The Promise that Things get Better

January 8, 2026 Baptism of the Lord The Promise that things get Better Isaiah 42:1-9 Year A Prelude Greeting Call to Worship Come to the waters, beloved— where Spirit moved over at creation, where Jesus was immersed in justice, where God leaned close to us. We splash in the river of God’s joy. Come to the waters, beloved— where God’s voice thunders, where God whispers kindness. We watch as Jesus steps into the muddy mess of our lives. Come to the waters, beloved— where the Spirit gifts us so we can stand side by side with the broken and forgotten. We come because we are indeed God’s beloved children. (LectionaryLiturgies, Thom Shuman) Opening Prayer Eternal God, at the baptism of Jesus, you revealed him to be your Son, and anointed him with the Holy Spirit, Keep all who are born of water and the Spirit faithful to their calling as your people; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website, https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/home. Re-posted on the re:Worship blog at https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2014/01/collect-baptism-of-our-lord.html. Song O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing UMH 57 A Sermon for all Ages Children’s Sermon: “Remembering Our Yes” (Bring a small bowl of water. If possible, stand near the baptismal font.) Good morning, friends! Does anyone remember a time when you said “yes” to something important? Maybe yes to helping at home… yes to being kind… or yes to following a rule? Today is a special Sunday. It’s the day we remember when Jesus was baptized. When Jesus went into the water, God said, “You are my beloved.” When you were baptized, God said the same thing to you: “You are my beloved child.” Now, I have this bowl of water. (Show water.) This water helps us remember our baptism. Even if you were very little, something important happened that day. The grown-ups—parents, grandparents, the church—said “yes” for you. They said yes to: loving you, helping you grow in faith, and teaching you how to follow Jesus. Later today, the whole church is going to say “yes” again. That’s called renewing our baptismal vows. Renewing our vows means we remember: God loves us. God is with us. And we promise to help each other follow Jesus. The Bible story today says God’s servant is gentle. It says the servant doesn’t break people when they are hurting. That’s part of our baptism promise too. When we say “yes” today, we are saying: We will be kind. We will help others. We will take care of people when they feel sad or weak. And here’s something really important: We don’t say “yes” by ourselves. Look around. (Pause.) The whole church says “yes” together. We help each other keep our promises. So when the water is used later and the questions are asked, listen carefully. That’s the church remembering who we are: God’s beloved children, called to love and serve. Let’s practice saying “yes” together. When I say, “God loves you,” you say “Yes!” God loves you! (Children respond: “Yes!”) God is with you! (“Yes!”) God calls us to help others! (“Yes!”) Let’s pray. Prayer Loving God, Thank you for the water of baptism. Thank you for loving us first. Help us keep saying yes to you, and yes to loving others. Amen Affirmation of faith We trust in God the Holy Spirit everywhere the giver and renewer of life. The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church. The same Spirit who inspired the prophets and apostles rules our faith and life in Christ through Scripture, engages us through the Word proclaimed, claims us in the waters of baptism, feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation, and calls women and men to all ministries of the Church. (Presbyterian Outlook, A Brief Statement of Faith) Scripture Isaiah 42:1-9 Sermon The Promise that Things get Better The Messianic Age The Messianic Age. This is what every Jewish child of God was hoping, praying, and waiting for. It is easy to see why when we hear God's Old Testament promises about the Messianic Age: (Isa 2:2) In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. (Isa 2:4) They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. (Isa 35:5-7) Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. (6) Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. (7) The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. (Isa 60:3,10-13) Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. (13) "Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you ... (11) Your gates will always stand open, they will never be shut, day or night, so that men may bring you the wealth of the nations-- their kings led in triumphal procession. (12) For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly ruined. (13) "The glory of Lebanon will come to you, the pine, the fir and the cypress together, to adorn the place of my sanctuary; and I will glorify the place of my feet. (Isa 65:20-21,25) "Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; he who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere youth; he who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed. (21) They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit ... (25) The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent's food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain," says the LORD. What wonderful, beautiful promises. No wonder God's Jewish children could hardly wait for the Messianic Age. The Old Testament Scriptures clearly state that the beauty and wonder of the Messianic Age will become a reality; but this will be so only with the coming of the Messiah. The Messiah. It is He Who brings about the Messianic Age. Today, in the story of Jesus' baptism, Matthew tells his Jewish audience that the Messiah has come and that the Messianic Age is about to begin. And, in a departure from Jewish expectations about the Messiah, Matthew tells his Jewish audience that Messiah Jesus has come to take the sinner's place. Adrian Dieleman, Jesus: A Baptism of Repentance? ____________________ The book of Isaiah gives us such wonderful words of hope. It paints a picture of a wonderful world that works for everyone. A world of shalom – peace, justice, wholeness and wellbeing. A world where a supportive community provides all of those things for each individual. The book of Isaiah spans 500 years where the hope, that dream never fades. Our scripture for today – Isaiah 42:1-9 stands somewhere in the middle of that time period. This scripture introduces the concept of the suffering servant. A person who carries the spirit of God, who is called to lead, who cares for the community, but who would not hurt a fly. This person is able to make things happen, but in a calm, peaceful, gentle manner. We are grateful for this person, and we assume that this person is Jesus. And yet Isaiah speaks long before Jesus was born, and he speaks long after Jesus has Risen. The words of Isaiah are still relevant for today. Welcoming Mr. Forsythe Argile Smith Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43 Mr. Forsythe made his work as an elementary school principal look easy. He had a knack for managing his swarm of teachers, coaches, administrators, students, and parents so that teaching and learning could happen every school day. Even though he didn't try to rule with an iron hand, everyone seemed to have tremendous respect for him. He certainly didn't look like a top-shelf administrator. Not a tall man at all, he had a few strands of unruly gray hair on the top of his head with a little more hanging on for dear life around his hat line. A portly fellow, he cut a heavy-in-the-middle figure that would remind you of Santa Claus, and he always looked