R1025 Believer’s Baptism

God has an encouraging word for you and me today. The Bible-based preaching of Dr. Don Wilton in a message from Matthew chapter 3 as we open God's word together today Dr. Don's topic is believers baptism but it's an even much more than that concept of understanding how Jesus is given as an example. Something to follow a way to live not apply to baptism and other things as well. As we study the word talk when you pray with you were connecting right now on the phone at 8668998668999673 or online@gwonline.org right place to follow Dr. Donovan our social media sign of the daily Encouraging Word email online EW online.org pellets open our hearts and God's word together Dr. Don Wilton time for us to understand who God is, to come to a fresh understanding that he loves us very, very much indeed. He loves you and he loves me outside of the Lord Jesus Christ. You are not on nothing.

We have nothing we amount to nothing. Certainly we have capabilities man has great capability of the human intellect is something to be marveled at and man is able to accomplish great things from a human perspective, but we are sinners.

Every one of us were sinners were born in certain we are conceived in sin because of the sin of Adam all of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God and the message that you hear each week from this pulpit is about the Lord Jesus Christ and I want you to know today that what Jesus Christ has done for me that he would do exactly the same thing for you and I want you to give your heart and life to the Lord Jesus. Don't delay, don't put bandwidth you cannot afford that it's too great a risk you cannot do that. I just read, believe it or not I thousand page book, it is us because that on the life of Winston Churchill and I cannot get over starting in about 1895 the sacrifice of men and women through world wars and through adversity and the struggles that humankind go through decisions that are made leadership principles that are sustain in the most adverse conditions people to accomplish great things politically and socially and culturally. When you read about all the wars and the skirmishes and and the liaisons and the détente between the presidents and prime ministers and princes. All of this wound and you Jesus Christ is the king of kings and the Lord of Lord and so I'm so glad to see you today about you going to need your Bibles this morning.

I'm going to invite you to open your Bible in the New Testament to the book of Matthew chapter 3 we going to be looking at a very very wonderful important critical subject today. Believers baptism believers baptism that I want everybody to look at me I'm going to ask you a question. Have you been baptized. If you have not been baptized according to the Scriptures. Now I'm going to follow up and I'm going to say this to you believers baptism is not an option. The folks I'm going to share something very exciting with you today dated share with you from God's word what it is that the Bible teaches us about believers baptism and you going to have to answer this question in your own heart and I'm giving you an opportunity to do something about it. You will never be able to stand before God again and say I didn't know. So I want to begin by reading to you a wonderful passage because it deals with the Lord Jesus Matthew chapter 3 and verse 13 then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.

But John tried to deter him saying I need to be baptized by you and get you, Jesus, come to me lost me to baptize you. Jesus replied, let it be so. Now, at this time, for it is proper for us to do this in order to fulfill all righteousness. Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized.

He came up of the water and at that very moment. The heaven was opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting on him and a voice from heaven saying this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.

All anybody to raise your hand is the anybody today that would say I want God to be, will pleased with me you have any questions. I'm going to tell you today my dear friends that I believe with all of my heart I'm in a show you why. Baptism is not an option and some of you today you given your life to Christ.

But you have not been baptized. You must get baptized, not in order to go to heaven but because you are going to heaven.

So let's have a look at this I'm going to ask a couple of questions.

All right, I'm going to try and preempt your questions to the end going on, straight from the word of God whichever questions. First of all, what exactly is baptism. I was to hold up this bulletin. I don't expect you will see it, but if I was to hold up this bulletin. If I was to hold up any picture when you look at the screen that presents my message outlined to you any picture you take a picture when you go to the beach. I think that we probably took 7242 pictures of my grandson was lost week. If you hold up a picture and you were to say now what you see in that picture what we can describe pictures conflict it if if I was to hold up this bulletin inside you. What do you see you and I can talk about that we say. Well guess that is a picture and I can see things in this picture I can see writing and I can see little girl and I can see someone shaking hands, we can describe a picture baptism is a picture that God gives to us to hold up for people to see and that picture describes essentially three things. It shows three things all about the Lord Jesus it's a picture of David.

It's a picture of burial and it's a picture of resurrection now friends who is Jesus. Jesus is the son of the living God and Jesus came to this earth and water and he knew he lived on the third time he ministered. Then he was taken and he fulfilled the mission that God had given him to do, which was to die on a cross to be buried in the grave and then on the third day to rise up again when you give your heart to Jesus. Those 3 Things Take Pl. First of all, when you give your heart to Jesus you die in your sin, as some of you might look at me today and say pasta what is that me when you see the Bible says there is now therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ. Our sin separates us from God. The wages of sin is day, and the way in which you get forgiveness of sin is by identification with what Jesus Christ has done for us when he died on the cross and when Jesus died on the cross he died completely. Didn't take a nap he didn't like a siesta and take a vacation. He didn't doze off, take a little snooze.

He died. The Bible says he gave up the spirit.

