Embracing Truth and Community Through Baptism

Devotional

Day 1: Baptism as a Divine Gift

Baptism is a profound act of love and obedience to Jesus' command to make disciples and baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is a reminder that none of us earned our baptism; it is a gift from God, marking us as His own forever. This sacrament is a miracle that connects us to a divine family, a community that vows to support and love one another. Baptism signifies our identity in Christ and our inclusion in the body of believers, a community that stands together in faith and love. [17:43]

1 Peter 3:21-22 (ESV): "Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him."

Reflection: Reflect on your own baptism or the concept of baptism. How does knowing that it is a gift from God, rather than something earned, change your perspective on your identity in Christ and your role in the community of believers?

Day 2: Jesus as the Ultimate Truth

In a world filled with misinformation and exaggerated claims, Jesus' declaration, "I am the way, the truth, and the life," stands as a beacon of clarity. Truth is not just a set of facts but a person—Jesus Himself. This truth is definitive and not an option among many. Jesus' teachings provide a foundation for understanding and navigating the complexities of life. His truth is a guiding light that helps us discern what is real and what is false, offering us a stable ground in a world of shifting sands. [41:13]

John 18:37-38 (ESV): "Then Pilate said to him, 'So you are a king?' Jesus answered, 'You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.' Pilate said to him, 'What is truth?'"

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to discern the truth? How can you actively seek Jesus' guidance to find clarity and truth in those areas today?

Day 3: Navigating Faith and Politics

Jesus' teachings influence our actions and decisions in the political realm. We are called to seek clarity and measure everything against His teachings. This helps us navigate the complexities of life with less anxiety and more faith, knowing that God's truth is relevant to all aspects of life. By aligning our political decisions with the teachings of Jesus, we can act with integrity and faithfulness, contributing to a society that reflects God's love and justice. [30:28]

Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Reflection: Think about a recent political decision or opinion you hold. How does it align with the teachings of Jesus? What steps can you take to ensure your political actions reflect your faith?

Day 4: Testing the Spirits

In a world of deceit and false promises, we are encouraged to test the spirits and look to the wake of actions to discern the truth. This involves comparing claims against the teachings of Jesus and the consistent actions of those who follow Him. By doing so, we can avoid being misled and stay grounded in the truth that Jesus embodies. This practice of discernment is crucial in maintaining our spiritual integrity and ensuring that our beliefs and actions are aligned with God's will. [47:11]

1 John 4:1 (ESV): "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."

Reflection: Consider a situation where you need to discern the truth. What criteria will you use to test the spirits and ensure that your decision aligns with the teachings of Jesus?

Day 5: Community and Prayer

The importance of community and prayer cannot be overstated. We are called to support one another, especially those in leadership roles like our new youth director, Henry. Prayer is a powerful tool that connects us to God's will and helps us support each other in our spiritual journeys. By praying for one another and fostering a strong sense of community, we can grow together in faith and love, reflecting the unity and support that God desires for His people. [59:59]

James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

Reflection: Think of someone in your church community who is in a leadership role. How can you support them through prayer and encouragement this week? What specific prayers can you offer for their wisdom, courage, and guidance?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to celebrate the baptism of Henry Eugene, a child of God, a child of prayer, and a child of grace. Baptism is a profound act of love and obedience to Jesus' command to make disciples and baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is a reminder that none of us earned our baptism; it is a gift from God, marking us as His own forever. This sacrament is a miracle that connects us to a divine family, a community that vows to support and love one another.

We also delved into the intersection of faith and politics, exploring how Jesus' teachings influence our actions and decisions in this realm. The focus was on the gift of truth, a concept that is increasingly challenged in today's world of misinformation and exaggerated claims. Jesus declared, "I am the way, the truth, and the life," emphasizing that truth is not just a set of facts but a person—Jesus Himself. This truth is not an option among many but the definitive path to God.

In a world filled with deceit and false promises, we are called to seek clarity and measure everything against the teachings of Jesus. The truth found in Him is relevant to all aspects of life, including our political decisions. We are encouraged to test the spirits and look to the wake of actions to discern the truth. This clarity helps us navigate the complexities of life with less anxiety and more faith.

As we concluded, we were reminded of the importance of community and prayer, especially for our new youth director, Henry. We prayed for his wisdom, courage, and the ability to lead our youth in truth. The service ended with a call to live freely and courageously, holding fast to what is good and honoring all people, as we are all children of the King.

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Key Takeaways

1. Baptism as a Divine Gift: Baptism is not something we earn; it is a gift from God that marks us as His own forever. It is a profound act of love and obedience to Jesus' command, connecting us to a divine family and a community that vows to support and love one another. [17:43]
2. Jesus as the Ultimate Truth: In a world filled with misinformation and exaggerated claims, Jesus' declaration, "I am the way, the truth, and the life," stands as a beacon of clarity. Truth is not just a set of facts but a person—Jesus Himself. This truth is definitive and not an option among many. [41:13]
3. Navigating Faith and Politics: Jesus' teachings influence our actions and decisions in the political realm. We are called to seek clarity and measure everything against His teachings. This helps us navigate the complexities of life with less anxiety and more faith, knowing that God's truth is relevant to all aspects of life. [30:28]
4. Testing the Spirits: In a world of deceit and false promises, we are encouraged to test the spirits and look to the wake of actions to discern the truth. This involves comparing claims against the teachings of Jesus and the consistent actions of those who follow Him. [47:11]
5. Community and Prayer: The importance of community and prayer cannot be overstated. We are called to support one another, especially those in leadership roles like our new youth director, Henry. Prayer is a powerful tool that connects us to God's will and helps us support each other in our spiritual journeys. [59:59]
### [59:59]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[17:43] - Introduction to Baptism
[18:32] - The Miracle of Baptism
[19:28] - Jesus' Command to Baptize
[20:22] - Vows and Community Support
[21:51] - Prayer for the Holy Spirit
[23:43] - Baptism of Henry Eugene
[25:12] - Reminder of Our Identity in Christ
[26:34] - Children's Programming Announcement
[28:20] - God's Tactile Embrace
[29:24] - Intersection of Faith and Politics
[30:28] - God's Presence in Our Decisions
[31:29] - The Gift of Clarity
[32:33] - The Gift of Truth
[33:38] - The Challenge of Truth in Today's World
[35:44] - The Reality of Deceit
[37:52] - Post-Truth World
[38:58] - Jesus' Declaration of Truth
[41:13] - Jesus as The Way, The Truth, and The Life
[42:20] - Truth as a Person
[43:34] - The Relevance of God's Truth
[44:44] - God's Word on Modern Issues
[45:57] - Historical Examples of Truth
[47:11] - Testing the Spirits
[48:38] - Measuring Truth
[50:05] - The Eternal Truth of Our Identity
[51:48] - Closing Prayer
[53:02] - Introduction of New Youth Director
[59:59] - Prayer for the Youth Director
[68:15] - Benediction and Sending Forth

