Sermon Mark 1:1-8

Today, we begin telling the story, the gospel of Jesus Christ. And yet, the first character in Mark's gospel is not Jesus, but John the Baptist. You remember him, the fiery preacher, come out of the desert where he lived on honey and locusts, wearing camel hair clothes, and leather belt. This new Isaiah, proclaiming a baptism for the forgiveness of sins, gathered the crowds from the country side and the big city.

Certainly the message of forgiveness was a needed one. Just as today, people need to hear that with God, those who turn away from their sins will find forgiveness. People need to know they can begin again, however we know that John's message does not end there. He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals, I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

Who is the one, but Jesus. John brings the baptism with water and Jesus brings a baptism of the Holy Spirit.

This scripture is fitting for today, since we will mark both today. Jack Yu will be baptised, Kevin Kuo and Nancy Liao will be confirmed, Oscar Chiu and Wenny Chiu will reaffirm their confirmation.

We in the Church often know about "the baptism in water" part, but what about this baptism of the Holy Spirit that John proclaims? We know he is talking about Jesus Christ, and we know that when Jesus Christ was baptised, that the heavens were torn apart and the Holy Spirit descended like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Beloved: with you I am well pleased."

Baptism included both water and the Spirit. Just as today we will Baptise Jack and then we will lay hands upon him, and call for the Holy Spirit to work within him. And for Kevin and Nancy we will do the same. And for Oscar and Wenny, we will ask that the Holy Spirit continue to work within them.

And yet, I wonder. Isn't the Holy Spirit already at work in their lives? For how is it that they have been led to this moment if it was not by the Holy Spirit? Indeed, that is what we proclaim today, the through whatever means, through parents, through friends, through an inner need, the Holy Spirit has called you, has called us to this place and this time for a purpose ... or better put, for a mission.

And that mission begins with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that comes with Jesus own baptism. The heavens were torn open, and the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus, commissioning him, naming him, recognizing him as the one who would reconcile humanity with God.

And Jesus calls Simon-Peter, James and John, and the rest of the twelve, and Mary and Martha, and the other disciples, and at pentecost a host were added to the number being saved, and the Church spreads through out Africa, Europe, Asia, and across globe and across time, to this place. Such is the travels of the Holy Spirit, as people are added to the mission of Jesus Christ.

What I am talking about is the promise that was first proclaimed by the prophet Joel, who Peter quotes in the first sermon of the Church after Pentecost,
'In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
19I will show wonders in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

At Pentecost is when the Holy Spirit empowers the Church as God's mission in the world to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, and to witness to the unfolding kingdom of God. To be the mission of God in the world.

And today we will add and affirm that these young adults are part of God's mission. And they, along with us will proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. Indeed, they already have begun to do so.

For this service we asked them to say why they wanted to be baptised or confirmed or make a reaffirmation of faith. Certainly, as Peter said, we have seen sons and daughters prophesy.

Kevin Kuo proclaims that confirmation is like a passport to a nation; that we are citizens of heaven. Good News!

Oscar Chiu proclaims that reaffirming confirmation is like a race car being restored with gas and being fixed; that our faith can be restored through God and that we can know ourselves through Christ. Good News!

Wenny Chiu proclaims that reaffirming confirmation is a witness to her growth in knowledge of Christ; that through proclaiming our faith we have hope in growing in faith and confidence in Christ. Good News!

Nancy Liao proclaims through confirmation her love and respect for God; that when we come to God with our fears, He opens His arms of safety. Good News!

And Jack Yu proclaims that he met the love of God through friends who helped his family when they came to Canada. He calls them angels sent from God! That it is very very difficult to follow Jesus way and be a "real" Christian. He wants to try and learn and hopes God will help him.

Good News Jack! God will help you, and God will help us and God will use you to help others. For through our lives together, God will accomplish great things. Through ordinary people like us, God has formed the Church to proclaim through our lives the good news of the kingdom of God.

And so, let us share in the up-building of Christ's church through baptism, confirmation, and reaffirmation of faith.

Sermon Mark 1:1-8
by James Love