WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.120 A study on the gospel of Mark. 00:00:03.760 --> 00:00:06.060 However, I want to jump ahead a little bit 00:00:06.060 --> 00:00:07.780 and take advantage of an opportunity 00:00:07.780 --> 00:00:11.220 that we have today as we celebrate baptism. 00:00:12.220 --> 00:00:11.179 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:40.920 In other words, it's the right thing to do. 00:00:42.359 --> 00:00:43.719 Mark tells the story. 00:00:43.719 --> 00:00:49.000 His way of communication, which you'll learn about more in the coming days. 00:00:49.820 --> 00:00:53.039 Mark said it the short way, quickly. 00:00:54.120 --> 00:00:57.700 Mark chapter 1, beginning in verse 9, it says, 00:00:57.700 --> 00:01:00.620 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth, Galilee, 00:01:01.280 --> 00:01:04.040 and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 00:01:05.000 --> 00:01:06.400 And when he came out of the water, 00:01:06.659 --> 00:01:09.180 immediately he saw the heavens being torn open 00:01:09.180 --> 00:01:12.719 and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 00:01:13.379 --> 00:01:15.159 And a voice came from heaven, 00:01:16.020 --> 00:01:19.159 You are my beloved Son, with you I am. 00:01:19.980 --> 00:01:20.859 Well, please. 00:01:21.500 --> 00:01:25.100 I want to answer three questions this morning about baptism. 00:01:25.100 --> 00:01:27.379 One is, what is baptism? 00:01:28.620 --> 00:01:30.700 Two is, why was Jesus baptized? 00:01:31.700 --> 00:01:35.320 And three, what does it mean to us? 00:01:36.060 --> 00:01:37.219 First, what's baptism? 00:01:37.859 --> 00:01:40.420 Well, the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, 00:01:40.719 --> 00:01:44.520 Article Chapter 7, describes it as the following. 00:01:45.159 --> 00:01:49.400 A Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water 00:01:49.400 --> 00:01:53.060 in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 00:01:53.060 --> 00:01:57.439 It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith 00:01:57.439 --> 00:02:01.780 in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, 00:02:02.659 --> 00:02:04.560 the believer's death to sin, 00:02:05.400 --> 00:02:07.560 the burial of the old life, 00:02:07.920 --> 00:02:13.420 and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. 00:02:13.419 --> 00:02:19.539 It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. 00:02:20.339 --> 00:02:21.379 Being a church ordinance, 00:02:21.699 --> 00:02:24.199 it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership 00:02:24.199 --> 00:02:26.859 and to the Lord's Supper. 00:02:26.860 --> 00:02:29.000 So what is baptism? 00:02:29.000 --> 00:02:30.160 Baptism is a symbol. 00:02:31.360 --> 00:02:35.120 It was introduced in the world, not through Christianity. 00:02:36.120 --> 00:02:40.600 Water was often used as a symbol for some type of spiritual cleansing. 00:02:41.520 --> 00:02:45.640 Ritual baths sprinkle the archaeological sites in Israel, 00:02:46.180 --> 00:02:47.980 both pagan and Christian. 00:02:47.979 --> 00:02:52.699 But when Christ was baptized, something changed. 00:02:53.280 --> 00:02:55.219 He aligned that with Christianity, 00:02:55.799 --> 00:03:02.219 and quite honestly, that step trumped up all other religious ritual baths. 00:03:02.679 --> 00:03:05.359 Baptism now is thought of as a Christian concept. 00:03:06.199 --> 00:03:09.519 There are various ways that people are spiritually rinsed with water, 00:03:09.919 --> 00:03:11.500 and it means different things. 00:03:11.899 --> 00:03:12.639 Some sprinkle. 00:03:13.120 --> 00:03:17.620 We don't sprinkle because the word means to dip or to immerse. 00:03:17.620 --> 00:03:21.159 It was the same word they used for dyeing clothes. 00:03:21.700 --> 00:03:23.860 You don't dye clothes by sprinkling. 00:03:24.520 --> 00:03:27.020 It may be more convenient to do it other ways, 00:03:27.520 --> 00:03:30.620 but Baptists don't believe it's as biblical to do it other ways. 00:03:31.379 --> 00:03:35.939 We also do not believe that it is necessary for salvation. 