Be Baptized and Changed.

Steve Gentry

[0:00] Welcome to Village Church. This is your first time here. My name is Steve. I’m one of the pastors here at Village Church [0:04] And I’m always thankful and grateful to see each and every one of you [0:09] If you have your Bibles go ahead and do me a favor and open up to Matthew chapter 28 [0:14] We’re gonna be starting in verse 18 this morning [0:18] We’re in the middle of a series on the seven basic commands of Christ and what we’re doing in this series is we’re [0:26] Summarizing many of the commands that Jesus made into seven basic ways that the gospel

[0:33] When we trust it when we have faith in it when we obey Jesus in his primary call [0:38] To repent and believe in the gospel ways that we are to follow Jesus [0:43] And so what we’re doing over these seven weeks is really explaining what it looks like to follow Jesus [0:49] What it looks like to be his disciple and of course we started with that first primary command [0:55] Which is to repent or turn from a life where you are not following Jesus a life in which you are [1:02] Finding your hope in other things pouring the values of your life into other things and to turn and believe

[1:09] That Jesus is who he says he is that the things that he says are true and that he did [1:14] What he said he was going to do and that is he went to the cross he died for our sins [1:19] And then he rose from the dead to give us new life [1:22] And he doesn’t give us things to believe about instead he gives us a life to believe in [1:28] And when you believe in the gospel it changes everything [1:31] it makes you to live a life that is different and

[1:36] The second command that we looked at was that Jesus has commanded us to pray [1:40] And we looked at what it means to live in relationship [1:44] With God where we hear from him through his word through his spirit, and then we respond [1:51] To him both in word as well as in a life that is filled [1:57] With prayer in every moment we ought always to pray [2:02] then last week we took a look at his command to love him and to love other people and that the gospel is

[2:08] What defines love for those who have faith in Jesus and that it calls us to understand? [2:14] What love is to define what love is by the way that God has defined it in the person and work of Jesus Christ [2:21] And that turns us into people who love others the way that God loves us [2:27] That’s as a people with an agenda an agenda of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is love [2:33] And then today I want to look at what is really a unique command that Jesus makes one that makes Christianity [2:41] It’s one of those symbols and signs of Christianity that is peculiar in this world because it’s something that outside of faith

[2:48] You probably would never do you probably would never even have an inkling and that’s something you should do now [2:53] We took a look inside the prayer is something that all religions hold [2:57] Together and that everyone at some point in their lives is turning in prayer [3:01] Loving people is something that we think we know how to do but without the gospel [3:05] We actually don’t know how to do but the command to be baptized [3:10] Is something that really makes Christianity unique and it’s one of those unique things that we do as Christians that shows

[3:17] How peculiar of a people we actually are in that in order to follow Jesus [3:23] He calls us and he says be baptized [3:27] That term baptized in the original language is a term for being immersed [3:33] And he tells us in Matthew chapter 28. You can go ahead and go there in verse 18 [3:39] He comes to his followers a few hundred of them right before he leaves this earth and he says all authority [3:47] In heaven and on earth has been given to me

[3:52] Now this fits very well with the primary command that Jesus gives he’s saying all authority is mine therefore [3:58] Anything or anyone else you are allowing to be the ultimate authority in your life turn away from it [4:06] Turn to Jesus because he is the one who has authority therefore what he says you are to be about in your life [4:15] He has the authority to say it [4:18] He’s making a huge claim here and a claim that is based on the resurrection

[4:24] After someone rises from the dead and they say I’ve got authority you tend to believe them

[4:31] Then he says in verse 19 he says go therefore make disciples of all nations

[4:39] Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit [4:45] And they join something in with that [4:49] teaching them then to [4:51] Observe all that I have commanded you and behold I’m with you always to the end of the age now we know that this is a [4:59] Part of scripture that we refer to as the Great Commission [5:02] Or what we call the mission of Jesus and that is this mission that we call the mission of Jesus

