Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The Lord makes me lie down in green pastures; The Lord leads me beside still waters; The Lord restores my soul. The Lord leads me in the right paths, for the Lord's name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long. Luke 2:52 Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and people.
Sermon: Our Hope for our Children Dear Siblings and friends in Christ. Today, as we gather to celebrate the sacrament of infant baptism, we are reminded of the profound hope and blessings we desire for our children. In our sacred scriptures, we find the reassurance and guidance needed to nurture them into individuals who grow in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and people. Let us reflect on the powerful words from Psalm 23 and Luke 2:52.
I want to invite you to focus on Embracing the Shepherd's Care as you put your hope for your children. Psalm 23 beautifully illustrates God's loving and protective nature as our shepherd. Just as a shepherd tends to every need of the flock, so too does God care for us, God's children. In this sacred act of baptism, we commit to raising our children under the guidance and protection of our divine shepherd. We pray that they will always be led to green pastures, finding peace beside still waters and that their souls will be continually restored.
As parents, godparents, and a faith community, it is our responsibility to ensure that our children walk in the right paths. These paths are not always free of challenges, as the psalm acknowledges the existence of dark valleys. However, we take comfort in knowing that God is always with us, providing strength and comfort through God's rod and staff. This divine presence is the foundation of the security and confidence we desire for our children.
Secondly, I want to invite you to focus on how Jesus was Growing in Wisdom and Favor. In Luke 2:52, we see the perfect model for our children's growth in Jesus Christ. Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, finding favor with both God and people. This verse highlights the balanced development we hope for our children—one that encompasses intellectual, physical, spiritual, and social growth. We aspire for our children to grow in wisdom, making decisions rooted in the teachings of Christ and the love of God. We want them to develop in stature, embracing their unique gifts and potential. And importantly, we pray for them to find favor with God, living lives that reflect God's love and grace, and with people, building relationships founded on compassion, respect, and kindness.
In the United Methodist Church, baptism is a sacrament, a means by which God imparts divine grace using the common element of water. It is not merely a human act or a public profession of faith but an act of God through the grace of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. When we baptize an infant, we acknowledge that the child, like all of us, is entirely dependent on God's grace. This sacrament is a powerful expression of God's claim on the child's life, a covenant initiated by God that we are called to nurture and uphold.
Infant baptism is distinct from believer's baptism in that it is not about the individual's decision or ability to profess faith but about the grace of God at work from the very beginning of life. This act of baptism is a pledge and gift from God, celebrating what God is doing and will continue to do in the life of the child. Just as we make decisions for our children in areas such as health and education, we also commit them to a life of faith, trusting in God's grace to guide them.
Baptism is a sacrament. In a sacrament, God uses common elements—as in this case, water—as means or vehicles of divine grace. Baptism is administered by the church as the Body of Christ. It is the act of God through the grace of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. In all forms of Christian baptism, God claims those being baptized, whatever their age or ability to profess their faith, with divine grace. Clearly, an infant can do nothing to save oneself but is totally dependent on God's grace, as we all are—whatever our age. This understanding of baptism emphasizes that it is primarily a divine act, a gift, and a promise of God's grace. This view differs from traditions that practice "believer's baptism" only, which emphasize the personal profession of faith as the primary element of baptism. For us, baptism is a means of grace, signifying God's initiative in the covenant relationship.
As we bring our children to the waters of baptism, we pledge to guide and support them throughout their journey. Our role is to nurture their faith, encourage their growth, and create an environment where they can flourish. We do this by modeling the love of Christ in our actions, teaching them the scriptures, and involving them in the life of the church.
We must also remember that infant baptism is not merely a ritual; it is the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith. It assumes that the child will be nurtured and formed in the faith both at home and within the church community. This requires a commitment from all of us—parents, godparents, and the congregation—to provide the spiritual support and guidance necessary for the child's growth in faith.
Let us remember that we are not alone in this mission. Just as God is our shepherd, He is also the shepherd of our children. His goodness and mercy will follow them all the days of their lives. By trusting in God's divine care, we can confidently entrust our children to His loving hands.
As a community of faith, we all play a role in the spiritual development of these children. During the baptismal service, we will reaffirm our own baptismal vows, committing ourselves to support and nurture these children in their journey of faith. This is a sacred responsibility that we undertake with joy and reverence. We are called to create an environment where these children can grow in their understanding of God's love and grace. This includes teaching them the stories of our faith, encouraging their participation in worship and church activities, and modeling Christian values in our daily lives. Our actions and words will help shape their understanding of what it means to live as a follower of Christ.
Today, as we witness the baptism of precious baby Harper, let us reaffirm our commitment to raising them in the faith. Let us draw inspiration from Psalm 23, knowing that God is our shepherd who will always guide and protect us. And let us look to the example of Jesus, striving to help our children grow in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and people.
May the Lord bless Harper Jones, her families, and our entire faith community as we journey together in faith and love. Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism, which marks the beginning of a lifelong journey with Christ. May we all strive to live out our baptismal vows, nurturing and supporting one another in faith.