Is Baptism My Next Step?
I Love Central – Week #3 – June 30, 2024
Is Baptism My Next Step?
Matthew 3:13-14
• We all have a next step in our walk with Jesus
• Your next step is your best step
• Baptism is an outward profession of an inner connection
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Matthew 3:13-14
• Opposition is an opportunity to continually say yes to Jesus.
Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented Matthew 3:15
• The best time to take your next step is right now
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. Matthew 3:16
• Breakthrough comes after follow through
And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17
• When we take our next step in our walk with Jesus, God is pleased
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Acts 2:37
• When the Holy Spirit cuts to our heart, it’s because He wants to do something in us, so eventually He can do something through us.
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38
• Repent means to turn away from sin and submit your life to Jesus.
• Walking with Jesus is a process
• Repentance is internal, baptism is external
• Baptism is the way that we are given to identify with Jesus
Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:3-4
3 POINTS ABOUT BAPTISM:
1. Baptism is always after salvation
• Baptism is symbolic of the fact that we’ve entered into a covenant with God
2. Baptism is by immersion
3. Baptism is everyone’s next step after salvation
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:23-27
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
If you would like to be baptized on July 14, please sign up at http://yourcentralchurch.com/baptisms (by July 10, 2024)