Expressions of Love
March 5, 2006
Baptism and Lord’s Supper
Intro: I am reading a book entitled, The Air I Breathe, by Louie Giglio. In the book Louie defines worship as “the pursuit of that which you value most.” I like that b/c I believe our greatest purpose for living is to honor God through worship.
Trans: As I have thought about worship my mind was riveted to the story of the woman at the well in John 4. As you are likely aware, this women had some major problem – she had experienced multiple failed marriages, multiple heartbreaks, and multiple troubles – not to mention that the disciples had walked right past her on their way to fill their stomach as if she were the bucket. But Jesus didn’t! He noticed her and met her at the point of her need providing her w/ living water so that she would never thirst again. Are you not glad that Jesus always sees you and is ready to meet you at the point of your need?
Note: In the middle of their conversation an interesting transaction takes place on worship. She stated that she knew there was something different about Jesus –he was a prophet, but how was she supposed to worship God when she lived in Samaria and the temple was in Jerusalem. Jesus told her that true worship doesn’t happen in a building but in the spirit. The true worshipper worships in spirit and in truth – they worship God wherever they are for who He is.
Trans: As I have reflected upon this text in light of our time together today, I have come to the conclusion that to worship is to give to God all that I am for all that He has done. I am to love Him b/c He first loved me. W/ this in mind, as we approach the ordinances of baptism and communion, I want to invite you to worship God as an act of celebrating His love to you.
Note: I believe that each ordinance serves as a significant marker of surrender and worship in a believer’s life. Baptism is that one time event after salvation that publicly declares our faith in Christ while communion is that reoccurring event that centers our lives to God’s heart and will.
Trans: Unfortunately, many Christians have difficulty understanding the relevance and importance of these two events b/c they have either been misinformed or b/c they have never taken the time to understand these two privileges.
Note: As we prepare to experience these ordinances I want to explain their worth. So let’s prepare ourselves to enjoy these expressions of love as we reflect on the cross of Christ and proclaim our commitment to His Great Commission.
I An ACTION of Love Baptism
A An Act of CONFESSION
Note: It is an outward sign of and inward commitment. It is your public declaration to other believers that you have received the love of God through the grace act of the cross unto salvation and redemption.
Note: I wear my wedding ring is an outward sign of an inward commitment. It declares to the world that I have committed my life to Meg – For better or for worse; richer or poorer; in sickness and in health; we are husband and wife. Thus, when I go to the mall and all the women make a double-take thinking I’m such a hunk! (Pause) What are you laughing about? It could happen! But when they check out my hand, my ring tells them that I’m taken. That’s what baptism symbolizes – that you have made an inward commitment that is displayed by an outward event commemorating the death, burial and resurrection of Christ in you. And now, for better or for worse; for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health; until death do we get to be w/ Him in eternity, our baptism stands as our outward action of our inward commitment to God.
Note: I believe there are (3) important things to remember in confessing Christ.
1 Confession my occur after we have received Christ
2 Confession should occur b/c we have received Christ
3 Confession should be by immersion to signify death & resurrection
B An Acceptance of COMMISSION
Note: Once we have received Christ, we’re immediately adopted into His family and commissioned into his service. We are His hands, feet, and voice to the world – ambassadors of reconciliation charge w/ the responsibility to share the good news of God’s love w/ everyone we meet. This is why we put salt on a candidates lips and light candle for them to carry.
Verse: You are like salt for everyone on earth. But if salt no longer tastes like salt, how can it make food salty? All it is good for is to be thrown out and walked on. You are like light for the whole world. A city built on top of a hill cannot be hidden, and no one would light a lamp and put it under a clay pot. A lamp is placed on a lampstand, where it can give light to everyone in the house. Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven. Mt. 5:13-16
Note: In Mt. 3, we find that Jesus baptism instigated His earthly ministry. We also see this truth lived out in the lives of those who were converted in Acts.
C An Altar of CONFIDENCE
Note: Baptism is that spiritual reference point on the horizon of your life – your lighthouse or true north – bringing confidence and assurance during difficult times. You know God is w/ you and faithful to His promises.
Insert: In the O.T., when God met w/ His people and touched their lives – one of the first things they would do was build an altar to mark the event of when and where they met w/ God. Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob on more than one occasion established a spiritual mile-marker to honor the occasion for their encounter w/ God.
Note: To me, this is a significant element of baptism – it is a spiritual mile-marker of when each of us had a life-changing encounter w/ God where we placed our faith in Him allow for the forgiveness of sin.
Note: The importance of such an altar is to remind us of God’s faithfulness and grace during those times in which our faith is being stretched by life.
Note: When life throws you a curve ball and you’re wondering where God is, or when Satan attacks and you feel overwhelmed, your baptism is that reference point where you remember wrestling w/ God, being touched unto salvation, and receiving the God’s promise that He’d never leave or forsake you.
Action: Baptismal Service
Video: What does Love Sound Like?
II A REFLECTION of Love Lord’s Supper
Read: This is how we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us. 1 Jn. 3:16
Trans: The Lord’s Supper is that important, tangible event when we remember just how much God loves us.
A A Time of COMMEMORATION
Note: It is a time to remember what Jesus endured to rescue us from the power, penalty, and pain of sin.
Verse: For I received from the Lord what I passed on to you: The Lord, 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 for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." 1 Cr. 11:23-25
Note: Jesus was broken and spilled out for the forgiveness of our sins. In partaking of the elements, we are commemorating and honoring His death, burial, and resurrection IN US.
B A Time of CLARIFICATION
Note: In partaking in the Lord’s Table we should be reminded of God’s mission and our commission – to seek and to save the lost. Jesus came to save the world from the penalty of sin and to bring us into a relationship w/ God. His mission has been bestowed to us – we are now the hands and feet of Jesus commissioned to share God’s love w/ everyone we meet.
Verse: For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. v. 26
Def: Proclaim – to announce publicly; to make known
1. We proclaim His DEATH – which gives salvation.
2. We proclaim His RETURN – which gives us hope.
C A Time of CONTEMPLATION
Note: It is a time to make sure that you are in a right relationship w/ God – first that you know Him as your Lord and Savior, and second that you are walking in intimate fellowship w/ His Spirit through obedience to His word.
Verse: A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats of the bread and drinks of the cup w/out recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. v. 28
D A Time of CONCILIATION
Note: Communion is not just a time to get things straight b/w you and God, but it is also a time for you to get right w/ others.
Note: We need to also make sure that we are in a right relationship w/ others. How? By resolving our disputes and seeking to restore harmony w/ one another.
E A Time of CELEBRATION
Note: B/c we have be rescued from the clutches and condemnation of sin and ushered into a personal, saving relationship w/ the Creator, the Lord’s Supper is a time of celebration and admiration. It is a high privilege to worship the One who laid down His life for you and to express your love for Him by remembering His act of love for you.
Note: Every year people celebrate their birthdays w/ grandiose parties. Communion is the celebration of our rebirth. It is a time to rejoice in the Lord – to return to the source of our joy thanking Him for dying for us.
Action: Serve the Lord’s Supper
