Cell March 13 - Baptism, Satan and GTA
Monday, March 16, 2009
We had quite the session Friday night at cell. I'm still thinking about it.
The plan for the evening was to have a conversation about water baptism. Four new kids accepted Christ and will be eligible for our next baptism, held on Palm Sunday. So I wanted to do a lession on that, what water baptism means, and why we do it.
Yes, Jesus received water baptism. Why? The Bible says he did it "...to fulfill all righteousness." (Matt 3:15) He did it as an example to us. (Often, our idea of doing the right thing it simply not doing the wrong thing. ) He did it because he was going to ask it of us.
Water baptism is an outward sign of our relationship with Christ, a personal commitment to Him. Throughout the New Testament, people were baptised immediately after accepting Christ. Why? One reason is that we have to live here. Baptism is not necessary for salvation (Rom 10:9-10) But, just as God sent the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove to rest on Jesus, He will send His Grace on us as we receive baptism. This will help and encourage us as we do His work.
Once the discussion was winding down, someone asked a question about Satan. I forget what it was originally, but with ten to twelve-year-old boys, once you bring up Satan, that's where you're staying. There were all these questions flying around - "Was he an angel?" "Wasn't he once good?" "Why is he evil?" I decided to take them to the source.
Ezekiel 28 paints a vivid picture of Satan. It explains how he was created as the most perfect angel, who sat in God's presence. (This is clear - no eartly ruler could have been "created blameless" after the Fall of Man.) It talks about the sin - the pride - that was "found" in him. Surely, Satan was not created that way - he chose to be that way. God's greatest gift to us - besides Christ - is free will. What we do with that gift, that makes all the difference.
This passage speaks of Satan's instruments - his "pipes and timbrels" that were literally part of his body. Satan was created as a worshipper. Music is his language - which is why he uses it so effectively against us. Music, movies, video games - media is something that Satan can use very effectively to tear us down.
Which wound the discussion into video games. Many of the boys admitted to playing - or owning - some very explicit games, whether the problem be sex or violence. I gave the example of finding some nasty, green chicken in the fridge. Would they eat it? Of course not! "So," I asked, "if you wouldn't put somthing that nasty into your body, why would you put something nastier into your mind or spirit?" I challenged them all to a "Victory Dump" - clean out their house and get rid of that junk. We'll see how many do it.
Posted byMichael J Mahoney at 6:26 AM
Labels: baptism, media, righteousness, Satan