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Jesus command His disciples to do in Matthew 28:18-20?
According to John 14:6, how does Jesus describe Himself in relation to truth?
In 1 John 4:1, what are believers instructed to do regarding the spirits they encounter?

Interpretation Questions

How does the act of baptism connect us to a divine family and community, as mentioned in the sermon? [18:32]
What does it mean for Jesus to be "the way, the truth, and the life" in the context of today's world filled with misinformation? [41:13]
How can we practically "test the spirits" in our daily lives to discern the truth, as encouraged in the sermon? [47:11]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own baptism or the concept of baptism. How does understanding it as a divine gift change your perspective on your identity in Christ? [25:12]
In what ways can you seek clarity and measure your political decisions against the teachings of Jesus? How might this reduce your anxiety about current events? [30:28]
Think of a recent situation where you encountered misinformation. How did you handle it, and how might you apply the principle of "testing the spirits" in the future? [47:11]
How can you support and pray for leaders in your church, like the new youth director Henry, to ensure they lead with wisdom and courage? [59:59]
Jesus' declaration that He is "the way, the truth, and the life" is a bold statement. How does this truth influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? [41:13]
The sermon emphasized the importance of community and prayer. How can you actively contribute to building a supportive and loving community within your church? [59:59]
Identify one area in your life where you need more clarity. What steps can you take this week to seek that clarity through prayer and reflection on Jesus' teachings? [32:33]

Sermon Clips

1. "So anyway, I love, I love a baptism and sometimes I can get really, well, kind of choked up about it because none of us earned our baptism. God chose us and it's a beautiful, beautiful thing because it's all based in love. And in baptism we get our new name, child of God, child of the King, blessed of the most high God. You're actually, me too, Jane too, we're part of a miracle here." [18:32] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "And don't forget, I am with you even to the end of the age, I will never, never leave you. And so obeying his command, we get together and as a community, we baptize. And so at one point, look at this. A little later on, Jane's gonna ask y'all a question. And so in our tradition, we don't have godparents. And the reason is because we don't need them because you guys, all of you, think about that. All of them are godparents." [19:28] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Henry Eugene, you are a child. A child of God. A child of the King marked as his own forever. You know, this world will tell him he is not all that special. That's why we need you. Right? Remind each other every single day that those around you are children of the King. Image bearers of God. And this little guy, he's going to need you. To say, don't you ever forget you're a child of the King." [25:12] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "I believe you should see it. And Henry should feel it. There's warm water. It wasn't cold. It wasn't out of a drinking fountain. And it's just like what God does. He embraces us in tactile ways. In ways we can sense. And I hope he's doing that right now for you. He knows exactly what's going on in your life. He knows what you need this morning. He knows it all. And he invites you to hear and to consider and to experience all he is." [28:20] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Jesus said, I came to bear witness to the truth. And those who belong to the truth know my voice. And Pilate said, like the patron saint of today, what is truth? What is truth? Like the patron cynic of today. And I think we identify more with Pilate in today's age than we do with Jesus, our Lord and Savior." [38:58] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Jesus said to him, you know, who him is, is Thomas. Thomas, Jesus said, this is last supper time. He's talking to his disciples. And he says, I won't be with you very much longer. But you know the way where I'm going. And Thomas says, we don't know the way. Don't you love Thomas? Because he has a question we'd like to ask. And Jesus forgets everybody else. And he looks at Thomas. I'm looking at you, Harrison. He looks at Thomas and says, Thomas, I am the way, the truth, and the life." [41:13] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Jesus has clarity whether we do or not. He is not an option among many. He is the one and only true and living way. Among all the voices, among all the noise, he is the truth. And of all the promises of life and meaning, he is the one that is constantly fulfilled. I also notice that he doesn't say, I make a way. Or, I guide you into the truth. Or, I create life. He says, I am these things. I am truth." [42:20] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "We are not about ideas here. We're about truth. And I don't want to settle for anything less. And I don't want you to settle for anything less. Jesus says, I am the way. I am the truth. I am the life. Just where are you getting your way, your truth, your life? I'd suggest Jesus. I've never known him to lie." [51:48] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Go forth into God's world in peace. Be alive. Be of good courage. Hold fast to what is good. Return no one evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted. Support the weak. Help the afflicted. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord. Rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. May you know the truth. And may that truth set you free. You are a child of the King. Live. Live as though you believed that. And may you know the blessings of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, both now and forever. Amen." [01:09:01] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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