WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.400 Good morning, and welcome to Church of the Advent. 00:00:04.520 --> 00:00:07.320 My name's Jeff, and I'm one of the pastors here. 00:00:07.660 --> 00:00:10.339 If you're new or this is your first time, 00:00:10.560 --> 00:00:11.460 thanks for joining us. 00:00:11.500 --> 00:00:14.120 I would love to meet you at the front steps 00:00:14.120 --> 00:00:15.019 after the service. 00:00:16.179 --> 00:00:18.160 Before we get to the sermon this morning, 00:00:18.160 --> 00:00:22.480 we just want to create some space briefly this morning 00:00:22.480 --> 00:00:26.240 to pray about the events of last weekend, 00:00:26.500 --> 00:00:30.059 specifically the attempted assassination of President Trump. 00:00:30.199 --> 00:00:31.320 We didn't get, because of the timing, 00:00:31.459 --> 00:00:33.000 we didn't get a chance to pray about this 00:00:33.000 --> 00:00:34.979 in the worship service last Sunday, 00:00:34.979 --> 00:00:36.460 but we wanted to pray about it this Sunday. 00:00:37.339 --> 00:00:41.000 Of course, we always grieve and lament any act of violence 00:00:41.000 --> 00:00:43.579 that brings about injury or loss of life 00:00:43.579 --> 00:00:45.379 of people made in the image of God. 00:00:46.119 --> 00:00:48.719 But the reason why we want to pray about it this morning 00:00:48.719 --> 00:00:50.840 is we recognize that many of us might be feeling 00:00:50.840 --> 00:00:53.560 a particular kind of anxiety or dread 00:00:53.560 --> 00:00:55.500 with this particular event, 00:00:55.500 --> 00:00:59.020 wondering about what comes next in our national life, 00:00:59.560 --> 00:01:01.640 knowing that this was committed against a president 00:01:01.640 --> 00:01:04.859 and all of the implications that follow that 00:01:04.859 --> 00:01:07.960 in the midst of what is already an extremely heated 00:01:07.960 --> 00:01:10.920 and divided political moment in our country. 00:01:11.500 --> 00:01:13.000 So we just want to take a couple moments 00:01:13.000 --> 00:01:15.099 and do what the church does best 00:01:15.099 --> 00:01:17.420 and take a couple minutes to pray for our nation, 00:01:17.760 --> 00:01:19.560 for our church, and our world. 00:01:19.719 --> 00:01:21.140 So join me in prayer together. 00:01:21.140 --> 00:01:21.219 Amen. 00:01:25.500 --> 00:01:28.459 Lord, first we grieve and lament this act of violence 00:01:28.459 --> 00:01:30.420 and the loss of life and injury that occurred. 00:01:31.540 --> 00:01:34.280 Every person is first and foremost made in your image, 00:01:34.579 --> 00:01:36.599 regardless of their title or position. 00:01:37.579 --> 00:01:39.579 And we mourn whenever that image is threatened, 00:01:39.900 --> 00:01:41.260 and we know that you mourn as well. 00:01:42.400 --> 00:01:45.740 We pray for comfort for those grieving the loss of a loved one, 00:01:45.739 --> 00:01:50.819 and we pray for healing for all those who were injured in body or mind, 00:01:50.979 --> 00:01:52.479 including President Trump. 00:01:53.599 --> 00:01:55.159 We pray for our country as a whole, 00:01:55.799 --> 00:01:59.239 that you would preserve our common life together as a nation 00:01:59.239 --> 00:02:01.579 and sustain us in peace. 00:02:01.579 --> 00:02:06.920 We pray that this act would not beget any further acts of violence, 00:02:06.980 --> 00:02:12.479 but rather we pray that it would lead to a humbler discourse in our politics, 00:02:13.300 --> 00:02:16.879 a more gracious tone in our debates, 00:02:17.419 --> 00:02:21.939 and a more generous spirit toward those with whom we disagree. 00:02:22.900 --> 00:02:25.300 We pray this especially for those who speak publicly 00:02:25.300 --> 00:02:27.360 or hold elected office, 00:02:27.360 --> 00:02:29.320 including President Biden, 00:02:30.180 --> 00:02:30.820 Mayor Bowser, 00:02:31.040 --> 00:02:32.660 the D.C. City Council, 00:02:32.780 --> 00:02:35.620 and all those who represent us and serve us in public office. 00:02:36.940 --> 00:02:39.220 Give them courage to live lives of moral character, 00:02:39.340 --> 00:02:40.300 even when it's inconvenient. 00:02:41.600 --> 00:02:44.300 And give them wisdom to lead in the complexity of this moment 00:02:44.300 --> 00:02:46.780 in ways that bear the fruit of unity, 00:02:47.940 --> 00:02:48.340 peace, 00:02:49.220 --> 00:02:49.580 virtue, 00:02:50.400 --> 00:02:51.180 and the common good. 00:02:52.500 --> 00:02:53.960 We also pray for our church 00:02:53.960 --> 00:02:56.000 using the words of the Book of Common Prayer. 00:02:56.000 --> 00:02:58.020 Increase, O God, 00:02:58.099 --> 00:03:00.180 the spirit of neighborliness among us, 00:03:01.020 --> 00:03:03.340 that in peril we may uphold one another, 00:03:04.419 --> 00:03:07.240 in suffering tend towards one another, 00:03:07.840 --> 00:03:10.219 and in homelessness, loneliness, or exile 00:03:10.219 --> 00:03:11.900 befriend one another. 00:03:13.159 --> 00:03:14.800 Grant us brave and enduring hearts 00:03:14.800 --> 00:03:16.080 that we may strengthen one another 00:03:16.080 --> 00:03:18.920 until the disciplines and testing of these days are ended 00:03:18.920 --> 00:03:21.060 and you again give peace in our time 00:03:21.060 --> 00:03:23.000 through Jesus Christ our Lord. 00:03:23.699 --> 00:03:24.180 Amen. 00:03:25.020 --> 00:03:25.379 Amen. 00:03:25.379 --> 00:03:25.539 Amen. 00:03:26.000 --> 00:03:29.259 And I can think of few things 00:03:29.259 --> 00:03:31.580 to transition to 00:03:31.580 --> 00:03:33.099 and to talk about next 00:03:33.099 --> 00:03:34.539 than baptism. 00:03:35.259 --> 00:03:36.020 In a moment, 00:03:36.159 --> 00:03:37.520 we are gonna have the joy 00:03:37.520 --> 00:03:38.139 and opportunity 00:03:38.139 --> 00:03:39.340 to celebrate 00:03:39.340 --> 00:03:41.340 the sacrament of baptism 00:03:41.340 --> 00:03:42.860 and to hear the story 00:03:42.860 --> 00:03:44.580 of a changed life, 00:03:45.099 --> 00:03:46.240 of God's power 00:03:46.240 --> 00:03:46.960 to save 00:03:46.960 --> 00:03:47.659 and to redeem 00:03:47.659 --> 00:03:49.280 and to transform. 00:03:50.099 --> 00:03:50.620 And so, 00:03:50.780 --> 00:03:52.319 we thought that on a day 00:03:52.319 --> 00:03:53.219 when we're celebrating 00:03:53.219 --> 00:03:54.139 a baptism, 00:03:54.139 --> 00:03:55.759 we would reflect together 00:03:55.759 --> 00:03:57.119 for a few minutes 00:03:57.119 --> 00:03:58.239 on God's word 00:03:58.239 --> 00:03:59.339 and what God's word 00:03:59.339 --> 00:04:00.719 has to teach us 00:04:00.719 --> 00:04:02.099 about baptism 00:04:02.099 --> 00:04:03.779 and what it means for our lives. 00:04:04.139 --> 00:04:05.099 Maybe you're here this morning 00:04:05.099 --> 00:04:07.239 and you're not a Christian 00:04:07.239 --> 00:04:09.279 or you haven't been baptized 00:04:09.280 --> 00:04:10.699 or you're still trying to figure out 00:04:10.699 --> 00:04:11.360 what you believe. 