24-0331a Transcript

Preacher: Tom Freed

(0:58) Happy Easter. I didn’t realize I’d be preaching on Easter. (1:07) For those of you who don’t come here all the time, we don’t have a preacher and we take (1:11) turns, so I had half of my sermon done.

I was too lazy to do another one, but luckily (1:17) Jim did a great job during the Lord’s Supper of explaining the death and resurrection. (1:23) Now we do go over the resurrection, Jesus' death and crucifixion every week. So Easter, (1:30) you know, a fun fact of Easter and Christmas isn’t really in the Bible.

The man-made, you (1:35) know, holidays, which there’s nothing against celebrating it, but we do the Lord’s Supper (1:41) every week, so we remember it every single week. My sermon is called Keep Moving Forward. (1:48) So the Christian walk isn’t always a continual straight line upward of constant success and (1:56) spiritual growth.

There are many times as a Christian you’ll fall into sin, stumble, and (2:03) once in a while you’ll fall flat on your face. Walking the righteous path is a constant battle, (2:10) mainly against yourself, but also against the dark influences of the world. (2:16) As a Christian, you’re constantly fighting yourself, you’re fighting your flesh, (2:21) you’re trying not to sin.

You know, it’s pretty easy to become a Christian, but it’s difficult (2:26) to live the Christian life. So it’s not a physical war we fight, but a spiritual war against the (2:32) devil and his minions. Ephesians 6.12, we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, (2:41) but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, (2:48) against spiritual hosts of wickedness and heavenly places.

(2:53) We can see we don’t fight a physical war, we can just go and (2:58) attack the other side and try to kill them all. It’s a spiritual battle, (3:03) and Satan’s forces are strong. You can see that in this country.

You can see the spiritual battle (3:09) for people’s souls taking place. We’re influenced by the world and the evil things in it, but (3:16) ultimately it’s up to us if we give in to temptation and sin. Nobody’s pointing a gun (3:24) at our head telling us we have to disobey God’s word or else.

What comes down to us, (3:32) you know, there’s a lot of evil influences out there, but ultimately it comes down to (3:38) whether we want to choose to sin or not. We are not tempted by God. (3:47) It is our lust and desire that ultimately will lead us astray.

James 1.13-14. (3:54) Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted by God. For God cannot be tempted by evil, (4:01) nor does he himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away (4:07) by his own desires and enticed.

We’re tempted by something we desire. (4:16) The more we think about it, the more it grows in our mind. It might be that something that (4:22) has planted a seed in your mind, something that you’ve seen, something that you want.

(4:29) Just like a pregnant woman with a child growing inside her, our sin grows bigger and bigger in (4:34) our mind until it’s ready to spring forth out into the world. You can see it. You don’t see, (4:44) you know, the sin doesn’t happen.

It doesn’t come out into the world until it grows big enough. (4:49) And we physically want to do it. Just like a pregnant woman, you don’t see the child (4:53) until it’s ready to spring forth.

If we think about it long enough, (5:00) you know, our thoughts, and it keeps growing, we’re going to commit it eventually. (5:05) That when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin. And sin, when it’s full grown, brings forth (5:12) death.

James 1 15. So you can see when that desire conceives, it gives birth to the sin. (5:21) It goes from just a thought to physical action.

We know that just thinking something is a sin, (5:30) and we need to repent of it and stop it right there at the root. Jesus said, (5:35) even if you look at a woman with lust, you’ve committed adultery. (5:40) That’s why you need to kill it at the thought.

(5:46) The more we practice a sin, the larger it becomes until it’s full grown, (5:51) which I believe is addiction stages can eventually lead to death. (5:56) So if anybody’s ever been addicted to anything, you know, it’s powerful. That sin has become (6:02) full grown, and it can dominate you.

It controls your life, tells you where to go, what to do, (6:09) what to spend your money on, you know, where you’re going to live, just so you can commit that sin. (6:16) You know, and it’s very hard to quit in the addiction stage. (6:23) Sinning results first in a spiritual death, like Adam and Eve experienced, (6:28) with the original sin in the garden, and ultimately leads to physical death.

