Day 2 - Next Steps - Where Do I Go From Here?
Committing to follow Jesus is a profound journey, and while Salvation and justification are indeed significant milestones in the journey of faith, they are not the endpoint. So now that you have an assurance of the work that God has done in your life through Christ and that you are a new creation, we must now progress in our understanding of the Lordship of Christ.
JESUS’ LORDSHIP
We are called to submit to the Lordship of Christ and grow in our faith as an ongoing processes that characterize the Christian life.
Here’s how you might define this reality:
Submitting to the Lordship of Christ goes beyond mere acknowledgment of His lordship; it involves a continual surrender of our will and desires to His authority. It’s a daily decision to align our thoughts, actions, and aspirations with His teachings and example.
Therefore we begin to daily evaluate all aspects of our lives through the lens of God’s word. When we are new to the faith we don’t know what we don’t know, so let’s begin the process of discipleship ever growing in our faith. Taking each step as we become aware of how to surrender more and more to Christ.
The first step of surrender, that we can easily begin with is a step of baptism.
Here’s how you might define this reality:
Submitting to the Lordship of Christ goes beyond mere acknowledgment of His lordship; it involves a continual surrender of our will and desires to His authority. It’s a daily decision to align our thoughts, actions, and aspirations with His teachings and example.
Therefore we begin to daily evaluate all aspects of our lives through the lens of God’s word. When we are new to the faith we don’t know what we don’t know, so let’s begin the process of discipleship ever growing in our faith. Taking each step as we become aware of how to surrender more and more to Christ.
The first step of surrender, that we can easily begin with is a step of baptism.
A STEP OF BAPTISM
THE SURRENDER OF BAPTISM
Baptism is a strange kind of initiation into the Christian life. But it is an important gesture to train us in the life of surrendering to God.
Jesus called for each and every disciple to be baptized once they are saved.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19
Throughout the Bible we can read about people who became Christians and were baptized after they believed.
Jesus called for each and every disciple to be baptized once they are saved.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19
Throughout the Bible we can read about people who became Christians and were baptized after they believed.
WHY IS BAPTISM COMMANDED?
It is a picture of what Jesus did for us. Standing in the water, our baptism symbolizes the life Jesus lived as a sinless human being. He became our substitute and offered Himself as a sacrifice on the cross. Being taken under the water symbolizes His death, and being raised out of the water symbolizes His resurrection. Water baptism also symbolizes our story - we are dead in sin, but through faith we are buried with Christ and raised to walk in a brand-new life.
The symbol is both clear and powerful. But it is an odd moment - getting yourself all wet in front of a crowd. It is not the most flattering presentation of ourselves. But our willingness to obey, even above our own sensibilities initiates us in the walk of a Christ follower...we surrender completely to Him.
By the way, this won’t be the last time the Lord leads us to do something that doesn’t make sense. In fact, the way of life for a Christian is one of absolute trust and surrender. This is the posture of baptism teaching us to follow the Lordship of Christ.
The symbol is both clear and powerful. But it is an odd moment - getting yourself all wet in front of a crowd. It is not the most flattering presentation of ourselves. But our willingness to obey, even above our own sensibilities initiates us in the walk of a Christ follower...we surrender completely to Him.
By the way, this won’t be the last time the Lord leads us to do something that doesn’t make sense. In fact, the way of life for a Christian is one of absolute trust and surrender. This is the posture of baptism teaching us to follow the Lordship of Christ.
MY FAITH GOING PUBLIC
Faith is personal, but it is not private. Jesus warned:
“If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns...” Luke 9:26
Baptism gives us a safe place to begin to practice our open allegiance to Jesus and begin to share our testimony. We must also be aware that part of our new found faith is the commitment of sharing our testimony with the world.
“If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns...” Luke 9:26
Baptism gives us a safe place to begin to practice our open allegiance to Jesus and begin to share our testimony. We must also be aware that part of our new found faith is the commitment of sharing our testimony with the world.
LETTING OTHERS KNOW
Many people stress out over this because we don’t think we have the words or the preparation to share. But when people in the Bible met Jesus, they told others what happened in their own words. No fancy descriptions were necessary. No lengthy Scriptures had to be quoted. Just the facts of what they had seen, heard, and Experienced.
One man who encountered Jesus was pressed by religious leaders to explain what had happened to him. They were looking for some wordy definitions of what had happened. But this man didn’t know and probably wasn’t all that interested in trying to fit his experience into their limited understanding. So he simply said:
“One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see.” (John 9:25).
Did you catch that? He kept it simple and truthful. I once was blind, but now I see. As you tell others what God has done for you, let them know that He can do things for them. Point your friends, family, and others to Jesus. If that seems overwhelming, a simple and effective way to point them to Christ is to invite them to attend a worship service with you at Turning Point.
One man who encountered Jesus was pressed by religious leaders to explain what had happened to him. They were looking for some wordy definitions of what had happened. But this man didn’t know and probably wasn’t all that interested in trying to fit his experience into their limited understanding. So he simply said:
“One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see.” (John 9:25).
Did you catch that? He kept it simple and truthful. I once was blind, but now I see. As you tell others what God has done for you, let them know that He can do things for them. Point your friends, family, and others to Jesus. If that seems overwhelming, a simple and effective way to point them to Christ is to invite them to attend a worship service with you at Turning Point.
MILE MARKERS
SHARE YOUR TESTIMONY
Now that you have written out your 3x3 testimony.
Take time to share your testimony with a friend or a family member.
Take time to share your testimony with a friend or a family member.
REGISTER FOR BAPTISM
If you have not taken the step of baptism, register today!
COMMIT
Commit to continuing through the Fresh Start Guide!