Immersed in God's Presence: A Call to Discipleship

 

Summary

In the teachings of Jesus, particularly in the Great Commission, there is a profound call to make disciples of all nations, immersing them in the Trinitarian presence of God. This immersion, or baptism, is not merely a symbolic act involving water but a deep spiritual reality that engulfs us in the ultimate reality of God's kingdom. Our stories, often broken and seemingly irredeemable, find healing and purpose when submerged in this divine presence. Jesus' own baptism by John the Baptist marked the opening of the heavens, symbolizing the manifest presence and power of God becoming apparent. This divine presence is what transforms our lives, guiding us away from wrong paths and into new life, as Paul describes in Romans 6.

Baptism, as Jesus and Paul discuss, extends beyond water to include a baptism of suffering and trials, akin to a baptism by fire. This is a call to be fully immersed in the experiences of life, both joyful and challenging, as a means of spiritual growth and transformation. The Israelites' journey through the Red Sea, described by Paul as a baptism into Moses, illustrates this immersion in God's presence, where they were guided, fed, and sustained by divine power despite their unworthiness.

The invitation today is to immerse ourselves and others in the Trinitarian presence—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This immersion happens in everyday life, in our relationships, work, and even in moments of leisure. It is about engaging deeply with life and with others, recognizing God's presence in every interaction and task. As we do so, we become conduits of God's love and grace, inviting others into this divine reality. This is the essence of living a life baptized in the presence of God, where each moment becomes an opportunity to experience and share the transformative power of God's love.

Key Takeaways:

- Immersion in the Trinitarian Presence: Baptism is more than a ritual; it is an invitation to be engulfed in the presence of God. This immersion transforms our lives, aligning our stories with God's ultimate reality and healing our brokenness. [01:50]

- Baptism Beyond Water: Jesus' baptism and Paul's teachings reveal that baptism involves a deeper spiritual reality, including a baptism of suffering. This immersion in life's challenges is a path to spiritual growth and transformation. [05:21]

- The Israelites' Baptism into Moses: The journey through the Red Sea symbolizes being engulfed in God's presence, where divine guidance and sustenance are provided despite human unworthiness. This historical event invites us to trust in God's power to redeem our stories. [06:06]

- Living in the Trinitarian Presence: Engaging deeply with life and others allows us to experience and share God's presence. This immersion in everyday moments transforms our relationships and tasks into opportunities for spiritual growth and connection. [09:26]

- Becoming Conduits of God's Love: As we immerse ourselves in God's presence, we are called to invite others into this divine reality. By doing so, we become channels of God's love and grace, helping others experience the transformative power of God's kingdom. [10:44]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:01] - The Great Commission
- [01:33] - Submerging in Trinitarian Presence
- [02:34] - Jesus' Baptism and Open Heavens
- [03:53] - Healing Through God's Presence
- [04:08] - Baptism into New Life
- [05:04] - Baptism of Suffering
- [05:51] - The Baptism of Moses
- [06:23] - Israel's Journey and God's Presence
- [07:34] - Immersion in Divine Reality
- [08:04] - Engaging with Life and Others
- [09:12] - Invitation to Trinitarian Presence
- [10:06] - Sharing God's Love and Grace
- [11:03] - Living in God's Story

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 28:18-20 (The Great Commission)
2. Romans 6:3-4 (Baptism into Christ's death and new life)
3. 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 (The Israelites' baptism into Moses)

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Observation Questions:

1. What does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 instruct believers to do, and how does it relate to the concept of immersion in the Trinitarian presence? [01:01]

2. How does Romans 6:3-4 describe the significance of baptism in relation to Jesus' death and resurrection? [04:08]

3. In 1 Corinthians 10:1-4, how does Paul describe the Israelites' experience as a form of baptism, and what elements of their journey symbolize this immersion? [06:06]

4. According to the sermon, what does the opening of the heavens during Jesus' baptism signify about God's presence and power? [03:05]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How might the concept of being "submerged in the Trinitarian presence" change one's understanding of baptism beyond a physical act? [01:33]

2. What does the idea of a "baptism of suffering" suggest about the role of trials and challenges in spiritual growth, as mentioned in the sermon? [05:21]

3. How does the Israelites' journey through the Red Sea serve as a metaphor for trusting in God's power to redeem seemingly irredeemable stories? [06:51]

4. In what ways does engaging deeply with life and others allow believers to experience and share God's presence, according to the sermon? [09:26]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt immersed in God's presence. How did that experience transform your perspective or actions? [03:53]

