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[0:00] of what baptism is about. It's symbolic about being dunked under the water as we are washed clean of our sins when we trust and we give our lives to God.

[0:12] But it is also about confessing to people what it is we believe and how much we love God. And Jesus did the same thing. He didn't need to be washed clean.

[0:26] But he got baptised to show an example and to profess who God is. And in doing so, we heard God profess who Jesus is as well.

[0:40] So in this story, we start off with John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus. And then we have Jesus declaring who he is or being declared who Jesus is.

[0:54] That's the two parts of this story. We prepare the way for Jesus. We're not preparing the way for Jacob.

[1:05] We're not preparing the way for the leadership or for the youth worker or the staff team or for the Baptist union or anything like that. We are preparing the way for Jesus.

[1:19] Because it's Jesus that is the centre of our faith. So what do you believe? I mentioned when we did the quiz that every single one of these questions points to something.

[1:33] They all point to Jesus. They all point to different aspects of who Jesus is and things that he does. I believe that Jesus has the power to forgive sins.

[1:47] I believe that Jesus can control the storm, both literally and physically, but also in those difficult times in our lives. I believe that Jesus cares so much about people that he wants to meet their needs and go above and beyond.

[2:05] I believe that Jesus has power over death. That it's through him that we can have eternal life. I believe Jesus wants to show us who he is, just like he did when he walked on the water.

[2:24] And I believe that Jesus is a dependable person for us to build our lives on. I believe in the name of Jesus.

[2:37] What do you believe? If like me, you believe in the name of Jesus, we are called to prepare the way for him, just like John did.

[2:49] So how will you do that? Will you pray? Will you give your time to serve? Will you live the good life for other people that God calls us to?

[3:03] Will you speak to others about him? Will you invite people to come to church or to come to meet Jesus? Will your life point to him?

[3:16] I've got one final call that I want to give this morning. We're talking about Jesus's baptism today. I know many of us here today have been baptized.

[3:30] But I know there's also people here this morning who haven't. So I want to give that call to you. Jesus got baptized and he wants us to do the same.

[3:42] It's a symbol of being washed clean. But it's also a declaration of what you believe. So no matter what age, whether you are one of our young people or whether you're older, whatever the reason for not getting baptized yet, if you haven't been so, we would love to call and to encourage you to get baptized if you feel you are ready to make that step and to declare your faith in that way.

[4:09] If it's something that God is putting on your mind, don't go away this morning without really seriously thinking about it, without talking to somebody about it.

[4:21] Because maybe the time is right for you. Chapter six, God says, whom shall I send? Isaiah says, here I am, send me.

[4:33] I chose to wear this hoodie this morning for a reason. Will you say the same? God is saying, who shall I send to prepare the way for me? Will you stand up and say, here I am, Lord, send me.

[4:47] God is saying, here I am.