00:03:37.219 --> 00:03:40.780 The thief on the cross was not taken off the cross, 00:03:41.340 --> 00:03:43.140 baptized, and put back up there, 00:03:43.140 --> 00:03:46.879 yet Christ said that he would spend eternity with him, 00:03:46.879 --> 00:03:49.280 even beginning that day. 00:03:49.799 --> 00:03:53.519 The reality is, it is an initial step of obedience. 00:03:53.639 --> 00:03:55.219 But I told our candidates this morning, 00:03:55.799 --> 00:03:58.719 I said, if something happens and all the water drains out of the pool, 00:03:58.979 --> 00:04:01.900 before we get up there, and the Lord comes back tomorrow, 00:04:02.340 --> 00:04:04.560 if you've given your heart and life to the Lord Jesus, 00:04:04.900 --> 00:04:05.719 you're saved. 00:04:06.120 --> 00:04:08.039 The baptism did not save you. 00:04:08.159 --> 00:04:12.079 It's the public proclamation of what happened to you spiritually. 00:04:12.080 --> 00:04:14.700 It's the initial step of obedience, 00:04:14.700 --> 00:04:17.280 and it's not an option for obedience. 00:04:18.080 --> 00:04:19.180 It needs to be done, 00:04:19.340 --> 00:04:22.980 but your salvation is not based on anything that you do. 00:04:23.060 --> 00:04:24.379 The other thing I told them was this, 00:04:24.420 --> 00:04:25.400 and I always tell them this. 00:04:25.800 --> 00:04:28.680 When somebody asks you when you got saved, 00:04:28.920 --> 00:04:30.259 don't tell them when you got baptized. 00:04:30.259 --> 00:04:33.399 Tell them how the Lord saved you. 00:04:34.139 --> 00:04:35.139 Tell them your story. 00:04:35.959 --> 00:04:37.759 Tell them how God met you where you were, 00:04:37.980 --> 00:04:41.039 and how God used other people to influence your lives, 00:04:41.099 --> 00:04:42.560 and how he saved you. 00:04:42.620 --> 00:04:44.659 And then after you tell them your salvation testimony, 00:04:45.159 --> 00:04:47.079 then tell them how you got baptized. 00:04:48.319 --> 00:04:50.480 The reality is, it's a symbol. 00:04:51.180 --> 00:04:56.579 It's an initial step to follow the Lord after salvation. 00:04:56.579 --> 00:05:00.139 Romans chapter 6 verse 4 says this, 00:05:00.279 --> 00:05:04.879 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death 00:05:04.879 --> 00:05:07.539 in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead 00:05:07.539 --> 00:05:08.339 by the glory of the Father, 00:05:08.439 --> 00:05:11.180 we too might walk in newness of life. 00:05:11.279 --> 00:05:14.879 So literally, the baptism that you just witnessed 00:05:14.879 --> 00:05:17.579 symbolizes three steps. 00:05:17.860 --> 00:05:20.439 One is, the old is buried. 00:05:21.860 --> 00:05:26.039 The old life without Christ is buried in a watery grave, 00:05:26.040 --> 00:05:29.500 and new life after being cleansed by Christ 00:05:29.500 --> 00:05:34.460 emerges, and you walk out in the Lord. 00:05:35.379 --> 00:05:36.400 That's what baptism is. 00:05:36.480 --> 00:05:41.140 Second thing is, why was Jesus baptized? 00:05:42.480 --> 00:05:44.180 Now, if you're puzzled by that, 00:05:44.240 --> 00:05:45.960 you're not the first to be puzzled by that. 00:05:46.080 --> 00:05:47.379 John was as well. 00:05:47.480 --> 00:05:49.060 Matthew chapter 3 verse 14. 00:05:49.060 --> 00:05:52.500 John the Baptist looked at him and said, 00:05:52.600 --> 00:05:54.000 I need to be baptized by you, 00:05:54.120 --> 00:05:56.000 and do you come to me? 00:05:57.759 --> 00:05:59.379 Jesus was baptized for several reasons, 00:05:59.459 --> 00:06:00.740 and I want to share four of them with you. 00:06:00.839 --> 00:06:03.579 One of them is, it signaled a beginning to his ministry. 00:06:04.899 --> 00:06:07.399 Just like it signals a beginning to the Christian life. 00:06:07.519 --> 00:06:10.660 It ought to be the first thing you do after coming to Christ. 00:06:10.660 --> 00:06:14.939 And it was after his baptism that he went into the desert, 00:06:15.439 --> 00:06:17.060 what I call his seminary experience. 00:06:17.160 --> 00:06:19.939 He went into the desert to be tempted by the evil one 00:06:19.939 --> 00:06:22.780 that prepared him for the ministry that he would do 00:06:22.780 --> 00:06:23.960 for the next three and a half years. 00:06:24.040 --> 00:06:26.879 It was a signal to a beginning of his ministry. 