City Nite Recap: Summer Splash

Our My City YTH are walking in faith and obedience in this SZN.

After record-breaking numbers at our May City Night, last night was no different. Tonight’s “Summer Splash” was headlined by 16 student baptisms and a powerful word from Youth Director, Tyler Kirkle.

Tyler opened the evening by asking what our youth students thought baptism was. There were scattered responses ranging from what they associate with the act, such as John the Baptist, and how it was a step forward in their faith journey.

One student leader said it was a "public declaration." Tyler agreed with all of the responses, but pointed the students toward two other important aspects of baptism: It represents obedience and new life.

"Baptism represents obedience and new life."

He continued his sermon by explaining that God has offered us, his children, everything. We can walk in that freedom, but that is a choice we must make. When that freedom is in our grasp, what do we do next? Where do we go from there?

Baptism is the answer with obedience preceding.

In order to declare that we are God’s, we must first walk in obedience with Him. God constantly asks us to obey, but the world has determined that disobedience leads to disappointment or unattainable expectations. However, obedience in God leads to love and everlasting life. He forgives our disobedience and praises our obedience.

So our first step in baptism is recognizing our need to obey. God will never ask us to do something that will harm us, but he does ask us to set us aside ourselves and walk with him. He asks us to take up our new life.

Tyler pointed the students to Romans 6:3-4.

“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Romans 6:3-4

Those that obey in baptism are renewed in Christ. New life will follow where the old once was.

So why water? Why baptism? There are so many mentions in the Bible of people being scared of water and what it contains. The Israelites could not move before God parted the Red Sea, and the disciples were afraid of being drowned before Jesus walked on water and calmed the storm. So why, then, do we run toward water in search of new life?

Being submerged in Christ means giving up control. Being submerged in water gives control to God. Falling into trust with God declares that we are giving everything to him.

Help us celebrate the 16 YTH students who decided to follow Christ’s calling tonight! We are honored and blessed to lead and walk in life with them.

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