00:04:11.900 --> 00:04:13.539 I hope that this can bring some clarity 00:04:13.539 --> 00:04:16.600 this morning on what baptism is 00:04:16.600 --> 00:04:17.740 and what it means 00:04:17.740 --> 00:04:19.740 and what is offered to you 00:04:19.740 --> 00:04:21.860 should you choose to respond 00:04:21.860 --> 00:04:22.720 to the good news 00:04:22.720 --> 00:04:24.040 about Jesus Christ. 00:04:24.040 --> 00:04:26.480 Maybe perhaps you've been following Jesus 00:04:26.480 --> 00:04:27.379 for a long time. 00:04:28.160 --> 00:04:29.040 I hope that this is 00:04:29.040 --> 00:04:30.420 an encouraging reminder 00:04:30.420 --> 00:04:31.700 about the significance 00:04:31.700 --> 00:04:32.760 of your own baptism 00:04:32.760 --> 00:04:34.379 and how it continues 00:04:34.379 --> 00:04:36.660 to shape our discipleship 00:04:36.660 --> 00:04:37.080 to Jesus 00:04:37.080 --> 00:04:38.840 and our life together 00:04:38.840 --> 00:04:40.100 as a church. 00:04:40.600 --> 00:04:41.860 So we're gonna briefly look 00:04:41.860 --> 00:04:43.460 at a couple things 00:04:43.460 --> 00:04:44.080 about baptism. 00:04:44.800 --> 00:04:45.500 We're gonna look 00:04:45.500 --> 00:04:47.220 at the story of baptism 00:04:47.220 --> 00:04:48.480 and we're gonna look 00:04:48.480 --> 00:04:49.800 at the meaning of baptism 00:04:49.800 --> 00:04:51.960 and look at what baptism is 00:04:51.960 --> 00:04:53.240 and why we practice it. 00:04:53.240 --> 00:04:54.920 So first of all, 00:04:55.680 --> 00:04:56.939 the story of baptism. 00:04:57.379 --> 00:04:58.500 The story of baptism. 00:04:59.420 --> 00:05:00.819 The easiest answer 00:05:00.819 --> 00:05:03.139 to why we do this thing 00:05:03.139 --> 00:05:03.879 called baptism 00:05:03.879 --> 00:05:05.780 is that because Jesus 00:05:05.780 --> 00:05:06.960 commanded us to. 00:05:07.639 --> 00:05:09.199 In Matthew chapter 28, 00:05:09.319 --> 00:05:09.840 the Great Commission, 00:05:10.199 --> 00:05:10.680 he says, 00:05:11.220 --> 00:05:12.259 all authority in heaven 00:05:12.259 --> 00:05:12.879 and on earth 00:05:12.879 --> 00:05:14.319 has been given to me. 00:05:15.019 --> 00:05:15.639 Go therefore 00:05:15.639 --> 00:05:16.540 and make disciples 00:05:16.540 --> 00:05:17.439 of all nations, 00:05:18.139 --> 00:05:19.160 baptizing them 00:05:19.160 --> 00:05:20.680 in the name of the Father, 00:05:20.819 --> 00:05:21.040 the Son, 00:05:21.100 --> 00:05:21.560 and the Holy Spirit. 00:05:21.560 --> 00:05:23.259 And on one hand, 00:05:23.300 --> 00:05:24.139 this would be sufficient. 00:05:24.280 --> 00:05:25.000 If the Lord Jesus 00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:26.040 has commanded us 00:05:26.040 --> 00:05:26.720 to do something, 00:05:27.339 --> 00:05:28.459 then we should obey 00:05:28.459 --> 00:05:29.639 and follow him. 00:05:30.300 --> 00:05:30.720 But of course, 00:05:30.780 --> 00:05:31.899 Jesus is not speaking 00:05:31.899 --> 00:05:33.780 in a vacuum here. 00:05:33.860 --> 00:05:34.620 There's a background. 00:05:34.899 --> 00:05:36.459 There's a greater story 00:05:36.459 --> 00:05:37.500 behind this command 00:05:37.500 --> 00:05:39.560 and there is a greater story 00:05:39.560 --> 00:05:40.560 behind baptism. 00:05:41.579 --> 00:05:42.519 And it's the story 00:05:42.519 --> 00:05:45.779 of God's covenant relationship 00:05:45.779 --> 00:05:47.000 with his people. 00:05:47.519 --> 00:05:48.660 God's covenant relationship 00:05:48.660 --> 00:05:49.220 with his people. 00:05:49.720 --> 00:05:50.240 A covenant 00:05:50.240 --> 00:05:52.400 is that special 00:05:52.400 --> 00:05:53.580 kind of relationship 00:05:53.580 --> 00:05:54.980 where people 00:05:54.980 --> 00:05:56.320 willingly bond 00:05:56.320 --> 00:05:57.700 themselves to one another, 00:05:57.900 --> 00:05:58.640 bind themselves 00:05:58.640 --> 00:05:59.220 to one another 00:05:59.220 --> 00:06:01.020 in a sacred bond 00:06:01.020 --> 00:06:02.280 of love 00:06:02.280 --> 00:06:03.020 and trust 00:06:03.020 --> 00:06:03.640 and obedience. 00:06:04.900 --> 00:06:05.379 And the thing 00:06:05.379 --> 00:06:06.500 about covenant relationships 00:06:06.500 --> 00:06:07.900 is that covenant relationships 00:06:07.900 --> 00:06:08.800 always involve 00:06:08.800 --> 00:06:09.940 a covenant promise 00:06:09.940 --> 00:06:11.660 and a covenant sign. 00:06:12.040 --> 00:06:13.000 A covenant promise 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:13.879 and a covenant sign. 00:06:14.040 --> 00:06:14.840 So marriage, 00:06:14.960 --> 00:06:15.400 for example, 00:06:15.560 --> 00:06:17.020 is an example 00:06:17.019 --> 00:06:18.039 of a kind of human 00:06:18.039 --> 00:06:19.000 covenant relationship. 00:06:19.139 --> 00:06:20.139 There are covenant promises, 00:06:20.939 --> 00:06:21.859 the vows that husband 00:06:21.859 --> 00:06:23.079 and wife make to each other 00:06:23.079 --> 00:06:24.339 and then there's 00:06:24.339 --> 00:06:25.199 a covenant sign, 00:06:25.879 --> 00:06:27.000 normally rings. 00:06:27.759 --> 00:06:28.339 And we see 00:06:28.339 --> 00:06:28.839 throughout scripture 00:06:28.839 --> 00:06:29.639 that the story 00:06:29.639 --> 00:06:30.159 of redemption 00:06:30.159 --> 00:06:32.299 is a covenantal story. 00:06:33.019 --> 00:06:33.799 And you can only 00:06:33.799 --> 00:06:35.219 really understand baptism 00:06:35.219 --> 00:06:37.060 through that covenantal story. 00:06:37.159 --> 00:06:37.719 It's a story 00:06:37.719 --> 00:06:38.959 that begins 00:06:38.959 --> 00:06:40.019 all the way back 00:06:40.019 --> 00:06:40.859 with Abraham 00:06:40.859 --> 00:06:42.000 in the book of Genesis. 00:06:43.079 --> 00:06:43.959 After Genesis 3, 00:06:44.060 --> 00:06:44.979 when things go wrong 00:06:44.979 --> 00:06:45.759 with the rebellion 00:06:45.759 --> 00:06:47.079 and the fall of humanity 00:06:47.079 --> 00:06:47.620 in the garden, 00:06:48.339 --> 00:06:49.339 there's this question 00:06:49.339 --> 00:06:50.319 looming in the background 00:06:50.319 --> 00:06:51.219 from Genesis 3 00:06:51.219 --> 00:06:52.099 to Genesis 12. 00:06:53.079 --> 00:06:53.680 And it's this, 00:06:53.800 --> 00:06:54.959 how is God going 00:06:54.959 --> 00:06:56.560 to restore his creation 00:06:56.560 --> 00:06:59.719 back to its original goodness? 00:07:00.860 --> 00:07:01.240 And so, 00:07:01.659 --> 00:07:03.740 beginning in Genesis chapter 12 00:07:03.740 --> 00:07:05.579 through Genesis chapter 17, 00:07:06.060 --> 00:07:07.180 God begins 00:07:07.180 --> 00:07:09.439 to answer this question 00:07:09.439 --> 00:07:11.360 in the story of Abraham. 