Latest / Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons / Baptism Service

Transcript

Baptism Service · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

0:00
We're going to begin our worship by singing to God's praise. We're going to sing in Psalm 16.
0:09
! We're going to sing from verse 8 to 11.
0:13
!
0:30
We'll stay down to the end of the psalm to God's praise and we stand to sing.
0:33
Amen.
1:00
!
1:30
My body too will rest secure in open with a name.
1:47
For you will not allow my soul in death to stay.
2:05
Lord, help me to lead your holy one to see the truth in his.
2:23
You are made known to me the path of life divine.
2:39
This child I know that you might come.
2:52
Joy from your face will shine.
3:05
We'll bow our heads together in a short word of prayer.
3:08
Let us pray.
3:09
Our Father in heaven, as we come to unite our hearts in prayer and as we lift up our voices
3:17
in song and praise to you, we are thankful that as we come today, we do indeed set the Lord before us.
3:24
That all that we seek to do, we seek to do for your sake and for your glory.
3:29
So we give you thanks for this day and this opportunity to worship you,
3:34
this blessing that is ours to be under your word, to be hearing it, to be learning from it.
3:39
And today as we have the service of baptism too, we thank you for that blessing that there is to be heard and seen in that as well.
3:48
And we do pray that together we will be encouraged, that we will be blessed by you.
3:53
And we pray for our young people as we come to you today.
3:55
We thank you for them.
3:59
We thank you for those who will be baptized today and we pray for your blessing on them and their families.
4:05
We thank you for all who belong to us as a congregation, from our creche, our tweenies, our Sunday school, our Bible class, our youth fellowship,
4:13
and all our families, Lord, we commit to you asking your protection and blessing over them.
4:19
Thankful that there is that desire to learn of you.
4:23
And we pray that they may come to know you in that special way,
4:27
that they will set the Lord before them, themselves all the days of their lives.
4:33
So may you bless us.
4:34
May you watch over us.
4:35
May you continue with us in all that we do as we ask it all in Jesus' name and for his sake.
4:41
Amen.
4:44
Before the young ones go out to the Sunday school, I just want to say a few words to you.
4:49
And in my hand here, I have something that probably most of you have at home.
4:55
Do you recognize what it is?
4:57
It's a TV controller.
4:59
Now, this can cause a lot of discussion in the house, a lot of debate.
5:04
Has anybody hidden the controller on anybody else so that you have control over what you're watching
5:10
and what everybody's watching?
5:12
It can cause a lot of discussion.
5:13
It can even cause little fights to start.
5:16
Where do you put the controller?
5:18
Because it gives us a sense of power.
5:20
Because we can rewind, watch something again.
5:23
We can fast forward if we're not enjoying something we're watching.
5:27
We can pause if we want to take a wee break and come back and watch something again later.
5:32
It gives us that sense of power.
5:37
Well, today as we come to look at God's word, as we come together today, we have a special service,
5:42
service for baptism.
5:45
And we'll see that later on towards the end of the service.
5:48
But as we come to look at God's word, it's almost like we're pressing the rewind button on the controller.
5:55
We're going to go back into the book of Acts in the New Testament, back to a time like 2,000 years ago.
6:03
And we're seeing a sermon being preached, just like we see here today.
6:08
And we're seeing Peter there preaching a sermon.
6:11
We're seeing people listening to what he's saying.
6:15
And we see people then seeking to understand about what he's saying, wanting to know more about what he's saying.
6:22
And they have a question, what should we do?
6:25
It's a great question that for ourselves today when we think of all that we're seeing and all that we're hearing.
6:32
What do we do with it?
6:34
Well, we are reminded that as we go back to the book of Acts and as we see Peter saying,
6:38
you must be baptized.
6:40
He's telling of the importance of being baptized in the name of Jesus.
6:45
Is that a doctor then?
7:15
He's telling of the story.
7:45
That's all.
7:46
That's all.
8:15
Thank you.
8:45
Thank you.
9:15
Thank you.
9:45
Thank you.
10:15
Thank you.
10:45
Thank you.
10:49
Thank you.
11:19
Thank you.
11:21
Thank you.
11:23
Thank you.
11:53
Thank you.
12:23
Thank you.
12:53
Thank you.
13:23
Thank you.
13:53
Thank you.
13:55
Thank you.
13:57
Thank you.
13:59
Thank you.
14:01
Thank you.
14:03
Thank you.
14:05
Thank you.
14:07
Thank you.
18:35
Thank you.
18:37
Thank you.
18:39
Thank you.
18:41
Thank you.
18:43
Thank you.
19:15
Thank you.