like he had been dressed by committee. Nothing he wore seemed to match really well or fit quite right. His signature accessory to his garbled wardrobe happened to be a pair of thick glasses that perched precariously on the end of his nose all the time. Mr. Forsythe had incredible power over the school. Teachers lived with the reality that he could fire and replace each one of them as he deemed necessary. Students knew that the stroke of his pen could have them imprisoned to detention, Saturday school, or worse. Parents learned that he had the clout to make things happen. Every member of the school board understood his depth of his influence in the community. But power didn't matter to him very much. The children in his school, however, meant the world to him. He cared deeply about them -- each one of them. For instance, he liked to drop by the third-grade classes and quiz the students on their multiplication tables. All third-graders should have a firm grip on everything from "two times one" to "nine times nine" as far as he was concerned. That's why he would arrange "surprise" visits to each of the third-grade classes. On a typical surprise visit, he would say to the teacher, "I dropped by to see if these students were as smart as the other third-grade classes." Then he would ask, "Would you mind if I asked a few questions?" That's when the fun would begin. He would walk down the aisles, point to a student at random, and throw out a question like, "Two times seven?" A correct answer got a hearty, "Great!" Answering incorrectly got an encouraging "you'll get it next time" reply. Up and down the aisle he would go, hurling multiplication table questions left and right. Then he would leave, thanking the teacher for allowing him to interrupt and adding so everyone could hear, "They're really smart, aren't they?" One day he made a surprise visit to a class in which Charlie sat quietly trying to deal with a toothache. Charlie came from a poor family that couldn't afford dental care. He didn't wear nice clothes either, and he knew it. In fact, Charlie spent much of his time at school trying to be invisible. To make matters worse, his tooth hurt on the very day Mr. Forsythe made one of his surprise visits his class. In usual fashion, Mr. Forsythe made his way up and down the aisle and quizzed one student after another, getting closer to Charlie with each step he took. Then he flashed the question at Charlie, "Six times nine?" Forgetting his pain for a split second, Charlie spoke up, "Fifty-four." Then Mr. Forsythe launched a follow-up query, "Nine times eight?" "Seventy-two!" Charlie shot back. "You're good." Mr. Forsythe said. Then he turned to the teacher and confirmed, "He's really good." After Mr. Forsythe left the classroom, Charlie thought about Mr. Forsythe's visit. The most powerful person in his third-grade world had just said in public that he mattered. For a while, his tooth stopped hurting, and his self-esteem healed a little too. As far as he was concerned, Mr. Forsythe could visit his classroom anytime. Jesus came, powerful yet gentle and caring. People who know Him that way always welcome Him into their lives. Mr. Forsythe was an ordinary man, who came to an ordinary student and give them a really profound calling. When Jesus was baptized, he knew it was time to step into his calling. God made that calling known to all of the world. His calling was to be the suffering servant of the day. In Isaiah – in the first half of the scripture – God is talking about the suffering servant, he talks in third person. He says he/him. But right after he names the characteristics of the suffering servant – he changes – he says you. I have called you for a good reason, I will hold you hand. When God says you – who is God talking about? There is some speculation that you is Jesus, or some other modern figure. But what if when God says I have called you for a reason, God is actually talking about – you – the people listening, the people who claim Jesus Christ as a savior, the people who follow Jesus, the ones who have been baptized? Jesus was baptized, and claimed – but so are we. Blessing brings responsibility When Jesus was baptized, he was given an identity, a mission and a purpose. When we are baptized we are given a mission to fulfill also. When the church forgets to stay united in its mission, when we get so caught up on ourselves, that we forget that all that we do is for the good of others, we are like a ship without a sail. Jesus mission to feed the hungry, to help the blind to see, to set the prisoners free is our mission. Our assignment throught baptism, our call to be obedient servants. God is trying to do a new thing in the world, he calls you, he accepts you, because he needs you. A young girl treasures the times with her granddad, because everyday he prays with her and for her and makes her feel important in the eyes of God. She misses her grandfather deeply when he passes away, because no one else prays for her. One day she asks her mom why she doesn’t bless her the way her grandfather did. Her mom tells her that she blesses her daughter everyday, she prays to God everyday on her behalf, but she doesn’t have to wisdom to make sure that she knows. How many of the people in our lives know that we pray for them, that we accept them, that they are important to us. Being baptized, blessed by God is not only a gift, it is a responsibility. Your responsibility is to be a blessing to other people. What if baptism was God’s way of starting a quiet revolution today – not a revolution of protest, force, or violence. But a revolution of humble love. Baptism is not just a ticket to heaven, it is an invitation to be the body of Christ for the world. We are called to care for others, to build community, to model God’s love for people who cant see it any other way. Through the words of Isaiah – baptism is connected to justice, but also to mission. The Connection between Baptism and Mission There is a vital connection between baptism and mission. Another way to put it is that there is a vital connection between going down and going out. We do not play our part in the world's redemption when we climb ladders so much as when we are pulled downward. It is out of our pain that we heal. It is out of our poverty that we make others rich. It is from our ignorance that we enlighten others. It is by our brokenness that others become whole. It is from our dying that others come to life. We must follow Jesus in his descent, we must accept his downward mobility and our own if we are to be his true disciples, if we are to allow resurrection in our lives. In this terrible demand that we go down with Jesus in downward mobility, that we go down with him in the murky waters of the river and the dark waters of death -- in this terrible demand there is good news for us. For we already know what it means to go down. Perhaps you went down at some time in the past -- an unhappy childhood, a broken marriage, a career failure, a horrible bereavement. Perhaps you find yourself down at the bottom right now -- estranged from a loved one, troubled by an aging body, upset at a world that's changed too fast. You already know what it means to go down. You feel confused, ashamed, and without any power. Your downward descent leaves you groggy. The good news is this: there is power in that downward descent. Not power to grab and keep yourself, but power to use in serving other people. Whatever it is that has taken you to the bottom has been a baptism – if you stand out of the way and let it work. The death you have experienced can be life for someone else. That baptism of yours, horrible and unwelcome though it was, can lead you to some unexpected mission where Christ will rise again in you and your neighbor. Charles Hoffacker, Downward Mobility _____________________________________ Through baptism we have been given the power not just to assess the world – but to change the world. We have the power to make a difference. Remember your baptism and be thankful. Let’s Pray…….. Song Breathe on me Breath of God UMH 420 Prayer Lord’s Prayer Baptismal Renewal (You do not have to mention to invitation at all) Invitation Leader: Beloved of God, today we remember that we are a people formed in water and Spirit. We remember that Jesus stepped into the waters of the Jordan, not because he needed to be cleansed, but to show us what it means to be fully human— to say yes to God, yes to belovedness, yes to the work of gentle justice. Today we step into that yes again. (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Michael Anthony Howard) Renunciation of Sin and Profession of Faith UMH page 40 Thanksgiving over the Water UMH 41 Prayer of Dedication As a river carries life to land, take our gifts and carry them into the world, God of waters. There, may they set people free, open closed eyes and clenched fists, proclaim faith instead of fear, share peace instead of platitudes. This we pray in the name of the Beloved. Amen. Affirmation God is the creator of wind which stirs us to compassion and the mover of wind which carries God’s cries for justice into every corner of creation. Jesus is the Beloved who stepped out of Glory into the water of baptism, who muddied his feet walking the dusty road to death, who was raised to make us new. The Spirit still comes, resting upon us like a dove, transforming our ordinary lives into gifts of peace and reconciliation, sending us into a broken world to bring healing and hope. God in Community, Holy in One, you are our faith, our hope, our life, our love. This we believe. Amen. (Lectionary Liturgies, Thom Shuman, 2026) A Moment for Stewardship Prayer of Thanksgiving God of all good gifts, thank you for the gift of baptism, which marks us for life here and life eternal. Please accept our offerings as signs of our love for you and our desire to share Good News with all who are eager to claim new life. AMEN (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook The heavens have opened and we have heard God’s voice. Let us go to speak up for all whom the world ignores. We have stood in the waters of baptism gathered into the welcoming arms of Jesus. Let us go to embrace everyone who finds the doors of hope, justice, life slammed in their faces. We have felt the touch of the Spirit resting upon us like a gentle dove. Let us go to be light in the shadows cast by the privileged and powerful, and bring peace to the broken places. (Lectionary Liturgies, Thom Shuman,2026) Community Time – Joys and Concerns Benediction Hear the voice of God that claimed you in baptism: you are precious and beloved in God’s sight. God has claimed our lives in baptism that we might die to sin and be raised to new life. God’s Spirit empowers us now to follow Jesus into our world, so as you go, lift up the broken hearted and stand with the oppressed. Love God with your whole lives and love neighbors as yourselves. Amen. (Presbyterian Outlook, Roger Gench) Additional Illustrations Welcome To a Journey The story is told of a pastor's words to a baby shortly after he had baptized her. No doubt, the minister was speaking as much to the congregation as to the infant. "Little sister, by this act of baptism, we welcome you to a journey that will take your whole life. This isn't the end. It's the beginning of God's experiment with your life. What God will make of you, we know not. Where God will take you, surprise you, we cannot say. This we do know and this we say -- God is with you." And God will be with us as we live out our baptism. William B. Kincaid, III, And then Came the Angel, CSS Publishing Company Jesus' Consecration Some years ago, a Scottish minister told his congregation about dreaming he had died. When he came to the pearly gates, to his dismay, he would be denied entrance until he presented his credentials. Proudly the Pastor articulated the number of sermons preached and the prominent pulpits occupied. But Saint Peter said no one had heard them in heaven. The discouraged servant enumerated his community involvement. He was told they were not recorded. Sorrowfully, the pastor turned to leave, when Peter said, "Stay a moment, and tell me, are you the man who fed the sparrows?" "Yes," the Scotsman replied, "but what does that have to do with it?" "Come in," said Saint Peter, "the Master of the sparrows wants to thank you." Here is the pertinent, though often overlooked, point: great and prominent positions indicate skill and capacity, but small services suggest the depth of one's consecration. And so it is with Jesus' Baptism. He submits to John's baptism of repentance even though he himself was perfect and had no need to repent. Jesus identified with our sins by being baptized. He joined in the popular movement of his day. It was a grass roots movement started by a desert monk named John the Baptist. John was calling for the repentance of Israel. Jesus chose to be baptized because he wanted to participate with the people in their desires to be close to God. Brett Blair, www.Sermons.com. Adapted from G. Curtis Jones, 1000 Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching, Nashville: Broadman, p. 241. _____________________ Meaning of Baptism Those who are baptized in Jesus do not need to strive after a new life. They have already attained new life through dying with Christ. But they do need to nurture that new life so it can grow and mature. That's what church is for. That's what Bible study is for. That's what prayer is for. It is like the Parable of the Sower. Many of those seeds sprouted up, but only a few grew into maturity. The rest withered and died. A wealthy businessman was horrified to see a fisherman sitting beside his boat, playing with a small child. "Why aren't you out fishing?" asked the businessman. "Because I caught enough fish for one day," replied the fisherman. "Why don't you catch some more?" "What would I do with them?" "You could earn more money," said the businessman. "Then with the extra money, you could buy a bigger boat, go into deeper waters, and catch more fish. Then you would make enough money to buy nylon nets. With the nets, you could catch even more fish and make more money. With that money you could own two boats, maybe three boats. Eventually you could have a whole fleet of boats and be rich like me." "Then what would I do?" asked the fisherman. "Then," said the businessman, "you could really enjoy life." The fisherman looked at the businessman quizzically and asked, "What do you think I am doing now?" The baptism of Jesus is dying to our self-centered endeavors and being resurrected into a life marked by grace and love. When we live in the baptism of Jesus, we touch the hearts of others and help open them to the Holy Spirit and new life in Christ. Are you living and growing in the new life you have been given? Paul Peterson, The Waters of Death ___________________ We Draw the Circle Too Small Roy Lloyd, a Lutheran minister, once interviewed Mother Teresa. He said that one of his questions and one of her answers stands out in his mind as "a bright sun burning in my mind." He asked her, "What's the biggest problem in the world today?" And she answered, without hesitation, "The biggest problem in the world today is that we draw the circle of our family too small. We need to draw it larger every day." With all that is evil and wrong in this world today it would be easy