Embracing Transformation: The Power of Baptism

 

Summary

Baptism is a profound and transformative experience that tells a story of spiritual rebirth and commitment to Christ. Today, we celebrate over 120 individuals who have chosen to be baptized, marking a significant milestone in their spiritual journey. Baptism is not merely a ritual; it is a powerful symbol of transformation, representing the transition from a life of darkness to one of light, from self-centered living to a life centered on Christ. My own baptism story from 1989 serves as a testament to the life-changing power of truly understanding and embracing the teachings of Christ. It was under the guidance of Pastor Randy Goldenberg that my understanding of Christ and His Word came alive, leading to a genuine transformation in my life.

The act of baptism is not a requirement for salvation, but it is a significant step in the journey of faith. Salvation, as described in the New Testament, is about being rescued, healed, and delivered from the darkness of sin and brought into the light of Christ. It is about a deep, personal trust in Jesus, our Creator, who demonstrated His love and trustworthiness by dying on the cross for us. Baptism is a public declaration of this trust and a celebration of the new life that begins when we choose to follow Christ.

Jesus emphasized the importance of baptism in His final instructions to His followers, urging them to make disciples and baptize them. This act tells the story of being called out of darkness into His marvelous light, symbolizing the death of the old self and the birth of a new person in Christ. It is a ceremony that marks the moment between what was and what is to come, much like a graduation or a wedding.

For those being baptized today, I encourage you to live loved, stay connected to Christ and His people, and treasure God's Word. These practices will help you grow in your relationship with Christ and shape the story of your life. For those who have already been baptized, today can be a new beginning, an opportunity to recommit to growing in grace and knowledge of the Lord. If you feel called to be baptized today, it's not too late to tell your story and step into the light of Christ.

Key Takeaways:

1. Baptism as a Story of Transformation: Baptism symbolizes the profound transformation from a life of darkness to one of light, marking the death of the old self and the birth of a new person in Christ. It is a public declaration of trust in Jesus and a celebration of new life. [47:19]

2. Salvation Beyond the Afterlife: Salvation is not just about the afterlife; it is about being rescued and healed from the darkness of sin in our present lives. It involves a deep trust in Jesus, who demonstrated His love through His sacrifice on the cross. [49:57]

3. The Importance of Baptism: While baptism is not a requirement for salvation, it is a significant step in the journey of faith. Jesus emphasized its importance, as it tells the story of being called out of darkness into His marvelous light. [53:00]

4. Living a Life of Trust and Growth: After baptism, the journey continues with a commitment to live loved, stay connected to Christ and His people, and treasure God's Word. These practices help shape the story of our lives and deepen our relationship with Christ. [58:57]

5. A New Beginning for All: Whether newly baptized or long-time believers, today can be a new beginning. It's an opportunity to recommit to growing in grace and knowledge of the Lord, reshaping the story of our lives in the light of Christ. [01:02:42]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Celebrating Baptism
- [02:00] - My Baptism Story
- [05:00] - Understanding Salvation
- [08:00] - The Meaning of Baptism
- [11:00] - Jesus' Final Instructions
- [14:00] - Baptism as a Ceremony
- [17:00] - Living Loved
- [20:00] - Staying Connected
- [23:00] - Treasuring God's Word
- [26:00] - A New Beginning
- [29:00] - Invitation to Baptism
- [32:00] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Colossians 1:13 - "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves."
2. Acts 16:31 - "They replied, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.'"
3. Matthew 28:19-20 - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does the act of baptism symbolize according to the sermon? [53:00]
2. How does the sermon describe the concept of salvation beyond just the afterlife? [49:57]
3. What are the key elements that Jesus emphasized in His final instructions to His followers? [53:00]
4. How does the pastor describe his personal experience with baptism and its significance in his life? [47:19]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the sermon explain the relationship between baptism and salvation? Why is baptism still considered important even if it is not required for salvation? [49:57]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that baptism is similar to other ceremonies like graduations or weddings? [56:46]
3. What does it mean to be "rescued from the dominion of darkness" as mentioned in Colossians 1:13, and how does this relate to the concept of baptism? [47:19]
4. How does the sermon encourage believers to continue growing in their faith after baptism? [58:57]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own baptism experience or your understanding of baptism. How has it marked a transformation in your life, or how do you hope it will? [47:19]
2. The sermon emphasizes living a life of trust and growth after baptism. What specific steps can you take to stay connected to Christ and His people this week? [58:57]
3. Consider the idea of salvation as being rescued and healed in the present. How can this understanding change the way you approach your daily life and challenges? [49:57]
4. Jesus instructed His followers to make disciples and baptize them. How can you participate in this mission in your community or personal relationships? [53:00]
5. The pastor shared that baptism is a public declaration of trust in Jesus. How can you publicly demonstrate your faith in your everyday actions and decisions? [53:00]
6. For those who have already been baptized, the sermon suggests today can be a new beginning. What areas of your spiritual life do you feel called to recommit to or grow in? [01:02:42]
7. The sermon encourages treasuring God's Word. What is one practical way you can incorporate more of God's Word into your daily routine? [58:57]

