| Folks, these are great days in the life of this church (within this community of faith). There have been so many tangible faith moments during these past weeks. Moments where we have stepped deeper into this journey of faith with our lives (100’s of you) – moments where we have made significant decisions to go to new levels of commitment spiritually (100’s of you). Clearly God is at work in powerful and life changing ways among us and before we get any further into this weekend I thought it would be appropriate to stop and thank God for what He has been doing stand (pray).
Today – we’re talking about Baptism. Let me first say that Baptism has been around for thousands of years – really – thousands of years and it has been the centre of much discussion, controversy and even dissention in the church for centuries. In fact one of the key reasons why there is a different church on nearly every corner in this city is because of Christians disagreeing on Baptism (what is really means or how it is supposed to be done or who is allowed to be baptized). So let me say first – I’m not going to try to answer every question you all have on the subject, instead I hope to give you a couple of core issues – a couple of central thoughts on what Baptisms should mean for you in your spiritual journey. I won’t answer every theological question you have but instead, I hope to get right to the heart of the issue, which is all about our commitment to Jesus Christ and His to us.
Here’s the word you need to remember if you want to understand Baptism: Identification.
This is a passport. When you travel outside of Canada, say you’re going to the U.S. for a vacation, well when you go through customs what is it that they want to see? They ask for your I.D., for a passport or at least a picture of you for some identification. Why? Because they want to see who you belong to, what country your citizenship is from. They want to know who they can attach you to if there’s trouble or where your home is if you need to go home, so they need identification.
People – Baptism is your faith identification. Baptism is the sign that you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ. It’s the outward identification that you belong to Him, and He to you. That’s the first aspect of Baptism to remember. It identifies you with Jesus.
Now let me get into why it identifies you with Jesus. When we baptize someone here at Lakeview – we use water – usually we fully immerse people – we get them completely wet. Now, the symbolism of the water is what counts in Baptism (water is a cleansing and washing liquid.) We use it every day to wash dirt off of our bodies. Well, water baptism symbolized the washing and cleansing of our sins it symbolized the forgiveness of our sins because of our faith in Jesus Christ. So when I soak someone in the water and bring them out the water cleanses them outside, as a symbol of what Jesus has done on the inside (you see the symbol?). Now – there is a further metaphor that goes along with this identification. See, the Christian faith centres around many different aspects of the life of Christ but at least two are very central (His death on the cross and His resurrection, three days later – Easter). These you can’t waffle on if you’re going to call yourself a Christ-follower. Baptism symbolizes Jesus’ death and resurrection very clearly and it further identifies us with Him. Like I said, (normally) when we baptize someone – we ask them to go completely under the water – to get fully wet – then we bring them up out of the water (now, when understood fully this symbolism is powerful). Through baptism we identify ourselves with the death of Christ (under the water) and resurrection of Jesus Christ (coming our of the water).
Being baptized says that personally identify with these aspects of the Christian faith – that I believe Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of my sins and that He was raised from the dead by the power of God and that same power will raise me to be with Him when I die, got it? One more thing, baptism (going under the water) is also a sign that we are dead to self and dead to sin – that because of Jesus’ death – sin has no victory in our lives; sin is dead because of our faith. Then coming out of the water is all about being raised to new life it symbolized that living life with Jesus is like having a whole new life. It’s like being born again and now I will live for Him I am dead to sin and self and alive with Jesus, great symbolism.
Listen to Romans 6, where the Apostle Paul describes this, “We were buried with Him through baptism in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:4)
A new life that is alive and forgiven, a life awakened by faith that’s what following Jesus is all about.
Folks, the people who will be baptized this weekend have made a decision to be identified publicly with Jesus and baptism is the sign of that identification.
This may clarify it even more. I get to speak at a lot of wedding ceremonies, (a beautiful celebration of love and life) and weddings always remind me of baptisms, let me tell you why.
When I got married to Pam – I committed my life to her, I said publicly that I would be hers as long as I lived, that I would love and honour her for the rest of my life. Now, as a sign and a symbol of that commitment, we gave each other rings. This ring symbolized to me and to others that I am committed to Pam in love and marriage.
Baptism is like this ring – It’s the outward sign and symbol of a life committed to following Jesus Christ. Further to this, one more step, baptism is also a sacrament and like we talked about last week – a sacrament is a means of grace an instrument through which the Holy Spirit can act (and flow) into our lives.
Baptism is more that just an outward sign of our faith (and more than a symbol), it is also a Holy moment – where God’s presence meets us as we follow His direction and will in our lives.
Baptism is a declaration done publicly within the community, yes but it’s also done before God (and God takes part in it). And in these moments of baptism – God meets with each person in a very special and unique way to convince them of their new life in Christ and to give them confidence of His place and presence in their lives.
These are precious moments to God and to His people. This service however is not so much about me teaching about what baptism is – this weekend is more about lives that are being changed by God.
So what I’d like to do – is get on with it – and allow you to learn and see what God has been doing in some of our lives.
While we get ready the ushers will take the offering and we will watch a video clip from My Big Fat Greek Wedding – a funny look at what baptism isn’t.
Folks, these people have made significant steps and have chosen to take those steps among us – we are family with these people. They belong to us and we belong to them. So encourage them today and welcome them. Together God is building something great and powerful and amazing among us that will change this city.
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