Embracing Our Significance Through Baptism and Discipleship
Summary
In today's gathering, we celebrated the profound significance of baptism, a public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism symbolizes our identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, marking our commitment to walk in newness of life. It is not a means of salvation but a testament to our faith and desire to follow Jesus alongside our community. We rejoiced with three individuals who took this step today, affirming their faith and joining us in this journey of discipleship.
We also explored the theme of significance in the Christian life, drawing from Acts 18. Often, we may feel insignificant when comparing ourselves to biblical figures like Paul. However, the truth is that God uses all believers, regardless of their visibility or fame. The majority of Christians throughout history remain unknown, yet their faithfulness has been instrumental in the growth and sustenance of the Church. We are reminded that our worth and purpose are not measured by human recognition but by our faithfulness to God's calling in our lives.
In Acts 18, we see how God used Priscilla and Aquila, ordinary tentmakers, to disciple Apollos, a learned man who only knew the baptism of John. They invited him into their home and explained the way of God more adequately. This act of discipleship highlights the importance of community and mutual growth in the faith. We are called to both teach and be teachable, recognizing that none of us have a complete understanding of God or His ways.
As we minister in our communities, we are encouraged to be faithful where God has placed us. Our influence may not be widespread, but it is significant in the lives of those around us. We are called to encourage and strengthen one another, to be a light in our communities, and to trust that God is working through us for His glory.
Key Takeaways:
- Baptism is a public declaration of faith, symbolizing our identification with Christ's death and resurrection. It is not a means of salvation but a testament to our commitment to follow Jesus. [08:45]
- Our significance in God's kingdom is not measured by human recognition but by our faithfulness to His calling. God uses all believers, regardless of their visibility, to further His work. [40:42]
- Discipleship involves both teaching and being teachable. We must be willing to learn from others and to share our understanding of God with those around us. [01:04:33]
- We are called to encourage and strengthen one another in our faith communities, recognizing that God has placed us where we are for a purpose. [58:15]
- Trusting in God's plan means being faithful in the present, ministering to those around us, and allowing God to work through us in our current circumstances. [01:16:18]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[07:59] - Reading from Romans 6
[08:45] - Significance of Baptism
[09:34] - Baptism of Zach
[10:27] - Baptism of Phoebe and Trinity
[19:45] - Community Outreach Events
[20:36] - Thanksgiving Potluck and Small Groups
[21:30] - New Service Changes
[22:18] - Prayer and Worship
[39:23] - Introduction to Acts 18
[40:42] - Feeling Insignificant in God's Kingdom
[42:21] - The Reality of Being Forgotten
[43:31] - God Uses Ordinary People
[44:43] - Paul's Journey and the Nazirite Vow
[46:04] - Priscilla and Aquila's Ministry
[50:27] - Paul's Cultural Practices
[53:49] - Paul's Ministry in Ephesus
[58:15] - Encouraging and Strengthening Others
[01:01:35] - Apollos' Arrival in Ephesus
[01:04:33] - Discipleship and Growth
[01:10:25] - The Role of the Church
[01:16:18] - Trusting God's Plan
[01:19:07] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 6:1-11
- Acts 18:18-28
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Observation Questions:
1. In Romans 6:1-11, what does Paul say about the significance of baptism in relation to sin and new life in Christ?
2. How did Priscilla and Aquila contribute to Apollos' understanding of the Gospel in Acts 18:24-26? [01:02:33]
3. What was the reaction of the Jews in Ephesus when Paul preached in the synagogue, and how did Paul respond to their request? [55:14]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of ordinary believers like Priscilla and Aquila in the early church? [43:31]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the symbolism of baptism in Romans 6:1-11 help believers understand their identity in Christ?
