The Baptism Of Our Lord
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII Cycle C
Seasonal Theme
Jesus calling his disciples and it dawning on them who this person is they are following. Light for a dark world.
Theme For The Day
A celebration of our baptism and its significance for our lives here and now.
Old Testament Lesson
Isaiah 43:1-7
Promises Of Restoration And Protection
This is beautiful poetry in which the writer describes God's work of restoring and protecting people. There is some remembering of the events of the Exodus and a strong confidence in God's near presence. Israel is restored and then protected. God will call on even these remote lands to give up their scattered people to their homeland. They were created by God (v. 7) and thus they belong to God. Isaiah realizes the present reality of the people, but also he can smell victory in the days ahead.
New Testament Lesson
Acts 8:14-17
Receiving The Holy Spirit
Philip's taking "The Way" into Samaria was of great significance to the beginning church. It was important to the church's leaders that it was done correctly and that the dimension of the Holy Spirit was included. So Apostles Peter and John, who had done well in taking Pentecost out into the world, were sent to Samaria to check on Philip's evangelism methods. The rumor was that Samaritans had been received into the faith but without any proof of their having the Holy Spirit. The result recorded in 6:6 proved that "Phil" was okay, so they added the laying on of hands and, sure enough, the Holy Spirit was added. How's that for what we used to call Confirmation and now call "Affirmation of Baptism"?
This Philip's ministry is exciting. E. M. Blacklock of the Tyndale New Testament Commentary says of him, "He is like Stephen in doctrine and outlook, like Paul in his evangelism, a clearly marked character with something of the Old Testament prophet about him."
The Gospel
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
The Baptism Of Jesus
John lived in the desert. His message was one of terror and judgment. His message called for people to share with each other and to serve God where God had placed them, and he was only the forerunner. He was a great preacher dealing in real, close to the ground life.
For Jesus, his cousin's emergence was a call to action. It had been eighteen years since he had begun to realize his was a unique life to be lived. He went to his cousin to join the people who were looking for their God.
This was an intimate experience with God. The words of God in verse 22 come from two places: Psalm 2:7 as a description of the promised Messianic king. Then comes the second part which is from Isaiah 42:1, which is a description of the servant of the Lord.
I wonder how this description of Jesus' baptism came to Luke. Perhaps Jesus often told it to his disciples including Peter. And perhaps John Mark heard Peter preach about it. And perhaps Luke possessed Mark's writings about it. Perhaps.
Of course we could raise the question why Jesus needed this baptism for forgiveness. He was without sin. Perhaps an example. Perhaps to give his cousin some support for the cause. Perhaps joining others seeking God. However, I'll not worry my people with the question at all.
Preaching Possibilities
A. Many preachers use this Sunday to teach about Baptism. The New Testament Reading for this day is much better material for Christian Baptism than the Gospel account of cousin John baptizing Jesus in the Jordan. We must remember this was not Christian Baptism as Jesus had not yet died on the cross and made possible forgiveness by grace and atonement with God. If we keep this in mind, we can use both New Testament texts with Jesus' own baptism seen as an example for us and the Acts account as instruction on the Holy Spirit as part of Christian baptism.
B. At the beginning of the Epiphany season, the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan can also be developed as one of the beginning examples, after last week's Wise Men, of it dawning on folks who Jesus was. In the story it "dawned" on cousin John, and on Jesus himself, as Luke relates the experience.
C. The Old Testament Isaiah account is an opportunity to speak about Isaiah as we will have several of his readings in a row. Harper's Bible Dictionary or All the Men of the Bible will provide background material on Isaiah as a personality. Then there are two main elements in his message: God restores and God will protect. Verse 1b also connects to the theme of Baptism where God gives us, and calls us, by name. There is promise in that. So this Isaiah lesson can be used in support of Baptism or it can stand alone as an example of what is promised on God's behalf for us, God's people. The title could be: "You can count on this."
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
A. Begin by telling of one of the most meaningful baptisms you have ever performed.
B. Move to introduce this Sunday as "The Baptism of our Lord" and why it comes at the beginning of the Epiphany season.
C. Explain that the three scripture readings were all chosen to teach us about Baptism.
1. In Baptism God calls us by name and promises to restore and protect us over and over. Read Isaiah 43:1b and 4.
2. In Baptism we join the family of God and make our own public witness like Jesus in Luke 3:16, 21, 22. It was like an ordination to begin Jesus' public ministry and mission, as it can be for each one of us also.
