Embracing Baptism and the Power of Encouragement
Summary
Today, we gathered to celebrate the profound act of baptism, a beautiful outward expression of an inner transformation that God has worked in the hearts of believers. Baptism is a declaration of faith, a public testimony that Jesus is Lord and Savior. We witnessed the baptism of the Christiansen family, each member professing their faith and sharing the work God has been doing in their lives. This act of obedience is a reminder that just as Jesus was baptized, we too should follow in His footsteps, embracing this sacred tradition as a testament to our faith journey.
In our world, where discouragement is a tool often wielded by the enemy, we are called to be beacons of hope and encouragement. The story of Job reminds us that even in the face of immense loss and discouragement, we can find strength in God. Job's friends failed to comfort him, but he chose to encourage himself in the Lord. This is a powerful lesson for us: our words have the power to build up or tear down, and we should strive to be encouragers in a world that often seeks to discourage.
God is an encouraging God, always seeking to uplift us. When we face battles on the outside and fear on the inside, we must remember the powerful phrase, "But God." He is with us, encouraging us through His presence and through others, just as He did with Paul through Titus. We are called to encourage others daily, spiritually, and to encourage ourselves in the Lord. By doing so, we reflect the nature of our God, who is always for us and never against us.
Key Takeaways:
- Baptism is a profound declaration of faith, symbolizing an inner transformation and commitment to Jesus as Lord and Savior. It is an act of obedience that follows the example set by Jesus Himself. [12:08]
- Discouragement is a powerful tool used by the enemy, but we are called to be encouragers. Our words have the power to build up or tear down, and we should strive to speak life into others. [40:35]
- God is an encouraging God who never seeks to discourage us. He is always with us, offering hope and encouragement, especially in times of trouble. [54:52]
- Encouraging others spiritually is a vital part of our faith journey. We can uplift others by sharing spiritual gifts and words of encouragement, helping them grow stronger in the Lord. [01:09:36]
- Encouraging ourselves in the Lord is essential for spiritual growth. By reminding ourselves of God's promises and our identity in Christ, we can overcome discouragement and thrive in our faith. [01:12:11]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[12:08] - Baptism of Caitlin Christiansen
[13:29] - Baptism of Liz Christiansen
[14:21] - Baptism of Clint Christiansen
[15:51] - Baptism of Vernon Moya
[17:22] - Vernon's Story
[19:00] - Encouragement to Get Baptized
[21:09] - The Devil's Tool of Discouragement
[40:35] - The Power of Encouragement
[42:07] - Deuteronomy 31:8 - A Promise of Hope
[45:08] - The Story of Job
[46:29] - Job's Response to Discouragement
[48:14] - The Power of Words
[49:38] - Living with Encouragement
[54:52] - Our Encouraging God
[57:26] - But God - A Message of Hope
[01:01:18] - God's Encouragement Through Others
[01:06:02] - Encouraging Others Daily
[01:09:36] - Encouraging Others Spiritually
[01:12:11] - Encouraging Yourself in the Lord
[01:17:26] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 3:13-17 - Jesus' Baptism
2. Job 16:2-5 - Job's Response to His Friends
3. 2 Corinthians 7:5-6 - God's Encouragement Through Titus
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Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of baptism as described in the sermon, and how does it relate to Jesus' own baptism? [12:08]
2. How did Job's friends fail him during his time of need, and what was Job's response to their discouragement? [46:29]
3. In 2 Corinthians 7:5-6, how did God provide encouragement to Paul during his struggles? [57:26]
4. What role does the phrase "But God" play in the sermon, and how does it serve as a turning point in the narrative? [57:26]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the act of baptism serve as a public declaration of faith, and why is it important for believers to follow Jesus' example in this way? [19:00]
2. What lessons can be learned from Job's experience with his friends about the power of words and the importance of being an encourager? [46:29]
3. How does the concept of "But God" provide hope and encouragement in the face of external battles and internal fears? [57:26]
4. In what ways can believers encourage others spiritually, and why is this considered a vital part of the faith journey? [01:09:36]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own baptism or the decision to be baptized. How does this act of obedience impact your daily walk with Christ? [19:00]
2. Think of a time when you were discouraged by someone's words. How did it affect you, and how can you ensure your words are uplifting to others? [46:29]
3. Identify a situation in your life where you need to remember the phrase "But God." How can this perspective change your approach to the situation? [57:26]
4. Who in your life could use spiritual encouragement right now? What specific action can you take this week to uplift them? [01:09:36]
5. Consider the ways you might be discouraging yourself. What steps can you take to encourage yourself in the Lord and remind yourself of your identity in Christ? [01:12:11]
6. How can you incorporate daily encouragement into your routine, whether through words, actions, or prayers? [01:06:02]
7. Reflect on the role of a life group or community in your spiritual journey. How can you engage more deeply with others to both give and receive encouragement? [01:11:10]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Baptism as a Testament of Transformation
Baptism is more than a ritual; it is a profound declaration of faith and a symbol of the inner transformation that God has worked in the hearts of believers. It is an act of obedience that follows the example set by Jesus Himself. When individuals publicly profess their faith through baptism, they are making a commitment to Jesus as their Lord and Savior. This sacred tradition serves as a testament to their faith journey, marking a significant milestone in their spiritual lives. The Christiansen family's baptism is a beautiful reminder of this commitment and transformation. [12:08]
"Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 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." (Romans 6:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: Consider your own faith journey. How does your life reflect the transformation that baptism symbolizes, and what steps can you take to deepen your commitment to Jesus today?
