Lake Edge United Church of Christ

Baptism – not an end, but a beginning. It’s a call to engagement. Today, don’t just remember our baptismal promises, let’s revive them. What happens with a lot of things in church circles is true with baptism. We do it once. We make some promises. We stick the baptismal certificate in a drawer at home, and a week, month or year later baptism disappears from our list of priorities. Granted, most of us were baptized as babies; but, when we were old enough we confirmed the promises ourselves. We knew what we were getting into – at least I think we did?
Baptism in the United Church of Christ is the beginning of a relationship. Parents stand up here and make a commitment to raise their child in their faith, the faith and practice of Jesus Christ. Baptism means parents commit to a life of engagement; actively seeking to know God through the teaching and practice of Jesus. Parents also agree to walk with their child and with the help of God and the extended family of faith at Lake Edge, mature and grow in Christ.
Baptism isn’t a ceremony, it’s an engagement. For us, passing through the waters is just the beginning. Listen closely to Mark’s story of Jesus’ baptism, “And just as (Jesus) was coming out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.” Who saw the heavens open – Jesus alone. Who saw the Spirit descend - only Jesus? Why only Jesus? Why not everybody, all the time? Jesus was prepared for this moment, the moment of his engagement and deepening through the Holy Spirit. No one else was ready that day. This is what baptism’s all about: Water marks our willingness to commit, to throw our full weight into, and to work at deepening, our relationship in faith as Jesus did. Baptism’s not magic. It’s not some special protective force shield. It’s the beginning of work, work each of us must do ourselves. But, thank God there’s a community to guide and lean on each step along our way.
It’s very telling when I look up the word “engagement,” the very first definition provided mentions “Betrothal;” the commitment to marriage. When I was married the first time, I didn’t engage in my new relationship. Rather than work at marriage, I thought love was all it took. I poured all my attention into the ceremony; but I never paid much attention to working my marriage. The results were predictable; the marriage failed. This is why I ask engaged couples, “Are you getting ready for a wedding or a marriage?”
It can be the same problem with our baptismal relationship. We pour all our energy into assembling the family, buying the christening gown, taking pictures, and setting up the party, never considering the work needed to make our baptism last.
I want us to leave here thinking, “What can I do to revive my relationship with Christ, this church, my God and myself in 2012?” And this means all of us. Even me.
Our baptism’s a path to Christ, but like any path this one has to be walked. John the Baptist is a road sign, a guide. We follow his directions, choose to get our minds and hearts right to ready ourselves for an encounter with the Christ. John was very clear, “I have baptized you with water; but (the one coming after me) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Consider me your local John the Baptist. This morning, with the water still fresh on our hands, I call us to join together to revive a baptism long lain dormant. Growth in this body of belief isn’t about budgets and numbers, but deepening the call to follow Christ in word and deed.
When it comes to the path – the old and steady among us have experience and knowledge. Young adults have a fresh perspective and a new sense of life’s challenges. Teenagers come with a healthy cynicism and hearts full of possibilities. If together we can revive our journey to Christ through our baptism, we can join forces and prepare to meet the Still Speaking God.
We’ve had the ceremony and passed through the waters; now it’s time to work on the marriage.
Let us pray…