Hawaii 6 – My Future, My Choice

Extracted Verses and Quotes from the Sermon

Biblical Verses

Revelation 12:17

Then the dragon was angry with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her children, those who keep the commandments of God and hold the testimony of Jesus.

Revelation 1:5-6

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

John 3:23

John was baptizing at Aenon near Salim because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized.

Matthew 3:13-17 (paraphrased)

Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As he came up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him, and a voice from heaven said, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Acts 10:37-38

You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John preached—how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

Matthew 28:18-20

Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Acts 8:26-39 (summary)

The Ethiopian eunuch was reading Isaiah and Philip explained the good news about Jesus. They came upon some water, and the eunuch asked, “What prevents me from being baptized?” They went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. The eunuch went on his way rejoicing.

Acts 16:30-33

The jailer asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then he and all his family were baptized immediately.

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 therefore buried with him through baptism into death so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Acts 2:38-39

Peter replied, “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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Galatians 5:19-23

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 3:27-29

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Ephesians 4:1-6

Live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Psalm 38:18

I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Isaiah 55:7

Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

John 6:37

Jesus said, “Anyone who comes to me I will never drive away.”

John 3:3-5

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.”

John 3:14-15

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.

John 3:16-17

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Mark 16:16

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Acts 22:16

And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.

Revelation 7:14-17

These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. They will hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Memorable Quotes

“Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. And when we follow God’s instructions, then we see an improvement in our health.”

“When Martin Luther stood at the Diet of Worms, one man stood up and he changed the course of world history forevermore.”

“Each of these individuals decided to take a stand for what they believed in, and they changed the course of history.”

“The question is not can you change anything; the more fundamental question is, do you believe in anything?”

“Jesus himself was baptized to demonstrate to us what a righteous life looks like. And the text indicates that Jesus was not baptized by sprinkling, but by full immersion under the water.”

“When you enter the body of Christ, you suddenly have brothers and sisters who treat you with respect and kindness and sacrificial love in any corner of the world. There’s nothing like it this world has to offer.”

“Baptism isn’t just a physical act; it’s also an immersion into the character of God, so that God’s character starts to heal my character and change me into his image.”

“The greatest testimony to the power of God is not preaching, but it’s the witness of a transformed life.”

“God is not angry. He is not trying to catch us out. He delights in showing clemency to every penitent sinner.”

“Anyone who comes to me, I will never drive away.” That’s a beautiful promise to me and to you.”

“It’s your future and your choice. Each of us has to declare our allegiance one way or the other. We’re either for God or we submit to the fallen powers of this world.”

“The one who believes and is baptized will be saved. This is a promise made by the one who died on Calvary, and none of the promises of Jesus have ever fallen flat.”

“The Bible talks about those who are prepared for the final crisis—who live through the final crisis. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

“Maybe there’s somebody here tonight who says, ‘I want to choose for God. I want to be born of water and I want to be born again on a daily basis with the Holy Spirit.'”

“Life is cheap and life is fragile, but eternal life is the most precious promise you can have.”

“When you follow Christ and go through the waters of baptism of water and the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Christ does a mysterious work inside us and changes us day by day so that we reflect the character of Christ.”

Other Quotations

John Newton (quoted)

“I’m not the man that I want to be, but by God’s grace, neither am I the man that I used to be.”