Worth The Traveling

Intro:

Today is Known as Baptism of our Lord Sunday. Not only is it supposed to be a time that we remember or look at the Baptism of Jesus but is it also supposed to be about us remembering our baptism as well.

Illustraton:

I remember mine like it was yesterday…I was baptized in a little church in East Texas that we built ourselves. Because we built it ourselves there were a lot of things that got done well…almost right. One of those thing was the baptismal. When we dug out the hole the men went with the adage bigger is better.

The hole was too big for the baptismal and because it was so big when he filled in around it they could never really get the dirt all around the the tub…so when it rained it would wash away the dirt and leave small pockets around the tub. This led to critters of all kinds but especially frogs finding at least a temporary home there and at times interrupting a key part of the service.

Not only that but I was baptized in February which most of the time in east Texas was not a problem but his year was a very cold year. That should not have mattered because of the heater but the heater was not working and no-one told me.

So when I stepped in I was immediacy chattering my teeth and when the pastor asked me if I would be baptized into this faith when I opened my mouth a loud bullfrog croak replaced the words I do….

It was not an easy endeavor it did not go smoothly but I have to tell you that it was worth it all. When I came up out of the water I felt like a new creation. The symbolism of dying to myself as I went under and joining Jesus in resurrection as I emerged from the icy water was not lost on me. All the cold weather and all of natures sound effects could not change the meaning of baptism for me.

While I still remember the cold and the frog....what makes my baptism more memorable was a moment I can point to where I went public with me faith.

It was worth it all…Because the presence of God outweighed any inconvenience.

Life is not always easy. Life does not always go as planned but that does not mean that God is not with us during times of inconvenience or trouble. In fact those are the times we can be the most confident in our hope. Those are the times God is the closest to us.

Through Line:

It is not possible to get where God wants you to be if you are not willing to travel with Jesus through the Storm.

Transition to Scripture:

Isaiah is a book that talks a lot about the judgment of God for the disobedience of the people but this passage communicates that even though they are facing incredibly negative consequences for failing to listen and do what God has commanded them to do God is still with them.

God is also still going to protect them so they can get to a place where they can listen and do what God wants them to do.

This is very hard for people to understand. Many times we think that God is absent because of our bad choices but the truth is that Jesus is with us as we deal with the consequences of our choices.

New Living Translation ().

O Israel, the one who formed you says,

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.

I have called you by name; you are mine.

2 When you go through deep waters,

I will be with you.

When you go through rivers of difficulty,

you will not drown.

When you walk through the fire of oppression,

you will not be burned up;

the flames will not consume you.

3 For I am the Lord, your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom;

I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place.

4 Others were given in exchange for you.

I traded their lives for yours

because you are precious to me.

You are honored, and I love you.

5 “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.

I will gather you and your children from east and west.

6 I will say to the north and south,

‘Bring my sons and daughters back to Israel

from the distant corners of the earth.

7 Bring all who claim me as their God,

for I have made them for my glory.

It was I who created them.’ ”

New Living Translation ().

God is the ultimate comfort…even though the people of Israel totally deserve the judgement they are receiving God refuses to leave them alone. He reassures them of His presence. He travels with them to where He wants them to be.

This passage is one of the most counter cultural passages in the entire Bible. God is not pointing out how terrible people are He is saying even in the midst of your earned consequence I Love you…I claim you. You are mine…I will be with you. He does not disown He doubles down on the fact they are sons and daughters of God.

Yet…God is

God is the ultimate comfort…even though the people of Israel totally deserve the judgement they are receiving God refuses to leave them alone. He reassures them of His presence. He travels with them to where He wants them to be.

God is the ultimate comfort…even though the people of Israel totally deserve the judgement they are receiving God refuses to leave them alone. He reassures them of His presence. He travels with them from their despair to their Hope!

God wants to do the same for you. Whether you are are experiencing consequences of your choices or consequences of other peoples choices God is not wanting you travel alone. He wants you to learn to trust him in the midst of it all…

God is also letting us know that we are to do the same for others. Continuing to extend mercy, respect and love to those who sin is not and endorsement of their choices it is how we are to become an extension of God to people in Sin that God truly loves.

It is messy, it seems counter intuitive and it we run the risk of being misunderstood by those we worship with. But it is that journey that God’s People are called.

It is messy, it seems counter intuitive and it we run the risk of being misunderstood by those we worship with. But it is that journey that God’s People are called.

This is more important than any leadership concept , Church growth strategy, or Moral Code. The Holy Spirit with us changes our life as we allow God’s presence to lead us into the messy aspect of life.

It is not possible to get where God wants you to be if you are not willing to travel with Jesus through the Storm.

There is no need to fear the deep waters, roaring rivers, or the flames of life no matter what you have done. Or not Done. Jesus is promised to us not because we deserve Him…But because He loves us.

See the fire as an opprotunity to draw closer to Jesus.

Some of you have been or are going through some real bad stuff....you just want to get through it so you buy into well meaning thoughts of if you close your eyes and ignore it things will get better.

Some of you

I know people who spend their days waiting for their bad times to end instead of simply heading through the fire head on…The result is not times heals all…it is time reminds us of our sin.

Instead of wishing for the journey to end out of fear learn from the journey with confidence with who Jesus is.

Illustration: My First Roller Coaster was terrifying until I decided to keep my eyes open and enjoy the thrill)

Illustration: My First Roller Coaster was terrifying until I decided to keep my eyes open and enjoy the thrill)

Many times we ignore Jesus presence by ignoring lessons we can only learn through pain.

Don’t forget that sacred living is about spiritual growth not steps to a worry free life. Process is a tool we use while being led by the Spirit. Not a philosophy to become Holy.

You must be in relationship with Jesus to feel His presence in the Storm.

It is not possible to get where God wants you to be if you are not willing to travel with Jesus through the Storm.

Lord,

Please forgive us for thinking that we should only come to the Table of the Lord with Somber Hearts, instead of Hearts filled with Hope and Strength. Let the Grace of the Communion make us one body, one spirit in Christ so that we may wholeheartedly serve the world in the name of Jesus. Let our hearts and minds focus of Jesus as the center of this time so that we may have Hope no matter what circumstance we find ourselves in.

Amen....

Invite communion workers

Invite all to the table

God, your voice moves over the waters. Immerse us in your grace, mark us with your images, and raise us to live our baptismal vows empowered by the Holy Spirit and the example of Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen.