Our Baptismal Identity

Sermon January 12, 2025 Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Our Baptismal Identity

Pastor Fred Okello

Last Sunday, we reflected on how our past experiences significantly shape our lives and our walk with God. From God’s perspective, these experiences, no matter how tough, are not wasted. They mold us into being vessels of honor, prepared for His purposes. Today, I want to build on this theme in light of Jesus' baptism and the preparation it signifies. Let me share a personal story as an example of how God refines us for His work.

When I moved to the U.S. eight or nine years ago, my first job was not in ministry but at Tyson Foods. Though I came as an ordained clergy, immediate work was necessary to sustain my family, and Tyson was hiring. For six months, I worked in the demanding deboning section, handling 20 chickens per minute in below-freezing temperatures. My fingers were swollen, my body exhausted, and I juggled this job with pursuing a master’s degree and completing my ministerial application—a grueling process that included long trips, interviews, and even a night spent answering 1,000 psychological test questions.

It was a season of toil and prayer. At work, I witnessed unethical behavior, such as employees stealing company time. These individuals were eventually dismissed, a sobering reminder that integrity matters in all we do. Despite the challenges, I persevered, often clinging to God’s grace to carry me through.

Little did I know that God was preparing me for ministry in ways I could not yet understand. My congregation on the Eastern Shore, where I eventually received an appointment, was composed of individuals who worked at Tyson Foods, just as I had. God had placed me among them beforehand, teaching me their struggles, their dedication, and their resilience. My time at Tyson wasn’t just about earning a paycheck—it was about being refined for a greater purpose.

In Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, we see Jesus coming to be baptized by John. The people were eagerly anticipating the Messiah, and John’s baptism was a call to repentance and readiness. Jesus’ baptism wasn’t about repentance—He had no sin—but it marked the beginning of His public ministry, a moment of preparation and affirmation. The heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descended like a dove, and the voice of God proclaimed, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you, I am well pleased.”

Jesus’ baptism reminds us that preparation often involves hard work, humility, and submission to God’s will. Like Jesus, we are called to step into our roles after seasons of refining. Whether it’s enduring a challenging job, balancing responsibilities, or facing trials, God uses these experiences to prepare us for His kingdom work.

Reflecting on my time at Tyson, I see now how God was refining me for pastoral ministry. The lessons I learned—hard work, integrity, perseverance, and humility—became the foundation for serving a congregation that also labored in difficult conditions. My shared experience built trust and opened doors for meaningful relationships.

Like Jesus’ baptism, which signaled the start of His mission, our own seasons of preparation often precede a significant calling. They may involve discomfort, sacrifice, and even moments of doubt, but they are essential for shaping us into the vessels God intends us to be.

As we reflect on this story and the baptism of Jesus, I challenge you to consider the ways God is preparing you. What trials or experiences is He using to refine you? Approach them with love and commitment. Love your church, your fellowship, your friends, and your congregation. Trust one another, work together as a team, and use your God-given gifts to bless the church and the world.

Preparation is rarely easy, but it is necessary. When we embrace it with faith and humility, we open ourselves to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. Just as Jesus heard the affirmation of His Father at His baptism, we too can trust that God is pleased when we surrender ourselves to His refining process.

This is what I call “our baptismal identity”—a journey of preparation for the common good. My story is one of many examples of how God takes our past and uses it to shape our future. I invite you to reflect on your own story and see how God is preparing you for His work. Trust the process, and remember that through the fire, we are refined into vessels of honor, ready to do His will.

Let us pray: Father, thank You for the refining work You do in our lives. Help us to trust You in seasons of preparation, to embrace the lessons You teach us, and to step into the calling You have for each of us. May we be Your vessels of honor, dedicated to Your kingdom work. Amen.