to answer that question with a hundred different events. That's what makes Mother Teresa's response so jilting. She is saying that the problem is not so much with the world as it is with us. We need to see more people as our neighbor than we are currently doing. I see Jesus doing this in his baptism. In his baptism he included us in his righteousness. He identified with humanity, with our need to be cleansed, and our need to be made pure. If you have been baptized you have been drawn, by Jesus' baptism, into the circle of God's family. Brett Blair, www.Sermons.com. ____________________ What Will You Do with Your Gift? There is a folk tale from India that summarizes our thoughts this morning. It seems that there was a good king who ruled wisely and who ruled well. One day the king called his three daughters together and told them he was leaving on a long journey. "I wish to learn about God, so I will need to go away and spend a long time in prayer. In my absence I will leave the three of you in charge. Before I leave I would like to leave each of you with a gift; a gift I pray will help you learn how to wisely use your power to rule." Then he placed in each of their hands a single grain of rice. The first daughter tied a long golden thread around her grain of rice and placed it in a beautiful crystal box. Every day she looked at it and reminded herself that she was powerful. The second daughter took one look at the common grain of rice, and threw it away, thus squandering her father's mysterious gift. The third daughter just looked at her grain of rice for a long, long time - until she finally understood what to do with it. She went outside and planted it in the ground. And it became a seed, giving life beyond itself, eventually turning into vast fields of hope and nourishment for others. When the father returned years later, he asked his three daughters what they had done with their grains of rice. Though he was polite to his first two daughters, he did not respond to their explanations with much enthusiasm. It was only after the king saw the fields of grain resulting from his third daughter's wisdom that he responded with delight. Taking the crown off his head, he placed it on hers, saying, "Beloved, you alone have learned the meaning of power." From that day forward, the youngest daughter ruled the kingdom. She ruled long, and she ruled wisely, and she ruled well. Brothers and sisters, this day as we remember the blessings and power of our baptism, as we set apart brothers and sisters for particular tasks of ministry, I pray that all of us will continue to be God's delight - powerful servants - pouring out our power for the hope and nourishment of the world. William R. White, Stories For The Journey (Minneapolis: Augsburg Press, 1988), adapted by Susan R. Andrews, The Offense of Grace, CSS Publishing Company Messages from God A few years ago there were billboards scattered throughout the United States with messages from God. Some guy had purchased the space and conducted an advertising campaign for God. Actually, the person responsible for these "Messages from God" chose to remain anonymous. The Smith Agency in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, launched the advertising campaign in September 1998. Andrew Smith, the agency's president, said that an individual simply appeared in their office one day and hired them on the spot. He said that their agreement with this individual prohibited them from releasing his name but he did say that the person is quite well known. These 15 messages signed by God have appeared on billboards and buses: 1. Let's Meet at My House Sunday Before the Game.--God 2. C'mon Over and Bring the Kids.--God 3. What Part of "Thou Shalt Not ..." Didn't You Understand?--God 4. We Need to Talk.--God 5. Keep Using My Name in Vain And I'll Make Rush Hour Longer.--God (This add is placed in congested Urban areas). 6. Loved the Wedding, Invite Me to the Marriage.--God 7. That "Love Thy Neighbor" Thing, I Meant It.--God 8. I Love You ... I Love You ... I Love You.--God 9. Will The Road You're on Get You to My Place?--God 10. Follow Me.--God 11. My Way Is the Highway.--God 12. Need Directions?--God 13. You Think It's Hot Here?--God (During the Summer) 14. Tell the Kids I Love Them.--God 15. Have You Read My #1 Best Seller? There Will Be a Test.--God It's a cute campaign and clever and it would be nice if God actually would spend a little more time advertising his thoughts. But this exposes the fault in us humans. We want a definitive answer. We want some rules to go by and we want to be told how to behave and what we should do. The Ten Commandments do this for us but we slowly found out --through centuries and centuries of countless sins and human atrocities--that we were not able to abide by them. So what is God to do? Take out an add campaign on our city buses and billboards? No, I don't think so. Instead he does something very different. He says, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." What a difference! Instead of rules written on tablets, buses, and billboards, he says, "I'd like to introduce you to someone special. Here, I want you to meet my son. I love him a great deal. I am so proud of him." What do you do about that? It's one thing to forget a commandment. It's quite another to slam the door in the face of a relative. Brett Blair, Sermons.com. ____________________ The Unbaptized Arm Ivan the Great became the great sovereign ruler of all of Russia during the Fifteenth Century. He brought together warring tribes and independent provinces. He has been called the gatherer of all of Russia. As a fighting man he was courageous. As a general he was brilliant. He drove out the Tartars and established peace across the nation. However, Ivan was so busy waging his campaigns that he did not have a family. His friends and advisers were quite concerned. They reminded him that there was no heir to the throne, and should anything happen to him the union would shatter into chaos. “You must take a wife who can bear you a son.” The busy soldier statesman said to them that he did not have the time to search for a bride, but if they would find a suitable one, he would marry her. The counselors and advisers searched the capitals of Europe to find an appropriate wife for the great tsar. And find her, they did. They reported to Ivan of the beautiful dark eyed daughter of the King of Greece. She was young, brilliant, and charming. He agreed to marry her sight unseen. The King of Greece was delighted. It would align Greece in a favorable way with the emerging giant of the north. But there had to be one condition, “He cannot marry my daughter unless he becomes a member of the Greek Orthodox Church.” Ivan’s response, “I will do it!” So, a priest was dispatched to Moscow to instruct Ivan in Orthodox doctrine. Ivan was a quick student and learned the catechism in record time. Arrangements were concluded, and the tsar made his way to Athens accompanied by 500 of his crack troops--his personal palace guard. He was to be baptized into the Orthodox church by immersion, as was the custom of the Eastern Church. His soldiers, ever loyal, asked to be baptized also. The Patriarch of the Church assigned 500 priests to give the soldiers a one-on-one catechism crash course. The soldiers, all 500 of them, were to be immersed in one mass baptism. Crowds gathered from all over Greece. What a sight that must have been, 500 priests and 500 soldiers, a thousand people, walking into the blue Mediterranean. The priests were dressed in black robes and tall black hats, the official dress of the Orthodox Church. The soldiers wore their battle uniforms with of all their regalia — ribbons