He died completely. And when you stand in the baptismal water and I'm with you. You have nothing to fear from their and the water usually comes up to about waste and will not take you. You are standing there just as Jesus did when he was standing if you please. When he was hanging on the cross and then take you and I say to you, buried with Jesus in the day and I place you under the water just briefly like when you jump into a swimming pool and the water closes over you.

That is why the Bible talks about baptism by immersion.

There is no other baptism in the Bible there is no other form of baptism mentioned in the Bible when it comes only believers baptism Jesus went down into the water. He got into the water.

That's what Jesus did and everything that Jesus did. Jesus did in order to show us what we need to do by the way folks do you think Jesus needed to be baptized, and somebody say yes or no, not why would Jesus need to be baptized Jesus is God. So if Jesus didn't need to be baptized. Why did Jesus get baptized. Why would Jesus do something when he is God because everything Jesus did, he was showing us what he requires of us. Can I use this right was Jesus a Christian well of course because he is Jesus. All right.

So yes, Jesus, who is God who is in our modern-day terminology. He's a Christian and is getting baptized and the picture that is being shown here is number one and its complete day. That's why when you're baptize the water closes over you, which is the second picture burial. Jesus was taken down from the cross and he was put in a grave and I rolled the stone ovaries, but he was very signifying his complete immersion in day you see, in order for you to be forgiven of sin, your sin has to be able to completely die and be buried. That's why forgiveness in Jesus is so wonderful that's why the Bible says put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

That's why Paul says in next chapter 3 repent of your sin and be converted, so that your sins may be that the Simpson please forgive the eruption will be back with more of today's great teaching from Dr. Don Wilton in just a moment for Dr. Don Wilton to remind you not only are we here for you.

We are here to encourage you this unique season of time between Thanksgiving and Christmas will wonderful opportunity to pray with each other and also put resources in your hands it will give you that daily encouragement. If you haven't signed up for the daily Encouraging Word Bible guide it's available right now many are saying now they're grabbing it as a physical copy because it's a little easier to keep up with my bride likes to keep hers over her visor in her car and reads it during carpal line is an opportunity to spend some time in God's word every day you can call 866899 word right now in order your copy at 866899673 just ask for the free daily Encouraging Word Bible guide will be happy to send out to you. You can also discover more details online@twonline.org backspace message with Dr. Don Wilton and so you got this picture up this picture.

Burial folks, let me ask you a question. Jesus stay in the grave, absolutely not. Jesus had stayed in the grave we would worship a deity God like so many other religions do you know that Christianity is the only religion that believes in a living God.

Jesus Christ is alive. That's why Paul said if you come to know him, you need to confess not only that Jesus is Lord, but you need to believe in your heart that God by his power raised Jesus from the day folks let me tell you something.

That is why when you give your heart to Jesus, you got nothing to fear from day you go instantaneously into the presence of the Lord Jesus.

And when we go to be with the Lord Jesus. It is instant just like that. That's why Paul said to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord Jesus Christ. That's the power of the resurrection. And so what happens folks is when I take you and I say to you, Joe, Sue, have you given your heart to Jesus. Yes, I have well because you've given your heart to Jesus on out, baptize you in the name of the father and the son and the Holy Spirit, and I take you and I place you under the water and the water closes over you briefly not put a handkerchief over your nose. Maybe because I specially got in the church.

I don't want you coming out there blowing water all over the quiet are and so we just put you under the water. The water closes over symbolizing showing a picture burial folks to leave you under the water. So what would happen if I left somebody on the water. It's unthinkable wouldn't do that so soon as I put you under the water on site buried with Jesus in day and then raised up to walk in newness of life. Can you see the picture there it is. You see, baptism is the place of the public testimony for Jesus, by the way, Jesus did this so everybody could see. So there's the next question if that defines what baptism is, why be baptized. Well, there are at least five reasons. Number one because the Bible teaches a folks on what so many passages of Scripture here. I wish I could go to all of them but I'm not going… Turned acts chapter 2 in your Bible.

Turn with me to the book of acts chapter 2. Folks, I'm going to tell you something spirit of God came down and God spoke from heaven and say this is my beloved son tell you as a is a man as a husband as apostate as a friend. I want God to be pleased with me.

I do so much that causes him to not be pleased with me and we go through this life having to make decisions and deal with all the difficulties and things of life in God's given us something. There is something unique about 1/3 question, how should we be baptized. How should the second well Bible teaches three things. First of all, by motion, folks.

I wish I could take a bottle of water and sprinkle you I tell you what would be a lot easier, less hassle for more accommodating quick, but the Bible doesn't teach it doesn't matter how much it suits me by motion every time. Baptism is talked about in the Bible.

They went down into the water. You cannot get into a bottle.

You cannot get into a cup of water. Jesus said by motion.

The reason immersion the word.

There is bad so every time the word baptism means immersion.