Devotional

Day 1: Transformation Through Baptism
Baptism is a profound symbol of transformation, representing the transition from a life of darkness to one of light, and the death of the old self to the birth of a new person in Christ. It is a public declaration of trust in Jesus and a celebration of new life. This act of faith is not just a ritual but a powerful testament to the life-changing power of embracing Christ's teachings. As individuals step into the waters of baptism, they are making a commitment to live a life centered on Christ, leaving behind self-centered living. This transformation is a journey that begins with a single step of faith, symbolized by baptism, and continues as one grows in their relationship with Christ. [47:19]

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." (Ephesians 5:8, ESV)

Reflection: What areas of your life still feel like they are in darkness? How can you invite Christ's light into those areas today?


Day 2: Salvation in the Present
Salvation is not solely about the afterlife; it is about being rescued and healed from the darkness of sin in our present lives. It involves a deep trust in Jesus, who demonstrated His love through His sacrifice on the cross. This salvation is a present reality that transforms our daily lives, offering healing and deliverance from sin's grip. By trusting in Jesus, we experience a profound change that impacts how we live, think, and interact with others. This trust is not passive but active, calling us to live out our faith in tangible ways that reflect the love and grace of Christ. [49:57]

"He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13-14, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you actively trust Jesus with your current struggles and challenges today?


Day 3: The Significance of Baptism
While baptism is not a requirement for salvation, it is a significant step in the journey of faith. Jesus emphasized its importance, as it tells the story of being called out of darkness into His marvelous light. Baptism is a public declaration of one's faith and a celebration of the new life that begins when we choose to follow Christ. It is a moment of commitment and transformation, marking the transition from the old self to a new life in Christ. This act of obedience is a powerful testimony to the world of the change that has taken place within. [53:00]

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19, ESV)

Reflection: How can you publicly declare your faith in your daily life, even if you have already been baptized?


Day 4: Living a Life of Trust and Growth
After baptism, the journey continues with a commitment to live loved, stay connected to Christ and His people, and treasure God's Word. These practices help shape the story of our lives and deepen our relationship with Christ. Living loved means embracing the identity of being God's beloved child and allowing that love to transform how we interact with others. Staying connected to Christ and His community provides the support and encouragement needed to grow in faith. Treasuring God's Word involves making it a central part of our daily lives, allowing it to guide and shape our decisions and actions. [58:57]

"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." (Colossians 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to stay connected to Christ and His community?


Day 5: A New Beginning for All
Whether newly baptized or long-time believers, today can be a new beginning. It's an opportunity to recommit to growing in grace and knowledge of the Lord, reshaping the story of our lives in the light of Christ. This new beginning is not limited to a single moment but is an ongoing journey of transformation and growth. It is a call to continually seek God's presence, allowing His grace to shape and mold us into the people He created us to be. This journey requires intentionality and a willingness to let go of the past, embracing the new life that Christ offers. [01:02:42]

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need a fresh start? How can you invite Christ into that area for renewal today?