00:07:11.539 --> 00:07:12.120 And he begins 00:07:12.120 --> 00:07:13.159 to answer this question 00:07:13.160 --> 00:07:14.580 by giving Abraham 00:07:14.580 --> 00:07:16.320 a promise, 00:07:16.860 --> 00:07:17.760 a covenant, 00:07:18.180 --> 00:07:19.460 and a covenant sign. 00:07:20.280 --> 00:07:21.100 A promise, 00:07:21.280 --> 00:07:21.660 a covenant, 00:07:21.840 --> 00:07:23.080 and a covenant sign. 00:07:23.160 --> 00:07:23.820 In Genesis 12, 00:07:23.939 --> 00:07:24.980 God gives Abraham 00:07:24.980 --> 00:07:26.840 a gracious promise 00:07:26.840 --> 00:07:28.700 that through Abraham's family, 00:07:28.800 --> 00:07:29.680 he is going to bless 00:07:29.680 --> 00:07:30.580 all the nations 00:07:30.580 --> 00:07:31.280 of the earth. 00:07:31.720 --> 00:07:32.540 That though all people 00:07:32.540 --> 00:07:33.780 are alienated from God 00:07:33.780 --> 00:07:34.379 and that creation 00:07:34.379 --> 00:07:35.340 is fallen and broken, 00:07:35.800 --> 00:07:36.600 God is committed 00:07:36.600 --> 00:07:38.160 to bringing his salvation 00:07:38.160 --> 00:07:39.060 and his blessing 00:07:39.060 --> 00:07:40.620 to every nation, 00:07:40.620 --> 00:07:42.699 all of creation. 00:07:43.639 --> 00:07:44.920 It's a gracious promise. 00:07:45.959 --> 00:07:47.340 And then in Genesis chapter 15, 00:07:47.480 --> 00:07:48.459 God makes a covenant 00:07:48.459 --> 00:07:50.040 that confirms this promise 00:07:50.040 --> 00:07:50.920 to Abraham. 00:07:51.699 --> 00:07:52.920 And if you have a chance 00:07:52.920 --> 00:07:54.199 to read it later this afternoon, 00:07:54.360 --> 00:07:55.240 Genesis 15, 00:07:55.939 --> 00:07:56.840 or if you've read it before, 00:07:56.939 --> 00:07:59.160 is this strange to us, 00:07:59.240 --> 00:08:00.500 kind of strange to modern ears, 00:08:00.600 --> 00:08:01.720 but this beautiful story 00:08:01.720 --> 00:08:03.620 where God tells Abraham, 00:08:03.939 --> 00:08:04.759 not only am I going 00:08:04.759 --> 00:08:06.100 to keep my side 00:08:06.100 --> 00:08:07.420 of the covenant relationship, 00:08:07.420 --> 00:08:09.319 but I'm also going 00:08:09.319 --> 00:08:10.580 to keep your side 00:08:10.580 --> 00:08:11.960 of the covenant relationship too 00:08:11.960 --> 00:08:12.699 because one day 00:08:12.699 --> 00:08:13.620 you and your descendants 00:08:13.620 --> 00:08:15.759 are going to break my covenant, 00:08:16.360 --> 00:08:17.939 but I have already made 00:08:17.939 --> 00:08:19.660 a provision for that. 00:08:20.400 --> 00:08:21.500 So God makes a covenant 00:08:21.500 --> 00:08:22.400 that confirms 00:08:22.400 --> 00:08:23.840 his promise to Abraham. 00:08:24.000 --> 00:08:25.280 And then in Genesis 17, 00:08:25.660 --> 00:08:27.439 which was our Old Testament passage 00:08:27.439 --> 00:08:28.439 that we read earlier, 00:08:28.879 --> 00:08:30.000 God then gives Abraham 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:31.920 a sign of this covenant, 00:08:32.320 --> 00:08:33.259 and it's the sign 00:08:33.259 --> 00:08:34.659 of circumcision, 00:08:35.340 --> 00:08:36.440 a sign that involves 00:08:36.440 --> 00:08:37.780 the shedding of blood. 00:08:38.680 --> 00:08:39.820 And God says to Abraham, 00:08:39.980 --> 00:08:41.200 I want you and your family 00:08:41.200 --> 00:08:42.980 to remember the promise 00:08:42.980 --> 00:08:44.120 and the covenant 00:08:44.120 --> 00:08:45.720 that I made to you. 00:08:46.420 --> 00:08:47.640 And so I'm going to give you 00:08:47.640 --> 00:08:50.240 a sign that you belong to me, 00:08:50.380 --> 00:08:51.260 that you're my people, 00:08:51.360 --> 00:08:52.460 and all of my promises 00:08:52.460 --> 00:08:54.800 I have made to you are yours 00:08:54.800 --> 00:08:57.720 if you embrace me, 00:08:57.820 --> 00:08:59.280 if you embrace this covenant 00:08:59.280 --> 00:09:00.660 relationship from the heart. 00:09:02.060 --> 00:09:03.720 And those who receive 00:09:03.720 --> 00:09:05.020 that covenant sign, 00:09:05.019 --> 00:09:06.480 Abraham received it, 00:09:07.519 --> 00:09:09.100 most of them received it 00:09:09.100 --> 00:09:11.519 before they expressed 00:09:11.519 --> 00:09:12.939 covenant faith. 00:09:13.939 --> 00:09:15.220 And this is a key detail 00:09:15.220 --> 00:09:16.439 that we'll come back later to 00:09:16.439 --> 00:09:16.980 in the sermon. 00:09:17.980 --> 00:09:18.779 But to summarize, 00:09:19.120 --> 00:09:20.000 in the story of Abraham, 00:09:20.100 --> 00:09:21.840 we see that God's story 00:09:21.840 --> 00:09:22.899 of redemption, 00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:24.159 to redeem a fallen world, 00:09:24.220 --> 00:09:25.220 to restore his creation, 00:09:25.439 --> 00:09:27.879 unfolds in the story 00:09:27.879 --> 00:09:29.199 of Abraham through a promise, 00:09:30.259 --> 00:09:30.779 a covenant, 00:09:31.360 --> 00:09:32.399 and a covenant sign. 00:09:32.399 --> 00:09:33.860 And this is crucial 00:09:33.860 --> 00:09:35.039 to unlocking the meaning 00:09:35.039 --> 00:09:36.340 of the whole Old Testament 00:09:36.340 --> 00:09:38.019 because these realities 00:09:38.019 --> 00:09:40.039 defined and shaped 00:09:40.039 --> 00:09:41.480 the story and identity 00:09:41.480 --> 00:09:42.559 and the mission 00:09:42.559 --> 00:09:43.679 of the people of Israel. 00:09:44.319 --> 00:09:45.919 And it's also crucial 00:09:45.919 --> 00:09:47.740 to unlocking the meaning 00:09:47.740 --> 00:09:48.919 of baptism 00:09:48.919 --> 00:09:51.319 because it's this story 00:09:51.319 --> 00:09:52.819 that's in the background 00:09:52.819 --> 00:09:54.340 in Matthew 28 00:09:54.340 --> 00:09:55.659 when Jesus gives us 00:09:55.659 --> 00:09:56.819 the sacrament of baptism 00:09:56.819 --> 00:09:58.139 in the Great Commission. 00:09:58.139 --> 00:09:59.659 Jesus says, 00:09:59.960 --> 00:10:00.759 I am the author 00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:01.679 and the hero 00:10:01.679 --> 00:10:02.419 in the fulfillment 00:10:02.419 --> 00:10:03.460 of this story. 00:10:03.679 --> 00:10:04.620 All the promises 00:10:04.620 --> 00:10:05.199 to Abraham 00:10:05.199 --> 00:10:06.259 and the people of Israel, 00:10:06.720 --> 00:10:07.899 the covenant 00:10:07.899 --> 00:10:10.080 that confirms those promises 00:10:10.080 --> 00:10:10.980 and the sign 00:10:10.980 --> 00:10:11.639 of that covenant 00:10:11.639 --> 00:10:13.740 are all fulfilled in me. 00:10:14.500 --> 00:10:15.399 In Jesus, 00:10:15.740 --> 00:10:17.080 a new and better covenant 00:10:17.080 --> 00:10:18.419 is here. 00:10:18.480 --> 00:10:19.220 And it's a covenant 00:10:19.220 --> 00:10:21.139 that both fulfills 00:10:21.899 --> 00:10:23.519 and expands 00:10:23.519 --> 00:10:25.059 God's covenant 00:10:25.059 --> 00:10:25.819 with Abraham. 00:10:25.820 --> 00:10:28.520 As Galatians chapter 3 00:10:28.520 --> 00:10:29.560 tells us, 00:10:29.780 --> 00:10:30.060 we, 00:10:30.580 --> 00:10:31.760 all of the nations 00:10:31.760 --> 00:10:32.280 of the earth, 00:10:32.379 --> 00:10:33.140 we are the nations 00:10:33.140 --> 00:10:34.300 and we are grafted 00:10:34.300 --> 00:10:36.780 into Abraham's story 00:10:36.780 --> 00:10:38.320 and Abraham's covenant 00:10:38.320 --> 00:10:39.220 through Jesus. 