Understanding Baptism: A Family's Faith Journey

Devotional

Day 1: The Church as God's Family

The church is not merely a physical structure or an organization; it is a spiritual family where believers are adopted as children of God. This adoption grants them the rights and privileges of approaching God with confidence and receiving an eternal inheritance. The church is a community that transcends earthly familial ties, welcoming all who confess faith in Jesus Christ. It is a place where believers can find support, accountability, and a sense of belonging as they journey together in faith. This understanding of the church as a family emphasizes the relational aspect of faith, where believers are united not just by doctrine but by a shared identity in Christ. [01:25]

"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Romans 8:15, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively contribute to the sense of family within your church community this week? Is there someone you can reach out to who might be feeling isolated or disconnected?

Day 2: Baptism as a Spiritual Transformation

Baptism is a profound spiritual act that signifies the internal work of God in a believer's heart. It represents the believer's union with Christ in His death and resurrection, marking the death of the old self and the birth of a new life in Christ. This transformation is not just symbolic but is a real change that occurs within the believer, as they are made new in Christ. Baptism is a declaration of this transformation, a public testimony of the believer's faith and commitment to follow Jesus. It is a reminder of the power of the gospel to change lives and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life. [10:22]

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your own baptism or the concept of baptism. How does understanding it as a spiritual transformation impact your daily walk with Christ?

Day 3: Baptism as a Public Declaration

Baptism is not only a personal spiritual experience but also a public declaration of faith. It symbolizes the believer's commitment to Christ and the church, inviting accountability and support from fellow believers. This communal aspect of baptism highlights the importance of the church community in the believer's spiritual journey. By being baptized, believers publicly affirm their faith and invite others to walk alongside them, providing encouragement and support as they live out their faith. This public declaration is a powerful testimony to the world of the transformative power of the gospel. [18:54]

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works." (Hebrews 10:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life can you share your faith journey with, inviting them to hold you accountable and support you in your walk with Christ?

Day 4: Baptism as Obedience and Testimony

Baptism is an act of obedience to Christ's command and a testimony to the world of the believer's faith. It is not a means of salvation but a response to the salvation already received through faith. This act of obedience is a powerful witness to the world, demonstrating the believer's submission to the lordship of Christ. Baptism serves as a reminder of the believer's commitment to live for Christ and to follow His teachings. It is a public affirmation of the believer's faith and a declaration of their intention to live a life that honors God. [24:47]

"And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name." (Acts 22:16, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate obedience to Christ in your daily life, serving as a testimony to those around you?

Day 5: Baptism as a Means of Grace

Baptism is a means of grace, a reminder that Jesus is still working in the lives of believers and in the world. It is a testimony to the ongoing work of Christ and the Holy Spirit in transforming lives. Through baptism, believers are reminded of the grace they have received and the call to live in that grace daily. This sacrament serves as a continual reminder of the believer's identity in Christ and the transformative power of the gospel. It is a call to live a life that reflects the grace and love of Christ to the world. [29:26]

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8, ESV)

Reflection: How can you be more aware of God's grace in your life today, and how can you extend that grace to others in your interactions?

Sermon Summary

The church is not just a building or an institution; it is a family, a community of believers united by faith in Jesus Christ. When we come to faith, we are adopted into God's family, gaining the rights and privileges of children of God. This includes the confidence to approach God as our Father and the inheritance of eternal life. The church, therefore, is a place where families come together, but it does not exist solely for families. Instead, it exists to preach the gospel and bring God's kingdom to earth.

In our current series, "Why We Do What We Do," we explore the reasons behind our practices, such as baptism. Baptism is a significant act that symbolizes our faith and entry into the church. It is a spiritual, physical, and communal act. Spiritually, baptism represents the internal work of God in our hearts, where we are united with Christ in his death and resurrection. Physically, it is a public declaration of our faith, symbolizing the death of our old self and the birth of a new life in Christ. Communally, baptism is done within the church community, signifying our commitment to the church and inviting accountability and support from fellow believers.

Baptism is not a means of salvation but a response to the salvation we have already received through faith. It is an act of obedience to Christ's command and a testimony to the world of our faith. It is a means of grace, a reminder that Jesus is still working in our lives and in the world. As we participate in baptism and other practices like communion, we remember Christ's sacrifice and reaffirm our commitment to live for him.

