Our Solemn & Joyous Celebrations

Introduction

This morning we are blessed to experience both of the so-called ordinances of the Christian church, the Lord’s Supper & Baptism.

I felt it was important to take a few minutes to speak about both, as they are the only two sacraments or, as we called them, ordinances of a Baptist church.

I’ve titled this message Our Solemn and Joyous Celebrations because in each we celebrate victories won by Jesus for us, His people. One is a more solemn celebration, as we remember what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross. The other is more joyous as a person publicly proclaims their faith in Jesus and their desire to walk in Christian discipleship throughout their life.

But, what do I mean by ordinance? And how does that differ from a sacrament?

Ordinance literally means authoritative “decree” or “law”, which probably causes most Baptists to cringe. But, the focus of an ordinance is that it as ordained by Christ; is done voluntarily by those who are followers of Jesus; are done in obedience and remembrance of Him; and as a visible picture of an inward reality.

A sacrament is different, at least as practiced by the Catholic church and certain Protestant denominations. They see these as sacred practices (which we would agree with). Where we differ, however, is that for other denominations, these acts are means in which God confirms the divine promises to believers and the recipients actually enter into the truths they represent.

In plain, non-theological language, in some other denominations these are sacraments because they are means of blessing and grace, while in the Baptist tradition, we see them as reflections and illustrations of victories won by Christ Jesus alone. Jesus Christ alone is our only means of blessing and grace.

But, for all Christian denominations, the Lord’s Supper and Baptism are important times of reflection and celebration of what Jesus has done.

I have sermons that focus on each ordinance that explain why and how we celebrate each of these. I will preach those again sometime down the road.

This morning, I want to focus more on two other questions:

How does each ordinance impact the church?

How should that impact the way we celebrate each ordinance?

Body

Our Solemn Celebration

Read 1 Corinthians 11:17-22

Briefly explain what was going on here...

Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Once a month I read this passage during our Lord’s Supper service. Thus, it’s a familiar passage, but let’s not allow that familiarity breed apathy.

In dealing with the issues in the church, Paul refocuses their Lord’s Supper celebration on Jesus example during the Seder, or Passover meal with His disciples before going to the cross.

As with the Passover meal, where the various elements of the meal represent a part of Israel’s exodus experience, so Jesus infuses the old meal with new meaning.

The bread now represents Jesus body, which was about to be broken.

The wine now represents Jesus blood, spilled out as a new covenant between God and Christ’s followers.

Both are taken in remembrance of what Jesus accomplished on the cross.

Read 1 Corinthians 11:27-29

Unworthy Observance: What is it?

Let’s begin with what it isn’t:

That we are unworthy to eat and drink because of sin or issues in our lives. Why not?

Christ has made us worthy through His sacrificial atonement. Thus, we are never worthy because our works, good or bad. It’s only because of Christ’s finished work on the cross that we could ever hope to be “worthy.”

We must understand that we are grace recipients…we are saved by grace alone through faith alone.

You and I will never be good enough. It’s is only by receiving the grace of Jesus that we can be made worthy before the Holy God.

So we can remove all ideas about being unworthy to take the Lord’s Supper, because the only people who are unworthy are unbelievers.

So then, what is it?

Observing the LS irreverently

Contextually, Paul is speaking to the way they were partaking it, namely, divided over socio-economic lines.

At the heart of this was the LS becoming about the people who were participating and no longer about doing it in remembrance of Christ and proclaiming His death until He comes again.

There is a loss of reverence and it became a dividing line within the church.

Today, there are many ways that people can be irreverent about the Lord’s Supper:

Allowing non-believers to participate...

Being a stumbling block to others...

Approaching the Lord’s Supper as something common...

Failure to consider the body of Christ.

What does that mean?

Paul is pointing to a failure to discern, or consider, His body, the church.

See, “the body” is a metaphor that Paul often uses for the church.

Therefore, the church is the body of Christ.

The Lord’s Supper is about the unity of Christ’s body because of what Christ has done, not about ourselves.

Thus, in partaking of the Lord’s Supper, we ought to consider our relationships within the body of Christ. If I have a relational problem with another believer, I ought to seek reconciliation as soon as possible.

It’s really a call to consider the larger body of Christ. Our relationships with one another are important and have an impact on the body as a whole. Thus, the LS is a great time to consider those relationships, and if there needs to be reconciliation, seek it.

Celebrate the Lord’s Supper...

Our Joyous Celebration

One of the most joyous celebrations in the Christian church is baptism. It’s joyous because in baptism we celebrate that a new believer is taking the next step of faith; namely a public proclamation of what happened inside their heart when they trusted Jesus as Savior.

Baptism doesn’t save anyone. A non-believer who gets baptized is nothing more than a person who got their clothes wet inside a church building.

We do not baptize people unless they have made a profession of faith and they have been examined to see that they have experienced a genuine conversion.

Baptism has no special power. It’s an outward display of something that happened in a person’s heart when they trusted Jesus a Savior surrendered to His lordship. ((Explain...))

So, what prevents someone from being baptized?

Read Acts 8:35-38

The only thing preventing anyone from being baptized is belief on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Throughout Scripture, we see believers following Jesus in to the baptismal waters. They did this because Jesus commanded it, because they wanted to demonstrate what had gone on inside them and to proclaim to others that they were followers of Christ.

Thus, all believers should be baptized.

What about children?

Talk about babies, children, and dedication...

What about private baptisms?

Baptism is a public proclamation of an inward reality, thus it should be done publicly.

Just as importantly, it is a way of encouraging the church...

And it’s a way of spurring the church towards discipleship...

The church is responsible for caring for each and every person that we baptize; we all need to be cared for in our discipleship...(a Lone Ranger Christian usually becomes a backsliding Christian who sometimes is exposed as a false conversion).

We need each other! Baptism is a great way to say, “Church, I need you to help me in my Christian growth.”

Celebrate the baptism...