00:10:40.500 --> 00:10:41.560 And because now 00:10:41.560 --> 00:10:42.460 the new covenant 00:10:42.460 --> 00:10:43.160 in Christ 00:10:43.160 --> 00:10:44.040 is greater 00:10:44.040 --> 00:10:46.400 and more expansive 00:10:46.400 --> 00:10:47.360 and the promises 00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:48.020 are greater 00:10:48.020 --> 00:10:48.920 and more expansive, 00:10:49.100 --> 00:10:50.080 we therefore now 00:10:50.080 --> 00:10:51.940 have a new 00:10:51.940 --> 00:10:54.000 and greater covenant sign. 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:56.259 And Colossians 2, 00:10:56.299 --> 00:10:56.919 11 through 12 00:10:56.919 --> 00:10:57.600 shows us 00:10:57.600 --> 00:10:58.580 that baptism 00:10:58.580 --> 00:11:00.019 has replaced circumcision 00:11:00.019 --> 00:11:01.039 as the sign 00:11:01.039 --> 00:11:02.360 of the new covenant. 00:11:02.860 --> 00:11:04.059 Listen to Colossians 2, 00:11:04.120 --> 00:11:04.879 11 through 12. 00:11:05.500 --> 00:11:06.080 In him, 00:11:06.679 --> 00:11:07.480 that is Jesus, 00:11:08.220 --> 00:11:09.559 you were circumcised, 00:11:10.539 --> 00:11:11.740 but not with a circumcision 00:11:11.740 --> 00:11:12.080 made, 00:11:12.240 --> 00:11:13.659 with a circumcision 00:11:13.659 --> 00:11:14.539 made without hands, 00:11:15.200 --> 00:11:16.320 by the circumcision 00:11:16.320 --> 00:11:16.879 of Christ, 00:11:17.679 --> 00:11:18.519 having been buried 00:11:18.519 --> 00:11:19.100 with him 00:11:19.100 --> 00:11:21.279 in baptism. 00:11:21.279 --> 00:11:22.500 Paul links circumcision 00:11:22.500 --> 00:11:23.740 to baptism 00:11:23.740 --> 00:11:24.759 because both circumcision 00:11:24.759 --> 00:11:25.159 and baptism 00:11:25.159 --> 00:11:26.399 point to the same reality. 00:11:27.740 --> 00:11:28.899 The everlasting covenant 00:11:28.899 --> 00:11:29.500 that God makes 00:11:29.500 --> 00:11:30.319 with his people 00:11:30.319 --> 00:11:32.679 through the blood 00:11:32.679 --> 00:11:33.199 of Christ 00:11:33.199 --> 00:11:35.620 shed on the cross. 00:11:36.620 --> 00:11:37.439 And because the blood 00:11:37.439 --> 00:11:38.120 of Christ shed 00:11:38.120 --> 00:11:38.799 on the cross 00:11:38.799 --> 00:11:40.759 fulfilled the sign 00:11:40.759 --> 00:11:41.480 of circumcision, 00:11:41.919 --> 00:11:43.419 in the new covenant 00:11:43.419 --> 00:11:44.319 we now have 00:11:44.319 --> 00:11:45.539 the sign of water. 00:11:46.240 --> 00:11:46.799 Water, 00:11:46.939 --> 00:11:47.679 something that pictures 00:11:47.679 --> 00:11:49.600 washing and cleansing 00:11:49.600 --> 00:11:51.600 and rebirth and renewal. 00:11:52.960 --> 00:11:53.960 And so this 00:11:53.960 --> 00:11:55.019 is the story 00:11:55.019 --> 00:11:55.680 of baptism. 00:11:56.399 --> 00:11:57.300 It's the story 00:11:57.300 --> 00:11:58.300 of a gracious God 00:11:58.300 --> 00:11:59.580 who makes a promise 00:11:59.580 --> 00:12:00.960 to bless all the nations 00:12:00.960 --> 00:12:01.500 of the earth 00:12:01.500 --> 00:12:02.920 and who confirms 00:12:02.920 --> 00:12:03.580 those promises 00:12:03.580 --> 00:12:04.680 by dwelling 00:12:04.680 --> 00:12:05.920 in covenant relationship 00:12:05.920 --> 00:12:06.879 with his people 00:12:06.879 --> 00:12:08.720 and who gives them 00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:09.159 a sign 00:12:09.159 --> 00:12:11.300 that they belong 00:12:11.300 --> 00:12:11.879 to him 00:12:11.879 --> 00:12:13.639 and that his promises 00:12:13.639 --> 00:12:14.980 belong to them. 00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:17.639 And so in light 00:12:17.639 --> 00:12:18.920 of this covenant story, 00:12:18.919 --> 00:12:20.039 a question comes 00:12:20.039 --> 00:12:20.559 to the surface 00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:21.319 and it's this. 00:12:22.299 --> 00:12:23.699 In light of this covenant story, 00:12:23.919 --> 00:12:24.599 what are 00:12:24.599 --> 00:12:26.319 the specific promises 00:12:26.319 --> 00:12:28.079 that the new covenant 00:12:28.079 --> 00:12:29.120 sign of baptism 00:12:29.120 --> 00:12:30.259 signifies? 00:12:30.439 --> 00:12:31.919 What is the meaning 00:12:31.919 --> 00:12:33.959 of baptism 00:12:33.959 --> 00:12:34.579 in particular? 00:12:34.699 --> 00:12:35.379 That's what we're 00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:36.079 going to look at next, 00:12:36.159 --> 00:12:37.179 the meaning of baptism. 00:12:38.979 --> 00:12:40.059 At its core, 00:12:40.919 --> 00:12:42.199 baptism is about 00:12:42.199 --> 00:12:43.259 union with Christ. 00:12:43.959 --> 00:12:44.819 Union with Christ. 00:12:44.919 --> 00:12:46.139 That's what we see clearly 00:12:46.139 --> 00:12:47.899 in places like Romans 6, 00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:48.759 3 through 5. 00:12:49.319 --> 00:12:50.000 Romans 6, 00:12:50.079 --> 00:12:50.979 3 through 5 says, 00:12:51.099 --> 00:12:51.759 don't you know 00:12:51.759 --> 00:12:53.219 that all of us 00:12:53.219 --> 00:12:53.899 who are baptized 00:12:53.899 --> 00:12:55.139 into Christ Jesus 00:12:55.139 --> 00:12:55.699 were baptized 00:12:55.699 --> 00:12:56.839 into his death? 00:12:57.819 --> 00:12:59.419 We were therefore 00:12:59.419 --> 00:13:00.319 buried with him 00:13:00.319 --> 00:13:00.919 through baptism 00:13:00.919 --> 00:13:01.759 into death 00:13:01.759 --> 00:13:03.120 in order that 00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:04.159 just as Christ 00:13:04.159 --> 00:13:05.259 was raised from the dead 00:13:05.259 --> 00:13:06.120 through the glory 00:13:06.120 --> 00:13:06.679 of the Father, 00:13:07.079 --> 00:13:08.399 we too may live 00:13:08.399 --> 00:13:08.979 a new life. 00:13:09.539 --> 00:13:10.579 For if we have been 00:13:10.579 --> 00:13:11.399 united with him 00:13:11.399 --> 00:13:12.399 in a death like his, 00:13:12.439 --> 00:13:13.219 we will also 00:13:13.219 --> 00:13:14.219 certainly be united 00:13:14.219 --> 00:13:14.740 with him 00:13:14.740 --> 00:13:15.919 in a resurrection 00:13:15.919 --> 00:13:17.120 like tis. 00:13:18.079 --> 00:13:18.959 In baptism, 00:13:20.099 --> 00:13:21.719 the Holy Spirit 00:13:21.719 --> 00:13:23.259 unites us to Jesus 00:13:23.259 --> 00:13:26.059 in a way that his story 00:13:26.059 --> 00:13:28.199 becomes our story. 00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:30.039 His life 00:13:30.039 --> 00:13:31.879 becomes our life. 00:13:32.899 --> 00:13:33.759 His death 00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:35.459 becomes our death. 00:13:36.159 --> 00:13:37.199 His resurrection 00:13:37.199 --> 00:13:39.159 becomes our resurrection. 00:13:39.319 --> 00:13:40.139 His ascension 00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:42.980 becomes our ascension. 