The texts were the lectionary texts. I did not include the Isaiah text in the sermon, and I really only needed to have read the second section of the John passage.
the context of the sermon was a baptism in worship. It was my first time to be here for a baptism, so i was intrigued by the congregation's tradition of asking, "who will stand with this child?" before the baptism. I had never seen or heard of that tradition, but I find it powerful. After the service, I learned that the congregation adopted this tradition based on a Michael Lindvall story about baptism. If had known that, I probably would have included a reference to it in the sermon.
This story built on last week's sermon about witnesses, although i did not explicitly make that connection in the sermon.
“Standing Witnesses” SAPC, January 15, 2017; Isaiah 49: 1-7; John 1: 29-42
The next day John the baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”
The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon[c] to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter.
Introduction: New minister in your midst
But, I also have experienced a few changes in how you do things.
Lisa and I have talked often about the different traditions and expectations we all have and have to adjust.
Worship.
Where are the baptismal font and Lord’s Table this week?
I was intrigued by a tradition you have here at St. Andrew that i have never seen or done.
Before the child is baptized, the minister asks, “Who stands with this child?”
And the congregation stands.
Wow.
Move 1: Standing up for baptism — what a powerful image
a. It reminds me of so many movies scenes when the beleaguered good guy is all alone facing the bad guys, and suddenly all the people who had been waiting on the sideline stand up and join the good guy.
1. the bad guys will now be overcome.
2. the music in the background shifts to “Stand by Me.”
3. and somewhere in the audience tears trickle down.
b. Standing at baptism is not just high drama, but it is also theological.
1. In our practice of infant baptism, we not only celebrate the God who claims us in the waters of baptism (even before we know of God), but we also celebrate the role of the community of faith.
2. No private baptisms in the Presbyterian church because the role of the community of faith is that important.
3. Someone once shared with me the story of their baptism as it had been related to him.
He had been baptized in the Presbyterian church he did not attend because his father forbid them to worship there or for him to be baptized.
But the infant’s Presbyterian mother desperately wanted her son to be baptized. so on a Monday morning at 10:00 am she arrived at the Presbyterian church where the minister had agreed to baptize her son.
But, in keeping with the Presbyterian tradition, they were not alone - the minister’s wife was there; the mother’s parents were there; and a couple of elders had left work to come to church to stand up for that child on behalf of the congregation.
A small group to try and keep it a secret, but the community was present in those elders.
c. My daughters and I have a running disagreement about whether they can be godmothers.
Family friends.
They stood up there with the parents for the baptism.
But I know they are not godparents. Why? Because I was there at the baptism. I was there when the congregation took vows on behalf of the church universal to raise those children in the faith.
In the Presbyterian tradition no child needs godparents because the congregation plays that role.
Move 2: The gospel story today is a little less dramatic than standing up, but no less powerful.
a. Great story about Andrew.
1. simple story, really.
1. He finds Jesus, recognizes him as the Messiah.
2. what does he do with this information.
3. He simply goes and tells his brother Peter.
4. Andrew, the one for whom this congregation gets its name, looking out for his brother.
5. when you stand for baptism, you commit to pointing out again and again to the child where he or she can find the Messiah.
b. Anne Lamott, Traveling Mercies, tells the story of a woman who shared her baptism story in worship. She was a young child and was baptized in the Mississippi River in Louisiana. The deacons go out early in the morning and find firm spots in the river and put poles in them so that those who gather to be baptized have a place to stand in the river (262). FPC, Troy, Chapel service, Feb. 15, 2004; Troy, Sanctuary, may 23, 3004
1. I like that image — those who make up the community of faith, planting poles to guide the young children to the safe places in the water.
2. when you stand up you commit to planting poles so that those growing up in this community of faith can find the safe places to discover Jesus Christ
3. All the children and youth in our midst are at various stage of growing in their faith, and we as a community of faith are living out the baptismal vows someone took on our behalf when they were presented for baptism.
2. not just touchy, feely. It’s committing to show God’s love and teach the child about Jesus so that one day Connor, in this case, may profess Jesus Christ as his Lord and savior.
c. when the congregation is asked the question, “Who will stand with this child?” it is really being asked:
Who will tell this child about Jesus Christ?
Who will show this child unconditional love?
Who will welcome this child back after he has left the church for a while?
Who will hug this child when she desperately needs affirmation?
conclusion: Are you willing to stand with this child?
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