[5:07] Mission to take the news of who Jesus is and what Jesus has done and take it to the entire world [5:13] But Jesus does more than tell us you are to give them news [5:18] He then also tells us you are to give them the news so that they can then in turn [5:25] Repent and believe and be disciples [5:28] Be a people who make it their pursuit above absolutely everything else [5:34] To follow Jesus to obey what Jesus has told them to do and so this is

[5:43] Joined together it’s almost simultaneous that the moment that you trust in Jesus the moment that you look [5:50] At who he claims to be and what he says that means for you the moment that you trust in that your life [5:57] Is to be changed into which you make it your pursuit to follow him and become like him and live for him [6:05] That’s what a disciple is [6:07] The simplest definition is someone who follows Jesus [6:11] And then he in turn connects

[6:15] baptism with that discipleship [6:18] And so number one this morning I want us to understand first and foremost about baptism is that baptism is an essential part [6:25] of Christian discipleship [6:27] Baptism is an essential part of Christian discipleship today. We’re going to take a look at why baptism is so [6:35] Important what it means and who should be baptized for many [6:40] It’s the first proclamation that we make about the gospel of Jesus Christ, but sometimes so often

[6:47] It’s such a unique thing that we do in the church of Jesus Christ is baptism is getting into water [6:55] Being dunked under that water and then coming up out of the water as if that means something

[7:01] We’re tempted to do one of two things often with baptism either we minimize it [7:06] To be something that we can do [7:08] It’s an option if you really want to be a super christian. You should probably be baptized, but it’s not necessary

[7:18] Or we elevate it to an extent where it’s connected to salvation so much [7:23] So that it’s almost something that you fear [7:26] It’s like well before I do that [7:30] I better read the whole bible. I better at least reach 100 people who faith in Jesus [7:35] I better be a christian for about 25 years just to make sure my faith is genuine because I don’t want to get in [7:40] That water and god make me drown or something

[7:44] So we tend to be kind of polarizing about our views with baptism, but what I want us to understand is that Jesus [7:52] Commands it as an imperative [7:55] See, yes, it is vital. Yes. It is essential in obeying Jesus

[8:03] But [8:05] It’s not something that Jesus says is to be reserved for the priesthood or something [8:11] It’s something that Jesus connects [8:14] at that initial point [8:16] Of repentance and baptism [8:19] And I want to take a look today

[8:21] As to why he does that [8:23] And as to who baptism is for is this something that you need to be in for a while? [8:28] Or is this something that at the moment that you repent and have faith in Jesus you can jump right on in with a cannonball [8:35] And so the reality is that baptism is a command [8:41] Jesus connects his authority with [8:44] Submitting to him with the symbol of baptism and Jesus has

[8:49] Initiated this as an initiatory right of what it means to follow him [8:55] There’s the question that you’ve got to ask yourself is if you trust Jesus if you’ve repented and believed and you’re hesitant to be [9:01] Baptized is that why would you hesitate to trust Jesus in anything? [9:07] Why would you hesitate to obey him in anything? [9:11] If you have turned and you look to him as your authoritative figure in your life and you say yes [9:16] I believe all authority has been given to him and then in the next moment Jesus says well

[9:21] If you believe that be baptized and you say well, let’s just wait on that

[9:28] Could you possibly be giving an attitude in that reaction that you don’t truly trust his authority [9:35] Why would you hesitate and this primary means that Jesus has called you to be a disciple? [9:43] Because then the reality is that baptism is about submission [9:47] To the authority of Jesus if you have repented and believed you will obey Jesus [9:54] And be baptized [9:56] That’s the reality. It’s connected

[9:59] Jesus says follow me [10:02] And then do this [10:05] So in many senses are we really following him if we hold back on our obedience? [10:11] If we keep even that part away from him [10:14] And say I will follow you in many ways, but that part [10:20] I don’t know

[10:22] Because Jesus seems to make it to be a very important part of following him in [10:29] Matthew 28 in these verses Jesus combines the command to be baptized with being taught [10:34] To observe all that he has commanded therefore baptism is the sign that is given to enter into [10:40] a life of intentional discipleship [10:43] It is the way in which you identify that I am submitting to Jesus [10:48] It is a way for you to publicly testify to the church of Jesus Christ

