2024.02.25 Membership -- Begins with Baptism

Membership — Begins with Baptism

Matthew 28:16–20 NLT

16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted! 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

►►►CLICK [Sound of Music graphic]

Let’s start at the very beginning. It’s a very good place to start. Let’s look at what it means to be a member of a Global Methodist Church.

In recent years, churches in the Western World have taken a shallow view of church membership. We figured that if the expectations of membership were too high, no one would ever join the church. But, having low or no expectations makes membership meaningless … and who needs one more meaningless membership?

Last week, we talked about expecting supposed privileges of membership, and we tried to sell membership that way, too.

“Why sould you join the church?”

“Well, if you want to serve on certain committees of the church, you have to be a member.” Golly, serving on committees … that’s why ALL of us join an organization, right?

“Well, if you want discounted rates on using the church building for gatherings and weddings, you should join the church.” Woopidy doo! Members get a discount.

Friends, membership in a local church is a logical step in the life of a believer. Unfortunately, we often skip a bunch of steps along the way in an effort to get to the end result of a person joining the church.

So … let’s turn on the annoying beeping noise, and back up the membership truck a minute and talk about the first steps.

►►►CLICK [Let’s start at the very beginning. It’s a very good place to start.]

Membership — Begins with Baptism

Our membership vows are logical and they are progressive. Each step builds on the last step. And Membership in a local church begins with baptism.

Let’s look a moment at our Baptismal Vows:

In the Methodist tradition, infants are included in baptism because we don’t believe God’s grace is only available to those old enough to understand.

In the Methodist tradition, infants are included in baptism because we don’t believe God’s grace is only available to those old enough to understand. Heck, I’m 54 years old, and I still don’t fully understand God’s grace.

In the case of children, the vows and commitments are made by adults presenting the child for baptism. When the child grows old enough to make a commitment for themself, they come to the Church for Confirmation, where they CONFIRM the vows made for them at their baptism.

In the case of a person old enough to answer for themself, the one being baptized makes these vows.

As we look at these vows, let’s MAKE them. Let’s say the vows out loud as we look at them. They’re all very simple. And if you don’t understand one of them, shout out and stop me. I’d be glad for the interruption if it helps someone understand.

►►►CLICK [Let’s begin] [each one has a slide]

Do you renounce the devil and all his works, and reject the evil powers of this world?

I RENOUNCE THEM

renounce - formally declare one's abandonment of (a claim, right, or possession). [Oxford]

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Do you repent of your sin, turn to Jesus Christ, and confess him as your Lord and Savior?

I DO

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Do you receive and profess the Christian faith as contained in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments?

I DO

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Do you accept the responsibility to resist evil, injustice, and oppression by the grace and power of God?

I DO

►►►CLICK [Then, for those who cannot answer for themselves, their parents are asked]

Will you nurture these children/persons in Christ’s Holy Church, that by your teaching and example they may be guided to accept God’s grace for themselves, profess their faith openly, and lead a Christian life?

I (WE) WILL

So, baptism begins the process of membership, because it’s the beginning of membership in God’s family.

►►►CLICK [In baptism, we:]

renounce the forces of evil in this world

repent of our sin, confess Jesus as Lord

receive the Christian faith of the Scriptures

and accept the responsibility to resist evil by God’s grace and power

►►►CLICK [pyramid graphic]

Again, baptism begins the process of membership, because it’s the beginning of membership in God’s family. Membership is a layered process, and missing any of the layers creates an unstable foundation for a person’s faith.

This puts the baptismal candidate in God’s family as a first step, which is the beginning of their formalized relationship with God’s church.

►►►CLICK [The congregation is then asked to affirm their commitment to support the baptismal candidate in the faith.]

Will you who witness these vows encourage [these persons] in the faith and do all in your power to support them in their life in Christ?

WE WILL

At this point, the persons are asked to make a profession of faith based on the Nicene Creed, an ancient statement of beliefs of the Christian faith.

And after they’ve answered these questions, they get wet.

The Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline ¶315 says that baptism may be “...performed by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion.” I would suggest a better verb than “performed”, but it means any method will work. The person can be dunked, poured on, or sprinkled. Heck, if it’s raining, I may even let the rain serve as baptismal waters … because the water is the least important part of baptism.