00:06:27.000 --> 00:06:30.080 It was also a sign of divine approval. 00:06:30.780 --> 00:06:32.540 Verse 10 and 11 of what we read says, 00:06:32.760 --> 00:06:34.160 And when he came out of the water, 00:06:34.520 --> 00:06:36.820 immediately he saw the heavens being torn open 00:06:36.819 --> 00:06:39.219 and the spirit descending on him like a dove. 00:06:39.779 --> 00:06:43.180 And a voice came from heaven, 00:06:43.300 --> 00:06:44.180 You are my beloved son. 00:06:44.259 --> 00:06:46.420 With you I am well pleased. 00:06:47.139 --> 00:06:48.540 How about that for a baptism? 00:06:49.159 --> 00:06:51.240 My soul, what an experience that must have been 00:06:51.240 --> 00:06:52.620 to be witnessing that. 00:06:53.100 --> 00:06:55.639 Quite honestly, the impact of such a sight 00:06:55.639 --> 00:06:58.240 is probably why it is recorded in the Gospels, 00:06:58.319 --> 00:07:01.439 at least from the perspective of the Gospel writers. 00:07:01.439 --> 00:07:05.439 It made a huge impact to get that divine approval. 00:07:05.439 --> 00:07:09.219 The third thing is it's an example for us. 00:07:09.660 --> 00:07:11.259 As Christ was baptized, 00:07:12.040 --> 00:07:14.839 so we follow what Christ does, 00:07:15.139 --> 00:07:16.199 including being baptized. 00:07:16.819 --> 00:07:18.339 If Christ had not been baptized, 00:07:18.639 --> 00:07:19.740 some quack would say, 00:07:20.000 --> 00:07:21.339 Well, Christ wasn't baptized. 00:07:21.459 --> 00:07:22.040 Why should I? 00:07:22.159 --> 00:07:25.579 Well, he fixed that in saying he was baptized. 00:07:26.060 --> 00:07:27.680 And he did it as an example for us. 00:07:28.159 --> 00:07:31.439 The fourth reason is it's an identification with us. 00:07:31.439 --> 00:07:33.000 By being baptized, 00:07:33.500 --> 00:07:37.219 he identified with where we are without him. 00:07:37.740 --> 00:07:41.639 He identified with our weakened, sinful human nature. 00:07:42.120 --> 00:07:44.439 2 Corinthians 5 verse 21 puts it this way. 00:07:44.860 --> 00:07:47.139 For our sake he made him to be sin, 00:07:47.259 --> 00:07:48.220 who knew no sin, 00:07:48.639 --> 00:07:52.519 so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 00:07:53.040 --> 00:07:57.620 The beginning step of that was his baptism. 00:07:57.620 --> 00:08:02.519 Now, what does all that mean to us? 00:08:04.000 --> 00:08:05.939 It means it's a big deal to us. 00:08:07.519 --> 00:08:08.980 It's a big deal to Jesus. 00:08:09.980 --> 00:08:11.780 It was a big deal to his followers. 00:08:12.939 --> 00:08:14.620 It ought to be a big deal to us. 00:08:15.399 --> 00:08:17.180 Let me show you how it influenced his followers. 00:08:18.600 --> 00:08:21.259 In Acts, Christ ascends in chapter 2, 00:08:21.899 --> 00:08:23.819 and the Holy Spirit comes, 00:08:24.259 --> 00:08:25.439 and many are saved. 00:08:25.439 --> 00:08:27.620 After Peter preaches, 00:08:27.740 --> 00:08:28.959 the crowd is, quote, 00:08:29.100 --> 00:08:31.500 cut to the heart under conviction, 00:08:31.500 --> 00:08:33.379 and they ask the apostles, 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:34.340 what are we to do? 00:08:35.299 --> 00:08:38.159 And Peter says in Acts 2 verse 38, 00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:39.759 repent and be baptized, 00:08:39.940 --> 00:08:40.519 every one of you, 00:08:40.559 --> 00:08:41.799 in the name of Jesus Christ, 00:08:41.940 --> 00:08:43.620 for the forgiveness of your sins, 00:08:43.679 --> 00:08:46.259 and you'll receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 00:08:46.820 --> 00:08:49.440 In verse 41 of that chapter, 00:08:49.820 --> 00:08:50.860 it says they were baptized. 00:08:51.779 --> 00:08:54.519 Everyone who received the message was baptized. 00:08:54.519 --> 00:08:58.120 And that became the pattern throughout the book of Acts. 00:08:58.740 --> 00:08:59.579 In Acts chapter 8, 00:08:59.679 --> 00:09:01.579 the Samaritans are saved. 00:09:01.980 --> 00:09:03.019 And after they're saved, 00:09:03.220 --> 00:09:03.740 they're baptized. 00:09:04.299 --> 00:09:05.819 Their immediate response was, 00:09:06.319 --> 00:09:06.759 why not? 00:09:07.220 --> 00:09:08.439 Why shouldn't I be baptized? 