Renewing Our Faith: Baptism, Dedication, and Spiritual Revival
Summary
In today's gathering, we celebrated the profound moments of baptism and baby dedication, emphasizing the importance of these acts as declarations of faith and commitment. Baptism is a public confession of faith in Jesus Christ, symbolizing the believer's new life in Him. We witnessed the joy of individuals like Maya and Philip, who recently gave their lives to Christ and chose to be baptized as a testament to their faith. Similarly, the dedication of babies is a commitment by parents to raise their children in the knowledge and love of Jesus, seeking God's guidance and blessing over their lives.
We also reflected on the theme of returning to our first love, as highlighted in Revelation 2. This call to return is a reminder to rekindle our passion for Jesus, which may have waned amidst life's challenges and distractions. The past few years have been tumultuous, with societal upheavals and personal struggles, leading many to focus on external battles rather than their relationship with Christ. However, Jesus calls us to remember the fervor of our initial encounter with Him and to return to those foundational practices that nurtured our love for Him.
Repentance and consecration were underscored as vital practices for spiritual renewal. Repentance involves turning back to God, acknowledging our missteps, and seeking His forgiveness. Consecration is about setting apart our lives, resources, and time for God's purposes, ensuring that He remains at the center of all we do. These practices lead to times of refreshing, as promised in Acts 3:19, where we experience a renewed sense of freedom and joy in the Lord.
Furthermore, we were encouraged to embrace the unique gifts and callings God has placed within us. Whether through artistic expressions, leadership, or service, each of us has a role in advancing God's kingdom. This year, we anticipate a resurgence of creativity and ministry within our community, as we seek to honor God with our talents and passions.
Key Takeaways:
- Baptism and Dedication as Acts of Faith: Baptism is a public declaration of faith in Jesus, symbolizing a believer's new life in Him. Baby dedication is a commitment by parents to raise their children in the knowledge and love of Jesus, seeking God's guidance and blessing over their lives. [21:47]
- Returning to Our First Love: In Revelation 2, Jesus calls us to return to our first love, urging us to rekindle our passion for Him. This involves remembering the fervor of our initial encounter with Christ and returning to the foundational practices that nurtured our love for Him. [56:10]
- The Importance of Repentance and Consecration: Repentance involves turning back to God, acknowledging our missteps, and seeking His forgiveness. Consecration is about setting apart our lives, resources, and time for God's purposes, ensuring that He remains at the center of all we do. [01:00:35]
- Experiencing Times of Refreshing: Acts 3:19 promises times of refreshing when we repent and return to God. This renewal brings a sense of freedom and joy, as we realign our lives with God's priorities and experience His presence in new ways. [01:02:49]
- Embracing Our Unique Gifts and Callings: Each of us has unique gifts and callings that God has placed within us. Whether through artistic expressions, leadership, or service, we are called to use these gifts to advance God's kingdom and honor Him with our talents and passions. [01:09:04]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[21:47] - Baptism Celebrations
[36:09] - Baby Dedications
[52:04] - Reflections on Fasting
[56:10] - Returning to Our First Love
[58:06] - Challenges of Recent Years
[59:10] - Call to Repentance
[01:00:35] - Consecration and Renewal
[01:02:49] - Experiencing Refreshing
[01:04:23] - Prioritizing God's Kingdom
[01:06:20] - Rediscovering Kingdom Passions
[01:09:04] - Embracing Artistic Expression
[01:13:14] - Anointing and Commissioning
[01:19:20] - Spiritual Gifts and Empowerment
[01:22:08] - Closing Worship and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Revelation 2:1-5
- Acts 3:19
---
Observation Questions:
1. What are the symbolic meanings of baptism and baby dedication as discussed in the sermon? [21:47]
2. How does the sermon describe the concept of "returning to our first love" in the context of Revelation 2? [56:10]
3. What practices are highlighted as essential for spiritual renewal, according to the sermon? [01:00:35]
4. How does the sermon suggest we can experience "times of refreshing" as mentioned in Acts 3:19? [01:02:49]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that societal challenges have impacted believers' relationships with Christ? [58:06]
2. How does the sermon interpret the call to repentance and consecration in the life of a believer? [01:00:35]