(6:35) So sin seems fun at first, and brings temporary pleasure, (6:39) but it ultimately leads to pain, suffering, and separation from God. (6:45) Isaiah 59 too, but your iniquities have separated you from your God, (6:51) and your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear you. (6:58) So he won’t hear you, if you’re a sinner.

You know, he’s hidden his face from you. (7:08) So if you’re not a Christian, and you’re in sin, (7:12) you know, God’s not going to hear what you say, unless you’re willing to repent, (7:18) and become a Christian, and join his kingdom. So keep that in mind.

(7:25) If you don’t obey the gospel, or know God, you’ll be separated from his presence for eternity. (7:32) Second Thessalonians 1, 8-9. (7:35) In flaming fire, taking vengeance on those who do not know God, (7:40) and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(7:44) These shall be punished with everlasting destruction, (7:48) from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. (7:55) So no one should want that. On the day of judgment, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

(8:01) When you see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom, (8:06) and you yourselves are thrust out. Luke 13-28. (8:11) There’s going to be a lot of pain and suffering on the day of judgment.

(8:14) There’s going to be a lot of regret. (8:17) There’s going to be a lot of people who wish they did something different. (8:21) If you don’t want God to be in your life on earth, (8:24) he’s not going to force you to be with him, and have it for eternity.

(8:29) Somebody I heard before made a great example. (8:33) If you don’t love somebody, they come to your house, and tie you up, and force you to go with them. (8:38) That’s not loving them.

That’s kidnapping them. (8:42) So God’s not going to kidnap you. He’s not going to force you to be with them, (8:46) if you don’t want to be with them.

(8:48) That’s why people ask, well, how can God put people in hell? (8:53) Well, ultimately, it’s your choice. (8:56) You choose to be with God or not. He’s not going to force you to do anything.

(9:02) Even some people who claim to be Christians will be surprised (9:05) when God tells them he never knew them. Matthew 7-22-23. (9:12) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not

prophesied in your name, (9:18) cast out demons in your name, and done many wonders in your name? (9:23) And then I will declare to them, I never knew you.

(9:26) Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness. (9:31) It’s not about how many things you do for the Lord. (9:34) It’s about obeying what he wants you to do, following his commands.

(9:39) It’s great to do good works. (9:43) There are many people who proclaim they know Christ, but don’t follow his word. (9:51) And a lot of people are going to have a rude awakening.

(9:56) Do you think knowing what sin does and its consequences, (10:00) that resolve from disobeying God would make any Christian stay as far away from it as possible? (10:06) But unfortunately, that isn’t the case. (10:10) Even though we have our sins forgiven, receive the Holy Spirit, (10:14) and are supposed to live like Christ, the problem is we’re still human and fall into temptation (10:20) and sin like anybody else. (10:24) You know, hopefully not as often as the world, (10:27) but we’ll have our times where we stumble and give in to temptation and fall flat on our face.

(10:35) I’ve experienced this plenty of times as a Christian. (10:39) I’ve given in to sin and struggled still with certain sins every day. (10:46) Like I said, I mean, just because you become a Christian, you don’t magically become sinless.

(10:52) You know, you still have struggles. (10:54) You still have things in the world, and it’s very easy to sin. (11:01) There’s so many temptations out there and so many ways to sin against God, it’s impossible not to.

(11:07) No person that has ever lived, has been able to live a sinless life, not one except Jesus. (11:15) Romans 3.23, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (11:23) That’s why we know we’re no better than anybody else.

(11:26) We can’t look down upon anybody else because we all have sinned and we all continue to sin. (11:32) The difference is we’re forgiven and we’ve done what (11:36) God asked so we can have our sins washed away. (11:39) The world hasn’t, and we’re also supposed to live (11:44) separate and differently when we do become a Christian.

(11:48) You know, the reason God came down to earth (11:52) and led the perfect life and died for us is because we are all sinners. (11:56) We couldn’t do it ourselves. (11:58) We had thousands of years for somebody to do it, and they couldn’t do it.

