Embracing Transformation: Baptism, Growth, and Testimony
Summary
In today's gathering, we celebrated the profound and transformative act of baptism, witnessing five individuals publicly declare their faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism symbolizes the death of our old selves and the birth of a new life in Christ, as described in Romans 6. This act is not about being good enough or earning God's love; it's about choosing to build our lives on the words of Jesus rather than the words of man. Each testimony shared today was a powerful reminder of the Spirit's work in our lives, encouraging us to live boldly and unashamedly for Christ.
We explored John 15, where Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine and branches to teach us about remaining in Him. The process of pruning, though sometimes painful, is necessary for growth and fruitfulness. Remaining in Christ is more important than the fruit we bear, as it naturally leads to a life that glorifies God. Our focus should be on abiding in Him, trusting in the integrity of the vine, and allowing His life to flow through us.
Obedience to Jesus' commands is an expression of our love for Him, leading to joy and fulfillment. We are called to seek God's favor rather than the world's approval, understanding that our identity is rooted in being citizens of heaven. Despite the challenges and persecution we may face, we are invited to partake in the mission of Jesus, testifying to His goodness and grace.
As we continue to live out our faith, let us embrace the pruning, remain steadfast in Christ, and produce fruit that reflects His love and truth. May we seek His face above all else and boldly testify to the transformative power of the gospel.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Significance of Baptism: Baptism is a public declaration of faith, symbolizing the death of our old selves and the birth of a new life in Christ. It is not about being good enough but about choosing to build our lives on Jesus' words. This act of faith is a powerful testimony of transformation and surrender to God's will. [16:54]
2. Pruning and Growth: Pruning is a necessary process for spiritual growth and fruitfulness. It involves letting go of things that hinder our relationship with God. By remaining in Christ, we allow His life to flow through us, leading to a life that glorifies God. Pruning may be painful, but it is essential for producing lasting fruit. [59:01]
3. Remaining in Christ: Remaining in Christ is more important than the fruit we bear. It is about abiding in Him, trusting in the integrity of the vine, and allowing His life to flow through us. Our focus should be on maintaining a close relationship with Jesus, which naturally leads to a fruitful life. [01:06:00]
4. Obedience and Joy: Obedience to Jesus' commands is an expression of our love for Him, leading to joy and fulfillment. It is not about religious duty but about seeking to please the Father. Our obedience should flow from a heart that desires to remain in His love and experience the joy that comes from following His ways. [01:13:57]
5. Testifying to the Gospel: We are called to partake in the mission of Jesus by testifying to His goodness and grace. Despite the challenges and persecution we may face, we are invited to share the transformative power of the gospel with others. Our lives should reflect the love and truth of Christ, inviting others to experience His grace. [01:25:30]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Introduction and Baptism Celebration
- [03:30] - Romans 6 and the Meaning of Baptism
- [07:15] - Testimonies of Transformation
- [12:00] - Invitation to Baptism
- [16:54] - Tyson's Story and Spiritual Family
- [20:36] - The Gift of Spiritual Family
- [25:00] - Digital Parenting and Family Dynamics
- [30:00] - Generosity and Church Planting
- [35:00] - Upper Room Series Introduction
- [40:00] - John 15: The Vine and the Branches
- [45:00] - Pruning and Spiritual Growth
- [50:00] - Remaining in Christ
- [55:00] - Obedience and Joy
- [01:00:00] - Testifying to the Gospel
- [01:05:00] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 6:4
- John 15:1-11
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Observation Questions:
1. In Romans 6:4, what does baptism symbolize according to the sermon? How does this relate to the testimonies shared during the service? [16:54]
2. According to John 15:1-2, what role does pruning play in the life of a believer? How was this concept explained in the sermon? [59:01]
3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between remaining in Christ and bearing fruit, as seen in John 15:4-5? [01:06:00]
4. What examples were given in the sermon about the challenges of remaining in Christ amidst life's difficulties? [01:02:22]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the act of baptism serve as a public declaration of faith, and why is it significant for a believer's spiritual journey? [16:54]
2. What does the process of spiritual pruning look like in a believer's life, and why is it necessary for growth and fruitfulness? [59:01]
3. In what ways does remaining in Christ lead to a life that glorifies God, and how does this differ from focusing solely on producing fruit? [01:06:00]
4. How does the sermon suggest believers should respond to the world's disapproval or persecution for their faith? [01:19:50]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own baptism or decision to follow Christ. How can you continue to publicly declare your faith in your daily life? [16:54]
2. Identify an area in your life where you feel God might be pruning you. How can you embrace this process and trust in God's plan for your growth? [59:01]
3. What are some practical ways you can remain in Christ this week, especially when faced with challenges or distractions? [01:06:00]
4. Consider a situation where you might be seeking approval from the world rather than from God. How can you shift your focus to seek God's favor instead? [01:19:50]
5. How can you actively participate in testifying to the gospel in your community, even if it means facing discomfort or opposition? [01:25:30]
6. Think of a specific command of Jesus that you find challenging to obey. What steps can you take to align your actions with His teachings and experience the joy that comes from obedience? [01:13:57]
7. Identify one person in your life who might benefit from hearing about the transformative power of the gospel. How can you share your testimony with them this week? [01:25:30]
Devotional
Day 1: Baptism as a New Beginning
Baptism is a profound act of faith, symbolizing the death of our old selves and the birth of a new life in Christ. It is not about achieving a certain level of goodness or earning God's love, but rather about choosing to build our lives on the teachings of Jesus. This public declaration of faith is a powerful testimony of transformation and surrender to God's will. As we witness others take this step, we are reminded of the Spirit's work in our lives, encouraging us to live boldly and unashamedly for Christ. [16:54]
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: Consider your own journey of faith. How does the symbolism of baptism as a new beginning inspire you to live out your faith more boldly today?
