Clothed With Christ

As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

The Rev. Kathi Johnson

Blake Maxwell’s Confirmation – 19 June 2016

Text: Galatians 3:23-29 and John 8:31-36

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Grand Prairie, Texas

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A few years ago, I preached a sermon series in which I preached about the epistle lessons, rather than focusing on the gospel lessons. One of the biggest points that I tried to drive home was that the epistles are [letters] – and that whenever we read Paul’s letter to the Galatians, for instance (like today), we are basically reading someone else’s mail.

Have you ever read someone else’s mail, either by accident or – confession time – on purpose?

When I was a church office administrator for a large church in Austin, I was tasked with opening the mail. I would put private mail marked for employees in their boxes without opening it. Every so often, though, there would be mail for someone else that would cross my desk – like if the pastor was asking me to follow up on a letter he’d received – and I would have to read someone else’s mail.

Reading someone else’s mail, I’d get some insight – both into the letter writer and the recipient. I also might gain some insight into their relationship – was it friendly or professional? Was it an easy relationship or a strained relationship?

So, today, we’ve heard part of the epistle that the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Galatia. Even though you can’t really tell from today’s snippet, this is a difficult letter. Paul is writing to the Galatians because he’s taught them about true faith in Jesus Christ, namely that we are saved by the grace of God, through faith in Jesus Christ. Some other teachers have come after Paul, trying to sway the Galatians away from that true faith, and the influence of these new teachers is setting in.

Paul is concerned about them because the Galatians have turned following Christ into following a list of laws in order to earn God’s favor. They aren’t trusting in the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives to build their faith, but rather in their own works. Paul reminds them: “We know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.” And then, right before today’s section of the letter, Paul really ramps up his anger: “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?”

If Paul had been texting this, it would’ve been in all-caps.

In the reading today from the Gospel of John, Jesus tells his disciples that if they continue in his word, they are truly his disciples. Jesus’ word is a word of love. So when Jesus tells his disciples to continue in his word, he is asking them to continue to love God and to love one another. The idea is that loving God and loving one another are parts of our every day lives. True faith in Jesus, and living as his disciples, are meant to be an every day thing.

Paul says it this way: that true faith in Jesus means that – at our baptisms - we have clothed ourselves with Christ.

And, Blake, the faith that was placed within you at your baptism has never gone away. You continue to live in that faith to this day.

One thing that I remind both confirmation students and their parents is that confirmation day is just one step of many in the journey of faith that we are all taking. If you take a look at the bottom of page 5 of your bulletin – you will see the baptismal covenant. Blake, your parents and godparents made this covenant for you when you were baptized as a baby. You are affirming this covenant for yourself today. But do not think of this covenant as simply a checklist to follow. Think of this covenant as a way of life, so that your life shows how much you love God and love your neighbor.

If you look at the covenant again – the first two lines (to live among God’s faithful people; to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper) – those are things that largely take place here or in other church-type settings.

Now look at the last few lines – (to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed; to serve all people, following the example of Jesus; to strive for justice and peace throughout the earth) – these are things we do mostly outside of these walls.  These are the things you’re already doing in some ways – for example, as you serve at Briarwood these next two weeks.

I will ask you if you intend to continue in all these things, and then comes your answer: I do, and I ask God to help and guide me. So from whom do you get the strength to live as a true disciple of Jesus – to love God and love others?

It is the work of the Holy Spirit in you that helps you live out this covenant. You were given the Spirit at your baptism, and as you go forward from this day, never forget that Christ has claimed you as God’s own forever.

But also never forget that on this day – just like on the day of your baptism – those gathered around you will promise to support you and pray for you in your life in Christ. You are a part of something that is more than you, it’s more than me, it’s more than your mom or dad – you are a part of a community of faith that loves you, and continues to love you along your way.

When you come forward in a few minutes, we will surround you – quite literally – with our love and prayers. We are your brothers and sisters in Christ, and together, we are called to give thanks and praise to God and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to all the world.

Amen.

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