Good morning and praise God for more baptisms this morning!

Unfortunately, the audio was experiencing technical difficulties, so a few of them I missed. I’m happy for everyone that was involved because they have become a new person in Christ through this symbolic gesture.

Yes, baptism is symbolic. It does not save you, you were already saved when you confessed your belief in God. This act symbolizes the “death” of your old self and signals the beginning of your new self.

Today’s passage is based on Colossisns 3: 5-11

I. True Sprituality Moves us Away From Sin. (3: 5-9a)

Now that you are born again you must put to death these things: sexual immortality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and idolatry. Just in case you think you don’t have a problem with that list, look at this one: you must also rid yourself of -anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language.

Well, that’s more difficult. The devil makes us think we have no control over ourselves, but we do!

We just need a mantra to repeat to ourselves now that we have a new spiritual life. Something like: I can control myself because I am new in Christ!

Although you can’t become sinless, you can sin less.

I have to admit, the language thing is tough for me. Before I joined the service-not that that is an excuse-you couldn’t pay me to cuss. Ask my best friend, she or maybe her sister, was always trying to get me to swear and offered to pay me and I wouldn’t do it.

Then enter the service where all that went out the window. Why did I lose my self control? My integrity? I can’t say. But I really understand the phrase-”The devil made me do it.”

II. True Spirituality Teaches That Our Behavior Should Be Congruent With Our Beliefs. (3: 9b-10a)

”Therefore, we don’t lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:16)

I pray for strength to do the right things. I pray the same for you.

I promise to try harder to control myself and refrain from all these bad behaviors, thoughts and urges.

I will focus more on the new me that spiritually I should have been a long time ago.