Baptism Service

Awesome. Good morning. How are we doing today? Man, great. It’s so good to see everybody. If you are a guest with us this morning, I just want to say welcome to Sauldam Baptist Church. We are elated for today, not just because this could be another great Sunday, but because we have two more folks that are going to join me here in the baptistry and making their faith in Jesus Christ public. I just want to continue to reiterate, baptism, as we believe, as we read the scriptures, is a memorial. It is a sign. It’s a public declaration of a greater, bigger, deeper truth. For us, we believe that baptism is not something that people do in order for God to love them, for God to save them, for God to approve of them, but it’s something that we do because we believe that God loves us, because we know that God has saved us.

We’ve got two folks who will make their faith in Jesus Christ public this morning. I’ve got a great promise for you. In the Gospel of Luke chapter 15, Jesus says that there is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who have no need for repentance, which means this morning, as these two folks, Alex and Camden, make their faith in Jesus Christ public, all of heaven is going to be in an uproar of the best kinds. We think about watching the football games over the weekend, and we think about when our team scores, and that stadium erupts with applause and excitement. Man, this morning, that’s what heaven is going to be like, as Alex and Camden share their stories with you as they get baptized. So, because there will be partying in heaven, I think that we here on earth ought to take part in that. Amen? So, what I’m going to need from you is that when they come out of the water, you’re going to cheer. If you’re especially talented at whistling, you’re welcome to whistle. You do whatever you want to do. Alex, I’m going to go ahead and invite you on down to join me, okay? Let’s go ahead and give Alex a round of applause as he comes down with me.

Good morning. My name is Alex Fleming, and today I’m getting baptized. Our family is still new to Sauldam, but thanks to my neighbor, Clarence Correll, for investing in me and beginning conversations with me that have led to today. I grew up in a somewhat Christian environment. My mother took me to church when I was little. As I got older, I found myself living a life of sin, which I enjoyed. Over time, getting farther away from Christ, evil forces that trick you into thinking sin is fun were all around me and wanted me, undoubtedly. That all began to change when I met Mackie three years ago, and my life has been blessed ever since. When she told me she was pregnant, I knew I had to get closer to God again and renew my faith in Christ, which I’m not sure I had. During the pregnancy, I was scared and was hoping and praying every day that God would take care of our baby and keep Mackie and him safe and healthy throughout the pregnancy and beyond. Recently, I have realized the truth of Christ, that He died for our sins and that He undoubtedly has risen, and I want to be a follower of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Colossians 1:13-14 says that He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves. In Him, we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. I know God has rescued me from the dark forces that were leading me. He has redeemed my past and He has forgiven my sins. I am being baptized today to show everyone that Jesus is my master and I love Him.

So, Alex, is Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior? Yes. Do you commit to do whatever He tells you to do and go wherever He tells you to go? Yes. To my incredible honor, the Son and the Holy Spirit, you are very in depth.

Good morning. My name is Camden Tittle and today I’m getting baptized. My great-grandmother, Maude Hickman, and I have been attending Sauldam for a few months. Before I became a Christian, I didn’t take anything seriously. I didn’t make good choices all the time. Also, I like to stay out of trouble. I also made up stories just to talk. I didn’t live the way God made me to live. Jesus saved me by making me want to Be a better person and to live the way He wants me to, and help me see that I can’t do that on my own. He has made me not want to lie or make up stories, and want me to be more kind and respectful to everyone. God is working in me. Now that Jesus has saved me, my life is better because I’m not lying and making up stories. I am taking things more seriously. Now people are believing, beginning to trust me again. But even better, I know I’m pleasing God with my life. I believe in God our Father, and that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and the world’s sins. I want the Lord to know that I love Him, and I want to serve Him for the rest of my life. I’m getting baptized today to show everyone that Jesus saved me. Amen.

Come over here. Is Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior of your life? Yes, ma’am. Do you commit to follow Him wherever He leads you and to do whatever He tells you to do? In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, buried in death, raised to life. Amen.

Isn’t that awesome? Goodness gracious. Man, I was meeting with Camden and Maude and talking about, man, Camden, who would you like to help baptize you? And she said, man, I would love for Miss Donna to jump in here with me. So this is the offer to any of y’all. You start having the conversations with folks, help them take this step. You get an awesome shirt you get to wear, and you get to jump in this bathtub with me.

All right. So man, let’s pray one more time as we begin or continue our worship service. Holy Father, thank You so much. God, You are good. You continue to blow me away, God, with how good You are. Your faithfulness to us, Your power to save us, Your mercy and Your grace that You just pour on us. God, thank You. Thank You for Your work to save Alex and Camden. Thank You for Your work to bring them to the step of getting baptized. God, I pray for them. Lord, as they’ve already begun this journey of walking with You, but now they’re doing it publicly, I’m begging that You would give them all the grace and the help and all the equipping and all the strength that they need to walk this life well.

Father, for anybody in the room that has yet to put their faith in You, anybody in the room that is still dealing with the darkness that holds them, anybody in the room that is still wrestling with their sin, I pray You would use this morning to draw them to a place of giving their lives to You, that they would be able to join Alex and Camden, not just in a public show of baptism, but in the deeper, truer reality of a life with You. Lord, we love You. Undoubtedly, You love us. It’s in Your great name that we pray. Amen.