Baptims Service Oct 2025
Baptism Service
Water baptism is a significant step for every believer because it follows the example Jesus set in Matthew 3:13–17. When Jesus was baptised, the heavens opened, the Spirit descended on Him, and the Father declared His pleasure. Ps Adrian teaches that as believers follow Christ’s example, they can take hold of that same encouragement – God calls them His dearly loved sons and daughters and is pleased with their decision.
Baptism is important because it symbolises what has already taken place spiritually. Full immersion shows that the old self – the sin, shame, and pain of the past – has been left behind and forgiven through Jesus Christ. Coming up out of the water is a sign of new life, expressing that Jesus now lives within and has made each believer a new creation. Ps Adrian also explains that baptism is a powerful public declaration. It moves a person from a private faith into a visible stand for Jesus, showing the world, “This is who I am.”
The stories shared during the baptism service highlight how God works in people’s lives – bringing hope in hardship, drawing people back after wandering, freeing them from destructive patterns, and guiding those new to faith. Baptism marks a courageous and joyful step of obedience, a moment of publicly acknowledging what God has already done in the heart, and stepping forward into a new season of walking with Him.
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The Power of Water Baptism: Following Jesus' Example
Water baptism represents one of the most powerful declarations a Christian can make. It's not just a religious ritual, but a profound public statement of faith that symbolizes spiritual transformation and obedience to Christ's example.
Why Did Jesus Get Baptized?
In Matthew 3:13-17, we see Jesus himself being baptized by John the Baptist. When John questioned why Jesus needed baptism, Jesus responded that "it should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires." After his baptism, the heavens opened, the Spirit descended like a dove, and God's voice declared, "This is my dearly loved son who brings me great joy."
This passage reveals that baptism isn't about earning salvation, but about obedience and identification with God's plan. When we follow Jesus' example through baptism, we can expect to hear the same words from our heavenly Father: "You are my dearly loved son or daughter, and I'm well pleased with you."
What Does Water Baptism Symbolize?
Death to the Old Self
Full immersion baptism powerfully illustrates spiritual death and rebirth. Going under the water represents dying to your old self - the sin, shame, pain, and broken patterns that once defined your life. This old self has been forgiven and healed through Jesus Christ's sacrifice.
Rising to New Life
Coming up out of the water symbolizes resurrection into new life. Jesus now lives inside you, making you a new creation. The past is forgiven, and you're empowered to live differently because of Christ's transforming power.
Why Is Public Declaration Important?
No Hiding Your Faith
Water baptism forces you out of spiritual hiding. Standing before hundreds of people, sharing your testimony, and being baptized makes it impossible to keep your faith private. This public declaration often challenges us to move beyond secret belief into bold Christian living.
Changing Lives Through Witness
When you publicly declare your faith through baptism, you're not just making a personal statement - you're potentially changing other lives. Your courage to stand up for Jesus encourages others and demonstrates that following Christ is worth any opposition you might face.
Real Stories of Transformation
The testimonies shared during baptism services reveal the incredible diversity of ways God draws people to himself:
Young adults finding purpose and peace after years of anxiety and uncertainty
People overcoming addiction and destructive habits through Christ's power
Individuals discovering hope in the midst of chronic illness and suffering
First-generation Christians breaking family patterns to follow Jesus
Those who grew up in church finally making personal commitments to Christ
Each story demonstrates that no matter your background, age, or circumstances, Jesus meets you exactly where you are and transforms your life from the inside out.
The Courage to Take the Step
Overcoming Fear and Doubt
Many people hesitate to get baptized because of fear - fear of what others will think, fear of not being "good enough," or fear of the commitment involved. However, baptism isn't about perfection; it's about surrender and obedience to God's call on your life.
God's Timing Is Perfect
Some people wait years before taking this step, while others feel called immediately after accepting Christ. There's no "right" timeline, but there is a right response when God stirs your heart. The key is not to let fear or procrastination prevent you from obeying when you sense God's leading.
