This past Sunday was one of those, “Man oh man, I hope you didn’t miss it” Sundays. Five people were baptized into Christ. The energy in the facility is just so very high. It’s because God is working in your life and in this body.
We asked the question, “Are you intentionally investing?” This refers God’s gifts within your life. Are you using those gifts to speak, show, unify, build up, serve, organize, synergize, empathize, (running out of ‘izes’ here) lead, follow, give, heal, pray, etc. in the name of Jesus Christ?
In second service, there was this unique moment of revelation and insight for me. One of the texts we referenced during the sermon was Hebrews 6. Among the elementary teachings listed is “the laying on of hands.” This was an area I devoted study toward working on my Masters degree. When initiates were baptized into Christ – there was a laying on of hands where a blessing or a word of the Lord was shared. While we kind of do that (we usually quote excerpts from Acts 2 or Romans 6), Sunday as Diane and Grant Baxter baptized their son Luke – they both spoke blessings over their son. Because we had just heard that passage, there was a “light went on” moment for me. As we baptize at Forum, I hope we’ll strive to be more intentional about the “setting apart” element that the laying on of hands and speaking a word from the Lord over the one coming for baptism. Words that both challenge and elevate. While baptism is a washing, a burial, a clothing, a resurrection, an identification with his death – the Holy Spirit is also being deposited by the Lord into our lives. The Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit are coming into the life of the one being baptized. Speaking words from the Word and from the Spirit of truth over the person is truly a blessing. I’ll never forget the words spoken over me upon my baptism. I’ve often referred back to those words for deep inspiration. As Jesus was baptized, his Father spoke over him, “This is my beloved Son in whom I’m well pleased.” That blessing is one I’m sure he valued as he walked this earth.
This Sunday, we’ll continue to elevate and draw near to Christ as we look at Ephesians 4. Read chapters 4-5 and ready your heart and spirit. We’re striving to be like Jesus.
We’ve had many people yielding to Christ in baptism and also identifying with Forum as the church they call home. Here are the names of those who have chosen to do this over the past several weeks:
Richard and Leslie Davis, Brian and Andrea Kirkman, Jackie Mickey, Mark Phillips, Wesley Brooks, Tony, Cari, and Katie Redlinger, Austin Spratt, and Luke Baxter.
Can’t wait to worship together Sunday. -Scott
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