Going All-In: Committing to Faith and Baptism

 

Summary

In my sermon, I began by discussing the concept of a "situationship" in the context of our relationship with God. I challenged the congregation to consider whether they were truly all-in with Jesus or if they were merely in a limbo state, attending church and doing all the right things without fully committing to Him. I emphasized the importance of not living a compartmentalized life where one's faith is only evident on Sundays.

I then transitioned to the importance of going public with one's faith through the act of water baptism. I likened baptism to a wedding ring, a public declaration of a personal decision. I stressed that baptism does not make one a Christian but is a symbolic act that represents the internal commitment one has made to follow Jesus.

I took the congregation on a journey through the Bible, starting with Joshua, who led the Israelites into the Promised Land. I pointed out that despite living in the land God promised them, the Israelites were not living the promised life because they had drifted away from God. I explained that relationships, including our relationship with God, require intentionality and that we never drift towards anything that matters.

I recounted the story of King David, who, at the end of his life, desired to build a temple for God. Despite being denied the opportunity to build it himself, David raised the funds for the temple, which his son Solomon would later construct. I drew a parallel between David's leadership and my own commitment to leading by example in worship, giving, and service.

I spoke about the early church, particularly Peter's transformation after receiving the Holy Spirit. Peter, who had previously denied Jesus, preached boldly and saw thousands come to faith and be baptized. I envisioned a future where our church could experience a similar move of God.

I addressed the issue of sin and forgiveness, explaining that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate atonement for our sins. I clarified that God does not forget our sins but chooses not to remember them, freeing us from guilt and shame.

I concluded the sermon by inviting those who had not been baptized since making a personal decision to follow Jesus to take the step of baptism. I called for 60 seconds of courage to go public with their faith, emphasizing the transformative power of baptism as a declaration of death to one's old life and a resurrection to new life in Christ.

Key Takeaways:

1. A genuine relationship with God requires more than just attending church and knowing the right things to do; it demands a full commitment, where our actions align with our faith every day of the week. Just as Joshua led the Israelites to make a definitive choice to serve God, we too must decide to be all-in with Jesus. [08:26]

2. Leadership in faith begins with personal sacrifice and example. Like King David, who gave generously towards the building of the temple, I am committed to leading by example in every aspect of worship and service, ensuring that our actions reflect the glory and majesty of God. [12:27]

3. The power of the Holy Spirit transforms lives, as seen in the transformation of Peter from a man who denied Jesus to one who boldly proclaimed the gospel. This same Spirit empowers us to live boldly for Christ and to witness the miraculous growth of God's kingdom. [16:34]

4. The new covenant through Jesus Christ offers us complete forgiveness and a fresh start. God's promise is not to forget our sins but to actively choose not to remember them, allowing us to live free from the burden of our past mistakes and to embrace a new identity in Him. [25:03]

5. Baptism is a powerful, symbolic act that signifies the burial of our old life and the resurrection to a new life in Christ. It is a public declaration that solidifies our personal decision to follow Jesus and should be an experience every believer has after coming to faith. [30:15]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Joshua 24:15 - "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
2. Acts 2:38-41 - "Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.' With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, 'Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.' Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day."
3. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Joshua challenge the Israelites to do in Joshua 24:15, and how does he lead by example?
2. In Acts 2:38-41, what are the steps Peter outlines for the people to take after hearing his message?
3. According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, what happens to a person who is in Christ?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Joshua emphasize the need to choose whom to serve "this day"? How does this urgency relate to our daily commitment to God? [08:26]
2. How does Peter’s transformation after receiving the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 illustrate the power of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life? [16:34]
3. What does it mean to be a "new creation" in Christ according to 2 Corinthians 5:17, and how does this concept challenge our understanding of personal transformation? [21:39]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you feel you are in a "situationship" with God, not fully committed? What steps can you take to go "all-in" with Jesus? [02:46]
2. Have you ever felt like you were living a compartmentalized life, where your faith is only evident on Sundays? What practical changes can you make to ensure your faith is evident every day of the week? [03:21]
3. Baptism is described as a public declaration of a personal decision. If you have not been baptized since making a personal decision to follow Jesus, what is holding you back? How can you find the courage to take this step? [04:59]
4. Consider the story of King David and his commitment to lead by example in worship, giving, and service. How can you lead by example in your own community or family? [12:27]
5. Peter’s boldness after receiving the Holy Spirit led to the conversion of thousands. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to empower you to share your faith more boldly? [16:34]
6. The sermon mentioned that God chooses not to remember our sins, freeing us from guilt and shame. How can this understanding of forgiveness change the way you view your past mistakes and live your life moving forward? [25:03]
7. Reflect on the idea that baptism symbolizes the burial of our old life and the resurrection to a new life in Christ. How does this symbolism resonate with your personal journey of faith? [30:15]

