Baptism:  A Great Cost

   We exist to Fill the City with Jesus. 

We empower the willing to come fully alive in God’s presence for the renewal of our cities.

  Imagine a group of people in an authentic community, loving each other honestly, covering each other’s sins with forgiveness, prayer, confession, and encouragement, and serving and supporting each other genuinely. It’s in spaces like these where we begin to see the supernatural work of God within our relationships. 

Use this guide with your community, in concert with the Field Journal, as you Strengthen Yourself in the Lord, Manage Your Household, and Fill the City with Jesus.

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Strengthen Yourself in the Lord

Sermon Summary

Water baptism is much more than a symbolic act—it is a costly declaration that Jesus has our complete allegiance. Following Jesus requires us to surrender our reputation, relationships, resources, rights, control, and ultimately ourselves. But the cost of following Christ is not punishment or consequence; it is sacrifice, and what we sacrifice pales in comparison to what we gain in Him. Through Christ, we receive His presence, freedom, provision, purpose, eternal life, and the promise of sharing in His glory. Are you willing to surrender everything to follow Jesus, or is something you fear losing standing between you and the life He is calling you to live?

Scripture References from the Sermon

Luke 14:28   |   Matthew 16:24   |   Luke 14:26   |   Revelation 12:11   |   John 15:18   |   Matthew 5:11   |   Matthew 10:34–38   |   Exodus 34:14   |   Luke 14:33   |   Luke 18:22   |   1 Corinthians 6:20   |   Galatians 2:20

Discussion Questions

• Jesus calls us to sacrifice all, but what we gain in Him is infinitely greater. Share about a time when you experienced the tension of surrender. What did following Jesus cost you, and what did you experience in Him?
• What does it actually mean for Jesus to have your complete allegiance? Where does your life currently reflect that allegiance, and where might you still be holding something back?
• Why do we struggle with surrender when we know what Jesus promises? What does your resistance to surrender reveal about you and your need to rely on the Holy Spirit to be strong in your weakness?
• Are comfort, control, relationships, reputation, resources, or plans quietly competing with obedience to Jesus? Which of these is most difficult for you to surrender, and why?
• If water baptism is a public declaration that your old life no longer has ultimate authority over you, what needs to change in your life for your daily choices to reflect that declaration?

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Manage Your Household 

Practical spiritual activities:

• Worship together – Dedicate time each week to worship with those in your household.
• Pray together – Dedicate time each day for listening to and speaking with the Lord individually, and as a household. Record ongoing prayer requests into your journal or Field Journal.
• Intercede for one another – Ask those in your household what is on their heart, then pray for one another. Refer to “Prayer Requests From Our Community” below and prayer recorded in your Field Journal and pray together for your city.
• Read together – Spend time together reading God’s Word. Consider the Bible reading guide on our website.
• Journal & Share – Share insight from what you’ve been hearing from the Lord and capturing in your journal weekly.
• Take communion together–For those who are followers of Jesus, consider taking the elements together. There is a communion guide on our website.

Event Highlight 

• We are a house of prayer for all nations, so come pray together throughout the week on one of our campuses. For all times and locations visit https://gracechurchsp.org/ministries/prayer/.
• For more, visit gracechurchsp.org/events  

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Fill Your City

Prayer Requests From Our Community

• Pray for the Lord’s abundant provision and open doors for those struggling with job loss, homelessness, and lack of transportation.
• Praise God for His miraculous healing of a grandchild who suffered from severe respiratory distress and aspiration complications after a choking incident!
• Pray for Redeemer Church and Pastor Bo Collins.

Serve Opportunities 

• In the Church – Join the Production Team and master the tech behind our worship services—knobs, faders, slides, cameras and all. Zero experience needed; we’ll teach you everything you need to know.
• In the City – Join us for Carthage Serve Day on Saturday, September 19 as we head into our city to share God’s love through action.
• For more, visit gracechurchsp.org/serve 

Your City

• There are six areas of the city: family, health & wellness, business, education, government, and media. What are ways you can serve in your city?
• Share Your Story about what God is doing in your life and your city here: https://gracechurchsp.org/story/