00:09:09.220 --> 00:09:10.159 And what about Saul? 00:09:10.439 --> 00:09:11.779 That's exactly what Saul thought 00:09:11.779 --> 00:09:13.159 when he was on the road to Damascus, 00:09:13.319 --> 00:09:14.759 and he met the Lord. 00:09:15.159 --> 00:09:16.399 The Bible tells us 00:09:16.399 --> 00:09:18.100 that as soon as he got to the city, 00:09:18.559 --> 00:09:19.220 he was baptized. 00:09:19.879 --> 00:09:22.319 Then, on the other side of the Mediterranean Sea, 00:09:22.320 --> 00:09:23.700 there was Cornelius. 00:09:24.220 --> 00:09:26.220 Cornelius got his whole home together, 00:09:26.540 --> 00:09:27.700 his whole household together, 00:09:27.980 --> 00:09:29.320 along with his friends, 00:09:29.700 --> 00:09:31.260 and Peter led them all to Christ. 00:09:31.660 --> 00:09:32.840 And do you know what followed that? 00:09:33.600 --> 00:09:34.120 Baptism. 00:09:34.640 --> 00:09:35.860 In Acts chapter 16, 00:09:36.240 --> 00:09:37.820 the gospel spreads to Europe. 00:09:38.280 --> 00:09:40.760 Paul and Silas are looking for a place to pray 00:09:40.760 --> 00:09:42.120 down by the river. 00:09:42.540 --> 00:09:45.080 And Lydia and some of the others are there, 00:09:45.420 --> 00:09:47.020 and they share the gospel with them. 00:09:47.420 --> 00:09:48.580 They're all saved, 00:09:48.580 --> 00:09:51.080 and they're baptized right there in the river, 00:09:51.520 --> 00:09:52.259 on the spot. 00:09:52.580 --> 00:09:54.360 That led to a great revival. 00:09:55.200 --> 00:09:58.180 While they're worshiping and singing and praising, 00:09:58.960 --> 00:09:59.960 word spread, 00:10:00.360 --> 00:10:04.500 and the authorities wanted to hush Paul and Silas, 00:10:04.540 --> 00:10:05.540 so they threw them in prison. 00:10:06.080 --> 00:10:07.620 And just like the passage that I read 00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:08.720 from the pool a little while ago, 00:10:09.080 --> 00:10:09.580 while they worshiped, 00:10:10.220 --> 00:10:12.360 singing and praising God in the jail, 00:10:12.840 --> 00:10:14.120 God shook the doors open. 00:10:14.720 --> 00:10:16.379 Paul and Silas took advantage of it, 00:10:16.379 --> 00:10:17.279 not by escaping, 00:10:17.899 --> 00:10:20.340 but by sharing the gospel with the jailer. 00:10:20.639 --> 00:10:22.799 And that jailer and his whole household 00:10:22.799 --> 00:10:25.439 was saved and baptized. 00:10:25.860 --> 00:10:28.840 Acts chapter 17 speaks of the revival in Corinth, 00:10:29.200 --> 00:10:31.879 and that many men and women believed 00:10:31.879 --> 00:10:33.039 and were baptized. 00:10:33.500 --> 00:10:34.519 Acts chapter 18, 00:10:34.720 --> 00:10:37.460 more men and women are saved and are baptized. 00:10:37.919 --> 00:10:38.879 In Acts chapter 9, 00:10:39.019 --> 00:10:40.039 John's disciples, 00:10:40.539 --> 00:10:42.120 those who followed John the Baptist, 00:10:42.399 --> 00:10:43.980 and looked for a coming Messiah. 00:10:43.980 --> 00:10:46.680 When they found out that the coming Messiah had come, 00:10:46.800 --> 00:10:47.620 Christ had come, 00:10:48.100 --> 00:10:50.060 they got saved and were baptized. 00:10:50.440 --> 00:10:53.500 You see it again and again and again. 00:10:53.659 --> 00:10:55.139 In the life of John the Baptist, 00:10:55.480 --> 00:10:56.980 in the life of the Lord Jesus, 00:10:57.259 --> 00:10:58.779 in the life of the early church, 00:10:59.080 --> 00:11:00.399 two things are consistent. 00:11:01.320 --> 00:11:02.440 And I want you to get this. 00:11:03.080 --> 00:11:05.399 Jesus Christ is the only way 00:11:05.399 --> 00:11:07.680 that people will find peace with God. 00:11:08.080 --> 00:11:09.940 He's the only hope that people have. 00:11:09.940 --> 00:11:13.240 And everyone who accepts Christ as Savior and Lord 00:11:13.240 --> 00:11:17.420 were baptized as a symbolic statement of faith in him. 00:11:18.420 --> 00:11:20.000 So what does that mean for us? 00:11:21.000 --> 00:11:23.400 So out of that, we get three truths. 00:11:24.500 --> 00:11:26.780 One is baptism is sacred. 00:11:28.300 --> 00:11:29.640 It's sacred for the Christian. 00:11:30.520 --> 00:11:33.660 As I told you, it's a term that the Fuller used. 00:11:33.760 --> 00:11:36.160 That's the old age dry cleaner. 