3. In Baptism we are given God's equipment and presence called the Holy Spirit, like in the Acts account. Be sure to read the words in your baptism liturgy which indicate the giving of the Holy Spirit. Then read also the words of Acts 8:17.
D. Use metaphors and stories between 1, 2, and 3 above, or if you have them, tell of a baptism meaningful to you between each one.
E. Turn to the liturgy "Affirmation of Baptism" and conduct it from the pulpit. It would also be meaningful if you did a baptism at the end of this sermon. If you just don't have that many, consider using a doll and doing a baptism so all can see.
Prayer For The Day
We celebrate our baptism today, dear God, because you have named us and promised to restore and protect us. Let your Holy Spirit's presence always be here, coming into our lives and hearts and affirming our membership in your family. For all the benefits of our precious baptism, we do give thanks. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
In Joe Wold's book God's Impatience with Liberia (p. 104), Louis Bowers went across the Saint Paul River to the village of Parakwele. There, fourteen men were ready to be baptized by the local evangelists.
The Zo stood up and said, "I forbid these men to be baptized. If they are, by this time tomorrow they will be dead."
The men went outside for a palaver. They came back and said, "We will be baptized; if we die we will be with Jesus."
When the service was over, the Zo came to Bowers secretly and said, "Tell me about this Jesus. His power is greater than mine."
How does one describe the power of Jesus?
The Dean of the Church Divinity School of the Pacific and I came out of the common room and waited and waited for the rain to stop, only to discover the lawn sprinklers above us were on, causing it to appear like rain.
Perception and reality are often very different. Let's throw the water of baptism so broadly it appears as though it is a downpour.
On Real People, two who had been prisoners in the German concentration camp at Dachau used the date of their release by the Rainbow Division of the U.S. Army as their birthday to celebrate each year.
At the date of our baptism we were set free as well.
I often watch in early morning as the doves perch on the upper rim of our fountain, waiting for the water to come on and the upper basin to fill so they can drink and bathe in it.
When it does finally begin, the upper basin must fill before any water flows to the larger lower one.
And so we do our ministries from the overflow of our baptismal waters and many wait for us.
Dr. Joseph Sittler, on April 24, 1983, was asked how he would define baptism. He said, "It is an enactment of the fact that you weren't consulted in the first place."
Jesus calling his disciples and it dawning on them who this person is they are following. Light for a dark world.
Theme For The Day
A celebration of our baptism and its significance for our lives here and now.
Old Testament Lesson
Isaiah 43:1-7
Promises Of Restoration And Protection
This is beautiful poetry in which the writer describes God's work of restoring and protecting people. There is some remembering of the events of the Exodus and a strong confidence in God's near presence. Israel is restored and then protected. God will call on even these remote lands to give up their scattered people to their homeland. They were created by God (v. 7) and thus they belong to God. Isaiah realizes the present reality of the people, but also he can smell victory in the days ahead.
New Testament Lesson
Acts 8:14-17
Receiving The Holy Spirit
Philip's taking "The Way" into Samaria was of great significance to the beginning church. It was important to the church's leaders that it was done correctly and that the dimension of the Holy Spirit was included. So Apostles Peter and John, who had done well in taking Pentecost out into the world, were sent to Samaria to check on Philip's evangelism methods. The rumor was that Samaritans had been received into the faith but without any proof of their having the Holy Spirit. The result recorded in 6:6 proved that "Phil" was okay, so they added the laying on of hands and, sure enough, the Holy Spirit was added. How's that for what we used to call Confirmation and now call "Affirmation of Baptism"?
This Philip's ministry is exciting. E. M. Blacklock of the Tyndale New Testament Commentary says of him, "He is like Stephen in doctrine and outlook, like Paul in his evangelism, a clearly marked character with something of the Old Testament prophet about him."
The Gospel
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
The Baptism Of Jesus
John lived in the desert. His message was one of terror and judgment. His message called for people to share with each other and to serve God where God had placed them, and he was only the forerunner. He was a great preacher dealing in real, close to the ground life.
For Jesus, his cousin's emergence was a call to action. It had been eighteen years since he had begun to realize his was a unique life to be lived. He went to his cousin to join the people who were looking for their God.
This was an intimate experience with God. The words of God in verse 22 come from two places: Psalm 2:7 as a description of the promised Messianic king. Then comes the second part which is from Isaiah 42:1, which is a description of the servant of the Lord.
