Taylor and his sponsors at his baptism.
This past Sunday can only be described as a momentous occasion. I and always greatly humbled when I get to act on behalf of Church and Apostles to bring someone into the Faith but this baptism was extra special because I got to see Taylor brought into the Household of God by his best friends who have been working with him, teaching him the Catechism. One of these friends was just recently baptized himself!
This past Sunday we heard and I exposited (preached on) 1 Peter 1:13-2:10. In this passage the Apostle Peter calls the Christians he is writing to “Obedient Children” (1:14). Peter is making the point that they have been made God’s obedient children by the blood of Jesus which was sprinkled on them through Holy Baptism. As these children they are already part of God’s household - part of the family of God the Father. So Peter is encouraging them to behave as those who have been ransomed (1:18).
Peter tells them to gird their loins for action and be holy and then tells them some tips on how to do it. One tip he gives them is that they should not be “conformed to the passions of their former ignorance.” The natural desires and passions are the enemy of the Christian who is constantly fighting against the World, the Flesh and the Devil. Our catechisms teach this as does the Bible, but we seem to have forgotten it. Divine love is supposed to displace our natural passions and Hope our despair.
How does hope change our actions and the way we live our lives?
As I think about this, it becomes super obvious to me. I am new in Jesus. I have the hope of changing for the better. I am not stuck. At times I feel stuck. There are plenty of times I feel like despairing because my change seems so slow. I still struggle with the same sins. I still fall into the same patterns. But I also see God changing me and I have the hope of God finishing that change one day.
In my sermon I spoke about people not changing - and it is true that without the Holy Spirit bringing the change they don’t - but I also see fellow Christians do change. I see people become less angry and more reasonable. I see people experience healing. I see God taking personalities and refining them.
How have I seen the local church serve as a kingdom of priests?
At St. Anselm I have seen people share the Faith in ways I have never seen before. I see people inviting their friends to Holy Week services. I see people using their talents and treasures to help the Parish Church that I never could have imagined. I see people bringing their friends - like Taylor - to be baptized or to be connected to God again. All of the things that some may talk about but never do are happening here. Praise God!
It’s true that the Church can hurt people and there are some nasty Christians out there. I have experienced that over the years. But those things happen because Christians are not being obedient children and loving one another. I find this study of I Peter exciting because I see what the Apostle is writing about happening all around me. God is transforming people. May it always be so.
What do you think?
How has the certain hope found in Jesus changed the way you think and live or liberated you?
How do you see the Church acting as a “Kingdom of Priests” and a “Chosen people”?
How is our own congregation both declaring and displaying the beauty of living under God’s loving rule: to one another; to those around us?
What is particularly exciting to you during this study about being part of the Church?