00:11:36.159 --> 00:11:38.259 And when he took a white garment 00:11:38.259 --> 00:11:40.759 and dipped it into a scarlet dye, 00:11:40.919 --> 00:11:42.620 he baptized it. 00:11:43.539 --> 00:11:46.659 The garment's identity was changed 00:11:46.659 --> 00:11:48.899 from white to scarlet. 00:11:49.539 --> 00:11:51.319 And in that way, baptism, 00:11:51.659 --> 00:11:53.120 when people began to be baptized, 00:11:53.860 --> 00:11:56.860 it symbolized a change of identity. 00:11:58.819 --> 00:12:02.459 The visual picture of the change of our identity 00:12:02.460 --> 00:12:05.639 is something that is set apart for the Christian. 00:12:06.800 --> 00:12:09.420 Baptism is not something to be taken lightly. 00:12:10.320 --> 00:12:12.600 We don't get baptized when we feel guilty 00:12:12.600 --> 00:12:14.740 and want to get things right. 00:12:14.940 --> 00:12:16.560 We don't get baptized when we need 00:12:16.560 --> 00:12:17.980 to rededicate our lives. 00:12:18.620 --> 00:12:21.080 We don't get baptized when we feel like doing it, 00:12:21.519 --> 00:12:23.639 feel like we need something new to happen in our life. 00:12:24.820 --> 00:12:26.960 Baptism is something that we do one time 00:12:26.960 --> 00:12:28.519 in our life as a believer. 00:12:29.519 --> 00:12:30.879 Once you give your heart and life 00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:32.100 to the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:12:32.500 --> 00:12:34.039 you follow him with baptism. 00:12:34.659 --> 00:12:36.759 And then if you walk in error ways after that, 00:12:37.100 --> 00:12:37.700 get right. 00:12:37.960 --> 00:12:39.620 There's no need to be baptized again. 00:12:40.139 --> 00:12:42.080 You've been baptized as a believer. 00:12:43.080 --> 00:12:45.039 If at some point in your life, 00:12:45.039 --> 00:12:47.259 you realize that your baptism 00:12:47.259 --> 00:12:48.840 came before your salvation, 00:12:48.919 --> 00:12:50.620 as one of our candidates this morning did. 00:12:51.139 --> 00:12:52.480 And God convicted him about that. 00:12:52.559 --> 00:12:53.700 He rode that for a little bit. 00:12:54.159 --> 00:12:56.980 And God continued to lay that upon his heart. 00:12:57.419 --> 00:12:58.580 Then he did what I call 00:12:58.580 --> 00:13:00.179 getting your baptism in order. 00:13:00.879 --> 00:13:03.139 He wanted to be baptized again, 00:13:03.320 --> 00:13:04.799 but it's the first time he was baptized 00:13:04.799 --> 00:13:07.139 as a believer. 00:13:07.939 --> 00:13:12.019 We get baptized at the change in our identity 00:13:12.019 --> 00:13:13.139 and when we realize 00:13:13.139 --> 00:13:15.600 that we've never done it as a Christian. 00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:18.860 And it is a sacred time of worship. 00:13:19.539 --> 00:13:20.539 Not only is it sacred, 00:13:20.659 --> 00:13:21.559 but it's also symbolic. 00:13:22.559 --> 00:13:23.980 And what a beautiful symbol it is, 00:13:24.059 --> 00:13:25.440 but it is a symbol all the same. 00:13:25.759 --> 00:13:27.860 Don't misunderstand what Jesus said 00:13:27.860 --> 00:13:29.460 in John chapter three, verse five. 00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:30.659 Jesus answered, 00:13:30.779 --> 00:13:31.840 truly, truly, I say to you, 00:13:31.879 --> 00:13:33.759 unless one is born of water and the spirit, 00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:35.700 he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 00:13:35.700 --> 00:13:36.700 What's he saying? 00:13:37.039 --> 00:13:38.960 He's saying that unless something happens 00:13:38.960 --> 00:13:42.060 to you spiritually, you're not saved. 00:13:42.560 --> 00:13:44.000 And once that does happen, 00:13:44.300 --> 00:13:45.379 there ought to be the evidence 00:13:45.379 --> 00:13:46.840 that something happened to you spiritually 00:13:46.840 --> 00:13:47.779 in your life. 00:13:47.779 --> 00:13:49.559 And that evidence should come 00:13:49.559 --> 00:13:52.059 through your obedience to follow the Lord. 00:13:52.379 --> 00:13:55.000 And that obedience first step is by baptism, 00:13:55.159 --> 00:13:56.000 by his example, 00:13:56.159 --> 00:13:58.139 as well as by his commission. 00:13:58.379 --> 00:14:00.339 You follow him up physically. 