2. Consider a current challenge or trial in your life. How might viewing it as a "baptism of suffering" change your approach to it? [05:21]

3. Identify a relationship or task in your daily life where you can more intentionally recognize and share God's presence. What practical steps can you take to do this? [09:26]

4. Think of a person in your life who might feel their story is irredeemable. How can you be a conduit of God's love and grace to them this week? [10:44]

5. How can you immerse yourself more fully in the Trinitarian presence during your everyday activities, such as work or leisure? [09:12]

6. Reflect on a moment when you felt unworthy of God's guidance and sustenance, similar to the Israelites. How can you remind yourself of God's power to redeem your story? [06:51]

7. What specific action can you take this week to invite someone else into the experience of God's transformative love and presence? [10:44]

Devotional

Day 1: Immersion in the Trinitarian Presence
Baptism is not just a ritual involving water; it is an invitation to be fully engulfed in the presence of God. This immersion in the Trinitarian presence—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—transforms our lives, aligning our stories with God's ultimate reality and healing our brokenness. When we allow ourselves to be submerged in this divine presence, we experience a profound spiritual reality that transcends mere symbolism. It is in this space that our fragmented stories find healing and purpose, as we are drawn into the ultimate reality of God's kingdom. [01:50]

"For in him we live and move and have our being; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’" (Acts 17:28, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to invite the presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to bring healing and transformation today?


Day 2: Baptism Beyond Water
The concept of baptism extends beyond the physical act of being submerged in water. Jesus' baptism and Paul's teachings reveal a deeper spiritual reality, including a baptism of suffering and trials. This immersion in life's challenges is a path to spiritual growth and transformation. Just as Jesus experienced a baptism of suffering, we too are called to embrace the trials of life as opportunities for spiritual development. Through these experiences, we are refined and transformed, drawing closer to God and becoming more like Christ. [05:21]

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: What current challenge or trial in your life can you view as an opportunity for spiritual growth and transformation?


Day 3: The Israelites' Baptism into Moses
The journey of the Israelites through the Red Sea is a powerful symbol of being engulfed in God's presence. Paul describes this event as a baptism into Moses, where the Israelites were guided, fed, and sustained by divine power despite their unworthiness. This historical event invites us to trust in God's power to redeem our stories, no matter how broken or unworthy we may feel. As we journey through our own "Red Seas," we can rely on God's guidance and sustenance to lead us to new life. [06:06]

"And all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ." (1 Corinthians 10:2-4, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy yet experienced God's guidance and sustenance. How can this memory encourage you to trust God in your current circumstances?


Day 4: Living in the Trinitarian Presence
Engaging deeply with life and others allows us to experience and share God's presence. This immersion in everyday moments transforms our relationships and tasks into opportunities for spiritual growth and connection. By recognizing God's presence in every interaction and task, we become conduits of His love and grace. Each moment becomes an opportunity to experience and share the transformative power of God's love, inviting others into this divine reality. [09:26]

"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:6, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally engage with someone today in a way that reflects God's love and presence?


Day 5: Becoming Conduits of God's Love
As we immerse ourselves in God's presence, we are called to invite others into this divine reality. By doing so, we become channels of God's love and grace, helping others experience the transformative power of God's kingdom. This calling challenges us to live out our faith in tangible ways, reaching out to those around us with the love and grace we have received. As conduits of God's love, we have the privilege of participating in His redemptive work in the world. [10:44]

"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:20, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience God's love and grace? How can you be a conduit of His love to them today?

Quotes

"Make Disciples of all kinds of people, submerge them in trinitarian presence submerge them in trinitarian presence how in the world do you do that part of what this means is there is something enormously powerful going on when Bible uses the word baptism and it doesn't refer just to what happens in the water and that's not just a symbol of something there is a reality there is a spiritual reality of immersion." [00:01:35]

"When Jesus came as you might know he went to John the Baptist who duh given his name um would baptize people and said I should be baptized and John said no I'm I'm not worthy you ought to do that to me and Jesus says Nope let it be so and then as soon as Jesus was baptized we're told he went up out of the water at that moment heaven was opened the N puts it actually literally it's the heavens were opened." [00:02:37]

"Now what does that mean that doesn't just mean that there was a Fisher in the physical sky or clouds that means that now the kingdom of God the presence and power and favor and love of God became manifestly apparent uh particularly to Jesus and in him and there's an old commentator Matthew Henry and the way he says if I can remember it right is that the heavens were opened so that we would know that when we duly attend to the ordinances of God we may expect Communications from God and communing with God." [00:03:09]

