Rescued: Baptism

Rom 6:1-6 Baptism
-What is baptism? It is our public declaration of our faith in Jesus.
-Why do we baptize? Jesus commanded it. Mt 28:19-20. Jesus modeled it for us. Mk 1:9-10.
-How do we baptize? By immersion, which is how Jesus did it. Acts 8:38. The Greek word for baptize means sinking down under. Immersion best symbolizes death and raising to new life.
-Who do we baptize? Believers - those have been saved, and who are old enough to give testimony of their faith in Jesus. Acts 2:41, 8:12, 18:8. No instances of infant baptism in scripture.
-Does baptism save? No. It is not a condition of your salvation, it is a sign of your salvation. Heb 9:22 The blood of Jesus is what saves us. Lk 23:39-43 The thief on the cross was saved, but not baptised.
-What should I do? The most important thing is salvation! Then be baptised as evidence of your faith.

Rescued: Man overboard

- Are you with me? Do you struggle with sin?  Rom 7:14-25 - I am a slave to sin. I don't do what I should do, and do what I should not be doing. Who will rescue me? Jesus! (This is written by Paul AFTER salvation and transformation.)
Rom 8:1-2 - There is no condemnation in Jesus!
- There is an expectation of change for Christians. We should be changing and becoming more like Jesus.  Rom 6:1-2, 1 Thess 4:1-3a.
- God is in the business of rescuing and changing people!  Ex 2:11-12 - Moses killed an Egyptian, but God still used him mightily. 2 Sam - David, Bathsheba, and Uriah. John 4 - the woman at the well. Lk 19 - Zaccheus. Acts 26 - Paul's story. Rom 5:8

The Movement: The best week ever

The best week ever for all of us happened about 2,000 years ago - Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday - Jesus' death and resurrection.
After all that happened to him, he said "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." What kind of man says this? Only Jesus, the Son of God.
Mt 21:1-11
Malchus - John 18:1-11 Jesus used the same words as God, "I am." You've got to wonder what Malchus was thinking. Who is this man?
Peter - had no doubt about who Jesus was, claimed he would never betray Jesus, Mt 26:69-75. Peter wept bitterly after he betrayed Jesus. How often are we betraying Jesus, maybe not with our words, but with the actions of our lives?
Pilate - Mt 27:15-26 Stuck in the middle of knowing Jesus was innocent, and the riotous crowd wanting to crucify Jesus.
Barrabus - best day ever, was released even though he was guilty and Jesus was innocent.
Me - I was there. Crucifying Jesus because of my sin. Just as though Barrabus was set free and Jesus took his place, Jesus takes my place and the punishment for my sin and guilt.
BUT, there is hope! Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, and LIVES.

The Movement: The midnight hour

Acts 16:16-34 Paul and Silas in prison
- God can take the worst of circumstances and make something beautiful. We allow our circumstances to shape our view of God, instead of allowing our view of God to shape our circumstances. Make a decision to worship God no matter your circumstances. v. 25, 2 Cor 1:8-9 We must CHOOSE to worship God.
- We must be willing to be inconvenienced to be a part of the movement. Acts 16:6-10, Rom 9:2-3
- The most important question someone can ask is "What must I do to be saved?"

The Movement: Not difficult!

Acts 15:1-31 Jewish Pharisees that were believers said Gentiles must be circumcised.
If we are honest with ourselves, none of us do well. We all need the mercy and grace of Jesus in order to be saved.
Acts 15:19 Do not make it difficult for others to be saved.
Acts 15:20 Be sensitive to others.
- Let's keep the message of Jesus simple. 1 Cor 2:1-2, Acts 15:19, Rom 10:9-13
- Let's always err on the side of grace. If we're going to make a mistake, it's better to go back to grace rather than laws, rules, and regulations. Eph 2:8-10, Gal 5:1-6
- Let's stay focused on those who are not yet believers. Don't focus inward, focus on the message of the gospel.

The Movement: Blinded by the light

Acts 7-9 The story of Steven and Saul, and Saul's conversion.
Acts 8:1 God used persecution to spread His gospel.
Acts 9 Saul had an encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, and his life was radically changed.
- God often allows suffering as a part of the Christian experience. Acts 9:15-16, 2 Cor 11:23-26,
- God often uses the most unlikely people in the most important ways. Acts 9:1, 16. God can use me! 1 Cor 1:26-29.
- God often saves the most unlikely people. Acts 9:20-21, 11-12. God knows me intimately and knows exactly what He desires for my life.

The Movement: The Name

Acts 5:17-42
The apostles rejoiced that they were worthy of suffering for the Name of Jesus.
If the movement is from God, nothing can stop it. We need to be on mission for God,  we will succeed.
What should we do?
- The main purpose of our lives as followers of Jesus is to advance the gospel to the end of the earth.
- We need to love our neighbors. Lk 10:27 I need to be more intentional about reaching out.
- We need to open our mouths and talk about Jesus. The most loving thing we could ever do is share Jesus with others, especially those we care about.
- We need to change our prayers and focus from:God keep us safe, to:God make us dangerous.