Blog

Joy (Chara)

Introduction

• Today we will Discuss Joy.
• Charein (rejoice, 72 times); Chara (joy, 60 times)
• Joy Must be Distinguished from Happiness.

I.  There is Joy in Christian Fellowship

• Fellowship (Phm 7; Ph 4:10)
• Fellowship Restored (2 Co 7:6-7, 13)
• Fellowship Reunited (2 Jo 12)

II.  There is Joy in the Gospel

• The Joy of the New Discovery (Lk 2:10; Mt 28:8; Lk 24:52)
• The Joy of Receiving the Gospel (1Th 1:6; Ac 8:8; 39)
• The Joy of Believing (Ro 15:13; Ph 1:25)
• The Sternness of Christian Joy
• Joy in Discipline and Testing (Ja 1:2 ; Jo 16:21, 22)
• Joy in Persecution (Ac 13:50-52; 2 Co 6:4-10; 1 Th 1:6)

III.  There is Joy in the Christian Work and Witness

• The Joy of Seeing God in Action (Lk 10:17; 13:17; 19:37)
• The Joy of Seeing the Spread of the Gospel (Ac 15:3)
• The Joy of a Teacher in the Progress of his People  (Co 2:5; 2 Jo 4; 3 Jo 4)
• The Joy of Giving Others Joy (Jo 15:11; 17:3; 1 Jo 1:4)
• The Joy of Seeing Our Converts Saved (Ph 4:1; 1 Th 2:19-20)
• The Joy of God (Lk 15:7, 10, 32)

Applications:

• The Fruit of Joy is a Distinguishing Characteristic of the Christian Life (Ph 4:4; 1 Th 5:16; Ro 14:17).
• The Fruit of Joy is a Byproduct of Christian Living Derived from fellowship, the gospel, and ministry.
• The Fruit of Joy is Available even in trials and persecution.
• The Fruit of Joy is Produced by the Spirit.

Christian joy is to be distinguished from happiness.  Generally speaking, happiness is dependent upon circumstances, but joy is a blessing imparted by the Holy Spirit as a part of the fruit he produces in the lives of believers. If we don’t make this distinction, we risk allowing the disap­pointments, sorrows, and tragedies of life to steal away that joy. The Holy Spirit opens our eyes (Ephesians 1:17-20) to the tremendous love and faithfulness of God as expressed in Christ.  This love produces trust in his faithful transformation of our character into the image of Christ and hope in our eternal glory. The end result is joy—even in the midst of suffering.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  ² through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  ³ Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope.  ⁵ And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us (Romans 5:1-5).

This week we will be studying the joy produced by the Spirit.  I’ll say more in the lesson. Be sure to print out your bulletin or pick up a copy in the foyer so you can complete the fill-in-the-blank outline.

            Love (Agape)

Introduction
A.  Our New Series is Based on Galatians 5:13-26.
B.  Today we will Discuss Love (5:22-26).
I.  Love Defined (The Greeks Had a Word for It):
A.  Eros – Sexual Love (Strawberry Shortcake)
B.  Philia – Friendship Love (Bowling Buddy)
C.  Storge – Family Love (Aunt Mabel)
D.  Agape – Unselfish Love (Self-Sacrificing)
II.  Love (Agape) Demonstrated – God
A.  A Completely Undeserved Love (Ro 5:8)
B.  A Productive and Transforming Love (Ro 5:3-8)
C.  An Inseparable Love (Ro 8:35-39)
D.  A Great Love (Ep 2:4-7)
III.  Love (Agape) Demonstrated – Jesus
A.  A Love that Surpasses Knowledge (Ep 3:19)
B.  The Pattern for Christians (Ep 5:2; 1 Jo 3:16)
C.  The Controlling Dynamic of Christians (2 Co 5:14)
IV.  Love (Agape) Commanded for Christians
A.  The Atmosphere of the Christian Life (Ep 5:1; Co 3:14)
B.  The Universal Motive of the Christian Life (1 Co 16:14)
Applications:
A.  The Spirit Produces the Fruit of Love but we Must Cooperate.
B.  The Spirit Produces the Fruit of Love in our Relationships.
1.  Saints (Ep 1:15; Ro 12:9-10) / Leaders (1 Th 5:12-13)
2.  All Men (1 Th 3:12; Ga 6:10)
3.  Enemies (Mt 5:44)
C.  The Spirit Produces the Fruit of Love in Action.
1.  Practical Generosity (2 Co 8:8, 24; 1 Jo 3:17-18)
2.  Forgiveness (2 Co 2:7-8)

Love

Those who allow the Holy Spirit to lead them in their Christian walk will exhibit certain behaviors. Paul calls these behaviors The Fruit of the Spirit. As I mentioned in last week’s lesson these characteristics are not so much things we “do” as they are traits that are produced in us as the Spirit transforms us into the image of Christ.  This is not to say we have no part in the transformation (see Romans 12:1-2); we must cooperate with the Spirit’s work.  This is what is meant by “walking in the Spirit” or being “led by the Spirit.

