Baptism Sermon (2)

Rejoice and Remember

Romans 6:1–11 “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

Intro- Good Evening and thank you for coming. Please open your copy of God’s word to Romans 6:1-11. If you are a Christian, then today you are here to Rejoice and Remember. You are to rejoice with Jennifer for what God has done in her life, and you are here to remember what God has done in your life. It is good to rejoice God’s saving work, and to remember you own journey to Christ and baptism. Let’s read Romans 6:1-11.

Today Jennifer will put on display the truth about God and man. As Jennifer participates in baptism she is following in the steps of Jesus and every Christian after him as she proclaims her personal faith in Jesus. She is stating to everyone watching that she believes what all Christians believe.

We believe that there is one God that created all things including us. And as the creator of this universe he is the owner and king over it all. He made man to reign with him and in His place over this world. We were made to reflect back His glory and ensure the flourishing of all things including one another.

However, as all of us know the world is not a place of perfect flourishing and harmony. Rather it is a hard place filled with evil, and that evil is our fault. Humans rebelled against God and said “I no longer want to live your way under your reign God, but I want my own way.” We call this rebellion, sin, and sin now taints everything including us. God, as the perfect creator of the world cannot be in the presence of sin and so He has separated us from Himself because God being perfectly just must give the rightful punishment to sin. And the Bible tells us that the wages of sin is death. We all must die as a result of our sin and rebellion against God. No one can escape His just wrath.

If the story stopped there, that would be really bad news. But it didn’t. Instead God wrapped himself in flesh, he became a man. He was born of a virgin and came to earth. God the Son, who is known as Jesus, came to live among us. He was tempted to join in our rebellion in every way yet never gave in. He lived a sinless and perfect life and instead of rebelling against God he lived the way we all ought to live but none of us do. He submitted to the Father and humbled himself even to the point of death. He was unjustly and unfairly tried, beaten, mocked, and killed on a criminal's cross. A cross was the method of capital punishment at the time, and while he hung on that cross he satisfied God’s wrath against sinners like me and you. I mean to say he took our place and endured the punishment meant for us for our rebellion against God. So that, John 3:36 tells us, “36 yWhoever believes in the Son has eternal life; zwhoever does not obey the Son shall not asee life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” If you, like Jennifer, have put your faith in Jesus you are saved from the wrath of God because Jesus took the punishment for you. And not only that, but you now are able to live an obedient life to Jesus. You have been given new life because in believing in Jesus you have died with him to your old way of rebellion.

Because here is the truly amazing part. Jesus died on the cross for sin but he did not stay dead. He was placed in a tomb for 3 days and on the third day he rose from the dead conquering your sin and mine forever. Because sin and rebellion are conquered in the death and resurrection of Jesus we are now given a new life in Christ. A life in which our desires are changed. We no longer want the old sinful things, but we are made to want the things God wants. This does not mean we live a perfect life, but it does mean we live a life that is different and slowly improving. Today Jennifer tells us all a story as she gets baptized. She tells the story of how humans die to their old self as they place their faith in Christ and then raise with Jesus to live and walk in new life. As Kenall baptizes Jennifer, he will say those very words. As she goes under the water you will hear Kendall say “baptized in the likeness of his death” and as she comes up out of the water Kendall will say “raised to walk in the newness of life.”

Jennifer is putting on display the truth that God saves sinners through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For the Christians in the room this is a sweet reminder of their own personal salvation. It reminds us of how God saved us from our sin. For those who are not Christians this is a kind act of mercy from a kind God. The Lord is using this display to call you to himself. He is making clear that He does save and change people and He can save and change you.

This is what happens next, and you do have a part to play. As I said earlier, you are hear to rejoice and remember. After I pray, Jennifer and Kendall will enter the water, Jennifer will share her testimony (her personal story of coming to faith in Jesus) with us. Kendall then will ask Jennifer three questions: Do you believe that you are a sinner, and cannot save yourself? Do you believe that Jesus as the Son of God, lived a perfect life, died in your place, and rose again from the dead? Do you commit to follow him for the rest of your life with the help of God’s grace? Jennifer will answer each question affirmatively. Then Kendall will baptize her upon her profession of faith in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jennifer will be dipped into that water, that is your cue. Because as she comes up out of the water we will cheer and rejoice. Our part for today is to Rejoice and Remember. We rejoice in what the Lord has done in Jennifer’s life and we remember what God has done in our lives. Let’s Pray.