“There’s No Power In The Water” - The Purple Hulls

There’s no power in the water Be it the mighty Mississippi Or the Jordan when it floods There’s no power in the water To wash away our sins The power’s in the blood

The water is the least important part of a baptism!

The commitments and the covenant they engage are the important things that happen in baptism.

►►►CLICK [Our doctrine continues … “The outward and visible sign of Holy Baptism is water.”]

Hmmm … That may make more sense if I move the subject back to the front of the sentence:

►►►CLICK [“Water is the outward and visible sign of Holy Baptism.” In the Global Methodist Church.”]

Is that a little more clear? The only tangible thing that happens in baptism is that someone gets wet! That really is it!

But behind the scenes, something very important happens.

►►►CLICK [BODD bullet points]

Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline ¶314. Through Holy Baptism we are united in Christ’s death in repentance of our sins; raised to new life in Him through the power of the resurrection; incorporated into the Body of Christ; and empowered through the work of the Holy Spirit to go on to perfection. Holy Baptism is God’s gracious gift to us, flowing from the once for all work of Christ Jesus, and our pledge to follow as His disciples.

Through Holy Baptism we are:

united in Christ’s death

raised to new life

incorporated into the universal Church

empowered by the Holy Spirit

Great verbs there, aren’t they?

►►►CLICK [Title]

Membership — Begins with Baptism

Let’s take a look at what happened in Jesus’ baptism from Matthew 3: [not on screen - encourage to look up]

Matthew 3:13–15 NLT

13 Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” 15 But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him.

►►►CLICK [after the baptism]

Matthew 3:16–17 NLT

16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

You see, we focus so much on what happens on our side of eternity … whether the water is flowing or still; whether we sprinkle it, pour it, or dunk the person ... we forget what’s going on on the other side of eternity!

While we’re busy wetting a person, the Almighty God of the Universe is claiming the person as his own! And he is declaring his great pleasure in this person.

And God’s claim on a person is irrevocable. He will not rip it away from us, even though we may walk away from our part of the covenant. He won’t snatch it away from us … but be careful: He will allow us to give it back to him.

Because God won’t revoke his claim on a person, Methodists do not re-baptize people. We just restated our baptismal commitments, which is healthy to do periodically. If you’d like to DO something to commemorate this recollection, we call this “remembering your baptism”. More on that in a minute.

►►►CLICK [Title]

Membership — Begins with Baptism

Have you been baptized? You may have known that baptism is considered our initiation into God’s family. You may have known you got wet.

But did you know that, in your baptism, the God of Creation claimed you as his son or daughter … and that he declared his great joy in you.

What other privilege is better than that?

When you were baptized, Heaven came to a halt, so God could declare you his son or daughter, and so He could make sure everyone in Heaven knew you bring Him great joy!

Membership — Begins with Baptism

And Baptism is only the first layer. It’s already overwhelming to think about, and we don’t even have any icing on the cake yet.

A minute ago, I mentioned that “Remembering Your Baptism” is an option for those who want to DO something to commemorate their renewed vows to God.

So, I’ve prepared water, even though we have no baptisms today.

Let’s bless this water, and I’ll give further instructions for remembering your baptism after that prayer:

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The Lord be with you

AND WITH YOUR SPIRIT

Lift up your hearts

WE LIFT THEM UP TO THE LORD

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Let us give our thanks to the Lord our God

IT IS GOOD AND RIGHT TO GIVE HIM THANKS AND PRAISE

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We do give you thanks, almighty and everliving Father, and we praise you for your infinite goodness and mercy. Above all, we thank you for your most dearly beloved Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

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As he hung upon the cross for the forgiveness of our sins, from his side flowed both water and blood for the healing and cleansing of the world. After his resurrection, he commanded his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

[Here the Celebrant touches the water and says:]

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We ask you now to sanctify this water by the power of your Holy Spirit. Grant that those receiving it be cleansed from all sin and receive the fullness of your grace, that they may ever remain faithful in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Lord.

AMEN

For those wanting to use the water....

I am going to leave this water here for you to remember your baptism in whatever way you choose after the service. Some people just dip their fingers in the water. Some may want to dip and make the sign of the cross. Some may want to pour a little bit over your head. However you choose to remember your baptism...

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Remember your baptism and be thankful

AMEN

Let’s stand and sing together.