Talks

Baptism Sunday! It was great to hear from Tony and Rob and alongside Matt explained why Baptism is important for us.

1) Jesus was baptised - We follow His example
In Matthew 3:13-17 we see the account where Jesus is baptised by John the Baptist. After Jesus was baptised we see that the Heavens opened and a voice from Heaven saying: “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” There’s a sense that as we are baptised – we can also hear the affirmation from our Heavenly Father.
2) Jesus instructed His followers - We follow His instructions
In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus says to his disciples (us!):
  - Make more disciples
  - Baptise them and
  - Teach them
  Matt pointed out that for those of us who have been baptised are part of the ongoing outworking of Jesus’ instructions! We are part of the story!!
3) Jesus and Water
  - Just like water, Jesus cleans us. Romans 6:2-6 says: That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace - a new life in a new land! That’s what baptism into the life of Jesus means. When we are lowered into the water it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water it is like the resurrection of Jesus. Each of us is raised into a light-filled world by our Father so that we can see where we’re going in our new grace-sovereign country.
4) Welcomed into Jesus’ body

In baptism, believers are baptised INTO the church – the body of Jesus.

What a joy to baptise 6 people and to hear them share their stories.  Let’s continue to pray for all of them this week!

Bob explained the significance and importance of baptism.
He said: Baptism is a symbol, a sign, a public confession, just like a wedding band. It’s not about being perfect, but about declaring that you’ve met the one Who is.
It is a moment to symbolically, spiritually and publicly say: my old life is gone, I have a clean slate, Jesus washes away my past, not to forget it, but to be forgiven of it.

People get baptised in obedience to Jesus great commission – but can arrive at their decision from different places: 
1) some because they have come to faith in Jesus recently
2) some who were baptised as infants (in a different church tradition) and now want to own it for themselves
3) some because they’ve had a “reset” moment, turned a page.

Baptism isn’t a trophy for those who are good, it’s a declaration of those who are willing!
Baptism isn’t about pressure - it’s about promise.
It’s not about rules - it’s about relationship.
It’s not about being religious or getting wet - it’s about being real with yourself, with God and those around you.

Our next Baptism Sunday is (provisionally) Sunday 15th October – if you’d like to be baptised please speak to your LifeGroup Leader or email admin@ashwoodchurch.org.uk and someone will get in touch with you!

What an amazing explanation on why Baptism still matters today!
Baptism is one of the sacraments.
They are sacred rites or signs instituted by Jesus Christ that are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace. Sacraments were called “mysteries” of the church.
And don’t we all love the wonderful testimonies of the 4 people getting baptised?

Whether News is Good is dependent on who you are. For example for some, the fact that they get up only twice in the night is good news, but that might not be true for others.
The Good News (or Gospel) Bob talked about is Good News for EVERYBODY.

The story is all about Jesus. It doesn’t end with Him dying: Death could not hold Him, He rose!
Why is this good for you?

It is a story of hope, redemption and restoration
It is a testimony of sacrificial love and companionship
It is inviting us into a relationship
It is for all people
No matter where you come from, or what your past looks like, Jesus says: I love you!

Baptism is celebrating Jesus and declaring our faith, knowing that we are part of a story that goes beyond all circumstances as described in Colossians 2:11-15 and John 3:16-18.
Saying Yes to Jesus has eternal consequences!
Now let us shine our light because our lives are the biggest reflectors of His love.

What a wonderful Sunday morning! 

We celebrate the day of Pentecost – the birthday of the church!
Michael and Lola dedicate baby Jonathan to God.  And we pray together for him and the family! And…
We baptise Liz and Phil as they share a small part of their story!

Matt also gives us 4 reasons why we baptise people:
Why baptism?
1) Because Jesus says to baptise in Matthew 28.
Our mission is to help people find and follow Jesus, so we want to do everything Jesus tells us to do
2) Because Baptism is a Symbol
It is a symbol of what is happening spiritually:
• Death to Life, Romans 6:3-4 It represents the new spiritual life we have in Jesus. Our spirit is born again, we have new life, hope and a future in Jesus
• It’s spiritual cleansing. Our sins are being washed away. Acts 22:16
3) Because Baptism is a declaration
Being baptised is a brave and bold step. It is a statement before God and the world that the old ways are left behind and that there is an intention to live for and follow Jesus.
4) Because Baptism is an Encounter
Some people experience it as being filled afresh with love and joy, being freed from strongholds, some people feel emotional and some don’t. It’s a sense of heaven meeting earth.
When should we be baptised? As soon as you know that you want to follow Jesus!
Find the full service on Facebook:https://fb.watch/uJiexfncRR/

After three very honest freedom stories, Gill reminds to us why we believe baptism is an important part of our journey as a follower of Jesus.

The word “baptism” means “immersion”. It is not just the physical act of being immersed in water but we are also immersed in God, and God immersed in us as well.
The act of being immersed in water represents what has taken place in the cleansing of our old sinful life and the declaration that we are “all in” with God.  In baptism we’re saying that we’re yielding to God, that we’re letting go of everything that could hold us back from God’s best for us.

However God also immerses us: He heals and He seals. As the water surrounds physically, so God surrounds us. Baptism doesn’t mean that we are perfect from that moment onwards, we still make mistakes and sin, but we’re declaring our intention to live the way that God intended.  We will always still need all the Love and Grace He gives out freely. It is not adult baptism, but “believers baptism”: Which means that we believe the criteria for being baptised is less about age, but more about when we’re able to understand the steps we’re taking.

Harrison’s shares his story, with great vulnerability, before making his public declaration of faith.