St Crucis had the privilege to celebrate the confirmation service of 9 young adults on Sunday 20th October.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you. Amen

Dear confirmands, dear congregation, what does the confirmation actually mean? What is it all about? Why do we do this? Do we do it simply because it has always been done and because everyone else is doing it? Or do we do it because it still holds some deeper meaning for us, because it points toward a faith that captures and transforms us? If that is the case, then confirmation is and remains meaningful. So, once again, the questions: Confirmation, what does it really mean? Why do we do this?

Did you know that for Luther, confirmation was an unnecessary ritual. He believed that baptism in itself was sufficient. “Why confirm if you are already baptized?” he asked. Yet, confirmation has existed since the 18th century in all Lutheran churches, and I believe there is a good reason for that. At some point, it was realized that being baptized as a child does not automatically mean that one grows into faith and lives out of God’s grace. It is very easy to be baptized, but living out of one’s baptism, as Luther puts it, “Drowning the old Adam every day, leaving the old behind, and continually being called anew to life that is based on faith in God’s love and grace alone” now that is a whole different story. And this is why we have confirmation classes and the confirmation itself. Through this, we are given the opportunity to think more deeply about God and faith. We have the chance to learn more about God and to discover for ourselves what it means to build our lives on faith. And growing in faith, that is the primary focus during the confirmation time, which wants to help our children to uncover the treasure of faith. To discover for oneself what it means to believe and to live as a Christian. In other words, the confirmation is like growing a seed in a garden. When a child is baptized, it’s as if the seed is sown into the soil. This seed holds great potential, but it needs nurturing to grow. This in part is done during the confirmation time, where the confirmands learn more about faith. Thus, giving the seed of faith water, food and sunshine, so that it may grow strong roots that support the confirmand’s faith and strengthen their personal relationship with God. And the confirmation as such, that what we are celebrating today, is then the moment when the seed sprouts, and the individual openly proclaims that he or she wants to continue to remain and grow in their faith in God.

However, this is also not supposed to be a once off event; rather it is just the beginning of a lifelong journey, on which you continually to learn, develop, and bear the fruit of faith, which means living out the love that God is continually pouring into your life. In this way, confirmation then becomes much more than a mere a ritual or a nice tradition you just do to please granny. Instead, then it becomes a vital step in the ongoing journey of growth and transformation that ultimately comes through faith in Christ alone. A faith that cannot be measured. You cannot write an exam to find out if someone believes correctly, or not; that is simply impossible. What you believe and what faith really means to you can only be discovered by each individual for themselves, something that is done by engaging in a life with Jesus, by getting to know Him better, by opening oneself up to His Spirit, and then by choosing to walk the path of life with Him. Something you can do with the help of prayer, where you share what is on your mind and on your heart with Jesus. “Casting all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) Your verse Tanyth. Or another way is by reading the Bible regularly, or by going to Youth on a Friday, or to a Bible study, or to Church on Sunday… By doing so, you open yourself up to the power of God and allow God to lead and guide you through the ups and downs of life. The God who says in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jer 29:11) Your verse Kyle. A promise that does not exempt us from trials, but assures us that God has a purpose for our lives, even when we cannot see it and gives us hope; hope that for us as Christians is rooted in our faith in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. For in John 16:33, Jesus tells us, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Nicola, your verse. A verse that tells us that our faith in Christ is a hope that transcends our current circumstances, reminding us that suffering is not the end of the story. And that is what you are saying your “yes” to today. Yes, I belong to Jesus! Yes, I trust Him! Yes, I want to continue my life’s journey together with Him at my side.

For, yes, I believe that I am a child of God, and yes, I want to live as such, so that those around me may also get to know this amazing God through me, through my words and deeds. That is what your confirmation is all about. It’s about each one of you putting on the cross, as a sign that shows the world to whom you belong, Jesus Christ. The one who has already accepted you out of pure love and who wants to continue to be a part of your life, in good and in difficult times.

And the amazing thing is, you don’t need to prove yourself to him first; you don’t need to become a super- Christian or a superhero; you don’t need to first earn his love before you are accepted. No, just as you are, you can be a follower of Jesus and know that God is at your side; God who says in Joshua 1:9: “Be strong and courageous, do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Words that both you Ella and Callum have chosen for today, words that are very similar to those you, Kimberlee, have also chosen from Deuteronomy 31:6 and also your verse Daniel, taken from Psalm 94:19, where it says: “Whenever I am anxious and worried, you comfort me and make me glad.” Words that all bear witness to the fact that already in the Old Testament, God’s people had grasped what kind of God they were dealing with. A God who loves humanity, truly means well with us and allows us to utter in faith these powerful words taken from Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” Words, that you Megan, have chosen. A verse that reminds us that faith; it is not about what you can accomplish on your own with your own strength, instead faith is all about completely relying on the strength that comes from God through Christ alone. When you feel weak or unsure, remember that through your faith, you have access to His strength, which will always be enough so that you may achieve your goals, but also more importantly, be able to carry your failures and deal with the challenges of life. Therefore, “commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.”

Liam, your verse that you have chosen, taken from Psalm 37:5-6. Words that say to us that faith is a gift that provides us comfort in times of distress and allows us to find forgiveness.

And so, as you navigate the challenges of life, whether it is academic pressures, friendships, an illness, or uncertainties about the future, always remember that your faith in God will bring you comfort. Because God, your heavenly Father understands and sees your struggles and invites you to lay your burdens at His feet, so that you may find peace and joy. And it is to this kind of God, who has come to us, to be close to us every step of the way in Jesus Christ, who you are saying your “yes” today. A God who has always loved you and means well with you. A God who says, “Do not fear and do not be afraid, for I am with you.” A God who is our light, who protects us, and frees us from what seeks to destroy us in this world. A God who gives us His strength so that we can live with hope and confidence despite the hardship and suffering that we at times have to face. A God you can truly trust with your life. A God worth saying yes to. And not only today, but each and every single day. Yes, I trust You. Yes, I want to follow You. Yes, I want to wear your cross and show the world that I belong to you! Amen.

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