RAP SHEET 10/26/25

SERIES: The Chosen King

SERMON: Fasting & Baptism Weekend

REVIEW

This weekend was unlike any other. Our whole movement set aside 24 hours to fast and seek God—to trade physical hunger for spiritual dependence—and then we came together to celebrate baptisms as people publicly declared new life in Christ.

The book of Joel reminds us of God’s invitation:

“Even now—this is the Lord’s declaration—turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Tear your hearts, not just your clothes, and return to the Lord your God.” (Joel 2:12–13 CSB)

Fasting is about turning our hearts back to God. It quiets the noise of life and exposes what we’ve been trusting in instead of Him. When we empty ourselves, we make room for His Spirit to speak.

As a church, we stepped into that sacred practice together—and then watched as over a hundred people took their next step through baptism, publicly declaring what Romans 6:4 describes:

“Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.”

Both fasting and baptism are about surrender and renewal. One reminds us that we live not by bread alone, but by the Word of God; the other declares that our old life is gone, and we now live by His power.

APPLY

This week is about reflecting—not rushing past what God did, but taking time to notice what He revealed.

Use these prompts to guide your conversation:

1. During the Fast:

• What was most challenging about the fast for you?

• When your hunger or discomfort grew, how did you sense God speaking to you?

• Did you notice any patterns, distractions, or habits that God brought to light?

• What did you learn about dependence—what it really means to rely on God?

2. At Baptisms:

• What moved you most as you witnessed (or experienced) baptism?

• How did seeing lives changed stir up your own faith?

• What does “walking in newness of life” look like for you right now?

3. Moving Forward:

• How might you carry what you experienced into your daily rhythms—your work, relationships, or time with God?

• What is ONE WAY you will continue to depend on God this week, the way you did during the fast?

PRAY

• Thank God for meeting us in our hunger, for speaking in the stillness, and for reminding us that He alone sustains us.

• Praise Him for every life changed and every story of redemption seen through baptisms.

• Ask the Holy Spirit to seal what He revealed during the fast and to help each person walk in obedience and joy this week.

• Pray that MetaChurch would continue to grow as a movement marked by dependence, surrender, and new life.