In der Liebe Christi,
Rev. Kurt Hering, Pastor
Trinity Lutheran Church
Layton, UT
TEXT: Matthew 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and
lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Gentlemen! Start your engines! - and men and women wearing tons of very
expensive metal begin hurtling around a track at 200+miles/hour in a race
for a checkered flag, a pile of cash, hero status, and maybe a jug of milk
or other refreshment.
Aaaaaand they're off!- gates crash open and tons of very expensive
horseflesh begin hurtling around a track, whipped by the rather small men
and women wearing rather colorful yet silly clothing who ride them intent on
whipping them across the digital finish line for a pile of cash, hero
status, and maybe a bunch of roses or other trophy.
On your mark. Get set. Go!- the crack of a gunshot sends hundreds of pounds
of well muscled men and women dashing around a track in short shorts, tank
tops, and funny looking spiked shoes trying to be the first person to break
the tape for screaming fans, points for the team, scholarships or future
endorsements involving piles of cash, and a blue ribbon, medal, or team
trophy.
I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit. Amen!
With these words begins the human race. Countless people, as grains of sand
on the seashore or stars in the heavens, of all shapes, colors, sizes,
nations, and tongues, are sent forth into all the world, the world from
which they came, already possessing all there is to have by the grace of
God. Yes, this race is much different, for it is a race whose outcome is
never in doubt, whose champion is Christ, which is finished before it even
begins.
Oh, the participants, the baptized beloved children of God, will certainly
still experience the blood, sweat and tears of dedicated preparation, of
unexpected twists, turns, and even fights and crashes. It may be seemingly
far too short, or woefully long. But this race is different because it is a
race where you do not compete toward the finish line, but the finish line is
brought to you. Though the race remains to be run for as long as we are
given to live on this earth, the outcome is never in doubt. The salvation
from our sins that gives us eternal life was finished by Christ on the cross
and has been delivered to us through the water poured over our heads, in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
With these words, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but
according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and
renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through
Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should
become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:5_7 NKJ)
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. With these
words we are given the image of God which we were intended to be from the
beginning, when God created the first man and woman.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. With these
words the image lost -- as through one man sin entered the world, and death
through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned (Rom 5:12
NKJ), is the image restored to us - so through one Man's righteous act the
free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. (Rom 5:18
NKJ)
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. With these
words, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as
Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also
should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the
likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His
resurrection. (Rom 6:4_5 NKJ)
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. With these
words we have been freed from the burden of forever trying to please God.
[Speak about idol worship] For with these words, God the Father looks upon
us just as He looked upon His only begotten Son at His baptism, saying,
"This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matt 3:17 NKJ)
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. With these
words God gives us the comfort and assurance that we are already among "they
that have done good [and] will go into everlasting life," as we will confess
momentarily in the Athanasian Creed,
For [by these words] we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for
good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Eph
2:10 NKJ)
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. With these
words not only is the race begun, but it is finished. For with these words,
heaven has come to earth. Where these words are spoken, we can join with
Luther in saying, "This is surely God's house, here heaven has been opened
to you." Yes, here in this place where God speaks the words recalling your
baptism, where God speaks His words of forgiveness to you when you confess
your sins, where God gives you the very body and blood of His Son Jesus
Christ, here heaven has been opened to you. Here, in the word of God spoken
through the Apostle Paul, The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love
of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit [is] with you all.
With these words, you can be sure that the finish line of heaven is always
before you because the God who awaits you at the finish line to give you the
crown of life says, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. For
with these words, God forgives you all your sins in the name of the Father
and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
___________________________________________________________________________
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