Day 2: The Power of Encouragement
Discouragement is a powerful tool used by the enemy to weaken our faith and resolve. However, as believers, we are called to be encouragers, using our words to build up rather than tear down. The story of Job illustrates the importance of finding strength in God, even when those around us fail to provide comfort. Job's friends were unable to encourage him, yet he chose to encourage himself in the Lord. This serves as a powerful lesson for us: our words have the power to uplift and inspire, and we should strive to speak life into others, especially in a world that often seeks to discourage. [40:35]
"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who may be experiencing discouragement. How can you intentionally use your words to encourage and uplift them today?
Day 3: God as Our Source of Encouragement
God is an encouraging God who never seeks to discourage us. He is always with us, offering hope and encouragement, especially in times of trouble. When we face battles on the outside and fear on the inside, we must remember the powerful phrase, "But God." Just as God encouraged Paul through Titus, He encourages us through His presence and through others. We are called to reflect this nature of God by being sources of encouragement to those around us, reminding them of His constant presence and support. [54:52]
"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did you experience God's encouragement during that time, and how can you share that encouragement with someone else today?
Day 4: Encouraging Others Spiritually
Encouraging others spiritually is a vital part of our faith journey. By sharing spiritual gifts and words of encouragement, we help others grow stronger in the Lord. This act of encouragement not only uplifts others but also strengthens our own faith as we witness the impact of God's love and grace in their lives. As believers, we are called to be intentional in our efforts to encourage others, helping them to see the beauty of God's work in their lives and inspiring them to continue their spiritual journey with renewed vigor. [01:09:36]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a spiritual gift or insight you have received. How can you use it to encourage someone in their faith journey today?
Day 5: Encouraging Yourself in the Lord
Encouraging ourselves in the Lord is essential for spiritual growth. By reminding ourselves of God's promises and our identity in Christ, we can overcome discouragement and thrive in our faith. This practice involves actively seeking God's presence, meditating on His Word, and affirming His truths in our lives. As we encourage ourselves in the Lord, we build a strong foundation of faith that enables us to face challenges with confidence and hope, knowing that God is always for us and never against us. [01:12:11]
"But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life." (Jude 1:20-21, ESV)
Reflection: What specific promise from God's Word can you meditate on today to encourage yourself in the Lord and strengthen your faith?
Quotes
1. "If you haven't been baptized before and you know Jesus as your Savior, then I would encourage you to get baptized next time we have it. It's usually every other month or maybe every six weeks. It depends on how many people we have that want to get baptized. If you haven't, you should. Jesus did, so if it's good enough for Jesus, I think it's good enough for all of us. What do you think? Absolutely. If you have been baptized before, being baptized again, that's no problem. It's a great way to tell everybody, hey, I'm a Christian, but there's been times in my life where I ran from God and did things that I knew I shouldn't do, but now I'm going to come back to Him and I'm going to live for Him from this day forward. So that's a great way to rededicate your life." [19:00] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "A lot of folks in the world today need hope. And we don't have to go very much further than the doors of this church to find a lot of folks that need hope and encouragement. So, given the fact that one of the enemy's most powerful tools is discrimination, discouragement, Deuteronomy 31 .8 offers us something that we can really hold on to. And you don't need to turn there, I'll just read it. It says this, The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid and do not be, what? Discouraged. Do not be discouraged." [42:07] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Words have power. Would you agree with that? Solomon says in Proverbs 18 that the tongue has the power of life and death. That our words can either build up people or tear them down. Your words and my words, they should bring life. Amen? Not shut people down. Now all of us have made the mistakes of lashing out and using words that we're not practicing. Are you proud of? If you have, raise your hand. All right. Well, there's some of you, God bless you, you should come up and preach. Some of you have not, and I know I'm just teasing you. But our words should lift people up, the Bible says. Not shut them down." [48:14] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I believe that God is calling you and me to be encouragers. People who lift other people up with their words in a world that is constantly, constantly tearing us down. Do you believe that? God wants us to be encouragers. In fact, I submit to you that one of the most spiritual things you and I can do as Christians is to encourage other people, Christian or not. It doesn't matter. You know why? If you're taking notes, you can write this down. Why do we want to encourage other people? Because our God is an encouraging God." [54:52] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When God brings someone to mind, it's for a reason. Call them, text them, pray for them if they get voicemail. If you get voicemail, leave them a nice message. Hey, just thinking about you. You know, you're such an awesome friend. Have I said that lately? What did it take you, 30 seconds? Encourage someone. When God brings someone to mind, it's for a reason. So get out there and do it however you can. But let's not stop there. Second way we can make a difference is that you and I can encourage others spiritually. Encourage others spiritually. So we take our encouragement and we turn it around and we encourage people in the spiritual realm." [01:08:48] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Three of the most spiritual things you can do. Encourage other people daily. Can you do that? All right. Encourage others spiritually. Can you do that? Encourage yourself in the Lord. Can you do that? Why? Why, Carl? Why do you want us to do that? Because our God is an encouraging God. And you know what? He's looking for people to encourage. He's looking for people. Are you ready to be encouraged by God? Yeah, me too. Been a tough week. Be encouraged. God loves you. He's proud of you." [01:17:26] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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