[10:53] I am entering into a life of discipleship. I want to follow him [10:59] I want to obey him [11:01] I love him to the extent that when he says I need to do something. Yes, I will submit to that thing [11:08] If you desire to turn from sin and to submit to Jesus you can’t avoid this [11:13] This is the clearest sign in your life that you are reorienting your view towards him [11:20] Because baptism is a sign of joining the life of Jesus in the spirit

[11:26] Turn in your bibles if you can to Matthew chapter 3 [11:30] And I want to read just a portion of the baptism of Jesus [11:35] Jesus

[11:37] John the Baptist [11:39] Had been using baptism as a sign for [11:43] Jews who had been following a pharisaical and phony judaism [11:47] To turn from their sin to turn from their phony faith and actually enter into truly following God [11:54] as your lord [11:57] And in that he had borrowed it because it had been a sign for some time of gentiles who desired to

[12:03] Turn from paganism and actually follow the life of judaism [12:08] And so John the Baptist as the forerunner of Jesus is the one who really prepared the way of him [12:13] He began to call all gentiles and all Jews to follow God in [12:19] Baptism as a sign that they are repenting of their sins. They’re being purified and that they’re following him [12:26] But then in Matthew chapter 3 and verse 11 [12:29] John the baptist says this

[12:31] He says I baptize you with water for repentance [12:34] But he who is coming after me is mightier than I whose sandals I am not worthy to carry [12:40] He will baptize you with the holy spirit and fire his winnowing fork is in his hand and his [12:47] Excuse me, and he will clear this threshing floor and gather his weed into the barn [12:52] But the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire [12:56] So John says i’m giving you a sign

[13:00] But Jesus the son of god, he will come and he will baptize you he will [13:06] Immerse you is what the original language meant [13:09] into the very [13:11] life of god the spirit it will be as a fire that is dropping and it will [13:17] Consume you and it will burn away all that is not for god and it will leave you with a life in which you [13:24] Are following the will of god the promptings of the very holy spirit of god

[13:30] And then no sooner than he says this [13:33] Jesus shows up. He has a really good way of doing that in the gospel accounts [13:39] Says then jesus in verse 13 came from galilee to the jordan to john to be baptized by him

[13:47] Of course john just saying i’m not even worthy to strap the guy’s sandals

[13:54] He looks to jesus and he says [13:58] I need to be baptized by you and do you come to me

[14:02] Imagine being in john the baptist shoes right here where the very son of god comes before you and says will you baptize me? [14:08] I might be a little hesitant too [14:11] He says this is the only thing that you could logically say I would prefer the other way happen and you need to baptize me [14:18] He [14:20] But jesus answered him in verse 15 let it be so now for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all [14:27] righteousness

[14:29] Then he consented because you see when jesus makes a command of someone who believes in him the the option is not to argue [14:36] With him the option is not well i’ll think about it [14:40] The option is not come back next year when i’m ready to get really serious about my faith [14:44] I’ve got some other stuff I need to be about right now. No john the baptist said yeah, okay

[14:51] And when jesus was baptized [14:54] Immediately he went up from the water and behold the heavens were open and he saw the spirit of god descending like a dove [15:00] Coming to rest on him and behold a voice from heaven said this is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased [15:09] You see jesus [15:12] Had nothing to be cleansed of [15:16] What this was is jesus revealing to us through his actions what was already true of him

[15:25] That number one the father approved of him [15:28] And the number two he was to live a life that was going to be in complete unity [15:34] with the will of god and he substitutes himself and takes part in every [15:41] aspect that we are personally to obey god in [15:46] And when he’s risen up out of the water can’t even imagine what it must have been like that day to be john the baptist [15:52] To actually be a witness of something like this to see him risen up out of the water

[15:57] Does his spirit descend on him like a dove but what’s being revealed to us in that moment? [16:02] Is what god wants the act of baptism to be a picture of for us? [16:09] I do not expect anyone that is baptized today to be risen up out of the water [16:14] And to hear the voice of god if that happens that’ll be weird [16:18] And some of you more charismatic are like that wouldn’t be weird. That’d be the holy ghost