This week we will be studying love (agape). This is the self-sacrificing, active good will that is demonstrated in God’s benevolent faithfulness to humankind and Jesus’ self-sacrificing death on our behalf.  Love is the crowing virtue of the Christian life in that is surpasses all other forms of piety.  It is the universal motive of everything we do. It is expressed to friends and enemies alike.  A love like this does not come naturally for human beings due to our sinful nature (flesh); that is why it has to be created in us by God.  I’ll say more in the lesson.

Be sure to print out your bulletin or pick up a copy in the foyer so you can complete the fill-in-the-blank outline. We provide a completed outline in our weekly blog.
Links to the life group lesson for the week of 9/19/2021 can be found here.

Have a Great Week!  Joey

Introduction

A.  Our New Series is Based on Galatians 5:13-26.
 B.  Today we will Discuss the Works of the Flesh (5:19-21).

I.  Works/Deeds vs. Fruit (5:19, 22)

Works/Deeds are Produced by Us; Fruit is Produced in Us.

II.  Corrupted Sexuality

A.  Porneia – Sexual Immorality (All Forms)
B.  Akatharsia – Impurity (Defilement of the Personality)
C.  Aselgeia – Debauchery (Shameless Behavior)

III.  Corrupted Religion

A.  Eidololatreia – Idolatry (Usurping God’s Place)
B.  Pharmakeia – Witchcraft (Use of Drugs to Poison, Curse, or Kill)

IV.  Corrupted Relationships

A.  Echthrai – Hatred (Class, Racial, Interpersonal Enmity)
B.  Eris – Discord (The Disruption of Life that Comes from Hatred)
C.  Zelos – Jealousy (Admiration turned to Ambition)
D.  Thumos – Fits of Rage (Anger, Angry Outbursts)
 E.  Eritheia – Selfish Ambition (Self-promotion)
F.  Dichostasia – Dissensions (Divisions)
G.  Hairesis – Factions (Divisions into Cliques, Parties)
H.  Phthonos – Envy (Bitter Envy, Hatred, Resentment)

V.  Corrupted Blessings (Food & Drink)

A.  Methe – Drunkeness (Uncontrolled Drinking)
B.  Komos – Orgies (Gluttonous or Drunken Parties)

Lessons:

A.  Sin + Human Nature Corrupts all God Intended for Good.
B.  The Indwelling Spirit is our Only Recourse in this Struggle.
C.  Those Who Live Like this Will NOT Enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

We have just begun a sermon series entitled, The Fruit of the Spirit.  These lessons are based on Galatians 5:13-26.  I will be providing fill-in-the-blank outlines for these lessons each week in the bulletin.  I encourage you to print out a copy of the bulletin before you come to services or pick one up in the foyer when you arrive.

These messages will also provide the basis of our Life Group lessons for many of our small groups.  We are emphasizing group building and life application in these lessons. I will have lesson sheets available for group leaders each Sunday.  Also Dropbox links  to these Life Group lessons can be found here.

Have a Great Week!  Joey

Introduction

A.  Our New Series is Based on Galatians 5:13-26.
B.  Today we will Discuss the Conflict between Flesh and Spirit (5:16-18).

I.  What is Flesh?

A.  The Flesh is NOT the Physical Body or its Passions/Desires.
B.  The Flesh is The Opposite of Being Christian (Ro 8:9).
C.  The Flesh is an Enemy of God (Ro 8:7-8).
D.  The Flesh is Human Nature as it has Become through Sin; the Old Man/Nature, Humanity 1.0 (5:24; 6:8, 15; Co 3:9-10).
E.  The Flesh refers to Humankind in Sin apart from the Grace of God and the Power of the Spirit.

II.  What is Spirit?

A.  The Holy Spirit of God, NOT the Human Spirit.
B.  The Agent of the New Birth (Jo 3:3-7; 2 Co 5:17).
C.  The Lifegiving Force of God (2 Co 4:17; Ro 8:10-11).
D.  The Transforming Power of God (2 Co 3:18; Ro 12:2).
E.  The Down payment & Guarantee of Our Salvation (Ep 1:13-14).

