Baptismal Death and Life Roman 6 4
February 19, 2026
Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
Ash Wednesday 18-February-2026 Sermon Series Theme: “Hear Your Shepherd’s Voice!” Bapt4-SA4 Sermon Text: Romans 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Sermon Theme: “Baptismal Death and Life!” I. Daily Drowning The Old Adam In Jesus! II. Daily Walking Out of The Tomb In Jesus! by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
Episode Notes
Ash Wednesday 18-February-2026
Sermon Series Theme: “Hear Your Shepherd’s Voice!” Bapt4-SA4
Sermon Text: Romans 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Sermon Theme: “Baptismal Death and Life!” I. Daily Drowning The Old Adam In Jesus! II. Daily Walking Out of The Tomb In Jesus! by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
I.N.R.I. In about three months the Passover would find its fulfillment in the crucified flesh and blood of Jesus. He is, as John the preaching baptizer, testified, “The Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world.” It was December and the festival of lights - or Hanukkah was at hand. History records, John 10:22-31 Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. (23) And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch. (24) Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, "How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly." (25) Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me. (26) But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. (27) My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (28) And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. (29) My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. (30) I and My Father are one." (31) Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him.”
Jesus preaches, (27) My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (28) And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. During this Lenten season, we pray the Holy Spirit to open our ears to hear the voice of our Good Shepherd in baptism, absolution, the office of the keys, and the Sacrament of the Altar.
“If only I could hear Jesus talk to me!” “Then I could be certain!” Our fallen fleshly mind is quickly hoodwinked by the evil angel’s lie to trust its feelings, desires, thinking, and doing. Studying the Old Testament we come across the phrase, “the Word of the Lord came” in 104 different verses. Beginning with Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward." We falsely covet disembodied voices, dreams, visions as Satan slyly steals the written and revealed Word of God away from us, deafening us to the voice of our Good Shepherd turning us into enthusiasts.
What is an enthusiast? Our Lutheran Confessions warn, In issues relating to the spoken, outward Word, we must firmly hold that God grants His Spirit or grace to no one except through or with the preceding outward Word [Galatians 3:2, 5]. This protects us from the enthusiasts (i.e., souls who boast that they have the Spirit without and before the Word). They judge Scripture or the spoken Word and explain and stretch it at their pleasure,....., wanting to be sharp judges between the Spirit and the letter, and yet they do not know what they are saying [2 Corinthians 3:6]. [4][5] All this is the old devil and old serpent [Revelation 12:9], who also turned Adam and Eve into enthusiasts. He led them away from God’s outward Word to spiritualizing and self-pride [Genesis 3:2–5]. And yet, he did this through other outward words.From "Article VIII. Confession" in The Smalcald Articles, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, Pocket Edition. © 2005, 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Source: https://bookofconcord.cph.org/en/smalcald-articles/third_part/article_viii/
Beware of seeking Jesus’ voice apart from His Word recorded by the Holy Spirit through the pen of the prophets, evangelists, and apostles.
God the Holy Spirit assures you, Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, (2) has in these last days spoken to us by His Son,....” When did you first hear Jesus speak to you? It was in His Church as He said, ‘I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” Many of us were infants, some toddlers, some children, some adults. No matter our age - baptism was never our decision, work, or act - it is the work of the Triune God. The Father reconciles us through His Son’s passion and resurrection. The Son breathes us alive by the Holy Spirit in His Word. The Holy Spirit reconciles us to God the Father through the forgiving blood of Jesus.
“In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” are not empty words - they are the very life sustaining Word and Promise of the only true and living God to you!
Listen! Hear Your Shepherd’s voice daily in “Baptismal Death and Life!” I. Daily Drowning The Old Adam In Jesus! II. Daily Walking Out of The Tomb In Jesus!
(LSB pg. 325, S.C. Baptism-4th Parta) I died the day I was baptized. We are baptized into His cross and death. In a few minutes you may come forward to have an ashen cross traced upon your forehead with the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” The cross was traced upon our infant bodies when we were carried to the font. Speaking your name, the pastor drew a cross upon you, saying, ‘Receive the sign of the holy cross both upon your + forehead and upon your + heart to mark you as one redeemed by Christ the crucified.” Behold the miracle! Jesus knit you into His Body by the Holy Spirit in His Word. We make the sign of the cross to remember our baptism and the tremendous price the Father paid through His only begotten Son - the God/Man to buy us back from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil.
