God Does What?
Roger Olson
Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 41:50
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· 15 viewsIn Holy Baptism, God Gives Me Jesus with all His Gifts
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What does God’s think about you?
What does God’s think about you?
God’s thoughts about me are thoughts of love and blessing
Catechism 1
John 3:16
God created man in his own image and blessed them, calling them to multiply and to manage His creation.
Genesis 1:28
Adam & Eve were in a good relationship with God and one another. All was right in God’s world.
Do you have a problem?
Do you have a problem?
Yes, we are the problem, we who rebelled against God.
Who has this problem - All nations, all ages,
Who is exempt from this condition? - None are
Genesis 5:3
When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.
Psalm 51:5
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Romans 5:12
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—
death is the evidence of infection by sin - self focus, self absorption, self service, self worship
If you can die, you are a sinner
No one is exempt. No adult, no child, no woman, no man, no person - regardless of heritage or color, for we are all of one blood - Adam and Eve’s.
Death is in our genes.
Romans 5:18
For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.
We are by nature condemned
We have no way out. We ALL need rescue
What does God want for you and the rest of humanity?
What does God want for you and the rest of humanity?
Catechism 2
1 Timothy 2:3-4
This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
That all may be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth - everyone!
How will He accomplish this?
How will He accomplish this?
A Savior is promised and sent
Genesis 3:15
John 3:16
Jesus has lived and died for all, so everyone is now a friend of God, right? NO!
Romans 5:17
For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.
‘Those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness ...’
Well then, HOW does God present and apply this gift of Christ and with Him
forgiveness,
eternal life,
salvation from the guilt and power, and finally the very presence of sin? How does a person receive it?
How Does God Give me Christ and His gifts?
How Does God Give me Christ and His gifts?
Some will say - we ask God and He gives.
Not so fast - who will ask, which sinner will run after, approach and request to be friends with this Holy One? Let’s start at the beginning ...
Lets remember who we are by nature -Our status - by nature is an enemy of God and dead in our sin
Ephesians 2:1
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
No one receives the things of God on his or her own
1 Corinthians 2:14
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
Giving Life is God’s work from beginning to end
Colossians 2:13
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
God often acts in ways that defy our understanding - often in ways that appear weak or foolish
God often acts in ways that defy our understanding - often in ways that appear weak or foolish
And we by faith in the recorded word of God, believe the message He has given us ...
creation of the universe by His Word in six days
2 Kings 5:9-14 healing of Naaman the Syrian general in the Jordan
So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house.
And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.”
But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper.
Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage.
But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?”
So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
giving a child to an aged lady - Sarah
giving the Savior through a young virgin mother - Mary
Jesus put mud on the eyes of a blind man and making his see
bringing about our salvation by the apparant final defeat of Christ on His cross.
God has chosen true to form, to bring about personal spiritual life by means that may seem to many to weak and foolish - by the application of His Word.
How is this Word delivered?
How is this Word delivered?
The Written Word - Preached and Taught
Ephesians 1:13
Romans 10:17
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
The Word with Bread & Wine - The body & blood of Christ given for His followers - instituted by Jesus Himself as the Lord’s Supper
Matthew 26:26-28 “This is my body, this is my blood .. poured out for the forgiveness of sins”
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”
And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you,
for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
The Word with Water - instituted by Jesus Himself - the means to make a disciple - Christian Baptism and Teaching
Matthew 28:18-20 God’s Word in baptism is part of His work of disciplemaking (along with teaching a person to observe everything Jesus commands)
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Acts 2:39 God’s Word in baptism brings the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit
For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
Acts 22:16 God’s Word in baptism washes away of sin
And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
1 Peter 3:19-21 God’s Word in baptism brings salvation
in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison,
because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.
Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Romans 6:3-4 God’s Word in baptism gives us a new identity - it joins us to the death and resurrection of Christ so that we may live a new life.
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.
I had a call form man last week who was looking for church for friends in the area. Do you believe in baptismal regeneration? Yes - I was happy to say - that was it him considering Living Faith ...
Titus 3:4-5 Clearly speaking of baptism we read Paul’s words
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,
he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
God has chosen to bring about new spiritual life by the application of His Word in HIS way
It is not up to us say to God - “God, we don’t care for the way you have decided to bring Jesus to us, we think it is foolish, it is silly.” After all ...
“We see that many people have abused the way you have decided to give us Jesus. They think of baptism as a one time event, an event giving them a ticket to heaven, something having no connection to Christ and His Word. They have little or no interest in His will for them and are not walking with Him in repentance and faith. Therefore, Lord we feel that we should chuck baptism, at least we shouldnt condider it to be anything more than a personal statement of faith and say ...”
“We have a better way. We will make up our own means.”
It’s kind of like a novice carpenter who used a saw and done a wretched job chuck the saw and say - stupid thing! This is junk and has caused much misery. I will find a differtn way to cut wood for my new piece of furniture. I’ll use an axe.
Me and the Atomic Clock - it lost power and was not keeping time - thought it was broken and put it in the back room ‘til I discovered someone from the company explaining on Google how the thing worked - put in a new battery and if necessary put it in a west facing window. Wow!! - It worked as designed. Image that.
Of course, misunderstood, misapplied or not, God’s Word and God’s way is not changed. What he in His goodness has given, he has given and he will work according to HIS design.
So Who is This Good Word For?
So Who is This Good Word For?
It is for all people as noted in the great commission. It is for all peoples. No one is excluded.
Genesis 12:3 All Nations
Matthew 28:18-20 All nations
Regarding receiving God’s promise of life in Christ Peter preaches, saying
Acts 2:38-39 it is for Jews, for children, for all who are far off, for all the Lord will call.
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
This Word of Christ in Baptism is for those Who Will Receive
That is the whole issue with Repentance (a change of mind, a turning) - to be brought to the place where God can give to a lost sinner the gift of Christ.
Children can receive, the very essence of faith
Acts 2:37-39 for your children
Matthew 18:6 who have faith - “little ones who believe in me ...”
but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
Mark 10:14-15 In fact, they are the IDEAL receivers, the very example to older persons of what faith should look like. To simply take what is offered.
But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.
Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Little children take eagerly what they are given
Who is This Word of Christ For? For You!!
Who is This Word of Christ For? For You!!
Because He lived and died for you - His word of forgiveness is FOR YOU!
Because died and rose again for you - His gift of eternal life is FOR YOU!
Because He ascended victorious to His Father for you - He intercedes FOR YOU!
Because He rules over all things for you - Hewill put this world right again - at His appearign - FOR YOU!
This Word is for Lincoln Aaron Vander Ley - according to God’s Word of Promise he is given Jesus - joined to His Saviour, given God’s Holy Spirit and is has a place in the Father’s Family. Your family!
Prayer and invitation to stand for Hymn.
Invite Kids to come observe the baptism.