Sermon 4 and 5 weeks out (7 14 2009 posting)

Team- We're struggling a bit to get these details to you. Here is a brief summary of the sermons 4 weeks out and 5 weeks out. Clay will be gone next week so there will be no creative team meeting.

5 weeks out (Aug 13/16)
ACTS: The Conversion of Saul/The Damascus Road/Blinded by the Light

This message is on Acts 9. Paul’s story. Clay is still forming the message (Sorry, this will be rough). Clay will definitely deal with the concept that it is difficult to ‘kick against the goads’. You have to resist to be lost. It is hard to press against the pressure to be saved that comes from the Lord. If you come to the end of your life and are not saved there will be skid marks! You had to resist. Jesus talks about how his burden is easy and his yoke is light. Ultimately there is an ease to following the Lord. Clay may talk about the whole series a bit – and setting up the theme of getting outside the walls of the church to impact the world. He will probably also talk about Paul and how foundational he was to the founding of the church. Paul helped us see grace more clearly. Paul articulated it.
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4 Weeks Out: Worship in the Park (Aug 9th)
It will be a celebration day. Celebratory music. There will be a spontaneous baptism – but there are already 22+ scheduled. We are in Loveland at the old fairgrounds.

Baptism in Acts – Clay will preach on Baptism in this message
Happens after repentance: Acts 2:38 (no infant baptism)
Added to the church: Acts 2:41
Same time they heard the message (okay to wait, but not necessary)
Tied to hearing and receiving the “good news” Acts 8:12 (what is the Gospel?, both men and women,…)
Natural response to receiving Jesus: Acts 8:36ff (on the spot, immersion, down into the water, not a camel track! Acted parable, Rom. 6)
Saul’s conversion (Acts 9:18) – will connect to the start of the ACT II series Aug 13/16
Gentiles: Acts 10:47-42 (water—represents cleansing)
Sometimes a whole family was baptized… Acts 16:15; 16:33; 18:8 (age for children…)
Rebaptism… Acts 19:5
What are you waiting for!?!? Acts 22:16 (The appeal at the end)