Rev. Dr. Bary R. Fleet - Pastor
January 7, 2007 - Baptism of the Lord
Isaiah 43:1-7
ACTS 8:14-17
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

God Is Faithful

This year we will celebrate the 400th anniversary of the first English colony in the "New World." It was in 1607 that Jamestown, VA was founded ... 13 years before the Pilgrims came.

One of the three ships that brought the colonists to Virginia was the Godspeed, a 3-masted square-rigger that sailed the Atlantic for almost 5 months. The ship was 88 feet long, about the length of a double tractor-trailer. It had a top speed of about 4 mph. It had a crew of 13 with 39 passengers stuck in the cargo hold, with 40 tons of supplies.

Can you imagine the smell ... The ship left London on December 20, 1606, sailed easily down the Thames, then took 6 weeks to clear the English channel. Today, we can fly to London in 6 hours!

It was a wearing journey ... 5 months ... delivered by Godspeed. The name means "May God cause you to succeed."

"Godspeed" ... that's probably a concept to keep in mind as we being this 401st year of our history.

Today's passages all have to do with water or baptism ... Isaiah contains a promise: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you."

There are few things more terrifying than the watery chaos of the sea, especially to the colonists on their 88 foot sailing ship ... and to the people of Israel, who were the first to hear this promise from the prophet. We need to understand that the Israelites were a people who had very little to do with the sea ... they took to water about the way most cats do!

So, we begin the year by remembering that God is present with us in crisis ... in the face of danger, God reaches out to us with the assurance, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.; and through the rivers and she shall not overwhelm you." (Vs. 2)

When we move through whatever it is that scares us the most, God promises to be with us ... whether it is the chaos of the stormy seas, or when it feels like we are walking through fiery trials. Whether we go through job loss, or academic failure ...whether it is personal betrayal or catastrophic illness ... whether it is depression or divorce - "they shall not overwhelm you."

In the face of the worst that life can throw at us, the One formed us promises to be with us.

So...what would it take to live a "Godspeed" life ... to lead a life trusting God's promises?

There's an old story about a pastor who was visiting one of his parishioners -- a farmer. As the man got out of his car, he noticed a weathervane on the barn, with an inscription. The pastor squinted and read "God is faithful."

The pastor asked the farmer, "So, do you mean that God's faithfulness depends on the direction of the wind?"

"No," said the farmer. "It means God is faithful, no matter which way the wind is blowing!"

As we journey into this new year, I can think of no better blessing than to wish each of us ... "Godspeed!"

NOTE: Much of today's sermon is credited to HOMILETICS, Vol. 19, #1. Canton, OH: Communication Resources