2. What does the interaction between Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos teach us about the importance of community in spiritual growth? [01:04:33]
3. Why might Paul have chosen to leave Ephesus despite the Jews' interest in hearing more about Jesus? [56:18]
4. How does the sermon challenge the notion of significance in God's kingdom, especially in a culture that values fame and recognition? [40:42]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own baptism or understanding of baptism. How does it serve as a reminder of your commitment to follow Jesus? [08:45]
2. In what ways can you contribute to the spiritual growth of others in your community, similar to how Priscilla and Aquila helped Apollos? [01:04:33]
3. Have you ever felt insignificant in your faith journey? How can the examples of Priscilla, Aquila, and the unnamed believers in Acts 18 encourage you to see your role as valuable? [43:31]
4. How can you be more intentional about encouraging and strengthening others in your faith community? What specific actions can you take this week? [58:15]
5. Consider a time when you felt God was leading you in a specific direction. How did you discern His guidance, and what steps did you take to follow it? [56:18]
6. Identify one area in your life where you can be more teachable, like Apollos. What steps will you take to seek guidance or mentorship in this area? [01:04:33]
7. How can you trust God's plan for your life, even when your influence seems limited or unnoticed by others? What practical steps can you take to focus on faithfulness rather than recognition? [01:16:18]
Devotional
Day 1: Baptism as a Symbol of New Life
Baptism is a profound act that symbolizes a believer's identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a public declaration of faith, marking a commitment to walk in newness of life. While baptism is not a means of salvation, it serves as a testament to one's faith and desire to follow Jesus. This act of obedience is celebrated within the community of believers, as it signifies a shared journey of discipleship. As we witnessed three individuals take this step, we are reminded of the joy and responsibility that comes with being part of a faith community. [08:45]
Romans 6:3-4 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Consider your own baptism or the decision to be baptized. How does this commitment to walk in newness of life manifest in your daily actions and choices today?
Day 2: Faithfulness Over Recognition
In the Christian life, significance is not measured by human recognition but by faithfulness to God's calling. Many believers may feel insignificant when comparing themselves to prominent biblical figures, yet God uses all believers, regardless of their visibility, to further His work. The majority of Christians throughout history remain unknown, but their faithfulness has been instrumental in the growth and sustenance of the Church. Our worth and purpose are found in our obedience to God's calling, not in the accolades of the world. [40:42]
1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (ESV): "For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you seek recognition. How can you shift your focus to being faithful to God's calling instead?
Day 3: The Mutual Growth of Discipleship
Discipleship is a journey of mutual growth, where believers are called to both teach and be teachable. In Acts 18, Priscilla and Aquila, ordinary tentmakers, played a significant role in discipling Apollos, a learned man who only knew the baptism of John. They invited him into their home and explained the way of God more adequately. This act of discipleship highlights the importance of community and the willingness to learn from one another. None of us have a complete understanding of God or His ways, and we are called to share our understanding with those around us while remaining open to learning from others. [01:04:33]
Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Reflection: Identify someone in your life from whom you can learn or whom you can teach. How can you take a step towards mutual growth in your faith journey today?
Day 4: Encouragement in Community
As believers, we are called to encourage and strengthen one another in our faith communities. God has placed us where we are for a purpose, and our influence, though it may not be widespread, is significant in the lives of those around us. We are to be a light in our communities, trusting that God is working through us for His glory. Encouragement and support within the community are vital for spiritual growth and perseverance in faith. [58:15]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Think of someone in your community who needs encouragement. How can you reach out to them today to offer support and strength in their faith journey?
Day 5: Trusting God's Plan in the Present
Trusting in God's plan means being faithful in the present and ministering to those around us. Our circumstances may not always align with our expectations, but God is at work in and through us. We are called to be faithful where God has placed us, allowing Him to work through us for His glory. This trust in God's plan requires a willingness to surrender our own desires and to embrace the opportunities He provides for ministry and service. [01:16:18]
Proverbs 16:9 (ESV): "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you struggle to trust God's plan. What steps can you take today to surrender this area to Him and be faithful in your current circumstances?
