Wherever God is it seems that a drastic change takes place. I can tell you that my life has changed since I realized that Jesus is who I should be following. When I look back over the last 20 or so years and compare what I used to think was important to what I know is important now it is drastically different.
I know at first I didn’t really believe that it would work out. I mean, how could anyone believe that someone you have never seen, in fact whom no one has ever seen, could really love you and care for you, could protect and provide for you, could give you everything you would ever need.
The things God asks us to do most times are way beyond our imagining. He does ask us to do some off the wall things. Just to start with he asks us to give him everything, our lives, our possessions that includes our pensions, retirement accounts, our savings, everything. And we are to trust that he will provide for our every need. Now that’s a hard one for a lot of people. And if that’s not enough he wants us to repent. You know what that means. He wants us to change, to do a compete 180 from the way we have been living and being. It’s unbelievable what God asks us to do.
Some folks do just what Jonah did. They head in the exact opposite direction from where God directed them to go. But God is persistent and he never gives up. If he has made up his mind that you are the one he needs for this particular task then he is just like a rat terrier with his rawhide. He will not give up until you have changed direction and are headed where he needs you to go.
After reading the story of Jonah I’m a little afraid to tell God no. What about you? Last week the psalmist told us how God has us hemmed in and how he knew us even before we were conceived. He is with us all the time. That’s just a little intimidating don’t you think?
So, you know the story of Jonah. He did repent and decided, reluctantly, to do what God had asked him to do in the first place. He wasn’t exactly happy about it but he did it.
Then the people of Nineveh changed, they repented of their evil ways. Every last one of the people in the city was ordered to put on sack cloth, burlap actually. There was a citywide fast and they sent up cries for help to God. They listened to what Jonah said and they believed. They were hoping against hope that God would see that they were sincere in their repentance and maybe he wouldn’t destroy them and their city.
God saw the drastic change they had made in their ways and he did change his mind about what he had planned for Nineveh. That’s good news for all people. It’s proof that God does love all people and if they are truly repentant and sincere in their change then he will grant them a reprieve. But it takes a drastic change.
After John the Baptizer was arrested Jesus went about Galilee preaching the Message of God. God’s kingdom is here! Change your life and believe the Message!
As he was traveling along the Lake of Galilee of course you would know that he saw many fishing crews. One crew he saw was Andrew and Simon. They fished with nets and that’s how they supported their families.
Jesus came up to their boat and made them a proposal. I can’t believe they took him up on it. He said, “Come with me. I make a new kind of fishermen out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” Now here’s the amazing, actually unbelievable, part. They didn’t ask any questions, but dropped what they were doing and followed him. Now that’s drastic change. Would you do that?
Jesus wasn’t done yet. A little further down the shore line he came upon two men who were sitting in their boats with their father mending the nets. Jesus made the same offer to them that he made to Andrew and Simon. Immediately they left their father, Zebedee, the boat, and the hired men and followed Jesus. That’s drastic change again! They gave up work that was sure to put food on the table and clothes on their family’s backs.
It’s like they didn’t even question what he said they just believed and they followed. How many of us have that kind of faith? How many of us would make that kind of drastic change, trusting in the words of the Master to care and provide for our every need?
Jesus calls to us today to drop everything and follow him. He asks us to repent, to make drastic changes in our lives and believe the Message, and follow him.
Paul’s words to the Corinthians are words we should pay heed to. “Time is of the essence. There is no time to waste…so we shouldn’t complicate our lives unnecessarily. He is advocating drastic change. “Keep it simple,” that was Paul’s motto. He wasn’t talking about just one thing in our lives but in everything, even in the routine things we do everyday, keep it simple.
That kind of change is drastic. There very few of us who really live simple lives. We have trouble “dealing sparingly with the things the world thrusts’” on us. But if we believe what Paul wrote to the Corinthians and pay attention to what’s going on all around us in the world it’s hard not to believe that the world as we see it today is on its way out.
Drastic change, that’s what God wants us to make in our lives. If we haven’t made that decision to repent then we should be paying attention to these Messages and make that drastic change to follow Jesus.
After all he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Remember the words of the psalmist, “My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”
Today we will meet after lunch to conduct our annual congregational meeting. What kind of drastic change do you think God has planned for this church? He has a plan. And knowing how God has worked in the lives of churches and people in the past I wouldn’t be surprised if he wouldn’t want us to make drastic changes.