00:14:00.860 --> 00:14:03.360 The physical process is evidence 00:14:03.360 --> 00:14:05.720 of the spiritual process. 00:14:06.299 --> 00:14:09.639 Baptism is by no means a means of salvation. 00:14:09.799 --> 00:14:10.799 I want you to be clear today. 00:14:11.279 --> 00:14:14.159 We are saved by grace and not by works. 00:14:14.259 --> 00:14:16.679 There's nothing we can do to earn our salvation. 00:14:16.679 --> 00:14:19.259 There's nothing we can do to maintain our salvation. 00:14:19.839 --> 00:14:21.739 It's maintained in the cross of Christ. 00:14:21.879 --> 00:14:23.659 It's brought to us by the cross of Christ. 00:14:24.039 --> 00:14:28.539 We live in response to what Christ has done for us. 00:14:28.759 --> 00:14:31.819 And we live in the strength of the Holy Spirit of God 00:14:31.819 --> 00:14:35.519 dwelling within us to help us to rise above the traps 00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:38.599 that we could so easily beset us in the past. 00:14:38.739 --> 00:14:40.799 It need not be that way for the Christian. 00:14:41.299 --> 00:14:42.799 We ought to get it right before the Lord. 00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:44.159 And when we lean upon the Lord 00:14:44.159 --> 00:14:46.719 and trust in the Lord to take care of that, 00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:48.799 he'll give us the strength to do that. 00:14:48.879 --> 00:14:50.079 We fall in our own ways. 00:14:50.939 --> 00:14:52.019 We'll fall wayward. 00:14:52.799 --> 00:14:54.139 We'll walk away from the Lord. 00:14:54.579 --> 00:14:55.679 We won't be as faithful. 00:14:55.779 --> 00:14:56.600 Now, thank God. 00:14:57.240 --> 00:14:58.159 He's like one of my, 00:14:58.539 --> 00:15:00.939 like I was with one of my children in a parking lot. 00:15:01.319 --> 00:15:02.980 When my children were small in the parking lot, 00:15:02.980 --> 00:15:04.019 I had a hold of their hand. 00:15:04.500 --> 00:15:06.179 Now, maybe they wanted to get away from me. 00:15:06.259 --> 00:15:07.600 Maybe they didn't want to hold my hand. 00:15:07.819 --> 00:15:08.360 But you know what? 00:15:08.379 --> 00:15:09.159 They didn't get away from me. 00:15:09.199 --> 00:15:09.659 You know why? 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:11.120 Because they wasn't in control. 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:13.080 I had their hand. 00:15:13.139 --> 00:15:14.039 I'll rip the little arm off, 00:15:14.080 --> 00:15:14.919 but they're not going anywhere. 00:15:18.980 --> 00:15:22.220 I'm thankful that the hand of God has us 00:15:22.220 --> 00:15:25.320 and no one can snatch us out of the hand of the Father. 00:15:26.139 --> 00:15:27.360 We can rest in that. 00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:31.840 So folks, if our lives are not right, 00:15:32.840 --> 00:15:34.820 we go back to the Father. 00:15:34.820 --> 00:15:42.700 Quit straining and tensing the hold that he has on us. 00:15:43.500 --> 00:15:49.080 Come back to him voluntarily and get right with God. 00:15:52.580 --> 00:15:53.620 It is a symbol. 00:15:54.060 --> 00:15:55.060 It is sacred. 00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:58.200 It is a powerful symbol, but it is a symbol. 00:15:58.640 --> 00:15:59.880 Not only that, but it's standard. 00:16:01.260 --> 00:16:01.840 It's standard. 00:16:01.840 --> 00:16:04.920 The Great Commission, Matthew 28, 18 through 20, 00:16:05.000 --> 00:16:08.660 tells us Jesus says to make disciples baptizing them. 00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:10.759 Part of his last words are to baptize. 00:16:11.300 --> 00:16:13.160 Why does he not speak of salvation? 00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:16.700 Because baptism is the symbol of salvation. 00:16:17.500 --> 00:16:19.879 He has told us not to save, 00:16:20.160 --> 00:16:21.379 because we can't save anybody, 00:16:21.940 --> 00:16:24.080 but to share and to trust him in that. 00:16:24.080 --> 00:16:29.440 And what we share, the Holy Spirit will use. 00:16:29.440 --> 00:16:31.060 And when they come to Christ, 00:16:31.180 --> 00:16:33.500 they need to be baptized as believers. 