"Because it's possible for you right there in your little life and for me in mine to be immersed engulfed in the presence of God and that and that alone is what heals our stories it takes care of this enormous problem uh when I am with God that I have of going down the wrong track and doing wrong things in Romans chapter 6 Paul's talking about baptism and he says don't you know that when we were baptized we were baptized into his death so that we could be baptized into his new life." [00:03:43]

"Jesus also when he's talking to his disciples in Mark chapter 10 you might remember this story if you're a Bible person uh James and John had their mommy come to Jesus and say you know can they sit next to you when you come into your glory and the question he asks is can you be baptized with the baptism that I will be baptized with so again he's using this word baptism to be engulfed or immersed in a deep way that goes far beyond what we often think about it because he had already been baptized in the water in Jordan but he says there is a baptize yet to come and it is a baptism of suffering." [00:04:53]

"Well again to be baptized is to be engulfed it's to be immersed in some substance and Paul is saying actually that's not something new with us go back to the people of Israel and what happened was they had been enslaved by Egypt they thought their story was irredeemable they thought it was broken forever but God says no I will do a new thing and they are immersed in the presence and the power and the favor of God and God makes this real clear to them they come to the water and uh Moses says now we're just going to step right on into it and as they do it parts." [00:06:26]

"Just imagine now walking where there's a wall of water I don't know 10 or 20 feet high wondering what holds that up could we move a little faster please and then at one point where they need uh water Moses is instructed to speak to the Rock there's a problem with it uh he takes it on himself as though he's the one that's doing stuff and people who are involved in Ministry or just life anytime I think it's me and it's not God that's always a problem." [00:06:57]

"But what Paul is saying is what was happening in these moments in the life of Israel where the people were to their astonishment even though they had done nothing to deserve it or achieve it being immersed engulfed in the presence in the reality in the cloud of God that would guide them during the day and the pillar of fire that would guide them at night and the food the spiritual food the Mana but beyond that the nurture for the soul that we could eat." [00:07:30]

"And now the invitation is for us to be engulfed and to immerse other people in the trinitarian presence there's a picture I think you might see n and I were with u a friend who's an amazing nature photographer and uh Robbie Hawthorne and he he loves pictures of bear he captures their energy and their um personality normally he says when a bear goes into the water it just kind of Lumbers in because bears are kind of lazy but every there's this one bear that he found and you see I think this picture I hope it will come up where this bear is leaping into the water like an Olympian diving into the pool cuz he just loves to do it." [00:08:01]

"Robbie said that was this bear life works best that way I was with a group of my old College friends and we were on a boat ride just a couple days ago it was a beautiful day on lake minetonka and we decided we're going to go swimming and so we all dove in the water we were quite unprepared for this um there will be no picture of this we have a a picture of it but you will not be able to see it perhaps if you make a very sizable contribution to become new but even then I doubt it but there was something about leaping into the water together you know we had been on the water but now we were in the water we were engulfed with it and we all felt like we were 17 again and it was one of the highlights of the day." [00:08:40]

"We immerse oursel you the invitation today is immerse yourself in the trinitarian presence god father son spirit and we do that when we immerse ourselves in life when we immerse ourselves in the presence of other people when I was with my friend Sam recently for his 90th birthday there were people there and they had this extraordinary capacity to engage with life now this is part of baptism see because God is present there and they would do it in their work in business they would do it in golf in ways that then created quite extraordinary relationships and then they were deeply engulfed in relationship or in learning." [00:09:20]

"When I was with my friends and I had gone off to see about uh getting on my plane all of a sudden my friend Chuck was there and I was immersed again in the trinitarian presence because I had a friend who was just thinking of me and took a little time out of what it was that he had to do to be there I got to be with an old friend doc rainbow this past week and I knew him real early on in Ministry and he was telling me this story about how his life got changed when there was somebody who was an immigrant and facing huge problem problems and oh my gosh how the church ought to be there's anybody who cares for what the Bible called aliens that's us we ought to immerse them in the trinitarian presence and Doc began to do that and his life was changed as he reached out to somebody else who had need with care and compassion and it's there it will be there all day so as you see each person as you do each task as you walk through each moment go and immerse people in the trinitarian in presence and I do that for you right now God your father Jesus Christ God the radiant and matchless Son the Holy Spirit who gives you gifts and power and Charisma is with will be with you all day starting right now go in the trinitarian presence be baptized with the baptism of Moses you got this one day you got this one story allow God to make it part of his story and make it." [00:10:09]

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Transcript
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