What Happens After Baptism?
Spiritual Empowerment
Baptism marks the beginning of empowered Christian living. You're not just forgiven; you're equipped by the Holy Spirit to live boldly for Christ and impact your world for his kingdom.
Community Support
Being baptized connects you more deeply with the church family. You become part of a community committed to supporting each other's spiritual growth and serving together in God's mission.
Is Baptism Required for Salvation?
While baptism doesn't save you - only faith in Jesus Christ does that - it represents obedience to Christ's command and example. It's the natural next step for someone who has genuinely accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Life Application
If you've accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior but haven't been baptized, this week is the time to take that step of obedience. Don't let fear, perfectionism, or procrastination keep you from following Christ's example. Contact your local church and express your desire to be baptized.
If you've already been baptized, consider how you can encourage others to take this important step. Share your own baptism story, invite friends to baptism services, and pray for those who are considering this decision.
Questions for Reflection:
Have I been putting off baptism due to fear or feeling "not ready enough"?
How can I better live out the reality of being a "new creation" in Christ?
Who in my life needs to hear about the transforming power of Jesus?
Am I living boldly for Christ, or am I hiding my faith from others?
Remember, God has a greater plan for your life than you have for yourself. Following him in baptism is just the beginning of discovering that amazing plan he has in store for you.
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A discussion guide for the sermon can be found here.
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Look at this. Isn't this good? Why don't we give these guys a hand?
It's very nervous standing in front of you guys, do you know that? It's very nerve wracking. No, you guys are very kind. You guys are going to be amazing and you've got Nothing to be nervous about. You're going to do an amazing job.
And here's what we we're gonna just explain a little bit about water baptism. Then we're gonna pray for them, and then we're gonna hear some testimonies in different groups and have some worship while you guys are water baptized. So there's a scripture.
I'm gonna read, the one from Matthew, chapter three in verse 13. This is when Jesus got water baptized. This is why we're doing it, because you're following his example. And it says this in Matthew 3:13. Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan river to be baptized by John.
And John tried to talk him out of it. I'm the one who needs to be baptized by you, he said, so why are you coming to me? But Jesus said, it should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires. So John agreed to baptize him after his baptism. As Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and set the settling on him.
And a voice from heaven said, this is my dearly loved son who brings me great joy. I want to tell you guys, as you get water baptized, that's what God's saying to you. You are his sons and his daughters, and as you get baptized, you're going to sense the presence of God and just take that moment right between you and God to sense it. And God saying, well done. I'm proud of you.
You are my dearly loved son and daughter. I'm well pleased with you. That's the heart of God for you as you've taken this. It's a courageous decision. It's a decision.
You know why water baptism is important? It's important, number one, because it symbolizes what's happening spiritually. We do it by full immersion. So you go under the water, which shows that you're dying. To that old self, the sin, the shame, the pain, all.
All that old self goes, and it's been forgiven and healed by Jesus Christ. And when you come back up, it's a sign. Jesus has come to live on the inside of you, and he's made you a new creation, says now we can live new lives because Jesus Christ has washed us clean and given us a new life. And that's what baptism symbolizes. It's already happened inside you, but it's a sign to the world of what has happened spiritually.
And the second reason it's important, yes, it's a. It's being obedient. To what Jesus did. But the reason it's so powerful is because it's telling the whole world. You can't hide this, can you?
You're in front of everyone, right? Hundreds of people, right? You're sharing. You can't hide that you're a Christian. You can't hide that you've given your life to Jesus.
Some people have probably told you. You might have had people going, what are you doing that for? That's silly. What's wrong with you? You know, that's what the world and people who don't know Jesus, that's how they think.
But you guys are making a stand and saying, this is who I am. This is why. And that is powerful. Brothers and sisters, you're changing lives because of what you're doing today. And we should be proud of them, aren't we?
