25 Sermons Tagged "Baptism"

As we get into the season of Epiphany, we look at the baptism of our LORD and savior Jesus and see the many ways in which his baptism by John the Baptist was the same as, and different than, our own baptism.

It is easy to see the world right now as tumultuous, given the many problems people are facing locally, nationally, and even globally. However, as Christians we know that Jesus promised we would bear crosses in our lives, and those crosses are often tests to show us where our faith is strong and where our faith is weak.

We have a unity (a strong relationship) both with God and with our fellow believers because we are called through the good news of salvation in Christ. We should conduct our lives out of thankfulness for the holiness God credits to us by serving others with the gifts God has given to us.

Living the life of a Christian is not always joyous. In fact for some, like most of the disciples, there are times when it can be miserable. Yet in his "High Priestly Prayer" before his arrest, Jesus prayed for God the Father to give us his joy.

When we spread the good news of free salvation in Jesus Christ to our friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers, we are fishers of men and women. However, just like with regular fishing, we must understand there is an investment required, and we must understand how to use the tools we have been given.

Jesus' baptism, which is when he was visibly anointed, serves many purposes for our benefit. Most importantly, it makes it abundantly clear that he is the king of all creation, and he is true God who became true man to save us.

Jesus told us that no one knows when he will come again, but still he instructed us to keep watch and be ready for his return. Unfortunately, today many people, even who profess to be believers in Christ, do not. But we can keep watch by being aware of what we cannot know, by hearing and reading God's Word, by using our spiritual gifts for God's glory, and by using the binding and loosing keys when reaching out to others.