Help Me Begin My Workday Lord

 I spend the first portion of my day studying and preparing for sermons. At about 6:45 a.m. I need to transition to the next part of my day, a job in the construction industry guiding the upfront portion of commercial projects. I love the first part of my day . . . preparing sermons. For the second and longer part of my day I’m motivated by certain addictions . . .  I’m addicted to eating, heat in the winter, and wearing clothing in public . . . stuff like that. There’s a moment each day when I must transition from one to the other. In that moment I experience a sense of dread that rears two questions in my mind (maybe they come from my heart): (1) how am I going to hold up under the pressure and (2) is this chasing after money ultimately futile?

My transition happens in my mind somewhere between my second-floor study at home and my second-floor office downtown Lafayette. I switch from meditating on Scripture to preparing my mind to attack the challenges of the workday. It might happen between the first and second floor at home, in my truck on a thirty-minute drive, or walking through the parking garage. When dread hits, I always say a specific prayer.

This prayer renews my confidence that God is guiding me through the pressure and that my job has purpose.

Lord . . .

Give me the mind of Christ so that I can think the thoughts of Christ.

Fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I can make every decision with your perfect wisdom.

Pour your love into me that the world might see your lovingkindness and faithfulness through me.

Put your compassion in me so that I will be moved by Jesus’s compassion while I’m working with people in the world.

Remind me at every turn to do everything as unto the Lord and not for men so that you will be glorified in my work.

                                                                                                                    ~Stacy Abernathy

These are, as you will likely notice, tied to specific verses in Scripture: 1 Cor 2:16; James 1:5; Rom 5:5; Matt 9:36; and Col 3:23.

This prayer is an ask and a reminder of what is already true. Without it, a sense of dread follows me through my whole day. I hope this helps somebody out there.

 

Sermon Notes: Baptism

Baptism

 

Intro—Saving Faith and Baptism

1. An integral part of the substance of saving faith: believe, confess lordship, repent, be baptized
2. Traditions vs. Scripture
3. Objections vs. assumed for NT Christians

 

1—Baptism Defined

1. 1 Peter 3:18-21, (do not use NIV on this passage)
1. The correspondence to the flood
2. The appeal for what God has done in Christ to be applied to me

                            i. The "sinner's prayer" is not in Scripture

                            ii. Unlike prayer, baptism is passive. 

2. baptisma = immersion
1. It is not sprinkling or pouring

2—The Meaning Baptism

1. Romans 6:3
1. Assumed
2. Immersion ‘into’

2. 1 Cor 12:13
1. Into the church
2. Not into a LOCAL body

3. Romans 6:3-4
1. Death
2. Buried
3. Raised
4. New life

4. Romans 6:5-8
1. United with Christ

  

3—Who is baptism for?

1. For those with a biblical substance to their saving faith

They	Believe	Confess	Repent	Baptized
Jews @ Pentecost	Acts 2:44		Acts 2:38	Acts 2:41
The Samaritans	Acts 8:12			Acts 8:12
Ethiopian Eunuch				Acts 8:38
Saul				Acts 9:18; 22:16
Cornelius	Acts 15:7		Acts 11:18	Acts 10:48
Lydia				Acts 16:14-15
Philippian Jailor	Acts 16:31			Acts 16:33

 

2. For Believers
1. Acts 18:8
2. Acts 8:12
3. Infants do not believe

                                               i.     Depends on traditions rather than Scripture

                                             ii.     Misunderstanding Scripture toward infant baptism 

1.     Acts 10:45,47-48--Cornelius

2.     Acts 16:31-33—Philippian Jailor

3. For the Penitent
1. Acts 2:38
2. Not for those who do not intend to follow Jesus
3. It’s a function of INTO, which equals in
4. Raised to walk in newness of life

 

4—Questions

1. Was my baptism legitimate?
1. Did you decide for yourself?
2. Where you sprinkled? 

2. Should I get re-baptized?
1. Acts 19:1-5

3. Do I have to be baptized to be saved?
1. It is always presented as a means of inclusion…not a means of exclusion
2. What must I do?—Philippian Jailer
3. What shall we do?—Jews @ Pentecost
4. Can a person determine his own way?

CLOSE—I died on April 15^th, 1981

4. It marks a point in time and history
1. Your death
2. The appeal to forego the 2^nd death and obtain the free gift of eternal life
3. Your resurrection to a new life in the power of the resurrection
4. Your hope for life eternal that is being kept for you by Jesus Christ

5. What are you going to do with commands like this?

 

Acts 2:38

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Forgiveness and the Gift of the Holy Spirit await our response.

Acts 22:16

16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

Why do you wait?

6. Thank God for such a beautiful way of entering into His kingdom.