We're proud of these guys. And so I'm gonna ask you three questions, and you just have to say yes or I do. If you don't have your voice on you, you can just nod your head, and then we're gonna pray for you. So do you believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God? Do you believe that he died on the cross for your sin and rose again on the third day?
Have you received him as your personal Lord and Savior? Then, on the confession of your faith, we're now going to baptize you in the name of the Son, in the name of the Father and the name of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Why don't we reach out our hands and we're going to pray for these awesome men and women of God? Lord, we pray today.
If you've got a loved one here, just reach out your hand and pray for them, Lord, as they go through the waters of baptism this morning, Lord, I pray that the hand of God would be upon them. They would sense the smile of God, the presence of God all over their lives, that they would be empowered by the Holy Spirit to be mighty men and women of God. That they would know that the past has been taken care of. Lord God, it is forgiven. They're washed clean.
And they have been empowered to live new lives full of confidence and boldness and faith to change their world for Jesus Christ. Lord, let them know it. Let them go forth, God, in great strength and love and grace. In Jesus name we pray. All God's people said amen.
Amen. Fantastic. Well, which group have we got staying up? The purple group. So everyone but the purple group.
Katrina's very organized. She's got color coordinator. The purple group Staying up, and we're going to hear some testimonies from you, and then we'll hear the other guys come up. So if you're in the purple group, so you guys are going to share your testimony, what's going to happen? They're going to share.
They'll introduce yourself, then share what you're going to share. And then when we baptize people, when you have a loved one or a friend or family member getting baptized, we'd invite you to come. You can come right up this side here and get nice and close. We'll have it on the screen so you'll be able to see on the screens people getting baptized. But family and friends come up close and you can come and support them.
Video, whatever you want to do. And then when they've done, make some room for the next group to come up. But please feel free to do that. This is a family. This is an interactive moment, and let's support them.
Let's be encouraging as everyone gets water baptized. It's going to be a great day. All right, who's going first? You're gonna go first. So introduce yourself and then share and then hand over to the next.
My name's Ash, and I love Jesus. I'm Catherine, and I love Jesus too. Grateful to be here.
Good morning, church.
My name is Chris, and I am 24 years old. And this is my little testimony that I'd like to share today. I have decided to give my life to Jesus to accept himself as my Lord and Savior. I've been going to church for many years now, since 2010, and it's been a rough journey my whole life trying to reconnect with Jesus. I used to drink a lot at a young age.
I was 16 years old when I first started, right up until I was 21. That was when I realized that drinking wasn't the solution to my problems, but it was because I was going through a lot of things that I don't want to share about. But since being at this church, I always feel like I'm getting closer and closer to. To Jesus. I know I'm not perfect, but I know that there's a lot of bad mistakes that I've made in my life and that I regret.
But maybe there was a reason for it to prepare me for this day. Second Corinthians, chapter 5, verse 17. It says, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come, the old has gone, and the new has come. So today I'd like to surrender my life to Jesus to accept the into my heart and to love him as much as he loves myself and everyone else here. So I'd like to say thank you to everyone for listening and for being here to witness my testimony and baptism.
My name's Christine. I gave my life to Jesus a couple of months ago. But a seed was planted maybe 12 months ago through Charlie Kirk and his wife. And I used to watch her preach and talk about Jesus. And she just spoke with so much grace and she was just so beautiful.
And I wondered, how can this person make her feel like that? I want to feel like that. And now I realize she was filled with the Holy Spirit and. And I'm just so grateful and lucky that I'm able to do this today and be reborn in Jesus name. So thank you.
All right. My name is Sean. I never grew up in a faith background, and I wasn't really just growing up, nor my parents. And maybe 18 months ago, I was thought I was really happy and everything was great. And I had this voice in my head talking to me about Christ, which I couldn't explain.
I tried to dismiss it and it just wouldn't go away. About a month after that, I had some really difficult challenges in my life, and I started to listen to that voice a bit more. And I tried to look into the evidence and tried to talk myself out of it. And the more I read, the more I learnt, the more I. More I found the truth.
