In 1799, fifty years before the California gold rush, gold was discovered in North Carolina. At Stanfield in Cabbarus county a 12 year old boy found a nugget weighing 17 pounds. His father, John Reed, not knowing what it was, used it as a doorstop. In 1802 he took it to a market in Fayetteville. A jeweler recognized that the doorstop was gold and bought it for $3.50. John Reed was neither the first nor the last to fail to recognize the value in something. Many do not recognize the value of a marriage until it is gone. Some do not recognize the value of the home, the value of the church, the value of a good reputation. Each one is priceless and never to be treated lightly. We do not recognize the importance of Easter until we face death and we do not recognize the importance of church until we have come to the end of our pride and need community.  "The Christian has a great advantage over other men, not by being less fallen than they, nor less doomed to live in a fallen world, but by knowing that he is a fallen man in a fallen world." — C. S. Lewis As Christians we recognize that we need one another for encouragement, accountability and inspiration. We can do so much together, but we need to admit that we are better together than we are separately or we will fracture at the first sign of disagreement. Conflict is not a dirty work, but healthy source of insight and wisdom to those who will learn from it. To those who do not, it is the final straw in an already fragile ego. Baptism is a constant reminder that we are united as one in Christ, our inspiration, we are one with each other, our accountability, and one in ministry to the whole world, our encouragement.  In our lesson today we take a look at the amazing advantage we have as Baptized believers. Sermon Notes 04.27.14 Remember your Baptism Worship Slides 04.27.14 Remember Your Baptism Baptism Advantage 4 27 14 late Baptism Advantage 4 27 14 early