First Methodist Lake City FL October 19, 2025 Worship Service

Devotional

Day 1: Remembering Your Baptism—A Foundation for New Life

Baptism is not just a ceremony or a memory of water and words, but a living reminder that God has chosen you, called you, and set you apart for His purposes. Whether you remember the day or not, what matters is that you remember you are baptized—marked by God’s grace, welcomed into His family, and invited to live a new life in Christ. Just as Paul recounted his own baptism as the turning point of his story, you are invited to remember that your identity and calling begin with God’s work in you, not your own efforts. Let this truth shape how you see yourself and how you share your story with others. [31:01]

Acts 22:11-16 (NIV)
“My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me. A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I was able to see him. Then he said: ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’”

Reflection: In what ways can you remember and celebrate your baptism today—not just as a past event, but as a living reality shaping your identity and purpose?

Day 2: God Welcomes You—Even When You’re Worn Out

There are days when simply showing up feels like all you can do, when you are tired, stressed, or running on empty. Yet God delights in your presence and welcomes you just as you are, with nothing more to offer than your weary self. He draws near to the broken, the exhausted, and the hurting, promising to meet you with grace and acceptance. You don’t have to have it all together; just coming to Him is enough, and He honors your effort to seek Him, no matter how small it may feel. [10:43]

Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Reflection: When you feel like you have nothing left to give, how can you intentionally draw near to God and trust that He welcomes you just as you are?

Day 3: Faith Is More Than Minimum Requirements—It’s a Relationship

It’s easy to slip into thinking about faith as a checklist or to ask, “What’s the least I can do and still be saved?” But God’s desire is not for you to hover around the minimum, but to grow in relationship with Him. Just as a healthy marriage isn’t about doing the bare minimum, your walk with God is about seeking to love Him more, to grow, and to serve with joy. God requires very little to start, but He calls you to continual growth, moving beyond the question of “what’s required” to “how can I give my all?” [40:38]

Micah 6:6-8 (NIV)
“With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Reflection: Where in your faith journey have you settled for “just enough,” and what would it look like to pursue a deeper relationship with God today?

Day 4: Church Membership—Belonging and Growing Together

Being baptized and joining a church is not just about having your name on a list; it’s about committing to a family, serving together, and growing in faith as part of a body. Just as soldiers are placed in units to serve and support one another, church membership means you are not alone—you are called to encourage, help, and hold each other accountable. This is where you find strength, purpose, and the opportunity to serve God alongside others, knowing that you are part of something bigger than yourself. [44:19]

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (NIV)
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.”

Reflection: How can you actively encourage, support, or serve someone in your church family this week as a way of living out your membership in the body of Christ?

Day 5: Living the Kingdom—Praying and Working for God’s Will

Jesus taught us to pray for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. This is not a passive prayer, but an invitation to participate in God’s work—bringing His presence, peace, and justice into every part of your life and community. Each day, you are called to be a witness, to forgive, to serve, and to help make God’s kingdom visible in your home, your conversations, and your actions. Salvation is not just a future hope, but a present reality to be lived out now. [47:34]

Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)
“This, then, is how you should pray:
‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’”

Reflection: What is one specific way you can help make God’s kingdom more visible in your home, workplace, or community today?

Sermon Summary

Today is a day of celebration and welcome, as we embrace new members into our church family and witness the sacred act of baptism and reaffirmation of faith. In the midst of our busy, weary lives, God meets us right where we are—sometimes just making it to worship is a victory in itself. God delights in our presence, not in our perfection or our performance. We are reminded that when we come to Him, even with empty hands and tired hearts, He draws near to us, offering comfort, healing, and transformation.

Reflecting on Paul’s testimony in Acts 22, we see the power of remembering our own story of faith. Paul never missed an opportunity to share how Christ changed his life, and his baptism was the foundation for everything that followed. Remembering our baptism is not about recalling the details of a ceremony, but about remembering that we belong to God, that we are marked by His grace, and that we are called to live as His people. Whether baptized as infants or adults, the important thing is not the memory of the event, but the reality of God’s claim on our lives.

