Presented January 13. 2002 at Bethany Presbyterian Church, Sacramento CA
BIBLE: Mathew 3:13-17, mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22, John 1:29-33, Acts 19:-7
Today we are going to talk about Baptisms I believe most of you have been baptized and if not, talk to your folks about it – see if that is something you want to happen.
Do you remember your baptism or have you seen a baptism? What is it you remember about baptisms? That’s right – there’s water. Some churches give you a good dunking while others will sprinkle a little water on your head. Here at (your church), we (describe a baptism). But the main point about baptism is water. So we have a baptismal font here and I’m going to baptize myself. (Take two big handfuls of water, throw them in your face and proclaim) I’VE BEEN SAVED!
(Pause) No. There is more to it than that. That is what we remember. But what I want you to remember, in addition to the water, somebody who loves you very, very much wants you to be raised in the glory and the love that is Jesus Christ and that is why you have been baptized.
If you are older and haven’t been baptized, you can make that decision yourself. You can make a public statement that “I will live a life in the light of Jesus Christ.” If you have been baptized, what you want to do now is to go forth and live that life – a life of love and peace; loving your neighbor, loving yourself, loving God, and loving your enemies – in everything you do and everything you say. Live that life.
You don’t have to be baptized to live this life – you just have to know that you are a child of God.
PRAYER: Thank you God for the people who brought us to this church and the people who bring God to us in our lives every single day. May we live worthy of that wonderful blessing and go forth and share the
good news that is Jesus Christ.