God gives people second chances. He gave Jonah a second chance. He gave Nineveh a second chance. He gave Jesus’ disciples a chance to make a drastic difference in the world.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Our Invitation
Samuel heard God calling his name and finally, after his mentor realized it was God calling to him, he answered, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” Jesus said to Philip, “Come, follow me.” Philip ran to find his friend Nathanael to tell him they had found the One Moses had wrote of in the Law, the One preached about by the prophets. When Nathanael couldn’t believe that anything good could come out of Nazareth Philip said, “Come, see for yourself.”
Samuel, Philip, and Nathanael all received an invitation, an invitation to be something more than they were before the call.
Invitations are funny things. Sometimes we receive invitations to celebrations; sometimes the invitation is to a party, just for fun; sometimes the invitation is to a new vocation, in fact it may come as a surprise to some of us to receive such an invitation.
Invitations can fill us with excitement and joy or they may fill us with fear and trepidation. It depends on the invitation. Sometimes we expect the invitation and sometimes we are surprised to receive it.
Have you ever received an invitation in your mailbox and been afraid to open it? Or have you been invited into someone’s office and been afraid to hear what they might have to say?
Friends, you are here because, I believe, God has issued you an invitation. You probably didn’t find this invite in your mail and you may not have even received it on the telephone but you did get the invitation. That’s why you are here this morning.
The invitation you received is a free gift from God. It’s called grace. It’s not something you can pay for or do anything to earn. It’s entirely free. There are no strings attached.
If you choose to accept the invitation you must ask Jesus to come into your heart, you must believe in Jesus as God’s Son, and you must confess your sins to God. Some folks receive this invitation and will choose to not do anything with it. Some will want to think about it for a while and some will decide that it’s time to take a step out in faith and just do it.
Regardless of our response I believe that we have all been called. We have all been invited, called, summoned, or chosen, you pick the right word for you, and now it’s up to us to decide how we will respond.
Sometimes the invitation comes and we’re not sure who it’s from. Linda and I received one last week and we weren’t entirely sure who it was from. Samuel heard God’s voice but thought it was Eli calling him. Even Eli didn’t understand at first that it was God until the second time he was awakened from a sound sleep. God does have a way of calling to us in the strangest moments.
Just think back to the Old Testament lessons about how God called all those to do the work he needed to have done. Some responded right away and some had to have proof that it was really God who was calling, remember Gideon?
Do you believe that God still calls or invites people? Do you believe that he has called you? How do you know whether God is calling you to a particular work? What if you don’t want to do it? Will he keep calling? What do you believe?
Friends, I believe God still needs his people to be his hands and his feet and he still calls people to be his servants. If we listen we will hear the voice of Jesus calling us to be his servants.
God is calling you. How will you respond? Will you say, “Speak, your servant is listening?” Will you drop everything when he asks you to, “Come, follow me?”
Everyone received a piece of paper with the following three options printed on it
1. I am not sure about God's call to me
a) I would like to talk to somebody about this
b) I would be interested in finding out more about my spiritual gifts, talents and abilities
c)I need some encouragement
2. I have an idea of what God's call to me is but for various reasons I am a little hesitant about it all.
a) I would like to talk to somebody about this
b) I would be interested in finding out more about my spiritual gifts, talents and abilities
c) I would appreciate some training in this area
d)I need some encouragement
3. I know what God has called me to do
a) I would like to talk to somebody about this
b) I would appreciate some training in this area
c )I need some encouragement
You have a choice whether to keep this activity to yourselves or to share it. Consider the three options and circle the one that is most like where you are at. After a time, consider carefully the three or four options in the section which they have chosen and check the one that speaks to them the most. If you would like to think more about it, I suggest that you take it home with you. If you would like some follow up on what you have checked, put your name on your card and then put it in the offering plate when it comes around. Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia (seedstuff.blogspot.com)
Samuel, Philip, and Nathanael all received an invitation, an invitation to be something more than they were before the call.
Invitations are funny things. Sometimes we receive invitations to celebrations; sometimes the invitation is to a party, just for fun; sometimes the invitation is to a new vocation, in fact it may come as a surprise to some of us to receive such an invitation.
Invitations can fill us with excitement and joy or they may fill us with fear and trepidation. It depends on the invitation. Sometimes we expect the invitation and sometimes we are surprised to receive it.
