Sermon Tone Analysis

In the Christian Faith we have different ceremonies.

Baptism, baby dedications, last rites (for Catholics), Communion, Weddings, etc.

WHY?

What is the “411” on these things.

Do I need to do them?

In some churches your entrance to HEAVEN is dependent in your participation in some of these events.

For others it is an occasion to throw a party.

Did God ask us to participate in these things???

I would like to take this week and next to talk about some of these things.

In May, we are having both a water baptism day and a baby/child dedication Sunday, but what is the difference and why should I join in.

First let me preface my entire message today and say that NONE OF THESE CEREMONIES GUARANTEES MAKING IT INTO HEAVEN, and ONLY ONE presents a danger - not an absolute, of missing HEAVEN.

1. BABY DEDICATION

Why do we dedicate babies ---

We do not baptise infants for a reason --- we believe that baptism is a PUBLIC PROCLAMATION one makes that they have CHOSEN to follow Jesus Christ --- an infant does not have that ability, and following Christ is an independent decision every person must make APART from their parent’s choice.

However, dedication is really a commitment upon the part of the parent to present their child to God, surrender their child to God, and commit to raising their child in the ways of God to the best of their ability.

That is then partnered with the church who commits to being that “Village that raises a child in the ways of Christ”

We see Hannah in

Hannah was unable to conceive a child and had wept out to the Lord, making a promise that if God would grant her a child, she would give that first child back to the Lord for His use and glory.

We replicate that same commitment recognizing that children are a gift from God, and we give this gift back to God to use as He wills — if He wants to call that child into ministry, or however God might want to use that child for His glory.

It is recognizing that life comes from the Lord, and we ALL exist for His pleasure.

In the same manner, when we dedicate a child, we are committing ourselves to teaching and training that child in the ways of God!

The Israelites were called to teach the commands of God to their children...

We believe that a child who has not come to an age of understanding or accountability will be held innocent by God if death should occur before they were capable of making this decision to follow Christ.

Judaism placed this age at 13, however, we do not see it as a specific age, but an understanding and that by this age of 13 all have come to the ability to make that decision.

We do not believe that an infant baptism would redeem anyone - that is putting faith in an act of works by the parents — not in the surrender of one’s will to God.

Children gain understanding, and that understanding increases as they get older, even as adults we are responsible to put into action our obedience as our understanding of Scripture grows.

Dedicating our children is a commitment to teach them the ways of God’s Word and Christ, and yield their lives to Jesus and as they grow they must continuously make those choices to follow in His path.

Kids, as you understand right from wrong - God wants you to choose to obey Him, to follow Him, and to surrender your life to Him.

You cannot get into heaven on your parents’ faith, but must surrender your heart to God as you understand.

2. WATER BAPTISM

Water Baptism does NOT SAVE YOU!!! and just because you take the plunge - you are not guaranteed HEAVEN.

You are saved because you surrendered your heart to Jesus and by FAITH received His free gift of life!!!

It is his GRACE that saves you.

The Biblical pattern we see in the New Testament after Jesus ascension was proclaimed by Peter...

An infant or young child is not capable of the portion of repentance!!!

This Baptism in water is an identification with Jesus and His church and following after His example He gave us when he walked the earth.

Now, we who are baptized do so to identify with Christ’s death and resurrection....

So as we go down in the water we are identifying with the sacrifice Christ made and we leave the old man behind and rise up to NEW LIFE in Christ --- walking in a different way!!!

This was the practice of the early church, and any who were saved identified with the church through baptism...

Being baptized in the Name of Jesus is to go PUBLIC with our faith, and make it known that we have decided to follow Jesus!!!

NOW, if you have surrendered your heart to Jesus and REFUSE to be baptized, than your are directly disobeying a command Jesus gave...

We are commanded to be baptized and to baptize those who believe…

To refuse would be an act of rebellion against God, and where only He can judge, I would have to ask myself how can I follow Christ if I am unwilling to obey this simple command.....?

3. BURIAL

Why do Christians bury their dead???

If you look in Scripture, burning of the dead was often a practice by non-Christian and non-Judeo peoples.

The practice of burial comes out of Judaism, but is rooted in this main fact --

The expectation of RESURRECTION!!

We have just come through Easter and are very familiar with the resurrection of Christ,

That same resurrection is an expectation to all who have died in Christ --

we know our spirits go immediately into the presence of God, but one day they will be reunited with our bodies.

This Resurrection is our anticipation, our hope, our DESTINY, and for generations Christians have buried to keep their bodies in tact for that day we will be raised incorruptible.

That brings up 2 questions...

What about cremation...

Where the Biblical pattern for dealing with the body after death is clearly seen as burial, that does not mean that God cannot raise ashes out of the earth, or dirt from the sea to bring forth a resurrected being in that great day.

If we are ashes to ashes and dust to dust - than those who are deceased the longest will still be resurrected, and God who made all things and can raise the dead in the twinkling of an eye - can certainly bring into being those cremated or lost at sea.

2. What about last rites...

The Catholic church performs a last rite on those who die, to ensure they will be accepted into heaven or at least on their way from purgatory (a practice that we cannot even find in Scripture).

For the Christian, we pray with the believer before they pass to comfort their hearts and remind them of the great hope that is before them - graduation into God’s presence.

We also remind the believer of HEAVEN and all that Christ has prepared for us...

Then at burial we commit the body to the ground in hope of resurrection.

What amazing hope - our spirit returns to GOD!!!!

CONCLUSION

SO,

There is why we dedicate babies, baptize those who have repented and want to go Public with their faith, and Bury those who have died in anticipation of our great hope - THE RESURRECTION!

What should we take away from this...

Parents and Church - we have a responsibility to every child in our midst to train them up in the way of the Lord, to be an example before their lives of what it is to follow Jesus, and parents, we need to surrender our children to God’s plans for their lives...

Every believer needs to obey Christ in following HIs example in water baptism - making that public proclamation that I have decided to follow Jesus, and REALIZE that when we come up out of that water - we are to WALK in newness of life… the baptism is not getting us into heaven, it is our repentant life lived out in surrender to God who by HIS grace has made us new creatures

If we do not live until the Rapture, death will come to all of us, but it is not the end, our spirit lives on in the presence of God, and our bodies are buried awaiting the day of RESURRECTION when He comes back to restore and make us whole!