So maybe six months ago, I walked into this church and I haven't looked back.
Well, we're proud of all of you guys. It's a big, courageous step and we're with you. God's with you. And so we're going to baptize you now and say, as I said, loved ones, friends, family, you come on up and we're going to support you. Let's do it, Sam.
Oh, Jesus, keep leading me Lead me on Lead me on Lead me on Leave me on.
Leave me on oh, Jesus, keep leaving me.
Sa.
Me on Please leave me on you stop me I'm leaning on Leave me on oh, Jesus, keep me lead me on Leave me on Believe me on.
Oh, Jesus, keep leading me.
I am a child of God.
I.
Am a child of God.
Ra.
I am a child now I.
You I am a child.
Christ alone.
All right, if you're in the yellow group, why don't you come up?
Yellow group, yellow group.
Ania, Jay, Crystal, Olivia, Hannah Queen. Come on, give him a hand. Give him a hand.
Yeah. Awesome.
And everyone come forward, guys. Come forward. Come forward. All right, we're Going to do the same as we did last group. Guys ready?
I'm going to have hand you guys the microphone and share your name and testimony and we'll get you baptised, yeah?
Good morning, church. My name is Olivia. I'm grateful to be walking this journey as a first generation Christian alongside Hannah and surrounded by the love and support of this church. This past year has been one of the most transformational seasons of my life. I've moved through so many changes, new places, new responsibilities, travel and uncertainty.
Yet through it all, I felt God guiding my steps. His word became real to me. Even when I didn't know what was next, his presence kept leading me forward. Serving others has been a huge part of my journey. Working with families as a nanny, supporting vulnerable people as a support worker, and helping people create a safe home as an interior designer.
These opportunities have opened my heart in a new way. I began to see God's compassion in every moment and I realised how much he works through us when we simply show up with love. There were also moments of uncertainty, overwhelm and transition. And yet I kept being pulled back to peace. I've learned to slow down, to trust God and to let go of needing to control everything.
Through the challenges and the healing, I felt God renewing my strength and showing me that my gifts, my creativity, my love for caring for others and my heart for community are part of the purpose he's placed in me. I'd love to share this verse in John, chapter 14, verse 27 that has reassured me as I step into my faith more. It says, I'm leaving you with a gift, peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.
This is my declaration that I trust God and I'm ready to walk with him fully. I'm ready to wash away my old life and start afresh with Jesus. I'm grateful for every lesson that brought me here, for what he's done in me, and I'm excited for what is to come.
Good morning, church. My name is Hannah. I didn't grow up in a Christian home, but for as long as I can remember, I've always been curious and drawn to God. In high school, a close friend invited us to church and even though I didn't fully understand everything at the time, I just loved praying together. Olivia and I also saw a school chaplain who really impacted my faith.
She would pray over us and somehow all of my worries and anxieties would lift. Earlier this year, I went through a really Hard season. But that's actually when I started to see God's light so clearly. It felt like he put a lamp at my feet and showed me where to go next. Oliver and I simply just googled churches.
We found connect and the first service we came to happened to be a water baptism service. We both turned to each other and said, we're going to do that one day. And a couple months later, God took us on a three and a half month trip around Europe and Asia. We visited churches, volunteered on farms and in schools with kids, and God showed up in every conversation. We felt his protection and his presence with us through every step, even in completely foreign places.
Coming home to Melbourne, I knew it was time. Time to start afresh, to step into this new chapter and to commit my life fully to Christ. And that's why I'm here.
How good is that?
I'm Jay and I didn't grow up in a Christian family. And for a long time I didn't feel like I belonged in anywhere I was like. I was diagnosed with autism at a very young age and later with adhd, which made my life in school really hard. As I got older, I struggled with depression and at the same time it led me down some destructive habits and I felt lost and broken and like I'd never be enough. But in these dark moments, God was there.
