What an astounding service we had at LECC last Sunday as we completed our month of revival with a Baptism Sunday called “Fill the Tank!” Ten new believers chose to obediently follow Jesus Christ by meeting Him in the waters of baptism. The group of mainly young adults included two teenagers and one octogenarian, Praise the Lord! You too, can begin to follow Jesus today!
What does the New Testament model of following Jesus look like? It looks like this: HEAR the Word, BELIEVE the Word, REPENT of sins, CONFESS faith in Jesus, Be BAPTIZED, and LIVE FAITHFULLY. God desires for you to publicly declare your faith wholeheartedly in Jesus and desire a relationship with Him for all eternity.
But, why should you need Jesus? Because none of us are perfect, and He is the only one who can reconcile us to the Father. Sins separate us from the holiness of God. None of us are sinless. But Jesus was. Imagine that He was tempted in every way that we are and experienced every kind of pain, loss and torture that you can possibly think of. But He never once committed a sin. That’s why He is God’s chosen Messiah, the Savior of the world, the perfect, unblemished, sacrificial “lamb of God” who can forgive your sins because of what He did on the cross. No matter what you’ve done, or how far you may run away from God, the return trip back into His open arms is only one step. He loves you and desires a relationship with you. For God so loved YOU, that He gave His one and only Son.
What is the GOSPEL? God Offers Sinful People Eternal Life. He CAME, He DIED, He AROSE from the grave, He ASCENDED, and He’s COMING BACK. Once you hear that good news of the gospel, then you either choose to reject it, or BELIEVE it. If you are a believer, then you realize we are sinners in need of a savior. You are called to confess your faith publicly that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Then, you follow His example of baptism, proclaiming that you want to be a follower of Jesus for the rest of your life. Your walk of faith isn’t over after baptism. No, this is the beautiful beginning of your Christian life as you live faithfully for Him.
So, what’s the deal with the water, anyway? Baptism represents the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. “Christ died for our sins… He was buried…And He was raised on the third day.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 ) “For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with Him, you were raised to a new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.” (Colossians 2:12) Baptism also represents new life. “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Think of the symbolism like this: just as Jesus died on the cross, you are making a decision to die to your old, sinful way of life. Just as Jesus was buried in the tomb, you are making a decision to be buried under the waters of baptism. And just as Jesus was raised again to life on the third day, you are raised from the waters of baptism as a new creation in Christ.
Baptism also represents the washing away of sins. “And now, what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name.” (Acts 22:16). You may do this at LECC where a supportive, joyful, and appreciative congregation will celebrate, clap, and cheer as you take the most significant step of your life. Start following Jesus and find a loving family at 415987 Highway 9, Eufaula, where we have Sunday small group Bible study at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m., and Wednesday night activities at 6:30 p.m.
God Bless You!
Jeremy Little, Minister