Daily return to your baptism. Drown your old Adam. Beware he is an Olympic swimmer. What is the Old Adam? “It is what is born in human beings from Adam: anger, hate, envy, unchastity, stinginess, laziness, arrogance—yes, unbelief. The old man is infected with all vices and has by nature nothing good in him [Romans 7:18]. [67] Now, when we have come into Christ’s kingdom [John 3:5], these things must daily decrease. The longer we live the more we become gentle, patient, meek, and ever turn away from unbelief, greed, hatred, envy, and arrogance. From "Part 4: Baptism" in The Large Catechism, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, Pocket Edition. © 2005, 2006 Concordia Publishing House. https://bookofconcord.cph.org/en/large-catechism/part_4/
Once begun baptism doesn’t end. The Christian life is daily baptism - drowning our old sinful adam in Jesus’ forgiving blood. Honestly look into the mirror of God’s Law - see your sin and its wages of death. Let the Holy Spirit call you through the Gospel to fix your trust only in the Crucified. Jesus’ wounds alone heal. God suffered and died to rescue you from your sin. The Holy Spirit works sorrow and contrition - turning your from sin. He exposes your evil desires as satanic lies, loved by your flesh, and trumpeted by our fallen world.
Daily close the valve of evil flowing out of the cesspool of your adamic heart. Evil desires make us nose blind to the stench of death in our sin. Daily die to your old life. Know your life is hidden in Christ Jesus. Say with Paul, Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Practice what the Small Catechism’s spiritual discipline. Rising from sleep let the promise of the Triune God echo in your ears as you make the sign of the cross - “In the Name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.”Confess Jesus’ teaching of reality - The Apostles’ Creed - the Faith gifted you by the Holy Spirit through Jesus from the Father. Take up the weapon of prayer - as Jesus prays through your lips - ‘Our Father” breathing you armored by the Holy Spirit to stand against the unholy three - devil, world, and yes your own flesh. Ask for the protection of God’s Holy angel so that drowning the old adam - all your doings and life may please Your heavenly Father. Read the Holy Bible, sing a hymn, go joyfully to your daily labor serving God by caring for your neighbor. You are freed from your selfish old Adam - to serve.
II. Rise to new life as the sun rises in the eastern sky! (LSB pg. 325, S.C. Baptism-4th Part) Baptism is real life in a real present living Jesus.
Hear Him: John 10:11, 17-18 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. ..... "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. (18) No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father."
“It is finished!” our suffering Savior shouted from the cross - “Paid in full!” Then He laid down His life into our death. Three days later He marched triumphant from your grave and mine. Raised by the Lord and Giver of Life to the glory of the Father. Your sins are forever buried in His tomb. He walks forth in our human body bringing peace - forgiveness of all our sins. God is now our God. The Father is now our Father. Jesus breathes forth the Holy Spirit comforting us daily and richly with freeing words of forgiveness. Our sins are forgotten by God.
New life in Jesus springs forth in our lives. Galatians 5:22-26 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (24) And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (26) Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. This is the Spirit’s work - His fruit in from the Tree of Life - the Cross of Jesus and His empty tomb.
Make every evening a festival of the True Light preparing for bed. 2 Corinthians 4:6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Hear the voice of your triumphant risen Savior as you trace the sign of the cross upon your mortal flesh. Confess reality - you are created and sustained by God the Father, redeemed by the blood of Jesus, and washed holy by Jesus’ blood and kept alive in His holiness by the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. Pray with your living Jesus. He has and will deliver you from all evil. Ask for forgiveness and the Lord’s holy angel to watch over you while you sleep. Then go to sleep at once in good cheer.
One night will fall - you will die - your body will return to the dust - don’t fear - you are baptized into Jesus resurrection life. Death couldn’t hold Him - it won’t hold you. The Holy Spirit will bring your baptism to full completion. On the Last Day He will raise up me and all the dead and will give eternal life to me and to all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true.From "II. The Creed" in The Small Catechism, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, Pocket Edition. © 2005, 2006 Concordia Publishing House. https://bookofconcord.cph.org/en/small-catechism/apostles-creed/
Hear the voice of your Good Shepherd! (27) My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (28) And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. Amen.
Sermon Series Theme: “Hear Your Shepherd’s Voice!” Bapt4-SA4
Sermon Text: Romans 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Sermon Theme: “Baptismal Death and Life!” I. Daily Drowning The Old Adam In Jesus! II. Daily Walking Out of The Tomb In Jesus! by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
I.N.R.I. In about three months the Passover would find its fulfillment in the crucified flesh and blood of Jesus. He is, as John the preaching baptizer, testified, “The Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world.” It was December and the festival of lights - or Hanukkah was at hand. History records, John 10:22-31 Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. (23) And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch. (24) Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, "How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly." (25) Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me. (26) But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. (27) My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (28) And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. (29) My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. (30) I and My Father are one." (31) Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him.”
Jesus preaches, (27) My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (28) And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. During this Lenten season, we pray the Holy Spirit to open our ears to hear the voice of our Good Shepherd in baptism, absolution, the office of the keys, and the Sacrament of the Altar.
“If only I could hear Jesus talk to me!” “Then I could be certain!” Our fallen fleshly mind is quickly hoodwinked by the evil angel’s lie to trust its feelings, desires, thinking, and doing. Studying the Old Testament we come across the phrase, “the Word of the Lord came” in 104 different verses. Beginning with Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward." We falsely covet disembodied voices, dreams, visions as Satan slyly steals the written and revealed Word of God away from us, deafening us to the voice of our Good Shepherd turning us into enthusiasts.
What is an enthusiast? Our Lutheran Confessions warn, In issues relating to the spoken, outward Word, we must firmly hold that God grants His Spirit or grace to no one except through or with the preceding outward Word [Galatians 3:2, 5]. This protects us from the enthusiasts (i.e., souls who boast that they have the Spirit without and before the Word). They judge Scripture or the spoken Word and explain and stretch it at their pleasure,....., wanting to be sharp judges between the Spirit and the letter, and yet they do not know what they are saying [2 Corinthians 3:6]. [4][5] All this is the old devil and old serpent [Revelation 12:9], who also turned Adam and Eve into enthusiasts. He led them away from God’s outward Word to spiritualizing and self-pride [Genesis 3:2–5]. And yet, he did this through other outward words.From "Article VIII. Confession" in The Smalcald Articles, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, Pocket Edition. © 2005, 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Source: https://bookofconcord.cph.org/en/smalcald-articles/third_part/article_viii/
Beware of seeking Jesus’ voice apart from His Word recorded by the Holy Spirit through the pen of the prophets, evangelists, and apostles.
God the Holy Spirit assures you, Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, (2) has in these last days spoken to us by His Son,....” When did you first hear Jesus speak to you? It was in His Church as He said, ‘I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” Many of us were infants, some toddlers, some children, some adults. No matter our age - baptism was never our decision, work, or act - it is the work of the Triune God. The Father reconciles us through His Son’s passion and resurrection. The Son breathes us alive by the Holy Spirit in His Word. The Holy Spirit reconciles us to God the Father through the forgiving blood of Jesus.
“In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” are not empty words - they are the very life sustaining Word and Promise of the only true and living God to you!
Listen! Hear Your Shepherd’s voice daily in “Baptismal Death and Life!” I. Daily Drowning The Old Adam In Jesus! II. Daily Walking Out of The Tomb In Jesus!
(LSB pg. 325, S.C. Baptism-4th Parta) I died the day I was baptized. We are baptized into His cross and death. In a few minutes you may come forward to have an ashen cross traced upon your forehead with the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” The cross was traced upon our infant bodies when we were carried to the font. Speaking your name, the pastor drew a cross upon you, saying, ‘Receive the sign of the holy cross both upon your + forehead and upon your + heart to mark you as one redeemed by Christ the crucified.” Behold the miracle! Jesus knit you into His Body by the Holy Spirit in His Word. We make the sign of the cross to remember our baptism and the tremendous price the Father paid through His only begotten Son - the God/Man to buy us back from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil.
