- Do you sense that you are approaching a decision? The Good News has that effect. When Saul learned the truth about Jesus, he faced a choice. Saul could ignore what he had learned and return to his old way of life (which was bad news), or he could act on the truth of the Good News. He made the better choice. He trusted the Good News and he participated in the Good News Event through baptism.
- Do you choose to accept God’s love, which gives you a new and better story? Do you want to “wash away your sins, calling on His name”? Do you recognize baptism’s part in that spiritual cleansing?
- The decision to participate in the Good News impacts all of the rest of your life. So Jesus counsels every believer to “count the cost” (Luke 14:28).
Memory Verses
1) John 3:3-5 – Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.“ Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?“ Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.“
2) Romans 6:3-4 – Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
3) Acts 2:38 – Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
4) Colossians 2:11-12 – In [Christ] also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
5) 1 Timothy 1:15-16 – The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in Him for eternal life.
6) Acts 22:16 – And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.
7) Psalm 119:60 – I hasten and do not delay to keep Your commandments.
8) Matthew 16:25 – Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
9) Isaiah 55:6 – Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while he is near.
10) 2 Corinthians 6:2-3 – In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
PRAYER:
Raise us up in the power of your love, God Almighty, just as you raised Jesus.
Make us your voice of love and wisdom in a troubled world of suffering and pain.
Show through us the good that is real, the life that is strong, the truth of your words that will never betray us. Help us to be good news.