Tying Up Loose Ends: Baptism

Tying up Loose Ends: Baptism

Introduction

Definition: “tie up loose ends” – (idiomatic) Tidy up, finish, or complete.
It can be Easy to Start Something, but difficult to finish.
God encourages us to complete the work we began in Christ (Revelation 3:2; 1 Thessalonians 3:10; 2 Corinthians 8:10-11; Acts 20:24; 2 Timothy 4:7).
Today, we’ll discuss the Loose End of Baptism.

I. The Need for Salvation

Deliverance from Sin (Acts 2:38)
Deliverance from Sin’s Consequences (Romans 6:23)
Deliverance from Death (1 Corinthians 15:20-22)
Deliverance from Futility (Ephesians 2:10)

II. The Requisites of Salvation

Faith (John 8:24; Romans 1:16; Romans 10:8-9; Acts 16:31)
Repentance (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38)
Baptism (Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16; Acts 2:41; Acts 16:30-33)

III. The Reasons People Postpone Baptism.

They Think it is Not Necessary.
It is not Convenient.
They are Afraid.
They Don’t want to Offend.
They Procrastinate.
They are “Too Young.”

Conclusion/Applications

Do You Need to be Saved?
Have you Responded to Jesus?
What are You Waiting On?! (Acts 22:16)

Sunday, I am beginning a new sermon series entitled, Tying Up Loose Ends. There are things that we know we need to do, but we put off. This may have little consequence when we are talking about taking the laundry to the cleaners or raking the leaves in the yard. However, when it involves spiritual matters, your eternal destiny is in the balance. No decision is more important than your decision to follow Jesus. This is really more than just a “loose end,” but you need to “tie it up” nonetheless!

Giving your life to Jesus begins with trust in him as He explained.

I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins“ (John 8:24).

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned (Mark 16:16).

Many make faith commitments to Jesus, but they never get around to baptism. In many cases this is because some churches delay the baptism of new believers until there can be a special service and they never get around to it. In a few cases, the importance of baptism is actually minimized. This was not the case in the New Testament. They were baptized the same day they believed – some, the same hour!

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.” …Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day (Acts 2:38, 41).

He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” ³¹ They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved– you and your household.” ³² Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. ³³ At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized (Acts 16:30-33).

I’ll say more in my lesson. Joey