It means complete. Do you see folks salvation in Jesus is complete you not sort of forgiven you not given a dab of forgiveness a little dusting of salvation complete. It's everything he changes you completely gives you a new hope and new meaning in your future. So how should you be baptize number one by motion number two before the people. Baptism was always a publicly op-ed not a lot but I've I've had wonderful people come to me and say to me, pasta, could we just have a little private baptism. My Onset to that always is. You know I would love to do that but I would be disobedient to absolute truth doesn't talk about how many but there's no such thing as a private baptism. Folks, it's going to be before the people. How should you be baptize number three by the pasta. I when I use the word by the pasta. I don't want you to just think about me, but there was a reason why Jesus went to John folks are just going to tell you I don't see any protein prohibition in the Bible, but I don't believe you can just go to your next-door neighbor and say listen come over and baptize don't think you can do that. There is folks of the authority and I use that word in Jesus Christ of the local New Testament church is very very important that I can't nor do I try to icon baptize everybody on that that's it's not about Don. I believe that those who are cold out and set apart for the ministry have that responsibility and your responsibility is to go to those people and so the final question is when should you be baptized following your conversion if you given your heart to Jesus, you should be baptized in most cases. In Scripture, folks.

It was immediately often there is not a single reference in Scripture that people went through counseling. In order to be baptized. It was like that. It is a simple act of public obedience. Given my heart to Jesus. He's coming to my heart and identify completely with the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, who is my Savior and Lord. I am forgiven and I know that one day when I die or if Jesus were to come back I'm going instantly into his presence forever, and I make no apology for that. That's who I am now folks, you can go around our communities. You can ask people to go out and eat that good.

Go to the club to play game they do it. You can ask people to do almost anything. I'm asking you today. I'm presenting to you what the Bible teaches. You need to make that decision and you need to follow through.

You've got an opportunity here folks. It doesn't matter numbers are not what it's about. But most importantly, I must ask you today. Number one. Have you given your heart to the Lord Jesus. That's the most important question is have you given your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ. We'd like to help you today.

If you haven't given your life to Christ. Please give your heart to Jesus today and then if you've given your life to Christ. Have you been baptized, have you done what Jesus did. Have you followed through and now father there are people who perhaps many years ago gave their lives to Christ, some as long as 50 years ago, some just recently, some even at this very month, Lord will these are the ones that you're speaking to. Right now that know that they need to falling in believers baptism, Lord, I pray that they would respond to you and that you would call out from heaven and say hi and will please because Lord Jesus when the blessings of God, partners who can be.

Indeed, if God is for us who could be against us is God for you. You have the reality is he is for you created. You he has a plan and a purpose for your life.

He also has allowed the free choice to receive him Savior questions, let's talk about. Let's pray about. You can reach us at the other end of 866-899-WORD word that 866-899-WORD 9673 would love to talk. We pray with you paperwork to those questions and answers but more than that, I pray to you to open your heart to what Dr. Don is about to share next are you ready would you pray this prayer with me right now. Dear God, I know that Jesus loves me and that he died on the cross for me today. I repent of Meissen and I can face my sin to the Lord Jesus, and I give him my heart and my life in Jesus name I pray, amen. If you prayed that pray from your heart and you given your life to Christ, welcome you to the family of God. You are my brother, my sister in Christ, it's getting gauge together because we are connected together for ever as believers in Christ to say yes… Whispering really good. Pray along in your heart you know it's not about the right words but as best as we know how give our lives to Jesus Christ.

If we say yes to him changes. He will rescue us the same.

I pray that if you've begun that step. You let us walk with you in the next steps you can call us right now it 866-899-WORD let us know you've given your life to Christ for re-dedicated your life to Jesus and we have wonderful resources that will indeed help you with the next steps in the phone number is 866899 word 866-899-9673 love to be a part of encouraging next steps and would also love to connect with resources we have wonderful resource to our website CW online.org DEW online.org if you haven't heard about the confident assurance of salvation series hears Liz with all the details people around the world are looking for some kind of assurance to quiet their fears. They want to be totally secure total assurance only comes from God. Serious question to ask you if you were to die today having month with your gift of $25 in support The Encouraging Word receive Dr. Milton's powerful message for carpeting assurance of salvation along with totally secure.

Both of these ministry resources will help answer questions people text in unchurched struggling salvation saved can I leave my foundation will I go to having things when I see 866-899-WORD west of the company assurance of salvation, along with care. You can find peace and protection necessary.The Encouraging Word as a viewer and listener supported ministry.

Thank you for listening today it's been a great day of studying the word of God together with Dr. Don Wilton. I hope you join us tomorrow tomorrow. Working to be beginning the concept of thinking about Christmas in this wonderful season of turning these holidays in the holy days documents messages on the Christmas tree were headed to Matthew chapter 1, and I hope you and the joint is between now and then. Let's take connected on our website@dewonline.org that's DEW online.org or 24 hours a day were here for you at 866-899-WORD. That's 866-899-9673