RIVERSIDE NOTES
Sermon: “Mark Your Journey”
Series: Summer Baptism Celebration
Throughout the New Testament there are examples of specific people
being baptized (i.e., Jesus Himself by John the Baptist; Acts 2:41; 9:18;
10:48; 16:33; and 16:11-15).
I believe there are some important principles in Acts 8 that will
encourage us all to take a next step in our spiritual journey. First:
1. God Uses Ordinary People
Philip was just an ordinary person whose life was intersected by an
extraordinary God.
Note Acts 8:39-40
Note Acts 21:8-9
Our remarkable God does remarkable things through ordinary people
who keep taking next steps.
Notice how baptism is at the center of Philip’s life and ministry.
We don’t have to have amazing gifts, seminary degrees…for God to use
us.
We just need to be willing to follow Jesus and keep taking next steps.
2. God Cares About the Overlooked
There was no more despised group of people in Jewish eyes than
Samaritans (note John 4, especially vs. 9, 39-42).
Note Acts 1:8; 8:5-8, 12
You may feel overlooked in life…
God has never overlooked you.
When we say “yes” to Jesus as Lord and Savior, He connects us to His
forever family…
3. God Sees Every Individual (note Acts 8:26-35)
This important official who is all alone (and by man-made design was
to live a life of loneliness…) is not forgotten about by God.
He hears the good news about Jesus, says “yes” to Jesus as Lord, and
his very next step is…baptism (note Acts 8:36-38).
You may feel lost in a crowd, alone, and isolated.
But you are never out of God’s sight or His reach.
Mark your journey:
Why is baptism so important? What baptism does:
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It begins the process of obedience (note Matthew 28:19).
It invites God’s favor into your life (note John 14:15).
It declares our union/identity with Jesus Christ (note Romans 6:34; Colossians 2:12).
Here are the 3 qualifications to engage in baptism:
1) You need to be a follower of Jesus.
2) You need to have not been baptized as an adult believer in
Christ already.
3) You need to be at least 12 years old (We do baptize children
younger than 12 if they have parental support and have talked it
through with the Children’s Pastor. Family Ministries also a
discipleship class (“No Limits”) for children; they are given a chance to
engage in baptism after completing this course; you can find details on
our web site).
Don’t get baptized:
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If you’re not sure about following Jesus.
If you’re trying to impress others.
If you think it would be a “cool” experience with your
friends/family.
Everyone today fill out the special connect card, talk to a baptism
coach at the end of the service and make a choice to take this next
step of water baptism TODAY at our Summer Picnic and Baptism
Celebration this afternoon!