A Step in the Right Direction
Promises, Promises
Ruth 1:1-18 A Step in the Right Direction Matt. 3:13-17
By By Rev. Jeffrey V. O’Grady January 8, 2017
Rev. Jeffrey V. O’Grady Pastor January 14, 2007
San Marino Community Church
1750 Virginia Road San Marino, CA 91108 San Marino Church (626) 282-4181Community • Fax: (626) 282-4185 1750 Virginia Road www.smccpby.com • [email protected] San Marino, CA 91108 (626) 282-4181 • Fax: (626) 282-4185 www.smccpby.com • [email protected] All rights reserved. These sermon manuscripts are intended for personal use only and may not be republished or used in any way without the permission of the author.
To the extent possible, effort has been made to preserve the quality of the spoken word in thisRev. written adaptation. January 8, 2017 A Step in the Right Direction Jeffrey V. O’Grady, Pastor
Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River by a reluctant John, the Baptist, at the beginning of his ministry. It wasn’t that our Lord needed cleansing from sin or a fresh start in life (he was the only one who didn’t!) but his participation in our humanity and brokenness was so complete that “in order to fulfill all righteousness” he was baptized by John at the start of things. Baptism is about new life and new beginnings. Many of us can’t remember our baptism because it may have occurred when we were too young. And others of us may have experienced some life changing (even dramatic) transformation in our lives that led to adult baptism as an “outward sign of an inward grace” and change of heart. Regardless of whether we remember it or not, baptism has marked us for life. There is a story about a group of leaders in the Presbyterian Church who met in Scotland for a religious conference, returning to the roots of the Presbyterian tradition. On a warm summer’s afternoon, they went off to explore the beautiful countryside. Coming to a temporary bridge that spanned a swift-running stream, they started confidently to cross it. When they were half over, the bridge keeper suddenly appeared and hollered that the bridge had been declared unsafe. One of the church members didn’t quite understand the warning and called back, “It’s alright, my friend, we’re from the conference. We’re the Presbyterians.” To which the bridge keeper shouted back, “If you don’t get off the bridge this minute, you’ll all be Baptists!” I have a vague memory of my own baptism. Along with three of my siblings and my mother, we were all baptized together in our Presbyterian Church. That baptism took on new dimensions in my life years after confirmation when I embraced my faith in a new way as a young man still in high school. Like many of us, I had gone through the motions, completed the process, but with little of the change of heart or sense of newness 2
January 8, 2017
A Step in the Right Direction
Rev. Jeffrey V. O’Grady, Pastor
that faith in Christ inspires and demands. But each step moved me in the direction of the transformation the Lord intended. Baptism is both God’s action and our response. Both are present. The efficacy of baptism is not determined by the moment, whether the baby cries or the adult feels differently, cleansed or inspired by the Holy Spirit. The efficacy of baptism is determined by what follows. Is there a turning towards the Lord, a diminishing of the hold sin has on our lives? When a great aircraft carrier changes course in the ocean, it may still be at the same coordinates for the moment but that course correction will lead to a very different destination, away from the storm and out of harm’s way. It is said that a Presbyterian and a Baptist were arguing about whether it is necessary to experience full immersion for the baptism to be effective. The Baptist said, “Unless the person is dunked completely under the water, it is not baptism.” To which the Presbyterian responded, “Are you saying that if I were standing in water up to my ankles it would not qualify as a baptism?” “Yes,” proclaimed the Baptist, “that’s correct!” “Are you saying that if I were in water up to my waist it would not be sufficient?” “Yes,” said the Baptist. “Are you saying that if I were in water up to my neck it would not be sufficient?” said the Presbyterian. “Yes,” said the Baptist. “It has to cover your head.” “That’s my point,” said the Presbyterian. “It’s the top of the head that matters!” It’s unfortunate that the sacraments which should bring us together have been allowed to separate us in the Christian community. Since baptism is both an act of God and our response, it is only needed once. There are many occasions for renewal of our baptismal covenant throughout life, but God is always faithful and keeps the covenant (even when we don’t) and therefore it is not necessary to be baptized again.