(12:01) And nobody’s going to be able to do it to this day. (12:05) And he himself is a propitiation of our sin, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world. (12:14) 1 John 2.2. (12:18) So sometimes I feel like Rocky Balboa in a 12-round fight where sin, (12:23) you know, giving me a cast of one-two punch in the face.

(12:28) So I don’t know if any of you, you know, sometimes have felt beat up by sin or, (12:32) you know, the struggles of life. (12:36) But even if we’re beat up, knocked down to our knees, and sin has gotten the best of us, (12:41) over and over, we need to keep getting up and moving forward. (12:47) So Stallone said it best in the last Rocky movie.

(12:51) Hopefully he doesn’t come out with another one. (12:53) It’s hard to believe that, you know, an 80, 90-year-old will be the heavyweight champ. (12:59) Yeah, unless it’s Mike Tyson.

(13:01) But he had a great quote I like to read. (13:07) Let me tell you something you already know. (13:10) The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows.

(13:13) It’s a very mean and nasty place, and I don’t care how tough you are. (13:17) We’ll beat you up, beat you to your knees, and keep you there permanently if you let it. (13:23) You, me, or nobody is going to hit as hard as life.

(13:27) But it’s not about how hard you hit. (13:29) It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. (13:34) How much you can take and keep moving forward.

(13:37) That’s how winning is done. (13:40) That’s a good quote. (13:41) I always hear it because I watch these motivational things.

(13:45) And, you know, that comes up once in a while. (13:48) I was going to do the Rocky, you know, voice imitation. (13:51) But I didn’t want to totally embarrass myself.

(13:53) So it is a good quote. (13:57) But it sums up how life can be, especially the Christian walk. (14:01) You know, we’re going to take lumps of life.

(14:03) We’re going to get knocked down and go through hard times. (14:06) And we got to keep moving forward. (14:08) We got to keep getting up when we’re knocked down.

(14:13) You may fall into sin, have a battle of cancer, lose a loved one, or go through a divorce, (14:19) or many other problems that might come your way that could bring you to your knees. (14:25) You know, look at our prayer list. (14:26) Every single day, somebody’s new on it.

(14:29) You know, even Wally fell last week. (14:31) And we’re all, you know, have our problems and our battles. (14:38) But you may question yourself and think if you sin that you’re not worthy to be a Christian.

(14:44) Or that you might be better off just leaving the faith. (14:47) Or you may even question God if you have cancer or somebody died. (14:52) And think you’re suffering unfairly.

(14:53) You may even want to turn your back on Him. (14:57) Many people have turned their back on God when something bad has happened to them. (15:03) In either case, if you’re suffering and struggling with something, (15:08) you know, you could either walk away or you get close to them.

(15:16) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (15:19) Cleanse your hands, you sinners. (15:21) And purify your hearts, you double-minded.

(15:25) James 4a. (15:26) But we may think if we’ve fallen into sin, if we’re struggling, (15:30) if we’ve done something bad, we might think to ourselves, (15:33) I don’t deserve to be a Christian. (15:34) I’m not going to go to church.

(15:36) I feel too guilty. (15:37) I don’t deserve to be a Christian. (15:40) When we say that to ourselves, we’re completely wrong.

(15:43) When we do sin, the place we need to be is at worship. (15:47) We need to have fellowship. (15:50) We need to ask for forgiveness.

(15:52) When you get docked out of life, (15:55) you can either give up and stay down for the count (15:57) or get up on your feet, dust yourself off and continue forward. (16:05) So we’re equipped with a full armor of God. (16:07) And it’s designed for us to advance in battle.

(16:10) But there’s no armor for your back if you retreat. (16:14) Ephesians 6, 14-17. (16:18) Stand therefore, having buried your waste with the truth, (16:22) having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (16:26) and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace, (16:30) above all, taking a shield of faith (16:32) with which you’ll be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one, (16:37) and the helmet of salvation, and the sword of spirit, which is the word of God.

