Arise and Be Baptized | Charles Blake II | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Arise and Be Baptized

Charles Blake II

West Angeles Church of God in Christ • Aug 30, 2026 • 148 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this message, Pastor Charles Blake II explores the transformation of Saul to Paul, highlighting how public baptism marks an outward declaration of new life and allegiance to Jesus Christ. Salvation and baptism are not mere one-time events, but the beginning of a lifelong process of mind renewal, overcoming past habits, and letting go of shame. God can take our past mistakes, zeal, and scars, transforming them into a powerful witness and message for His glory.

Themes

Baptism and Public Allegiance to ChristTransformation and New IdentityDaily Mind RenewalOvercoming Past Shame and ScarsRedeeming Your Past for God's Purpose

Key Points

1.
Baptism is a public declaration that permanently joins a believer to the church community and declares that Jesus Christ is Lord above culture, politics, and worldly powers.
2.
The Apostle Paul's baptism was a bold statement that he was no longer a persecutor of the church, but an evangelist and living sacrifice for Christ.
3.
Salvation and baptism are not single, magical events that immediately erase every struggle; they are the start of a lifelong process of spiritual growth and becoming.
4.
Living daily as a new creation requires honesty with yourself and God about your internal struggles, fears, and insecurities.
5.
Mind renewal (Romans 12:2) is a continuous daily practice where we allow God to align our thinking and perspective with His word, especially when triggered by life's challenges.
6.
When you fully surrender your life and mess to God, He can take the same zeal you used in the past and turn it into a world-changing purpose.
7.
Even though Jesus rose from the dead, He kept His scars; similarly, our past scars remain as proof of where God brought us from, but the shame attached to them is gone.
8.
True identity cannot be found outside of Christ; surrendering to God does not destroy your uniqueness, but transforms you into who you were created to be.

Sermon Moments

“Paul was previously a state-sponsored terrorist, but when he encountered Jesus, his passion was redirected from destroying the church to building it.”

“Baptism is a declaration that there is a greater power than politics, culture, or worldly allegiance—Jesus Christ is Lord.”

“Brothers and sisters being submerged and lifted from baptismal waters are experiencing a funeral for the old life and a resurrection into new life simultaneously.”

“God takes your mess and turns it into your message.”

“A risen Savior still has His scars; your scars remain to show where God brought you from, but the shame is completely washed away.”

“I see you in the future, and you look a whole lot better than you look right now.”

This Week

Publicly declare your faith in Jesus Christ through baptism and fellowship with the local church.

Be completely honest with God in prayer about your daily insecurities, fears, and emotional triggers.

Commit daily to renewing your mind through scripture when faced with anger, anxiety, or old habits.

Release the shame and regret of past mistakes, trusting that God has thrown your sins into the sea of forgetfulness.

Look at your life scars as testimonies of God's grace and healing rather than marks of defeat.

Surrender your past passions and experiences to God, asking Him to use your story to encourage others.

When triggered by difficult circumstances this week, pause and pray: 'Lord, show me this situation as You see it.'

Remember This

Getting saved and baptized marks the start of a lifelong transformation where God forgives your past, removes your shame, and redirects your life toward His world-changing purpose.

A Challenge for You

Do not remain locked in your past or defined by your mistakes; arise, surrender your life to Jesus Christ, and walk forward in the abundance and victory of your new identity.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.