3
January 8, 2017
A Step in the Right Direction
Rev. Jeffrey V. O’Grady, Pastor
Among the choices we are making in these past few weeks I wonder about new resolutions and hopes for the new year — whether we have given any thought to more faithfully fulfilling our baptismal covenant. Does our identity as children of God and followers of Jesus Christ direct or influence how we see ourselves living in this coming year? If you’re like me, I suspect most resolutions fall in the category of improving the quality of your life by some greater self-control or self-discipline. What fresh start does God want from us this year? It may be something big or it may be some small change in your life. What new beginning does God intend for you? Maybe you can take another step in the right direction. Sometimes we get stuck in life repeating the same old mistakes and following the same old patterns. We want change but we don’t know how to bring it about. Small steps in the right direction lead to real change. We can feel overwhelmed by the enormity of our problems but the solution often lies in taking small steps in the right direction. Change often occurs through rather minor adjustments. I know a marriage counselor who encouraging her clients to take on smaller, bite-sized challenges. A couple struggling with escalating arguments can say, “We’re going to practice talking with one another rather than arguing. We can practice that.” Maybe it means asking one another, “What was the most meaningful part of the day for you?” A simple question can change the entire evening. It begins small. Change one habit and you can change your life! Whether it is eating or exercise or what you think about or obsess about, change is possible and the Lord is leading us towards greater health physically, emotionally and spiritually. Small steps in the right direction have a way of leading to very different outcomes. With respect to our faith, it is the first step into the water that begins the journey of transformation -- our response to Christ’s love and grace.
4
January 8, 2017
A Step in the Right Direction
Rev. Jeffrey V. O’Grady, Pastor
Whenever we celebrate the sacrament of baptism in worship, we recall together the Great Commission at the conclusion of Matthew’s Gospel, where Jesus’ final words to the disciples are, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”1 And we are also instructed to remember our own baptism as we celebrate the sacrament. It is an opportunity to remember our identity as those who worship and serve Christ. And it leads us to consider whether we are living in ways that are consistent with that identity. Charles Ranson was a missionary in India for many years. After a long time of ministering to a Hindu man among the Braham caste, the man converted to Christianity. The family of the man saw him as a defector and betrayer of their history and religion. On the very day that he was baptized in the Christian faith, the man’s family held a funeral service for him in his home village. Ranson suggests this is a fitting description of the way baptism should be understood. It is initiation into a new life, and it is also a death for the old one. I left home when I was seventeen in part because the new life I was experiencing in Christ didn’t fit into my old routines and friendships. I needed a better context to live out my faith. Together, infant and adult baptism express the full meaning of baptism better than either would alone. The meanings are complimentary rather than mutually exclusive. Adult baptism gives emphasis to the conscious free response of a person to God’s forgiving love in Jesus Christ. It stresses public profession and personal commitment to the way of Christ. Infant baptism emphasizes the sovereign grace and initiative of God, demonstrating that even when we are helpless, human beings are loved and affirmed by God. God has chosen us long before we choose to respond to the love of God known to us in Christ. 1 Matthew 28:19-20
5
January 8, 2017
A Step in the Right Direction
Rev. Jeffrey V. O’Grady, Pastor
Baptism creates a loving community that takes responsibility for helping the child and the adult to mature in faith, and is the beginning of a process of growth into Christ; a process of growth that cannot take place without a supportive community. We have a covenantal responsibility as parents and as a church to nurture faith in those we baptize and help them grow up in faith, hope, and love. Do you know that since the 1980s the percentage of American adults who say they are lonely has doubled, from 20 % to 40 %? About one-third of Americans older than 65 live alone, and half of those who are over 80 years old. Social isolation is a growing epidemic, despite all of our technology for social networking. What changes can you “practice” this year? Maybe something as simple as attending church more often and getting more involved in the community? Join me in building and strengthening this community of faith where we can live out our baptismal vows together in real community, not just sharing in worship but in life itself, caring for one another and for those around us in need. We have here what is needed for life, human connection and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Let us take up the challenge of living by and through and for our faith in Jesus Christ in this New Year. May the Lord be with you! Amen
6
Ruth 1:1-18 A Step in the Right Direction Matt. 3:13-17
By By Rev. Jeffrey V. O’Grady January 8, 2017
Rev. Jeffrey V. O’Grady Pastor January 14, 2007
San Marino Community Church
1750 Virginia Road San Marino, CA 91108 San Marino Church (626) 282-4181Community • Fax: (626) 282-4185 1750 Virginia Road www.smccpby.com • [email protected] San Marino, CA 91108 (626) 282-4181 • Fax: (626) 282-4185 www.smccpby.com • [email protected] All rights reserved. These sermon manuscripts are intended for personal use only and may not be republished or used in any way without the permission of the author.
