A CHAT WITH A FONT

Text: I used Acts 2:14a, 36-41 but almost anything could be used since it's really a sermon on Baptism.

As I read again the first lesson for today I wonder if you would see if you can identify what is the most important part of this reading.

Acts 2:14a, 36-41

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd:

"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."

With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Well what's important?

BF Baptism of course. (Someone has a microphone or sits hidden near the Baptismal Font)

Yeah great what else

BF Baptism

Right, I've listed Baptism. Anything else.

BF Baptism

OK who is it? Where's ............... (yep I actually named members I knew wouldn't mind) ? Is it you?

BF Look to your right

What, ......... (another member's name) ?

BF No, further right. It's me.

Sorry there's nothing on my right.

BF Typical

Except...the Baptismal Font

BF Well that didn't taken you long!

I'm speaking to a Baptismal font?!

BF What's wrong, you speak to yourself don't you? That can't be much different from chatting to a few blocks of sandstone with an empty bowl on top.

Aha you're full of water today.

BF Exactly. But I wasn't going to say what you're full of ...

OK I get your point. So will you now let me get on with my sermon to these folk?

BF Typical. Go on, continue to ignore me, then.

Ignore you. What do you mean?

BF When's the last time you really acknowledged my presence?

Ummm

BF Did you know that some congregations put the font right near the entrance.

What so people bang into you and...

BF Exactly. At least then people can't help noticing you. But let me ask you this. How do you human beings dare come before the holy God each Sunday anyway? What gives you sinners the right just to march into his presence?

Umm.. . We just can. We're his children. He loves us. We're special.

BF. How do you know that?

Well .... I'm the Pastor you know ... and that lot out there is a respectable bunch, no riff raff there.

BF What!!! Look from over here then. I'll tell you how you dare come here Sunday after Sunday as bold as brass. It's because of me.

You??

BF Me! Most probably when you were quite small, God came to each one of you at a font like me, and claimed you as his own. His love washed you perfectly clean as he called you by name, right here.

I knew that!

BF Well, perhaps if you glanced over at me each time you heard those words at the beginning of the service you'd remember it much better.

Words?

BF "In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit." Or have you forgotten that those words really belong to Baptism. Without that Triune name there can be no baptism, no people of God, and no worship of God.

So each time we come to church we do so only because of what God did for us in our Baptism?

BF Sure. If it wasn't for me, you'd be like those Old Testament people who weren't allowed to go anywhere near the main altar of the temple.

Come off it, this is the 20 century. We can go where we want, and do what we like. Don't forget you're just sandstone and a ceramic bowl after all. And all that really happens is that a little water is poured ....

BF Yeah, that'd be right. I forgot that most of the time you "modern" people can only see with your eyes. That's how come you make such a mess of your relationships. If you can't see the real miracle that happens in Baptism, then at least believe what God tells you. - Listen to Titus 3:4-7, "He saved us. It was not because of any good deeds that we ourselves had done, but because of his own mercy that he saved us, through the Holy Spirit, who gives us new birth and new life by washing us.

"New birth and new life...."

BF Yeah, "new birth and new life." Through that little bit of water, and those powerful words, God's Spirit really does wash away all those things that separate you from God. The old rebel inside you all is drowned and you're given the new life of Christ.

But all I say...

BF "All YOU say...." YOU'RE not the important one. In Baptism God's the active one, not you. But I forgot, you're so blind you can't see his loving hand reaching down and claiming you as his own, can you? You don't watch in awe as he joins another person to his special world-wide family. I expect you can't even hear the choirs of angels singing their songs of welcome. I'm absolutely sure you can't see Jesus carrying you into his tomb and you can't see the joy and victory as he brings you out again filled with his new life. Sometimes I begin to wonder whether you human beings can see any of the marvellous differences baptism makes. All you see is that a baptism makes the service 10 minutes longer. I know you.

Look if we could see all those things it sure would make all the difference. You just don't understand what it's like to leave here each Sunday knowing you're God's special child, but then watching yourself hurt others as you act like anything but a child of God. You don't know what it's like to know God is on your side, but then watch evil continue to win in this world and in our lives. How can you appreciate our desire to see God in action in our lives and in the world. The more you look for it the less, it seems you can see.

BF Well keep looking at me won't you?

What do you mean?

BF I'm here to assure you of your God's love and acceptance despite your failures, I'm here to remind you that evil has been defeated, I'm here to point you to the power and victory of the cross and Christ's sacrificing love, I'm here to remind you that despite what you see and feel, you do have a risen and living Lord.

You mean you're a sign given to us by God. That he actually does understand what a struggle faith is at times.

BF Now you're getting it. I'm here as his promise that despite how you feel, and what you see, you've been claimed by God as his child. You've been given new life. I know it's tempting to allow your old nature to come back to life. You fit in better that way. That life makes more sense, it's easier and much more comfortable. That's why you need to remember me as you leave each Sunday as well.

What difference could remembering you as we go make?

BF In your baptism that sign on the altar became your sign.

The cross?

BF Remember the first words addressed directly to each person brought for baptism, "Receive the mark of the holy cross, as a sign that Christ the crucified has redeemed you." That simple mark of the cross, is given to you as your personal sign of victory.

But I don't seem to win.

BF No, but Christ has. He's defeated your sin, your rebellion, and even your death. You leave here each Sunday reassured that you're God's child, that his Spirit goes with you, and that the victory of the cross is yours.

And I know that God's way to victory is different from ours. His weapons include love, humility, service, sacrifice and caring. When we act like that it doesn't often look like victory but he has shown us just what marvellous things they can do. But as we live this difficult life we need each other's support. When we go from here we need to remember we go together.

BF Yeah, one baptised family of the cross, facing the world as caring brothers and sisters.

You're right you know. We often live like silly blind people, but please don't give up standing there proclaiming your important message to us.

BF It'll be a pleasure.

How about we all rise and reaffirm what it means to be one baptised family.

Say the Apostle's Creed or something similar