00:16:33.820 --> 00:16:35.440 We see it again and again in the Bible, 00:16:35.840 --> 00:16:37.220 the importance of baptism. 00:16:37.680 --> 00:16:39.160 Jesus himself was baptized. 00:16:39.940 --> 00:16:42.360 The church has always been identified by baptism. 00:16:42.980 --> 00:16:45.460 It's the introduction to the church. 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:49.240 It's the identification to the church. 00:16:49.720 --> 00:16:53.000 It is the initiation and the induction into the church. 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:56.580 As the church is the place for a Christian's identity, 00:16:57.440 --> 00:17:00.399 so baptism is the procedure of that identification. 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:04.940 Therefore, it's the standard for Christians. 00:17:05.859 --> 00:17:07.640 To not do it is disobedient. 00:17:08.380 --> 00:17:11.519 To do it is to be obedient and follow the Lord's example. 00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:16.420 And the only other ordinance we celebrate as Baptists 00:17:16.420 --> 00:17:17.700 are the Lord's Supper. 00:17:17.700 --> 00:17:22.519 However, the bread symbolizes the body of Christ, 00:17:22.660 --> 00:17:23.200 the Lord Jesus. 00:17:23.880 --> 00:17:26.779 And the drink symbolizes the shed blood of Christ. 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:30.180 We do it because he told us to do it. 00:17:30.860 --> 00:17:32.740 Paul summarizes it this way. 00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:37.140 In 1 Corinthians 11, verse 23 through 26, it says, 00:17:37.240 --> 00:17:40.299 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, 00:17:40.340 --> 00:17:43.080 that the Lord Jesus on the night he was betrayed took bread. 00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:46.539 And when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 00:17:46.539 --> 00:17:48.779 This is my body which is for you. 00:17:49.440 --> 00:17:51.559 Do this in remembrance of me. 00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:54.539 In the same way, after supper, he took the cup, 00:17:55.079 --> 00:17:57.500 saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood. 00:17:58.180 --> 00:18:01.220 Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me. 00:18:01.819 --> 00:18:04.839 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, 00:18:04.940 --> 00:18:07.960 you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:11.539 But he follows that up with a serious warning. 00:18:12.359 --> 00:18:13.399 And I want you to hear this. 00:18:14.480 --> 00:18:16.220 In verse 27, he says this, 00:18:16.220 --> 00:18:20.579 Whoever therefore eats the bread or drinks the cup in an unworthy manner 00:18:20.579 --> 00:18:23.420 will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:26.360 Let a person examine himself then, 00:18:26.640 --> 00:18:28.720 and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:32.059 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body 00:18:32.059 --> 00:18:34.920 eats and drinks judgment on himself. 00:18:35.960 --> 00:18:40.220 In other words, we need to come to the table prepared. 00:18:40.220 --> 00:18:43.519 How do you prepare to come to the table? 00:18:44.579 --> 00:18:46.960 First, you give your life to Christ. 00:18:48.680 --> 00:18:50.860 If there's never been a time in your life today 00:18:50.860 --> 00:18:53.700 when you've given your heart and life to the Lord Jesus, 00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:56.019 when you said, Lord, I know I'm a sinner, 00:18:56.120 --> 00:18:57.940 and I know I'm separated from you because of my sin, 00:18:57.940 --> 00:18:59.980 and I need you to save me, 00:19:00.059 --> 00:19:01.000 I need you to cleanse me, 00:19:01.059 --> 00:19:03.880 I need you to change me from this day forward. 00:19:04.299 --> 00:19:05.799 If that's never happened to you, 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:08.100 I want you to know today's the day of salvation. 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:10.799 You can come and he'll meet you where you are. 