III.  The Conflict Between Flesh and Spirit

A.  Galatians 5 Context: How do We Control the Flesh?
B.  The Indwelling Spirit Wars Against the Flesh (5:16-19).
C.  The Flesh can be Subdued by the Spirit (5:24).

Lessons:

A.  Christian Freedom from Torah, cannot be used as a Means for Indulging the Flesh.
B.  The Holy Spirit’s Renewing, Lifegiving, Transforming Power Frees us from our Bondage to the Flesh & its Desires.
C.  Walking in the Spirit is a Conscious Choice (Ga 6:8).

New Sermon Series

Sunday, I will begin a new sermon series entitled, The Fruit of the Spirit.  These lessons are based on Galatians 5:13-26.  After two introductory lessons, we will look at the fruit of the Spirit one by one for a total of eleven lessons.

I will be providing fill-in-the-blank outlines for these lessons each week in the bulletin.  Many have found it helpful to complete these outlines as they listen.  I encourage you to print out a copy of the bulletin before you come to services or pick one up in the foyer when you arrive.  You can also print one out at home for viewing via our live stream. I will provide a completed outline, if you miss anything, on our blog page.

These lessons will also provide the discussion material for our Life Groups during this first cycle. I will have lessons available for group leaders each Sunday.  Click HERE for a Drop Box link to this week’s lesson (https://www.dropbox.com/s/err04lnlu7js9bh/21-0905%20The%20Fruit%20of%20the%20Spirit%20-%20Spirit%20vs%20Flesh.pdf?dl=0).

Sunday, we will discuss the conflict between Flesh (sinful nature) and Spirit.  This will lay the foundation for what follows!

Have a Great Week!  Joey

This Sunday, August 29, is the kick-off for our 2021-2022 Life Group Ministry! We will have an abbreviated worship service and a fellowship meal following. You will have opportunity to sign up for a life group in the foyer before services and at the fellowship meal. We will have brief group meetings following/during our meal. Please plan on coming and participating in our life groups.

This is an all-church fellowship whether you are signing up of Life Groups or not. This is not restricted to new groups. It is for everyone including our legacy life groups and those who have not made up their minds yet. The church is providing the meat and potato side dish. Please bring a green salad/veggie tray, or deviled eggs, or watermelon/fruit, or dessert to share.

Life Groups are a vital part of our discipleship strategy at the Boise Church! We believe in the “three-legged stool” approach to discipleship with regard to our assemblies 1) large groups (worship assemblies); 2) medium size groups (Bible classes and fellowships); and 3) small groups (1:1 mentoring, Evangelistic Bible studies, and Life Groups). All three are vital because of their goals, function, and group dynamics.

Life Groups are a powerful way to grow! The assemblies of the early church (Acts 2:42-47), public and private, produced three kinds of growth: 1) Spiritual – “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship,” 2) Relational – “All the believers were together and had everything in common,” and 3) Numerical – “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Life Groups are a way we can S.H.A.R.E our Christian walk together.  Life groups allow us to:
S – Serve One Another (Galatians 5:13 Serve one another in love);
H – Heal Life’s Hurts (2 Corinthians 1:7 Because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort);
A – Apply God’s Word (Luke 11:28 Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it);
R – Relate to Others (Acts 2:44 All the believers were together and had everything in common); and
E – Evangelize (Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you).
I’ll say more in my lesson Sunday.

We are always on the lookout for Life Group leaders and hosts to open their homes to a group. The latter requires no training at all – only willingness to fellowship with other Christians. Life group leader orientation is archived on the website. If you did not get to come to our training, I can provide you with my notes and schedule a time for you to participate in a small group Bible study where you can see firsthand the Serendipity method of group dynamics.

Please plan on staying for our fellowship Sunday and learning more about our Life Group program.

God Bless! Joey

Next Sunday, August 29, is the kick-off for our 2021-2022 Life Group Ministry! We will have an abbreviated worship service and a finger food fellowship following. We will have opportunity to sign up for a life group and will have brief group meetings following/during our meal. Please plan on coming and participating in our life groups.

Last week we discussed how vital life groups are to our discipleship program. We learned that Christian growth occurs with the help of community. At the Boise church, we employ a three-legged approach to discipleship. In the lesson we used the analogy of a three-legged stool. Each leg represents a different kind of group: the worship assemblies, fellowship groups (Bible classes, potlucks, etc.), and small groups (life groups, 1:1 mentoring, and evangelistic Bible studies). Each group is differentiated by size, purpose, interaction, and depth. All three are essential!