19:17
,
19:47
that today we will hear your word speaking to us as a new word a fresh word for us today
19:53
just as fresh as it was then with the same power the same blessing in it lord that you are the one
20:01
who is able to save and so we ask that you will help us to do all for your glory and we look to
20:08
you in these days lord with all our different needs we thank you that you are god and lord for
20:13
all and whatever our need today we thank you that we can bring it before you we do remember
20:19
particular needs around us today we thank you for our homes and our families but we pray lord that
20:25
in those homes where there is grief and sorrow and sadness that you will come and comfort and console
20:32
as we particularly remember the family of anne mcdonald today we pray for each one of them
20:37
may your blessing and your peace be with them in a special way and in these coming days as well
20:43
as we prepare for the wake and the funeral services to take place lord we ask that your spirit
20:49
will comfort and guide in these times we thank you for the fellowship of your people in these days
20:56
as well for the way that we are able to unite our hearts and prayer for one another
21:01
bringing all our different needs to you and we do pray for our community and thank you for the power
21:07
of prayer and we ask that especially in matters concerning your cause that you would unite us
21:14
together as your people in that spirit of prayer as we think of the situation regarding tesco at this
21:21
time we do commit all the prayers of your people and the prayer meeting this evening in the apc church
21:28
lord that we are time of unity and blessing in that a time when we are assured of your presence and
21:35
the power of that you have for we may be weak in ourselves but we thank you that you can do all
21:41
things for us and so we pray for your grace and your mercy upon our town and upon decisions made
21:47
regarding your day and if it is your will lord we do pray that decisions will be overturned by your power
21:54
and by your grace so give us that spirit of prayer and give us lord to look to you in these days as
22:01
well to seek your blessing over us in being seeing numbers added to those who are being saved even as we
22:08
have read of in your word we thank you that your word reminds us of that great power that you have that
22:14
salvation belongs to you alone and so here are prayers for our people for our community for our nation
22:21
and the nations of the world and we see so many needs around us with the devastation in spain in
22:27
this past week and we pray for that situation lord for those who are hurting and mourning for those who
22:34
are still missing for those who are helping in these situations lord may your grace and mercy be with them
22:40
and may you lead us as a people lord in all of these days as we think of the united states and the
22:47
election taking place there in these coming days lord we pray for your blessing over that nation as
22:53
such a powerful nation throughout the world that has so much to offer for good as well as evil
23:00
and we do pray lord that you will be pleased to bless and to guide and to pour out your spirit upon all our
23:06
lands so here our prayers continue with us in this day and go before us is all we ask we ask the
23:13
forgiveness of our sins in jesus name amen we're going to sing again to god's praise this time in psalm 90
23:24
in the scottish psalter page 350 of the psalm books
23:29
psalm 90 page 350
23:35
we'll sing from verse 14 to verse 17
23:42
with thy tender mercies lord as early satisfy so we rejoice shall all our days and still
23:49
be glad in thee we'll sing from verse 14 to 17 to god's praise and we stand to sing
23:56
singing singing
24:17
So we'll be joyed shall all our days, and still be glad in thee.
24:34
And Lord, in us the days of thee, where then we leave our heart, and years where then we ever last see.
25:00
So do the ring us fly.
25:08
O let thy wife and power appear, thy sermons face before.
25:24
And show unto her children dear thy glory evermore.
25:42
And let the beauty of the Lord our God be as a poor.
26:00
Around the world, his vibration, his vibration, his vibration.
26:16
Amen.
26:46
For the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
26:52
For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.
27:01
Amen.
27:03
I deserve privilege to be here today under God's word, having his word before us, having the assurance that he gives in his word of his presence with us,
27:15
that when we are gathered in his name, he is in the midst to bless.
27:20
And today we come with that significance, too, of the sacrament of baptism, and all of that shows to us of the wonder of who our Lord is.
27:30
Today is a special day for parents who are baptizing three precious children, for their families, and for us all together as a congregation and as a community of fellowship here.
27:45
It's a special day to partake of in the service, hearing the word of God, seeing what's happening before us, and asking, what does this mean?
27:54
What does it mean for those who are baptizing, and what does it mean for ourselves as a congregation, and even personally?
28:03
What does it mean to me as an individual?
28:06
What's the significance of it?
28:08
You see, in baptism, our focus isn't just on those who are being baptized.
28:15
Our focus is, first and foremost, on Jesus Christ and the blessings that we pray for in him, for us all together,
28:26
for the wee ones who are baptized, for their parents and families, and for us all together.
28:32
It is all about Jesus.
28:34
Someone once said this of baptism.
28:37
Baptism is like a precious jewel, set apart by itself.
28:43
It's nice and appealing, but has nothing within it to compel.
28:49
But place baptism against the backdrop of our sin, and turn on the light of the cross,
28:56
and the jewel explodes with significance.
29:01
You think of when you see a jewel, when it's just sitting there, maybe it doesn't look that impressive.
29:07
But put something in the background, especially a dark background, and shine a light through it,
29:11
and it explodes in all its colors and all its beauty.
29:16
And so it is with baptism.
29:18
It's not just about gathering together as family and friends.
29:22
There's so much significance behind it, and especially when we see our sin,
29:28
and what's signified in baptism, and the cross, and what Jesus has done for our salvation there.
29:35
As Peter preached this sermon in Acts chapter 2,
29:40
at the heart of it was all about the Lord Jesus Christ.
29:43
Verse 36 says,
29:47
Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ,
29:53
this Jesus whom you crucified.
29:57
Before it came to seeing their need, and before it came to the baptism,
30:01
was to see Christ crucified, and all that that means.
30:07
He has been made Lord and Christ, whom they crucified.
30:11
We're thinking today of the blessings that there are in baptism.
30:17
The blessings that we know in Christ that we are reminded of through baptism.
30:23
And that comes as we see Christ with faith.
30:28
As his word, as you see there in verse 37,
30:31
they were cut to the heart by the word.
30:33
As the word cuts to our heart,
30:37
as we hear the word, and as we see the significance of it,
30:40
may it cut to our hearts today in the same way it did then,
30:45
so that we might know the blessings that are ours in Christ.
30:50
A man called Fred Marsh spoke of the blessings that there are in Christ in this way.
30:56
He spoke of it in a number of different ways.
30:58
He said there's an inheritance that can never be lost,
31:02
a grace that can never be limited,
31:04
a hope that can never be disappointed,
31:08
a joy that need never be diminished,
31:10
a peace that can never be disturbed,
31:13
a salvation that can never be cancelled.
31:17
What we have through faith,
31:20
and that's what baptism points us to,
31:22
our need of our cleansing of our sin
31:25
that comes through Jesus Christ.
31:28
These are the blessings that we seek for the children who are baptized today,
31:34
for their families,
31:35
for their parents,
31:36
and for all their families together,
31:38
but for us all together too,
31:40
that we would see that this is the word of God to us all.
31:45
And so we're going to think of three things
31:47
that we see in these verses of baptism.
31:50
The first thing we see is the need.
31:52
The second thing we see is the name.
