What's the Big Deal About Baptism?

To close the sermon this morning I gave a number of images that baptism might be associated with. Which one was most significant to you when you were baptized? Is there a more meaningful one you associate with your baptism today? The images were:

• A Wedding Ceremony - where life long vows are made and a forever intimate relationship is initiated.

• The Birth of a Child - where new life begins full of hopes, dreams, and possibilities.

• A Bath - where sins are washed away and a person is made clean and fresh.

• A Burial - where the old life is forever laid to rest and a new life is begun.

• A Family Reunion - where one is recognized as belonging to the larger family of God.

Vocal Union

Since Vocal Union did a concert during Sunday School AND presented a sermon in song during the worship service, I got a rare Sunday off from teaching and preaching. I thoroughly enjoyed the concert but got distracted during the worship. Everything was going great until the second half of my Communion meditation when I forgot to turn on my microphone. Then I handed off my lapel mic to the sound people forgetting that I would need it for the contribution prayer. Thinking fast on my feet I borrowed a hand held microphone from one of the Soprano singers in the praise team. For some reason (I don't even want to know now) the people in the back couldn't adjust fast enough so all we got was feedback.

As soon as the sermon in song began I noticed some people standing in the baptistery. I knew there was going to be a baptism at the end of the service and left to go inform them that there was a good 30 minutes to go before they needed to be in the water. I came back in the sanctuary and sat in the wings where I had a good shot of the BACK of the singers! I missed the middle of the sermon in song and was therefore lost as to the overall point of the presentation.

Oh well, I learned something a long time ago and get have the opportunity to relearn it regularly: "It's not about me, it's ALL about Him!". In spite of my confusion the Lord was praised today, His people were encouraged, and we have a new sister in Christ. Hallelujah!

The Fruit of the Spirit is . . . Goodness

As I was contemplating the meaning of the word good out loud on facebook (my favorite new way to begin sermon preparation), my friend Glenn Drysdale raised an interesting point. He said something to the effect, "what if we focused more of our attention on being good rather than being right?" There is certainly nothing virtuous about being wrong; but it seems to me that we Christians may have followed the misguided notion that being right is somehow more important than being good. What if we put goodness before rightness? What would that do to our attitudes and opinions of each other? What would happen if we devoted ourselves to being good? In our pursuit of rightness we cannot forgot to follow these instructions:

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Gal. 6:9).

"In everything set them an example by doing what is good" (Titus 2:7).

"Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good" (Titus 3:1)

"Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good" (Titus 3:14).

"Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." (1 Peter 2:12).

"For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men." (1 Peter 2:15).

The Fruit of the Spirit is . . . . Kindness

Several asked about the book I read from during the sermon this morning. It was Tortured for Christ, by Richard Wurmbrand.
As I stated in the sermon's introduction, the fruit of the Spirit is not a to-do list; it is a description of the person who is cooperating with what the Spirit is creating in their heart. I felt that Richard Wurmbrand's story of the incredible love shown by Christian prisoners toward their former torturers profoundly showed this to be true.

When Christians allow the Spirit to reproduce the life of Christ in them, then there is no force on earth that can stop them. The kindness shown us in the cross of Christ is the same kindness that we express toward friends, family, strangers, and even enemies. God's kindness can melt even the most resistant and rebellious heart. Let that kindness flow through you to others.

The Fruit of the Spirit is . . . Patience

Our "quick fix" mentality wants to find a short cut for everything: especially patience. ("Give me patience and give it to me NOW!") My goal in preaching this series on the Fruit of the Spirit is not so much to tell us how to get love, joy peace, patience, and the rest; as much as to describe these qualities so we can cooperate with God as he seeks to develop them in our lives. These nine qualities are, in reality, the description of Jesus Christ.

Setting up patience as a personal goal may be like setting happiness as a goal. As we mentioned in the sermon on joy: the chase after happiness chases happiness away. Make it your goal to develop the mind of Christ. In the words of scripture, "live by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desire of the sinful nature" (Galatians 5:16). Patience develops in our hearts as we devote ourselves to following the leading of God's Spirit within us.

As seen in the video this morning, my little doggies can wait patiently because they know from training that they will get a treat. God has a different training method. He puts the Spirit of his son in our hearts to refine our character so that we are not simply "acting" patient, we are actually becoming patient. Behavior modification changes what we do. The Spirit of God changes who we are.

The Fruit of the Spirit is . . . Peace

There are times like this past week, when I realize just how OLD 50 really is. I asked my facebook friends to tell me their favorite war protest song. Shockingly (to me at least), some had no idea what I was talking about. I grew up in the 60's when everyone knew some war protest songs: "Blowin' in the Wind", "War" (What is it Good For?), "The Times They are a Changin'", "If I Had a Hammer", and the Woodstock classic, "I Feel Like I'm Fixin' to Die Rag." Of course my son Jeremy came up with my personal all time favorite, Buffalo Springfield's, "For What it's Worth." (It's good to see all my fatherly training paying off.)

Norman Farr (who has surpassed me in age and spiritual depth) listed one I would never have considered. However, on reflection, perhaps it should be the number one war protest song in Christian hearts.

Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?
The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.

Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed?
To do the will of Jesus--this is rest.

Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round?
On Jesus' bosom naught but calm is found.

Peace, perfect peace, with loved ones far away?
In Jesus' keeping we are safe, and they.

Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown?
Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.

Maybe we could have just sung the song and skipped the sermon this morning. Jesus is on the throne. Amen.

The Fruit of the Spirit is . . . Joy

"Doesn't God want me to be happy?", said a woman one day from my counselor's couch. She was in a bad marriage and was convinced in her mind that she needed to get out. What convinced her was her feeling level of unhappiness.

The most profound thought I had this week while preparing this sermon, was that the happiness we yearn for is not the happiness that God wants to give us. Our happiness is TOTALLY dependent upon circumstances and situations. If everything would just go right we could be happy. The Joy which God has available for us through his Spirit is not created by external circumstances and therefore can never be taken from us.

Paul's question to the Galatians, "What has happened to all your joy?" (4:15), is perhaps one that modern day Christians would do well to ponder.