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A Greater Baptism

Children's sermon
Object: 
A letter sweater or jacket and a diploma from the same school.
At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” -- Mark 9-11

Good morning boys and girls. How many of you have graduated from college? (Let them answer) None of you have even been to college yet have you? (Let them answer.) Of course not and it was a silly question for me to ask.

I have a sweater here, a very important sweater to me because I earned this special sweater when I played for (name the school). They call this a letter sweater. Do you see the letter? This means I was part of the team. That is just about the most important thing I have from my school. But it is not the most important. Do you know the most important thing that I have from my college? (Let them answer.) (Show them your diploma.) This is it, my diploma that tells me and everyone else that I graduated from (name the college).

The reason I am using this as an example is that our Bible tells us about the wonderful work of John the Baptist and how he preached and taught the people about sin. His answer was that they should all be baptized and have their sins forgiven. That was spectacular. It was wonderful! But then he said something else. He said this baptism was important for forgiveness but when God sent his son there would be a greater baptism. The Son’s baptism would be with the Holy Spirit and make them brothers and sisters with Christ and part of God’s family. You are baptized with the Holy Spirit and that means that not only is your sin forgiven but you are part of God’s family. Amen.
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