Embracing Salvation: The Power of Faith and Baptism
Summary
In today's gathering, we delve into the profound truth of Jesus Christ's sacrifice and the transformative power of faith and obedience. We reflect on the biblical account of the Israelites in the wilderness, where venomous snakes bit them, leading to death for many. In their desperation, they turned to Moses, who, under God's instruction, fashioned a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole. Those who looked upon it were healed, illustrating the power of faith and the foreshadowing of Christ's crucifixion.
As the Son of Man was lifted up, so must we lift our gaze to Jesus for our salvation. The act of being lifted up was death for Jesus but life for us, the beholders. This pivotal moment in history is encapsulated in John 3:16-17, where we learn of God's immense love for the world, offering His only Son so that believers may not perish but have eternal life. God's intention was not to condemn but to save through Jesus.
The sermon challenges us to examine our stance towards the light of Christ and the darkness of sin. There is no middle ground; we either love the light and hate the darkness or vice versa. For believers, this life is the closest to hell they will ever experience, while for non-believers, it is the closest to heaven. The gravity of this truth should stir our hearts towards repentance and faith.
Furthermore, the sermon emphasizes the significance of baptism as a public declaration of faith and obedience. Baptism is not about the water itself but the act of submission and the spiritual transformation that occurs when we are immersed in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is a step of faith, accompanied by action, that brings our ambiguous belief into tangible reality.
Now, let us consider the key takeaways from today's message:
1. The bronze serpent lifted in the wilderness is a powerful typology of Christ's crucifixion. Just as the Israelites were healed by looking at the bronze serpent, we too are saved by fixing our eyes on Jesus, the one who was lifted up for our transgressions. This act of looking to Jesus is an act of faith that brings about our spiritual healing and eternal life. [49:33]
2. God's love, as demonstrated through the giving of His Son, is not a passive emotion but an active will to bring about our well-being. This agape love is the highest form of love, one that prefers, wishes well, and regards the welfare of others above oneself. It is this love that motivates God's actions towards us and should be the foundation of our response to Him and others. [41:30]
3. Baptism is a sacred act of obedience that symbolizes the burial of our old nature and the resurrection into a new life in Christ. It is not merely a ritual but a transformative encounter with Jesus, where we are spiritually reborn and adopted into God's family. This step is essential in our faith journey, marking the beginning of a life lived in the light of Christ. [55:03]
4. The dichotomy of light and darkness in our lives is a reflection of our alignment with Christ or self-centeredness. To love the light is to embrace the ways of Jesus, while to hate the darkness is to reject the sinful patterns of this world. Our feelings and actions spring from either love or hate, and it is imperative that we choose love, which aligns with God's nature. [43:38]
5. The urgency of the decision to follow Christ cannot be overstated. The sermon implores us to not delay in making a public declaration of our faith through baptism. Today is the day of salvation, and there is no better time to respond to God's call, to be cleansed from our sins, and to start afresh with a clear conscience because of the work Jesus has done for us. [59:18]
May these insights guide us as we continue to walk in the light of Christ, embracing His love, and living out our faith with conviction and purpose.
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 3:14-17 (NIV)
> "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
2. Numbers 21:8-9 (NIV)
> "The Lord said to Moses, 'Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.' So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived."
3. 1 Peter 3:21 (NIV)
> "and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the purpose of the bronze serpent in the wilderness according to Numbers 21:8-9?
2. How does John 3:14-15 connect the story of the bronze serpent to Jesus' crucifixion?
3. According to John 3:16-17, what was God's primary motivation for sending His Son into the world?
4. What does 1 Peter 3:21 say about the significance of baptism? How does it relate to a clear conscience?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the act of looking at the bronze serpent in the wilderness serve as a typology for looking to Jesus for salvation? [31:02]
2. In what ways does John 3:16-17 illustrate the nature of God's love as described in the sermon? [34:50]
3. How does the concept of light and darkness in John 3:19-20 challenge believers to examine their own lives? [35:34]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the urgency and importance of baptism in a believer's faith journey? [55:03]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually "bitten" by sin. How did you find healing by looking to Jesus? [31:02]
2. How can you actively demonstrate God's agape love in your daily interactions with others? Think of specific actions you can take this week. [41:30]
3. Baptism is described as a public declaration of faith and obedience. If you have been baptized, how did it impact your spiritual journey? If not, what might be holding you back from taking this step? [55:03]
4. The sermon emphasizes the dichotomy of light and darkness. Identify one area in your life where you struggle with darkness. What steps can you take to embrace the light of Christ more fully? [35:34]
5. The urgency of making a decision to follow Christ is highlighted in the sermon. What is one immediate step you can take to deepen your relationship with Jesus today? [59:18]
6. How can you ensure that your faith is not just an internal belief but is accompanied by actions that reflect your commitment to Christ? [52:09]
7. The sermon mentions that for believers, this life is the closest to hell they will ever experience, while for non-believers, it is the closest to heaven. How does this perspective influence your approach to evangelism and sharing your faith with others? [37:01]
May these questions guide your discussion and help you grow deeper in your faith and understanding of God's love and salvation through Jesus Christ.
