Is Your Baptism unto Salvation?

Scripture:

I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." Matthew 3: 11-12

Study:

In the previous passage John the Baptist was teaching and baptizing with water. He explained the value of water baptism to represent the believer's confession and repentance of sin. This sounds as though John was teaching a two step process of being saved, first, confession and repentance, then later, something else.  However, "John's baptism" was before Jesus had begun his ministry and before the giving of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, he explained that his baptism was to prepare the way for "the ONE coming after him, who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire," and that His (Jesus) work was superior to his (John's)," actually, completing God plan of salvation. 

In the previous passage he told the the Pharisees and Sadducees that their baptism was nothing more that being "dunked" in the water. Maybe they had confessed and were sorry for their sins but there was no evidence of turning away from their sin. John told them, (paraphrased), "Unless there is evidence, producing "good" fruit, you are not "saved" and "you will burn with the chaff and surely die." However, if you truly repent, you will be given the Holy Spirit and fire. 

Many people go into the water and are "dunked" but come out of the water, living no different from when they went in. Maybe they confess their sins, and for the moment are sorry for having lived a sinful life. They have good intentions to live the Christian life but turning from their old life is another story. Most want to claim the reward of being saved without turning away from the old habits and lifestyle and turning to Jesus' way. In fact, many have no intention of submitting to the Holy Spirit's working in their life to enable them to resist the temptation to sin. Unless  faith becomes active in our lives we have been deceived and have not been truly "saved." 

Application: If we want to lead others to Christ our lives must be convincing that Jesus is alive. in our lives. Repentance means to "turn around and not go back." If baptism represents the inward change, and the way we live our lives is the outward evidence of the Holy Spirit working in our life, then why aren't we seeing evidence in the lives of those who profess to be Christian? How can we live life WORTHY of our calling? 

Prayer: 

Dear Father, help me to submit to be obedient to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, to truly turn from my old ways and not look back. Holy Spirit come. To you Father in the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

By the Way of the Cross

Scripture: 
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6



Thought:
I just finished reading a blog from a fellow believer, Jim, who reminded me that, "Your salvation does not hang in the balance because of your performance of good deeds." A few weeks ago our assistant pastor, spoke on Romans 7:14-20.We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.c For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 


I can identify with Paul. Even when I strive to live as Christ modeled, sometimes I fail. But you know, even if you make no mistakes, and you do many good deeds, it is as filthy rags in comparison to what Christ did for us. I am thankful for God's mercy and grace and that He gave His son to die in our place.


Knowing ahead of time that Pastor Rose would use this Romans passage for the message, I asked to share my testimony in song, I Have Come by the Way of the Cross. (I found a video clip of the same song by TaRanda Greene. Hope you enjoy it. )

Application:

1. Are there times when you feel you just cannot get it right?
2. Do you keep working to try and make up for the times you have failed?
3. Accept God's mercy and grace. Jesus died because, regardless how hard we try, we cannot save ourselves. The only way is by the cross.

Prayer:

Dear Father, forgive me for the times that I fail you. Help me to accept my gift of salvation and stop trying to earn it. Show me the things you want me to do. I want to serve you out of my love and gratitude for what you did for me.  In Jesus name. Amen

Since Jesus Came into My Heart

Scripture:  

“However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” Luke 10:20

Thought for Today: 

What better way to begin worship than to come into Jesus presence singing, We Have Come into his House, and Holy Ground, and Since Jesus Came into my Heart, followed by a prayer. What better way to invite the Holy Spirit into our midst as we begin to prepare our hearts to hear the message from God. For some 25 minutes I watched as a group of people, stood and almost motionless, hardly singing, "Since Jesus came into my heart. Since Jesus came into my heart. Floods of joy o’er my soul like the sea billows roll. Since Jesus came into my heart." How can people stand without any emotion, seemingly without hope, yet verbalize of joy in their hearts? 

We all have burdens that can weigh us down and sap the very energy from our bodies. However, I have found when you come into the presence of Jehovah, for a moment your troubles vanish, your heart is mended, and you can experience the joy that comes only in knowing Jesus. “Floods of joy o’er my soul like the seas billows roll,” should be our expression of gratitude in knowing that our soul is safe with Jesus.  

Application: 

1. What is the source of your joy?
2.  If joy comes from having your name written in heaven, then why are so many "followers" of Jesus living as though they have no hope?
3.  Has Jesus made a difference in your life?

Prayer:

Dear Father, may “floods of joy o’er my soul like sea billows roll,” so that the world may know of the joy you have placed within me and so that you will be glorified, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Your Baptism

Scripture: 
This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, it saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 3:21

Thoughts for the Day: 
Many individuals can remember as a child wanting Jesus in their lives. Teachers do a good job explaining a loving, accepting Jesus who died for their sins. A person is then baptized to share with their family and friends the decision they have made in their lives. Tell me about your experience with Jesus? Do you remember when you accepted Jesus into your life? Were you baptized? Then what happened?

Baptism is symbolic...

1) of what Christ did for you on the Cross. Because of our sin nature, we sin, and we are not able to justify ourself. You may be self-made, have climbed the ladder of worldly success, but you are not able to save your own souls. You may not announce it to the world but within time you will come to that knowledge.  Jesus gave his life to pay the price for our sins. He died, was buried, and was resurrected. He was victorious over the grave. We cannot do anything for ourselves but that we accept the gift of eternal life we can have through Jesus Christ. Baptism is symbolic of Jesus death, burial, and resurrection.