3. What role do unique gifts and callings play in advancing God's kingdom, according to the sermon? [01:09:04]
4. How does the sermon connect the idea of returning to our first love with the renewal of creativity and ministry within the community? [01:09:04]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own baptism or dedication. How do these acts of faith continue to influence your spiritual journey today? [21:47]
2. Consider the concept of "returning to your first love" for Jesus. What practical steps can you take this week to rekindle your passion for Christ? [56:10]
3. Identify an area in your life where repentance and consecration could lead to spiritual renewal. What specific actions will you take to address this? [01:00:35]
4. How can you create space in your life to experience the "times of refreshing" promised in Acts 3:19? What distractions might you need to eliminate? [01:02:49]
5. Think about the unique gifts and callings God has placed within you. How can you use these to serve your community and advance God's kingdom this year? [01:09:04]
6. Reflect on the past few years. How have external challenges affected your relationship with Christ, and what changes can you make to refocus on Him? [58:06]
7. What is one creative or ministry-related passion that you have set aside? How can you begin to pursue it again in a way that honors God? [01:09:04]
Devotional
Day 1: Baptism and Dedication as Acts of Faith
Baptism and baby dedication are profound declarations of faith and commitment. Baptism serves as a public confession of faith in Jesus Christ, symbolizing the believer's new life in Him. It is a joyful occasion, as seen in the lives of individuals like Maya and Philip, who recently chose to be baptized as a testament to their faith. Similarly, baby dedication is a commitment by parents to raise their children in the knowledge and love of Jesus, seeking God's guidance and blessing over their lives. These acts are not just rituals but are significant steps in one's spiritual journey, marking a commitment to live a life aligned with God's will. [21:47]
Colossians 2:12 (ESV): "Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead."
Reflection: Consider your own faith journey. What public declaration of faith might God be calling you to make today, whether through baptism, dedication, or another form of commitment?
Day 2: Returning to Our First Love
In Revelation 2, Jesus calls us to return to our first love, urging us to rekindle our passion for Him. This involves remembering the fervor of our initial encounter with Christ and returning to the foundational practices that nurtured our love for Him. The past few years have been tumultuous, with societal upheavals and personal struggles, leading many to focus on external battles rather than their relationship with Christ. However, Jesus calls us to remember the fervor of our initial encounter with Him and to return to those foundational practices that nurtured our love for Him. [56:10]
Jeremiah 2:2 (ESV): "Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, Thus says the Lord, 'I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.'"
Reflection: Reflect on your initial encounter with Jesus. What practices or habits can you reintroduce into your life to rekindle your passion for Him today?
Day 3: The Importance of Repentance and Consecration
Repentance involves turning back to God, acknowledging our missteps, and seeking His forgiveness. Consecration is about setting apart our lives, resources, and time for God's purposes, ensuring that He remains at the center of all we do. These practices lead to times of refreshing, as promised in Acts 3:19, where we experience a renewed sense of freedom and joy in the Lord. By prioritizing repentance and consecration, we align ourselves with God's will and open our hearts to His transformative work in our lives. [01:00:35]
Joel 2:12-13 (ESV): "Yet even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster."
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you need to seek God's forgiveness. How can you consecrate this area to Him today, ensuring He remains at the center?
Day 4: Experiencing Times of Refreshing
Acts 3:19 promises times of refreshing when we repent and return to God. This renewal brings a sense of freedom and joy, as we realign our lives with God's priorities and experience His presence in new ways. By embracing repentance and consecration, we open ourselves to the refreshing work of the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts and minds. This process of spiritual renewal is essential for maintaining a vibrant and dynamic relationship with God, allowing us to experience His love and grace in deeper ways. [01:02:49]
Isaiah 44:3 (ESV): "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants."