Quotes

"Baptism, it tells a story. And that's what we're going to unpack for a few minutes here. But what I want to do is I want to start with my baptism story. I think the year was 1989 when I was baptized. I was actually a teacher, middle school teacher at the time. And a fellow teacher had invited me to the church he was attending, this little Baptist church in Middletown, Maryland. And, folks, I had never been exposed to the kind of teaching of the Word of God that I experienced there in that church by this little pastor named Randy Goldenberg." [00:41:59] (34 seconds)


"But it was under Pastor Randy's teaching of the Word of God that my understanding of Christ, my understanding of His Word, and what it really meant to authentically trust and follow Christ, it just came alive for me. And, folks, I was dramatically changed. My life was changed. The word we used for that is transformation, true transformation took place in me and in my life. So, when I learned about baptism under His teaching and what it represented, I was like, oh, man, sign me up. Sign me up." [00:43:33] (34 seconds)


"Now, I think that seems like a really good place for us to start in understanding what baptism is all about. I mean, let's ask the question, do I have to get baptized in order to be saved? Well, let's talk about that word saved for a moment. You see, many people think that saved, all it is, it's just talking about what happens after you die. If you're saved, the elevator goes up, great place called heaven. If you're not saved, the elevator's going down into a not-so-pleasant place. But, folks, the word saved, it means so much more than that." [00:46:32] (35 seconds)


"The New Testament scriptures, they were written in Greek. And the original Greek word was this word called sozo. And for saved, what it meant was to be delivered, to be rescued, to be healed. Now, those are some really powerful words, aren't they? So, you see, salvation, it's about far more than just getting to go to heaven one day after I die. Salvation is about being healed. It's about being rescued." [00:48:14] (29 seconds)


"You see, before you and I come to trust in Christ, our thinking and our reasoning are in darkness because we're apart from Christ, our creator, the one who made us. And because of that, we don't know who we are. We don't know why it is that we're here, what our real purpose is on this earth. Because we are in darkness, we don't see, we don't understand." [00:47:50] (24 seconds)


"So to be saved is to be rescued from a life of darkness, a life in darkness, both now and for all eternity. And that's why the disciple Peter, he wrote this in the New Testament Scriptures. He says, he called you out of the darkness into his marvelous light. So if that's what it means to be saved then, then there's still that question, how then does a person get saved? Is it still through this act of baptism somehow that it magically happens?" [00:49:25] (32 seconds)


"With the apostle Paul, he couldn't lay it out more clear and simply for us in the book of Acts, chapter 16. He was asked this question, what must I do to be saved? Wait, and he gives the very clear answer, put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. There it is. There's no other way to be saved from the darkness than to turn to Christ and to trust in him, our creator." [00:49:57] (28 seconds)


"So this baptizing thing seems pretty important to Jesus, right? If in his final words, he makes sure, he says, make disciples and then baptize them. Why is that? Why? Well, I think it's because baptism tells a story. And it's a story that Jesus wants told. What story is that? It's the story of you and me being called out of the darkness and into his marvelous light." [00:51:46] (29 seconds)


"The moment our trust in our creator's restore, we are a brand new person. A new person is just born. Our old way of thinking and living that was in darkness, that's gone. That person is dead now. And a whole new person has been born. A new life has begun that is built on our trust in Christ, our creator." [00:52:38] (23 seconds)


"And you see, when you're baptized, we take you and we lay you back into the water. And it's symbolizing, it's representing, showing the story, telling the story of how the old you is being buried. Because the old you that lived in darkness, it's dead and gone. That you is gone. And then we bring you up out of the water to show that a new you has now been resurrected to a new life where you're going to live every day now trusting in Christ, your creator. Baptism tells a story, and it's a story that Jesus once told." [00:53:28] (38 seconds)


"So, to those being baptized today, I want to encourage you. I just, I want to leave you with some simple things that can help you to begin to grow and shape your story for what is to come after today. So, first, I want to encourage you in this. I want to encourage you to live loved. 1 John 3 says, see what great love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God." [00:59:24] (30 seconds)


"Now, for those of you here today, you've already been baptized in your life at some point. I have a question for you. Does this describe you since your baptism? I mean, since your baptism, has the story of your life been one of growing in your relationship with Christ? Growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Living loved. Staying connected. Treasuring God's word." [01:03:04] (28 seconds)


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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?