Sermon for Sunday 13th January 2008

Two years ago following the Boxing Day tragedy in the area of the Indian Ocean, when I preached on this named Sunday, ‘The Baptism of Christ’, I began with the following words.

‘The waters of the Tsumani brought with it death and destruction to the lives of those present –whereas the waters of Baptism bring life and re-construction to the lives of those who accept it.’

It is often difficult for me, as I stand at the font to baptise infants and young children, those for whom life has just begun, to understand what we are about as we ask strangers of whom we know nothing, to make promises on behalf of those brought to this church for baptism, and over whom, we will have little influence in the future, unless they continue as members of this or another Christian church through their families.

For to be a God-parent within our own part of the Christian Church today, the church simply requires that those taking on that role, will have themselves been baptised, even when that has occurred for those accepting the role of God-parent, also as children.

Many invited to be God-parents, will not have ever affirmed those promises for themselves, personally through the rite of confirmation. And so we the church, expect them to make promises, over which in the past they will have perhaps given little thought.

As a result of these concerns, and after some discussion, Robert, Renos, and myself have agreed to introduce a form to be handed to prospective God-parents, setting out the responsibilities that they are about to accept, so that they can reflect on what it is that they are about to undertake.

On a positive note however, many parents bringing their children for baptism, when asked by me at our preparation evenings ‘why’ they are doing so, will usually answer that it is because that is what happened to them, and so they feel it is important for their children to follow in that tradition.

It would however require an incredible seed change, to suggest to parents that instead of a service of Baptism, they gave thought to having a service of ‘Thanksgiving and Blessing’, now available as part of our Common Worship Initiation liturgy instead.

While most of the baptisms take place outside of our Sunday worship, it is always a joy to celebrate with members of this church, in the baptism of their children, within the context of our usual worship times.

When Jesus was coming to the end of a busy day, his disciples, seeking to perhaps protect him from the crowds as they sought to have him bless their children, is recorded as saying in all three of the synoptic gospels –

‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’ And he laid his hands on them. (Matthew 19.14/15)

Baptism is one of the ‘Two Greater Sacraments’ the other one being ‘Holy Communion’; so defined as such, because in Holy Scripture, Jesus him-self endorsed them. They are called ‘greater’, because they are also considered within the church, necessary for our salvation. And as has been the case for many years now, and as a reminder, we send cards to those who have been baptised, on the first three anniversaries of their baptism.

In the Old Testament reading from Isaiah we heard that the people of Israel, having been called by God to be a light to the nations, were expected to ‘open the eyes that are blind, and to bring prisoners out of the dungeons, those who were in darkness’ - words to be echoed later by Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel (Ch. 25) concerning the final judgement. They were to be God’s agents to deliver the world.

We have prayed in the collect that we might be ‘faithful to our calling’. And in the light of the Bishop of Rochester’s published comments of this past week, to what extent are we concerned at the dumbing down of the Christian faith, not least over this past Christmas Festival, and what will we, or are we prepared to do, to restore the Christian faith to our community, and our country? For as with Israel, so we are also called by God to be his agents in today’s world.

It must have been difficult for Peter, when called to visit the house of Cornelius, to find him-self having to deal with Gentiles, non-Jewish believers.

But Peter understood that God had no favourites, and that anyone who fears God, and does what is right is acceptable to him.

I have no ‘fear’ concerning other faith traditions, or even members of other Christian traditions, provided those words of Peter are relevant to what they are about also. For the first time, the Gospel had reached out beyond Judaism, and having proclaimed the Gospel, the climax is the surprising conversion and baptism of Gentiles.

And as we look to introduce a new evening service in the autumn, we should all pray for and not be surprised, if there is an unexpected response to the message of the Gospel and the way it is presented to the community, emanating here from St. Andrews.

It is perhaps ‘the’ challenge for all of us in 2008, as far as church growth is concerned, and while the style of service might not suit everyone, we all need to pray for those who will be involved in the preparation and leading of those services, and for those who will be drawn to them.

To return to today’s Gospel, the importance of baptism as a sign of faith cannot be in doubt – for it was following his own baptism, that Jesus began his public ministry.

A ministry that was endorsed by God with these words at his baptism– ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’

There is no doubt in my mind, despite my earlier comments, that God is well pleased when parents seek baptism for their children. It is a moment to celebrate, for parents and relatives, friends and the church. But that could also equally be the case with a service of thanksgiving where the child is named.

Because there is no one else to blame for occurrences like the ‘tsunami’ of 2005, the likes of Bob Geldorf and others have referred to them as ‘acts of God’.

But the real acts of God for me are those, which draw people to him – not away from him. For our understanding of God from the teachings of Jesus Christ are of a faithful loving God, but they are also of a God who has set out what is required of us if we are to enjoy his favour.

As the prophet Micah records – ‘He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.’ (Micah 6 v 8)

For most of us, our baptism is part of our history, an event over which as an infant, we had no initial say. But, at some point in our lifetime, and that may not have even been our confirmation, we have chosen to accept Jesus Christ, as being fundamental to our lives, and his teachings, mark out the way that our lives are or should be led.

The disastrous consequences of the likes of a tsunami are there for all to see in graphic detail. But the wave of love more powerful perhaps than the tsunami itself, will be felt equally, if not more powerfully by others, in the way that we as the church, Christ’s body on earth, reach out in love to others in this community.

For we who have been baptised into Christ, can respond in no other way, if we are to be true to the Christ in whom we have placed our faith.

Today let us honour Christ’s baptism and celebrate this feast in holiness. Nothing gives such pleasure to God as the conversion and salvation of human beings, for whom his every word and every revelation exist. He wants us to become a living force for all humanity, lights shining in the world. We are to be radiant lights as we stand beside Christ, the great light, bathed in the glory of him who is the light of heaven, and the light of the world.

When we take on the mantle of being a Christian, we need to remember the words that God spoke to Joshua when he received the responsibility for leading the Israelites after Moses’ death. – ‘Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’

As we continue to respond to our faith in Jesus Christ at the beginning of this New Year, let us also take those words spoken by God at Jesus baptism to ourselves also – ‘You are my son, you are my daughter, you are beloved, with you, I am well pleased.’

And let us believe it.

© Peter Vickers – 13th January 2008