Untitled Sermon (15)

Intro

I'll say bless the Lord if you say oh my soul.

"Bless the Lord..."

[Oh my soul]

Oh Bless His holy name.

Before we get started I want to welcome all our families in the room. If you were unaware today is a family worship Sunday meaning we all converge here in the big room and join together as we worship the Lord.

There are a number of reasons we do this but one of the primary reasons is this... moms and dads... your kids need to see you worship. They need to see you sing. They need to see you pray. And they need to see you, Bibles in hand, taking in God's Word.

I want to be sensitive to the number of young ones we have in the room today, but given the past week that our country has experienced... how desperately do our children need God loving, God fearing parents intentionally pouring into them on a daily basis the things of faith.

It's also memorial day weekend. Many families are travelling, and by God's grace maybe you yourself will enjoy some time off tomorrow, but take time to also remember the many blessings that we experience in this country because of the sacrifice of many men and women who have served in the military.

Church family, we have been running for several weeks now in our series covering the Apostle's Creed and I know that it has been extremely fruitful for me to dive deeper into this statement of doctrine that has historically guided the church for well over a thousand years now, but today we take an opportunity to dive elsewhere in the Bible, and I hope that it serves as a refreshing "come up for air," moment as we dive into Romans 5 today, so I invite you to open your Bibles to Romans 5 and if you are able I invite you to stand with me in honor of God's Word as we read together, church.

Hear the Word of the Lord...

Romans 5:18–6:4 (CSB)

18So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is justification leading to life for everyone.

19For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.

20The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more

21so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1What should we say then? Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply?

2Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

3Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

4Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.

This is God's Word... Thanks be to God. You may be seated.

We're going to be talking about baptism today. If you walk out of here and you ask yourself... "what was it that we talked about?" Baptism, we're talking about baptism.

And I have one goal in mind today, that for those of you here in the room or perhaps viewing with us online as you travel with your family this weekend, my desire for you today is twofold:

If you are a baptized believer in Christ, that you would lovingly remember your own baptism; that it would encourage you and fuel you forward to live in love and obedience to the one who sacrificed Himself that you may know life to the full.

And secondly, if you are in here and you've never been baptized, I pray here and now that God would do a work in your heart today, to follow through, in obedience, with believers baptism.

That's not to say that I want to force anyone's hand into a decision that is not genuine and heartfelt, but as we talk about this act, this ordinance, everyone here should know that when we come together to celebrate this wondrous act that there is so much more going on than climbing into a pool and getting wet.

That's why, beloved, if I could have you walk out of here with one thing on your mind about this message and about this text it would be this.

Main Point: Baptism is a cherished symbol of the most beautiful of truths; that because of Jesus, I am forgiven.

Transition:

This is no small statement. This is what everyone longs for. This is what everyone's heart burns for. You want fulfillment? Find it in God. You want purpose? Find it in God. You want to feel loved? Look no further than what God has proven to you, on the cross.

We are to be so captivated by this display of love, in the cross, that the Christian is called to bank everything on Jesus. This isn't a casual relationship. This isn't your buddy that you catch up with years down the road, but every waking, breathing, every single moment of each passing day, you and I are called to acknowledge Him in all our ways, and He will make our paths straight.

And one of the most significant ways that you and I are called to remember and acknowledge Him is through Baptism.

Which is a symbol. And symbols are powerful.

And the reality of symbolism is this: if you understand the symbol, you understand the reality.

That's why we hold baptism so dear, right? I mean it's even baked into our name... we're baptists!

So we would do well to get at the heart of the matter and understand, this precious symbol. So here are 3 truths that we must know in regards to what is being imaged outward with baptism.

In Adam, all have sinned.

18So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is justification leading to life for everyone.

19For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.

20The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more

21so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Everyone in here is in one of two situations.

You are in Adam.

Or, you are in Christ. There is no third option.

Adam of course meaning our first parent. Right? And through his disobedience, we are made disobedient. This is our natural state before God and there is not a soul that has ever lived or ever will live that escapes this truth.

You may be sitting there and thinking... well, I don't know. I feel like I'm overall a good person. And by and large I don't think I'd disagree with many of you.

When we think about our standing before God as sinners, you and I would do well to see our sin not only in a moral sense, but our sinful state before God is a legal standing before Him.

Through one trespass came condemnation for everyone.

You and I can no more change this truth than we can change our natural, genetically given-hair color.

From our parents we get things like eye color, dimples, height, complexions, and so much more. And from our first parents we inherit a fallen heart that needs total renewal.

And that is exactly what is given. For just as sin and death entered the world through one man, so too did the forgiveness of sins enter the world through Jesus, the second Adam.

Where one Adam was tempted in a garden and gave in, the second Adam was tempted in a garden and prevailed. When praying to the Father who sent Him before His arrest, He prayed for any way to escape God's wrath but said, not my will, but yours be done.

In one Adam we're sunk. In the second Adam we find redemption, not by any works that we heap up for ourselves but by a work that has been done and a victory that has been sealed.

Beloved, we're between two gardens. And every day until Jesus' return is grace unmeasured for many to come to know Him.

So if you find yourself in the room here today and you are unsure of where you stand today, or maybe you know... you know in your heart of hearts that you're far from God, today is the day to heed the Peter's command in Acts 2:38

Acts 2:37–38 (CSB)

37When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

38Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Here in Acts, Peter preaches a gospel fastball right on the chin and the people are left only with one question... "what do we do?"

"Repent and be baptized," was his answer.

And that answer still rings every bit just as true today... what is the only proper response to truly hearing the gospel, this good news of salvation through Christ alone...

