Identifying with Christ: Baptism, Miracles, and Mission
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the profound significance of Jesus' death and resurrection, particularly through the lens of baptism. Baptism symbolizes the believer's identification with Jesus' death and resurrection, signifying a new life under His lordship. We celebrated this through the testimonies and baptisms of Vivian and Serena, who publicly declared their faith in Jesus.
We then delved into the topic of signs and wonders, examining their role in the early church as recorded in the book of Acts. Signs and wonders were prevalent in the ministry of Jesus and continued through His apostles, serving as tangible demonstrations of God's kingdom breaking into our world. These miracles were not just for show but were acts of compassion and mercy, pointing people to Jesus and validating His message.
We discussed the theological debates surrounding the continuation of signs and wonders today. Some believe that miracles ceased with the apostles, while others expect them to be a regular occurrence. However, the balanced view is that miracles occur according to the sovereign will of the Holy Spirit. They are not guaranteed but can happen as God wills, especially in contexts where the gospel is being actively proclaimed and the church is on mission.
We also addressed why miracles seem more prevalent in other parts of the world compared to the West. Factors such as deep wounds and disappointments, a sophisticated bias against the supernatural, and a lack of desperate need for God's intervention due to our resources and technology were considered. Despite these challenges, we were encouraged to pursue Jesus wholeheartedly, believing that as we do, the miraculous will follow.
Finally, we transitioned to communion, reflecting on Jesus' ultimate act of love and sacrifice. Communion serves as a tangible reminder of God's love and the new covenant established through Jesus' broken body and shed blood. We were invited to partake in communion, remembering that the most miraculous work God has done is transforming our hearts and lives through the gospel.
### Key Takeaways
1. Baptism as a Symbol of New Life: Baptism is a profound act of obedience that symbolizes our identification with Jesus' death and resurrection. It signifies that just as Jesus was raised from the dead, we too are raised to walk in newness of life, fully surrendered to His lordship. This act is a beautiful demonstration of the gospel and a public declaration of faith. [18:45]
2. The Role of Signs and Wonders: In the early church, signs and wonders served as tangible demonstrations of God's kingdom breaking into our world. These miracles were acts of compassion and mercy, pointing people to Jesus and validating His message. They were not just supernatural events but were deeply connected to the proclamation of the gospel. [50:05]
3. Theological Debates on Miracles: There is a spectrum of beliefs regarding the continuation of signs and wonders today. Some argue that miracles ceased with the apostles, while others expect them to be a regular occurrence. However, a balanced view recognizes that miracles occur according to the sovereign will of the Holy Spirit, not as a guaranteed outcome but as God wills. [01:04:02]
4. Challenges to Believing in Miracles: In the West, several factors contribute to a lack of expectation for miracles, including deep wounds and disappointments, a sophisticated bias against the supernatural, and a reliance on resources and technology. These challenges can shrink our spiritual imagination and hinder us from asking God for the miraculous. [01:13:33]
5. Pursuing Jesus and the Miraculous: As we wholeheartedly pursue Jesus and His mission, we can expect to see the miraculous follow. The Spirit often acts in miraculous ways when the church is on the cutting edge of evangelism and mission. By focusing on Jesus and His kingdom, we open ourselves to the possibility of experiencing God's supernatural intervention in our lives. [01:20:35]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[18:45] - Vivian's Testimony and Baptism
[47:35] - Introduction to Acts 5
[50:05] - Signs and Wonders in the Early Church
[01:04:02] - Theological Debates on Miracles
[01:13:33] - Challenges to Believing in Miracles
[01:20:35] - Pursuing Jesus and the Miraculous
[01:23:22] - Prayer for Boldness and Miracles
[01:23:53] - Communion
[01:35:13] - Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 5:12-16: "Many signs and wonders were being done among the people through the hands of the apostles. By common consent, they would all meet in Solomon's colonnade. None of the rest dared to join them, but the people praised them highly. Believers were added to the Lord, increasing numbers, crowds of both men and women. As a result, they would carry the sick out into the streets and lay them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them. In addition, a large group came together from the town surrounding Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed."
