In this message, Jerry emphasizes the significance of baptism as a defining moment in a Christian's life, marking the commitment to discipleship. He reflects on the lives of three biblical figures from Genesis: Abel, Enoch, and Noah, each representing different aspects of faith and God's revelation. Abel's acceptable sacrifice of a lamb symbolizes the necessity of blood for the remission of sins, highlighting God's sacrificial love. Enoch's life illustrates the importance of walking with God, emphasizing a personal relationship rather than mere knowledge of Him. Noah's obedience in building the ark signifies the necessity of being in Christ for salvation from judgment. Jerry urges the congregation to recognize the importance of being yoked to Christ, submitting to His will, and living a life dedicated to God. He encourages those being baptized to embrace their new identity in Christ, symbolizing their death to sin and resurrection to new life. The message concludes with a prayer for the baptisms, celebrating the transformative power of God's love and the call to discipleship.
Significance of baptism as a defining moment
Reflection on the lives of Abel, Enoch, and Noah
Abel's sacrifice symbolizes the necessity of blood for sin remission
Enoch's life emphasizes walking with God
Noah's obedience represents being in Christ for salvation
Importance of being yoked to Christ and submitting to His will
Encouragement for those being baptized to embrace their new identity
Prayer for the baptisms and celebration of God's love
1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. 2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper? 10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.
15 And Mahalaleel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared: 16 And Mahalaleel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters: 17 And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died. 18 And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch: 19 And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: 20 And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died.
21 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. 10 And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark. 24 And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days.
5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;