of valor, medals of courage, and their weapons of battle. Suddenly, there was a problem. The Church prohibited professional soldiers from being members; they would have to give up their commitment to bloodshed. They could not be killers and church members too. After a hasty round of diplomacy, the problem was solved quite simply. As the words were spoken and the priests began to baptize them, each soldier reached to his side and withdrew his sword. Lifting it high overhead, every soldier was totally immersed-everything baptized except his fighting arm and sword. That is a true historical fact. The unbaptized arm. What a powerful picture of Christianity today. How many unbaptized arms are here this morning? How many unbaptized wills are here? How many unbaptized talents? Unbaptized check books? Unbaptized social activities? How many are there here this morning? Wayne Dehoney, Walnut Street Baptist Church. ______________________________ The Majesty of God Roy L. Smith tells about an aged and scholarly minister with a flair for astronomy who spent the night on a California mountaintop with a group of young men from his church. It so happened that a little after midnight two great stars came into conjunction, and the dear old man went from sleeping bag to sleeping bag, shaking them and shouting, “Get up! Get up! Don’t miss it! Don’t let God Almighty put on such a show as this for just this old mule and me!” Anyone who is sensitive to the beauty of nature sees God daily. When was it that you first realized the majesty of God? Perhaps it was at the birth of your first child. What greater miracle in all of creation is there than this--the birth of a new human being? As we watch that child learn to smile and to make sounds--then to talk and to walk and finally to grow into a mature person, we are led to the dramatic realization that there is more to life than mere physics and chemistry. Behind creation stands a Creator. When was it that you first realized the majesty of God? King Duncan, Collected Sermons, www.Sermons.com

Empowered to do the work of Christ

January 12, 2014 Isaiah 42:1-9 Matthew 3:13-17 Baptism of the Lord Year A Empowered to do the work of Christ The power of water This week has been a good example of how powerful a force water can be in our lives. The weather this week has been crazy. Every since New Year’s Eve, I have watched the newscasts everyday in horror. First there was the heavy snow, then the extreme cold, then the heavy rain, now in January we are worried about flooding. I have been thinking to myself, God is up there strategizing – how many different ways can I use water to torture them? And water has indeed been a torture for me and for many others. Just like water can be a major negative force, water is also a major powerful force. Water is God’s gift to us – that brings us life physically and spiritually. The Christian Year This year, starting out I am taking us through the Christian year. Last weekend was the first Sunday of epiphany. Easter will be rather late this year. Easter does not come until April 20th. Ash Wednesday is not until March 5th. So that means the season of epiphany will be longer than usual. Seven Sundays of discoveries of the presence of Christ. That is what epiphany – the manifestation of Christ in the world. Baptism is the beginning of Jesus Ministry Christ begins his journey of ministry with a walk to the Jordan river to get baptized by his cousin John. In Israel, there are only two seasons - the rainy season and the dry season. The rain was so powerful that you did not do much traveling. As soon as the rain subsided, everyone wanted to be outside. John would have been baptizing people at the beginning of the dry season – while the river beds were still full. It is hard to believe that Jesus ministry only lasted one dry season. Before the rains began the next year – he was nailed to a cross. But his ministry to the world in those few months changed the world. But it all starts at the Jordan River. The Jordan River is a beautiful place The Jordan River flows from the top of Mount Herman where the snow melts and travels down to the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea. For the most part the Jordan River is neither beautiful nor peaceful. It’s 25 percent mud and plunges downhill at a furious pace, falling nine feet per mile. In this river where words were uttered that has influenced the course of history. This river Jordan that many believe Jesus was baptized is now a barrier between the two hostile nations of Israel and Syria for thirty miles. Amid the not so beautiful, sometimes furious river, east of Jericho, there is a peaceful and beautiful bend called the ‘Ford of the Partridge.’ It’s a place of great beauty, shaded by willows and eucalyptus trees, much as it was in New Testament times. According to tradition, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in this very place. The place of our baptism is a spot of beauty and peace amid a furious flowing river of hate and strife. When those who sought to take Him confronted Jesus he went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John first baptized; and there he abode. (John 10:40) Whether at this location on the Jordan, or beyond the Jordan, Jesus found refuge from the trials of life, by remembering His baptism. And we can, too. When difficulties seem more than we can bear, knowing that we are baptized into the Body of Christ can put life into perspective. Jack Gulledge, Ideas and Illustrations for Inspirational Talks, (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1986), 10-11 (Change by sermon author.) My baptism certificate qualifies me for ministry If you look at the wall in my office, you will see all of my degrees, my ordination certificates. I felt that I had to have that stuff, because all of the other mentor pastors have them posted in their offices. I guess – those documents are meant to prove that somehow I am qualified to be in ministry. The reality – they don’t mean anything without this little certificate here. It is my baptismal certificate. I was baptized at Second Baptist Church in Evanston in 1990. It is not my degrees, not even acceptance by the United Methodist Church – it is our baptism that qualifies us to do the ministry of Jesus Christ. We were baptized under difference circumstances, some of us may not remember our baptism, but today I want us all to remember that we were baptized. Just like Jesus have been given the power to do the work of God in the world. Jesus needed to se seen Now one thing you have to realize about Jesus’ world – in mediterannean culture – if others did not see it, it was not true. As soon as the rainy season was over – you needed to come out to see and to be seen. Jesus knew that he was the Son of God, Jesus knew that he has a purpose to live out God’s will in the world –But that was not enough. Other people had to see outwardly, what he already knew inwardly. So he went to John the Baptist to be baptized. Not only did the people see the event, but they saw the doves, they heard to voice of God claiming this man as his son. Jesus was not a sinner- but he says he did this to fulfill the righteousness of God. The good news for us – that we have been baptized in water, we have been literally baptized into Christ. Jesus didn’t free himself from sin, he freed us from sin. In baptism, we have been given the same power that Christ has to change to world and to bring others into Christ. There’s another beautiful picture of baptism given here: “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Did you catch it? Baptism clothes us with Christ. We’re wrapped up in Jesus and all of his goodness in