[16:24] Sure, whatever it’d be weird to me

[16:30] But the reality this morning is is that when jesus is risen up out of the water [16:36] What he’s showing us is that this is what baptism is a picture of that when you come to faith in jesus [16:42] in that moment [16:44] Note what he says in the passage in verse 15 when he says that this is fitting for us to fulfill all [16:52] Righteousness in other words. I’ve got to do everything [16:56] I’ve got to be the substitute in every moment even baptism itself needed to be cleansed by jesus

[17:03] Taking part in it [17:06] This is in the moment of salvation the very righteousness of jesus comes to us and the father says to us just as he says [17:12] To his son i’m more pleased in you as I am in my son [17:16] The moment that you come to faith in jesus the moment that you repent the moment that you believe in the gospel [17:22] The holy spirit of god comes upon you comes on to your life [17:27] And you are given the privilege you are given the joy

[17:31] You are given the life in which the holy spirit guides you into the life of jesus christ guides you [17:38] To be his disciple and guide you to obey god in every command that he gives you with joy

[17:46] And so what a privilege it is that god gives us this sign the very sign that god the son [17:53] It’s made so much importance on that he himself had to take part in what a privilege it is that god says you can [17:59] Take part in this right as well [18:01] You can take part in this picture [18:04] the picture of god the son [18:07] The relationship that he has with the father the relationship that he has with the holy spirit

[18:15] At the moment that we obey god in baptism [18:19] We are telling the world all around us [18:22] I find my identity in jesus [18:27] And that is what I want my life to be marked by [18:32] But understand this morning that it signifies what you believe about life in jesus [18:38] Without it, how are you obeying him?

[18:42] It is the sign of real life change [18:46] Secondly this morning baptism is an outward sign of inward change [18:52] Baptism is an outward sign of inward change. Yes baptism is about change [18:57] Faith in jesus changes your life [19:00] Repentance is turning from the life of sin [19:03] To trust in jesus and follow him in every area of life

[19:07] And baptism is a symbol of how big of a change the gospel brings [19:13] It takes you from death to life [19:16] You know water represents cleansing and purifying [19:20] Whenever i’m talking to people about baptism I tell them I hope you’ve had a shower this week [19:25] And there’s a reason that water is involved in baptism [19:28] And there’s a reason that picture’s so easy for us because the way that we get clean

[19:32] Is that we either take a bath or we take a shower or maybe go in the backyard and hose off [19:37] I have no idea what you do, but I hope water is involved [19:41] Or else the people beside you they may start sniffing [19:45] and leave [19:47] But the reality is that water has always been this symbol even in the old testament [19:52] If you read the levitical law before they did anything in the temple they had to cleanse themselves by using water

[19:58] Because it is how we get clean [20:01] And so that symbol is not an accident that it is involved in baptism because it represents what god has done for us [20:07] Through jesus on the cross that jesus took our sin to the cross [20:11] Paid the penalty for our sin and then through faith in him [20:15] We can be forgiven and we can be made right with god [20:20] The sin that bars us from having a reconciled relationship with god is fully taken away

[20:25] We are fully cleansed of that sin and god gives us a picture in baptism that this is what true is true of you through faith [20:33] In jesus christ [20:35] And then being lowered into that water [20:37] Water represents being identified with the death of jesus [20:43] Is that you are lowered in you notice that if you stay underwater too long [20:49] Bad things can happen so I don’t recommend it

[20:53] So first thing I always tell people when i’m going to baptize them is I won’t be holding you under there [20:57] So don’t fear that [20:59] But it represents that we are identifying with the death of jesus the forgiveness of our sins, but then [21:05] Almost simultaneously what we do we come out of that water [21:08] And that identifies us secondly with the resurrection of jesus [21:13] God changes us from the inside out. We are risen to a new life to follow him

