Sermon

Scripture References Luke 3:1–22 Malachi 4:5-6 Romans 6:3-4 Matthew 3:13-15 Matthew 28:19 1 Corinthians 12:13 Romans 8:9 Luke 4:1, 14 Luke 10:21 Isaiah 61:1-2 John 20:19-22 Acts 1:4-5 Ephesians 5:18 Acts 2:38 Acts 8:12-17 Acts 19:1-6 John 3:16 Introduction Series: “Boot Camp – Training for Team Jesus.” Year-long theme: “I am a disciple.” Congregation using a “Field Guide” to pray over one specific next-step in discipleship. Today’s focus: a disciple is “baptized in water and Spirit.” Humorous opening: video of young Caroline taking medicine, mimicking pastor’s salvation invitation count-down—illustrates responding in obedience. Setting: Luke 3 and the ministry of John the Baptizer—eccentric, fearless forerunner who prepared Israel for Messiah after 400 years of prophetic silence. Key Points / Exposition 1. A Disciple Must Be Baptized in Water Baptism = commanded, not suggested; public declaration of new association with Christ. Greek baptizō: dip, dunk, submerge. Everyday word (even used in 1st-century pickle recipes) ⇒ full immersion, not sprinkling. Symbolism: Romans 6 – “dead, buried, raised.” Down into the water = united with Christ’s death; raised = newness of life. Baptism does not save; it visibly testifies to an already-existing, personal faith (wedding-ring analogy). Infant baptism: noble parental intent, but New Testament pattern is believer’s baptism—an expression of the individual’s own faith. Jesus’ example (Matthew 3): though sinless, He was baptized “to fulfill all righteousness.” If He submitted, His disciples must. Obedience issue, not preference: hiding faith is as unthinkable as refusing a wedding ring after proposing. 2. A Disciple Needs to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit At Jesus’ baptism: heavens open, Spirit descends and “remains,” Father affirms Son—model for Spirit-filled life. Effects of Spirit-filling: Power for holiness. Experiential assurance of the Father’s love. Power for supernatural ministry. Jesus ministered “full of,” “led by,” “in the power of,” and “rejoicing in” the Spirit (Luke 4; Luke 10:21) — if He needed the Spirit, we certainly do. Three distinct but interconnected works seen in Scripture: Salvation – Spirit baptizes us into Christ (1 Cor 12:13). Water Baptism – a disciple baptizes us in obedience (Matt 28:19). Spirit Filling – Jesus baptizes/fills us with the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:16; Acts 1:4-5). Continuous need: Ephesians 5:18 commands already-saved believers to “be filled” (present tense, ongoing). Biblical pattern illustrated: Acts 2:38 – repent (salvation), be baptized, receive the Spirit. Acts 8:12-17 – believed, baptized, then apostles lay hands to receive the Spirit. Acts 19:1-6 – disciples who had believed are re-baptized in Jesus’ name and then receive the Spirit through Paul’s hands. Pickle illustration: baptizō implies prolonged immersion producing total change—believers need to be “pickled” in the Spirit, not merely dipped. Major Lessons & Revelations Public, obedient identification with Christ (water) and experiential empowerment by Christ (Spirit) are both normative for disciples. Salvation is personal; God saves first names, not last names. Spiritual power is not optional: the people of God need the Spirit of God to live for the glory of God. The courage to go public for Jesus must surpass the world’s boldness in flaunting sin. Practical Application Haven’t been baptized post-conversion? Text “LIFE” to 20411 today and schedule baptism. Prepare hearts for January 21 Prayer & Worship Night—ask daily: “Holy Spirit, if I’m missing anything, I want all You have.” Use the Field Guide: pray for the single next step Jesus is asking in your discipleship journey. Reject fear of man; proclaim faith openly at work, school, online. Continually ask for fresh filling—repent of known sin, worship, receive prayer, and step out in ministry. Conclusion & Call to Response The world fearlessly parades wickedness; therefore disciples must courageously declare allegiance through water baptism and Spirit-empowered living. If you need baptism, act today. If you are dry, seek the Spirit’s fullness—salvation, baptism, and Spirit filling are the normal Christian life. ...