baptism. We’re clothed with his work and his righteousness. Armani, Gucci, Abercrombie and Fitch – none of those designer labels can compare with the garments we have in Jesus’ name. God “clothes” us with forgiveness and salvation. In other words, he says that these things are ours. They’re real, just like a change of clothes. All who believe that these garments are theirs have what’s needed to be part of God’s family. The Lord offers a wonderful wardrobe for his people. It’s his Son’s life, death, and resurrection. These are ours to “wear” spiritually. God does have a dress code for his family. This is what identifies the Christian as such. Let’s face it. People often wear the clothes they do because the want to be noticed. Quite often it’s the label or the name brand that supposedly makes a person a “somebody.” Well, you want to be labeled as a “somebody”, then be labeled as one who is wrapped up with Jesus. Be labeled with Christ. Be proud that you are a Christian. Don’t be ashamed of all the Christ has done for you! God has made you part of his family. Both Baptisms A couple weeks ago I had breakfast with a man who had served with the Marines in Vietnam. This man now operates a small business here in town. He's also involved in ministry at a prison in Macomb County. This man is not ordained, but he is baptized, baptized with the water in the name of the Trinity, and baptized also through his Vietnam service. That battlefield experience took him down, down to the bottom, down to the place of mud and stones, of blood and death. I don't know about you, but if I were a prison inmate sentenced to spend years inside the same four walls, I would want someone like that man there to help me. He can help a prisoner deal with the hell of confinement because he has experienced the greater hell of the Vietnam battlefield. His present ministry builds upon both of his baptisms. Each of us has had experiences of descent. Each of us has gone down to what has been for us the place of mud and stones, of blood and death. It is these baptisms that have empowered us for our ministry. Our downward mobility has been a time, strange to say, when the divine voice affirms us and the Spirit enlivens us. Charles Hoffacker, Downward Mobility The Connection between Baptism and Mission There is a vital connection between baptism and mission. Another way to put it is that there is a vital connection between going down and going out. We do not play our part in the world's redemption when we climb ladders so much as when we are pulled downward. It is out of our pain that we heal. It is out of our poverty that we make others rich. It is from our ignorance that we enlighten others. It is by our brokenness that others become whole. It is from our dying that others come to life. We must follow Jesus in his descent, we must accept his downward mobility and our own if we are to be his true disciples, if we are to allow resurrection in our lives. In this terrible demand that we go down with Jesus in downward mobility, that we go down with him in the murky waters of the river and the dark waters of death -- in this terrible demand there is good news for us. For we already know what it means to go down. Perhaps you went down at some time in the past -- an unhappy childhood, a broken marriage, a career failure, a horrible bereavement. Perhaps you find yourself down at the bottom right now -- estranged from a loved one, troubled by an aging body, upset at a world that's changed too fast. You already know what it means to go down. You feel confused, ashamed, and without any power. Your downward descent leaves you groggy. The good news is this: there is power in that downward descent. Not power to grab and keep yourself, but power to use in serving other people. Whatever it is that has taken you to the bottom has been a baptism – if you stand out of the way and let it work. The death you have experienced can be life for someone else. That baptism of yours, horrible and unwelcome though it was, can lead you to some unexpected mission where Christ will rise again in you and your neighbor. Charles Hoffacker, Downward Mobility _____________________________________ You may not remember your baptism, but you have to remember that you were baptized. You have been given the power to be Christ in the world. The good news for us – is that God has given us all of the power that he gave Christ. But the one thing that I want you to remember is that if God gives you the power to reach out – he also gives you the strength. You never have to be discouraged – because the power of Christ is always available to you especially when you when you are discouraged in doing the world of Christ. Just as God claimed Christ in front of the world – through baptism he will always claim you. Baptism is a gift from God. It is not the water – but the power of God in the water that baptizes you and claims you as a child of God. It is an outward sign of an inward grace. Just as God wanted Jesus to be seen beyond himself – he wants you to be seen beyond yourself. He wants to you go out into the world and to make a difference. What Will You Do with Your Gift? There is a folk tale from India that summarizes our thoughts this morning. It seems that there was a good king who ruled wisely and who ruled well. One day the king called his three daughters together and told them he was leaving on a long journey. "I wish to learn about God, so I will need to go away and spend a long time in prayer. In my absence I will leave the three of you in charge. Before I leave I would like to leave each of you with a gift; a gift I pray will help you learn how to wisely use your power to rule." Then he placed in each of their hands a single grain of rice. The first daughter tied a long golden thread around her grain of rice and placed it in a beautiful crystal box. Every day she looked at it and reminded herself that she was powerful. The second daughter took one look at the common grain of rice, and threw it away, thus squandering her father's mysterious gift. The third daughter just looked at her grain of rice for a long, long time - until she finally understood what to do with it. She went outside and planted it in the ground. And it became a seed, giving life beyond itself, eventually turning into vast fields of hope and nourishment for others. When the father returned years later, he asked his three daughters what they had done with their grains of rice. Though he was polite to his first two daughters, he did not respond to their explanations with much enthusiasm. It was only after the king saw the fields of grain resulting from his third daughter's wisdom that he responded with delight. Taking the crown off his head, he placed it on hers, saying, "Beloved, you alone have learned the meaning of power." From that day forward, the youngest daughter ruled the kingdom. She ruled long, and she ruled wisely, and she ruled well. Brothers and sisters, this day as we remember the blessings and power of our baptism, as we set apart brothers and sisters for particular tasks of ministry, I pray that all of us will continue to be God's delight - powerful servants - pouring out our power for the hope and nourishment of the world. William R. White, Stories For The Journey (Minneapolis: Augsburg Press, 1988), adapted by Susan R. Andrews, The Offense of Grace, CSS Publishing Company Remember that you were baptized into the spirit of Christ. Remember that you have the power to reach out to the world. As you discover the power of Christ in your life – make sure that someone else sees that power – and knows how to claim that power for themselves. Remember your baptism and be thankful! Amen! Look What