Baptism New Life

ILLUSTRATION: Tell the story of seeing an animal (snake or chicken) live without its head. (I know, slightly morbid, but it gets the point across.) i.e. The dead copperhead snake danced around the sand for hours. It was dead, but it appeared to be alive.

TENSION / ILLUSTRATION

• Without Jesus, we are like this headless snake.

• We look alive on the outside, but we are dead on the inside. I know this sounds harsh, but it’s also full of hope.

• Have you ever felt like that snake? Sure, you were moving, but you didn’t feel like you were truly experiencing life.

• We aren’t just talking about normal signs of life — like breathing, a heart beating, and TikTok dancing. No, we are going deeper than that.

• Have you looked at your life and felt like it was truly purpose-filled?

• You can go through the motions without feeling like they matter.

• You can breathe without knowing what you were made for.

• You can move without feeling God move through you.

• Many of us need to understand that salvation doesn’t just give us eternal life — it also gives us a new life.

• Right here. Right now. On this earth.

• Paul explained this to his friends at the Colossian church by leveraging a symbol we are familiar with — baptism.

• The act of baptism was well-known in the ancient world. As a matter of fact, it was central to both Jewish and Pagan traditions that were second nature to many people in the city of Colossae.

• Their conversion to Judaism normally included a baptism ceremony, which was seen as washing away their former lives' impurities.

• In mysterious pagan traditions, the baptism ritual was seen as a literal cleansing.

• Paul turned this understanding on its head by making it so much bigger. Baptism wasn’t just a symbol of being clean — like a bath or shower.

• Instead it was a symbol of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.

• This is why baptism is such a big deal.

REVIEW: We spoke about salvation last week.

• Salvation is a milestone moment. It’s the most important moment in anyone’s life. But what happens next?

• Tonight we are going to explore baptism. Baptism is everyone’s first step after they experience salvation.

• If you are a Christian and have never been baptized, I’d encourage you to sign up tonight.

• It’s helpful to understand the meaning behind baptism before you step into the water. It’s so much greater than a mere swim in a church.

• Here are three principles to understand before taking the plunge:

1. It starts in the heart.

• Jesus saves you. That’s it. End of story.

• Baptism is a representation.

• It’s a representation of what Jesus has already done in your life. There is nothing magic about the water. The water does not save you.

• Your heart changes first, then baptism follows.

• The act of baptism is just a way to publicly celebrate the fact that Jesus has already saved you. It’s an outward expression of an inward transformation.

• Let me explain. There is a $44,000 piece of paper on my wall. No, it’s not a rare piece of currency or a small painting by Picasso — it’s my college degree. That single piece of paper represents years of hard work, late nights, and my ultimate achievement. At it’s core, it’s merely a framed piece of paper. However, it represents so much more. [Adjust this illustration as you see fit.]

• Baptism is similar. It’s a small slice of your whole story, but it represents the entire culmination of your faith in Jesus.

• Your baptism is an outward representation of your internal transformation. So what exactly does it represent? What’s up with the water? Why do they dunk our heads? Isn’t that dangerous? Well, there is a powerful principle behind the practice.

• As Paul was writing to the church in Colossae, he helped them understand how baptism speaks to their identity.

• Your moment of baptism represents the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

• As Christians, we get to partake in that same spiritual cycle. We were dead in our sin, but we are resurrected to life in Christ.

• Baptism is much more than cold water and a free t-shirt, it’s a powerful picture of our own spiritual resurrection.

• Spiritually, we experience this life-altering transformation by seeing our identity in “co-crucifixion” and “co-resurrection” with Christ.

• We were dead, but God brought us back to life.

• This is a miracle. This is worth celebrating.

• That is why we throw parties when people get baptized. We are celebrating all that God has done within you and will do for you.

• In the same way, your birthday party isn’t what makes you older. It’s just a celebration of the fact that you are entering into another year. Baptism is the same. It’s a celebration of what God has already done.

• Baptism is a symbolic picture of a spiritual principle.

2: Baptism doesn't save, but it's still significant.

• Baptism is like a wedding ring. It’s an outward symbol of commitment.

• When someone wears a ring, the world knows that they are committed to a relationship. Commitment is significant, which is why baptism is also significant.

• Furthermore, Jesus clearly instructs us to get baptized to show our commitment to him (Matthew 28:19-20).

• Baptism reveals to the world that we are making our faith in Jesus public. Jesus publicly showed His love for us, and we should do the same for him.

3: Jesus doesn’t just give you a better life; He gives you a new life.

• Look at the language Paul uses in this passage. When our bodies get swallowed up by the water, it represents Jesus being swallowed up by the grave.

• When we emerge as cheers erupt, it mirrors the resurrection of Jesus.

• Like we just said. Baptism is a symbolic picture of a spiritual principle. Without Jesus, you were dead. With Jesus, you are “raised to new life.”

• People often think that sin merely makes us bad. However, the Bible teaches that sin makes us dead.

In Romans 6, the Apostle Paul says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.” (6:23)

• People don’t just need better behavior; they need a savior.

• Without Jesus, you are dead.

• However, here’s some really good news.

• God is in the business of bringing the dead back to life. That includes you.

God can bring new life to your relationships, emotions, and spiritual life. It all starts when He performs a spiritual resurrection.

• You’ve seen one of those overdramatic medical dramas, right?

• These insanely popular programs follow the stories of beautiful doctors who save lives without messing up their perfect hair.

• Nearly every episode contains a scene with a frantic resuscitation.

• Let’s use our imagination for a moment. Channel the energy of the operating room when a patient flat-lines. The doctor shouts orders. All of the nurses scramble. A long, loud tone screeches from the EKG attached to the patient. The surgeon clinches two paddles before sending shockwaves through the patient. With each thrust of energy, their body convulses.

• Outside of the cheesy acting and dramatic music, this is your story too.

• You were dead on the table, then Jesus smashed the defibrillation paddles together before sending a shock to your heart.

• One shock, two shock, three shock.

• Your heart began beating. Breath filled your lungs. Your eyes bounced open and oxygen returned to your brain. You were dead, but now you are alive.

• People often criticize Christianity by calling it a “crutch.”

• They’ll suggest that faith is something that people use to hold themselves up, like the crutches used to recover from a broken ankle. I only wish it was that mild.

• We need so much more than a crutch.

• We need an ambulance.

• We need an emergency surgery.

• We need a resurrection.

• We need a miracle that only Jesus can do.

• The gospel isn’t about going from bad to good. It’s about going from death to life.

• This is the miracle of the message that Paul proclaimed to the Colossians.

• Big Idea: Jesus doesn’t just give you a better life; He gives you a new life.

TALK IT OUT

Go through these questions with your circle. Be honest. Be open. Talk through the tough stuff.

Q1: Have you ever been baptized or witnessed a baptism? What was it like?

Q2: What does baptism symbolize?

Q3: When you are made new in Christ, what changes in your life?

Q4: What’s one thing in your life that you’d like God to make new or restore? How can you begin that healing process this week?

READ THESE PASSAGES IN ORDER EVERY DAY

1 John 4:7-12

1 John 5:1-15

Romans 5:1-11

Romans 12:9-11

John 15:1-11

John 17:20-26

Do the following with each passage:

ASK– God to connect with you here. In prayer, start by slowing down and inviting God to be present. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you today.

READ– the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of the words and phrases that intrigue you, reading them a second time if necessary.

REFLECT– on what grabs you. How does this passage personally relate to your own life and experiences?

RESPOND– to the Scripture. Speak directly to God about what’s on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you’ve uncovered.