Today is another wonderful day in the life of the Grace Church family. Today, we celebrate the salvation of our newest members through the ordinance of Baptism. Baptism is a spiritual blessing not only for the one who is baptized, but also for all of us.
Max Lucado said, “Baptism is the initial step of a faithful heart.”
Watchman Nee called Baptism, “…an outward expression of an inward faith.”
Yes, Baptism is all that, but it is more. Baptism is a command of Jesus, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
That’s why we call baptism an ordinance of the church. It is a vital practice here at Grace because we are faithful to obey what Jesus has told us to do.
A father was talking to his oldest son about the meaning and importance of the boy’s upcoming baptism. While talking, the boy’s younger brother left the room visibly upset. So, the father went to see what was wrong. Tearfully, the lad confessed, “I want to be ALPHABETIZED with my brother.”
Joyfully, today we are going to be obedient to the command of Christ and baptize those who have been saved. As they have presented themselves as candidates for baptism, we joyfully recognized they also have been ALPHABETIZED into the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Also, it is a great privilege today to ORDAIN Weldon Rogers as a Deacon of the Grace Baptist Church family.
Literally, the word ordain means “to set apart” for special service. Deacons are set apart by the church. The serve to build, protect and oversee the fellowship of the Body of Christ. Our church family has observed the special qualities of character and service Weldon presents every time we gather. Our church has by its show of support and the leadership of the Holy Spirit set Weldon apart to serve in the biblical calling as Deacon. Our Deacon body has examined him and declared him to be everything the Bible expects him to be. So today, we as a church family recognize and celebrate his placement among us as Deacon.
Little Johnny was standing outside in the church foyer looking up with great interest at the plaque on the wall high above his head. He didn’t notice the preacher approach behind him. The preacher said, “Good morning, Son.”
- Little Johnny was standing outside in the church foyer looking up with great interest at the plaque on the wall high above his head. He didn’t notice the preacher approach behind him. The preacher said, “Good morning, Son.”
- The young man said, “Good morning, Brother Jones.”
- The pastor asked, “What are you looking at so intently.”
- The boy responded, “That plaque, sir. What is it?”
- The pastor said, “That plague memorializes all of our church men who have died in the service.”
- The boy asked, “Which one pastor, the service on Sunday morning or the one on Wednesday night?”
Deacons serve God’s people giving of themselves for the health and well-being of the church. Today, as we ordain our newest deacon, we pledge to pray for him, love him, trust him and support him in the Deacon Ministry which God has ordained in the life of our church. We thank God for our deacons and all that they do to encourage and bless our church family.