Remembering You Baptism Basics Series

Sermon title: Remembering You Baptism Basics

Mark 1:

1:10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.

1:11 And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

Intro:

Glory To God, we made it, Take a deep breath. Today, as we stand on the other side of the festive season and enter the realm of Ordinary Time, we are not stepping into a mundane routine but a profound celebration—the Baptism of Our Lord Sunday.

In our journey of United Methodist Faith and Discipleship, this day holds a sacred place. It’s not merely a tradition or an observance; it is a celebration of our foundational beliefs and the transformative act of baptism. Wesley Church I’m excited about this year, in preaching and teaching because I want to try this year to get back to the basics, back to the fundamentals of Faith. And What better to start with them Baptism?

Baptism is more than a symbol; it is a sacrament—a tangible encounter with the divine grace that binds us to God’s redemptive love. Today, as we turn our hearts to Mark 1:4-11, we witness Jesus, our Savior, embracing baptism to fulfill righteousness. This moment is not distant history; it’s a living reality, an affirmation of our commitment to walk in His footsteps.

Our faith, rooted in the power of this sacrament, is further emphasized by the threefold baptismal covenant. We pledge to resist evil, injustice, and oppression; to proclaim the good news of God in Christ; and to follow the example of Jesus, living a life of love, compassion, and justice. These are not empty words spoken during a ceremony; they are the heartbeat of our discipleship.

Today’s celebration calls us to live out these baptismal vows daily. Just as Jesus and John the Baptist radiated certainty and faith, so too are we called to be beacons of light in a world that often feels dim. Our faith isn’t confined to the sanctuary; it permeates our daily lives, guiding our actions, and inspiring justice, compassion, and unwavering devotion to God and humanity.

As we reflect on the Baptism of Our Lord Sunday, let us recognize the power inherent in this celebration. It is a declaration of our faith, a commitment to discipleship, and a reminder that, just as water symbolizes rebirth, our lives are continually transformed by the living water of God’s grace. May this celebration invigorate our belief, strengthen our discipleship, and propel us forward with the certainty that we are marked as children of God through the sacred waters of baptism. Understand while we celebrate John's reforming of the church and Faith as methodist Faith is based not on the BELIVERS baptism that John taught but on the Spirit baptism that Jesus Brought. Three things about Baptism

I. We know Baptism as a Sacrament:

Our first major point centers on the sacramental nature of baptism in the United Methodist tradition. Baptism is not merely a symbolic act but a tangible means of God’s grace, a divine covenant that binds us to God’s redemptive love. Just as Jesus embraced baptism to fulfill righteousness, we too partake in this sacred ritual, marking the beginning of our journey as disciples. You Have to get 5his Wesley our Discipleship starts with our baptism. That is the beginning of Every other step. Discipleship is as defined in A Dictionary for United Methodists (Waltz, 1991) as “The active living of the individual Christian following the teachings of Jesus Christ, that is, being as effective a follower of Christ as possible.”

Disciples of Jesus are those who have an ongoing relationship with Jesus which becomes known to others through the fruit of their lives.

II. We Follow The Threefold Baptismal Covenant:

United Methodist baptism emphasizes a threefold covenant

– to resist evil,

to resist injustice,

and to Fight oppression in whatever forms they present themselves; to proclaim the good news of God in Christ; and to follow the example of Jesus, living a life of love, compassion, and justice.

These vows are not just words spoken during the ceremony; they are a commitment to actively engage with the world in a way that reflects God’s love.

III. Living Out Baptismal Vows:

Our final major point underscores the importance of living out our baptismal vows in our daily lives. As we remember our baptisms, let us consider the story of Sharon, a faithful member of a congregation I served. Sharon recalls her baptism not as a distant memory but as a daily reminder of her responsibility to serve God and humanity.

Sharon’s commitment to justice manifested in her active involvement in community nursing outreach programs. Through her efforts, she advocated for the marginalized and sought to bring positive change to unjust systems. Sharon exemplifies how our baptismal vows call us to be agents of justice and compassion, echoing God’s transformative love in our world.