00:13:42.980 --> 00:13:45.039 And someone who has 00:13:45.039 --> 00:13:45.820 helped me understand 00:13:45.820 --> 00:13:46.460 this well 00:13:46.460 --> 00:13:48.500 is not a pastor 00:13:48.500 --> 00:13:49.460 or a theologian 00:13:49.460 --> 00:13:50.240 or a scholar, 00:13:50.899 --> 00:13:53.279 but an NBA player 00:13:53.279 --> 00:13:55.060 by the name 00:13:55.060 --> 00:13:55.779 of Jack Haley. 00:13:57.240 --> 00:13:57.980 Jack Haley 00:13:57.980 --> 00:13:59.000 is an NBA player 00:13:59.000 --> 00:14:00.700 that probably 00:14:00.700 --> 00:14:01.279 most of you 00:14:01.279 --> 00:14:02.139 have never heard of. 00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:03.360 Almost no one 00:14:03.360 --> 00:14:03.940 has ever heard of him 00:14:03.940 --> 00:14:05.019 except if you 00:14:05.019 --> 00:14:05.700 follow the NBA 00:14:05.700 --> 00:14:06.940 closely. 00:14:07.580 --> 00:14:08.039 Jack Haley 00:14:08.039 --> 00:14:08.659 was a member 00:14:08.659 --> 00:14:10.019 of the 1996 00:14:10.019 --> 00:14:11.460 Chicago Bulls. 00:14:11.460 --> 00:14:13.220 And the whole 00:14:13.220 --> 00:14:14.360 1996 season, 00:14:14.960 --> 00:14:15.580 Jack Haley 00:14:15.580 --> 00:14:17.180 played a grand total 00:14:17.180 --> 00:14:18.780 of seven minutes 00:14:18.780 --> 00:14:19.879 the whole season. 00:14:20.700 --> 00:14:21.620 The whole season 00:14:21.620 --> 00:14:22.820 he had five points, 00:14:23.960 --> 00:14:25.220 two rebounds, 00:14:26.759 --> 00:14:27.720 zero assists, 00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:28.700 zero steals, 00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:29.519 zero blocks. 00:14:30.980 --> 00:14:32.480 His season performance 00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:33.980 was negligible. 00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:36.180 But amazingly, 00:14:36.420 --> 00:14:36.860 at the end 00:14:36.860 --> 00:14:37.780 of the 1996 season, 00:14:37.940 --> 00:14:38.480 Jack Haley 00:14:38.480 --> 00:14:40.379 got a championship ring. 00:14:41.460 --> 00:14:42.259 Why? 00:14:44.259 --> 00:14:44.900 Well, 00:14:44.960 --> 00:14:45.800 if you know 00:14:45.800 --> 00:14:46.500 anything 00:14:46.500 --> 00:14:47.620 about the 1996 00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:48.900 Chicago Bulls, 00:14:49.300 --> 00:14:50.139 you know 00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:51.180 that although 00:14:51.180 --> 00:14:52.000 they did have 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:53.480 a good team, 00:14:53.600 --> 00:14:54.460 there is really 00:14:54.460 --> 00:14:55.940 only one reason 00:14:55.940 --> 00:14:58.259 why Jack Haley 00:14:58.259 --> 00:14:59.759 got a championship ring. 00:15:00.700 --> 00:15:01.740 And that reason 00:15:01.740 --> 00:15:04.080 is Michael Jordan. 00:15:04.080 --> 00:15:06.460 And I can almost 00:15:06.460 --> 00:15:06.860 guarantee 00:15:06.860 --> 00:15:08.020 you have heard 00:15:08.020 --> 00:15:08.820 of that name. 00:15:09.660 --> 00:15:10.500 Michael Jordan. 00:15:11.980 --> 00:15:12.540 Jordan's 00:15:12.540 --> 00:15:13.440 exemplary, 00:15:14.060 --> 00:15:15.379 unrivaled, 00:15:15.520 --> 00:15:16.759 stellar performance 00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:17.540 on the basketball 00:15:17.540 --> 00:15:18.740 court carried 00:15:18.740 --> 00:15:19.420 the Bulls not to 00:15:19.420 --> 00:15:20.360 just one championship 00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:21.180 in 1996, 00:15:21.879 --> 00:15:23.520 but to six 00:15:23.520 --> 00:15:25.139 NBA titles. 00:15:26.580 --> 00:15:27.620 And even though 00:15:27.620 --> 00:15:28.320 Jack Haley 00:15:28.320 --> 00:15:29.480 contributed nothing 00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:30.879 to the Bulls' 00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:31.700 performance that year, 00:15:31.700 --> 00:15:33.240 he was united to, 00:15:33.620 --> 00:15:34.680 he was grafted 00:15:34.680 --> 00:15:35.160 into, 00:15:35.400 --> 00:15:36.140 he was credited 00:15:36.140 --> 00:15:38.080 with the story 00:15:38.080 --> 00:15:39.160 and the performance 00:15:39.160 --> 00:15:41.800 of an amazing 00:15:41.800 --> 00:15:43.080 player named 00:15:43.080 --> 00:15:43.700 Michael Jordan. 00:15:44.240 --> 00:15:45.560 Our baptism 00:15:45.560 --> 00:15:47.300 is Jesus Christ 00:15:47.300 --> 00:15:48.759 placing his 00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:49.680 championship ring 00:15:49.680 --> 00:15:50.400 on our finger. 00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:52.540 It's the covenant 00:15:52.540 --> 00:15:53.040 sign 00:15:53.040 --> 00:15:55.040 that the Holy Spirit 00:15:55.040 --> 00:15:56.080 takes the performance 00:15:56.080 --> 00:15:57.040 of Jesus Christ 00:15:57.039 --> 00:15:58.259 and applies it 00:15:58.259 --> 00:15:59.039 to us. 00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:00.899 And all 00:16:00.899 --> 00:16:01.639 of the covenant 00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:02.539 promises made 00:16:02.539 --> 00:16:03.399 to us in baptism 00:16:03.399 --> 00:16:05.099 flow from 00:16:05.099 --> 00:16:05.819 our union 00:16:05.819 --> 00:16:07.339 with Christ. 00:16:07.539 --> 00:16:08.500 Listen to some 00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:09.099 of the promises 00:16:09.099 --> 00:16:10.319 that the New Testament 00:16:10.319 --> 00:16:11.240 tell us 00:16:11.240 --> 00:16:12.799 that we receive 00:16:12.799 --> 00:16:13.339 in baptism 00:16:13.339 --> 00:16:13.860 through union 00:16:13.860 --> 00:16:14.339 with Christ. 00:16:14.579 --> 00:16:16.379 We are washed 00:16:16.379 --> 00:16:18.039 and cleansed 00:16:18.039 --> 00:16:18.879 and forgiven 00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:19.939 from sin. 00:16:19.940 --> 00:16:23.960 we are justified 00:16:23.960 --> 00:16:24.920 before God 00:16:24.920 --> 00:16:26.280 and have peace 00:16:26.280 --> 00:16:27.180 with him. 00:16:28.020 --> 00:16:29.200 We are adopted 00:16:29.200 --> 00:16:30.360 as God's beloved 00:16:30.360 --> 00:16:31.540 sons and daughters. 00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:34.100 We are joined 00:16:34.100 --> 00:16:35.120 to God's new covenant 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:35.600 family, 00:16:35.700 --> 00:16:36.220 the church. 00:16:36.980 --> 00:16:38.040 We are made 00:16:38.040 --> 00:16:39.040 members of his 00:16:39.040 --> 00:16:40.020 own body, 00:16:40.160 --> 00:16:40.960 his bride, 00:16:41.100 --> 00:16:41.740 his beloved. 00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:44.060 We are filled 00:16:44.060 --> 00:16:44.720 and sealed 00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:45.520 with the Holy Spirit 00:16:45.520 --> 00:16:46.580 who regenerates us 00:16:46.580 --> 00:16:47.640 and gives us new hearts. 