First Sunday after Epiphany – Isaiah 43:1-7
Grace, peace and mercy to you from God our Father and our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
It would be impossible not to acknowledge that this is to be my last sermon I will preach here in Cairns, certainly as your parish pastor. But having made this acknowledgement, it is equally clear that this congregation and this parish is founded on much more than any individual and definitely more than the pastor. To help us focus rightly on Christ alone, we have today’s Bible readings, especially the Old Testament reading from Isaiah and the Gospel reading from Luke. “John (the Baptist) answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Luke 3:16)
Heavenly Father, sanctify us in the truth, your Word is truth. Amen