Baptism is a physical sign of a spiritual reality—it celebrates what God is already doing in us. It is not about the right words or the perfect ritual, but about God’s ongoing work of salvation and transformation. In the same way, church membership is not about meeting a minimum set of requirements, but about joining a family, a body, a team that serves and grows together. The question is not, “What is the least I can do to be part of this?” but, “How can I give my all to God and to this community?”

God calls us not to settle for the bare minimum, but to grow, to serve, and to love with all that we are. Just as we expect our children to grow and mature, God expects us to grow in faith and commitment. Church membership is not a static status, but an active relationship—an enlistment in God’s mission alongside others. Today, as we witness baptism and reaffirmation, we are all invited to remember our own vows, to re-enlist in God’s service, and to renew our commitment to live as Christ’s representatives in the world. The kingdom of God is not just a future hope, but a present reality we are called to embody, together, every day.

Key Takeaways

1. God Welcomes Us in Our Weakness Sometimes, simply showing up is an act of faith. God does not require us to have it all together before we come to Him; He delights in our presence, even when we are weary and empty. In our exhaustion and brokenness, God draws near, offering comfort and transformation, reminding us that His grace is sufficient for every season of life. [10:43]
2. Remembering Baptism Is Remembering Identity, Not Ceremony The significance of baptism is not in recalling the details of the event, but in remembering that we are claimed by God. Whether we remember the day or not, what matters is that we live in the reality of being God’s beloved, marked by His grace, and called to a new way of life. This identity shapes our story and our witness to the world. [33:42]
3. Baptism Celebrates God’s Work, Not Our Performance Baptism is a physical sign of a spiritual truth—it does not cause God’s work in us, but celebrates what He is already doing. The focus is not on the right words or rituals, but on the reality of God’s transforming grace. We are invited to remember and rejoice in the ongoing work of salvation in our lives, not to get lost in debates over details. [36:45]
4. Faith Is About Growth, Not Minimum Requirements The question of “What is the least I can do?” misses the heart of faith. God calls us to grow, to mature, and to give ourselves fully to Him and to His people. Just as we expect growth from our children, God expects us to move beyond the minimum and to pursue the fullness of life and service in His kingdom. [40:38]
5. Church Membership Is a Commitment to Community and Mission Joining the church is not just a formality, but a commitment to serve, grow, and fight alongside others in God’s mission. It is about being part of a family, supporting and being supported, holding each other accountable, and working together to bring God’s kingdom to earth. We are called to re-enlist, to renew our vows, and to live out our faith in active partnership with one another.

** [44:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[09:32] - Celebrating New Members and Baptism
[10:43] - Prayer for the Weary and Hurting
[12:23] - The Lord’s Prayer and Worship
[26:04] - Giving and Gratitude
[29:37] - Scripture Reading: Acts 22
[31:41] - Paul’s Testimony and the Power of Story
[33:42] - Remembering Baptism: Identity Over Ceremony
[36:45] - The Meaning of Baptism
[38:05] - Requirements for Baptism and Membership
[40:38] - Faith, Growth, and Avoiding the Minimum
[44:19] - Church Membership as Family and Mission
[46:13] - Re-enlisting in God’s Service
[49:31] - Introducing the McCants Family
[52:42] - Baptism and Reaffirmation Prayers
[55:14] - Membership Vows and Commitment
[56:45] - Remembering Your Vows and Invitation
[60:28] - Certificates and Closing
[61:08] - Final Prayer and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 22:11-16 (NIV) — 11 My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.
12 A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there.
13 He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I was able to see him.
14 “Then he said: ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth.
15 You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard.
16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’

Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV) – The Lord’s Prayer — 9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