Quotes
1) "As we celebrate baptism, baptism does not save us. Baptism doesn't do anything to remove sins. It doesn't do anything to make us closer to God. But what baptism does is it declares publicly that we have trusted in the person of Jesus Christ to save us from our sins. It's a declaration of. I want to follow Jesus. I want to follow Jesus with you. And I want you to follow Jesus with me. And so, as we baptize today, that is what we are celebrating." [08:45] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "One of the challenges sometimes we can have in our own lives, especially in the culture we live in, is a feeling of insignificance. We live in celebrity culture, we live in 15 minutes of fame. We live in like man, people want to be known. And it doesn't matter how old you are, at some point in your life you're going to question, you're going to have considerations of, is my life or has my life been worthwhile? Has it been valuable? Have I done what I am supposed to do? And then we can begin to think when I die. Because every one of us in this room, we know that's going to happen when I die. Am I going to be remembered? Reality no. It's not going to be long after each and every one of us die, we will not be remembered anymore." [42:21] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "The bulk of people in christian history, in the history of the church, are unknown. And the church exists and thrives today because unknown christians are used by goddess, because unknown christians to us are known by God. And so we can, we can feel that way at times. We can ask the question, can God use me? Can God use me the way he's used others? And the firm answer to that is yes. And we see in acts, chapter number 18, God uses Priscilla and Aquila, who are tent makers, average, everyday christians. He uses them in the life of Paul, we're going to see, he's going to use them in the life of Apollos. He's going to use them in the life of the church in Ephesus. And he can use you and I today." [43:31] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "Are we encouraging and strengthening? And that's a question we should ask ourselves sitting here right now. When I gather together with other believers, no matter the setting, whether it's church on Sunday morning, whether it's Sunday school or a Bible study or a small group, or I'm going out to dinner with some friends that know Jesus also. Am I encouraging and strengthening? Am I looking for opportunities to encourage and strengthen? I come in and I sit down sometimes. Sometimes when we come to church, we just want to sit down and disappear. We don't want people to notice. We don't want people to know we're there. We don't want to engage. We don't want to encounter people. We just want to sit down and disappear." [59:03] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "Every one of us in this room has got wrong things in doctrine, wrong things in theology, wrong things in christian living. Everyone in this room needs everyone else in this room to encourage and strengthen us so that we will grow in Christ. We need to accept instruction that comes to us as well. I need to accept instruction that comes to me. You need to accept instruction that comes to you. And we're supposed to do that with each other. We encourage, we strengthen. And as we need to be encouraged and strengthened, we accept that and we grow together. We need to teach and explain the way of God more adequately and together. We need to accept and learn the way of God more adequately." [01:09:00] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "The most important person, the most important being in all of eternity, has called us to himself. And he knows us. The church in Ephesus, they send him out, and he's a great help to the believers in a chai. And it's what we should always do, no matter where we go. We should be a great help to the church, to our communities, to our neighbors. He refutes the jews that were opposed to him. He proved and demonstrated that Jesus was the messiah. He was skilled in teaching and showing Jesus from the Old Testament, and that's what he does. He knows the people he's going to and he engages with them in a way that he can and he refutes them from their own book, their own text, and demonstrates who Jesus is. And he encourages the church. A church of people we don't know, but a church of people where God was working." [01:15:28] (66 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "God can work through anyone. God does work through all of his people. He uses each of us. We have an important role to play within Christ's kingdom, and our visibility doesn't matter. What matters is that we see and recognize that God is using us to reach people for his honor and glory. God is using us as his representatives right here where we live. Need to just live the life that God has set before us, not the life someone else has. We minister where we are, not where God has placed somebody else. This is both encouraging and stress relieving for us. Because I don't need to be someone else and you don't need to be someone else. We just need to be us. You need to be you who God has created you to be where God has placed you to live around those that God has called you to minister to and care for. You need to be you. Don't try to be someone else. God is the one who works. God is the one who has placed you where you are. Do you trust him? Do I trust him? Do we trust his ways?" [01:17:22] (73 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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