Meaning Jesus changed everything. He didn't offer me comfort, but he also showed me that I'm loved, accepted and valuable just as I am. He brought hope into my life when I thought there was a none. And I know life will still have some challenges, but I don't have to face them alone because Jesus gives me strength, freedom and purpose. One thing that I've learned along my journey so far is if you've ever felt too heavy, too hurt, or too far gone, you're not.
God meets us in the places we don't talk about, in the pain we hide, in the moments we think no one would understand. He steps into the hurt, not away from it. And if he can pull me out of the darkness I thought would swallow me, he can pull you out too, because his love reaches deeper than your lowest point.
So much of my year has been consumed with thoughts of Pappy and most importantly, what God's will for my life is.
So much of my year has been consumed with thoughts of purpose and most importantly, what God's will for my life is and how do I live it out. I think it's a question many Christians wrestle with, with why God has placed me in this specific location, in this specific country and in this specific time, Though these questions remain largely unanswered. Through the contemplation, God has really shown me that there is no greater purpose than to know him and to be known by him, because it is through relationship with him that everything else flows.
And now, even in the uncertainty of my life, I find a confidence that with every step I take with God is a step closer to where he wants me to be. As for my faith journey, I've grown up in a Christian home my whole life and I've known of Jesus for as long as I can remember. But it wasn't until my later years that I grew to know Jesus for myself and realized my own personal need for a Savior. I came to realize that Jesus wasn't just this guy we talked about on Sundays and Christianity wasn't just this really nice way to live my life. But the implications of accepting or rejecting his sacrifice had eternal consequences.
And it wasn't enough to rely on the faith my parents. I had to know him for myself. My baptism today is actually an external representation of an internal decision I made a long time ago. But it just felt like the right time. During the season of my life and walk, the most important question every human being will ever have to answer is this.
Do you believe that Jesus is who he says he is?
Is He Lord of all?
Is he the One who died for the sins of the world, the only way by which all must be saved? The answer for me is yes, he is Lord. He died for me.
He rose again. And now the only right response is to live for Him. Though I'm not perfect in my attempt, it says in Galatians that I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me and the life I now live in the flesh. I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave his life for me.
Oh, beautiful. Yeah. My name's Enya and I can proudly say today that I am proud to be a Christian and Jesus is king.
I have a history, like a lot of us, of mental health, anxiety and I've been in really low spots and I relate to, yeah, others substances I thought were my solution. Through a hard year, but a really transformative year, Jesus just kept popping up in my life. It was pretty crazy. It was really cool. My neighbour people were like a saw crosses everywhere and I was like, maybe I should give this Jesus guy a go.
And I started praying to him and I was like, whoa, this works. And I'M a bit selfish, so I was like, I'm going to keep doing this. And I've just been praying to Jesus, and my life has gotten so much better. You know, I've got anxiety, and right now I'm not even nervous. Like, I give.
I give situations over to Jesus now instead of, you know, taking a drink or whatever. And my life is just so much better. And, yeah, I'm not gonna stop. Thank you. Oh, how good is that?
Why don't we give them a hand? All right, who's ready to get baptized? While they're getting ready, can I. If you. If you're here this morning and something's stirring in your heart and you want to get baptized and you didn't bring any clothes, just come up, we'll get you clothes, we'll get you a cuppa.
All right, let's do it.
Sa.
Everything I need, Everything I need Christ is enough for me. Christ is enough for me Everything I need, Everything I need.
Sam, I.
Call me everything I need, Everything I need.
Trust me. Enough of me.
Everything I need, Everything I need.
Sam, I have decided.
Follow Jesus. No turning back, no turning back, No turning back. Sam.
Follow Jesus. No turning back, no turning back. I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back, no turning. You.
Are holy.
Holy. You are holy. Holy.
You are holy above.
You are holy Jesus. Oh, Jesus, keep leaving Le me on, Leave me on, Leave me on Please leave me on, Leave me on, Lord. Oh, Jesus, keep leading me oh, Jesus, keep leading me oh, Jesus, keep me.