00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:49.319 And we are given 00:16:49.319 --> 00:16:50.259 an inheritance 00:16:50.259 --> 00:16:51.199 of eternal life 00:16:51.199 --> 00:16:51.899 and the resurrection 00:16:51.899 --> 00:16:52.939 of the body. 00:16:55.799 --> 00:16:57.519 And as a result, 00:16:58.840 --> 00:17:01.939 what the Father 00:17:01.939 --> 00:17:02.879 says 00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:05.559 over his Son, 00:17:05.700 --> 00:17:06.339 Jesus Christ, 00:17:06.859 --> 00:17:08.180 at his baptism 00:17:08.180 --> 00:17:09.299 in the gospel reading 00:17:09.299 --> 00:17:09.940 that we read earlier, 00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:10.539 Matthew 3, 00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:11.940 the same thing 00:17:11.940 --> 00:17:12.519 that the Father 00:17:12.519 --> 00:17:13.740 says over the Son 00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:15.240 in his baptism, 00:17:15.559 --> 00:17:16.559 he says 00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:18.259 over you 00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:19.119 and me. 00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:20.639 This is 00:17:20.639 --> 00:17:22.220 my beloved 00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:23.079 Son. 00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:25.819 This is 00:17:25.819 --> 00:17:27.379 my beloved 00:17:27.379 --> 00:17:28.259 daughter 00:17:28.259 --> 00:17:29.419 with whom 00:17:29.419 --> 00:17:30.960 I am 00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:32.539 well pleased. 00:17:35.359 --> 00:17:36.500 The meaning 00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:37.079 of baptism 00:17:37.079 --> 00:17:38.179 is nothing less 00:17:38.179 --> 00:17:39.079 than all the 00:17:39.079 --> 00:17:39.720 spiritual blessings 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:40.339 that we have 00:17:40.339 --> 00:17:40.879 through union 00:17:40.879 --> 00:17:41.700 with Christ 00:17:41.700 --> 00:17:42.559 by faith 00:17:42.559 --> 00:17:43.200 and all of the 00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:44.039 privileges that flow 00:17:44.039 --> 00:17:44.819 from it. 00:17:44.819 --> 00:17:45.419 we are 00:17:45.419 --> 00:17:47.059 grafted 00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:47.500 into 00:17:47.500 --> 00:17:49.759 the championship 00:17:49.759 --> 00:17:50.419 story 00:17:50.419 --> 00:17:51.500 of Jesus. 00:17:54.059 --> 00:17:54.980 And from all 00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:55.359 of this, 00:17:55.399 --> 00:17:55.759 I just want 00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:56.279 to draw out 00:17:56.279 --> 00:17:57.000 two brief 00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:57.480 implications 00:17:57.480 --> 00:17:59.240 about baptism, 00:17:59.779 --> 00:18:00.559 about the story 00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:00.899 and the meaning 00:18:00.899 --> 00:18:01.299 of baptism. 00:18:01.779 --> 00:18:02.419 I want to talk 00:18:02.419 --> 00:18:03.819 about two implications. 00:18:04.019 --> 00:18:04.200 One, 00:18:04.279 --> 00:18:04.859 about baptism 00:18:04.859 --> 00:18:05.679 as a sacrament 00:18:05.679 --> 00:18:07.500 and about how 00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:08.779 baptism impacts 00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:09.619 our discipleship. 00:18:09.619 --> 00:18:10.919 So first 00:18:10.919 --> 00:18:11.319 of all, 00:18:12.199 --> 00:18:14.079 what do we 00:18:14.079 --> 00:18:15.139 mean when 00:18:15.139 --> 00:18:15.919 we say 00:18:15.919 --> 00:18:16.919 that baptism 00:18:16.919 --> 00:18:18.019 is a sacrament? 00:18:19.639 --> 00:18:20.579 There's a lot 00:18:20.579 --> 00:18:21.139 of things we could 00:18:21.139 --> 00:18:21.479 say. 00:18:21.879 --> 00:18:22.219 Sacramental 00:18:22.219 --> 00:18:23.000 theology is a 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:23.479 deep well. 00:18:25.679 --> 00:18:26.819 But one of the 00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:27.299 things we mean 00:18:27.299 --> 00:18:27.719 when we call 00:18:27.719 --> 00:18:29.359 baptism a 00:18:29.359 --> 00:18:30.099 sacrament is 00:18:30.099 --> 00:18:30.779 related to the 00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:31.639 covenantal story 00:18:31.639 --> 00:18:32.059 of Scripture. 00:18:32.159 --> 00:18:32.859 The covenantal 00:18:32.859 --> 00:18:34.239 story of Scripture 00:18:34.239 --> 00:18:35.039 shows us that 00:18:35.039 --> 00:18:35.919 as a sacrament, 00:18:36.739 --> 00:18:37.699 baptism is not 00:18:37.700 --> 00:18:38.779 primarily about 00:18:38.779 --> 00:18:39.400 the promises 00:18:39.400 --> 00:18:40.140 that we make 00:18:40.140 --> 00:18:40.580 to God, 00:18:41.140 --> 00:18:43.559 but about the 00:18:43.559 --> 00:18:44.240 promises that 00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:44.900 God makes to 00:18:44.900 --> 00:18:45.240 us. 00:18:46.059 --> 00:18:46.900 Let me repeat 00:18:46.900 --> 00:18:47.120 that. 00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:48.019 As a sacrament, 00:18:48.680 --> 00:18:49.380 baptism is not 00:18:49.380 --> 00:18:50.200 primarily about 00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:50.720 the promises 00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:51.200 that we make 00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:51.559 to God, 00:18:51.620 --> 00:18:52.100 it's about the 00:18:52.100 --> 00:18:53.080 promises that 00:18:53.080 --> 00:18:54.000 God makes to 00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:54.180 us. 00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:54.740 Just like with 00:18:54.740 --> 00:18:55.700 Israel and 00:18:55.700 --> 00:18:56.480 circumcision under 00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:57.120 the old covenant, 00:18:57.299 --> 00:18:58.000 baptism as the 00:18:58.000 --> 00:18:58.480 new covenant 00:18:58.480 --> 00:19:00.340 sign is about a 00:19:00.340 --> 00:19:00.980 gracious covenant 00:19:00.980 --> 00:19:01.779 keeping God who 00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:03.480 always fulfills the 00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:04.340 promises that he 00:19:04.340 --> 00:19:04.840 makes to his 00:19:04.840 --> 00:19:05.100 people. 00:19:06.420 --> 00:19:07.140 Yes, we 00:19:07.140 --> 00:19:08.920 respond in faith 00:19:08.920 --> 00:19:10.300 and trust and 00:19:10.300 --> 00:19:10.759 obedience. 