Easter Sermon & Baptisms - April 16, 2017 - Kolton & Briley

This last Sunday, we, of course, had Easter Worship, but it was also a celebration of two baptisms.  Both Briley Sharkey and Kolton Hildreth were baptized.  These are the first baptisms that I've had since coming to Woodlawn and I was very excited and happy to perform them.

The sermon focused on Baptism and the commitment surrounding a believer's baptism.  The symbolism of a believer's baptism is of course entirely different than a traditional infant baptism.  For us here as Disciples of Christ, we do not do infant baptisms and traditionally will baptize individuals sometime after their tenth birthday.  All candidates are to be at that stage in their life when they are ready to confess their faith and belief in Christ as their Savior, thus, the moniker of 'believer's baptism'.

The sermon which immediately followed the baptisms and which was given from the Baptistry focused upon the covenant agreement that is generated by the individual seeking baptism and God.  The covenant agreement created during baptism isn't entirely different than the covenant agreement in a marriage.  The candidate assumes responsibilities to God and to the Body of Christ.  One of these responsibilities is to "BE" a part of the body, that means not being baptized and then disappearing from church afterward.  There is an explicit responsibility to remain in fellowship and community with the rest of the body.  You simply cannot be a part of the body and fulfill your obligation to the body by isolating yourself.  You cannot be a C&E (Christmas and Easter) Christian and truly be upholding the commitments generated during your baptism.

Someone who receives an infant baptism might be able to claim ignorance to the covenant created by baptism, but one baptized by immersion in a believer's baptism simply can't.

The sermon was one of conviction and one of witness.

The entire video with the baptisms and the sermon is only 16 minutes long.  Take a few minutes and take a look.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In His Grace,

Roy

Service of Baptism - April 16, 2017 - Kolton & Briley:

Matthew 3:13-17 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved,[a] with whom I am well pleased.”

Baptism is one of the two sacraments given by Christ to his followers.  In baptism, through faith, we are made one with Christ.   We are buried with Christ and with him raised from the dead to walk in new life.  The washing of our bodies with water is the outward and visible sign of the cleansing of our inner being through the grace of our Savior Jesus Christ.  We are baptized not only with water but also with the Holy Spirit, and by this same Spirit we are baptized into Christ's body, the church, and made members of the whole people of God.

In obedience to Christ's command let us baptize these who have professed their faith in Him.

Briley Sharkey, do you before God and this congregation affirm through this act of baptism your faith in Christ as your Lord and Savior, and do you promise to follow Christ in word and deed throughout your Life?

(Briley – I do)

Kolton Hildreth, do you before God and this congregation affirm through this act of baptism your faith in Christ as your Lord and Savior, and do you promise to follow Christ in word and deed throughout your Life?

(Kolton – I do)

Loving God, may your Spirit fall upon Briley and Kolton and remain with them all the days of their lives.  And may the joy of this moment be theirs forever.  Amen.

Upon the declaration of your faith and in obedience to Christ's command, on behalf of this congregation I baptize you, Kolton Hildreth, in the name of God; Father, Son & Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Upon the declaration of your faith and in obedience to Christ's command, on behalf of this congregation I baptize you, Briley Sharkey, in the name of God; Father, Son & Holy Spirit.  Amen.

We have done as Christ has commanded.  As those who have been baptized have confessed their faith and committed themselves to discipleship, let us all renew our baptismal vows as we pray:

Gracious God, baptize us afresh with your Spirit.  May we know once again the newness of life so abundantly shown to these who have been baptized.  Open our hearts to receive them into our midst, that they may know among us the same spirit of love that was in Christ, who loved us and gave himself for us.  Amen.