Baptisms Today. Celebrating Spiritual Victory!

When people step forward to be baptized they are publicly proclaiming their faith in Christ and acting in obedience to Him. It is a spiritual victory and a time of great joy. We are celebrating that truth this morning as 14 people are being baptized here in Oak Lawn!

I’m so excited about the services that I’ve been up since 4:05 a.m. (no kidding)!

If you are in the area, please feel free to stop in and celebrate with us!

First Church of God

4600 W. 111^th Street

Oak Lawn, IL

Services times: 9am and 11am

I’m posting this at approx. 6:45am and the first service doesn’t begin until 9am, so, I think I’m going to go run around outside the building for a minute or two with a big smile on my face.

Baptisms Today -- We Are Celebrating!

I was at the church very early this morning.  At 5:30 am, I began filling a 4ft. wide, by 7 ft. long, by 4 and half foot deep tub with water.

You say, “You guys have a hot tub at your church?!?  That is so cool!!!”

No.  Not exactly.  It’s not a hot tub.  It’s a baptismal tank.

Eleven people will step into that tank today and—by participating in the ordinance of baptism—they will proclaim that they are trusting in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.

The response of the church will be cheering, tears of joy, wonder, excitement, great happiness, connection with God and gratitude to God.  We recognize their act of obedience as a wonderful spiritual victory.  It is a day of celebration!

You can’t see it, but I just had a moment of dancing and pumping my fist in the air!

Now, time to go check the water level.

Celebrating Spiritual Victory!

We’re getting the tank ready for lots of baptisms tomorrow.  Occasionally there are people—who shall remain nameless—suggesting that we fill the tank with other liquids, besides water.  Practical jokers, they are.  But I always say, “No way, you punks!!!  We’re sticking with water!”  (A good pastor is protective about his people.)

God’s activity in our church is very encouraging.  The Spirit is at work here.  Tomorrow we celebrate Spiritual Victory!  Whoo hoo!!

E-Flash From Dan, Jan. 26, 2012

Dear E-Flash Friends;

I am excited!

We have 10 people who will be baptized this Sunday, Jan. 29^th, five people at the 9 o’clock service and five people at the 11 o’clock service.  

On the day of Pentecost, a long time ago, Peter—filled with the Holy Spirit, as Jesus promised—delivered a powerful sermon which included this line: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you…” (Acts 2:38).  To be baptized is a good, right and proper step of obedience for every follower of Jesus.  And it is a public proclamation of faith in Christ.

The baptisms represent spiritual victory for the individuals who are responding in obedience to Christ and they represent spiritual victory to our congregation as we celebrate God’s vital work in the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ! 

By the way, have I mentioned that I’m excited?  Oh, I have?  Okay, sorry to repeat myself, but I can’t help it, I am.

There’s something else coming up this Sunday, as well.

You say, “Wait a minute, there’s more, Dan?” 

Yep!  We will also be showing the movie “Courageous” on Sunday evening.  Snacks and mingling at 5:30; movie starts at 6pm; and *gospel tumbling commences at 8:45.  Hey guys, we hope you’re planning to come.  This is not a “chick flick” it is something that men can appreciate and enjoy.  In fact, I might even bring some fireworks and blow something up to just to establish the importance of manhood.

Hope you can make it to the services, you will be blessed if you do!

Love and blessings,

Dan

  

*NOTE:  Just kidding.  There will not be any type of “gospel tumbling” at 8:45.