Preached by Rev. Erik Kindem.
Scripture: Luke 3:15-22
Summary
God’s saving claim upon us embodied in the promise-laden waters of baptism, of Earth, is at the heart and center of worship today—and of our lives as followers of Jesus.
We see this grace, we touch it, we welcome it, we remember it. And we give thanks for how it accompanies and shapes our lives all through this journey we’re on.
God meets us in the water and we hear God’s voice—as Jesus did—declaring: You are my beloved child; you are precious to me and I love you!
This declaration is the foundation of our spiritual lives, and we must never forget it! For we can’t begin a spiritual journey on a negative foundation.
The footings of our spiritual life cannot be founded upon FEAR. The footings of our spiritual life cannot be founded upon EARNING that loving gaze. The footings of our spiritual life must be founded on TRUST that it is the GOD OF LOVE AND GRACE who meets us and claims us in the waters and calls us BELOVED.