Why don't we give them all a hand?
Team yellow. All right, if you're in the green group, make your way up.
Cj, Adam, say Roy.
Now you're a good boys. Take your time. You're good. Sweet ass. So good.
Come this way, brother Adam. Okay, three of you guys up here, the lucky last, the boys.
While we're going to do the same, I'm going to hand the mic over to you guys. You guys are going to share a story, a testimony, and get you baptized. Yeah. Come more to the middle so the camera can get a good shot.
Hello, everyone. Can you hear that? Hello, everyone. I'd like to thank you all for being here today and witnessing all of our testimonies. My name is CJ and I'm standing here today.
Like many of us, I've hit rock bottom in my own ways. There were moments where life felt heavy, confusing, and, honestly, lonely. Growing up, I never fully understood faith and slowly drifted away, finding myself living to impress the world, trying to fill a void I couldn't I did not know how to handle. My sisters started coming here, and that caught the attention of my little boy, Credence. He even wanted to get baptized.
Watching him make that choice gave me a feeling in my heart that I cannot explain. At the start of the year, even though my whole life got turned upside down, I took the leap of faith just because I knew I couldn't be living the way I was. Looking back now I can see every stepping stone God has put in front of me, every moment that has led me right here to this exact a day. I'm grateful to be standing here, to be given another chance. And I would like to thank every single one of you for being so welcoming to my family and brothers with open arms.
All glory to God.
Hello, everyone. My name is Royden. I just want to say thank you for everyone for being here today. I've been through a lot of my 25 years of life. I've witnessed a lot of violence, family struggles, disappointments, and moments where I feel lost and alone.
I try to do everything on my own, but it only left me empty. I was in one of my lowest moments that I felt God pulling me towards him. A couple of months ago, I made a lethal faith and followed my brother here. I'm cj into a journey that's now changed my life in the best way. Proverbs 27:17.
Iron sharpen iron as a friend sharpens a friend. My brother's love and faith has overflowed onto me, and today we are both getting baptized. When I finally turned to God, he met me with love, not judgment. He gave me peace, strength, and a new purpose. He reminded me that I'm chosen, forgiven, and not defined by my past.
Today I'm choosing to be baptized because I want to leave my old life behind and step fully into the life God has for me. Baptism is my declaration that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I'm ready to walk with him, follow him and let him lead my story. Today I want everyone to know I belong to Jesus. I'm all in.
I'm ready to walk with him for the rest of my life. Thank you.
Good job, man. Morning, church.
I'm Adam, and part of me was a bit nervous to share my testimony, but I feel like that's why I should.
A while ago, I was pushing too hard, working and doing life without direction or the right intention, which I thought was fine. Until it wasn't. Long story short, I got sick. I ignored the signs. I'd passed my limits, and I got to the point I could Barely move.
I became basically bedridden at 15.
I thought it would be a few days, but it went from weeks to months into over a year.
I developed chronic pain that never left and many other symptoms, mental and physical, as well as bitterness. Doctors couldn't help or give an answer. I had to leave school and say goodbye to my life. Illness had seemingly taken over everything. All that time in isolation and pain obviously leads to questioning because I couldn't do much else.
So more months in, it continued to get worse to the point I didn't know how I could do it anymore. And I cried out for help. I didn't even know what I was saying. I barely knew of God. My family haven't been in ages, but they made it today.
That's awesome. But I wanted a sign from him or someone to help. Just a glimpse of hope. And that same minute my Christian friend messaged out of nowhere, saying she got an urge to reach out. And she made it here today too.
A while after that, I was lost again and asked for another sign. And a different friend said we should go to church together sometime. Both times the same minute I asked and I couldn't ignore it. I came here with these friends a while later and wasn't the same.
