Genesis 17.7-13; Acts 2.37-42, 16.29-34
[Theme music from “Waterworld”] …
Waterworld … the blue planet, a little blue pebble in the sky … 71% of our earth is water-covered … as for us, we’re a handful of dirt, and 60% water … the creation story begins with the primal waters over which the Spirit hovers … the four rivers that flow out of Eden … Moses and the people cross the Red Sea on their way to freedom … water from a wilderness rock … 40 years later, the Jordan to the Promised Land … centuries later, Jesus baptized in the Jordan River … Jesus, the living water of
When we turn to the New Testament, baptism marks a new beginning, a new day, a new chapter in God’s long-term plan … be baptized … as Jesus was baptized …
Jesus steps into the Jordan River … the very first thing he does before anything else … baptized by John … to be one with us, that we might be one with God.
As the early church took root in Palestine, people were baptized to mark a new beginning in their life …
When those early Christians were baptized, they asked about their children, If we’re baptized, what does that mean for our children? Do our children belong to God, too? Or do they have to wait until they’re adults to be baptized?
The Church put on its thinking cap and quickly realized - We have the answer … it’s right here in front of us, our spiritual DNA, the traditions of our faith, the ancient stories … Abraham and Sarah … Moses and the Prophets - the rite of circumcision … in Christ, transformed.
No longer just the male child, but now all the children … the whole household - those by birth, those who work there … no barriers, no boundaries, no restrictions of gender, age, race or status … the love of God for all the world, the world for the love of God … anticipating the great words of the Apostle Paul: There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.
God’s work begins long before any of us know anything about it … an adult may “come to faith,” but long before that adult knew anything about Christ, Christ is at work … God at work, first … it’s never about us … it’s never about our faith, our decision, as if we had anything to do with it …
We were born not of our own decision or making. And we’re born anew of God’s purpose and power, not of our own decision or making.
It’s always about God’s love, God’s faithfulness, God’s purpose and God’s goodness … God’s decision … God’s creation, God’s work for our sake, and for the sake of the world.
To God, and to God alone, the glory … Praise God from whom all blessings flow … praise him all creatures here below … praise him above ye heavenly host … praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Some years back, a church called me about a possible interim … in the interview, I was asked, “When did you accept Jesus Christ as your LORD and Savior?”
I replied, “I never did. Because Christ accepted me, and made himself to be my LORD and Savior. And I’ve known that all my life.”
Dear friends, I have but one testimony - it’s not about me, it’s all about God.
Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, crucified, dead and buried
On the third day, he rose again from the dead and ascended into heaven, from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
Jesus Christ gives his life for us, for all of us … to confirm what God made clear to Abraham and Sarah - a covenant … a covenant to be our God, to be the God of our children, and our children’s children … a decision embedded in the heart of God … before the foundation of the world.
It’s been my joy to offer the water of baptism to countless families … and the joy of baptizing my own children … and baptizing my granddaughter …
To celebrate the on-going work of God … upon the face of this earth, there will always be a people, a people who sing the songs of Zion, who know the light of Christ, and the great purposes of God …
What a joy today, to celebrate baptism for Joseph Robert and Spencer Thomas … to celebrate with these children the joy of Christ … and even now, legions of angels attending unto their little souls, the on-going work of God … a work that began in the first moments of creation, a work that continues to this very day … I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit … I baptize you, with water.
Water-world, indeed.
The gift, the glory, the joy of baptism.
Hallelujah and Amen!
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