To the extent possible, effort has been made to preserve the quality of the spoken word in thisRev. written adaptation. January 8, 2017 A Step in the Right Direction Jeffrey V. O’Grady, Pastor
Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River by a reluctant John, the Baptist, at the beginning of his ministry. It wasn’t that our Lord needed cleansing from sin or a fresh start in life (he was the only one who didn’t!) but his participation in our humanity and brokenness was so complete that “in order to fulfill all righteousness” he was baptized by John at the start of things. Baptism is about new life and new beginnings. Many of us can’t remember our baptism because it may have occurred when we were too young. And others of us may have experienced some life changing (even dramatic) transformation in our lives that led to adult baptism as an “outward sign of an inward grace” and change of heart. Regardless of whether we remember it or not, baptism has marked us for life. There is a story about a group of leaders in the Presbyterian Church who met in Scotland for a religious conference, returning to the roots of the Presbyterian tradition. On a warm summer’s afternoon, they went off to explore the beautiful countryside. Coming to a temporary bridge that spanned a swift-running stream, they started confidently to cross it. When they were half over, the bridge keeper suddenly appeared and hollered that the bridge had been declared unsafe. One of the church members didn’t quite understand the warning and called back, “It’s alright, my friend, we’re from the conference. We’re the Presbyterians.” To which the bridge keeper shouted back, “If you don’t get off the bridge this minute, you’ll all be Baptists!” I have a vague memory of my own baptism. Along with three of my siblings and my mother, we were all baptized together in our Presbyterian Church. That baptism took on new dimensions in my life years after confirmation when I embraced my faith in a new way as a young man still in high school. Like many of us, I had gone through the motions, completed the process, but with little of the change of heart or sense of newness 2
January 8, 2017
A Step in the Right Direction
Rev. Jeffrey V. O’Grady, Pastor
that faith in Christ inspires and demands. But each step moved me in the direction of the transformation the Lord intended. Baptism is both God’s action and our response. Both are present. The efficacy of baptism is not determined by the moment, whether the baby cries or the adult feels differently, cleansed or inspired by the Holy Spirit. The efficacy of baptism is determined by what follows. Is there a turning towards the Lord, a diminishing of the hold sin has on our lives? When a great aircraft carrier changes course in the ocean, it may still be at the same coordinates for the moment but that course correction will lead to a very different destination, away from the storm and out of harm’s way. It is said that a Presbyterian and a Baptist were arguing about whether it is necessary to experience full immersion for the baptism to be effective. The Baptist said, “Unless the person is dunked completely under the water, it is not baptism.” To which the Presbyterian responded, “Are you saying that if I were standing in water up to my ankles it would not qualify as a baptism?” “Yes,” proclaimed the Baptist, “that’s correct!” “Are you saying that if I were in water up to my waist it would not be sufficient?” “Yes,” said the Baptist. “Are you saying that if I were in water up to my neck it would not be sufficient?” said the Presbyterian. “Yes,” said the Baptist. “It has to cover your head.” “That’s my point,” said the Presbyterian. “It’s the top of the head that matters!” It’s unfortunate that the sacraments which should bring us together have been allowed to separate us in the Christian community. Since baptism is both an act of God and our response, it is only needed once. There are many occasions for renewal of our baptismal covenant throughout life, but God is always faithful and keeps the covenant (even when we don’t) and therefore it is not necessary to be baptized again.