[21:20] This is all true apart from baptism [21:25] But god wants to give us a public sign in which we can proclaim what is going on inside of us [21:31] To all those around because I don’t know if you know this but when you first come to faith in jesus the change that’s happening [21:36] In you it can be hard to explain can it [21:39] It can be difficult to even almost comprehend yourself what god is actually doing in your heart to other people [21:46] And so god cleans it up real quick for us and he says i’ve got a way in which you can explain to everyone

[21:51] What’s going on inside of you is you can proclaim to them that you’re being cleansed that you’re [21:57] Sin is being killed in you and then you’re being risen to a new life through the sign of baptism [22:02] In romans chapter six the apostle paul explains it this way [22:06] He says do you not know that all of us who have been baptized with christ jesus were baptized into his death [22:12] We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death in order that just as christ [22:17] Was raised from the dead by the glory of the father. We too might walk in newness of life

[22:27] And then he gives us a sign [22:33] To explain to others what’s happening inside of us [22:37] Through faith you are to trust that you are united [22:40] In jesus’s experience on the cross and in the resurrection as he rose from the dead so have you into a new life [22:49] Of following him [22:51] You don’t walk alone through the new life

[22:53] [22:53] And then into discipleship [22:55] You see coming up from the water symbolizes a joining with god the spirit [23:00] To truly change you [23:03] Because when you come up out of the water it is not as if okay i’ve got some work to do [23:09] I better make some changes so that everybody thinks this thing was legit

[23:14] It’s different than that [23:17] See god’s not going to be pleased with you he is pleased with you through what jesus has already done [23:24] And when you come up out of the water, it’s not your second chance to make it right [23:29] It is a new life under a new authority with a new command and a new guide [23:36] It is not as if god is some far-off being who’s going to coach you from afar [23:41] Instead he comes in as jesus as the dove descended upon him

[23:46] The holy spirit has come upon you and you are following god under the power of god [23:52] He has stacked the deck in your favor [23:56] He says you’re not on your own [23:59] Jesus says in matthew 28 20. He says I will always be with you. I’m never going to leave you

[24:09] You [24:10] God the spirit is with us he is in us [24:14] God is always going to be with you leading you and guiding you [24:18] But it means more even [24:20] In first corinthians chapter 12 the apostle paul presents that you are unified and united with god’s spirit to be joined with god’s [24:29] people

[24:30] he says [24:31] For in one spirit we were all baptized into one body jews or greeks slaves are free and we’re all made to drink of one spirit [24:39] You see baptism identifies [24:42] You with all people who have come before you who’ve trusted in jesus [24:46] You see baptism is something that everyone who’s ever come to faith in jesus [24:51] And the church throughout the history since jesus rose from the dead all people in the church have taken part

[24:58] the right of baptism [25:00] So it joins you with god’s universal church it joins you with all those who have come before [25:07] With all those who have gone before you into heaven it joins you with a great history a great [25:14] Following of jesus christ that has existed for over [25:18] 2000 years

[25:21] Jesus says be a part of that [25:24] Join with them you have not received a different spirit [25:28] You’ve not joined a different type of church [25:31] You have joined the church of jesus christ of which he is the head of and he is leading into a life [25:39] Of proclaiming his death resurrection and coming to the entire world [25:45] It bonds us

[25:47] Baptism symbolizes our unity with one another [25:52] And baptism is also about obedience [25:55] You see christ death to sin becomes our death to sin [25:59] It is not that sin and temptation have died. It is rather that we have died to sin [26:05] We now live to christ [26:08] When we live to obey him it signifies our death to sin in our life in christ

[26:13] And baptism serves as a step in that direction [26:17] By obeying jesus to embrace the symbolism of death to sin under the water in the purifying resurrection to life [26:25] That is symbolized in rising from that water [26:30] And so it signifies I will follow jesus [26:36] Will you do it perfectly? No

[26:41] But you’ll do it [26:43] Because of grace [26:45] And because of the power of god that jesus has given you through uniting your spirit with his very [26:53] Holy spirit in your life [26:57] And thirdly this morning baptism is for all who have repented and believed in the gospel [27:05] Baptism is for all who have repented and believed in the gospel

