Good afternoon, I hope everyone is having a safe and happy Memorial weekend so far.

I have to admit, today I am struggling with the message a bit in how I should relate it to you.

The message is from Matthew 3:1-17 and talks about how John the Baptist was living and preaching in the desert, making a way for He who was to come.

But the way Travis, the music minister most of the time, tried to relate it to sports GOATS, was kind of lost on me.

Unless what he was trying to say was that, of course, Jesus was and is the greatest of all time.

But guess who baptized Jesus? John the Baptist! But not without humility. He knew he was not worthy, but Jesus told him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”

As Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, coming to rest on him. And God spoke then saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

It can’t get any better than that! What a joyous event to witness. I am sure I would have fallen on my knees right then and there.

1. The Lord has positioned us for greatness. (v 1-3)

With each of our gifts, we are positioned to bring someone else to the Lord. We just have to try. My gift is (of gab) helping people. I’ve said before, it was my career, my volunteering, and even my family that I served by nursing and other medical means.

2. Greatness is lived out through uncompromising humility (v4-10).

John wore rough clothes and lived on bugs and honey in the desert. He lived in poverty serving the Lord.

3. We grow in humility by rightly seeing Jesus for who he is. (v 11-12) Positioning ourselves in right relationship to Him. (13-17)

Jesus is worthy of all praise and glory. We should get to know him better through daily study, through fellowship, and through service to mankind.

Speaking of service to mankind, when we lived in southeast Texas, I belonged to a group called Sertoma. Some of you may remember that. We did all kinds of fundraisers for hearing health and so much more. Its a great group, so that is just one more way to serve mankind if you find a chapter to join near you.

We need to practice humility, giving more of ourselves than to ourselves.