Have you ever received an invitation in your mailbox and been afraid to open it? Or have you been invited into someone’s office and been afraid to hear what they might have to say?
Friends, you are here because, I believe, God has issued you an invitation. You probably didn’t find this invite in your mail and you may not have even received it on the telephone but you did get the invitation. That’s why you are here this morning.
The invitation you received is a free gift from God. It’s called grace. It’s not something you can pay for or do anything to earn. It’s entirely free. There are no strings attached.
If you choose to accept the invitation you must ask Jesus to come into your heart, you must believe in Jesus as God’s Son, and you must confess your sins to God. Some folks receive this invitation and will choose to not do anything with it. Some will want to think about it for a while and some will decide that it’s time to take a step out in faith and just do it.
Regardless of our response I believe that we have all been called. We have all been invited, called, summoned, or chosen, you pick the right word for you, and now it’s up to us to decide how we will respond.
Sometimes the invitation comes and we’re not sure who it’s from. Linda and I received one last week and we weren’t entirely sure who it was from. Samuel heard God’s voice but thought it was Eli calling him. Even Eli didn’t understand at first that it was God until the second time he was awakened from a sound sleep. God does have a way of calling to us in the strangest moments.
Just think back to the Old Testament lessons about how God called all those to do the work he needed to have done. Some responded right away and some had to have proof that it was really God who was calling, remember Gideon?
Do you believe that God still calls or invites people? Do you believe that he has called you? How do you know whether God is calling you to a particular work? What if you don’t want to do it? Will he keep calling? What do you believe?
Friends, I believe God still needs his people to be his hands and his feet and he still calls people to be his servants. If we listen we will hear the voice of Jesus calling us to be his servants.
God is calling you. How will you respond? Will you say, “Speak, your servant is listening?” Will you drop everything when he asks you to, “Come, follow me?”
Everyone received a piece of paper with the following three options printed on it
1. I am not sure about God's call to me
a) I would like to talk to somebody about this
b) I would be interested in finding out more about my spiritual gifts, talents and abilities
c)I need some encouragement
2. I have an idea of what God's call to me is but for various reasons I am a little hesitant about it all.
a) I would like to talk to somebody about this
b) I would be interested in finding out more about my spiritual gifts, talents and abilities
c) I would appreciate some training in this area
d)I need some encouragement
3. I know what God has called me to do
a) I would like to talk to somebody about this
b) I would appreciate some training in this area
c )I need some encouragement
You have a choice whether to keep this activity to yourselves or to share it. Consider the three options and circle the one that is most like where you are at. After a time, consider carefully the three or four options in the section which they have chosen and check the one that speaks to them the most. If you would like to think more about it, I suggest that you take it home with you. If you would like some follow up on what you have checked, put your name on your card and then put it in the offering plate when it comes around. Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia (seedstuff.blogspot.com)
Monday, January 12, 2009
Our Baptism
What do you remember about your baptism? Do you know the date of your baptism and do you celebrate that date every year? What does baptism mean to you? Do you know what our church, the Presbyterian Church (USA), professes about baptism?
This morning I am going to talk about baptism, what it is, what it symbolizes, and the significance of it for all Christians.
I’m going to begin first with the 2nd Helvetic Confession composed by Heinrich Bullinger in 1561. It was adopted by the churches of Switzerland as their confession of faith in 1566 and soon found wide acceptance throughout Europe and beyond.
The Second Helvetic Confession
Of Holy Baptism
THE INSTITUTION OF BAPTISM. Baptism was instituted and consecrated by God. First John baptized, who dipped Christ in the water in Jordan. From him it came to the apostles, who also baptized with water. The Lord expressly commanded them to preach the Gospel and to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19). And in The Acts, Peter said to the Jews who inquired what they ought to do: “Be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:37 f.). Hence by some baptism is called a sign of initiation for God’s people, since by it the elect of God are consecrated to God.
ONE BAPTISM. There is but one baptism in the Church of God; and it is sufficient to be once baptized or consecrated unto God. For baptism once received continues for all of life, and is a perpetual sealing of our adoption.