Devotional
Day 1: Healing Gaze of Faith
Faith is not merely an abstract belief but an active trust that manifests in our actions. Just as the Israelites were healed by looking at the bronze serpent, we too are saved by fixing our eyes on Jesus. This act of looking to Jesus is an act of faith that brings about our spiritual healing and eternal life. It is a conscious decision to focus on Christ and His sacrifice, acknowledging that He was lifted up for our transgressions. By doing so, we are not only recognizing the gravity of our sins but also the magnitude of His grace that offers us redemption and a path to eternal life. This healing gaze is a transformative experience that shifts our perspective from our earthly struggles to the hope found in Christ. [49:33]
Numbers 21:8-9 (ESV): "And the Lord said to Moses, 'Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.' So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live."
Reflection: How can you intentionally shift your focus to Jesus in areas of your life where you feel bitten by the 'serpents' of fear, doubt, or sin?
Day 2: Active Will of Love
God's love is an active will that seeks our well-being, a love that is selfless and sacrificial. This agape love is the highest form of love, one that prefers, wishes well, and regards the welfare of others above oneself. It is this love that motivated God to send His only Son to save us. As recipients of this love, we are called to embody it in our interactions with others, reflecting God's love through our actions and decisions. This love is not passive; it compels us to act, to love others as God has loved us, and to spread the message of salvation to a world in need. [41:30]
1 John 3:16-17 (ESV): "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?"
Reflection: In what practical ways can you demonstrate God's active will of love to those in your community this week?
Day 3: Baptism's Transformative Encounter
Baptism is a sacred act of obedience that symbolizes the burial of our old nature and the resurrection into a new life in Christ. It is not merely a ritual but a transformative encounter with Jesus, where we are spiritually reborn and adopted into God's family. This step is essential in our faith journey, marking the beginning of a life lived in the light of Christ. Through baptism, we publicly declare our faith and our commitment to follow Jesus, acknowledging the spiritual transformation that occurs when we are immersed in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. [55:03]
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: If you have been baptized, how does your life reflect the newness of life in Christ? If not, what is holding you back from taking this step of faith?
Day 4: Embracing Light Over Darkness
The dichotomy of light and darkness in our lives is a reflection of our alignment with Christ or self-centeredness. To love the light is to embrace the ways of Jesus, while to hate the darkness is to reject the sinful patterns of this world. Our feelings and actions spring from either love or hate, and it is imperative that we choose love, which aligns with God's nature. This choice is not a one-time decision but a daily commitment to walk in the light, to live out the teachings of Jesus, and to resist the temptations that lead us back into darkness. [43:38]
1 Thessalonians 5:5 (ESV): "For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can walk as a child of light today, rejecting the darkness and embracing the teachings of Jesus?
Day 5: Urgency of Public Faith Declaration
The urgency of the decision to follow Christ cannot be overstated. Today is the day of salvation, and there is no better time to respond to God's call, to be cleansed from our sins, and to start afresh with a clear conscience because of the work Jesus has done for us. The sermon implores us to not delay in making a public declaration of our faith through baptism. This declaration is a bold step that signifies our acceptance of Jesus' sacrifice and our commitment to live for Him. [59:18]
2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV): "For he says, 'In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to prepare for or make a public declaration of your faith, recognizing the urgency of embracing Christ's salvation?
Quotes
"Could remember the serpent lifted up in the wilderness saving the venomized people; being lifted up is death for the one lifted up but life for all of the beholders." [34:50] (Download | )
"Agape means to be full of good will and exhibit the same. God is full of good will for you, wishing well, regarding your welfare." [41:30] (Download | )
"Hate is our ungodly response when we are self-focused. Love is the motivational factor for God; hate is our response when we're focused on ourselves." [42:51] (Download | )
"From love or hate, all feelings spring into action. Do you love the light and hate the dark? It's not enough just to say I don't love the dark." [43:38] (Download | )
"Baptism is not just getting wet; it's when a human being steps into obedience and faith, and Jesus meets you there in that water." [55:03] (Download | )
"Baptism now saves you not by removing dirt from your body but as a response to God from a clean conscience because of Jesus' resurrection." [58:02] (Download | )
"The power of baptism is not in the water; it's in a human being that humbles themselves and puts a step of obedience behind their faith." [52:09] (Download | )
"We are buried with Jesus in baptism, symbolizing the burial of the old nature and coming up with a new identity in Jesus." [55:58] (Download | )
"Baptism is our opportunity to start our faith journey and the first step is to make a public declaration of our belief in Jesus." [54:17] (Download | )
"Jesus cleanses you and wipes your slate clean, and that is how you can have a clear conscience because you trust in what Jesus has done for you." [58:38] (Download | )
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