In this Sunday’s lesson, I will focus on the power of life groups to facilitate spiritual, relational, and numerical growth. My primary text will be Acts 2:42-47.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

In these verses, Luke is summarizing the work and growth of the early church. Notice they had two venues for assembly: 1) public – the temple courts and 2) private – in their homes. Their assemblies, public and private, produced three kinds of growth: 1) Spiritual – “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship,” 2) Relational – “All the believers were together and had everything in common,” and 3) Numerical – “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Rick Warren explains why small groups were so necessary in the early church and today.

Scriptures such as Acts 1:15, 2:41, 47, 4:4, 5:14, 28, 6:1, 7, 21:20 record the amazing growth of the first church. It is believed that during its first 25 years the Jerusalem church grew from 120 people to over 50,000 people! Where did they put all those people? The answer is small groups. Acts 5:42 tells us that “they met day after day, in the Temple courts and from house to house…” In the first church, the small groups were the base for all ministry and fellowship.

It is paradoxical that the way we grow “larger” is by assembling in “smaller” groups. I’ll say more in my message.

Life group leader training is scheduled for Saturday, August 21 from nine to noon in the church library. This is open to all – male, female, current leaders, novices, hosts, etc.  If you can’t attend this session, I will announce make-up dates on Sunday.

God Bless! Joey

It is almost time for our first session of the 2021-2022 Life groups to begin! I have scheduled the Life Group sign-up event to be Sunday, August 29. We’ll say more about this later. Our goal is 100% participation by our membership. Life groups are a vital part of our discipleship program at the Boise church. Let me tell you what I mean… Those who study church growth and discipleship tell us that churches are made up of three very important kinds of groups. The first group is our worship assembly. This is usually our largest gathering. While it is wonderful for our corporate praise and worship, it provides little interaction between members – except the typical, superficial small talk that occurs before and after services. It’s difficult even to know everybody’s name in the worship assembly; the bigger the church grows, this difficult task becomes impossible.

The second kind of group is what is known as fellowship groups.  Fellowship groups are best represented by our Bible classes, but they could also describe other fellowship gatherings (e.g., potlucks, showers, ministry meetings, etc.). Fellowship groups are medium sized groups of around 30 to a maximum of around 80 members. They provide much more interaction between members. Generally, it is possible to know everyone in the group, but this gets more and more difficult as the group grows larger. Fellowship groups are great settings for providing the sharing of ideas, opinions, and goals.

The third kind of group is what is known as cell groups or, more familiarly, small groups. Technically, a small group could have as few as two members (we would call this a 1:1 Bible study). However, a small group program usually tries to keep its groups, between 3 to 12 in. size.   When small groups grow beyond 15-16 members they stop functioning as small groups. What’s so special about small groups? They provide an informal setting where members can share, learn, study, and grow at the deepest levels of personal intimacy. If assembly groups provide “lip to lip,” superficial communication, and fellowship groups provide “head to head” sharing of thoughts and opinions, then small groups provide “heart to heart” sharing of feelings.

All three groups (in one form or the other) are necessary for church life, discipleship, and the koinonia fellowship described in the Scripture.  Churches have historically done very well with the first two groups, but not so well with small groups. This is due to a number of reasons – an already full church calendar, hesitancy to explore feelings and emotions, fear of something different, lack of organizational structure, etc.

We will have a group leader training session, Saturday, August 21, from Nine to Noon. We will arrange a make-up session for those who cannot attend, but please attend this session if at all possible. I will be contacting you personally for your commitment. If you have never led a life group or hosted one in your home, contact me and I’ll give you more information.

We will have a kick-off on Sunday, August 29. You will be asked to sign-up for the group of your choice. We are redesigning our life group program and I will share the details in days to come.  However, we are keeping all groups currently meeting as legacy groups (if they so desire). My thinking is that if they survived covid and lockdown, they are doing something right!
I will be preaching on the need for life groups the next three Sundays (beginning August 15). Make sure you come these three weeks if you want to learn more about life groups and especially plan to be here on the 29th for our kick off!

God Bless! Joey

Sunday marks the last lesson in our series, Living out Your Baptism. It is my hope that this series, examining the biblical theology of baptism, will help you to work out the implications of your baptism in your present Christian walk.

Thus far we have seen that baptism is (1) a new exodus for God’s People; (2) a re–enactment of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ; (3) a new birth; and (4) the initiating rite through which  we are justified by faith.

Sunday, we will discuss the second part of the lesson we began last Sunday – Living up to Your Baptism: Justification and Sanctification.  Today our emphasis will be sanctification.  Our key text  for both sermons is Acts 2:37–39.

