Countryside Bible Church 8-22-99 |
The
Force
God's Force Those Who Believe Force Of Baptism Conclusion
Intro: Since Alex is being baptized today I will jump ahead in our series in Acts to pickup on a text that fits the occasion. I also thought of a theme suggestive of our younger people, the theme from Star Wars, “The Force”.
“The Force”, a term from Star Wars I believe, crops up in usage
here and again. “The Force” in the
movie stood for a kind of impersonal god of good and right to which aided in
the fight against evil in the empire. A
mysterious power at work in believers who were good.
I suppose in one way or
another every child, boy anyway, has
dreamed of a force that would make him invincible. An invisible shield that would ward off any attack or an
endowment of superhuman strength.
There is a great force
available to us today. An invincible
shield of protection. A power to
protect us. Although it is not often
thought of in that way, salvation is power.
A. Romans 1:16 ...
it is the power of
God ...
1.
“POWER”
dunamis, doo'-nam-is, Greek 1411; from Greek 1410 (dunamai); force (literal or
figurative); specially miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle
itself) :- ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of)
miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, might (wonderful) work. 2.
A power a real as dynamite B.
Power to protect from Divine Judgment 1.
From
Accusations of others ... Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? ... |
II. Those Who BelieveA.
Romans 1:16
... of everyone who believes: ... 1.
It
is a message 1 Cor. 1:18... message
...
power of God. 2.
The
message must be believed to be in FORCE 3.
“Believe”
includes Knowing the gospel, accepting it as true and placing your trust in it. 4.
The
evidence is obeying. 5.
3000
responded and obeyed to Peters message 6.
Peter
spoke of Jesus death, burial and resurrection ... men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. [24] But God raised him from the dead, ... God has raised this Jesus to life, ... B.
People impressed with works, deeds and accomplishments
1.
Most
see salvation as a scale. Tip the scale
on the good side in your favor and you are saved 2.
Or
they seen believing on one side falling short being compensated by works. C.
Remember the blood on the doorposts in Egypt
1.
How
good were the people inside? 2. “Force” of their faith and obedience of faith was great enough to ward off God’s Own Messenger of Death. |
III. Force Of BaptismA.
It is like painting blood on the door posts. Like boarding the Ark. It is the an important response of faith. Acts 2:38...Repent and be baptized, every one of
you, in the name of Jesus ... ... accepted his
message were baptized,...
... believed
Philip ... they were baptized, both
men and women. ...
told him the good news ... and the
eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" ... went down into the water and
Philip baptized him. "Can anyone keep
these people from being baptized with water?...
... opened her heart to respond to Paul's
message. [15] When she and the members of her household were baptized,... ... "Believe
in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." ... all his
family were baptized. Crispus, the synagogue
ruler, and his entire household believed ... many of the Corinthians ... were baptized. ...
believe in the one
coming after him, that is, in Jesus."... they were
baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 22:14-16 (to Paul) ... And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized ... |
Conclusion: There is a tremendous force at work for those who believe the gospel message, put on Christ in the waters of baptism and began a life of faith.