Key Takeaways

1. The church is a family where believers are adopted as children of God, gaining the rights and privileges of approaching God with confidence and receiving an eternal inheritance. This family is not just for earthly families but for all who confess faith in Jesus. [01:25]
2. Baptism is a spiritual act that signifies the internal work of God in our hearts. It represents our union with Christ in his death and resurrection, marking the death of our old self and the birth of a new life in Christ. [10:22]
3. Baptism is a public declaration of faith, symbolizing our commitment to Christ and the church. It is a communal act, inviting accountability and support from fellow believers as we live out our faith. [18:54]
4. Baptism is not a means of salvation but a response to the salvation we have received through faith. It is an act of obedience to Christ's command and a testimony to the world of our faith. [24:47]
5. Baptism is a means of grace, a reminder that Jesus is still working in our lives and in the world. It is a testimony to the ongoing work of Christ and the Holy Spirit in transforming lives. [29:26]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:25] - Church as a Family
[03:42] - Why We Baptize
[05:27] - Church History and Identity
[07:48] - Acts 2 and the Early Church
[08:48] - The Gospel's Impact
[10:22] - Spiritual Significance of Baptism
[12:13] - Salvation and Faith
[13:36] - Physical Act of Baptism
[15:35] - Spiritual to Physical Transition
[17:48] - Communal Aspect of Baptism
[18:54] - Accountability in Community
[20:53] - Baptism as Celebration
[22:26] - Misconceptions and Humor
[23:11] - Reasons for Baptism
[24:47] - Submission to Lordship
[25:53] - Spiritual Warfare
[27:25] - Family and Tradition
[28:03] - Partnership with the Church
[29:26] - Baptism as a Means of Grace
[31:28] - Communion and Reflection
[33:23] - Prayer and Confession
[34:55] - Communion Invitation

Sermon Clips

1. "We can view the church in any number of different ways. You could view it as a lighthouse. You could view it as a hospital. But one of the very essential ways that we view the church in a literal sense is as a family. That's why we love our kids, pray for the kids, want our kids to grow up in a church liking church and enjoying church and it being a safe place." ([00:00:25] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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2. "The Bible says that when we come to faith in Christ, we're adopted by the Father, that Jesus is our older brother and he is the one who has brought us into this new family. And it's a beautiful picture because it means that regardless of your family situation, you're a part of the family when you're part of the church." ([00:00:50] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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3. "Be brought into worship by our elder brother, Christ. We're given all of these rights and privileges, including an inheritance. The church is God's family and it's an eternal family and it's something that we celebrate. So as much as we come alongside families within the church, the church does not exist for families." ([00:01:25] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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4. "It's important but necessary and necessary distinction to make. Subtle, I know, but it allows us to really understand what we're doing here, right? What we're doing here. In fact, that's why we're doing this series right now called Why We Do What We Do." ([00:01:58] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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5. "The gospel is preached and the people who hear it have a movement of both their mind and of their heart. They're convinced. They're convinced that Jesus is the Son of God. They're convinced that Jesus was more than just a human but that he was divine. He was the Messiah. They're convinced of it." ([00:09:36] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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6. "Paul is saying it's the other way around now. It begins spiritual, and it plays itself out physically. And what would be different in kind of as the picture of baptism would develop is that they would do their baptism differently than the Jews would. Instead of doing it every year, you would do it one time." ([00:15:56] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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7. "We really believe that salvation is a spiritual work of God for the individual. And God reveals himself, that he invites us into community, into his family, upon our repentance, in recognizing his love for us as demonstrated in the cross. And then we, in response to the hymn, are baptized and join the church." ([00:22:54] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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8. "At the end of it all, though, baptism is this radical obedience. An act of worship that Christ is involved in. It's not a means of salvation, but it is a means of grace. Here's what I mean by that. That when someone decides to be baptized, when someone makes that decision to tell the world, I'm a follower of Jesus, and I'm going to live on his mission and seek to find victory in my faith, that when they say that, they're testifying to some crazy mystery." ([00:29:37] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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9. "It is not this emotionally high thing. It is a movement of God, of his spirit, because Jesus is still alive, and he's still working. It's a means of grace, and it's a beautiful and powerful thing." ([00:31:14] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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10. "That's why we take communion, and I'm going to invite you, as we continue to worship and meditate and think about what Christ is doing in our hearts and doing in our world, that we would take very seriously what it means for him to be our Lord and our Savior." ([00:31:58] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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