Day 2: Embracing the Pruning Process
Pruning is an essential process for spiritual growth and fruitfulness. It involves letting go of things that hinder our relationship with God, allowing His life to flow through us. Though the process may be painful, it is necessary for producing lasting fruit that glorifies God. By remaining in Christ, we trust in the integrity of the vine and allow His life to transform us. This process of pruning is a reminder that growth often requires sacrifice and surrender. [59:01]
John 15:2 (ESV): "Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is pruning you? How can you embrace this process and trust in His plan for your growth?
Day 3: The Importance of Abiding in Christ
Remaining in Christ is more important than the fruit we bear. It is about abiding in Him, trusting in the integrity of the vine, and allowing His life to flow through us. Our focus should be on maintaining a close relationship with Jesus, which naturally leads to a fruitful life. By prioritizing our connection with Christ, we find strength and purpose in our daily walk with Him. [01:06:00]
John 15:5 (ESV): "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: How can you intentionally abide in Christ today? What practices or habits can you incorporate into your daily routine to strengthen your relationship with Him?
Day 4: Obedience as an Expression of Love
Obedience to Jesus' commands is an expression of our love for Him, leading to joy and fulfillment. It is not about religious duty but about seeking to please the Father. Our obedience should flow from a heart that desires to remain in His love and experience the joy that comes from following His ways. By aligning our lives with His commands, we find true joy and purpose. [01:13:57]
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: In what ways can you express your love for Jesus through obedience today? How does this obedience lead to joy and fulfillment in your life?
Day 5: Testifying to the Transformative Power of the Gospel
We are called to partake in the mission of Jesus by testifying to His goodness and grace. Despite the challenges and persecution we may face, we are invited to share the transformative power of the gospel with others. Our lives should reflect the love and truth of Christ, inviting others to experience His grace. By boldly testifying to the gospel, we participate in God's redemptive work in the world. [01:25:30]
Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about the transformative power of the gospel? How can you share your testimony with them in a way that reflects Christ's love and truth?
Quotes
I love the lyric that we just sang I won't stand on words of man But God, I'll stand on yours instead And that is really what we're bearing witness to today It's five people I'm going to invite the five of you Actually just to come stand right up here on stage Right beside me Callie Ward, Millie Morgan, Heather Feese Caleb Wilkins and Tyson Wilkinson Just come right up here There you go Just straight lines so everybody can see you Specifically, I would like to just say good morning And welcome to everybody who's watching from home Or watching online today And I just want to honor and bless Tyson's family And church community who are watching from Grand Prairie, Alberta today And we love that you've joined us in this way Even though you couldn't physically be in the room We know you're here with us And to everybody else who's gathered to support A son or a niece or a cousin or a family member or a great friend We love that you've gathered to join us for worship today In Romans 6 It says For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism This water represents something dying And something being brought to life [00:06:47] (83 seconds)
And I've just learned in my 49 years on planet Earth That almost every day there's something in me that has to die There's a bad habit There's selfish pride There's ego There's lots of things that every day I just have to pay attention Like what needs to die in me today And that's part of what the Bible calls The ongoing work of being made more and more into the image of Jesus And it starts with somebody saying out loud I recognize that stuff in me has to die And I recognize the only way to find real life Is in the perfect spotless template of Jesus of Nazareth Who lived, breathed, walked, modeled Showed an example of what it means to be known by God And full of the Holy Spirit In Romans 6, 4 We died and were buried with Christ And just as Christ was raised from the dead Which we're celebrating next weekend on Easter Sunday Now we also may live new lives Or as Eugene Peterson puts it in the message paraphrase Each of us is raised into a light -filled world By our Father So we can see where we're going In our new grace sovereign country [00:11:47] (74 seconds)
And we honor and bless the testimonies That all of our five in this service Five in the next That they've shared with us And I want to read a few things From their lips That you can be encouraged with I see how baptism is my next step I'm putting actions to my words Love that I felt the Spirit working in me Over the last several years But always made excuses That I wasn't ready or good enough But I want to make the declaration of faith In front of my church family And my own family Love that Jesus has helped me to learn To speak up for myself And be braver Of course he has That's so good I want it to be known That I follow Jesus And that I'm not embarrassed For believing in him These are powerful testimonies Of lives transformed Not because they're good enough Or they've earned it But because they've said Jesus I want to build my life On your words Not on the words of man [00:12:47] (58 seconds)
