It's no longer I that lives but Christ who lives in me!

Bible reference:  Acts 20:24; Romans 6:1-23

Do we want to live a life of victory or a life of defeat?

Our works will not save us; once we are saved, he wants us to be a masterpiece.

Live for what the Lord has given you.  All too often we've been taught that Church comes first.  But first is relationship with God and then family, etc and then we'll see the church grow.

Ministry is not singing,  etc.   Ministry is reconciliation with Jesus Christ.

We need to live out our mission.  

We tell people about the Lord, and the Lord gives the harvest.   The better we prepare the soil, the greater the harvest.

The purpose of our life: to be in reconciled relationship with Christ.

Galatians 2:20

It's no longer I that lives but Christ who lives in me!

We are dead to sin's control.   We need to run our relationships with authority,  not with control.   In Eden, when sin entered,  the authority was given to Satan.   Jesus died on the cross and took back the authority.

Who have you given authority to  in your life?

Christ is our all in all.  Christ is victorious over sin.  Christ cannot die again.  Death no longer has authority over Christ; and in Christ,  death has no authority over you.  Our part?  Don't let sin reign in your mortal body.

It is our responsibility to be Holy.  What does this mean?  You choose to set your life apart to turn to God and live His way. God loves you even when you make mistakes.

Each day we make the choice to obey and follow God.  Instead of going to sin, we go to God.

Every day offer your body to Jesus,  not as a work, but give Him the authority in your life. 

When we are a slave to sin, you don't live with righteousness. (v20 of Romans 6)  Being servants of God brings eternal life.  We're in the king's of God now.

Jesus asked us to remember his death and resurrection.   Baptism- why?  Mark 1:9  we follow the example of Jesus.   Matthew 28:18-20

Colossians 2:12 - an illustration of my new life in Christ.

Matthew 3:16 - we follow Christ's example of immersion (went up out of the water). 

Baptism does not make you a Christian; it's an outward symbol of the commitment you have made in your heart with Christ.  You don't have to do a 10 week course.  You should be baptized as soon as possible.

Acts 8:35-39 There is no need to delay once you have accepted Jesus.  Baptism shows the victory in our life.   If you wait until you are perfect; you'll be dead first.   It shows we've given Jesus full authority in our life.