[27:09] you know [27:10] for a few years of [27:12] Studied baptism and over the past few months i’ve really made it an urgent part of my study to say [27:19] You know, who is baptism for is there an age limit? Is there a requirement? [27:24] Do I need to put them through a a christian boot camp? [27:27] And then you know after they crawl under the barbed wire they jump into the baptismal pool and i’m there waiting for them and

[27:35] Is there an age limit, you know, what are we what are we doing here? What are we forming here? [27:40] What are we saying here? [27:41] And as i’ve read through the teachings and judaism as i’ve read through the new testament as i’ve studied [27:47] What history has shown us about baptism i’ve just come to the point and come to the conclusion [27:51] I think to the leading of the holy spirit to be faithful to his word that baptism is for all who’ve repented and believed

[27:59] If you’ve repented and believed in the gospel and there’s nothing barring you from baptism

[28:06] The responsibility put on us is his church [28:11] Is to be involved in one another’s lives and to ask the right questions and to say the right things to one another [28:17] So that we can to the best of our ability [28:20] Make sure that those professions of faith are legitimate [28:25] I’ll be honest with you. Some of them won’t [28:28] I have baptized some people in my life

[28:32] Who’ve not endured in faith [28:35] And god will judge them for that [28:39] But as followers of jesus [28:42] Our responsibility [28:44] Is not [28:45] To create barriers where god has taken them away

[28:50] Well, but sometimes we’re tempted to do that. I know I am

[28:56] But I don’t know. Oh [28:59] I think r2d2 is back there somewhere

[29:03] Some of y’all got really excited right there [29:06] And y’all need to repent man, that’s weird and they’re all like 40

[29:15] But the reality that god gives us in this great picture of [29:19] Baptism is not that we need to wait until people are adults [29:22] It’s not that we need to try to find this perfect age of accountability. But instead it is [29:29] Calling us to actually be involved in people’s lives to the extent where we can sit down with them and say [29:35] Let’s have a real conversation about faith [29:39] There are some things that you really do need to believe

[29:43] Have you repented of your sins? Have you believed in the gospel? [29:47] And what I love and was beautiful about our church is that we have people who are really involved in other people’s lives [29:54] And I don’t have to have all those conversations, but instead i’m having parents come to me [29:59] I’m having group leaders come to me. I’m having group coaches come to me [30:02] I’m having people in personal discipleship groups come to me and talk to people that they’re in relationship with and say this person has professed faith in Jesus [30:10] They are ready to be baptized and god has given us the freedom to be so involved in one another’s lives to where we can actually say

[30:17] This is legitimate [30:19] This is real [30:20] God is changing lives

[30:25] The requirement for baptism [30:28] Is that you’re a follower of jesus? [30:30] And in matthew 28, I don’t think it is insignificant that jesus joins together [30:36] being baptized [30:39] With being taught [30:40] To observe all that he has commanded

[30:44] So there is clearly maturity involved this needs to be a person that can be taught how to follow [30:51] Jesus therefore we do not do infant baptism here at village church [30:55] But instead baptism is reserved for those who have professed faith in jesus and can be taught how to follow him

[31:06] Sometimes we put this great burden on finding only adults to be baptized [31:11] I know i’ve fallen for that because it’s like man those eight-year-olds. They have really boring testimonies

[31:18] We need we need some people who like almost died or something [31:23] How silly and how human and man-centered is that logic [31:29] You see I take joy [31:31] in all of it [31:33] Those who have lived a life in which they have really [31:36] Rebelled against god in many ways that have left them hurting and they’ve come under faith in jesus and repentance to trust in his grace

[31:44] What joy it is that grace can reach even the worst of sinner like me?