3
January 8, 2017
A Step in the Right Direction
Rev. Jeffrey V. O’Grady, Pastor
Among the choices we are making in these past few weeks I wonder about new resolutions and hopes for the new year — whether we have given any thought to more faithfully fulfilling our baptismal covenant. Does our identity as children of God and followers of Jesus Christ direct or influence how we see ourselves living in this coming year? If you’re like me, I suspect most resolutions fall in the category of improving the quality of your life by some greater self-control or self-discipline. What fresh start does God want from us this year? It may be something big or it may be some small change in your life. What new beginning does God intend for you? Maybe you can take another step in the right direction. Sometimes we get stuck in life repeating the same old mistakes and following the same old patterns. We want change but we don’t know how to bring it about. Small steps in the right direction lead to real change. We can feel overwhelmed by the enormity of our problems but the solution often lies in taking small steps in the right direction. Change often occurs through rather minor adjustments. I know a marriage counselor who encouraging her clients to take on smaller, bite-sized challenges. A couple struggling with escalating arguments can say, “We’re going to practice talking with one another rather than arguing. We can practice that.” Maybe it means asking one another, “What was the most meaningful part of the day for you?” A simple question can change the entire evening. It begins small. Change one habit and you can change your life! Whether it is eating or exercise or what you think about or obsess about, change is possible and the Lord is leading us towards greater health physically, emotionally and spiritually. Small steps in the right direction have a way of leading to very different outcomes. With respect to our faith, it is the first step into the water that begins the journey of transformation -- our response to Christ’s love and grace.
4
January 8, 2017
A Step in the Right Direction
Rev. Jeffrey V. O’Grady, Pastor
Whenever we celebrate the sacrament of baptism in worship, we recall together the Great Commission at the conclusion of Matthew’s Gospel, where Jesus’ final words to the disciples are, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”1 And we are also instructed to remember our own baptism as we celebrate the sacrament. It is an opportunity to remember our identity as those who worship and serve Christ. And it leads us to consider whether we are living in ways that are consistent with that identity. Charles Ranson was a missionary in India for many years. After a long time of ministering to a Hindu man among the Braham caste, the man converted to Christianity. The family of the man saw him as a defector and betrayer of their history and religion. On the very day that he was baptized in the Christian faith, the man’s family held a funeral service for him in his home village. Ranson suggests this is a fitting description of the way baptism should be understood. It is initiation into a new life, and it is also a death for the old one. I left home when I was seventeen in part because the new life I was experiencing in Christ didn’t fit into my old routines and friendships. I needed a better context to live out my faith. Together, infant and adult baptism express the full meaning of baptism better than either would alone. The meanings are complimentary rather than mutually exclusive. Adult baptism gives emphasis to the conscious free response of a person to God’s forgiving love in Jesus Christ. It stresses public profession and personal commitment to the way of Christ. Infant baptism emphasizes the sovereign grace and initiative of God, demonstrating that even when we are helpless, human beings are loved and affirmed by God. God has chosen us long before we choose to respond to the love of God known to us in Christ. 1 Matthew 28:19-20
5
January 8, 2017
A Step in the Right Direction
Rev. Jeffrey V. O’Grady, Pastor
Baptism creates a loving community that takes responsibility for helping the child and the adult to mature in faith, and is the beginning of a process of growth into Christ; a process of growth that cannot take place without a supportive community. We have a covenantal responsibility as parents and as a church to nurture faith in those we baptize and help them grow up in faith, hope, and love. Do you know that since the 1980s the percentage of American adults who say they are lonely has doubled, from 20 % to 40 %? About one-third of Americans older than 65 live alone, and half of those who are over 80 years old. Social isolation is a growing epidemic, despite all of our technology for social networking. What changes can you “practice” this year? Maybe something as simple as attending church more often and getting more involved in the community? Join me in building and strengthening this community of faith where we can live out our baptismal vows together in real community, not just sharing in worship but in life itself, caring for one another and for those around us in need. We have here what is needed for life, human connection and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Let us take up the challenge of living by and through and for our faith in Jesus Christ in this New Year. May the Lord be with you! Amen
6