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE BAPTIZED. Now to be baptized in the name of Christ is to be enrolled, entered, and received into the covenant and family, and so into the inheritance of the sons of God; yes, and in this life to be called after the name of God; that is to say, to be called a son of God; to be cleansed also from the filthiness of sins, and to be granted the manifold grace of God, in order to lead a new and innocent life. Baptism, therefore, calls to mind and renews the great favor God has shown to the race of mortal men. For we are all born in the pollution of sin and are the children of wrath. But God, who is rich in mercy, freely cleanses us from our sins by the blood of his Son, and in him adopts us to be his sons, and by a holy covenant joins us to himself, and enriches us with various gifts, that we might live a new life. All these things are assured by baptism. For inwardly we are regenerated, purified, and renewed by God through the Holy Spirit; and outwardly we receive the assurance of the greatest gifts in the water, by which also those great benefits are represented, and, as it were, set before our eyes to be beheld.
WE ARE BAPTIZED WITH WATER. And therefore we are baptized, that is, washed or sprinkled with visible water. For the water washes dirt away, and cools and refreshes hot and tired bodies. And the grace of God performs these things for souls, and does so invisibly or spiritually.
THE OBLIGATION OF BAPTISM. Moreover, God also separates us from all strange religions and peoples by the symbol of baptism, and consecrates us to himself as his property. We, therefore, confess our faith when we are baptized, and obligate ourselves to God for obedience, mortification of the flesh, and newness of life. Hence, we are enlisted in the holy military service of Christ that all our life long we should fight against the world, Satan, and our own flesh. Moreover, we are baptized into one body of the Church, that with all members of the Church we might beautifully concur in the one religion and in mutual services.
THE FORM OF BAPTISM. We believe that the most perfect form of baptism is that by which Christ was baptized, and by which the apostles baptized… For we believe that one baptism of the Church has been sanctified in God’s first institution, and that it is consecrated by the Word and is also effectual today in virtue of God’s first blessing.
The Confession of 1967 was approved by the United Presbyterian Church of the United States of America and was the first new confession of faith in three centuries. The turbulent decade of the 1960’s challenged churches everywhere to restate their faith.
In the second part of this confession, the mission of and the equipment of the church, we find this explanation of Baptism.
THE CONFESSION OF 1967-9.51
BAPTISM
By humble submission to John’s baptism, Christ joined himself to men in their need and entered upon his ministry of reconciliation in the power of the Spirit. Christian baptism marks the receiving of the same Spirit by all his people. Baptism with water represents not only cleansing from sin, but a dying with Christ and a joyful rising with him to new life. It commits all Christians to die each day to sin and to live for righteousness. In baptism, the church celebrates the renewal of the covenant with which God has bound his people to himself. By baptism, individuals are publicly received into the church to share in its life and ministry, and the church becomes responsible for their training and support in Christian discipleship. When those baptized are infants, the congregation, as well as the parents, has a special obligation to nurture them in the Christian life, leading them to make, by a public profession, a personal response to the love of God shown forth in their baptism.
To understand the sacrament of Baptism further we can go to The Book of Order, The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). In the section called the Directory For Worship we find these words.
PCUSA Book of Order, W-1.3033-The early church, following Jesus, took three primary material elements of life—water, bread, and wine—to become basic symbols of offering life to God as Jesus had offered his life. Being washed in the water of Baptism, Christians received new life in Christ and presented their bodies to be living sacrifices to God... Through the Sacraments, God seals believers in redemption, renews their identity as the people of God, and marks them for service. W-2.3001, Baptism-Baptism is the sign and seal of incorporation into Christ. Jesus through his own baptism identified himself with sinners in order to fulfill all righteousness. Jesus in his own baptism was attested Son by the Father and was anointed with the Holy Spirit to undertake the way of the servant manifested in his sufferings, death, and resurrection. Jesus the risen Lord assured his followers of his continuing presence and power and commissioned them “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Sprit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:19, NRSV). The disciples were empowered by the outpouring of the Spirit to undertake a life of service and to be an inclusive worshiping community, sharing life in which love, justice, and mercy abounded.
W-2.3002-In Baptism, we participate in Jesus’ death and resurrection. In Baptism, we die to what separates us from God and are raised to newness of life in Christ. Baptism points us back to the grace of God expressed in Jesus Christ, who died for us and who was raised for us. Baptism points us forward to that same Christ who will fulfill God’s purpose in God’s promised future.
