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John 8:48-59

⁴⁸ The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” ⁴⁹ Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. ⁵⁰ Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. ⁵¹ Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” ⁵² The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ ⁵³ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” ⁵⁴ Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ ⁵⁵ But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. ⁵⁶ Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” ⁵⁷ So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” ⁵⁸ Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” ⁵⁹ So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

In the name of the blessed Trinity who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Dear Bruer,

Today you are baptized. Today, God sent a flood that condemned all that was sinful and unbelieving in you while He placed you safely in the ark of His holy Christian Church (Gen. 6-9; 1 Pet. 3:21).

Today, God has led you through the sea out of slavery to sin as all your enemies perished behind you (Ex. 14-15; 1 Cor. 10:1-2).

Today, God has led you into His promised land (Josh. 3; Col. 2:11-15, 3:1-4).

Today, the Holy Spirit descended upon you, and the Father has proclaimed, “You are My beloved son, with you I am well pleased” (Mt. 3:13-17; Eph 1:11-14).

Today, dear Bruer, you have been united with the death and resurrection of Christ (Rom. 6:3-11). God did not abandon you to rot in your slavery to sin. He has come and rescued you. God has saved you not because of anything you have done but because of His rich mercy. He has given you the washing of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:4-7). And Bruer, Jesus promises in our text that as you keep, as you believe, His Word, you will never see death (v. 51).

Bruer, it is fitting that today you have been baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit because today is Trinity Sunday. Jesus told His apostles to make disciples by baptizing in the name of this blessed Triune God and teaching those disciples of all nations to keep everything Jesus has said (Mt. 28:18-20).

David, Bailey as parents and Brandon, Brianne, Danny, and John as sponsors and the rest of you here as witnesses of this great thing that God has done, you are called to continue teaching little Bruer all that Jesus has said. And this is no small task for two reasons: First of all because the devil and the world now have him in their sights. He will be attacked in so many different ways. And second, because Jesus said so many things. How do you go about this task teaching all that Jesus has said in the face of the opposition of the devil and the world?

Well, the best place to start is to consider who God is. In the Scriptures, we are taught that God is One God and Three Persons. And the clearest expression of this is the Apostles’ Creed. So, every part of life is an opportunity to teach about the Father who created, the Son who redeemed, and the Holy Spirit who sanctifies, makes holy.

So teach. Teach Bruer about the Father who created. When Bruer looks around at this beautiful creation and sees all the wonderful gifts that God has given, teach him. Teach him that the Father created all that exists. When Breuer is fed by the food on your table and has enough to eat, remind him that is the Father who has given that nourishment and sustains him. When Bruer gets sick and recovers, teach him that the Father has preserved his body.

Teach Bruer about Jesus, the Son. Teach him that this Jesus, who is true God, became man. When he sins against you he feels guilt, forgive him. Teach him that because Jesus has bought and freed you from all those sins, you forgive him too. Teach Bruer that Jesus did not buy him with silver and gold, but with His holy and precious blood, with His innocent sufferings and death. Teach Bruer that Jesus did this so that you might be His own, live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. And, teach Bruer that Jesus is coming again.

Teach Bruer about the Holy Spirit. Teach him that the Holy Spirit has called him through the Word of God, specifically the Gospel. Teach Bruer that whenever he hears God’s Word, that the Holy Spirit continues to make him holy. Teach him that the Holy Spirit is the one who opens his ears to Jesus’ word of forgiveness. And, when Bruer sees the pain and sin and suffering in this world, teach him that because of what Jesus has done that when the Last Day comes, Bruer will be raised from the dead and given everlasting life because he believes in Jesus. Teach Breuer that all of this is most certainly true.

Bruer, today God, who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – this blessed Trinity – has begun a good work in you. And I am confident that He will be faithful today and forever to bring that good work to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6). May we be faithful as well. Amen.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.