Water Baptism... Today we celebrated changed lives!!
Accepting Christ is the most significant action a person can ever make. At the moment a person crosses the line of faith and accepts the grace, love and mercy of Christ they are forever changed. That joy, peace, zeal and commitment finds a true expression through the awesome act of water baptism.
Today was a day of rejoicing at New Hope! As a public expression and witness of their new found faith and commitment to Christ, 6 precious lives were baptized. As pastor, this is what it is all about! As we labor, pray, encourage and serve we are always seeking the most important fruit - changed lives!
I shared today that baptism is pregnant with great meaning. Your baptism declares your faith, shares Christ's burial and resurrection, symbolizes your death to your old life, and announces your new life in Christ. It is also a celebration of your inclusion in God's family. Your baptism is a physical picture of a spiritual truth. It represents what happened the moment God brought you into his family. Baptism - It is the complete surrender of everything you are and everything you have to follow Jesus Christ and be obedient to Him.
I shared the following public declaration before baptism...I hope you also can make it a prayer of your heart and commitment of your life:
I'm living for Christ. I've entered His kingdom. I've pledged my submission to His lordship. The world can be against me. Satan can fight me. People, friends and family may ridicule, but as for me, I've set my heart to follow Christ. From this day forward, I want every area of my life to be brought under His control. I declare publicly that this day I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I am committed to be like Him and to do all He asks of me.
Today, 3 tender young men, Tracy, Travis and Justin, One precious teen, Toni, and a newly married couple, Charley and Pam were baptized as a public profession of their faith in Jesus Christ. As with all of us, that commitment must be lived out in a daily basis. Today, I died to my old self. Today, I rise to walk in the strength of Christ for my new life. Today, I draw a line in the sand. Today, I commit my life to Christ and His service.
There is nothing in life more significant and worthy of our lives. We were created for this purpose, to honor and serve Christ! I pray that we always do!