31:54
And the third thing is the number.
31:58
The need, the name, and the number.
32:02
So first of all, we see the need that we have for baptism.
32:06
Peter here has preached a powerful sermon.
32:11
The Spirit has been with them.
32:12
The Spirit of God was poured out on the church,
32:15
as you see at the beginning of chapter 2.
32:17
And Peter stood up in their midst
32:19
and proclaimed the word of God to them.
32:22
And what he saw was what every preacher longs to see.
32:28
He saw a response.
32:30
A wonderful response.
32:33
And that's the response you see in verse 37.
32:37
When they were cut to the heart,
32:39
they said to Peter and the rest of the apostles,
32:41
Brothers, what shall we do?
32:45
They heard the word of God.
32:48
They heard about the crucified Christ,
32:50
who had been crucified for their sins.
32:53
And they pleaded,
32:55
What shall we do?
32:58
They realized there was a need of something.
33:02
They realized that this word called for a response.
33:06
And their question is,
33:07
What shall we do?
33:09
When we gather this morning for this service of baptism,
33:14
there's so much to be thankful for.
33:17
There's so many blessings that we can see.
33:19
There's reminders to us of these blessings before us.
33:24
The blessings that we have in life.
33:26
As we think of the children being baptized.
33:29
As we think of the privilege of being together for it,
33:32
under God's word.
33:33
But in it all,
33:35
what is our greatest need?
33:39
What should we be most thankful for today?
33:43
We could come here today and say,
33:45
It was nice to be here.
33:48
It was lovely to see families together.
33:51
It was beautiful to see children baptized.
33:55
We could go away thinking all of these things.
33:58
And they are all great blessings that we are to be thankful for.
34:04
But is it the most important thing that we are to see
34:07
when we think of what's before us today?
34:10
And what it represents and says to us of our need.
34:16
It's not to see something that's nice and beautiful
34:18
and a blessing in so many ways.
34:21
But to see the word of God
34:23
and the sacrament of baptism
34:25
and speaking of the wonder of the grace of God to us.
34:30
A sinful people.
34:33
It's hard to think of that
34:35
when we think of baptizing young infants.
34:39
A sinner.
34:39
It doesn't sound right.
34:42
And yet we all come into this world
34:44
as sinners in need of salvation.
34:49
When the people ask that question,
34:51
What shall we do?
34:53
It's the same question that we have to ask ourselves today.
34:57
What shall we do?
34:59
What is our greatest need?
35:02
As we see this before us today.
35:04
Well, Peter gives us the answer.
35:08
When they ask that question,
35:09
Peter gives him the response.
35:11
In verse 38,
35:12
Repent and be baptized,
35:15
every one of you,
35:15
in the name of Jesus Christ,
35:17
for the forgiveness of your sins.
35:20
Sin is our enemy.
35:25
And so our greatest need
35:27
is to be rescued from sin.
35:30
I'm sure you will all have seen
35:32
the devastating floods in Spain this past week.
35:36
Whenever you see a natural disaster like that
35:39
and so many other different things,
35:41
it reminds us of the power that's behind it.
35:46
The devastation that it brings.
35:48
It's hard to believe when you see the pictures
35:50
on the television,
35:51
how quickly things happened.
35:54
How quickly things changed for them.
35:56
How helpless the people were.
35:58
How powerful the force of the water was.
36:04
Devastation and tragedy came.
36:07
And the need for the people in the midst of it
36:08
was rescue.
36:11
And yet sadly for so many,
36:13
that rescue wasn't there.
36:15
It's tragic.
36:18
And it's a reminder to us
36:20
of our need to be saved.
36:23
Of our need to be saved.
36:24
Not from the powers of this world in that sense,
36:27
but the power of our enemy of sin.
36:29
The power of sin.
36:31
And there's a psalm
36:32
that speaks of this in a powerful way.
36:35
Psalm 65 at verse 3.
36:37
It says,
36:38
When we were overwhelmed by sins
36:41
and guilt upon us lay,
36:43
you pardoned all our trespasses
36:45
and washed our guilt away.
36:49
When we were overwhelmed by sins.
36:52
It's the same kind of idea
36:55
as the waters of a flood
36:57
pouring over a people
36:58
and overwhelming them.
37:00
Sin does the exact same thing.
37:02
It overwhelms us.
37:04
But yet we are assured there
37:07
that when we put faith in our Lord,
37:09
you pardon all our trespasses
37:11
and wash our guilt away.
37:15
And that is what we see
37:16
of our need in baptism.
37:18
The water that signifies
37:20
our need to be cleansed
37:22
from our sin.
37:24
We are all overwhelmed by sin.
37:29
But what we want is to see
37:31
the word of God
37:32
pricking our hearts.
37:35
Reminding us of our great need.
37:38
The blessings, yes,
37:39
that there are in baptism.
37:40
The beauty of seeing children baptized.
37:44
But we see it in the backdrop of sin.
37:48
Our sin.
37:49
Your sin and my sin.
37:51
And our need of repentance.
37:54
Of turning from our sin.
37:57
And turning to the Lord Jesus.
38:00
Turning to him
38:01
for forgiveness of sin.
38:04
It reminds us then
38:05
of our need.
38:08
And that leads us then secondly
38:10
to the name.
38:13
The name.
38:14
When we come to baptism,
38:16
names are obviously so important.
38:19
We have wonderful names
38:21
of the three children today.
38:23
Isaiah James Murray,
38:25
Andrew Kenneth MacDonald,
38:26
and Annie McLennan.
38:28
you will hear these names
38:29
as the children are baptized.
38:32
Precious names.
38:33
Names full of meaning
38:35
for precious children.
38:39
But today is not a christening service.
38:42
It's a baptism.
38:44
It's a baptism.
38:45
We have these names today
38:47
that we baptize them in.
38:50
But it's in the name of Jesus Christ
38:53
that they are baptized.
