Life before and after water baptism.
A. After water baptism we are to live a new life! Romans 6:3-4
1. Don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that,
just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
2. Being made new in the attitude of your minds! Eph.4:22-29
a. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life,
to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
b. to be made new in the attitude of your minds;
and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Un-righteousness belong to the devil! 1 Jn.3:10
c. We are all members of one body! Eph.4:25
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
Lies belong to the devil! Jn.8:44
d. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Eph.4:26-27
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
and do not give the devil a foothold.
Angry after dark, may cause you not able to sleep well! You give the devil a foothold!
e, Stealing is a no, no! Eph.4:28
He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work,
doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
f. Cursing is a no, no! Eph.4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,
but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs,
that it may benefit those who listen.
B. After baptism you no longer live for yourself! 2 Cor.5:15-17
1. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves
but for him who died for them and was raised again.
Yes, we live for Christ, the one who died and resurrected for us! 6:15
2. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view.
Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 6:16
There is a worldly point of view and there is a Christ life point of view!
3. Yes, the old me has gone, the new me has come! 2 Cor.6:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
a. I don’t play with roughness, I play with gentleness and skill!
b. I don’t play to win, I play to have fun and make everyone else happy!
c. I don’t just care about what I want, I care first about what my brothers need!
d. Everyone who is not a member of the church is my objective to bring them to Christ!
C. Always remember, we are created by God to do good works! Eph.2:10, Phil.2:12-16
1. ... Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. 2:12-13
2. Do everything without complaining or arguing. 2:14
3. So that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation,
in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life--
in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. 2:15-16
D. Apostle Paul has a good example for us! 1 Cor.9:22-23
To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.
I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.
I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
May the Lord bless you and keep you always! Preach this on September 9, 2012.