W-2.3003-In Baptism, the Holy Spirit binds the Church in covenant to its Creator and Lord. The water of Baptism symbolizes the waters of Creation, of the Flood, and of the Exodus from Egypt. Thus, the water of Baptism links us to the goodness of God’s creation and to the grace of God’s covenants with Noah and Israel. Prophets of Israel, amidst the failure of their generation to honor God’s covenant, called for justice to roll down like waters and righteousness like an everflowing stream. (Amos 5:24). They envisioned a fresh expression of God’s grace and of creation’s goodness—a new covenant accompanied by the sprinkling of cleansing water. In his ministry, Jesus offered the gift of living water. So, Baptism is the sign and seal of God’s grace and covenant in Christ.
As circumcision was the sign and symbol of inclusion in God’s grace and covenant with Israel, so Baptism is the sign and symbol of inclusion in God’s grace and covenant with the Church. As an identifying mark, Baptism signifies
a. the faithfulness of God,
b. the washing away of sin,
c. rebirth,
d. putting on the fresh garment of Christ,
e. being sealed by God’s Spirit,
f. adoption into the covenant family of the Church,
g. resurrection and illumination in Christ.
The body of Christ is one, and Baptism is the bond of unity in Christ. As they are united with Christ through faith, Baptism unites the people of God with each other and with the church of every time and place. Barriers of race, gender, status, and age are to be transcended. Barriers of nationality, history, and practice are to be overcome.
Baptism enacts and seals what the Word proclaims: God’s redeeming grace offered to all people. Baptism is God’s gift of grace and also God’s summons to respond to that grace. Baptism calls to repentance, to faithfulness, and to discipleship. Baptism gives the church its identity and commissions the church for ministry to the world.
God’s faithfulness signified in Baptism is constant and sure, even when human faithfulness to God is not. Baptism is received only once. The efficacy of Baptism is not tied to the moment when it is administered, for Baptism signifies the beginning of life in Christ, not its completion. God’s grace works steadily, calling to repentance and newness of life. God’s faithfulness needs no renewal. Human faithfulness to God needs repeated renewal. Baptism calls for decision at every subsequent stage of life’s way, both for those whose Baptism attends their profession of faith and for those who are nurtured from childhood within the family of faith. Both believers and their children are included in God’s covenant love. Children of believers are to be baptized without undue delay, but without undue haste. Baptism, whether administered to those who profess their faith or to those presented for Baptism as children, is one and the same Sacrament.
b. The Baptism of children witnesses to the truth that God’s love claims people before they are able to respond in faith.
c. The Baptism of those who enter the covenant upon their own profession of faith witnesses to the truth that God’s gift of grace calls for fulfillment in a response of faithfulness.
Baptism is received only once. There are many times in worship, however, when believers acknowledge the grace of God continually at work. As they participate in the celebration of another’s Baptism, as they experience the sustaining nurture of the Lord’s Supper, and as they reaffirm the commitments made at Baptism, they confess their ongoing need of God’s grace and pledge anew their obedience to God’s covenant in Christ.
As there is one body, there is one Baptism. (Eph. 4:4–6) The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) recognizes all Baptisms with water in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit administered by other Christian churches.
The water used for Baptism should be common to the location, and shall be applied to the person by pouring, sprinkling, or immersion. By whatever mode, the water should be applied visibly and generously.
Our Baptism is something that was and is very important to our lives as God’s chosen children. That’s why the font is filled with water every Sunday and the water remains in the font throughout the week. It is here to remind us of what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.
Because of God’s great love for us we are forgiven for our sins and made clean in the cleansing blood of Jesus.
Today we’re going to remember and celebrate the January baptisms of some our church family. They are: Janie Walter, January 1, 1959, Jay Nielsen, January 12, 1969, Brandi Walter, Seth Griffith, and Kane Griffith on January 13, 1991, Kelsey Helms on January 27, 1991, Tori Sievers, January 27, 2002, and Trista Sievers, January 23, 2005.
Thanks be to God for the grace of the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. Amen.
This morning I am going to talk about baptism, what it is, what it symbolizes, and the significance of it for all Christians.
I’m going to begin first with the 2nd Helvetic Confession composed by Heinrich Bullinger in 1561. It was adopted by the churches of Switzerland as their confession of faith in 1566 and soon found wide acceptance throughout Europe and beyond.
The Second Helvetic Confession
Of Holy Baptism
THE INSTITUTION OF BAPTISM. Baptism was instituted and consecrated by God. First John baptized, who dipped Christ in the water in Jordan. From him it came to the apostles, who also baptized with water. The Lord expressly commanded them to preach the Gospel and to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19). And in The Acts, Peter said to the Jews who inquired what they ought to do: “Be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:37 f.). Hence by some baptism is called a sign of initiation for God’s people, since by it the elect of God are consecrated to God.
