13th January 2013 Epiphany 1
Epiphany 1 – Baptism of our Lord (Year C)
13-1-2013
North Geelong
Pastor Lester Priebbenow
Catch the Baptism Bug
Luke 3:15-17, 21, 22
'The baptism of Jesus' (NRSV)
As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
"On my recent trip overseas..." I have wanted to begin a sermon like that for years!