The reading of Matthew chapter three is one that first gives us a description of John the Baptizer. We learned earlier that he was related to Jesus. Their mother's were cousins.

John appears to have been part of the Essenes; sect of Judaism that lived outside the wicked city of Jerusalem. They did not believe that God dwelled in the Temple, and thought that the whole system of government and religion had become so corrupt that they did not go into town.

Notice when John preached, the religious had to come to hear him outside the city.
He was causing quite a stir, and was worrying the political and religious powers. He preached that God's judgment was about to come upon them as an ax chops down a tree. "Don't try to say that you are exempt from judgment because you are the sons of Abraham, I tell you God can take these rocks and make better descendents for Abraham."

He preached long and loud about sin and called people to forsake their sin and to be baptized and start anew preparing themselves for meeting God's Messiah.

Jesus arrived in Galilee and came to John at the Jordan River and asked to be baptized.

John tried to tell him this was not a good idea. John was willing to submit to Jesus baptizing him, but for him to baptize Jesus that seemed really out of order.

Jesus let John know that the plan was bigger than either of the two of them. This was the beginning of the marvelous plan God had been putting together since the beginning.

Jesus told John that even though this may not make sense now to him, that John should just go ahead and do it. Jesus said, "Let it be so for now. For in this way we shall do all that God requires." Even though John did not understand why things were happening as they were we read those wonderful words, "So John agreed."

Friends, that is the high calling for every child of God. Our focus must be to do all that God requires so that we can help complete the plan God set in motion since the beginning of time.

Now of course we understand that the key to doing that is to not only willingly to comply with God's plan, but we must also know the plan.

Jesus knew this was the beginning of doing what God sent him to do. His baptism would be the point from which he would not turn back until he had accomplished all that God sent him to do.

The moment he stepped into that water he willingly took on the focus of his life that would accomplish what God wanted.

At this point in the life of Jesus, we aren't sure just how much he knew about what was up ahead, but we do see he was willing to take that first step.

And from that point on there is a calm resolve about Jesus that guided his every step. He knew who he was, and what he was there to do.

In a way, wouldn't that be a great thing for any of us? To have that calm resolve that would guide us every day in all our decisions. That would surely be a great blessing.

How is it possible for us to obtain that focus, that resolve, that peace?

First we must remember that God has a plan that was being worked out long before we were born. It doesn't matter how far you can trace your ancestors back in history, God's plan is older.

More important than who you are or from whom or where you have come is the fact that you are here today. The fact that you are breathing is testimony to the fact that you are a part of God's plan.

God doesn't call any useless people into being. Every one of us has an important function in what God is doing. The question is, will we take that step, and will we step into the water trusting God to know all the details of the plan that includes us?

Today, many of you have returned your estimates of giving and some of you have stepped up to begin tithing, giving 10% of your income. Some of you give beyond that 10%. You are going to be trusting God to keep his word. God tells us when we are faithful God knows we are serious about our part in the plan, and all our needs will continue to be met.

For some, knowing that God has a plan that includes each one of us, is too big for them to get their minds around.
For them; God is there to meet their needs and make them the center of the universe and the focus of all good things. When that doesn't happen, they are disappointed and think that either there is no God or God doesn't love them. They have never really stepped into the water saying, "For in this way we shall do all the God requires"

Where are you today? Are you worried that your part in God's plan may not be great enough, or may not make you rich enough, maybe there is hardship ahead that is greater than the strength God can give to help you through, maybe other people won't think it is a good idea, your friends may think you are going off the deep end and you might not fit into your family.

Today, we come to the Lord's Table rejoicing in the fact that we have a Savior who had given his broken body and his shed blood so we can be forgiven and that is wonderful because it benefits us, we are the ones who are promised a home in heaven.

But along with the invitation to know God for eternity comes the invitation to know God today, and to willingly yield our plan for life in favor of God's plan.

Step into the water, make that commitment, be willing to say, "For in this way we shall do all thatGod requires".

God has a plan that includes you. This part of Christ's church not only needs your financial support, it needs your prayers, and it needs your participation.
There are Sunday School teacher openings and Wednesday Nite Live openings that need workers, committees need help. What is God calling you to do? What parts are you designed to do in God's plan?
Those positions are not vacant because no one else wants to do them. Those needs exist as your opportunity to step into what God has designed you to do. Every congregation has all the resources it needs to accomplish what God has given it to do. That means not only money, but also people. God has put here in this place for God's purposes.

That should not make you feel guilty that you don't do more, but it should make you feel glad and enthused that God has not only given you this opportunity, but also the ability to accomplish what God has for you to do.

God did not design you to fail at doing your part. God designed you to do great things for God's Kingdom. You were born the day you were born for a God's reasons. You are designed to do what God has for you to do.

If you don't know what that is, then pray. Ask God to show you. If you know what God wants you to do, the pray and ask God for all you need to do it.

I am going to be gone until Palm Sunday. During this time you can say, "The Pastor is gone, no one will miss me. I can take a vacation and not show up on Sundays. I won't have to give, or think or pray or study.

When I come back, we will have fallen behind in our ministry and we will go into the summer in the struggle mode while I try to get you interested again. You will be disappointed that I expect too much and I will be disappointed that you have gotten so lazy about your faith. My sermons will be stronger trying to inspire you and you will think I am attacking you.

Friends, first I am taking this time to go on a mission trip to New Orleans, John Mitterer is going with me and others from our Presbytery and two other Presbyteries. We will leave next Saturday, and come home Jan. 26th.

Then I am going to take the next 6 weeks to think and pray, to write and listen and learn. I am going to be worshipping in various growing congregations, and consider the direction God is calling me personally as I continue to serve God's Kingdom in this congregation.

However, I know that those weeks away will be a waste of time, unless you do your part too.

You know I believe in home work, so I have an assignment for you. I am counting on you to continue to attend worship. Don't let those attendance numbers fall. I am counting on you to be thinking and praying and studying and listening. I will be praying for you and I want you to pray for me. God's word tells me I am a part of God's plan and each of you is a part of God's plan.

Already, I look forward to returning on Palm Sunday exited to share with you all that God has done in my life. It is my prayer that you too look forward to these six weeks. If you agree to do your part, you will be hearing God's call to you, so listen for it.

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

The Baptism of Jesus
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
(From the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible.)

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