ONE BAPTISM. There is but one baptism in the Church of God; and it is sufficient to be once baptized or consecrated unto God. For baptism once received continues for all of life, and is a perpetual sealing of our adoption.
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE BAPTIZED. Now to be baptized in the name of Christ is to be enrolled, entered, and received into the covenant and family, and so into the inheritance of the sons of God; yes, and in this life to be called after the name of God; that is to say, to be called a son of God; to be cleansed also from the filthiness of sins, and to be granted the manifold grace of God, in order to lead a new and innocent life. Baptism, therefore, calls to mind and renews the great favor God has shown to the race of mortal men. For we are all born in the pollution of sin and are the children of wrath. But God, who is rich in mercy, freely cleanses us from our sins by the blood of his Son, and in him adopts us to be his sons, and by a holy covenant joins us to himself, and enriches us with various gifts, that we might live a new life. All these things are assured by baptism. For inwardly we are regenerated, purified, and renewed by God through the Holy Spirit; and outwardly we receive the assurance of the greatest gifts in the water, by which also those great benefits are represented, and, as it were, set before our eyes to be beheld.
WE ARE BAPTIZED WITH WATER. And therefore we are baptized, that is, washed or sprinkled with visible water. For the water washes dirt away, and cools and refreshes hot and tired bodies. And the grace of God performs these things for souls, and does so invisibly or spiritually.
THE OBLIGATION OF BAPTISM. Moreover, God also separates us from all strange religions and peoples by the symbol of baptism, and consecrates us to himself as his property. We, therefore, confess our faith when we are baptized, and obligate ourselves to God for obedience, mortification of the flesh, and newness of life. Hence, we are enlisted in the holy military service of Christ that all our life long we should fight against the world, Satan, and our own flesh. Moreover, we are baptized into one body of the Church, that with all members of the Church we might beautifully concur in the one religion and in mutual services.
THE FORM OF BAPTISM. We believe that the most perfect form of baptism is that by which Christ was baptized, and by which the apostles baptized… For we believe that one baptism of the Church has been sanctified in God’s first institution, and that it is consecrated by the Word and is also effectual today in virtue of God’s first blessing.
The Confession of 1967 was approved by the United Presbyterian Church of the United States of America and was the first new confession of faith in three centuries. The turbulent decade of the 1960’s challenged churches everywhere to restate their faith.
In the second part of this confession, the mission of and the equipment of the church, we find this explanation of Baptism.
THE CONFESSION OF 1967-9.51
BAPTISM
By humble submission to John’s baptism, Christ joined himself to men in their need and entered upon his ministry of reconciliation in the power of the Spirit. Christian baptism marks the receiving of the same Spirit by all his people. Baptism with water represents not only cleansing from sin, but a dying with Christ and a joyful rising with him to new life. It commits all Christians to die each day to sin and to live for righteousness. In baptism, the church celebrates the renewal of the covenant with which God has bound his people to himself. By baptism, individuals are publicly received into the church to share in its life and ministry, and the church becomes responsible for their training and support in Christian discipleship. When those baptized are infants, the congregation, as well as the parents, has a special obligation to nurture them in the Christian life, leading them to make, by a public profession, a personal response to the love of God shown forth in their baptism.
To understand the sacrament of Baptism further we can go to The Book of Order, The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). In the section called the Directory For Worship we find these words.
PCUSA Book of Order, W-1.3033-The early church, following Jesus, took three primary material elements of life—water, bread, and wine—to become basic symbols of offering life to God as Jesus had offered his life. Being washed in the water of Baptism, Christians received new life in Christ and presented their bodies to be living sacrifices to God... Through the Sacraments, God seals believers in redemption, renews their identity as the people of God, and marks them for service. W-2.3001, Baptism-Baptism is the sign and seal of incorporation into Christ. Jesus through his own baptism identified himself with sinners in order to fulfill all righteousness. Jesus in his own baptism was attested Son by the Father and was anointed with the Holy Spirit to undertake the way of the servant manifested in his sufferings, death, and resurrection. Jesus the risen Lord assured his followers of his continuing presence and power and commissioned them “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Sprit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:19, NRSV). The disciples were empowered by the outpouring of the Spirit to undertake a life of service and to be an inclusive worshiping community, sharing life in which love, justice, and mercy abounded.
