Genuine Christianity

Matthew 28.18-20

My first visit to the Night Bazaar in Chiang Mai, Thailand, was a sensory overload. Hundreds of stalls with bright lights and fascinating wares. Crowds that flowed up and down the footpaths. Smells of street food frying all along the way. Sounds of people bartering with vendors for a better deal.

I wanted to buy something nice for Sue. There was a Tiffany stall — the familiar logo and the aqua coloured boxes. Under the bright lights, the jewellery look dazzling. I asked what the price of a bangle was. The price surprised me in a good way. I expected hundreds of dollars but it was only tens of dollars. I felt awkward countering with a lower price.

I returned from Thailand excited about the amazing deal I got on a Tiffany bangle. I reasoned that it must have been a factory direct kind of deal.

It never occurred to me that the item might not genuine. Subsequent trips to Thailand . . . as well as a browse in the Tiffany shop at Sydney airport . . . burst my naive bubble.

Not all that glitters is gold.

In the same way, not everyone who says, ‘I am a Christian’ actually is one.

Jesus warned in His Sermon on the Mount that many will have an unpleasant surprise on the Judgement Day. They will expect easy entry into heaven — even rewards — because of their good works and noble achievements. But Christ will forbid their entry. ‘I never knew you,’ He will say.

The point is: It matters nothing whether you call yourself Christian. Only the one God calls Christian

Their fate will be worse than a fake Tiffany bangle from Thailand.

I have a question for you. Think about it now, but don’t answer it until the end of the sermon.

Are you a true Christian? Does Jesus know you?

No-one can answer that question without knowing how the Bible defines a Christian.

That definition is clearly stated in Matthew 28.18-20

Matthew 28:18–20 KJV

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

This text is commonly called the Great Commission. It is the mission Christ gave to His followers just before He ascended into heaven after rising from the dead.

In essence, Christ commands His followers to spread the good news so that many from all the nations of the world might be saved.

This is a sen

A real Christian is a disciple

A real Christian is obedient in baptism

A real Christian is a learner

A real Christian is a goer

Today we dedicate a baptistry. Can you believe that this church is nearly 48 years old and has never had a baptistry? How can a Baptist church not have a baptistry? It is almost an oxymoron!

I love the design of our baptistry. It is both functional and faithful. The functionality is realised in its ideal depth and the fact it doubles as an outdoor stage — something that will be very handy for Carols by Candlelight.

It is also faithful — in a way that I’ve never seen among all the hundreds of Baptist churches I have been in.

This baptistry is outdoors in a public place — just as God intended. The rite of baptism is supposed to be a public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ.

The first time a baptism service is held here, our neighbours will know it. Who couldn’t notice a crowd of people joyfully singing and celebrating?

I also like that it is at the front entrance of the church as a constant symbol of why Calvary Baptist Church exists. We exist to make disciples — just as Jesus Christ commanded.

Our text for this dedicatory sermon is Matthew 28:18-20. These are the last words of Jesus before He ascended. He gives to His followers a clear mission to fulfil before He returns.

Make disciples is that mission.

Matthew 28:18–20 KJV

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

There is one command