Our Challenge to LIVE as Disciples
Introduction, using Matthew 3:1-6, Matthew 3:13-17
Martin Luther, in moments of despair and doubt, would say to himself as a reminder: “I was baptized.”
Here we see the fascinating figure of John the Baptist preaching repentance and baptizing the people as they confessed their sin. We then see John’s humility, confessing that he should be the one baptized by Jesus, but consented to Jesus’ request out of obedience. To this day, we join John in confessing our need for Jesus’ baptism, and try to consent to Him every day.
A coworker asked her friend one day what it was like to be baptized. The woman happened to see a carved pumpkin in a window, and said, “It’s like that pumpkin.” The coworker asked her to explain that one. “Well,” she replied, “God brings you in from the patch and washes off all the dirt. Then He cuts off the top and takes out all the yucky stuff from the inside. He removes all those seeds of doubt, hate, envy and all that. Then he carves you a new smiling face and puts a light inside of you to shine for all to see. Baptism is our way of showing that God has made us new and bright.”
In a way, John was the first Christian conservative. He preached the kingdom and baptized for repentance. He trusted the scriptures and humbly obeyed the Beloved Son. And he was not afraid to call out sin and confront evil.
When I was a voting commissioner to one of our General Assembly meetings, I was sitting beside a fellow commissioner who complained that she was sure my votes would cancel hers. I asked her if she honestly associated me with what some in her church labeled as “EVIL” conservatives who happened to have churches near mine. She said, yes.
It was then that I experienced one of those moments when the light shines and you get that Spirit-inspired insight – yes, you could call it an epiphany. I said, “Okay. I’ll accept that label if I can explain what it means to me.” She said okay. “I am an EVIL conservative IF the E means I am Engaged in mission addressing today’s issues and needs, V for being Vital in Spirit; the I means I am Informed scripturally and theologically, and the L is for being Loved by God and sharing God’s love with others. If that makes me an evil conservative, then so be it; but the truth is, being Engaged, Vital, Informed and Loving Disciples is how Christ turns EVIL around so we can LIVE in ways pleasing to God. [Note how EVIL backwards spells LIVE.] As you might guess, this left my colleague stunned, but we did leave from there on friendly terms after all was said and done.
In that moment of inspiration was born the idea behind this series I am preaching on discipleship. With the help of the Holy Spirit, the acronym LIVE has continued to guide my journey of discipleship over the years. And it all begins with God coming into our patch of wilderness, taking us in and preparing the way for us, because God loves us so much that He sent His Beloved Son to wash us clean.
You can take advantage of a series like this. It is a good opportunity to invite someone you’ve been thinking about who might gain from it. As for yourself, commit to following this series through and see where it leads you in your calling to LIVE out your baptism in Christ by the power of God’s Spirit.
I look forward to our journey together.