I wonder how this description of Jesus' baptism came to Luke. Perhaps Jesus often told it to his disciples including Peter. And perhaps John Mark heard Peter preach about it. And perhaps Luke possessed Mark's writings about it. Perhaps.
Of course we could raise the question why Jesus needed this baptism for forgiveness. He was without sin. Perhaps an example. Perhaps to give his cousin some support for the cause. Perhaps joining others seeking God. However, I'll not worry my people with the question at all.
Preaching Possibilities
A. Many preachers use this Sunday to teach about Baptism. The New Testament Reading for this day is much better material for Christian Baptism than the Gospel account of cousin John baptizing Jesus in the Jordan. We must remember this was not Christian Baptism as Jesus had not yet died on the cross and made possible forgiveness by grace and atonement with God. If we keep this in mind, we can use both New Testament texts with Jesus' own baptism seen as an example for us and the Acts account as instruction on the Holy Spirit as part of Christian baptism.
B. At the beginning of the Epiphany season, the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan can also be developed as one of the beginning examples, after last week's Wise Men, of it dawning on folks who Jesus was. In the story it "dawned" on cousin John, and on Jesus himself, as Luke relates the experience.
C. The Old Testament Isaiah account is an opportunity to speak about Isaiah as we will have several of his readings in a row. Harper's Bible Dictionary or All the Men of the Bible will provide background material on Isaiah as a personality. Then there are two main elements in his message: God restores and God will protect. Verse 1b also connects to the theme of Baptism where God gives us, and calls us, by name. There is promise in that. So this Isaiah lesson can be used in support of Baptism or it can stand alone as an example of what is promised on God's behalf for us, God's people. The title could be: "You can count on this."
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
A. Begin by telling of one of the most meaningful baptisms you have ever performed.
B. Move to introduce this Sunday as "The Baptism of our Lord" and why it comes at the beginning of the Epiphany season.
C. Explain that the three scripture readings were all chosen to teach us about Baptism.
1. In Baptism God calls us by name and promises to restore and protect us over and over. Read Isaiah 43:1b and 4.
2. In Baptism we join the family of God and make our own public witness like Jesus in Luke 3:16, 21, 22. It was like an ordination to begin Jesus' public ministry and mission, as it can be for each one of us also.
3. In Baptism we are given God's equipment and presence called the Holy Spirit, like in the Acts account. Be sure to read the words in your baptism liturgy which indicate the giving of the Holy Spirit. Then read also the words of Acts 8:17.
D. Use metaphors and stories between 1, 2, and 3 above, or if you have them, tell of a baptism meaningful to you between each one.
E. Turn to the liturgy "Affirmation of Baptism" and conduct it from the pulpit. It would also be meaningful if you did a baptism at the end of this sermon. If you just don't have that many, consider using a doll and doing a baptism so all can see.
Prayer For The Day
We celebrate our baptism today, dear God, because you have named us and promised to restore and protect us. Let your Holy Spirit's presence always be here, coming into our lives and hearts and affirming our membership in your family. For all the benefits of our precious baptism, we do give thanks. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
In Joe Wold's book God's Impatience with Liberia (p. 104), Louis Bowers went across the Saint Paul River to the village of Parakwele. There, fourteen men were ready to be baptized by the local evangelists.
The Zo stood up and said, "I forbid these men to be baptized. If they are, by this time tomorrow they will be dead."
The men went outside for a palaver. They came back and said, "We will be baptized; if we die we will be with Jesus."
When the service was over, the Zo came to Bowers secretly and said, "Tell me about this Jesus. His power is greater than mine."
How does one describe the power of Jesus?
The Dean of the Church Divinity School of the Pacific and I came out of the common room and waited and waited for the rain to stop, only to discover the lawn sprinklers above us were on, causing it to appear like rain.
Perception and reality are often very different. Let's throw the water of baptism so broadly it appears as though it is a downpour.
On Real People, two who had been prisoners in the German concentration camp at Dachau used the date of their release by the Rainbow Division of the U.S. Army as their birthday to celebrate each year.
At the date of our baptism we were set free as well.
I often watch in early morning as the doves perch on the upper rim of our fountain, waiting for the water to come on and the upper basin to fill so they can drink and bathe in it.
When it does finally begin, the upper basin must fill before any water flows to the larger lower one.
And so we do our ministries from the overflow of our baptismal waters and many wait for us.
Dr. Joseph Sittler, on April 24, 1983, was asked how he would define baptism. He said, "It is an enactment of the fact that you weren't consulted in the first place."