(16:42) We’re fully equipped in battle to move forward. (16:47) We have all, everything we need. (16:50) But we have nothing to defend our back if we run.

(16:53) We turn our back on the Lord. (16:56) We have no defense against the devil. (17:00) If you turn your back on God, the devil will certainly devour you.

(17:04) Verse Peter 5-8. (17:07) Be sober, be vigilant, because the adversary of the devil (17:10) walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (17:16) But he’s looking for the weak.

(17:18) He’s looking for those who turn their back on God. (17:21) You know, and he may, if you fall away from God, (17:27) he may even give you good things, (17:29) all the sinful things that you really want. (17:31) He may provide you with that in abundance, (17:33) because he knows he can keep you that way.

(17:37) The further you fall in the sin, the better it is for him. (17:42) So you’re an easy target for him if you leave the faith. (17:45) And he’ll definitely come after you.

(17:47) He’s waiting for that. (17:49) He goes after the weak, just like a lion. (17:53) A lion, you know, goes after the weak prey, (17:56) the ones that are straggling from the flock.

(18:00) He doesn’t go after the strongest (18:01) or the ones that are together in the herd. (18:06) There’s nothing more enjoyable to the devil (18:08) than to see a Christian give up on God. (18:12) It’s far worse to become a Christian and walk away from God (18:16) than to never have been saved in the first place.

(18:18) 2 Peter 2, 20-21. (18:22) For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world (18:26) through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, (18:30) they are again entangled in them and overcome, (18:34) the latter end is far worse than the beginning. (18:37) For it would have been better for them (18:38) not to have known the way of righteousness (18:40) than having known its eternal turn (18:44) from the holy commandment delivered to them.

(18:48) When you fall away from the faith (18:51) after having been enlightened and tasted the heavenly gift, (18:54) you re-crucify Christ and put him into open shame. (18:58) Hebrews 6, 4-6. (19:01) For it is impossible for those who are once enlightened (19:04) and have tasted the heavenly gift (19:07) and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit (19:10) and have tasted the good word of God (19:12) and the powers of the age to come, (19:15) if they fall away to renew them again to repentance, (19:18) since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God (19:21) and put him to open shame.

(19:24) So if you turn your back on God, (19:28) refuse to repent and continue in sin, (19:31) how can you be forgiven? (19:35) For if we sin willfully (19:37) after we receive the knowledge of the truth, (19:40) there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins. (19:43) Hebrews 10, 26. (19:46) If you’re not willing to repent, (19:48) if you’re not willing to come back to God, (19:50) you can’t possibly be forgiven.

(19:53) But God is merciful and he does want you back. (19:59) So the thing you want to do as a Christian, (20:03) so the last thing you want to do as a Christian (20:04) is turn your back on God. (20:07) Like Peter said, where else shall we go? (20:10) John 6, 68.

(20:11) But Simon Peter answered him, (20:15) Lord, to whom shall we go? (20:16) You have the words of eternal life. (20:19) And Peter was right. (20:21) There is nowhere else to go.

(20:24) You know, we have the words of eternal life. (20:26) We have God’s written word. (20:28) We’ve been enlightened.

(20:29) We can see how the world really is. (20:32) We’ve been forgiven of our sins. (20:34) You know, there’s no place to go.

(20:37) There’s nothing good that could come back (20:39) from going back into the world. (20:42) We know that Jesus is God (20:44) and he’s the only way to heaven (20:46) and offers so many great things. (20:49) You know, it makes no sense (20:51) to walk away from a loving, awesome, (20:54) forgiving and merciful God (20:57) back into the hands of the devil, (21:00) who is pure evil and wants to rip you to shreds.

(21:04) We read in the Bible all the horrible things (21:06) the devil did to Job (21:08) and also what he wanted to do to Peter. (21:12) Luke 22, 31. (21:14) The Lord said, Simon, Simon, (21:17) indeed Satan has asked for you, (21:20) that he may sift you like wheat.