Observation Questions

In Acts 22, what role does Ananias play in Paul’s story, and what does he tell Paul to do after regaining his sight?
According to the sermon, what is the main thing we are supposed to remember about our baptism? Is it the details of the event, or something else? [[33:42]]
What does the pastor say about God’s attitude toward us when we come to worship tired, empty, or struggling? [[10:43]]
In the Lord’s Prayer, what are some of the things Jesus teaches us to pray for, and how does the pastor connect this to our daily lives? [[47:34]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul shares his story of baptism and transformation so often? What does this say about the importance of remembering our own faith story? [[31:41]]
The pastor says that remembering our baptism is about remembering our identity as God’s beloved, not the ceremony itself. How might this understanding change the way someone lives out their faith? [[33:42]]
The sermon compares church membership to joining a family or an army. What does this analogy suggest about the kind of commitment and relationship God wants from us in the church? [[44:19]]
The pastor warns against asking, “What is the least I can do?” in our faith. Why is this mindset a problem, and what does God actually desire from us? [[40:38]]

Application Questions

The pastor said that sometimes just showing up to worship is a victory, and God delights in our presence even when we feel empty. Can you share a time when you felt like you had nothing to give, but still came to God or church? How did God meet you in that moment? [[10:43]]
When you think about your own baptism (or the idea of baptism if you don’t remember it), what does it mean to you that you are “marked by God’s grace” and belong to Him? How does this shape your daily choices? [[33:42]]
The sermon challenges us not to settle for the bare minimum in our faith or church involvement. Are there areas in your spiritual life or church participation where you have been “doing the least”? What would it look like to take a step toward giving your all? [[40:38]]
Church membership was described as joining a family and a team on a mission. In what ways are you actively supporting, encouraging, or serving others in this church family? Is there a new way you feel called to get involved? [[44:19]]
The pastor invited everyone to “re-enlist” in God’s service and to remember their vows. What is one specific way you can renew your commitment to God and this church community this week? [[46:13]]
The Lord’s Prayer asks for God’s kingdom to come “on earth as it is in heaven.” What is one practical way you can help bring God’s kingdom into your home, workplace, or neighborhood this week? [[47:34]]
The sermon mentioned that God expects us to grow in faith, just as we expect children to grow. What is one area of your faith where you want to see growth? What step can you take to pursue that growth this month? [[41:27]]

Sermon Clips

``He took every opportunity he could to tell his story. I've told you before that his story is just like your story. And it's not that complicated to tell when you break it down into three parts. Here is your story and my story and Paul's story in a nutshell. I was. Then there was Jesus. And now I am. [00:31:45] (27 seconds) #TellYourStoryBoldly

You know the problem with it? It makes it witchcraft. Because now we're saying if you just say the right words. If you just say the right words in the physical. Then something spiritual will happen. That's not what baptism is. [00:35:56] (18 seconds) #BaptismIsNotMagic

Baptism is a physical picture of something that's already happening in the spiritual. Baptism doesn't cause it to happen. Baptism celebrates that it is happening. That God is at work in our lives. [00:36:34] (18 seconds) #CelebrateSpiritualWork

Now I should be thinking. What's the most that I can do? Not what is the least that the Lord requires of me. Because here's the deal. The Lord requires very little of you. For you to start. However. He requires that you grow. [00:40:30] (18 seconds) #FaithIsRelationship

Looking at what the Lord requires of us. And asking that question of. What's the least that I can do and still be saved? Often times people will ask me. Well can a Christian do this? Well can a Christian do that? And what they're asking is. Can I do everything that I want to do? And sacrifice nothing? And still be in the club? And I think we've twisted things. And made it about an entry point. Rather than a relationship. [00:41:30] (33 seconds) #PlugInAndGrow

That's the relationship of church membership. To baptism. Now, you're part of the family. When you start coming to this church, if you are a visitor, we believe you are family. Day one. All you're doing with membership is you're saying you agree. That you're family. We've decided on day one we're going to count you as family. Now you're saying, yep, you're right. And we're going to do battle as family. [00:44:15] (27 seconds) #LiveKingdomNow

Forget what you think the minimum requirements of faith are. And instead, see this as a relationship with God. And that we are excited to do all that we can to love God, to forward His kingdom here on earth. [00:47:11] (24 seconds) #BringHeavenHere

And you're praying for God's kingdom to come here in Lake City, just as it is in the kingdom of heaven. And so we set out to do that in every conversation, in every environment, that God's kingdom would come, that God's presence would be known, in our household, around the dinner table. In this conversation and in that conversation. In all that we say and do. [00:48:06] (28 seconds)

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