The Day You Were Baptized

The day you were baptized is an important part of your Christian faith story. Christians may not agree on how baptism is to be done, or when it should take place; however there is general agreement that it has an important place in our salvation. In this week’s sermon we will discuss the distinction between a Christian baptism and John the Baptist’s baptism.

Scripture: Luke 3:15-16, 21-22
The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized tool. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am will pleased.”

Hymns
“Borning Cry”
“Children of the Heavenly Father”

Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon “The Day Jesus Made a Decision“ delivered on Christian Crusaders January 12, 2003.
The Spirit anointed Jesus (at his baptism), and His work to redeem the world began. What can this mean for us? It identified whom we can become – the adopted children of God. Paul picks up on this thought when he writes, “But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4). Jesus was the natural-born child of God; He knew no sin. We are the adopted children of God. When our sin is taken away by grace through faith in Christ, God makes us his. Because we are his sons and daughters, we can call God our Father. This was offered to us because, on the day of His baptism, Jesus made a decision for us.

On ChristianCrusaders.org
Visit Christian Crusaders' online store to find Rev. Larsen's book, his DVD sermon series Basic Biblical Truths, and copies of past sermons on CD, cassette, or in print. All of these items are available at http://www.christiancrusaders.org/store.asp and make great gifts, donations to your church library, or additions to your personal collection.

On the Light Side
I was working in a parochial preschool when one little boy's family was blessed with triplets. Soon afterward the little boy excitedly ran into class one morning telling us his grandma, grandpa and all his cousins were coming to visit. When I asked him why they were coming, he said with all conviction and excitement, “MY BABIES ARE BEING CAPSIZED!”

Let's Hear From You!
What is your favorite baptism story? Please share your favorite baptism story by posting in the "Comments" section of this blog.

The program "The Day You Were Baptized" will air Sunday, January 10, 2010. Visit www.christiancrusaders.org for radio stations and times, or to listen online.