Acts 2:37–39 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”  38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all  whom the Lord our God will call.”

In response to their question, Peter told his audience to repent and be baptized. Two promises were offered with baptism – forgiveness of sins (justification) and the Holy Spirit (sanctification).

The Holy Spirit uses “baptism as a means of empowering every believer for discipleship… Through the Spirit’s role of sanctification we are transformed in order to conform to the image of Christ…. We are a community conformed to God’s image so that Christ may be exalted above all in us” (Down in the River to Pray, John Mark Hicks & Greg Taylor, p. 167–68).

2 Corinthians 3:17–18 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever–increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Baptism is a sign and means of receiving the Holy Spirit, whose primary role is to sanctify us for God’s Presence, his service, and his glory. Through baptism we are transformed for relationship with God, called to be disciples, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. After sin has been drowned in us, we come up for air. We have been justified. We’re relieved beyond belief.  We do not want to return to the depths. Our response might me, “I’m thankful to be saved. I’m glad it’s over. I want to rest.”  The Holy Spirit, however, leads us beyond these primary responses toward sanctification in the following ways: We are the temple of the Holy Spirit… Discipleship is our role in the covenant… The Holy Spirit empowers us for holy and hopeful living…  Sanctification takes us beyond  gratitude to a relationship with God, beyond relief to discipleship, beyond rest to empowerment by the Holy Spirit to die daily to sin and live for Christ (Down in the River to Pray, John Mark  Hicks & Greg Taylor, p. 168).

I’ll say more in my lesson.

Are you living out your baptism?  Joey

Baptism, when accompanied by a faith commitment to Jesus, is a one time act; however, we will spend the rest of our lives working out its meaning and implications. This series of lessons is designed to help us live out our baptism by examining NT theology related to baptism.

N.T. Wright’s observation, “the Christian gospel seems to have no meaning, no power, no relevance to their lives,” is, unfortunately, an accurate description of many Christians. Understanding our baptism is the proper corrective for this. (1) Baptism is a new exodus for God’s People. Christians are delivered from sin to live holy lives. (2) Baptism is a re–enactment of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.  Christians die to sin and rise from the water to live new lives free from the slavery to sin. (3) Baptism is a new birth. Jesus told Nicodemus, “No one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.  Baptism is the outward sign of the inward grace of spiritual re–birth and the means by which that grace is given through the working of the Holy Spirit.

Sunday, we begin the last two lessons of this series – Living up to Your Baptism: Justification and Sanctification. Today our emphasis will be justification. Our key text for both sermons is Acts 2:37–39.

Acts 2:37–39 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off— for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

In response to their question, Peter told his audience to repent and be baptized. Two promises were offered with baptism – forgiveness of sins (justification) and the Holy Spirit (sanctification).

Before we examine the part baptism plays in justification, we need to lay the proper foundation for this discussion. First, justification (salvation or forgiveness of sins) is entirely by God’s grace. It cannot be earned by any amount of good works. Second, the basis upon which salvation is offered is faith.

Ephesians 2:8–10 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith— and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Titus 3:4–6 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior….

Romans 4:5 However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.

However, having laid this foundation, it is the unequivocal testimony of Scripture that water baptism is the initiating rite through which faith becomes saving faith. I’ll say more in my lesson.

Colossians 2:12–13 Having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faithin the power of God, who raised him from the dead. 13When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ.

He forgave us all our sins….

Are you living out your baptism? Joey

We will never, in this life, have perfect knowledge of all that occurs or the full extent of the commitment we are making in our baptism.  However, as we learn and grow, we will spend the rest of our lives living out the implications of our baptism.  My current sermon series seeks to encourage us to live out our baptism!

Last week we discussed the tragedy of baptized believers for whom “the Christian gospel seems to have no meaning, no power, no relevance to their lives.”  (N.T. Wright, emphasis mine)*.  Paul confronted the Corinthians on this very issue in 1 Cor. 10:1-14.  We discussed his analogy between those “baptized into Moses” and those baptized into Christ.  There are many parallels, but Paul’s point is those who did not live up to their deliverance in the O.T. were punished and they are warning examples to us.

This morning we will examine Paul’s theology of baptism in his letter to the Romans.

Romans 6:1-12 What shall we say, then?  Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?  By no means!  We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?  Or 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.  If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.  For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin– because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.  Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.  For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.  The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.  In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.  Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.

Living up to our baptism means we must count ourselves dead to sin. I’ll say more in my lesson.

Are you living out your baptism?  Joey

*http://reformedworship.org/article/december-2008/n-t-wright-word-and-sacraments-