back to index2020-8-16 Jessica Lee Baptism
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My name is Jessica and I'm part of the family ministry. 00:00:16.080 |
Like many of you, I was blessed to have grown up 00:00:25.040 |
I grew up going to Sunday school, church retreats, 00:00:33.560 |
simply because it was just what I grew up with. 00:00:42.880 |
and what it meant to have him as my savior and lord 00:00:45.160 |
until much later near the end of high school. 00:00:48.220 |
Before meeting Christ, I thought I was a good person. 00:01:02.680 |
I also stubbornly believed that my life was my own 00:01:05.640 |
and that I was entitled to get whatever worldly successes 00:01:08.380 |
I could get with hard work and determination. 00:01:14.180 |
and one of my favorite things to do to achieve 00:01:25.580 |
and I arrogantly believed that I could make my life 00:01:30.740 |
My shallow faith, if I could even call it that, 00:01:40.020 |
I doubted God's existence every time something 00:01:46.420 |
I was feeling the strain of living a double life 00:01:52.460 |
while at the same time idolizing the things of this world. 00:02:01.020 |
I wrestled for weeks with conflicting thoughts, 00:02:06.460 |
but at the same time being scared to let go of control, 00:02:09.340 |
wanting to follow Christ but not knowing the way. 00:02:14.900 |
I didn't know how to read the Bible for myself 00:02:18.940 |
It's in this context where weeks of struggling 00:02:23.420 |
I remember this prayer because it was the first time 00:02:31.040 |
the first time I was willing to relinquish my control 00:02:51.500 |
not realizing at that time that true life comes from Christ. 00:03:04.320 |
and to go wherever he would be willing to lead me. 00:03:11.020 |
Would God still receive me after everything I had done 00:03:29.540 |
It was through this prayer that my mind and heart 00:03:38.460 |
the facts of the gospel, but suddenly it became clear. 00:03:41.980 |
It was like in an instant I was a new person redeemed, 00:03:48.460 |
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature. 00:03:50.580 |
The old things passed away, behold, new things have come. 00:04:11.180 |
but suddenly my prior worries seemed so small 00:04:13.540 |
in comparison to knowing the God of the universe, 00:04:15.580 |
my Lord and Savior, who died and rose again for my sins 00:04:18.660 |
and forgave me despite how undeserving I was. 00:04:26.220 |
"in accordance with the riches of God's grace. 00:04:41.180 |
he had been patiently waiting and pursuing me. 00:04:57.700 |
but through it all, God continues to remind me 00:04:59.360 |
every day of his grace and sovereignty in my life. 00:05:07.780 |
worthy of the calling that he has redeemed me to. 00:05:29.100 |
- This guy, do you understand when you go into the water, 00:05:49.580 |
- Then I baptize you in the name of the Father,