2. Romans 6:3-4: "Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life."
3. Luke 4:18-19: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does baptism symbolize according to Romans 6:3-4?
2. In Acts 5:12-16, what were the apostles doing that drew the attention of the people?
3. According to Luke 4:18-19, what were the key aspects of Jesus' mission as described by Isaiah?
4. How did the early church respond to the signs and wonders performed by the apostles? ([48:13])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the symbolism of baptism in Romans 6:3-4 relate to the testimonies of Vivian and Serena? ([18:45])
2. What might be the significance of signs and wonders in the early church as described in Acts 5:12-16? How did these acts serve the mission of the church? ([50:05])
3. Why do you think Jesus emphasized the proclamation of good news and setting the oppressed free in Luke 4:18-19? How does this align with the miracles He performed? ([52:43])
4. How do the theological debates about the continuation of miracles today impact our understanding of the Holy Spirit's work? ([01:04:02])
#### Application Questions
1. Baptism is a public declaration of faith and a symbol of new life in Christ. Have you been baptized? If not, what might be holding you back? If you have, how can you live out the newness of life it symbolizes? ([18:45])
2. The early church experienced many signs and wonders. Do you believe miracles still happen today? Why or why not? How does your belief affect your prayer life and expectations? ([50:05])
3. The sermon mentioned that deep wounds and disappointments can hinder our faith in miracles. Have you experienced such disappointments? How can you begin to trust God for the miraculous again? ([01:13:33])
4. The pastor discussed the sophisticated bias against the supernatural in the West. Do you find it difficult to believe in miracles due to cultural or intellectual reasons? How can you cultivate a more open heart towards the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit? ([01:16:41])
5. Pursuing Jesus wholeheartedly can lead to experiencing the miraculous. What steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with Jesus and align yourself with His mission? ([01:20:35])
6. Reflecting on the ultimate act of love and sacrifice through communion, how can you make this a more meaningful practice in your life? How does remembering Jesus' sacrifice impact your daily walk with Him? ([01:23:53])
7. The pastor encouraged the church to pray for boldness and miracles. What specific bold prayer can you commit to this week, trusting that God can do the miraculous? ([01:23:22])
Devotional
Day 1: Baptism as a New Beginning
Baptism is a profound act of obedience that symbolizes our identification with Jesus' death and resurrection. It signifies that just as Jesus was raised from the dead, we too are raised to walk in newness of life, fully surrendered to His lordship. This act is a beautiful demonstration of the gospel and a public declaration of faith. When we witness baptisms, we are reminded of the transformative power of the gospel and the new life we have in Christ. Vivian and Serena's testimonies and baptisms serve as powerful reminders of this truth. [18:45]
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: Think about your own baptism or a significant moment of spiritual renewal in your life. How does this memory inspire you to live out your faith more boldly today?
Day 2: Signs and Wonders as Kingdom Breakthroughs
In the early church, signs and wonders served as tangible demonstrations of God's kingdom breaking into our world. These miracles were acts of compassion and mercy, pointing people to Jesus and validating His message. They were not just supernatural events but were deeply connected to the proclamation of the gospel. The book of Acts records numerous instances where the apostles performed miracles, leading many to faith in Jesus. These signs and wonders were a foretaste of the fullness of God's kingdom that is yet to come. [50:05]
Acts 5:12 (ESV): "Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you witnessed or heard about a miraculous event. How did it impact your faith and understanding of God's kingdom? How can you be more open to seeing God's miraculous work in your daily life?
Day 3: The Sovereignty of the Holy Spirit in Miracles
There is a spectrum of beliefs regarding the continuation of signs and wonders today. Some argue that miracles ceased with the apostles, while others expect them to be a regular occurrence. However, a balanced view recognizes that miracles occur according to the sovereign will of the Holy Spirit, not as a guaranteed outcome but as God wills. This perspective helps us to trust in God's timing and purposes, knowing that He is able to perform miracles but does so according to His divine plan. It encourages us to pray for miracles while also submitting to God's sovereignty. [01:04:02]
1 Corinthians 12:11 (ESV): "All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills."
Reflection: Consider an area in your life where you are seeking a miracle. How can you balance your faith in God's power with trust in His sovereign will? What steps can you take to align your prayers with God's purposes?