(21:24) So the devil gets his chance. (21:26) Just like he did to Job, (21:28) he’s going to do everything in his power (21:31) to make your life miserable. (21:33) He’s going to take away everything he can (21:35) and put sickness and suffering on you.

(21:39) If he had his way, (21:40) he would rip us from limb to limb. (21:43) Why would you want to go back into the world (21:46) and follow somebody like that? (21:49) When we have a loving and merciful God, (21:52) long suffering, (21:55) in this crazy world, (21:56) you can only find peace and safety (21:58) with God on your side. (22:00) I will both lie down in peace and sleep (22:04) for you alone, O Lord, (22:05) make me dwell in safety.

(22:07) Psalm 4a. (22:09) Perfect peace is only found in Christianity. (22:12) Isaiah 26, 3. (22:16) You will keep him in perfect peace, (22:19) whose mind is stayed on you (22:21) because he trusts you.

(22:24) So how much would you pay (22:25) for perfect peace in life? (22:27) It’d be invaluable. (22:30) You’ll never find a piece (22:32) of Christianity in the world. (22:34) The world is full of insanity (22:36) and it keeps getting worse.

(22:41) So the Christian path is narrow (22:43) and not always the easiest to take in life. (22:46) Matthew 7, 13-14. (22:49) Enter by the narrow gate, (22:53) for wide is the gate (22:54) and broad is the way (22:55) that leads to destruction.

(22:56) And there are many who go in by it (22:58) because narrow is the gate (23:00) and difficult is the way (23:01) that leads to life. (23:03) And there are few who find it. (23:06) So few find it (23:07) and travel down it (23:09) because it’s difficult (23:10) and full of constant struggles and battles (23:13) with yourself and the evil around us.

(23:18) If you’ve been a Christian long enough, (23:20) you’re going to mess up, (23:21) take your lumps, (23:23) get knocked down (23:24) and even feel like giving up. (23:27) But the good news is, (23:29) even if you fall on your face, (23:31) you’re still moving forward. (23:34) So it might not be very far, (23:35) but it’s at least a few feet.

(23:40) Another great quote in life (23:43) is that life is not about (23:45) how many times you fall down, (23:47) but about how many times (23:48) you get back up. (23:49) I’m sure you’ve all heard (23:50) that one before. (23:52) There’s no limit to how many times (23:54) you can fall on flat on our face (23:56) and get back up (23:58) as long as we truly repent (24:00) and ask God for forgiveness.

(24:04) When Peter asked God (24:04) how many times (24:05) he should forgive his brother, (24:07) if he sins, (24:08) he gave him a very large number, (24:10) Matthew 18, 21 through 22. (24:14) And Peter came to him and said, (24:16) Lord, how often should I (24:18) forgive my brother (24:19) if he sins against me? (24:22) Up to seven times, (24:24) Jesus said to him, (24:25) I do not say to you (24:26) up to seven times, (24:28) up to 70 times seven. (24:32) His point wasn’t (24:33) that we need to forgive (24:33) somebody 490 times, (24:36) but basically an unlimited number.

(24:39) We can see that numbers (24:40) and symbols mean something. (24:43) You know, 70 times seven, (24:46) would mean basically (24:47) unlimited amount (24:50) because I’m sure I passed (24:51) the 490 mark a long time ago. (24:55) But I keep moving forward (24:57) and asking for forgiveness.

(24:59) If you do that with a pure heart, (25:03) God will constantly cleanse us. (25:06) If we confess our sins, (25:09) he is faithful and just (25:10) to forgive us our sins (25:11) and to cleanse us (25:12) from all unrighteousness. (25:14) First, John one, nine.

(25:17) We serve a long suffering (25:19) and merciful God (25:21) who wants everybody (25:22) to come to repentance. (25:24) Second, Peter three, nine. (25:26) The Lord is not slack (25:27) concerning his promise (25:28) to some count slackness, (25:31) but as long suffering towards us, (25:34) but as long suffering towards us, (25:35) not willing that any should repent, (25:38) not willing that any should perish, (25:39) but all should come to repentance.

