“Grace and peace to you!” I’ve said these words so many times in my life that when I’m testing a mic they replace – “testing, one, two, three, testing.” I start every sermon with these words too. When the Apostle Paul wrote “Grace and peace!” to the Christians in Corinth, was he just offering a cordial greeting? Or was he laying the stage for a powerful letter to God’s people full of God’s love and the new reality God’s people enjoy because of that love?
When Jesus came to the Jordan River he was baptized by John the Baptist. John didn’t want to baptize him because he understood that this was God. John was the one who need to be washed by Jesus! In Jesus’ baptism God the Father thundered from heaven the approval of his Son. Jesus was anointed by the Spirit who descended in the form of a dove. It is in this way that Jesus was revealed to the world as the Messiah at the start of his public ministry. Watch as we study what Jesus’ baptism means for you!
Did you see all the TV’s marked down on Monday for the holiday? I didn’t either! Isn’t it great! There is no commercial aspect to Epiphany. I suppose you are wondering what exactly is Epiphany. This Greek word means reveal. During the Epiphany season of the church year we look at how the world found out and still finds out that Jesus is God …that Jesus is the Savior of the world.
Do you have a plan for the New Year? God does! This Sunday come and see God’s plan for you. He’s been working on this since the creation of the world – and – I can’t wait to see how it all plays out.
In the prophesy God sees his people as a small child that he would do anything for. No matter what, God’s people strayed away from him. In his last effort he sends his son to call his people home. This Christmas hear God’s call to you, “Come home!”