Living our Baptisms

Dr. Richard J. Henderson January 11, 2009

click for printable version

Genesis 1:1-5
Mark 1:4-11

Introduction

In the middle of the worship service a nervous couple comes forward clutching their tiny baby. An elder and the pastor meet them beside a stand that holds a small bowl of water. The baby's a little jittery because mom is bouncing her nervously in her arms. The baby's face reflects apprehension; what's this about? What's going on here?

Words are spoken, questions are asked of the parents, the congregation stands and they also answer questions. Then water is put on the baby's head. The baby seems uncomfortable but doesn't cry. Then the baby is walked around among the congregation to see a group of smiling - sometimes cooing - faces. They all return to their seats and worship continues. Something important has happened.

I

Jesus was baptized. He was baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. It was a defining moment in his life. Literally, it was a defining moment for him. As he came up out of the water, the heavens were torn open, and a voice from heaven declared, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." The announcement of who Jesus is comes at his baptism.

Jesus' baptism defines what his work will be. Jesus doesn't do anything in his ministry until he has been baptized.

His baptism is his calling. Jesus refers to this later in his life when some of his disciples want to have the places of honor beside him when he comes into his glory at the end. Jesus says to those disciples, "Have you been baptized with the baptism with which I have been baptized?" Jesus is talking about his suffering and death here.

He was baptized to do the work that he did. That calling is not always easy. Jesus saw that his ministry was defined for him in his baptism.

II

In the same way our baptisms define who we are and represent our calling. For Jesus and for us, baptism defines the direction of our lives. It clarifies how we will live our lives. Christian baptism says that we will live with compassion, forgiveness, caring, and hope; as principled people following the example of Christ.

At the very beginning the direction of our life is defined. We are welcomed into the household of God. We know how we are to live.

It was said of the great Reformation leader, Martin Luther, that he would stand each morning in front of the mirror and say out loud, "I have been baptized." He reminded himself each morning who he was and the direction given for his life. That is a good practice for all Christians.

Baptism defines what a successful life is for us. There are lots of other definitions of success being taught in the world. Bernie Madoff learned a very different definition of what it means to be successful. For us a successful life is one which reflects the life and teaching of Jesus.

For you and me baptism defines who we are, the direction of our lives, and the meaning of a successful life.

III

The elders and deacons who are ordained and installed today are responding to the call of their baptisms. Part of their call is to serve as leaders in this congregation. The Holy Spirit works through the people of the church to call women and men to ministry.

The people we ordain and install today have been called to provide service to this church. The questions they answer today and the work they will do is directly related to the day they were baptized. This is part of the direction of their lives; part of their calling.

The same is true for those who teach Sunday school, who sing in the choir, or who work with the Novi Emergency Food Program. They are responding to the call given to them in their baptisms. The retired men who make repairs around the church are answering the call of their baptism, as are the women who prepare funeral luncheons for grieving families. All these kinds of functions, great and small, are recognitions of our baptism and responses to God's calling. Everyone who serves, following the example of Christ, is fulfilling the vows of baptism. We are not all called to do great, earth-shaking work, but we are all called to serve in Christ's name.

Conclusion

For twenty centuries people have responded to the call of their baptism by living their faith in the world. Jesus began his ministry after he had been baptized. That sacrament defined who he was and what he was to do.

People of faith all through the years have responded to their baptisms by serving God and other people. Whenever we live lives faithful to Jesus Christ, we are fulfilling the vows of our baptism.

The elders and deacons who are ordained and installed today are examples for us of the many ways in which all of us can be true to our baptisms. We may not be officers in the church, but there are hundreds of ways we can live our baptisms in and out of the church.

We are all called to ministry in our baptisms. As we live out our lives we see the many opportunities God gives us to serve.

Amen

© Richard J. Henderson 2009