Reflection: In what ways do you need spiritual refreshing today? How can you position yourself to receive the renewing work of the Holy Spirit in your life?
Day 5: Embracing Our Unique Gifts and Callings
Each of us has unique gifts and callings that God has placed within us. Whether through artistic expressions, leadership, or service, we are called to use these gifts to advance God's kingdom and honor Him with our talents and passions. This year, we anticipate a resurgence of creativity and ministry within our community, as we seek to honor God with our talents and passions. Embracing our unique gifts allows us to contribute to the body of Christ in meaningful ways, fulfilling our God-given purpose and impacting the world for His glory. [01:09:04]
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: What unique gifts and talents has God given you? How can you use them today to serve others and advance His kingdom?
Quotes
"Lord, we thank you, Father, for these parents, Lord, that have made a commitment, Lord, that we're going to raise this little girl to love you and to follow you. And Lord, I just pray, Holy Spirit, right now, that you would, even as a little girl, fill her with your Spirit, that you would teach her your ways. Lord, I pray that she would know you at a young age, that she would hear your voice, Lord." [00:37:44] (25 seconds)
"It's not salvation for the baby, but it is saying, hey, we're as parents, we're going to do our best, and we're blessing these children as they start a new life. And as parents, we're praying for them that they're going to do everything within their power and that the Spirit of God would enable them to raise children that love Jesus. Amen?" [00:36:09] (20 seconds)
"Revelation two, this is Jesus talking to the Ephesus church, telling them, Hey, here's some things you need to work on. And he says, I know your deeds, your toil and your perseverance, and that you cannot talk, tolerate evil men. And you put to test those who call themselves apostles." [00:56:10] (19 seconds)
"Jesus was so proud of them for standing up for truth and persevering, but in the process of doing all that, they got away from their first love, of loving Jesus. And, you know, I think about this last four or five years. It has not been an easy four or five years. Can everybody say amen to that? I mean, it's been tough to be a Christian." [00:57:59] (26 seconds)
"Number two, the word was consecrate. And this word means just set aside our heart, our resources and our time for God's holy purpose. This is how we honor God. We put him first. Lord, there's some things in my life, they belong to you. We're just the stewards. We're just the stewards. My life, my money, my gifts, my time, consecrate. It's all reserved for your glory and your purposes." [01:01:06] (27 seconds)
"Acts 3 .19 says, therefore repent and return so your sins may be wiped away in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. The word refreshing here is the only time this is used in the entire Bible, and it means to be free from obligation or weight, or it could be like a cool breeze on a hot day or a cold cup of water on a hot day." [01:02:49] (24 seconds)
"So what I felt the Lord saying this is practically God wants to reset some things in our lives this year. He wants to reorder your priorities, reorder your schedule, reorder your rhythms to focus on him. Let me just say this word. We need to learn to slow down. Stop moving so fast. You can't take it all in. You're just moving too quick." [01:04:23] (31 seconds)
"With our schedule, we're always tired, we're always busy, we're always worn out, we're sick, me included. I'm serious. God wants to teach us the Matthew 633 principle. Seek the kingdom of God above all else, live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. You're going to go, I'm just going to seek him. And I'm like, man, my stuff's just taken care of." [01:06:20] (23 seconds)
"And the second part of this is I felt that not only the Lord was saying, return to your first love, Jesus, but I want you to return to the first love of the kingdom, desires, and passions that he's put in you. The things that he's deposited in you, some of you have gotten away from it. The things that you were passionate about, like, I felt the Lord call me to do this." [01:09:04] (24 seconds)
"That this will be a place that values kingdom artistic expression. And that music, songwriting, painting, theater, filmmaking, and writing is going to be in a major part of our body of church. We're going to have expression of worship. And I believe the Lord wants to use these incredible gifts in our body and he's going to send people with these gifts in our body that things will flow." [01:09:44] (29 seconds)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Jan 26, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?