2) of what Christ has done within you. At baptism we die to ourself; we are buried, our sins and all; and arise to a new life in Christ. This means that we no longer live for ourselves, or by the world's standard,  but we focus on Jesus Christ and seek to be obedient to God's calling in our life. 

Baptism does not save a person. A person accepts Jesus way of salvation and this decision is followed by baptism to show what has already happened in the person's life. 

Application: 

1. What did your baptism mean to you? 
2. Did it represent a changed life? 
3. If Christ has not made a difference in your life, accept Him and be baptized.

Prayer: Dear father, thank your loving act in giving of you son Jesus, that through his death, burial, and resurrection, we can have life. Help me to not take this act lightly. Help me to die to myself and be obedient to your calling on my life, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Romans 1:16-17 HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR CHURCH?

How did you choose your church? What kind of church do you attend? Does your pastor preach the gospel or is he afraid someone might be offended? Does he move around and pick and choose people pleasing messages or does he bring the Word of God to the people? Are people walking the aisles and making life-changing decisions to live for Jesus?

Scripture:

Romans 1: 16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes:  first for the Jew, then for the Gentile 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

Lesson:

Joey and I are seeking a church family. We have been visiting several churches now? We have heard many reasons for attending a church but as I read Romans 1:16-17 Paul spoke to me. I believe he says,

A Righteous Church is Bold in Preaching of the Word: Is the Word being preached from the pulpit? While there are many great stories and lessons that can be taught from hearing God’s word, there is nothing as powerful as the gospel of Jesus Christ. Too many pastors are not preaching the word in fear of embarrassing someone or being politically incorrect. The Bible teaches against choosing people pleasing messages rather than preaching the Word, and living by man’s standards rather than Gods.

A Righteous Church believes the Gospel is Power unto Salvation: Churches all over the nation are grabbing anything and everything coming and going, from music, dress, programs, projects, various preaching styles, etc. trying to entice individuals to join their fellowship. Churches are growing, but are individuals being saved? There is only one thing that we should be focusing on as we live church, and that is to share the gospel. The gospel of Jesus is the only power. Paul says the gospel IS the POWER of salvation. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ that accomplished salvation. That means that the gospel is able to deliver men from captivity of sin. It can set us free spiritually.

A Righteous Church Welcomes All: For the gospel is the power unto salvation for “everyone” who believes. Nowhere in the Bible do we find where believers are told to come together to organize churches based on culture, race, gender, social status, likes and/or dislikes. Faith is the one thing that unites believers regardless of their other differences.

A Righteous Church Shares Faith from First to Last: There should be a fellowship among the body in that the young will come to believe as a result of the first, Older, Christian’s testimony. Rather than the attitude of the “old” versus the “young” attitude, there should be a unity among the fellowship where the old is mentoring and encouraging the young, and the young respects and learns from the old.

A Righteous Church Lives by Faith: Believing in the sense of knowing knowledge is true is not enough. Followers of Jesus are called to believe the Word in that it influences the way they live their lives. The gospel (what they believe) is what empowers us to live transformed lives. They live the Word, not by seeing, but by faith. A church/believer who walks by faith will be obedient to God and His Word even when they do not know where the path will lead, even if it seems strange to the world, even if it does not make sense to do it, and even if is seems financially unsound. Faith means putting all trust in what God is able to do and not man's ability. It was once said “a small step for man, but a giant step for mankind.”  As kingdom people our faith will lead us to take what is a giant step for man, all because to our Almighty God, it is but a small step. When we think the step is too large for us we need to remember it is a small step for God for he is the creator of the universe and all that is in it.

Application:

1.        How did you choose where to attend church? (you were born there, relatives go there, denominational views, politically correct, socially correct, music, biblically sound, you don’t know)

2.        Is the Gospel of Jesus preached unashamedly at your church or does the pastor shy away from preaching anything that might be politically incorrect? Does he preach the gospel that leads you to repentance? Are individuals moved to salvation? (Repentance, confession, transformation, and sanctification)

3.        Does your church welcome all? Are you sure, or as you look around, do you realize it is just another social club? How diverse is your group? How accepting are you of those who do not look, smell, talk, live, sing, dress, or eat like you? Would you sit on the same pew or take them to lunch with you?

4.        How does the church live out its faith, both individually and cooperatively? Do members seek to live by biblical standards or their own? Are you challenged by their faith to be a stronger believer? Have you grown in your faith as a result of their witness and testimony?

5.        Is church attendance enough or do you come to church with a sense of anticipation, anticipation that someone will be saved? Are you concerned when no one responds to the message?

6.        Does the church as a whole step out in faith so that God is ABLE to show what he can do rather than what you as church are able to do?

7.        How much have you grown spiritually since you have been a part of _____ church?  Are you helping to mentor other to a higher level of spirituality?

8.        Are you satisfied that your church is a righteous church? If not are you bold enough to help it transform into one? Do you need to seek new fellowship so that you can grow into the person God wants you to be?

Prayer:

Dear Father, thank you for churches who are righteous in your eyes.  Help me to be a believer who is unashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the place that I am willing to speak boldly for you, willing to welcome all who want to seek you in their lives, and willing to walk in faith to the place that my faith may lead others to a faith in you. Give me strength and discernment as I seek to fellowship with righteous people so that I will be strengthened and if I need to change churches then lead me to do so. In Jesus name I pray, Amen