God didn't cure me or miraculously heal me, and that takes processing. But I think sometimes not changing everything helps us realize the patience we have through him and exactly what we're capable of overcoming with faith. I'm still sick and struggling at times. It's a process, but it isn't up to my own strength anymore. Now, two and a half years in, I would almost say this way was better.
Because taking away my problem isn't what would have strengthened me. And I realized I'd have never found God, music or purpose if I never got sick. And I'm not bitter or angry at him anymore. The miracle wasn't fixing in a snap. It was finding hope during hopelessness.
It was a place to surrender the burden and pain when I genuinely had no way out. The diagnosis I've been given is years to lifelong and incurable. But it's now become manageable. It's still a journey, but it's more within reach now because God interrupted the spiral. I was in my health, declining, making my mental health worse and then continuing.
But God breaks all chains. I wanted to end this with my favorite verse, John 1:5. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. Now I want to give my life to that light, Jesus, who saved me and is working through me and just want you to remember our circumstances are never bigger than our God. Thank you.
How powerful is that? Hey, we're going to be believing Adam for the life changing healing power of God. With you. We've got one more person that's come and said God's stirring them so they want to get water baptized. I want to invite Danny to come on up.
Why don't you introduce yourself and why don't you share? And we're going to baptize you today as well. Might want to take your watch off, though. Oh, it's waterproof, so that's good.
Hi, I'm Danny.
I didn't grow up in a Christian world, but I've had God with me since I've been 10. I didn't know it was him, but I always felt him. At about the age of 30, I got invited to Planet Shakers, of which Russell Evans saved me the day I walked in. That was when I was 30. I'm now 54.
And even then I struggled to have or believe that I deserved to have communion because I just didn't feel I was able or well enough.
And I've had in my heart for the last 24 years that I needed to be baptized to allow myself to be who I really am through God. And fo today basically spoke straight to me like Russell did when I was saved and said, if there's anyone here that needed to be baptized or wanted to, there's a space. So I'm here.
Praise God. Hey. Oh, God's moving. And hey, invitations always open. We got four more baptisms and if you get stirred, hey, it's never too late.
So you can come and see us here. And he cares about getting some wet clothes. Hey, when you're serving Jesus and obeying him. So we're really proud of you guys. We're going to baptize you now and let's worship together.
Let's be praying for him. Let's do this.
Worthy, you are worthy, you will be forever.
Worthy you are worthy, you will be forever Worthy you are worthy, you will be forever sa.
Be forever Yahweh Worthy, you are worthy, you are worthy you will be forever Worthy you are worthy, you are worthy forever.
Sa.
My soul oh, don't you get shy on me Lift up your song Cause you got a lion inside of those song get up and.
Come on my soul oh, don't you get shy on me Lift up your tongue you got a lion inside of yet I.
Come on my soul oh, don't you get shy on Me Lift up your song cuz you got a lion inside of those get up and praise.
Come on my soul oh don't you get shy on me.
Am.
Nothing else before.
Hallelujah, hallelujah so I throw up my head Praise you again and again all that I have is hallelujah, hallelujah I know it's not of nothing else before king.
Hallelujah, hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Jesus.
So come on my soul oh don't you get shy on me.
Come on my soul oh don't you get shy on me Lift up your tongue cuz you got a lion inside of get up and praise the Lord.
Come on my soul hold on you begin Sh.
You got.
Sh.
I'm gone.
Praise you again and again.
Amen. Hey, well done, guys. Yeah, you can go get, you can get changed. Give them another hand. Let's give all our baptism candidates a hand.
Wow.
Jesus Christ is real. Hey. And he does change lives. Two thousand years later, Jesus Christ has the same power that he's always had and he has the power to change our lives. And so this is what we're going to do.
We're going to finish up. But if you're not challenged by that, if you're not stirred by that hearing from these, these amazing people, you know, and I just, you know, who stirred as. Even as Queen, Queen was sharing and you know, normally she was up the back being sort of helping out, doing her thing and doing bits and pieces and. And then she's getting up to speak and God stirred me and it was like God is speaking to me. And I hope God's been speaking to you as you've heard testimonies and take that to heart.
