Identifying with Christ in Baptism

Matthew 28:16-20

¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

In the New Testament, the significance of baptism is seen more clearly. John the Baptist was sent by God to spread the news of the coming Messiah—Jesus Christ. John was directed by God (John 1:33) to baptize those who accepted his message. John’s baptizing is called “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” Mark 1:4 (NIV). Those baptized by John acknowledged their sins and professed their faith that through the coming Messiah they would be forgiven. Baptism then is significant in that it represents the forgiveness and cleansing from sin that comes through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

For the past nine weeks we have been hearing sermons on being "Extreme Christians" what that means and how it looks according to scripture. We've heard about, demands, devotion,  priorities, purity,forgiveness, commitment, love, giving, and duty.

Today was "Extreme Duty" which means to give God the glory for all things and making disciples for the Lord.  The scripture was taken from Matthew 28: 16-20 often referred to as "The Great Commission"
As Christians we have to be available, willing to act when called by God, we don't need to know the plan, God knows it we just need to be willing.
We need to be devoted, understanding God can fix my sin, I can not.
We need to be submissive,  Jesus is the authority, the perfecter of our lives.
We need to be obedient, were very good at doing what we want but do we do what God wants??
Being obedient means "to GO when God says "GO," it means believing, and learning and declaring that God is all we need, that Jesus has paid the price for us and we are HIS.
It means we need to be obedient to the commands given to us and one of them is to be Baptized!!! Did you ever think that not getting baptized was a sin?? I didn't think of it that way either but we are actually commanded to do that. Look at verse 19 and read it again. It is a command to believers to be baptized!!
We are to teach, not like a school teacher or professors but by guiding, encouraging, and living lives that point the way to God.
We need to be dependent on God to direct our lives, our hearts, the things we do and the things we spend our money on. He cares how we represent HIM!!! We need to stand up, step up and speak up!!!

Today the pastor gave an open call to those who are believers in Christ, and have not been baptized as a believer or has never been immersed to come and be baptized to proclaim repentance of sins, to die with Christ and to be Risen with Him. 
It took 2 1/4 hours but 98 forgiven sinners were baptized including my #2 daughter!!! I am so proud of her and I know she felt like the Lord had His hand just on her as she came up out of that water!!!
The Lord was truly moving in so many hearts today the tears flowed freely with joy!!
Our God is amazing~~~~