(25:42) So he is long suffering. (25:45) You know, look at how long (25:46) suffering he was with Israel (25:49) or some of these other (25:51) evil nations that went, (25:53) you know, (25:54) surrounded Israel at that time. (25:56) He waited hundreds of years (25:58) before he punished them.

(26:00) We can mess up a ton of times (26:03) and Jesus will forgive us (26:05) and help us to our feet. (26:09) So if you stumble (26:09) and fall on your Christian walk, (26:13) you don’t have to go (26:14) through your struggles alone (26:15) because God is there (26:16) to lift you up. (26:18) Psalm 42.

(26:19) He has brought me (26:20) out of the horrible pit, (26:22) out of the miry clay (26:24) and set my feet upon a rock (26:27) and established my steps. (26:31) The Lord upholds all who fall (26:33) and raises up all (26:35) who are bowed down. (26:37) Psalm 145, 14.

(26:40) He’s a shield around us (26:42) in our time of need. (26:44) Psalm 33. (26:45) But you, O Lord, (26:46) are a shield for me, (26:48) my glory and the one (26:50) who lifts up my head.

(26:53) So not only do we have Jesus (26:54) to help us when we fall, (26:57) but we have our fellow Christians, (27:00) you know, our fellow brothers (27:01) and sisters in Christ. (27:03) First Thessalonians 511. (27:06) Therefore, comfort each other (27:07) and edify one another (27:09) just as you also are doing.

(27:14) So if somebody is struggling (27:16) and falling into sin, (27:18) we shouldn’t beat them up, (27:21) you know, even more (27:22) and judge them. (27:24) But we should help restore them. (27:27) You know, how many times (27:28) that somebody’s sin (27:28) or something, (27:29) do something wrong (27:30) and we dog pile on them, (27:33) you know, gossip about them (27:34) and make them feel even worse.

(27:36) You know, they’re willing (27:37) to repent (27:39) and confess their sins to God. (27:42) We need to help them. (27:43) We need to help restore them, (27:44) not beat them down.

(27:47) Galatians 6.1. (27:48) Brethren, if a man is overtaken (27:50) in any trespass, (27:53) you are spiritual (27:54) restore such a person, (27:57) such a one in a spirit (27:58) of gentleness, (27:59) considering yourself, (28:00) lest you also be tempted. (28:04) If you see somebody struggling, (28:05) you need to help them. (28:07) You need to help lift them up.

(28:09) So we’re a family here. (28:10) We need to love one another (28:13) just as Jesus has cared for us. (28:15) And loved us even (28:16) to the point of death.

(28:19) First John 3.16. (28:22) By this, we know love (28:23) because he had laid it, (28:25) laid down his life for us. (28:27) We also lay down our lives (28:29) for our brethren. (28:32) So how many of us (28:33) will be willing to die (28:35) for a brother or sister in Christ? (28:39) Jesus did it for us (28:41) while we were yet sinners.

(28:43) Romans 5.8. (28:44) But God demonstrates (28:45) his love toward us. (28:47) And that while we’re still sinners, (28:49) Christ died for us. (28:52) So we say we might (28:54) be able to do that (28:55) and die for somebody we love.

(28:59) But if it came down to it, (29:01) a lot of us would probably cower out. (29:03) But Jesus did it for everybody, (29:05) even while they were sinners. (29:07) He even asked for forgiveness (29:08) for those who drove nails (29:10) through his hands and feet (29:11) and hung him on the cross.

(29:13) Luke 23.33-34. (29:17) And when they had come (29:19) to the place called Calvary, (29:20) there they crucified him. (29:23) And the criminals, (29:24) one on the right hand (29:25) and the other on the left. (29:26) Then Jesus said, (29:27) Father, forgive them, (29:29) for they know not what they do.

(29:32) And they divided his garments (29:34) and cast lots. (29:37) So Jesus shows us (29:38) through example (29:40) how to truly love (29:42) and forgive somebody. (29:45) He took our place (29:46) on the cross and shed his blood (29:49) so our sins could be forgiven.