Repent... turn away from sin... Have nothing to do with it. Don't flirt with it. Don't toy with it, but run the other way... and be baptized.

Paul does away with any notion that you have anything to offer in the way of a solution to your sin.

He says that if morality is your thing, let's run down the list. Murder... no. But Jesus asks, "have you ever hated someone in your heart?" - Guilty.

In fact... don't only love your neighbors... that's the low hanging fruit... but love your enemies as well.

Christ did not do away with the law. He amplified it and He fulfilled it. When you and I talk about God's holy standard we should only be left with one thought, one feeling.... "Help."

We were sunk in the water, no hope and in our desperation God gives us life made possible through Jesus!

In Adam we are all sinners, so we repent, we believe, we're baptized and we go on sinning so that grace can multiply right? No...

Our second point today... (because of this gift) We are called to die to sin.

Should we continue on in sin that grace may multiply? Absolutely not!

Or as you and I might say it... "Heck no!" (Gladeville Standard Version)

How can we who died to sin still live in it?

Christian, I don't dare discount the struggle of sin. I know them. You know them. They are real... but my encouragement to you as your brother in Christ is this that sin is not your identity, not any longer.

You are free. Truly, truly free!

And freedom doesn't mean. HAHA I get to do what I want! Freedom is not self-seeking, but true freedom is living every bit of life that you were called to in Christ. You're free to pursue righteousness. You're free to find total and complete joy in Christ. And when, when you fall... when you fail, you are free to run to a loving, gracious, and forgiving savior.

Put sin to death, because that's not you any longer. Because of Jesus you have died to sin... so why do you run back to it's shackles and chains?

You're free, Christian. Those grips of sin that felt like death because they were death no longer have a hold on you. Leave that old identity behind and take up your new one.

You were once sinner, now He calls you son.

You were once desperate, now He calls you daughter.

You were once hopeless and now you've been given hope.

It is impossible to hear this message of hope against all hopelessness and remain unchanged. The gospel is many things but it is not inconsequential. So when we talk about putting sin to death and leaving it behind, because of the gospel you and I should have some very real examples in our lives.

Do you struggle with anger? What have you brought that out into the light? Do you struggle with envy? Have you confessed it?

Whatever the sin struggle in your life do not let it dwell in the shadows to fester and grow. That's not you, Christian.

You are called to die to sin, and you are called to resurrection and newness with Christ.

Romans 6:3–4 (CSB)

3Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

4Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.

Verses 3-4 here bring our illustration full circle. Baptism is a symbol, it acknowledges our desperation. It brings us into identity with Christ that we would be buried with him in death and as Christ raised from the dead, we join in His resurrection!

This is why we hold this act so dear. Not only do we call it an ordinance, because Christ ordered it...

Go therefore and make disciples among all nations, teaching them all that I have commanded you and baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.

But as we walk in obedience we join in Christ's death. Putting sin and shame to death and being raised to walk in newness of life. You frequently hear these very words in the pool to leave no doubt what it is that we are celebrating.

Next week I have the joy of baptizing one of our students and you will hear me say these words. Because it is no small thing, baptism. I don't want you to think lightly about Baptism, but I want you to think big, big things, because Jesus commanded it, but more importantly it is Jesus saying, come and join me in my resurrection.

And Paul's words in 1 Corinthians ring ever more true....

Where o death is your victory? Where o death is your sting?

When you are in Jesus, your death is over. And we symbolize this outward in our baptism. That as we are plunged beneath the waters, the old self and all your sin is put to death, and it doesn't stop there, you are raised to new life... not like the one you knew before, but you are raised to the life that you were meant for.

Illustration

Baptism is a symbol, and if we understand the symbol then we understand the truth behind it.

If you'll allow me a moment to be sappy... I catch myself on occasion staring at my wife's ring. Sure it catches the light and it and sparkles a bit. But even more than it's glimmer my heart swells to think of what that symbol means.

It means that this one is spoken for. And for as long as I draw breath on this earth I will never forget the sight of the church door swinging open and my bride making her way down to me in all her radiant glory.

Friends and family gather, they bear witness to the coming together of these two people and a pastor will declare to all who see, "What God has joined together, let no one tear apart."

So too it is with with this glorious act of baptism. As one steps down into the waters before loved ones, in front of church family. Through so many words we are saying the same thing...

This one is spoken for and what God has called unto Himself, no one can tear them away.

Beloved, it is my hope that one of you if not several will look at your own lives today and say yes. Say yes to that tug that God has placed on your heart either for the first time ever or maybe you've been wrestling with this for quite a while.

You're nervous. You're shy. You don't want to stand in front of so many people. Beloved, don't let these small things get in the way of a truly unique and special way that God is trying to speak to you.

Conclusion

The things that we say here, matter. the things that we do here, matter.

So we move from one ordinance to the other.

Just as we are called to make disciples and we are ordered to baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, so too are we called to "do" this act in remembrance of our King.

So as we observe the Lord's Supper let me say this...

The Lord's Supper is for Christians, if you have put your faith in Jesus and in Him alone to save you from sin and death, then this is for you. If you have yet to put your faith in Jesus, if you are not a Christian, then we would ask you to not partake. That you would take something far sweeter than juice, more filling than a wafer. We pray that you would take Jesus instead.

If you're visiting with us and you are a believer in good standing with your own local church then we invite you to join us today.

Now we move into a time of prayer and confession. And once you have prayed, feel free to come and grab the bread and the juice, the cups are nested in inside of the other, return to your seat and wait as we prepare to take together.

Beloved, this moment is for you. Pray, and then you're invited to retrieve the elements.

Paul guides us through this sacred act when he says

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 (CSB)

23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread,

24and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

...

25In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

[Pray]