W-2.3002-In Baptism, we participate in Jesus’ death and resurrection. In Baptism, we die to what separates us from God and are raised to newness of life in Christ. Baptism points us back to the grace of God expressed in Jesus Christ, who died for us and who was raised for us. Baptism points us forward to that same Christ who will fulfill God’s purpose in God’s promised future.
W-2.3003-In Baptism, the Holy Spirit binds the Church in covenant to its Creator and Lord. The water of Baptism symbolizes the waters of Creation, of the Flood, and of the Exodus from Egypt. Thus, the water of Baptism links us to the goodness of God’s creation and to the grace of God’s covenants with Noah and Israel. Prophets of Israel, amidst the failure of their generation to honor God’s covenant, called for justice to roll down like waters and righteousness like an everflowing stream. (Amos 5:24). They envisioned a fresh expression of God’s grace and of creation’s goodness—a new covenant accompanied by the sprinkling of cleansing water. In his ministry, Jesus offered the gift of living water. So, Baptism is the sign and seal of God’s grace and covenant in Christ.
As circumcision was the sign and symbol of inclusion in God’s grace and covenant with Israel, so Baptism is the sign and symbol of inclusion in God’s grace and covenant with the Church. As an identifying mark, Baptism signifies
a. the faithfulness of God,
b. the washing away of sin,
c. rebirth,
d. putting on the fresh garment of Christ,
e. being sealed by God’s Spirit,
f. adoption into the covenant family of the Church,
g. resurrection and illumination in Christ.
The body of Christ is one, and Baptism is the bond of unity in Christ. As they are united with Christ through faith, Baptism unites the people of God with each other and with the church of every time and place. Barriers of race, gender, status, and age are to be transcended. Barriers of nationality, history, and practice are to be overcome.
Baptism enacts and seals what the Word proclaims: God’s redeeming grace offered to all people. Baptism is God’s gift of grace and also God’s summons to respond to that grace. Baptism calls to repentance, to faithfulness, and to discipleship. Baptism gives the church its identity and commissions the church for ministry to the world.
God’s faithfulness signified in Baptism is constant and sure, even when human faithfulness to God is not. Baptism is received only once. The efficacy of Baptism is not tied to the moment when it is administered, for Baptism signifies the beginning of life in Christ, not its completion. God’s grace works steadily, calling to repentance and newness of life. God’s faithfulness needs no renewal. Human faithfulness to God needs repeated renewal. Baptism calls for decision at every subsequent stage of life’s way, both for those whose Baptism attends their profession of faith and for those who are nurtured from childhood within the family of faith. Both believers and their children are included in God’s covenant love. Children of believers are to be baptized without undue delay, but without undue haste. Baptism, whether administered to those who profess their faith or to those presented for Baptism as children, is one and the same Sacrament.
b. The Baptism of children witnesses to the truth that God’s love claims people before they are able to respond in faith.
c. The Baptism of those who enter the covenant upon their own profession of faith witnesses to the truth that God’s gift of grace calls for fulfillment in a response of faithfulness.
Baptism is received only once. There are many times in worship, however, when believers acknowledge the grace of God continually at work. As they participate in the celebration of another’s Baptism, as they experience the sustaining nurture of the Lord’s Supper, and as they reaffirm the commitments made at Baptism, they confess their ongoing need of God’s grace and pledge anew their obedience to God’s covenant in Christ.
As there is one body, there is one Baptism. (Eph. 4:4–6) The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) recognizes all Baptisms with water in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit administered by other Christian churches.
The water used for Baptism should be common to the location, and shall be applied to the person by pouring, sprinkling, or immersion. By whatever mode, the water should be applied visibly and generously.
Our Baptism is something that was and is very important to our lives as God’s chosen children. That’s why the font is filled with water every Sunday and the water remains in the font throughout the week. It is here to remind us of what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.
Because of God’s great love for us we are forgiven for our sins and made clean in the cleansing blood of Jesus.
Today we’re going to remember and celebrate the January baptisms of some our church family. They are: Janie Walter, January 1, 1959, Jay Nielsen, January 12, 1969, Brandi Walter, Seth Griffith, and Kane Griffith on January 13, 1991, Kelsey Helms on January 27, 1991, Tori Sievers, January 27, 2002, and Trista Sievers, January 23, 2005.