Water Does! by Wesley T. Runk Passage: Matthew 3:13-17 • Lectionary: Baptism of the Lord Item 5 of 13 | Back to Results Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by him. Object: Water at the baptismal font. Lesson: Good morning, boys and girls. Today we are going to talk about something very special. It is called water. How many of you thought that water is very special? (Let them answer.) It is very special because it is necessary for us to live. We could not live without water. That sounds strange because you have never had to try to live without water, but if you ever had to live one day without water, you would know how important it is. Just think of all the things that you use water for in one day's time. (Let them name some of the uses of water.) You see how important it is. That is why we call it special. Very special. Water is also used in something very special that we call Baptism. How many of you are baptized? (Let them answer.) Do you know why you were baptized? (Let them answer.) Baptism does a lot for you, such as forgiving your sins, making you part of God's world and promising you that you will live with God forever. But another reason that you were baptized with water was because Jesus told you and your parents that you should be baptized. Jesus was baptized. He asked John the Baptizer to baptize him, and John finally did it. John thought that Jesus was too good to be baptized by anyone, including himself, and he said so. But Jesus wanted John and everyone else to know that he was one of us, and therefore he had to be baptized also. It makes you feel good to know that Jesus wants to be one of us. He went to the same river where John was baptizing others and Jesus was baptized with the same water that others had been baptized with. Jesus was trying to tell us that, with him, sin died. If we are baptized in water, then our sin is drowned and it cannot live. That is one of the reasons that you were baptized. Your sins were drowned and they died, and you became one with Jesus. Water can be used for lots of things, but the most important thing that it is ever used for is to become one with Jesus in our baptism. I don't know if you will think about your baptism every time you use water, but if you think about it once in a while, it will be good. Jesus came to John the Baptizer to be baptized so that he could be with us and we could be with him, John baptized him with the water from the river and we have chosen to be like him ever since. THE ONE-HANDED CLOCK, Wesley T. Runk, C.S.S. Publishing Company, 1989, 1-55673-141-8

A Ship Without a Sail

Englewood UMC and Rust UMC January 9, 2011 The Baptism of the Lord Year A Isaiah 42:1-9 Matthew 3:13-17 “A Ship Without A Sail” The Baptismal Covenant I want to invite you to turn in the hymnal to page 36 – this is a part of the baptismal convenant – we are baptized with water, and the water needs to be blessed… The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us Pray… Eternal Father: when nothing existed but chaos, you swept across the dark waters and brought forth light. In the days of Noah you saved those in the ark through water. After the flood you set in the clouds a rainbow. When you say your people as slaves in Egypt, you led them to freedom through the sea. Their children you brought through the Jordan to the land which you promised. Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Tell of God’s mercy each day. In the fullness of time you sent Jesus, nurtured in the water of a womb. He was baptized by John and anointed by your Spirit. He called his disciples to share in the baptism of his death and resurrection and to make disciples of all nations. Declare his works to the nations, his glory among all the people. Pour our your Holy Spirit, to bless this gift of water and those who receive it, to wash away their sin and clothe them in righteousness throughout their lives, that dying and being raised in Christ, they may share in his final victory. All praise to you, Eternal Father, through your son Jesus Christ, who with you and the holy Spirit lives and reigns forever. Amen. The importance of water Water is an important part of our lives. Most of our body is made of up of water. We can go for days without food, but we cant go for long without water. Our great lakes is the most significant source of fresh water in the entire world. It was Kenan who pointed out to me that the world is mostly made of water. He probably didn’t realize when he said that how important water is to God’s creation. Genesis and light and water If you go back to Genesis and the 8 words of creation- God’s first word was let their be light- our lesson last week was Arise and shine your light has come. The second word of creation was let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water. The third word let the water under the sky be gathered to one place and let dry ground appear, fifth was let the waters team with living creatures. Genesis one says in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the spirit of God was hovering over the waters…… Water was there before God spoke creation into being. God’s words of creation was not to create the water, it was to order the water that was already there, since the beginning of time. Water is an important part of our lives and our faith. Jesus and John the Baptist It was also an important part of Jesus’ faith. Every gospel, even John tells the story of Jesus baptism. Which is why we remember the story on the second Sunday of the year, every year. The first Sunday we remember the light, and the second Sunday we remember the importance of the water. Now I don’t know if you realize that baptism for John the Baptist was not the same as baptism for us. Purification ceremonies, cleansing ceremonies are actually a part of any religion. Before worshippers go to the mosque, they have to cleanse themselves. John the Baptist was carrying on a massive cleansing campaign, he seemed to want every Hebrew to participate. His baptism was not just a spiritual cleansing, it was also a cleansing of sins. People were coming to him to turn away from their sins, to repent and to turn to God. The Sadducees and the Pharisees were coming to him, and John, being a little rough around the edges and not always being civil with his words, says – you brood of vipers- what nerve you have to want to repent and be saved. Jesus too decides to come to him to be baptized. Each gospel writer records the story a little different. In Matthew John is surprised – why would Jesus come to him? It should be the other way around. He even refuses and Jesus insist that it must be so. Why did Jesus need to be baptized? If Jesus if the son of God, why does he need to be baptized by John? If he committed no sin, why would he need a baptism of repentance? Actually I think the real question is why is it so important for us to hear this story every year? Because from here, Jesus went out and started his ministry of salvation. In Isreal it rarely gets cold enough to snow, but there is a rainy season – from September to about April. And them the dry season is from about may to October. This baptism even had to have happen in April or May. When it was dry enough to come outside, but still wet enough for the rivers and wadis to have water in them. Before the next rainy season – Jesus was hanging on a cross according to Matthew. Some gospels say that jesus ministry lasted three years, but in matthew it was only a year. But it was the most important year of his life, because it was the year that he went out to save the world. He started to live as the servant of God. Matthew points us back to Isaiah 42 – which says