Easter 7b - Baptism

Easter 7b   May 20, 2012

Beach Baptism

Mathew 3:13-17       Matthew 28:19

Rituals: We don't have a lot of "Ritual" in our tradition.

     Why are Baptism & Communion so important?

Why do we do these?

Sacraments: (Baptism & Communion):

1)   An outward expression of an inward work.

2)   Are considered to have been instituted by Jesus Christ:

 the sacraments of the Protestant churches are baptism and the Lord's Supper;

 the sacraments of the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches are baptism, confirmation, the Eucharist, matrimony, penance, holy orders, and extreme unction

3)   Something regarded as possessing a sacred character or mysterious significance.

Matthew 3:13-17

·        Jesus' baptism.

·        Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” (Matthew 3:15 NLT)

Acts 8 = Ethiopian Eunuch.

·        From the very beginning of our Christian Tradition - we have been baptizing.

Baptism symbolizes:

v a believer finding new life in Jesus Christ and publicly identifying himself or herself as a follower of Jesus

v a believer putting the old self to death - and being raised to life in Christ. Being buried and raised in Christ.

Baptism is a testament in the life of the one being Baptized,

Ø  but it is also for us - the community!

·        Like a wedding: each Baptism attended offers the opportunity to remember our own experience

        

Ø  In light of the difficulties of life. Baptism brings hope!

·        Hope of things to come.

·        Hope, that we will carry on.

·        Hope that we are living as Christ lived.

Why do we participate in these Sacraments?

v Jesus told us to:

     Communion –

      (Mark 14:22-24 NLT) As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it, for this is my body.” And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And he said to them, “This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many.

     (Luke 22:19 NLT) “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.”

     Baptism –

     (Matthew 28:19 NLT) "Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."

Matthew 28 – is foundational for who we are.

Seemingly Christ’s last words are Go and

          1. Make disciples

          2. Baptize them

·        At BCCF – we strive to: form Christlike Disciples in the Beach Cities.

·        Here today. We are living out Matthew 28!

Apostles Creed:

I believe in God the Father Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth;

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord:

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, dead, and buried;

the third day he rose from the dead;

he ascended into heaven,

and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;

from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

Today:

Ø  As we long to be more like Christ - we participate in these elements

·        We break the bread and drink the cup.

-      Longing to be filled with his presence.

·        We are buried in the oceans of sin

-      And profess our own willingness to die to sin.

·        We proclaim our own resurrection with Christ.

·        Today, as we Celebrate communion & baptism:
-we celebrate with the historical church... an outward expression of an inward work of Grace.

          Thanks Be to God!

Pray:

Speaking to those being baptized:

Your baptism experience today will focus on two simple questions:

Have you received Christ as your personal Savior?
We believe that only followers of Jesus Christ should be baptized.

Why do you want to be baptized?
This is a great question to ponder, and one that can provide lasting motivation for living out your faith beyond the baptism experience.

Upon answering these two questions, we will walk out into the water and I will baptize you. 

My prayer, my hope is that as you come up out of the water

1.    you sense in your heart God’s pleasure in the obedience and commitment you have displayed 

2.    May you experience the Spirit of the Lord descending upon you like a dove

          and the voice of God saying to you: 

"This is my child, whom I love & who brings me great joy!" 

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Go and Love!