38:55
And that's the name
38:56
that is above every name.
38:59
Their names,
39:00
the names of the children,
39:01
are precious as we baptize them.
39:03
But they have these names.
39:06
And here we come
39:07
to baptize us
39:08
as Peter says there
39:09
in verse 38,
39:11
repent and be baptized
39:12
in the name of Jesus Christ
39:14
for the forgiveness
39:16
of your sins.
39:19
And as later we will baptize
39:20
the children,
39:21
what we say is
39:22
we baptize you
39:23
in the name of the Father
39:23
and of the Son
39:25
and of the Holy Spirit.
39:27
The name that is above
39:29
every name.
39:31
And it's the name of Jesus
39:32
that resonates in the word
39:34
before us.
39:36
In the preaching of the word
39:37
it's the name of Jesus
39:38
that we are to hear.
39:40
And in the baptism
39:41
it's in the name of Jesus.
39:44
And it's a powerful name.
39:47
As children,
39:49
you grow up
39:51
and I'm sure
39:51
as these children
39:53
before us today
39:54
as they are baptized
39:55
and as they grow up
39:56
they will hear their names
39:57
echoing around the house
39:59
in different times
40:00
and in different ways
40:01
if they haven't already heard it.
40:04
I'm sure we were all used
40:05
to hearing our names
40:07
being called.
40:09
And it's usually
40:10
when you hear being called
40:11
in a slightly louder tone
40:13
you know there's something wrong.
40:16
Something we've done
40:17
that we shouldn't
40:18
or something that we haven't done
40:20
that we should.
40:22
So the name
40:23
will echo around the house.
40:25
Whatever name you're called.
40:27
John,
40:28
Donald,
40:29
Anne,
40:30
Barbara,
40:30
whatever it is
40:31
the name will echo around.
40:33
Where are you?
40:34
What have you done?
40:35
Or what haven't you done?
40:38
Names are important.
40:40
They identify us
40:41
as individuals.
40:42
And we all have
40:43
a name.
40:45
But as we think
40:46
of ourselves
40:47
growing up
40:48
or these children
40:49
who are baptized
40:49
growing up
40:50
what we want to see
40:52
and hear
40:53
and know
40:54
is the name
40:55
of Jesus
40:56
resonating
40:58
around our homes
40:59
and our communities
41:00
as well.
41:02
As parents
41:03
and as parents
41:04
who are baptizing
41:05
today
41:06
it is
41:07
your burden
41:08
as parents
41:09
to teach them
41:10
the word of God.
41:12
To teach them
41:13
about Jesus
41:15
from the word of God
41:17
and the precious
41:17
saviour
41:18
that he is.
41:20
That is the burden
41:21
that you are taking
41:22
not just today
41:23
but already
41:24
and as you go forward
41:25
that burden
41:26
is on you.
41:28
To make the name
41:29
of Jesus
41:30
a precious name
41:31
in your home.
41:33
And it's a burden
41:34
on the families
41:35
the wider families too.
41:37
The responsibility
41:38
of looking after
41:39
your family too.
41:41
Of making sure
41:42
that the name
41:43
of Jesus
41:44
is part
41:44
of that child
41:46
growing up
41:46
and part of your children
41:47
your children's children
41:49
growing up.
41:51
And it is our responsibility
41:52
too
41:53
as a church
41:54
as a congregation
41:55
we take this burden
41:57
with them
41:58
to be a people
42:00
who will pray
42:01
for the children
42:02
for our families
42:04
for all of us
42:05
together
42:05
as a congregation.
42:08
And we pray
42:09
in the name
42:10
of Jesus.
42:12
It's a wonderful thing
42:13
that we can use
42:14
individual and personal
42:16
names before God
42:17
in prayer.
42:18
But every name
42:18
that we offer
42:19
we come ultimately
42:20
to the name
42:21
of Jesus.
42:22
to the name
42:24
of Jesus
42:24
that is above
42:25
every name.
42:27
And why is
42:28
Jesus' name
42:29
so important?
42:31
I'm sure you already
42:32
know
42:33
and many of you
42:33
do
42:34
why
42:35
that is so
42:36
important for us.
42:37
The hope
42:38
that this name
42:38
gives.
42:40
You think of
42:41
Jesus himself
42:42
when he came
42:42
into this world
42:43
when Joseph
42:44
heard that
42:45
Mary was to
42:46
bear a child
42:47
Joseph was told
42:49
she will bear
42:50
a son
42:50
and you will
42:52
call his name
42:52
Jesus.
42:54
Why?
42:55
For he will
42:56
save his people
42:57
from their sins.
43:00
The importance
43:00
of that name.
43:02
You will call
43:02
his name
43:03
Jesus
43:03
for he will
43:05
save his people
43:06
from their sins.
43:09
And that's a
43:09
reminder we have
43:10
in the blessing
43:11
of what baptism
43:12
shows to us.
43:14
That Jesus
43:15
is the one
43:15
when we put our
43:16
faith in him
43:17
that he is able
43:18
to wash
43:18
our sins
43:20
away.
43:22
Just a couple
43:22
of chapters
43:23
later in the
43:24
book of Acts
43:24
in chapter 4
43:25
again you see
43:27
the importance
43:27
of the name
43:28
of Jesus
43:28
there in
43:29
verse 11
43:30
and 12
43:30
where it says
43:32
this Jesus
43:32
is the stone
43:33
that was rejected
43:34
by you
43:35
the builders
43:36
which has become
43:37
the cornerstone
43:38
and there is
43:39
salvation
43:40
in no one
43:41
else
43:41
for there is
43:42
no other name
43:43
under heaven
43:44
given among
43:45
men
43:45
by which
43:46
we must
43:47
be saved.
