Living in Obedience: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
Introduction
Today, we are going to explore two sacred practices—the ordinances that our Lord Jesus Christ Himself commanded His Church to observe: believer’s baptism and the Lord’s Supper. These are not mere traditions, not symbols to be lightly ignored, but divine acts of obedience and remembrance that powerfully shape our lives as followers of Christ.
Imagine a ship sailing without its anchor. It may move with the waves, but it drifts aimlessly. In the same way, a Christian who neglects these ordinances risks drifting from the truth, from fellowship, and from the very power of Christ that sustains our discipleship.
Our focus today is not only on understanding these ordinances but on experiencing them in a way that transforms our faith, deepens our obedience, and strengthens our walk with Jesus in the modern world.
I. Baptism: The Public Declaration of Faith
Matthew 28:19–20 (NLT): "Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Here, Jesus commissions His disciples to go, baptise, and teach. The Greek word for "baptise" is baptizo, meaning "to immerse, to submerge fully in water." In the first-century context, baptism was a public declaration of repentance and new life, not a mystical ritual.
Baptism symbolizes three profound truths:
Union with Christ in His death and resurrection (Romans 6:3–4).
Cleansing from sin—a visible demonstration of God’s grace.
Entrance into the family of believers—a public identification with the body of Christ.
Acts 2:38 (NLT): "Peter replied, 'Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'"
Peter emphasises repentance, baptism, and the reception of the Holy Spirit. Baptism is not mere ritual; it is obedience arising from repentance, and a step into Spirit-filled living.
Imagine a bride walking down the aisle. The world sees the commitment, but the act also represents her heart’s surrender. Baptism is like that—it’s your heart’s public statement: "Jesus, You are my Lord; my old life is gone; I belong to You."
R.T. Kendall wrote, “Baptism is not a work that earns salvation; it is a work that celebrates it.”
This reminds us that baptism is a celebration of grace, not a prerequisite for grace. It’s a joyful obedience that says, "I am Yours, Lord."
Application for Today
In our 21st-century context, baptism challenges cultural norms of private faith. It says, “I am not ashamed of Christ” (Romans 1:16). In a world of fear, compromise, and spiritual lukewarmness, baptism declares boldly that we are followers of Jesus Christ.
II. The Lord’s Supper: Remembering the Saviour’s Sacrifice
1 Corinthians 11:23–26 (NLT): "For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.' In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it.' For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes."
Paul recounts the institution of the Lord’s Supper. Two Greek terms stand out: anamnesis (to remember, to make present) and koinonia (fellowship). The Lord’s Supper is more than ritual—it is communion with Christ and with one another, a visible proclamation of the Gospel.
The bread represents Christ’s body broken for our sins, and the cup represents His blood poured out for forgiveness. The act is not a magical formula but a tangible reminder of substitutionary atonement.
Luke 22:19–20 (NLT): "Then he took the bread, gave thanks to God, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.'"
A father once told his children: “Whenever you eat this bread, remember that I gave up for you everything that mattered most.” That is precisely what Christ calls us to do. As we take the bread and cup, we remember and proclaim His self-giving love.
John Piper said, “The Lord’s Supper is a feast in which Christ invites us to see His love, taste His grace, and anticipate His return.”
This is profound—each observance is a celebration, remembrance, and expectation rolled into one.
Application for Today
In a culture that often trivialises death and sacrifice, the Lord’s Supper draws us back to the central reality of the Gospel. It challenges us to examine our hearts, confess sin, and renew commitment to Christ. For believers, it is a discipline that strengthens faith and deepens obedience.
III. The Connection to Discipleship
Both ordinances are acts of obedience, integral to a disciple’s life. They:
Affirm our identity in Christ (baptism).
Sustain our spiritual nourishment and remembrance of the Gospel (Lord’s Supper).
Shape our daily living—obedience is the mark of a follower (John 14:15).
Ephesians 5:18 (NLT): "Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."
Discipleship is Spirit-filled living, and both ordinances point us to reliance on Christ and His Spirit.
Illustration: Consider a young athlete who refuses to train but wants to compete. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are like spiritual training exercises—they strengthen the heart, mind, and soul for the race of discipleship.
Gospel Presentation:
The ordinances point us to the heart of the Gospel:
Christ died in our place (1 Corinthians 15:3).
He was buried and rose bodily (1 Corinthians 15:4).
Through faith, we repent of sin and trust Him as Lord and Saviour.
If you have never trusted Christ, baptism is not enough. The Lord’s Supper is a celebration for those already in His family. Today, Jesus calls you to repent, believe, and receive salvation. Your faith, not the ritual, saves you—but these ordinances are obedient responses to His saving work.
Practical Application & Call to Action:
If you have not been baptised, consider it as your public declaration of faith.
If you are a believer, participate regularly in the Lord’s Supper, with repentance, joy, and remembrance.
Teach others the meaning of these ordinances—discipleship is relational.
Allow these ordinances to strengthen your obedience and witness in everyday life.
Obedience brings blessing. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are not burdens; they are pathways into deeper fellowship with Jesus.
Conclusion & Exhortation:
As we live in the 21st century, pressures to compromise abound, but the ordinances anchor us to truth. Let baptism remind you of your new life in Christ, and let the Lord’s Supper remind you of His sacrifice and love.
Go forth in obedience, faith, and joy. Celebrate Christ’s victory, proclaim His death, and anticipate His return. And may the Lord strengthen you, bless you, and fill you with the Spirit as you walk faithfully with Him.