Daily return to your baptism. Drown your old Adam. Beware he is an Olympic swimmer. What is the Old Adam? “It is what is born in human beings from Adam: anger, hate, envy, unchastity, stinginess, laziness, arrogance—yes, unbelief. The old man is infected with all vices and has by nature nothing good in him [Romans 7:18]. [67] Now, when we have come into Christ’s kingdom [John 3:5], these things must daily decrease. The longer we live the more we become gentle, patient, meek, and ever turn away from unbelief, greed, hatred, envy, and arrogance. From "Part 4: Baptism" in The Large Catechism, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, Pocket Edition. © 2005, 2006 Concordia Publishing House. https://bookofconcord.cph.org/en/large-catechism/part_4/
Once begun baptism doesn’t end. The Christian life is daily baptism - drowning our old sinful adam in Jesus’ forgiving blood. Honestly look into the mirror of God’s Law - see your sin and its wages of death. Let the Holy Spirit call you through the Gospel to fix your trust only in the Crucified. Jesus’ wounds alone heal. God suffered and died to rescue you from your sin. The Holy Spirit works sorrow and contrition - turning your from sin. He exposes your evil desires as satanic lies, loved by your flesh, and trumpeted by our fallen world.
Daily close the valve of evil flowing out of the cesspool of your adamic heart. Evil desires make us nose blind to the stench of death in our sin. Daily die to your old life. Know your life is hidden in Christ Jesus. Say with Paul, Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Practice what the Small Catechism’s spiritual discipline. Rising from sleep let the promise of the Triune God echo in your ears as you make the sign of the cross - “In the Name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.”Confess Jesus’ teaching of reality - The Apostles’ Creed - the Faith gifted you by the Holy Spirit through Jesus from the Father. Take up the weapon of prayer - as Jesus prays through your lips - ‘Our Father” breathing you armored by the Holy Spirit to stand against the unholy three - devil, world, and yes your own flesh. Ask for the protection of God’s Holy angel so that drowning the old adam - all your doings and life may please Your heavenly Father. Read the Holy Bible, sing a hymn, go joyfully to your daily labor serving God by caring for your neighbor. You are freed from your selfish old Adam - to serve.
II. Rise to new life as the sun rises in the eastern sky! (LSB pg. 325, S.C. Baptism-4th Part) Baptism is real life in a real present living Jesus.
Hear Him: John 10:11, 17-18 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. ..... "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. (18) No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father."
“It is finished!” our suffering Savior shouted from the cross - “Paid in full!” Then He laid down His life into our death. Three days later He marched triumphant from your grave and mine. Raised by the Lord and Giver of Life to the glory of the Father. Your sins are forever buried in His tomb. He walks forth in our human body bringing peace - forgiveness of all our sins. God is now our God. The Father is now our Father. Jesus breathes forth the Holy Spirit comforting us daily and richly with freeing words of forgiveness. Our sins are forgotten by God.
New life in Jesus springs forth in our lives. Galatians 5:22-26 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (24) And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (26) Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. This is the Spirit’s work - His fruit in from the Tree of Life - the Cross of Jesus and His empty tomb.
Make every evening a festival of the True Light preparing for bed. 2 Corinthians 4:6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Hear the voice of your triumphant risen Savior as you trace the sign of the cross upon your mortal flesh. Confess reality - you are created and sustained by God the Father, redeemed by the blood of Jesus, and washed holy by Jesus’ blood and kept alive in His holiness by the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. Pray with your living Jesus. He has and will deliver you from all evil. Ask for forgiveness and the Lord’s holy angel to watch over you while you sleep. Then go to sleep at once in good cheer.
One night will fall - you will die - your body will return to the dust - don’t fear - you are baptized into Jesus resurrection life. Death couldn’t hold Him - it won’t hold you. The Holy Spirit will bring your baptism to full completion. On the Last Day He will raise up me and all the dead and will give eternal life to me and to all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true.From "II. The Creed" in The Small Catechism, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, Pocket Edition. © 2005, 2006 Concordia Publishing House. https://bookofconcord.cph.org/en/small-catechism/apostles-creed/
Hear the voice of your Good Shepherd! (27) My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (28) And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. Amen.
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