43:50
It is this
43:50
power
43:51
in the name
43:52
of Jesus
43:53
and it is our
43:54
prayer
43:54
that the name
43:55
of Jesus
43:56
will be precious
43:57
to the children
43:58
to the parents
43:59
to the families
44:00
and to us
44:01
all
44:02
because you see
44:03
here
44:03
that there is
44:05
a promise
44:05
here in verse 39
44:07
this promise
44:07
is for you
44:08
and for your
44:09
children
44:10
and for all
44:11
who are far off
44:12
everyone whom
44:13
the Lord
44:14
calls
44:15
to himself.
44:17
It is a real
44:17
blessing when you
44:18
see children's
44:20
children
44:20
and today
44:21
we have the
44:21
blessing of
44:22
having a
44:23
great grandfather
44:24
involved in the
44:25
baptism
44:26
not just
44:27
children's
44:28
children but it
44:28
goes further
44:29
than that
44:29
as a blessing
44:31
to us when we
44:31
see generations
44:32
coming
44:33
and after us
44:34
and we see a
44:35
generation
44:35
growing up
44:37
and the name
44:38
of Jesus
44:38
being precious
44:39
and the name
44:41
of Jesus
44:41
being blessed
44:43
to them
44:44
and so we
44:46
look to this
44:47
name
44:47
the name
44:48
of Jesus
44:49
is precious
44:51
precious
44:51
as the names
44:52
of the children
44:53
are today
44:54
it is the name
44:55
of Jesus
44:55
we long
44:56
for them
44:57
to know
44:57
and to be
44:58
precious
44:58
to them
44:59
and to us
45:00
all
45:01
together
45:01
the last
45:04
thing I want
45:05
us to see
45:05
here as we
45:06
look at these
45:07
verses
45:07
is the
45:08
number
45:08
so we
45:10
see our
45:10
need
45:11
we see
45:12
the name
45:12
of Jesus
45:13
now we
45:13
see finally
45:14
the number
45:15
the importance
45:17
of number
45:17
but not in the
45:18
sense of
45:18
how many
45:20
but what it
45:22
signifies
45:23
when Peter
45:25
answers
45:26
in verse
45:27
38
45:27
he tells
45:28
him to
45:28
receive
45:29
the Lord
45:31
Peter said
45:31
repent and
45:32
be baptized
45:32
every one
45:34
of you
45:34
in the
45:34
name
45:34
of Jesus
45:35
Christ
45:36
for the
45:36
forgiveness
45:36
of your
45:38
sin
45:39
when he
45:40
said this
45:40
they heard
45:41
this
45:41
they heard
45:43
the greatest
45:44
news
45:44
they could
45:45
hear
45:45
that there
45:46
was hope
45:47
and what
45:48
you see
45:49
then is
45:49
in verse
45:50
41
45:51
3,000
45:53
were added
45:53
to their
45:54
number
45:55
that day
45:55
3,000
45:56
souls
45:56
were added
45:58
3,000
45:59
responded
46:00
and were
46:01
saved
46:01
were baptized
46:02
and you
46:02
think to
46:03
yourself
46:03
how did
46:04
they manage
46:05
that
46:05
in one
46:06
day
46:06
3,000
46:07
we have
46:08
three here
46:09
today being
46:09
baptized
46:10
3,000
46:11
just seems
46:12
beyond our
46:13
imagination
46:14
just how
46:14
it could
46:15
possibly happen
46:16
we'd have to
46:16
call out a few
46:17
retired ministers
46:18
to help with
46:19
those kinds of
46:20
numbers
46:20
but what a
46:22
blessing on
46:22
the church
46:23
when we see
46:25
the power of
46:25
God through
46:26
his word
46:27
as a people
46:27
cry
46:28
what must
46:29
we do
46:30
repent
46:31
and be
46:32
baptized
46:32
every one
46:33
of you
46:33
in the name
46:34
of Jesus
46:34
and added
46:36
to their
46:36
number
46:36
that day
46:37
were 3,000
46:38
souls
46:39
I wonder
46:41
did Peter
46:41
expect that
46:42
to happen
46:43
as he
46:43
preached
46:44
the word
46:44
I doubt
46:45
if he did
46:46
not to this
46:47
extent
46:47
but he knew
46:49
the power
46:49
of God
46:50
he knew
46:51
the power
46:51
that God
46:52
could save
46:53
and it
46:54
doesn't depend
46:55
on us
46:55
but on
46:57
what God
46:57
can do
46:58
and so
46:59
we are
46:59
reminded
47:00
of that
47:01
today
47:01
as well
47:02
that it is
47:03
the Lord
47:03
who is able
47:04
to save
47:05
and the
47:05
prayer is
47:06
that he
47:06
will add
47:07
to our
47:08
number
47:08
those
47:09
who are
47:10
being
47:10
saved
47:11
because you
47:13
see as I
47:13
say it's
47:13
not about
47:14
the scale
47:15
of numbers
47:16
here
47:17
the 3,000
47:18
that so
47:18
often
47:18
catches
47:19
our attention
47:20
but it's
47:22
more the
47:22
word
47:23
added
47:24
there in
47:24
verse 41
47:25
there were
47:27
added
47:27
that day
47:28
about
47:29
3,000
47:30
souls
47:31
and you
47:33
see what
47:33
follows in
47:34
verse 42
47:34
to 47
47:35
is the
47:36
fellowship
47:37
of believers
47:39
there was
47:41
already a
47:41
core
47:42
of believers
47:43
here
47:44
there was
47:45
already a
47:46
congregation
47:46
of people
47:47
who were
47:48
trusting
47:49
in the
47:49
Lord
47:50
and what
47:51
the Lord
47:51
was doing
47:51
was adding
47:52
to that
47:53
number
47:54
those
47:55
who were
47:55
being
47:56
saved
47:57
and so
47:58
as you
47:58
go on
47:59
and you
47:59
see the
47:59
numbers
48:00
spoken
48:01
about
48:01
here
48:01
it's a
48:02
reminder
48:03
to us
48:03
that today
48:03
is not
48:04
just about
48:04
the three
48:05
children
48:06
being
48:06
baptized
48:07
baptized
48:07
it's about
48:09
us all
48:10
together
48:10
our
48:11
collective
48:12
responsibility
48:14
and our
48:15
collective
48:15
need
48:16
to be a
48:17
people
48:17
who pray
