Spilsh Splash, Taking a Bath

Sunday Jan. 13,2013 Sermon                                                                              

Luke 3:15-17,21-22

Two pastors, one a Lutheran the other a Baptist were discussing baptism. The Lutheran asked the Baptist if he considered a person baptized if he was immersed in water up to his waist.

“No,” said the Baptist.

“Do you consider him baptized if he is immersed in water up to his NECK?” asked the Lutheran.

Again the Baptist’s answer was: “No.”

“Well now,” said the Lutheran, “suppose you immersed him up to his EYEBROWS? Would you consider him baptized THEN?”

“No,” said the Baptist.

“Well…. there you have it!” said the Lutheran. “It’s only the little bit of water on the TOP OF THE HEAD that counts!”

PRAYER:

A few years ago Kathy & I went to Stoney Creek Metro Park on a Sunday evening for some relaxation. While driving in we saw signs saying, “Baptism at North Beach” along with the churches name Kensington CC at the bottom.

Being the curious guy that I am we went to check it out. We saw at least 1000 people. They had one of their bands playing, and I came to learn they rented the entire beach to do these baptisms. Technically, others were not supposedly to be there. They reported that 350 people we going to be baptized. 4 pastors were wired for sound and video cameras recorded all that took place. People were excited and you could tell by the expressions on the people baptized lives were changed. It was an awesome experience to watch.

I’ve talked to people who have had similar experiences and report a profound spiritual experience. There is something about being washed with water that gives us a renewal. I’m sure some of the 350 people baptized that summer evening had been baptized as infants & now as they make change in their hearts and lives this baptism helps them to integrate a New Life w/ Christ in a more profound way. Don’t get me wrong…. There is nothing wrong with infant baptism or the people who have been baptized as infants. For me… as I watched & listened that day to the people who experienced baptism later in life… my infant baptism doesn’t excite me in my faith as I saw the excitement experience from them.

When Luke describes the experience when Jesus was baptized…. “the sky opened up and the Holy Spirit came down, and a voice from heaven spoke,” this must have been a awesome and profound experience for all in attendance.

We as Lutherans need to come up with an experience like this for baptism. We need to find tangenable and experiential ways for people to feel the presence of God’s grace.

So today I want to share with you what I believe baptism means to me.

 “Baptism Expresses Repentance”

The Greek word for repentance…Meta-noi-a “To Make Change”    “To Change the Heart”

Luke tells us in Vs 3 of this chapter, “Turn back to God and be Baptized.”

Baptism is the acknowledgment of our mistakes and our need to make change in our life. Luther said of Baptism, “Humanity is so in need of a changed heart, it is only by the grace of God we are allowed to come up from the deep.” Luther practiced baptism like that of the Kensington Church. He believed humanity was so bad that he would hold people under the water until they struggled to breath. People would fight and gasp for air as they came up from the water. Luther wanted people to experience death and new life. Baptism is the radical life change that brings new life.

 “Baptism Expresses Trust”

Have you ever played the game where you lean back into another persons arms? Tyler… would you please come forward. Do you trust me? Please lean back and I will catch you. (He did and I caught him) Usually at camp you get to experience some of these trust games.

When we experience baptism it is an expression of trusting God. When we are immersed into the water we are no longer in control… we must trust God to be present and to bring us up from the deep. Trusting God means submitting to God. This is a dirty word in our American lexicon. We don’t like submitting to anyone. It’s beneath us. But if we don’t submit we won’t experience the grace afforded us through this act. Submitting to God means affirmation of God’s grace! This is Our biggest faith challenge… trusting God.

Trusting is the blessing of Baptism.

 “Baptism Expresses Faith”

If repentance is the radical change of baptism, and trust is the blessings of baptism, then faith is the Grace of baptism.

When Luke says in Vs 22, “You are my dear Son”

o    Other Translations say, “You are my beloved Son.”

I believe what happens as Jesus comes out of the water, God is saying, “By Grace through faith I love you.” When we come up out of the waters of baptism we to are hearing God say to us… “I love you.” Without Faith, there is no Grace… Without Grace there is no Faith. Thus… baptism isn’t merely an act we do as a welcoming rite into the church, but a significant step in turning one’s heart and life over to God. In baptism… you are placing your faith in God.

Closing: Story of baptism at a Via De Christo retreat weekend.

Has anyone here been to a Via De Christo event? They are one of the most spiritual enriching experiences you could ever experience. On the Saturday evening of our weekend we had the opportunity to affirm our baptisms. We didn’t have to do this if we didn’t want to, and some chose not to. We gathered in the parking lot of the church we were at and we stood in a circle in the parking lot and one of the pastors began to read some scripture and we reflected. They read some more and we reflected. Then one of the pastors took a bucket filled with water and poured the water over the first man saying the words of God, “You are my beloved son.” This was repeated for each of us. It was a powerful experience of repentance, affirmation, trust, faith and grace of God.

Baptism my friends is what brings the grace of God into a living experience of the love of God.

Is anyone up for a little splish splashing… I have a lot of buckets.

See You Out on the Road