We're going to give an opportunity right now because if you don't know the Lord Jesus Christ like that, if you don't know him personally, if you've been distant from God, now's the time to come close. Now's the time to accept him. We're not talking about religion, are we? You know, I used to talk to my friends at school. My daughter goes to school, she tries to.
To tell them about Jesus. And people get this idea. It's about going to church. It's about a religion, it's about rules. It's not.
It's about a relationship with your maker. It's a relationship with the one who loves you the most. And it will change your life. He will change your life. So I want to invite you to close your eyes, bow your heads, we're going to say A prayer altogether.
And there's people in this place. I don't know who you are, but God knows who you are. And it's time for you to come either back to God or it's time for you to accept him as Lord and Savior for the first time. So we're going to say this prayer and I want you to say this after me. We'll all say it together.
Dear Lord Jesus, I want to invite you into my life. I believe you're the Son of God and you died on the cross for my sin and you rose again from the dead. So forgive me Jesus. Be my Lord and my Savior. I will follow you.
In Jesus name I pray. Amen. Amen. Come on. Why don't we give those people who said that?
Welcome into the family of God. Welcome back into the family of God. I want to tell you this God, I promise you this. God has a greater plan for you than you have for your own life. It is better than you know.
And you need to know him to find it. You need to know him. And so if you said that prayer, if you're coming back, if you said it for the first time, we want to help you. And one of the ways we can do that is we want to give you a Bible. Because who knows the Bible, it's full of the word of God, it will direct you.
It'll help you. It'll help you to know Jesus. And so we've got a great Bible we want to give you. Go to the bookshop area, there's a table there and just say, hey, can I get one of those Bibles? We'd love to give you one and pray with you if you want it.
Talk with you if you'd like that. We want to help you however we can. You're just getting started in a brilliant journey or some of us are reconnecting with God and it's the right time to do it. Hey, as Fuwa said, we've just seen a whole bunch over this weekend. Over 60 people from Connect Christian Church across all our churches are getting water baptized.
Isn't that amazing?
And here's the sense I get God stirring hearts. And if you've never been water baptized and you say I'm a Christian, maybe you're just a brand new Christian. Maybe you've been a Christian for years and you've never been water baptized, now's the time to say yes, you will not regret it. And so this is what we do. You don't have to do it right now, but you can put your name down at the get connected desk and say, you know what?
Include me next time. Over 20 people that got water Baptist have put their names down over the last few months to say, I'm waiting for this day. So we're gonna do it again in March, and it's a great day. You've got time to invite family, friends to talk with pastors. Put your name down, follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, and we'll be in touch with you and we'll get you ready for the next water baptisms.
Is that good? Well, God's good. You guys have done a brilliant job. Why don't we thank our team for standing up here for like four hours straight or sitting, as some of our pregnant worship leaders have to do sometimes. And it's been a great day.
Come on, why don't we stand? Lord, bless your people as we go today. I pray they'd be blessed coming in, blessed going out, and they would come to know you greater than they ever have before. In Jesus name, Amen. Come on.
Why don't we finish with worship today? God bless you, church.
Hallelujah. So I throw up my head and praise you again and again. It's all that I have is hallelujah. Hallelujah. And I know it's not much.
I'm not nothing else before.
Hallelujah. Hallelujah.
Thank you so much, church. It's been a joy to have you. Please go and have some and we'll see you next week.
Related Bible Verses
Matthew 3:13–17 (NLT)
Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him. After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”
Click here to read Matthew 3:13–17 on Bible.com
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Click here to read 2 Corinthians 5:17 on Bible.com
John 14:27 (NLT)
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
Click here to read John 14:27 on Bible.com
Galatians 2:20 (ESV)
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Click here to read Galatians 2:20 on Bible.com
Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
Click here to read Proverbs 27:17 on Bible.com
John 1:5 (ESV)
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.