"Baptism"

So…

Have you ever had the experience of realizing you’ve forgotten something?

Like your wife’ birthday? Or your anniversary? 

Or to go to work, just asking.

You all know the song, “head, shoulders, knees, and toes” and the new boomer version “wallet, glasses, keys and phone.”

Yep.

So, some would suggest that the church is showing signs of becoming a boomer church. That is, that it has forgotten some essentials, like their wallet, glasses, keys and phone!

And by “church” I mean the ecclesia, the assembly – which is what that Greek word means - the early gatherings of those who had decided to follow Jesus - to become disciples. 

And I know you all understand this, but it really pays to remind ourselves that the church is not a building or an organization, though we often use the word that way.

It is a gathering of disciples.

In fact, when the word ecclesia is used in the New Testament it only ever refers to the followers of Jesus, and those folks gathering for worship or service.

The church is people!

And a people called to be in this world in order to fulfill a calling.

And it’s not what many churches and denominations have decided to focus on. 

While our activities in the world may change it, our calling is very simple and it has three parts.

It was so important that Jesus, according to Matthew gospel, made sure the disciples heard that call just before he ascended into heaven.

I know all of you have been in a household where before mom went out the door she told you what to do, what she expected would be done before she returned. 

And I know just about all of you forgot all about it, until 10 minutes before she arrived home and all of the sudden you were running pell mell to get the garbage out to the curb, or put your clothes in the laundry or get those dinner dishes done.

You knew that what she said in that last minute was gospel, was a command, was an imperative, that if you failed would color your future and potentially make it very, very short!

So when Jesus says as he does in Matthew 28 - 
“Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you.”

This is not just an opportunity, a possibility, a big lark.

It is what the church in every generation is to be all about!

We are to make disciples…

We are to baptize those new disciples…

And we are to teach them all what Jesus commanded his followers.

So, we need to be clear, baptism matters!

It’s not even a little bit the whole calling we have received, but it is huge!

Why?

Because as Paul makes clear in Galatians 3 it changes who we are!

Paul says…

“Faith in Christ Jesus is what makes each of you equal with each other, whether you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or a free person, a man or a woman. So, if you belong to Christ, you are now part of Abraham's family, and you will be given what God has promised.”

Baptism is a physical declaration of your faith in Jesus! And baptized, you are part of God’s family and by definition, part of ours!
It doesn’t matter what else is true of you.

Where you came from. What you do for a living. What your life is like. What all you are working on as a growing disciple.

We have been called as the church to share the good news with everyone and anyone whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Share your story. Your faith. Why you follow Jesus.

And then, we bring to the waters of baptism new believers and our children - for whom we declare faith on their behalf until that day they can claim faith for themselves (confirmation) - and then…

We remind each other about Jesus’ commands to love each other, to love our enemies, to remember his sacrifice, to pray for each other, and to give without worrying!

So, don’t forget, “wallet, glasses, keys and phone.”

But more importantly, don’t forgot who we are, you and I, as ecclesia, the gathering of God’s people!

May it be so.

Amen