And so if you're new To baptism at Evolve We're going to take a moment With each one of them In the water And we're going to pray over them And when they come up Out of that water Can you do me a favor Get noisy Let's celebrate Something dead Being raised to life You get to witness A miracle today Get excited Come on This is what baptism is It's a miracle And I also want to encourage Some of you in the room That have at some point Said with your mouth That Jesus is Lord But you haven't expressed it publicly Today might be your day After our second service We're making room For anybody that's saying Yes to Jesus By stepping into the waters Of baptism If you've been putting it off Maybe you identify With that story I'm not good enough I've been putting it off Because I believe the lie Maybe the Lord wants To make you free today Make you whole And there's a powerful story Of surrender In these waters For you today [00:14:47] (55 seconds)
And we love that God's doing that in your life here with us. It's evident to everybody that knows you that you're choosing to allow Jesus to make you brand new. So have you made a decision to surrender your life fully to the Lordship of Jesus? Yes, sir. Is it your desire, your plan, your best intention, and your strategy to live yielded to Christ for the rest of your days? Yes. And are you wanting to go public with that today by stepping into the waters of baptism? Amen. All right, hop in. We love you, Tyson. The evidence of the Holy Spirit at work in you, how God's changing you, making all things new. Father, thank you for Tyson. We baptize him today in the name of God, our Father, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, and the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ whom you have received, Tyson. Amen. [00:17:12] (60 seconds)
and if I can just like come in close on one of those that sense of belonging to family that first one I would love to highlight that for the room today I think family is unique family is interesting I could sit with ten different people and hear ten different versions about what they think family means based on what they've experienced for some people family feels warm and safe and loving and nurturing and empowering and for other people family feels debilitating and painful and traumatic and the gift of stepping into spiritual family is asking Jesus to redeem and renew and restore what family means in the most whole beautiful healing kind of way and only Jesus makes that possible and I love that scripture says that Jesus taught his followers that we've been called sons and daughters no longer slaves we've been set free and that's how we're invited into family with wholeness and freedom and a real sense of what it means to know God and be known by God as Father [00:44:01] (63 seconds)
And we've celebrated generosity with volunteerism, with service, with how people use their gifts and their time. And that's incredible. And we also honor and bless our culture as a local church of financial generosity. We were with some church planters this week. We're coaching a young couple who have been called to plant a new church in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. And as a church, we've already set aside resources to help fund and resource a brand new church plant. And part of our monthly giving as a church is to our church planting family to raise up men and women who are called by God to lead new works together. And so we love that we get to be a part of that kind of work. And last week, Sunday was Vision Sunday. And we presented some real specific needs connected to how we're loving and serving our current climate in the city of Edmonton. [00:51:57] (51 seconds)
As so many local church contexts are saying Hosanna to the one who sits on the throne. As we're preparing our hearts for Holy Week and for Good Friday and for Easter Sunday. Today we just want to say thank you for C3 Church here in Edmonton. Pastors Rob and Leanne DeVries and their whole team. And God, they're in such a beautiful season of asking questions about how to continue in the mission of Jesus, how to build forward for future seasons, how to continue to be a safe room to reach lost people in Jesus' name. And so we thank you for them today in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. Amen. Grab your seats. On your seats is one of these invites for next week, for next weekend. On one side is a Good Friday and all the details for we're doing a worship and communion service on Good Friday at 1030 in the morning. [00:59:57] (51 seconds)
And then you're all invited to join us on Easter Sunday. Three services, 9, 1045, and 1230 as we celebrate Easter together next week. Take this with you. Leave it in your cup holder. And maybe you just like are going through a drive -thru and feel led to invite somebody to join you at church. You're like, oh, I could never do that. Maybe you could. And you just haven't had the faith to even wonder if you could. I don't know. I just think people are desperately searching for hope right now in our world. And we unapologetically continue to champion that hope has a name. It's Jesus. And we don't have to be ashamed of that or apologize for that. We just get to invite people to encounter the love of the Father. [01:01:47] (40 seconds)
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