Devotional

Day 1: Commitment Beyond Attendance
True faith is not just a Sunday routine but a daily walk with Christ. It requires a full commitment that permeates every aspect of life, not just the moments spent within the walls of a church. This commitment is akin to the decision Joshua presented to the Israelites: a call to serve God wholeheartedly and without reservation. It's about making a definitive choice to be all-in with Jesus, allowing one's actions to align with their faith every day of the week, not just when it's convenient or visible to others. This level of dedication is what transforms a "situationship" with God into a deep and meaningful relationship. It's about living out one's faith in the mundane as well as the monumental moments, ensuring that every decision and action reflects a heart fully surrendered to God. [08:26]

"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." - Joshua 24:15 (ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Day 2: Leading by Generous Example
Leadership in faith is not about titles or positions; it's about personal sacrifice and setting an example for others to follow. Like King David, who could not build the temple himself but still contributed by raising funds, leadership is about preparing the way for future generations and investing in the kingdom of God with time, resources, and spirit. It's about living a life that reflects the glory and majesty of God in every aspect of worship and service. This commitment to lead by example is a powerful testimony to others and a catalyst for spiritual growth within the community. [12:27]

"Moreover, in addition to all that I have provided for the holy house, I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, and because of my devotion to the house of my God I give it to the house of my God..." - 1 Chronicles 29:3 (ESV)

Reflection: How can you embody the spirit of generosity and leadership in your own life, and what is one specific way you can contribute to the work of God's kingdom this week?

Day 3: Empowered by the Spirit
The transformation of Peter from a man who denied Jesus to one who boldly proclaimed the gospel is a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit. This same Spirit that empowered Peter is available to every believer, enabling them to live boldly for Christ and to witness the miraculous growth of God's kingdom. It's about allowing the Holy Spirit to work within us, transforming our fears into faith and our hesitations into proclamations of the truth. The Spirit empowers believers to step out in courage and to be agents of change in a world that desperately needs the hope of the gospel. [16:34]

"And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:4 (ESV)

Reflection: In what ways might you be resisting the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and how can you open yourself up to His transformative power today?

Day 4: Forgiven and Free
The new covenant through Jesus Christ offers complete forgiveness and a fresh start. God's promise is not to forget our sins but to actively choose not to remember them. This divine act of forgetting frees us from the burden of our past mistakes and allows us to embrace a new identity in Him. It's a profound truth that liberates us from guilt and shame, enabling us to live in the freedom that comes from being fully known and fully loved by God. This freedom is the cornerstone of a life lived in Christ, where every day is an opportunity to experience His grace anew. [25:03]

"I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." - Jeremiah 31:34b (ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a past mistake that you still hold onto. How can you accept God's complete forgiveness and begin to live in the freedom He offers?

Day 5: Baptism as Public Declaration
Baptism is a powerful, symbolic act that signifies the burial of our old life and the resurrection to a new life in Christ. It is a public declaration that solidifies our personal decision to follow Jesus. Just as a wedding ring is a symbol of marital commitment, baptism is an outward sign of an inward grace. It's a step of obedience that every believer is called to take after coming to faith, marking the beginning of a transformed life. This transformative power of baptism is not just a momentary event but a lifelong journey of growing closer to Jesus and living out the reality of the new life He has given. [30:15]

"Therefore we have been buried 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." - Romans 6:4 (ESV)

Reflection: If you have not been baptized since making a personal decision to follow Jesus, what is holding you back from taking this step of faith?

Quotes

1. "Is it possible that some of you are in a situationship but with God? You love Jesus, come to church, feel like Jesus has changed your life and he's made you new, but the truth is you've never really gone all in with Jesus. You know all the right things to do... but then there's the Monday you, and the Monday you doesn't match the Sunday you." [02:46]( | | )

2. "Baptism doesn't make you a Christian, it is what I might call the wedding ring of Christianity... It symbolizes the fact that a commitment has been made in your heart... Baptism is a symbol, it's symbolic something happened in your heart and you are to share it and celebrate it with the world." [05:32]( | | )

3. "Joshua notices that even though the people of God are living in the promised land, they're not living the promised life... because they had slowly drifted away... You never drift towards anything that matters... every key decision and every key relationship in your life is strengthened when you're intentional about pursuing that relationship." [07:33]( | | )

4. "As your pastor, I will never ask you to do something that I don't do first myself... David has this realization that like wait I got to do this, I got to give first... when a person was willing to stop playing games, all the finances and all the supplies came in to build the temple that was built by his son Solomon." [12:27]( | | )

5. "God himself said I remember them no more. What is he saying? I choose when you are in relationship with me, I choose when you've crossed the line of Faith to make this decision to no longer remember your sins. I've put them out of my mind so God is able and willing to forgive you and to not hold your worst sins against you." [25:03]( | | )

6. "When a person gets baptized... it symbolizes a death and a burial, it's the death and burial of their former sinful life... that sinful person is dead, buried, and Gone. What's he going to do now with me? When you come out of the water... you're celebrating the fact that Jesus has made you not better, not improved, but he's made you new in him." [26:13]( | | )

7. "Have you been baptized since you believed? I'm not discrediting a child baptism, but that was a beautiful significant moment for your parents, but baptism is about you. So have you had a meaningful baptism experience since you believed?... It is more than an immersion in water, it is a symbol their former sinful past is dead, buried, and gone." [30:15]( | | )

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Transcript
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