48:18
for
48:18
and look
48:19
out for
48:20
these
48:20
children
48:20
a reminder
48:22
to us
48:23
that there are
48:24
already those
48:24
who belong to
48:25
the Lord
48:25
in our
48:26
number
48:26
and we
48:27
pray that the
48:28
Lord would
48:28
add to our
48:29
number
48:29
even as we
48:30
see in
48:31
verse 47
48:32
daily
48:33
being added
48:34
to the
48:35
number
48:35
those who
48:36
are being
48:37
saved
48:38
those who
48:39
are being
48:40
saved
48:41
that is
48:42
our
48:43
prayer
48:44
don't lose
48:45
sight
48:46
of the
48:47
blessing of
48:48
children
48:48
as parents
48:50
don't lose
48:51
sight
48:52
of the
48:53
blessing of
48:54
these children
48:54
as families
48:55
don't lose
48:57
sight of
48:57
our children
48:58
as a
48:58
congregation
48:59
and the
49:00
responsibility
49:01
that is
49:02
ours
49:02
towards them
49:03
all and to
49:04
ourselves
49:04
collectively
49:05
as a
49:06
people
49:07
what we
49:08
want is
49:08
the
49:08
fellowship
49:09
of
49:10
believers
49:10
and the
49:12
Lord
49:12
adding
49:12
to our
49:13
number
49:14
those
49:15
who are
49:15
being
49:16
saved
49:16
and for
49:18
that it
49:18
means
49:18
taking
49:19
our
49:19
responsibility
49:20
serious
49:21
praying
49:22
and seeking
49:23
the Lord's
49:24
blessing
49:25
on us
49:26
all
49:26
together
49:27
as parents
49:30
we can so
49:30
often feel
49:31
that sense
49:32
of guilt
49:32
that we
49:33
haven't given
49:33
the time
49:35
that the
49:35
children
49:35
deserve
49:36
that we
49:37
miss out
49:38
on so
49:38
much
49:38
but let
49:39
us never
49:39
lose
49:39
sight of
49:40
how precious
49:41
they are
49:42
and to
49:42
keep praying
49:43
for them
49:44
and you
49:45
say to
49:45
yourself
49:45
well we
49:46
couldn't
49:47
lose sight
49:47
of them
49:48
but we
49:49
so easily
49:50
can
49:50
and I'll
49:52
give you
49:52
an illustration
49:52
of this
49:53
how this
49:54
can happen
49:54
there was
49:55
a man
49:56
called
49:56
Charles
49:57
Francis
49:58
Adams
49:58
and he
50:00
was a
50:00
political
50:01
figure
50:01
in the
50:01
United
50:02
States
50:02
back in
50:03
the
50:03
19th
50:03
century
50:04
and he
50:05
kept
50:05
a diary
50:06
and in
50:07
his diary
50:08
one day
50:08
was an
50:08
entry
50:09
and all
50:09
it said
50:10
was this
50:10
went
50:11
fishing
50:12
with my
50:13
son
50:13
today
50:14
a day
50:15
wasted
50:16
well
50:18
his son
50:19
Brooke
50:19
Adams
50:20
he also
50:20
kept
50:21
a diary
50:21
a
50:22
diary
50:22
that
50:23
still
50:23
exists
50:23
to this
50:24
day
50:24
and on
50:25
the same
50:25
day
50:25
this was
50:26
his
50:26
entry
50:27
into
50:27
his
50:27
diary
50:28
went
50:28
fishing
50:29
with
50:29
my
50:29
father
50:30
the
50:31
most
50:31
wonderful
50:32
day
50:32
of my
50:33
life
50:33
and you
50:35
see there
50:36
the difference
50:37
how easy
50:37
it is to get
50:38
caught up in
50:39
thinking that
50:39
our time
50:40
is wasted
50:41
when the
50:43
child is
50:44
actually seeing
50:44
it as the
50:45
most precious
50:46
day of
50:47
his life
50:48
it's all
50:49
about how
50:50
we view
50:50
an investment
50:52
into our
50:52
children
50:53
into our
50:54
families
50:54
into our
50:55
congregation
50:56
but anything
50:57
done
50:57
with them
50:59
is not
50:59
wasted
51:00
and especially
51:01
as we think
51:01
of teaching
51:02
them and
51:02
nurturing
51:03
them and
51:03
bringing
51:04
them up
51:04
in the
51:05
fear and
51:05
the nurture
51:06
of the
51:06
Lord
51:07
it is
51:08
not
51:08
wasted
51:09
and our
51:11
prayers
51:11
are never
51:12
wasted
51:13
our prayers
51:15
are to be
51:15
for them
51:16
and with
51:16
them
51:16
as they
51:17
grow up
51:18
and wherever
51:18
they go
51:19
that we
51:20
would take
51:20
our
51:20
responsibility
51:21
in baptism
51:22
as parents
51:23
as families
51:24
as a
51:25
congregation
51:26
that we
51:27
would take
51:27
these things
51:28
seriously
51:28
and that we
51:30
would see
51:30
an investment
51:32
in them
51:33
as we see
51:34
our need
51:35
our great
51:36
need
51:36
to repent
51:37
and believe
51:38
for the
51:39
forgiveness
51:39
of our
51:39
sins
51:40
as we
51:41
see the
51:41
great name
51:42
that is
51:43
able to
51:44
save
51:44
the name
51:45
of the
51:46
Lord
51:46
Jesus
51:47
Christ
51:47
and as
51:49
we see
51:49
the number
51:50
and our
51:51
responsibility
51:52
collectively
51:53
may we
51:54
seek to
51:54
know the
51:55
blessing
51:55
of God
51:56
upon us
51:57
and with
51:58
us
51:58
going before
51:59
us
52:00
in all
52:01
of these
52:01
things
52:02
and that
52:03
the Lord
52:03
indeed
52:04
would be
52:04
pleased
52:05
to add
52:06
to our
52:06
number
52:07
not just
52:07
those
52:08
who are
52:08
baptized
52:09
but those
52:11
who are
52:11
being saved
52:12
that our
52:14
sins
52:14
would be
52:15
forgiven
52:16
through
52:16
faith in
52:17
the one
52:17
who washes
52:19
our sin
52:20
away
52:21
that is
52:22
our prayer
52:23
and may
52:24
the Lord
52:24
bless
52:24
and grow
52:26
his church
52:27
and watch
52:28
over us
52:28
all together
52:29
as we seek
52:30
his blessing
52:31
in these
52:32
things
52:32
let us
52:32
pray
52:33
our
52:34
father
52:35
in heaven