Thanks be to God for the grace of the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Monday, January 5, 2009
The Word
The Word, who would ever believe that the Word could or would have so much power. I’m not talking about the words that we write on paper or the words that come out of our mouths. I’m talking about the Word John refers to, Jesus the Messiah.
Think back to Genesis. God created everything with just a word. He said, “Let there be light,” and there it was. He spoke the words so that the waters above and below would be separated and they were. We call it the sky. God spoke the word and it happened. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He (Jesus) was with God in the beginning.
Jesus, the Word, came into our lives and lived among us as Life, a Life that blazed with Light to illuminate our world and cast out the darkness. The darkness couldn’t defeat the Light.
Friends, this is the good news. My task as your pastor is not to tell you what we all must do in order to merit salvation, but to announce publicly what God has already done, and that’s it. There is nothing more to do. No advice on how to get people to like you, no advice on how to get God to like you, no advice on how to win friends and influence people, no possibility thinking to be taught, no jumping up and down, no miracle cures for lunacy on the part of preachers is required, no membership roles to join, no offerings to make, no rituals to follow, none of it, nothing, nada. I am to just tell what God has done. No ifs. NO buts, no you only have to, none of those lies. "All that is needful has been done in what He ordains." The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it (PastorSamP, DesperatePreacher.com).
Remember the words of Paul to the Ephesians read this morning and reflect on what they mean for us today, “Long before he laid the foundations of the earth, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ.”
Paul reminds us of the good news in that through the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the altar of the Cross we have all been set free…not just barely free, Abundantly free! God had a long-range plan put together, a plan that included you and me. And it all happened the split second the Word came into our world as a human being.
We all received some mighty fine gifts from our friends and families this Christmas but the greatest gift for all the world is in Christ Jesus. It’s only through the Messiah that we can discover who we are and what we are living for. Once we have heard this truth and believed it then we are truly freed from our sins. As Petersen wrote it in the Message, “…signed, sealed, and delivered in the Holy Spirit…the first installment on what’s coming…we’ll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.”
Friends, there is power in the Word. If we believe and have faith in the Word then whatever Jesus asks us to do is entirely possible. Do you believe it?
There is power in the Word. There is Life in the Word. There is Light in the Word. Trust in the Word and He will set you free. He will free you from the sin that is holding all of us back from being everything God created us to be.
Think back to Genesis. God created everything with just a word. He said, “Let there be light,” and there it was. He spoke the words so that the waters above and below would be separated and they were. We call it the sky. God spoke the word and it happened. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He (Jesus) was with God in the beginning.
Jesus, the Word, came into our lives and lived among us as Life, a Life that blazed with Light to illuminate our world and cast out the darkness. The darkness couldn’t defeat the Light.
Friends, this is the good news. My task as your pastor is not to tell you what we all must do in order to merit salvation, but to announce publicly what God has already done, and that’s it. There is nothing more to do. No advice on how to get people to like you, no advice on how to get God to like you, no advice on how to win friends and influence people, no possibility thinking to be taught, no jumping up and down, no miracle cures for lunacy on the part of preachers is required, no membership roles to join, no offerings to make, no rituals to follow, none of it, nothing, nada. I am to just tell what God has done. No ifs. NO buts, no you only have to, none of those lies. "All that is needful has been done in what He ordains." The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it (PastorSamP, DesperatePreacher.com).
Remember the words of Paul to the Ephesians read this morning and reflect on what they mean for us today, “Long before he laid the foundations of the earth, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ.”
Paul reminds us of the good news in that through the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the altar of the Cross we have all been set free…not just barely free, Abundantly free! God had a long-range plan put together, a plan that included you and me. And it all happened the split second the Word came into our world as a human being.
We all received some mighty fine gifts from our friends and families this Christmas but the greatest gift for all the world is in Christ Jesus. It’s only through the Messiah that we can discover who we are and what we are living for. Once we have heard this truth and believed it then we are truly freed from our sins. As Petersen wrote it in the Message, “…signed, sealed, and delivered in the Holy Spirit…the first installment on what’s coming…we’ll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.”
Friends, there is power in the Word. If we believe and have faith in the Word then whatever Jesus asks us to do is entirely possible. Do you believe it?
There is power in the Word. There is Life in the Word. There is Light in the Word. Trust in the Word and He will set you free. He will free you from the sin that is holding all of us back from being everything God created us to be.
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