September 11, 2005 Sermon

Real Baptism
Mark 1:1-8

Baptism has a rich set of meanings. We just read about John the Baptist, who baptized with the waters of the Jordan River. People came to him to get baptized in order to show they had repented for their sins. They were ashamed before God of their behavior. They wanted to turn their lives around and follow the Law of Yahweh.

Today we note the fourth anniversary of the day terrorists baptized America with fire. Literally. On this date, nearly at the hour of 9:11 a.m. , evil thugs commandeered four airplanes. Two piloted their aircraft into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center , killing over 3,500 from over a dozen countries. One sent his plane into the Pentagon. We may never know the destination of the final airplane. Passengers on board received cell phone calls from loved ones telling them what was happening in New York and Washington. A brave few responded by fighting their way into the cockpit and preventing the scum at the controls from fulfilling his ÒmissionÓ. Instead, they plowed into a field in western Pennsylvania. They passed through their unique baptism and straight into the arms of Jesus. Where the human filth ended up I leave to God Almighty.

These past two weeks we have watched as the Gulf Coast from Texas to Alabama has passed through yet another kind of baptism. It has involved a tremendous volume of waterÑcontaminated salt water, actually. Like all baptisms it has incorporated death and rebirth, despair and hope, guilt and grace. Many have responded by pointing fingers of blame. Others have simply gotten down to the task of serving the needs of the poor, the homeless, the ones whose lives have been shattered. They have passed through water into a new life, but what kind of life?Ê

Each type of baptism has its purpose. The Gospel of Mark tells us that John the Baptizer spoke of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. But the highest, most final, most perfect kind of baptism comes through the Holy Spirit of God. Only Jesus offers this baptism to us. If you have not been baptized in the Holy Spirit, become so immediately. (I will speak about how later in this sermon). If you have, renew your baptism. Then do as Jesus did after the Holy Spirit came upon him: climb up out of the water and serve the suffering.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit connects us at the deepest possible level with God. You must answer this question honestly: have you been baptized in the Holy Spirit?

At the start of his Gospel Mark dives right in with a quick quote from the prophet Isaiah, who predicted not only the appearance of the Messiah, but also of a ÒmessengerÓ who would precede him. ÒSee, I send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way.ÓÊ Through Isaiah, God predicts that a messenger will come to alert the world that the Savior will appear at any minute.

Sure enough, Mark tells us, John the Baptizer appears. He shows up out in the wilderness. He wears rough clothing. He eats a weird diet. All three clues screamed to the Hebrew mind that John was the messenger who would usher the Messiah into this world but soon. The JewsÑand Mark was a JewÑwere looking for someone just like John to help them keep their eyes peeled for the Savior.ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ

The word spread, and crowds came to John. They listened to him preach about the Messiah, and they accepted his baptism in water, symbolizing cleansing from sin. Mark tells us John concluded with these words: ÒThe one who is more powerful than I is coming after meÉI have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.ÓÊ We Christians believe Jesus is the Messiah. He did indeed give the Holy Spirit to his followers, at the end of his earthly ministry. Was that one moment in time the only baptism of the Holy Spirit that has ever happened?Ê

Clearly, the fact that I encourage us today either to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, or to renew it, shows that I do not believe it could happen only that one time, some 2,000 years ago. What, then, does it mean to get baptized in the Holy Spirit?Ê It means to embrace the power of God already at work within each one of usÑeven those of us who do not know it is thereÑespecially those of us who deny it is there. It means to receive the gift of faith that GodÕs Spirit longs to give us. It means accepting the love of God that forgives even our most repugnant sins.

Getting baptized in the Holy Spirit means entering into new life. And that new life is the life of salvation. If you have not been baptized in the Holy Spirit, please come forward after this service. Elders will wait to pray with you. They will help you through the very simple, yet life-changing, process of receiving the Holy Spirit.

If you have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, rejoice!Ê Remember that God has saved you and give thanks!Ê Pray that your experience of the presence of Christ within you, which is a long way of saying the Holy Spirit, might never fade.ÊÊ One final thought. Baptism always implies passing through suffering, even death, to new life. Many have asked how our church plans to respond to the terrible human suffering caused by Hurricane Katrina. The elders will meet tomorrow night. If you have heard of efforts already underway that sound promising, please tell one of your elders. ÊWe list their names in the bulletin. They may adopt one of your ideas, or they may join in the work of the Presbyterian Church already underway.

Join us all in passing through sin and pain to new life. Celebrate the baptism of the Holy Spirit. And then join us in ministering in the name of the One who saves us, ministering to those, near and far, who pass through horrible trials.