52:36
we do
52:36
rejoice in
52:37
your word
52:37
and your
52:38
goodness
52:38
to us
52:39
may you
52:39
continue
52:39
to bless
52:40
it
52:40
to us
52:41
lead us
52:42
by it
52:42
and hear
52:43
our prayers
52:44
over it
52:45
as well
52:45
as we pray
52:46
for your
52:46
word to be
52:47
blessed
52:47
we pray
52:48
your blessing
52:48
on all
52:49
that we
52:49
do
52:50
even as
52:50
we come
52:50
now to
52:51
this part
52:51
of the
52:52
service
52:52
we come
52:53
to the
52:53
baptism
52:54
Lord
52:54
continue
52:55
with us
52:55
as we
52:56
ask all
52:56
the forgiveness
52:57
of sin
52:58
in Jesus
52:58
name
52:58
Amen
52:59
we're going
53:02
to sing
53:03
together
53:04
now to
53:04
God's
53:05
praise
53:05
we're going
53:07
to sing
53:07
in Psalm
53:07
84
53:08
in the
53:09
Scottish
53:10
Psalter
53:10
page
53:11
338
53:12
Psalm
53:18
84
53:19
we're going
53:19
to sing
53:19
from
53:20
verse 1
53:20
down
53:21
to
53:21
verse 6
53:22
how
53:24
lovely
53:24
is
53:24
thy
53:25
dwelling
53:25
place
53:25
O
53:26
Lord
53:26
of
53:26
hosts
53:26
to
53:27
me
53:27
the
53:28
tabernacles
53:28
of
53:29
thy
53:29
grace
53:29
how
53:29
pleasant
53:30
Lord
53:31
they
53:31
be
53:31
my
53:31
thirsty
53:32
soul
53:32
longs
53:33
vehemently
53:34
ye
53:34
faints
53:34
thy
53:35
courts
53:35
to
53:35
see
53:36
my
53:36
very
53:36
heart
53:37
and
53:37
flesh
53:38
cry out
53:38
O
53:38
living
53:39
God
53:39
for
53:40
thee
53:40
we'll
53:40
sing
53:40
from
53:41
verse 1
53:41
to 6
53:42
to
53:42
God's
53:43
praise
53:43
and we
53:44
stand
53:44
to
53:45
sing
53:45
!
53:46
O
53:47
love
53:48
to
53:48
God's
53:48
love
53:49
singing
53:50
singing
54:19
It takes my course to see
54:24
My very heart and flesh cry out
54:31
For living God for me
54:36
We hold the spell of pride divine
54:43
And house wherein to rest
54:48
The swallow also for herself
54:55
Hath purchased sand and hares
55:00
In thine old altars where she'd stay
55:07
Her young ones forth may bring
55:11
O thou almighty Lord of hosts
55:19
Through art I fought and came
55:23
Blessed are they in thy house
55:29
And house thou dwell
55:31
They ever give thee praise
55:37
Blessed is the man who stands
55:41
The Lord and whose heart are thy grace
55:47
Who passeth girl, O make that smell
55:55
Therein to dig up wells
56:00
Also the rain that falleth down
56:07
Therein to dig up wells
56:09
With water built
56:11
Welcome to you all
56:35
Well we've been looking at the importance
56:41
Of baptism in our service this morning
56:43
Together as we've been looking at the book of Acts
56:46
We've seen our great need of baptism
56:49
We've seen the name that's involved in baptism
56:52
The children have their own names
56:54
But we come seeking the name of Jesus
56:57
To be the name that's blessed to them
56:59
And to us all together
57:01
And our longing today is that as we see
57:04
A number added to those who are baptized
57:06
In our congregation
57:07
We will come God willing
57:09
To see more and more being added to our number
57:12
Those who are being saved
57:14
That is our prayer
57:16
And so as we come to the baptism part of this service
57:21
I have some questions to put to the fathers in a moment
57:24
And then I'll be inviting them to come forward
57:26
One family at a time
57:27
To be baptized here and here
57:30
And we've also got the Reverend James McKeever here with us
57:33
Who is going to be the baptism of Isaiah James Murray
57:37
With James and Marion
57:38
So I'll invite him to come forward in a few moments as well
57:41
We have the water that's used for baptism
57:44
It reminds us of the significance of what Jesus has done for us
57:50
When he came into this world
57:51
He came with that name called Jesus
57:54
That he might save his people from their sins
57:59
And we see what he has done for us at the cross
58:02
And we see there that for our sins to be forgiven
58:05
He had to endure that
58:07
He had to go through that
58:08
He had to give his life
58:09
That he rose from the grave as well
58:13
He lives now
58:14
And it is him we look to for our salvation
58:17
And so as we come to the baptism part
58:21
We're going to pray for the baptism
58:26
That's before us
58:27
And we'll just say a word of prayer just now
58:29
Let us pray
58:30
Our Father in heaven
58:33
We do thank you for all that we see before us at this time
58:36
We thank you that you are the one who is in the midst
58:40
That your name is the name that we look to
58:42
As we baptize the children with their names that are before us
58:47
Lord we thank you too for the name of Jesus Christ
58:50
The one who is there for our salvation
58:53
The one through whom our sins are washed away
58:56
We thank you for the water that's before us as well
58:59
For all it signifies to us
59:01
And may you bless it in the purpose
59:02
Which is used today in the sprinkling of water
59:06
We will be reminded that we are washed from our sins
59:09
By the blood of Jesus
59:11
Who came for the forgiveness of His people
59:14
And so we come now looking to your blessing
59:16
On all that we do
59:17
And we ask it all in Jesus' name
59:19
And for His sake
59:20
Amen
59:21
