Baptism Sunday

Preacher: Justin Matthews

Worship:
Meditate on the song “What He’s Done – Passion”. What promises from God found in the lyrics can you hold onto in your daily life?

Check-in: Share with the group what resonated with you from Sunday’s service?

Synopsis of message:
On Sunday we celebrated more than 50 people being baptised and together we celebrated their “new life” in Jesus. Justin shared a message that focussed on the change God makes in our lives. He reflected on 2 Corinthians 5:17 which declares us a new creation as children of God. He highlighted two men in the Bible whose lives Jesus changed.

1. Jesus called Simon the fisherman, to follow him. A fisherman with a foul mouth became someone on whom God built his church. Simon became Peter. (Matthew 16:18)
2. Saul had an encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. He too was chosen to become a messenger. Saul became Paul. (Acts 9:3-6; 15)

Both these men were ordinary people and may have been regarded as unqualified and undeserving. Yet Jesus called them out and spoke a new identity over them. They were changed from the inside out. He changed their identity before He changed them.

Similarly God can change us too. He invites us into a relationship with Him, where He works in us from the inside out.

What would God be saying to you? What words is he speaking over you?

How different will your life look if you acknowledge these words. See 1 Peter 2:9-10

Justin challenged us with the following two points:

1. Jesus gives us a new identity – Jesus spoke a new identity over these men and they began to change from the inside out, and went on to have a huge impact on the church.
2. Jesus invites us to accept the invitation – even though Jesus spoke these words over them, they still had a choice. We too have a choice, how we respond to Jesus’ invitation.

Discussion questions:

1. What aspects of your identity do you feel God is inviting you to embrace in your life? What do you sense God is saying to you?
2. What can we learn from Paul and Peter’s lives that can inspire us in our own journey of faith?
3. What invitation is God extending to you? In what practical ways can you respond to this invite?
4. If you have already taken the step of baptism, share with the group what this meant to you. If not, what would help you take this next step?

Additional resources:

• Our Identity in Christ (YouVersion)
• You’re Invited (YouVersion)
• New Life in Christ (YouVersion)