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:13.580 Don't wait until you clean up your life. 00:19:14.140 --> 00:19:15.240 You're not going to clean it up. 00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:17.299 He'll clean it up. 00:19:17.840 --> 00:19:20.039 He'll work with you through the Holy Spirit of God 00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:23.120 to make you everything that he would have you to be. 00:19:23.119 --> 00:19:25.619 The first step is to give your life to Christ. 00:19:26.559 --> 00:19:30.179 The second is to publicly acknowledge him through baptism. 00:19:30.879 --> 00:19:33.339 Baptism is the initiation into the church, 00:19:33.479 --> 00:19:35.759 and if you're a born-again believer, 00:19:35.919 --> 00:19:38.019 you need to be a part of a church 00:19:38.019 --> 00:19:41.239 that preaches the word of God and stands upon the gospel. 00:19:42.259 --> 00:19:45.399 And if you've never acknowledged Christ through baptism, 00:19:46.099 --> 00:19:49.139 I encourage you to come this morning and say, 00:19:49.140 --> 00:19:53.520 I need to tell others what Christ has already done in my life. 00:19:54.300 --> 00:19:57.780 And the third step to that is to walk in a godly way 00:19:57.780 --> 00:20:00.240 and honor him at the table. 00:20:01.060 --> 00:20:04.220 The apostle Paul goes on in 1 Corinthians to say, 00:20:05.040 --> 00:20:06.640 the reason some of you are sick 00:20:06.640 --> 00:20:10.080 is because you come to the Lord's table 00:20:10.080 --> 00:20:11.980 in an unworthy manner. 00:20:13.780 --> 00:20:17.000 Every time I lead in the Lord's Supper, 00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:20.759 I always give an invitation beforehand 00:20:20.759 --> 00:20:24.079 because I want you to be able to come to the table 00:20:24.079 --> 00:20:25.940 clean before the Lord 00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:29.720 to take time to get things right 00:20:29.720 --> 00:20:31.420 between you and God. 00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:34.539 If you've never given your life to Christ, 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.980 we're going to stand in just a moment. 00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:37.019 We're going to send you come. 00:20:37.640 --> 00:20:39.880 I'd love to help you in that process. 00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:42.160 Maybe you've never acknowledged that publicly through baptism. 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:44.839 If that be the case, I encourage you to come. 00:20:45.319 --> 00:20:46.240 I'll help you with that. 00:20:46.240 --> 00:20:49.359 Or maybe you're here this morning and you know 00:20:49.359 --> 00:20:51.319 that you have done those things. 00:20:52.140 --> 00:20:54.500 But there's things that are happening in your life 00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:55.920 that are not pleasing to the Lord. 00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:58.660 There needs to be repentance in your life. 00:20:59.359 --> 00:21:00.579 There needs to be changed. 00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:04.200 I encourage you to spend this time out seeking. 00:21:05.400 --> 00:21:06.579 Get it right and well. 00:21:07.579 --> 00:21:09.120 Go see yourself before the Lord. 00:21:09.220 --> 00:21:09.779 Get it right. 00:21:09.779 --> 00:21:15.819 Let's go with faith in a way that honors the Lord Jesus. 00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:17.879 That's why we're Jesus. 00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:20.920 And I, dear God, I love you. 00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:22.759 Thank you, Lord, for the forgiveness. 00:21:23.399 --> 00:21:24.759 Maybe I'm going to worship you today. 00:21:24.899 --> 00:21:27.339 I ask you, God, that you'll be in your work. 00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:30.819 And I just have all you can do right now. 00:21:31.339 --> 00:21:32.259 In Jesus Christ. 00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:46.879 Just as I am without one plea, 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:50.060 I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I ask you, I