Sunday, June 10, 2012

Sacramental Living

Second Sunday after Pentecost


Today we celebrate the baptism of Aaron (11yrs) and Brooke (9yrs)
and we celebrate Holy Communion


Acts 8:26-40 - Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch


• I love how this passage illustrates guy’s response to learning of salvation.

• But before that, we have the faithful witness of a disciple, completely open to being used by God, even when called upon to reach out to a complete stranger in the desert (not a safe or comfortable place), a guy who ended up completely different from him in social status, race, gender.

Make yourself available without determining outcome before it happens. Philip didn’t say “I can’t” but instead eagerly ran up to the carriage.

• I love the Ethiopian eunuch’s response to Philip’s teaching.
        (you thought I was talking about his impromptu baptism, which IS a right beginning… Jesus baptized in Jordan river as way of saying 'Whoever would follow me, start here.' Jordan river significant because it was through the Jordan that the children of Israel received the promise of God. Would you follow Jesus? Would you receive promise of God? It starts in the water.)

• Eunuch’s response I’m talking about is verse 39: he went on his way rejoicing.

What kind of things do we celebrate? Bdays. Graduations. Achievements. Victories. Small things, mostly. Because we like to celebrate, we don’t need much of an excuse.

Ironically, thing we ought to celebrate without ceasing: salvation. Good news that kingdom of God is near and you’re invited. Time to party like it’s 1999! Celebrate Good Times, Come On!

• Celebrate baptism, let your joy be made clear. I saw my friend Sherry last night, she has 3 grandchildren now, and before you can finish saying “how are they?” what’s she doing? Getting her wallet out. Celebrating.

Celebrate baptism. Celebrate communion. Celebrate God's grace and salvation.

Infectious joy is beginning of sacramental living. 
God’s spirit in us, enthusiasm

• Day to day feeding, nurturing in breaking bread together, celebrating communion…

(Directly into service of Baptism)

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