A Savior Is Born - December 17th, 2017 sermon

By Pastor Greg...

          A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six-year-old students.  After explaining the commandment to "honor thy father and thy mother," she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?"  Without missing a beat, one little boy answered, "Thou shall not kill."

            Yeah, I know that boy.  I think we all know that boy.

Many parents understand the nature of disobedient children.  There are more of us than most people realize.  It’s the same with sinful people; there are more of us than you may realize.  Oh, we do far more than merely misbehave.  We are people who disobey God.  We sin against the Lord.  “Our sins are piled up before God and testify against us. Yes, we know what sinners we are.” (Isaiah 59:12). 

What is the solution?  If we know we sin against the Lord, what can be done?  A long time ago an old man by the name of Eli said, “If someone sins against another person, God can mediate for the guilty party. But if someone sins against the Lord, who can intercede?” (1 Samuel 2:25).  Exactly, Eli; who can intercede for us?  Since we humans sin against God, not just against each other, who would be willing to stand before God and plead for such a sinner?  Who is even worthy to stand before God?  It’s not that God didn’t look for someone.  He did, but, “He saw that there was no man, and was astonished that there was no one to intercede;” (Isaiah 59:16a).  So we go back to Eli’s question; who can intercede?

God’s solution was to solve the problem Himself.  “He himself stepped in to save them with His strong arm” (Isaiah 59:16b).  God made a promise to redeem these people; to set them free by paying the price.  He promised that “The Redeemer will come to Jerusalem to buy back those in Israel who have turned from their sins” (Isaiah 59:20).  This promise was on the lips and hearts of Israel for many generations.  Father’s told it to their children.  And the children told it to their children.  God would deliver.  God would redeem.  God would send a Savior; someone to intercede between Man and God. 

Over a thousand years after Eli raised his question, an aged Temple Priest named Zacharias finally announces the arrival of this Savior.

(Read Luke 1:68-79) ⁶⁸ “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. ⁶⁹ He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, ⁷⁰ just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. ⁷¹ Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us. ⁷² He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant— ⁷³ the covenant he swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham. ⁷⁴ We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, ⁷⁵ in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.

⁷⁶ “And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. ⁷⁷ You will tell his people how to find salvation

through forgiveness of their sins. ⁷⁸ Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, ⁷⁹ to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.” ^[1]

Zacharias, who was the father of John the Baptist, exclaims that at last God had sent the One who would redeem and rescue His people; this Messiah would provide the remission of sin.  The Savior would soon come to earth. 

The Angels declared to the shepherds that Jesus was the Savior, the Redeemer; the Holy One of Israel. “For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11).  Priests and prophets proclaimed Jesus as God’s salvation; a “Light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” (Luke 2:30-32).

This is Christ the King, the One who would redeem His people.  “For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors” writes Peter.  “And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. ¹⁹ It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. ²⁰ God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days.” (1 Peter 1:18-20).  Paul confesses that Jesus “has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” (Colossians 1:13-14).  It is Jesus who has “removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” (Psalm 103:12).

Eli asked who can intercede.  God’s answer was Jesus.  This is the Baby we sing about during the Christmas season.  The Child resting on Mary’s lap is Christ the Lord; the long-awaited Messiah, the Savior and Redeemer of humanity.  Yes, even redeeming that boy from Sunday School class; that boy who seemed to live in his own little world.  That boy was redeemed by the Messiah, and went on to become a pastor. 

And his hometown church now believes in miracles.

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^[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Lk 1:68–79). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

Lessons from a Broken Chandelier - December 10, 2017 sermon

By Pastor Greg...

          There hung a fancy chandelier in the dining room at my childhood home.  It was quite delicate and hung just a bit too low from a brass chain that was attached to the ceiling.  If you were not careful, you could bump it with your head and rattle the glass globes.  I had this terrible fear of one day knocking it too hard causing it to fall from the ceiling.

