When I was in the second grade, the students in our class exchanged gifts at Christmas. We drew names from a hat and I got the name of a girl who rode my school bus. Now when you ride the school bus, you see where your classmates live, and that often teaches you a lot more about them than you could ever learn at school. I don't think I really understood what it meant to be poor (I was only seven); nevertheless I knew this girl was very poor because her house was more like a rundown shack than a house. So I bought her a doll for Christmas. Nothing special, just an average doll. I don't remember putting a lot of thought into it - I just picked a doll at random. It didn't seem like a big deal, at least not to me at the time I bought it. When she unwrapped my present, I realized it was a big deal to her. Her eyes lit up, then she grabbed that doll in a bear hug & wouldn't let go. I don't think I've ever seen someone so excited about a Christmas present. As I reflect on it now, I realize that was probably the nicest thing she got for Christmas that year.
Two things I learned from this experience. Number 1: the little things you do may be way more important than you realize. Our actions define us, especially the little things. Luke 16:10: "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much." Number 2: something can be a big deal even if you think it's not that big a deal; in a broader sense, a human perspective is not necessarily the correct perspective. If you're here tonight and you believe Jesus is the son of God yet you haven't been baptized, you may be thinking "it's no big deal" or "I'll get around to it someday" or "I believe, and that's good enough". If that's the case, I urge you to consider this: God's perspective is what counts, not yours or mine or anyone else's. What you were taught by your parents, what someone told you 10 years ago, what you read in a magazine - these things don't matter if they are contrary to God's word. So what does the Bible say about baptism? Jesus said "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:15-16) So both belief and baptism are required for salvation, not just belief. In Acts 2:36-38, Peter concludes the first gospel sermon by saying: "Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Now at this point, they had heard the truth and believed it, they were convinced of their guilt, and in despair they wondered: is there any way to be reconciled with God? Notice Peter's response: he did not say "all you need to do is believe in Jesus", he did not say "you need to be baptized at some point but it's not that big a deal". Filled with the Holy Spirit, he told them God's top priority, the only way to be reconciled with God, the number one thing they needed to do right now: "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."
So I ask you: if you believe and haven't been baptized, make baptism your number one priority tonight. If you think baptism is not that big a deal or God isn't that concerned about your salvation, that may be your perspective, but it's not God's perspective. Jesus relates the following parable in Luke 15:4-7: "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost." Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." That's how important your salvation is to God. If you need to accept this invitation, or you need the prayers of this congregation, or if you're struggling with some burden in life, if you have any need at all, come as we stand and sing.