Scripture References John 19:28-30 Genesis 3:15 Ephesians 2:8-9 1 John 4:10 1 John 1:5-10 1 John 2:1-2 Galatians 2:16 Romans 6:23 Revelation 12:10 Introduction Pastor Josh launches a new six-week series, “Boot Camp: Training for Team Jesus,” designed to raise—not lower—the bar of discipleship. Sets a military tone with an illustration of a blunt Marine recruiter: people long for a mission worth living and dying for. Lake Pointe’s vision: not crowds, but disciples who “come die with Jesus.” 2025 ministry recap: 11 church plants (total 90), 3,854 finished Rooted, 3,131 baptisms, new Sunnyvale campus (881 at Christmas). 2026 outlook: Roy City campus, two more in process. Practical tools distributed: “Field Guide,” tear-off “One More” evangelism card, 2026 church-family calendar, new Lake Pointe app with Bible-reading plan and Lift Read podcast. Series challenge: Each person asks, “What is my next step of obedience?"—then does it. Key Points / Exposition 1. “It Is Finished” — What Was Finished Jesus’ final word (Greek: Tetelestai) on the cross (John 19:30) is the most important word in Scripture. Everyday Greek usages illuminate its meaning: Business: written on receipts—“debt paid in full.” Judicial: inscribed on a criminal’s record—“sentence fully served.” Military: battle cry of victory—“enemy defeated.” At Calvary: PAYMENT: Christ settled humanity’s sin-debt completely (1 Jn 4:10; propitiation). PENALTY: Divine justice fully satisfied—no double jeopardy for sin. POWER: Serpent-crusher of Genesis 3:15 wins the cosmic war; victory imputed to those who didn’t fight. 2. “It Is Finished” — The Ongoing Reality Discipleship begins with trusting, not trying; otherwise the gospel degrades into self-help. Perfect-tense verb: a past, completed act with abiding results. Nothing can alter the “state of affairs.” Common distortions: “It was finished” — God loved me then, but I blew it. “It’s kind of finished” — grace starts salvation; works keep it (official Catholic position refuted by Gal 2:16). “It will be finished” — God will love a future, improved version of me. Biblical truth: right now, it is finished. Ephesians 2:8-9 anchors salvation by grace through faith alone. Courtroom imagery (1 Jn 1–2): Satan = prosecuting attorney (Rev 12:10), citing sin and demanding death (Rom 6:23). Jesus = defense attorney/advocate (1 Jn 2:1-2), presenting nail-scarred hands as proof that punishment already fell; to condemn again would be unjust. Walking in the light (1 Jn 1:5-10): not perfection but nothing hidden—confession, honesty, and fellowship. 3. Identity Formed by Finished Work Only Jesus defines you; you are not your sin, success, orientation, addiction, divorce, abortion, or Instagram likes. Extensive biblical identity declarations were read aloud (e.g., light of the world, temple of the Spirit, chosen race, saint, etc.), reinforcing that believers live under a banner reading “Paid in Full.” Major Lessons & Revelations True discipleship grows from the bedrock of Christ’s completed work; we obey from acceptance, not for acceptance. God’s justice now requires Him to forgive believers because their sin has already been punished in Christ. The enemy cannot steal salvation, so he tries to rob believers of enjoying it through accusations and shame. Mission clarity: Lake Pointe exists to make disciples who embrace the cross, pursue one more soul, and live on the Word of God. Practical Application Carry the “Field Guide” and a physical Bible each week; rustle pages together. Tear off “One More” card: write the person closest to you yet farthest from God; place it privately (mirror, dashboard) and pray daily for gospel opportunities. Sync to the church calendar—prioritize family rhythms around corporate prayer (Jan 21 Night of Prayer & Worship) and discipleship environments (Rooted, groups). Download the new Lake Pointe app: follow daily one-chapter Bible plan, watch sermons, listen to Lift Read for deeper study. Continually ask, “What is my next step of obedience?” and act on it rather than trying to tackle everything at once. When you sin, run to the Father, not away; confess, receive forgiveness, walk in the light. Conclusion & Call to Response • Discipleship starts at the cross: Tetelestai. Receive, then follow. • Pastor invited anyone lacking assurance to whisper a prayer of surrender—“God, I’m Yours; the cross counts for me”—marking a new lineage and legacy. • Church prayed for fresh awareness of grace and courage to abide in Christ throughout 2026. ...