00:19:12.080 --> 00:19:13.200 But the covenant 00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:14.220 sign is not 00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:15.540 primarily about our 00:19:15.540 --> 00:19:16.420 faith or our 00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:17.259 trust or our 00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:19.040 obedience, but the 00:19:19.040 --> 00:19:20.200 eternal unfailing 00:19:20.200 --> 00:19:21.100 promises of God 00:19:21.100 --> 00:19:23.180 offer to us by 00:19:23.180 --> 00:19:23.600 grace. 00:19:24.480 --> 00:19:25.280 Baptism isn't 00:19:25.280 --> 00:19:26.120 about the quality 00:19:26.120 --> 00:19:27.300 of our faith. 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:28.440 Baptism is about 00:19:28.440 --> 00:19:29.440 the quality of the 00:19:29.440 --> 00:19:30.660 object of our 00:19:30.660 --> 00:19:30.980 faith. 00:19:32.520 --> 00:19:33.280 And this is why 00:19:33.280 --> 00:19:34.820 baptism is something 00:19:34.819 --> 00:19:36.859 that is done to 00:19:36.859 --> 00:19:37.299 us. 00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:39.539 We are baptized 00:19:39.539 --> 00:19:41.500 by someone else. 00:19:41.799 --> 00:19:42.960 This is also why 00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:44.039 the great tradition 00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:44.700 of the Christian 00:19:44.700 --> 00:19:45.599 church, Protestant, 00:19:45.859 --> 00:19:46.539 Orthodox, and 00:19:46.539 --> 00:19:47.299 Catholic churches 00:19:47.299 --> 00:19:48.439 have baptized 00:19:48.439 --> 00:19:49.200 children of 00:19:49.200 --> 00:19:49.939 believers who have 00:19:49.939 --> 00:19:51.220 not yet expressed 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:52.419 covenant faith. 00:19:53.480 --> 00:19:54.559 If you're like me, 00:19:55.159 --> 00:19:56.079 maybe you grew up 00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:56.899 in a tradition or 00:19:56.899 --> 00:19:57.639 you're familiar with 00:19:57.639 --> 00:19:58.139 a tradition that 00:19:58.139 --> 00:20:00.099 did not practice 00:20:00.099 --> 00:20:00.879 infant baptism. 00:20:00.880 --> 00:20:02.020 And so it might 00:20:02.020 --> 00:20:03.140 be, if you're like 00:20:03.140 --> 00:20:03.820 me, this might be 00:20:03.820 --> 00:20:04.760 something new or 00:20:04.760 --> 00:20:05.700 unfamiliar or 00:20:05.700 --> 00:20:06.820 unusual to you. 00:20:08.220 --> 00:20:09.380 But what I hope 00:20:09.380 --> 00:20:09.940 you've seen this 00:20:09.940 --> 00:20:10.600 morning is that the 00:20:10.600 --> 00:20:11.460 covenantal story of 00:20:11.460 --> 00:20:12.800 scripture shows us 00:20:12.800 --> 00:20:14.640 that the promises of 00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:15.940 God always precede our 00:20:15.940 --> 00:20:16.260 faith. 00:20:17.240 --> 00:20:18.140 Whether the covenant 00:20:18.140 --> 00:20:19.500 sign is applied to us 00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:20.500 as a three-month-old 00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:22.420 or as a 30-year-old. 00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:24.700 Yes, we respond in 00:20:24.700 --> 00:20:25.360 faith and obedience, 00:20:25.600 --> 00:20:26.380 but our faith is 00:20:26.380 --> 00:20:28.400 always a response to 00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:29.280 God's gracious 00:20:29.279 --> 00:20:31.019 initiative that goes 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:32.119 before us even 00:20:32.119 --> 00:20:32.819 before we've been 00:20:32.819 --> 00:20:33.059 born. 00:20:34.180 --> 00:20:35.220 In fact, it's God's 00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:36.000 gracious initiative 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:37.819 that makes our faith 00:20:37.819 --> 00:20:38.859 even a possibility. 00:20:39.660 --> 00:20:40.559 That's part of what 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:41.259 we mean when we talk 00:20:41.259 --> 00:20:42.240 about baptism as a 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:42.559 sacrament. 00:20:43.619 --> 00:20:44.720 It's not primarily 00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:45.359 about the promises 00:20:45.359 --> 00:20:46.200 that we make to God, 00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:48.139 but about the promises 00:20:48.139 --> 00:20:49.779 that he makes to us. 00:20:50.920 --> 00:20:51.259 Secondly, 00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:55.619 if Christian 00:20:55.619 --> 00:20:56.259 discipleship 00:20:56.259 --> 00:21:00.019 had a theme song, 00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:04.160 the title of that 00:21:04.160 --> 00:21:05.480 theme song would be 00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:07.160 Remember Your Baptism. 00:21:07.900 --> 00:21:09.579 Remember Your Baptism. 00:21:09.660 --> 00:21:10.400 What's striking about 00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:11.779 Paul's letters in the 00:21:11.779 --> 00:21:12.500 New Testament is how 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.980 often he repeats the 00:21:13.980 --> 00:21:15.019 same message to 00:21:15.019 --> 00:21:16.140 different churches who 00:21:16.140 --> 00:21:16.900 are dealing with all 00:21:16.900 --> 00:21:17.559 different kinds of 00:21:17.559 --> 00:21:18.339 issues and problems. 00:21:18.900 --> 00:21:20.079 He says, remember who 00:21:20.079 --> 00:21:21.319 you are in Christ because 00:21:21.319 --> 00:21:22.019 of your baptism. 00:21:22.460 --> 00:21:23.379 You've been buried with 00:21:23.379 --> 00:21:24.339 Christ in his death. 00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:25.139 You've been raised with 00:21:25.139 --> 00:21:26.459 him in his resurrection. 00:21:26.639 --> 00:21:27.379 You've been seated with 00:21:27.379 --> 00:21:28.399 him in his ascension. 00:21:28.859 --> 00:21:29.539 Now, therefore, 00:21:30.359 --> 00:21:32.220 be who you are 00:21:32.220 --> 00:21:33.139 in him. 00:21:34.319 --> 00:21:35.500 Live out of that 00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:35.959 identity. 00:21:37.299 --> 00:21:38.519 Obey God's commands 00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:39.639 out of that identity. 00:21:39.899 --> 00:21:40.659 Fight sin 00:21:40.659 --> 00:21:42.000 out of that identity. 00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:42.559 Worship 00:21:42.559 --> 00:21:44.439 relates to your 00:21:44.439 --> 00:21:45.019 brothers and sisters 00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:45.579 in Christ 00:21:45.579 --> 00:21:47.039 out of that 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:47.559 identity. 