here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen in whom my soul delights. God is trying to do a new things and he needs someone to bring it to the rest of the world. God’s servant is the one who is totally obedient to God’s will. And fulfill gods mission to the world. Jesus tells John that he needs to be baptized so that he can fulfill all righteousness - in other words he can fulfill the scriptures, and God’s justice for he world. Why do we need to be baptized? If jesus was baptized to be obedient to God, then we are we baptized- In the United Methodist tradition – baptism means that we are cleansed of original sin, we are intiated in the family of God, we are assigned to finish Jesus’ work. Baptism gives us permission to be faithful, obedient followers of Christ. A beautiful thing happened the day Jesus was baptized, a voice came from above saying – this is my son, beloved with whom I am well pleased. Jesus was blessed, and told that he was accepted by God. He was on the right path for his life. Some of us spend a lifetime waiting for someone to tell us they love us, that they accept us, that what we are doing what God wants us to do. The importance of being blessed The bible says that Easau spent a lifetime wandering around the desert, because he father never told him that he loved him, and that he was special, and that he would live a blessed life. His brother Jacob had stolen his blessing, and for some reason his father felt that he only had one to give. And esau didn’t get it. How many other people are out there in the world who think that they are unblessed, unloved, that they are inferior, and cursed. And as a result they feel that they have to strike out and curse others? Just because no one told that they were special and that they had a place in the family? The good news is that Jesus had a mission to tell everyone in the world that they are children of God. God loves them, they have special gifts, and that they the acceptance and permission to use them. Jesus fulfilled that mission for a year of his life, and it is up to us to fulfill that mission on our lives today. Baptism is our assurance that we have been accepted, and that we are called to accept others. Being called means that we don’t have to be discouraged or afraid to fail, god is always with us and will never give up on us, even when we give up on ourselves. Advanced Search — (click to expand) ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Welcoming Mr. Forsythe Argile Smith Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43 Mr. Forsythe made his work as an elementary school principal look easy. He had a knack for managing his swarm of teachers, coaches, administrators, students, and parents so that teaching and learning could happen every school day. Even though he didn't try to rule with an iron hand, everyone seemed to have tremendous respect for him. He certainly didn't look like a top-shelf administrator. Not a tall man at all, he had a few strands of unruly gray hair on the top of his head with a little more hanging on for dear life around his hat line. A portly fellow, he cut a heavy-in-the-middle figure that would remind you of Santa Claus, and he always looked like he had been dressed by committee. Nothing he wore seemed to match really well or fit quite right. His signature accessory to his garbled wardrobe happened to be a pair of thick glasses that perched precariously on the end of his nose all the time. Mr. Forsythe had incredible power over the school. Teachers lived with the reality that he could fire and replace each one of them as he deemed necessary. Students knew that the stroke of his pen could have them imprisoned to detention, Saturday school, or worse. Parents learned that he had the clout to make things happen. Every member of the school board understood his depth of his influence in the community. But power didn't matter to him very much. The children in his school, however, meant the world to him. He cared deeply about them -- each one of them. For instance, he liked to drop by the third-grade classes and quiz the students on their multiplication tables. All third-graders should have a firm grip on everything from "two times one" to "nine times nine" as far as he was concerned. That's why he would arrange "surprise" visits to each of the third-grade classes. On a typical surprise visit, he would say to the teacher, "I dropped by to see if these students were as smart as the other third-grade classes." Then he would ask, "Would you mind if I asked a few questions?" That's when the fun would begin. He would walk down the aisles, point to a student at random, and throw out a question like, "Two times seven?" A correct answer got a hearty, "Great!" Answering incorrectly got an encouraging "you'll get it next time" reply. Up and down the aisle he would go, hurling multiplication table questions left and right. Then he would leave, thanking the teacher for allowing him to interrupt and adding so everyone could hear, "They're really smart, aren't they?" One day he made a surprise visit to a class in which Charlie sat quietly trying to deal with a toothache. Charlie came from a poor family that couldn't afford dental care. He didn't wear nice clothes either, and he knew it. In fact, Charlie spent much of his time at school trying to be invisible. To make matters worse, his tooth hurt on the very day Mr. Forsythe made one of his surprise visits his class. In usual fashion, Mr. Forsythe made his way up and down the aisle and quizzed one student after another, getting closer to Charlie with each step he took. Then he flashed the question at Charlie, "Six times nine?" Forgetting his pain for a split second, Charlie spoke up, "Fifty-four." Then Mr. Forsythe launched a follow-up query, "Nine times eight?" "Seventy-two!" Charlie shot back. "You're good." Mr. Forsythe said. Then he turned to the teacher and confirmed, "He's really good." After Mr. Forsythe left the classroom, Charlie thought about Mr. Forsythe's visit. The most powerful person in his third-grade world had just said in public that he mattered. For a while, his tooth stopped hurting, and his self-esteem healed a little too. As far as he was concerned, Mr. Forsythe could visit his classroom anytime. Jesus came, powerful yet gentle and caring. People who know Him that way always welcome Him into their lives. A young girl treasures the times with her granddad, because everyday he prays with her and for her and makes her feel important in the eyes of God. She misses her grandfather deeply when he passes away, because no one else prays for her. One day she asks her mom why she doesn’t bless her the way her grandfather did. Her mom tells her that she blesses her daughter everyday, she prays to God everyday on her behalf, but she doesn’t have to wisdom to make sure that she knows. How many of the people in our lives know that we pray for them, that we accept them, that they are important to us. Being baptized, blessed by God is not only a gift, it is a responbility. Your responsibility is to be a blessing to other people. Blessing brings responsibility When Jesus was baptized, he was given an identity, a mission and a purpose. When we are baptized we are given a mission to fulfill also. When the church forgets to stay united in its mission, when we get so caught up on ourselves, that we forget that all that we do is for the good of others, we are like a ship without a sail. Jesus mission to feed the hungry, to help the blind to see, to set the prisoners free is our mission. Our assignment throught baptism, our call to be obedient servants. God is trying to do a new thing in the world, he calls you, he accepts you, because he needs you. Let us pray…