire church family. As we move to the Commons area for the baptisms, let's continue to worship and support those making this important decision.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Baptism as a Declaration of Faith: Baptism is a public declaration of one's faith in Jesus Christ. It symbolizes being buried with Christ in His death and raised to walk in newness of life. This act of obedience is a powerful testimony of the transformative power of the gospel. [19:11]
2. Unity in Diversity: Our congregation is diverse, with people from different backgrounds and languages coming together to worship. This unity reflects the beauty of heaven and underscores the universal nature of the gospel. No matter where someone is from, there is a place for them in the body of Christ. [24:32]
3. The Simplicity of Salvation: The story of the Philippian jailer in Acts 16 highlights the simplicity of salvation. When asked what he must do to be saved, Paul and Silas responded, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." This simple yet profound truth is the foundation of our faith. [49:15]
4. The Joy of Obedience: Obedience to Christ brings immense joy. Whether it's through baptism or other acts of faith, following Jesus leads to a life of fulfillment and purpose. The joy of obedience is a testament to the transformative power of the gospel. [30:58]
5. Encouragement to Share the Gospel: The testimonies of those being baptized should motivate us to share the gospel with others. There are many people who do not know Christ, and it's our responsibility to share the message of salvation with them. Let's be bold in our witness and invite others to experience the same transformation. [01:26:10]
### [86:10]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[19:11] - Baptism as a Declaration of Faith
[20:28] - Celebrating Baptisms
[22:31] - Introduction of Pastors
[24:32] - Unity in Diversity
[26:19] - The Power of Public Declaration
[30:08] - Preparing for Baptisms
[30:58] - The Joy of Obedience
[45:28] - The Significance of Baptism
[46:29] - Invitation to Respond
[49:15] - The Simplicity of Salvation
[50:31] - Believing in Jesus
[51:54] - The Symbolism of Baptism
[53:20] - The Call to Believe and Be Baptized
[54:44] - Personal Reflection and Invitation
[55:20] - Walking with You
[56:01] - Encouragement to Respond
[57:12] - Celebrating Decisions for Christ
[58:27] - Prayer for Clarity and Courage
[59:25] - Walking with You
[60:23] - Invitation to Follow Christ
[61:11] - Encouragement to Respond
[62:18] - Invitation to Follow Christ
[63:18] - Encouragement to Respond
[64:12] - Invitation to Follow Christ
[65:41] - Prayer and Worship
[66:20] - Moving to the Commons for Baptisms
[84:56] - Closing Remarks and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What miraculous event led the Philippian jailer to ask Paul and Silas, "What must I do to be saved?" ([49:15])
How does the act of baptism symbolize being buried with Christ and raised to walk in newness of life? ([19:11])
What does Jesus promise to those who publicly declare their faith in Him according to Matthew 10:32? ([20:28])
How does the diversity of the congregation reflect the beauty of heaven as mentioned in the sermon? ([24:32])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the jailer and his household were baptized immediately after believing in Jesus? What does this suggest about the importance of baptism? ([51:54])
How does the unity in diversity within the church congregation enhance the worship experience and reflect the universal nature of the gospel? ([24:32])
In what ways does the simplicity of the message "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" impact our understanding of salvation? ([50:31])
How does the joy of obedience, as seen in the act of baptism, serve as a testament to the transformative power of the gospel? ([30:58])

Application Questions

Reflect on your own faith journey. Have you been baptized by immersion after accepting Christ? If not, what might be holding you back from taking this step? ([46:29])
How can you celebrate the baptisms of others with the same enthusiasm as if your favorite team won the Super Bowl? What practical steps can you take to show your support? ([20:28])
Think about the diversity within your own church or community. How can you contribute to fostering unity and inclusivity among people from different backgrounds? ([24:32])
The sermon emphasized the simplicity of salvation. How can you share this simple yet profound message with someone in your life who does not know Christ? ([50:31])
The joy of obedience was highlighted in the sermon. Can you recall a time when you experienced joy from obeying Christ? How can you seek to experience this joy more regularly? ([30:58])
The testimonies of those being baptized should motivate us to share the gospel. Identify one person in your life who needs to hear the message of salvation. How can you boldly share your faith with them this week? ([01:26:10])
How can you ensure that your actions and decisions reflect that you are not ashamed of the gospel? What specific changes can you make in your daily life to live out this declaration? ([54:44])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "I want you to learn to celebrate after every baptism, like you celebrate when the Dallas Cowboys win the Super Bowl. Oh, wait. You don't know what that's like, do you? Okay. Like if they did win the Super Bowl, then you could celebrate like that. This is more important than a sporting event, more important than a music concert, more important than anything else. This is about life's change. This is about obedience." [20:28] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "And Jesus said, when a person does that, I am, I'm not ashamed of them in heaven. He that declares me before me and I will declare him before my father that's in heaven. That's a big deal. And so we want to encourage you to celebrate this today as we gather together and talk about the whole idea of baptism and watch these who have been baptized." [20:28] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "You know, over the years, I've had so many people come up to me and say, you know, that was the first day I really took a stand and said, I'm not ashamed of Jesus Christ. So in my conversations with them, I realized how powerful that is, not just for the church to celebrate, but for the individual who is willing and able to stand up on that day and say, no longer will I be ashamed of following Jesus Christ my Lord." [26:19] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Salvation is believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. Baptism is what you do to demonstrate that you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. And that's why when we baptize, we actually repeat Romans chapter six, which says, if you're buried with him in the likeness of his death, you'll also be resurrected with him in the likeness of his resurrection. So we say buried with baptism with Christ in baptism into death, raised to walk in the interest of life." [51:54] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Here's something that should remind us of. This day should remind us of our incredible responsibility to tell others about the salvation. The salvation that only comes through Jesus Christ. I know you know this, but there are many, many people in this world and in our cities that do not know this. And their lives are going in the opposite direction from where they would be if they had Christ." [01:25:33] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Every time when someone is baptized, they preach the gospel themselves. And you know what I mean by that? I mean that we say to this person that is being baptized, buried with Christ in baptism into death, and then when we bring them up out of the water, we say, raised to walk in newness of life. That's the resurrection message of Jesus Christ. And you're going to see that dozens of times today." [19:11] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "I love this passage because it's so simple. Salvation is believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. Baptism is what you do to demonstrate that you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. And that's why when we baptize, we actually repeat Romans chapter six, which says, if you're buried with him in the likeness of his death, you'll also be resurrected with him in the likeness of his resurrection." [51:54] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Baptism tells everybody else, and this jailer was telling everybody, I'm not ashamed of what I've just done. I put my faith in Jesus Christ, and I'm coming baptized. The word in the Greek language is baptizo, which is literally a word that means to immerse. It doesn't mean to sprinkle or pour. It means to immerse. In the New Testament, people had to go find enough water to baptize people or to immerse them in that water." [53:20] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Paul said it like this, I'm not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, where it's the very power of God and the salvation for those who believe. So let me ask you a question tonight. Have you believed in the Lord Jesus Christ? Have you believed in the Lord Jesus Christ? Have you believed in the Lord Jesus Christ? your trust, your faith, your confidence in what he did on the cross 2,000 years ago." [54:44] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And here's what's going to happen. If these folks in this room didn't celebrate like the Dallas Cowboys won the Super Bowl a few minutes ago, they'll do it when you stand up. You watch. Because there's very few things in my life that give me more joy than seeing people make spiritual decisions for Jesus Christ. And I think we all in this room feel the same way. If we know Christ, we want you to know Christ." [57:44] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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