00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:51.460 And I think even as 00:21:51.460 --> 00:21:53.659 we think about what 00:21:53.659 --> 00:21:55.119 we prayed about at 00:21:55.119 --> 00:21:55.779 the beginning of the 00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:57.779 sermon, about the 00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:58.919 anxiety around the 00:21:58.919 --> 00:22:01.299 political division in 00:22:01.299 --> 00:22:04.460 our country, I can 00:22:04.460 --> 00:22:05.619 think of few things 00:22:05.619 --> 00:22:07.519 more needed in the 00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:08.399 church today than the 00:22:08.399 --> 00:22:09.960 need to remember our 00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:10.339 baptism. 00:22:10.339 --> 00:22:15.039 what if Christians in 00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:16.559 the church today, 00:22:17.699 --> 00:22:18.359 particularly the 00:22:18.359 --> 00:22:19.159 American church, what 00:22:19.159 --> 00:22:21.179 if we related to one 00:22:21.179 --> 00:22:23.459 another more on the 00:22:23.459 --> 00:22:24.659 basis of our baptism 00:22:24.659 --> 00:22:27.179 than on the basis of 00:22:27.179 --> 00:22:27.779 our politics? 00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:30.240 What if our church 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:31.159 family, the church of 00:22:31.159 --> 00:22:32.359 the advent, related, 00:22:32.679 --> 00:22:33.539 what if we related to 00:22:33.539 --> 00:22:34.759 one another more on the 00:22:34.759 --> 00:22:36.039 basis of our baptism 00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:38.599 than on the basis of our 00:22:38.599 --> 00:22:39.919 opinions on any number 00:22:39.919 --> 00:22:40.519 of issues? 00:22:42.399 --> 00:22:43.500 It would change the 00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:44.419 church and it might 00:22:44.419 --> 00:22:45.740 even possibly change 00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:47.139 things outside the 00:22:47.139 --> 00:22:47.379 church. 00:22:48.819 --> 00:22:50.000 Remember your baptism 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:51.399 is the theme song of 00:22:51.399 --> 00:22:52.899 the entire Christian 00:22:52.899 --> 00:22:53.519 life. 00:22:54.679 --> 00:22:56.079 If you are struggling 00:22:56.079 --> 00:22:59.359 with sin, remember 00:22:59.359 --> 00:22:59.939 your baptism. 00:23:00.939 --> 00:23:02.119 If you feel tempted 00:23:02.119 --> 00:23:03.099 towards gossip and 00:23:03.099 --> 00:23:06.159 slander, remember your 00:23:06.159 --> 00:23:06.539 baptism. 00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:08.920 If you feel yourself 00:23:08.920 --> 00:23:10.159 isolating from Christian 00:23:10.159 --> 00:23:11.159 community and corporate 00:23:11.159 --> 00:23:14.579 worship, remember your 00:23:14.579 --> 00:23:14.899 baptism. 00:23:15.799 --> 00:23:16.879 If you're in the middle 00:23:16.879 --> 00:23:17.720 of a conflict with 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:18.460 another brother or 00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:19.359 sister in Christ or 00:23:19.359 --> 00:23:20.180 wrestling with 00:23:20.180 --> 00:23:23.339 unforgiveness, remember 00:23:23.339 --> 00:23:23.839 your baptism. 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:24.859 If you're doubting your 00:23:24.859 --> 00:23:25.539 faith, if you're 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:27.180 overwhelmed with shame 00:23:27.180 --> 00:23:30.920 and self-criticism, remember 00:23:30.920 --> 00:23:31.539 your baptism. 00:23:32.319 --> 00:23:32.859 Why? 00:23:32.859 --> 00:23:35.279 Because in baptism 00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:37.279 we trust in a gracious 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:38.740 covenant-keeping God 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:40.359 who promises us every 00:23:40.359 --> 00:23:41.659 spiritual blessing through 00:23:41.659 --> 00:23:43.099 union with Christ, who 00:23:43.099 --> 00:23:44.240 confirms those promises 00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:45.679 with his own blood shed for 00:23:45.679 --> 00:23:47.539 us and who gives us a 00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:48.919 covenant sign that we 00:23:48.919 --> 00:23:50.059 belong to him and he will 00:23:50.059 --> 00:23:50.819 never let us go. 00:23:53.219 --> 00:23:54.819 In our baptism we have the 00:23:54.819 --> 00:23:56.759 assurance that our faith is 00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:58.399 not rooted in the promises 00:23:58.399 --> 00:23:59.599 that we make to God but in 00:23:59.599 --> 00:24:00.679 the promises that he makes 00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:02.420 to us not in the quality 00:24:02.420 --> 00:24:05.279 of our faith but in the 00:24:05.279 --> 00:24:06.580 quality of the object of 00:24:06.580 --> 00:24:07.100 our faith. 00:24:08.299 --> 00:24:09.480 And in baptism we see that 00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:11.259 being grafted into the 00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:14.240 story of Jesus means that 00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:15.799 we are joined to his body, 00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:17.960 to this covenant community, 00:24:18.080 --> 00:24:19.660 to this new family called 00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:20.680 the church. 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:23.220 And that regardless of our 00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:24.660 politics or our opinions or 00:24:24.660 --> 00:24:27.600 our race or class, who we 00:24:27.600 --> 00:24:29.960 are as disciples and who we 00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:31.860 are as a church is that we 00:24:31.860 --> 00:24:32.720 are his. 00:24:34.360 --> 00:24:35.700 We are his sons and 00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:35.980 daughters. 00:24:36.120 --> 00:24:36.920 We are his bride. 00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:38.539 We are his body. 00:24:39.759 --> 00:24:41.740 We are dead and buried in 00:24:41.740 --> 00:24:41.920 him. 00:24:42.019 --> 00:24:43.240 We are raised in him, 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:46.620 ascended in him, seated in 00:24:46.620 --> 00:24:49.680 him, hidden in him. 00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:52.960 We are secure in him. 00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:56.440 We are forgiven in him. 00:24:56.440 --> 00:25:00.519 We are accepted in him. 00:25:00.920 --> 00:25:04.180 We are known in him. 00:25:04.320 --> 00:25:08.460 We are beloved in him, in 00:25:08.460 --> 00:25:09.320 Christ. 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:11.880 Let's pray together.