Well if the fathers could please stand at this point
59:26
I have questions to put to you
59:28
And I'll just ask the question
59:31
And then just look for an answer for the question
59:33
From the three of you
59:34
The first question is
59:35
Do you acknowledge God
59:37
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
59:40
Revealed in Scripture
59:41
To be the only true God
59:43
And your God
59:44
Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
59:51
The only mediator between God and men
59:54
Do you now promise to bring up this child
1:00:00
In the nurture and the training of the Lord
1:00:03
Well we'll stand now
1:00:09
As we come to the baptism part
1:00:11
I'll invite James to come forward first
1:00:16
Reverend James with James and Marion
1:00:17
And we Isaiah James Murray
1:00:20
Please
1:00:41
Please
1:00:43
!
1:00:41
Please
1:00:43
!
1:00:41
Please
1:00:43
!
1:00:41
Please
1:00:50
Isaiah, James, Murray, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one God.
1:00:57
May God bless you and keep you, make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.
1:01:02
May He lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
1:01:06
Amen.
1:01:20
Amen.
1:01:26
Leave it right off.
1:01:30
Kenny and Amy, if you want to come up now.
1:01:33
Little Annie.
1:01:37
Hopefully I won't get too wet, but there's a towel there.
1:01:40
To you, in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, one God.
1:01:46
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
1:01:48
May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.
1:01:53
And the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
1:02:11
Ali and Lauren, come up for the family.
1:02:18
It's nice to see you all together here.
1:02:30
Andrew Kenneth MacDonald, I baptize you in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, one God.
1:02:39
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
1:02:41
May the Lord be gracious towards you and make His face to shine upon you.
1:02:47
May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
1:02:51
Amen.
1:02:51
Amen.
1:02:51
Amen.
1:02:53
Amen.
1:03:11
We'll again engage in a word of prayer.
1:03:18
Let us pray.
1:03:20
Our Father in heaven, we do give you thanks for the blessings that are before us and the baptism.
1:03:26
We thank you for all it reminds us of, our engrafting to Christ.
1:03:30
Amen.
1:03:31
It reminds us that we need you, Lord.
1:03:34
That we need you as our precious Savior that you alone are able to save.
1:03:37
And we do pray that you will bless these families together.
1:03:41
That you will bless Isaiah James Murray with James and Marion.
1:03:45
That you will bless Annie McLennan with Kenny and Amy.
1:03:50
That you will bless too, O Lord.
1:03:52
Lord, Alistair and Lauren and Andrew Kenneth MacDonald and the rest of their family too, Lord.
1:03:57
May your blessing be with them and the extended families and us all together.
1:04:01
May you help us to take these vows before us seriously.
1:04:06
To remember our children and our children's children.
1:04:09
To seek your blessing and your favor upon us all.
1:04:12
As we ask all with the forgiveness of our sins.
1:04:15
In Jesus' name.
1:04:17
Amen.
1:04:18
You'll be seated again.
1:04:22
It is a real privilege and blessing to see and hear children in our midst.
1:04:31
And we do continue to pray that the Lord will be gracious to you all.
1:04:34
And to bless you and to watch over you all the days of your lives.
1:04:39
Our final item of praise is going to be from Psalm 22.
1:04:45
And we sing at the end of this psalm.
1:04:47
It's the Sing Psalms version on page 27.
1:04:52
From verse 28 down to verse 31.
1:04:56
Three stanzas.
1:04:58
Dominion to the Lord belongs and over nations he is king.
1:05:02
The rich of all the earth will feast and worship with an offering.
1:05:07
All those whose destiny is dust will humbly kneel before his throne.
1:05:11
They cannot keep themselves alive for they depend on him alone.
1:05:15
Hostility will serve the Lord and generations still to come will tell a people yet unborn the righteous acts that he has done.
1:05:25
We're reminded in this psalm of our dependence upon God.
1:05:29
We depend on him alone.
1:05:31
And we do pray that we will all go from here today depending on him as the one who is able to save.
1:05:38
And there's a beautiful image there at the end of the psalm.
1:05:42
A generation still to come will tell a people yet unborn the righteous acts that he has done.
1:05:49
As we see children's children baptized here today.
1:05:53
We do pray the Lord's blessing to continue that one day God willing they may see their children.
1:05:58
Children yet unborn being blessed and taught of the wonders of Jesus.
1:06:04
So we're going to stand to sing these verses to God's praise.
1:06:08
Amen.
1:06:34
Amen.
1:07:04
Amen.
1:07:34
We pray the people yet unborn the righteous acts that he has done.
1:07:50
We're going to close now with a benediction.
1:07:52
After the benediction I'll go to the door to my left.
1:07:55
Now may grace, mercy and peace from God,
1:07:59
Father, Son and Holy Spirit rest upon
1:08:02
and abide with you all now and forevermore.
1:08:06
Amen.