This Sunday at Likewise

Foundations – Baptism and Communion

Matthew 28:19–20

This Sunday we will look at two ordinances Christ Himself gave to the Church: Baptism and Communion. But before we focus on what these practices mean, we must first remember Who it is that invites us to observe them.

In Exodus 34:6–7, God proclaims His own name and character to Moses:

“The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty…”

These are not abstract attributes. This is God revealing what He is like at His very core.

Baptism and Communion are not mere church rituals or religious traditions. They are visible expressions of the character of God. In Baptism, we see the picture of being united with Christ—fully immersed in His death and raised to new life. In Communion, we see the mercy, forgiveness, and steadfast love of God on display. The elements themselves point us to the relationship He has established with us through Christ.

We practice Baptism and Communion because the Lord has already revealed who He is. The same God who declared His name to Moses now invites us to experience Him personally—to be united with Him and to remember Him intimately.

See you this Sunday at Likewise,

Pastor Josh

HEAD — What we’re invited to understand

Baptism and Communion begin with the authority and character of Jesus.

In Matthew 28:19–20, the risen Christ declares, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me,” and then commands His followers to “go therefore and make disciples… baptizing them… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” These ordinances are not traditions we invented—they are invitations given by the Lord who has all authority and who promises, “I am with you always.” Baptism and Communion flow from who He is and what He has accomplished.

Let Christ’s authority and promise shape how you understand these sacred practices.

HEART — What we’re invited to feel and receive

These ordinances invite us into relationship, not routine.

The same God who proclaimed Himself merciful, gracious, and abounding in steadfast love now calls us to be united with Christ and to remember Him. In Baptism we see the beauty of new life; in Communion we are reminded of forgiveness and covenant love. And as Jesus promises in Matthew 28, He is not distant—He is present with His people “always, to the end of the age.”

Receive these practices as personal reminders of God’s faithful love toward you.

HANDS— What we’re invited to live out

Baptism and Communion call us to ongoing obedience as disciples.

Jesus commands His followers not only to be baptized, but to be “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” These ordinances mark the beginning and the rhythm of a life shaped by obedience, remembrance, and trust. As we participate in them, we publicly declare that we belong to Christ and willingly live under His lordship.

Live as a disciple this week, remembering that you belong to the One who has all authority and who is with you always.

Likewise Sermons

Foundations - Scripture

Date: Feb 15, 2026

Category: God, The Church, Bible, Disciple

Speaker: Josh Burt

Passages: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

One of the most important questions we can ask about the Bible is why God gave it to us at all. Scripture is not merely a collection of ancient writings, moral lessons, or theological facts. God did not give us the Bible so we would simply know information about Him—He gave us Scripture so we would know Him. And nowhere is that purpose clearer than in Exodus 34:6 where God proclaims His own name to Moses:

“The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”

This is not just a description of God—it is God introducing Himself to us. Every page of the Bible is supports this self-revelation. God who is holy and merciful, just and forgiving, patient and truthful.

So when we open Scripture, we are not opening a textbook, we are stepping onto holy ground. The goal is not information alone, but encounter. Because the purpose of Scripture is this: that we would know who God truly is, and by knowing Him - we would live and love likewise.