[31:52] But what joy it is [31:57] When a mother and father [31:59] Are living faithfully for the gospel proclaiming the gospel to their children [32:05] And their children say yes, I will follow jesus [32:09] What joy [32:11] I pray that my children have very boring testimonies

[32:16] I pray that my children can never remember a time when they didn’t know who jesus was [32:23] What joy it is [32:26] When anyone no matter what the age [32:29] Comes to faith in jesus and follows him in baptism [32:35] Because you see the beauty of baptism is that is also a proclamation [32:40] Of what god is doing in your life

[32:43] to other people [32:44] You see baptism is about making your faith in jesus public [32:49] It tells the world that you have been redeemed by jesus it tells the world that you are submitting [32:55] To a life of being discipled in order to better follow jesus and grow every single day very important phrase in matthew [33:02] 28 19 is the phrase [33:04] baptizing them

[33:07] You see baptism brings with it this great [33:10] Ongoing work of discipleship in that discipleship is not ended in your life [33:16] You are not the ends rather you are just the beginning [33:20] That baptism exists so that others may be baptized [33:24] God has given you faith so that others [33:27] May come to faith in jesus and baptism is a proclamation to other people

[33:33] Is about others [33:36] Just as much as it is about you and through it [33:39] We continue the gospel witness so that others may come to faith in jesus and be baptized [33:47] and [33:47] This obedience and baptism is a joy [33:50] In axe chapter 8 an ethiopian is returning to africa

[33:56] And he’s reading the gospel in isaiah chapter 53 [34:02] God supernaturally brings a christian [34:05] philip [34:06] Into his path and he is able to explain to him what faith in jesus is all about [34:11] And then when this ethiopian eunuch understands this he embraces jesus and his life is changed forever [34:18] Here’s what it says in axe chapter 8 starting in verse 35

[34:21] It says and then philip opened his mouth and beginning with this scripture. He told him the good news about jesus [34:28] You see friends the good news always comes before baptism [34:32] And as they were going along the road they came to some water [34:38] And the ethiopian eunuch says see here’s water what prevents me from being baptized [34:44] What a great question [34:47] What he’s saying is can I follow jesus

[34:51] Can I obey him? [34:53] You think philip said no [34:54] now some [34:56] Of the original texts say that philip said that you need to have faith in jesus and the ethiopian eunuch says in some [35:02] Translations he says yes [35:04] I have faith in jesus and then in verse 38

[35:06] It says he commanded the chariot to stop and they both went down into the water philip and the eunuch and he baptized him [35:13] And when they came up out of the water the spirit of the lord carried philip away and the eunuch saw him no more [35:18] And went on his way rejoicing [35:20] You see friends the ethiopian when he puts his faith in jesus

[35:26] Is that obeying jesus is a joy to him [35:29] It’s not something that he hesitates on [35:32] And something he’s so overjoyed about he’s so excited about he looks at philip and he says can I do this [35:38] So when was the last time you looked at obeying jesus in that fashion? [35:43] This is the attitude of a follower of jesus there is a desire to submit to the god who sacrificed for you [35:50] So the question this morning is what prevents you from being baptized?

[35:56] Question the ethiopian asked philip is an important one [35:59] And jesus made it abundantly clear that he has come to save all who believe [36:05] Friend if you repent of your sins and believe in the gospel god removes all barriers to himself [36:10] He removes all barriers to obeying him [36:13] If you are in here this morning [36:16] And you need to repent and believe the gospel. I invite you this morning right here right now to trust jesus

[36:24] When you’ve done that you are freed to obey him in every way that god has called us to through his word [36:31] You are free to tell the world the good news of jesus christ [36:36] friend [36:38] Do you need to place your faith in jesus? [36:41] Do you need to be baptized?

[36:45] Pray with me

[36:51] Jesus you are so good

[36:55] You have blessed us with every blessing in the heavenly places so that we can be your followers [37:02] And you give us the very privilege of being one of your people [37:08] Being able to follow you and I am thankful this morning for those [37:13] Who want to make their faith in you public who want to come up here and want to pray for you [37:17] Proclaim to all those of the church. Yes. I am one of you. Yes. Jesus has saved me and yes. I want to follow [37:25] him

[37:26] God may we be a people who pray and live to see more and more people come to faith in you

[37:36] And let us rejoice [37:39] In obedience in the name of jesus. I pray amen