Baptism of Jiene Joe

Welcome and Opening Prayer

Special welcome to the Joe Family. Brian, Esther, Jie-ne’ and ARju-ne’.

Brian had an eventful journey home with all the disruptions at Gatwick.

So pleased he made it here.

On this special occasion of Jie-ne’ baptism

Hymn 330

Scripture Reading

John 10:10 NKJV

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10

John 10:27–30 NKJV

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”

Comments from the Joe Family

Hymn 309

An Abundant life

Introduction

Norma and I. Getting to know Jiene, Esther and Arjunee.

Welcome Brian. Father here today.

I was looking back today over the record of the baptismal classes with Jie-ne’.

We started in April of this year.

I would say it has been a Pastor and Mum joint effort.

And that is a good thing. A good model. So Thank-you Esther.

Esther and Jie-ne’ have been very faithful

Coming here most Thursday for lessons and some discussion.

We have had some interesting discussions.

We have also enjoyed sometimes listening to Arjun-ne’ play music in the church.

BTW, happy birthday for yesterday.

I asked Jiene to let me have her favourite verses.

We read them earlier

This may well also have been a mum and daughter team effort.

The verses reminded me of the church we attended in California for so many years, with the words in Italics of the wall , “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

The Abundant life

, says “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

Proverbs 3:5–6 NKJV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abunda

So often the view of the Christian life is not like that

Quite the opposite of abundant. And that is very sad.

But Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

What is this abundant life Jesus is talking about?

Lean In

Have you heard of the book “Lean In” by Sheryl Sandberg, the sister of Mark Sandberg?

They run Facebook.

This is the time of year where abundance is everywhere.

You May have heard of that company?

It is very different than than the first Christmas in Bethlehem.

The book title is catching, “Lean In”

However Jesus birth is the perfect picture of an abundant life.

Materially humble, but Rich in Faith.

Rich in faith.

It is about actively engaging in what you are doing and not just observing events. Or being the victim.

It is especially aimed at woman who for too long have not been shown equality in the work force.

I like the title, “Lean In”,

I like that image for the Christian life.

“Leaning into the Lord”

Actively engaging with the Lord

Every day. Every situation. And every time.

Not playing the victim and feeling sorry for ourselves. A continual battle.

But daring to trust in the providence and sovereignty of God.

Leaning into the Lord.

Leaning In to God

In Proverbs 3 we read,

Rich in Faith and Trust towards the Lord.

Proverbs 3:5–6 NKJV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

The writer of proverbs is basically saying, Lean into Jesus.

Lean into God.

Trust, Lean into and Rely on the Lord.

And lean away from your own limited understanding of things.

That does not mean we should not reason and plan, God has given us those faculties.

But in all these things, we first and foremost lean into Jesus, by saying thy will be done.

Leaning in when the warm south winds of life are blowing on us.

But what about when the fierce and cold north winds are blowing.

And even more so when the fierce and cold north winds are blowing.

Both Have a purpose.

Such a view or faith is only possible as we lean in to the Lord day after day.

Baptism as Burial and New Life

The Apostle Paul writes,

Romans 6:4 NKJV

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

We are buried with Christ through Baptism

That is why we do full immersion.

It is a symbolic Burial.

Full Burial signified by Full Immersion.

Then we are Raised to new life, to walk in newness of life. To Abudant life.

Raised and united with Christ.

A life marked by dependence, and not independence.

What is Abudant Life?

It is a life characterized by leaning into God in all things.

You can expect the unexpected.

God will surprise you.

It is confidence and trust in Jesus

Leaning in.

And the promise is given,

John 10:29 NKJV

My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.

Jie-ne’ is going to make that public declaration of leaning in to Jesus and we can all celebrate that with her.

Baptismal Vows

I would like to ask Jie-ne’ to come to the Front for the baptismal Vows

Mother comments ?

Go through 5 Vows

Hymn 309

Baptism

Romans 6:4 NKJV

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Reenact .

Reenact .

Full Burial signified by Full Immersion.

Full Immersion

Raised to new life, walking in newness of life.

Romans 6:4 NKJV

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

“Because of your faith in Jesus, and in accordance with his command, I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen”

I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen”

Special Music

Presentation and Special Prayer

Final Hymn 310

Closing Prayer

Reception

Time when people will greet and congratulate you.

Logistics

Starting time is 6.30pm on Friday.

Dress ready for Baptism. Sit in front Row.

After Baptism, change into dry set of clothes, come back into church for final hymn and prayer