(29:51) Ephesians 1.7. (29:53) In him we have redemption (29:55) through his blood, (29:56) the forgiveness of sins, (29:58) according to the riches (30:00) of his grace. (30:03) In fact, the law requires (30:04) that everything be cleansed of blood. (30:08) Without the shedding of blood, (30:09) there is no forgiveness.

(30:11) Hebrews 9.22. (30:14) That is why Jesus had (30:15) to go to the cross (30:17) and shed his blood, (30:19) because that is what God required. (30:23) He did his job on earth (30:24) to make it easy for us to be saved. (30:27) So if we want to receive (30:28) the free gift of salvation, (30:30) we need to come into contact (30:31) with the blood, (30:32) which happens at baptism.

(30:36) We’re baptized into his death (30:38) in order that we might be raised (30:39) in newness of life. (30:41) Romans 6.3-4. (30:43) Or do you not know (30:44) that as many of you (30:45) were baptized, (30:47) as you were baptized into Christ, (30:49) Jesus were baptized (30:50) into his death? (30:52) Therefore, we were buried (30:53) with him through baptism (30:55) into death, (30:57) that just as Christ (30:58) was raised from the dead (30:59) by the glory of the Father, (31:01) even so we also (31:02) should walk in newness of life. (31:04) So that’s how we come (31:05) into contact with the blood.

(31:07) That’s how we die and rise again. (31:10) Just like Jesus died (31:12) and was buried in the tomb, (31:14) we’re buried in a watery (31:15) grave of baptism. (31:16) And just like Jesus (31:17) rose from the dead, (31:19) we rise a new person (31:20) out of the water (31:21) and we’re born again.

(31:24) But such a simple (31:25) but powerful example, (31:28) we’re shown through baptism, (31:31) you know, of being buried, (31:33) being fully immersed (31:34) and rising again. (31:36) First Peter 1.3-4. (31:39) Praise be to the God (31:41) and Father of our Lord (31:42) Jesus Christ (31:43) and his great mercy (31:44) has given us new birth (31:47) and a living hope (31:47) through the resurrection (31:49) of Jesus Christ from the dead (31:51) and into an inheritance (31:53) that can never perish, (31:55) spoil or fade, (31:58) kept in heaven for you. (32:01) So Jesus is the resurrection (32:02) in the life.

(32:04) John 11.25-26. (32:07) Jesus said to her, (32:09) I’m the resurrection (32:09) in the life. (32:11) He who believes in me (32:12) will live even though he dies. (32:14) And whoever lives and believes (32:16) in me will never die.

(32:17) Do you believe this? (32:20) I guess I did preach (32:22) a little bit on the resurrection. (32:25) So if you believe in Jesus (32:28) and have not become a Christian, (32:30) what are you waiting for? (32:32) Acts 22.16. (32:34) And now why are you waiting? (32:36) Arise and be baptized (32:38) to wash away your sins. (32:40) Calling on the name of the Lord.

(32:44) Well, it’s not just getting wet. (32:46) It’s not just, (32:48) you know, about baptism. (32:49) There’s that’s the final step (32:51) before you’re added to the church.

(32:53) You have to hear the word, (32:55) believe, repent, confess. (32:57) And the final act is baptism. (32:59) We are born again.

(33:01) So we have everything prepared. (33:04) You know, we have a baptism behind us. (33:09) You’re only a step away.

(33:12) You know, if you’re struggling with sin, (33:16) and have fallen down (33:17) or even left the faith, (33:19) God is here to lift you up (33:21) and search and bring you back to the fold. (33:25) Luke 15.7. (33:28) I tell you in the same way, (33:29) there will be more rejoicing in heaven (33:31) over one sinner who repents (33:33) and over 99 righteous persons (33:36) who do not repent, (33:38) who do not need to repent. (33:41) So if you want to become a Christian today, (33:44) if you need any help or prayers (33:46) from the congregation, (33:47) now’s the time to come forward.