Introduction Pastor celebrates last week’s harvest (33,000 in-person; 692 salvations) and warns against treating holy moments as common. Begins Advent series built around the angels’ four-part proclamation: “Fear not, good news, great joy, all people.” Today’s focus: “Fear Not.” Acknowledges modern culture’s anxiety epidemic and media-driven fear. ...

Introduction Series context: “Christmas at the Movies” — using modern films to illuminate biblical truths, mirroring Jesus’ parable method. Seasonal focus: the angelic proclamation that Christ’s birth brings “good news of great joy for all people.” Opening week emphasis: the “all people” element—God’s heart to reach every person wrestling with loneliness. Film illustration: Home Alone. Beneath its humor lies the universal ache of isolation heightened during Christmas. ...

Introduction The speaker—an investigative journalist and former skeptic—opens with a humorous family story and then recounts Elisha’s servant in 2 Kings 6 whose eyes are opened to angelic hosts. This biblical episode frames the central question: Does a supernatural realm still break into our world today? Drawing from years of research for his new book, “Seeing the Supernatural,” the preacher promises evidence-based glimpses into angels, miracles, near-death experiences, and visions that strengthen faith. ...

Introduction Weekend celebration: ~3,000 participants graduating from the 10-week “Rooted” discipleship experience at Lake Pointe. Upcoming evangelistic weekend: “Christmas at the Movies,” Nov 29–30, designed for guests far from God. CS Lewis’s fictional dialogue in hell: the most effective lie is “There is no hurry.” Transition to Acts 24: the Apostle Paul on trial before Governor Felix and his wife Drusilla—powerful, elite, yet spiritually undecided. ...

Introduction Pastor opens by honoring students who led worship, remembering his own first preaching opportunity. Announces “Christmas at the Movies” (Nov 29–30) designed for evangelism. Sets tone: Today’s shorter message focuses on what will matter when believers are “hugging Jesus”—handing down the faith. ...

Introduction Pastor begins with lighthearted remarks about arriving “disheveled” after family soccer and cheer events, then quickly shifts: no sleepy listeners—today is about the return of Jesus. Series theme: “Run to Win” (1 Cor 9)—races have a finish line; believers must live in view of the end. Hide-and-seek illustration with his children: escalating count and the shout “Ready or not, here I come!” parallels Christ’s escalating signs and certain return. ...

Introduction Guest preacher: Ernest Smith, Lead Pastor of Front Range Church (Castle Rock, CO), a Lake Pointe church-plant (2013). Ernest recounts Lake Pointe’s partnership, highlighting the Strategic Launch Network and personal support from Pastors Steve & Josh. Sets the stage by confessing a lifelong struggle with comparison and the cultural pressure to “be successful.” Central tension: God’s definition of success vs. our drive for status, wealth, and control. ...

Introduction Pastor returns from vacation and 20th-anniversary trip, grateful for church family and fellow pastors who preached in his absence. Launches new series, “Run to Win,” promising some weighty themes. Opens with a lighthearted “St. Peter at the gate” joke to expose common confusion about salvation and judgment. States pastoral priority: preparing believers for eternity above all else. Sets goal for message—clarify exactly what happens the moment after death and at Christ’s return. ...