Day 4: Overcoming Barriers to Believing in Miracles
In the West, several factors contribute to a lack of expectation for miracles, including deep wounds and disappointments, a sophisticated bias against the supernatural, and a reliance on resources and technology. These challenges can shrink our spiritual imagination and hinder us from asking God for the miraculous. By recognizing these barriers, we can begin to address them and cultivate a greater openness to God's supernatural intervention. It requires a shift in perspective, where we acknowledge our need for God and invite Him to work powerfully in our lives. [01:13:33]
Mark 6:5-6 (ESV): "And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching."
Reflection: Identify a specific barrier in your life that hinders you from believing in miracles. How can you address this barrier and cultivate a greater openness to God's supernatural work? What practical steps can you take to increase your faith?
Day 5: Pursuing Jesus and Expecting the Miraculous
As we wholeheartedly pursue Jesus and His mission, we can expect to see the miraculous follow. The Spirit often acts in miraculous ways when the church is on the cutting edge of evangelism and mission. By focusing on Jesus and His kingdom, we open ourselves to the possibility of experiencing God's supernatural intervention in our lives. This pursuit involves a deep commitment to prayer, evangelism, and living out the gospel in our daily lives. As we do so, we can trust that God will work powerfully through us to advance His kingdom. [01:20:35]
Mark 16:20 (ESV): "And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs."
Reflection: How can you actively pursue Jesus and His mission in your daily life? What specific steps can you take to be more involved in evangelism and mission? How can you create space for God to work miraculously through you?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "That in the death of Jesus, he took our death and he took our sin and he dealt with it forever. And so when we talk about, I know you will do it again, we're getting to see what that looks like here. We've got two ladies who we are seeing the great thing that God has done again in their lives." [18:45] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When a person gets baptized, when they go down under the water, they are saying that when Jesus went into the grave, that his death was my death. And in that, all that that accomplished was accomplished for me. And then just like three days later, Jesus walked out of the grave. When we raise somebody up out of the water, they are declaring that they are going to walk in newness of life." [18:45] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus' healings are not supernatural miracles in a natural world, they are the only truly natural thing in a world that is unnatural, demonized, and wounded. In other words, what appears to be supernatural to us is the normative kingdom of God entering into our broken reality and setting it right." [57:05] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Most of Jesus' miracles were not him making a point, they were not him putting on a show to highlight who he was, it was his caring heart moved to action. And so when the compassion of Jesus becomes a verb, when it became a verb in the gospel, when it became action, the breaking in of the kingdom of God would happen, just as Isaiah said would occur." [55:52] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I believe the King of the universe has come. And I believe He's here. I believe He lived and died and rose again. And He did that to do more than just bring you a little personal salvation. He did that to usher in a new kingdom. A kingdom where God's rule and reign gets extended, where God's care and compassion gets manifested in ways that only God could do." [01:22:13] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The nature of the miracles, remember Jurgen Moltmann's quote, the nature of the miracles are also purposeful because they were a demonstration of the in-breaking of the kingdom of God into a world that is marred by sin and death and Satan. And so as such, they were tangible displays of God's care and God's compassion." [01:02:11] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The Spirit historically seems to go where He is wanted and needed. Third reason. I think the Spirit was poured out so heavily in Acts and at different times in the history of the church is that He seems to act in miraculous ways when the church is on the cutting edge of evangelism and mission." [01:19:54] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We will never ever chase miracles. But we want to chase Jesus. We want to follow Jesus. We want to obey Jesus. We want to pursue Jesus. We want to get close to Jesus. We want to experience Jesus and His kingdom. And I believe that when we chase Jesus, not miracles, but when we chase Jesus, the miraculous will follow." [01:21:09] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I do believe that audacious prayers are going to be answered in this church in supernatural ways. I do believe that healings will occur here supernaturally. I do believe that the power of the Spirit will set men and women free from addiction, free from lies, free from destructive patterns, free from demons." [01:21:36] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "As we read Acts, let's not just read it like dry history that God did something down there. Let's read it in deep reverence for the capacity and the care and the power of God unleashed in a group of believers who take serious Jesus' mission and serious His kingdom." [01:22:37] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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