          One Saturday my parents were away, and my younger sister and I spent the day at home alone.  Let me first say that for most of the day we were well behaved.  I can’t stress that enough.  But for a brief moment, we started to horse around.  I started chasing my sister around the house for some reason I can’t quite recall, and as she headed into the dining room, she threw a chair on the floor hoping to slow me down (please note that my sister THREW a dining room chair ON THE FLOOR!).  That chair was nothing more than a small hurdle for me.  Gracefully I launched myself up and over the chair, intending to hit the ground running and continue the pursuit.  But the moment I became air born, I knew I was in trouble.  Looking back, it was probably not a good idea to flail my arms in a futile attempt to change my trajectory.

          You know how time seems to freeze when something terrible is about to happen?  I remember thinking, “I wonder if the spanking is going to hurt.”  Not only did I break a couple of the globes, but also the whole chandelier broke loose from the ceiling.

          As I stood there looking in disbelief, my sister comes back into the room.  Now, she and I have always had such a loving, caring relationship with one another.  I’ve helped her, and here was an opportunity for her to help me.  She took one look at the chandelier swinging back and forth on the electrical wire that had been pulled from the plaster and at all the broken glass, and lovingly said: “Boy, you’re really gonna get it when mom and dad get home.”

          What a troubling turn of events that day.  Did I mention that we mostly were well behaved?  But because of a series of unfortunate events, I now found myself awaiting my father’s wrath.  And my sister was no help at all. 

          I must say, those were dark times; there was much despair as I sat there looking at the clock, dreading the moment my parents came home.  I wonder if this is how the people of Israel felt.  They had really messed up, and God disciplined them big time!  The Assyrian army nearly wiped out every Jew living in the northern part of the nation.  Foreigners were living everywhere.  But, despite their sin, they never stopped being God’s children.  God never completely abandoned them.  In fact, He says, ¹Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory.  ² The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine ^[1] (Isaiah 9:1-2).

Although the people in this part of Israel were living in dark times, one day they will be filled with glory.  In the area around the Sea of Galilee, the people will see a great light.  This, of course, is an apparent reference to Jesus of Nazareth, who just happened to live near Galilee.  Isaiah further describes Jesus as one who will, “rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity” ^[2] (Verse 7).

          Jews living in other parts of the nation believed this Messiah would show grace to the people of Israel, but everyone else would feel His wrath.  The Messiah (that is, Jesus) would reestablish David’s kingdom and drive the wicked people from the land (consider the way Jews hated Samaritans).  But the problem is that this Child whose birthday we celebrate this time of the year is the Prince of Peace.  God intended this Wonderful Counselor to be for all nations and for all people.  When Christ was born, God intended to offer grace and mercy to the world.  Those living in darkness and despair would see a great light.  Yes, even people who break chandeliers.

          When my parents came home that night, the first thing I did was beg for grace.  I told them that it was an accident and that I was sorry for what I had done.  My father surprised me.  He wondered if either of us was hurt.  Then he offered me grace, which really disappointed my sister. 

          The birth of Jesus was announced as Good News.  What did the angels say to the shepherds?  “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. ¹¹ The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”^[3] (Luke 2:10-11).  If the Messiah’s birth was good news to all people, then God was probably not planning to make things worse.  The birth of Jesus is supposed to make things better… especially for those who need to feel grace.

          I think we sometimes forget this.  Sometimes it seems like Christians want God to punish all the wicked people out there.  But that attitude does not reflect the spirit of Christmas.  The spirit of Christmas is declared by the angels and echoed in the hearts of Christians who pray that those living in darkness might experience God’s grace, not His wrath.

          If you have indeed experienced the grace that God offers through this Christmas Child, then extend that same grace to those living around you.  Pray for them, especially if they happen to break a chandelier.

         

         

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^[1]Tyndale House Publishers. (2004). Holy Bible : New Living Translation. Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.

^[2]Tyndale House Publishers. (2004). Holy Bible : New Living Translation.  Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.

^[3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2007). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (3rd ed., Lk 2:10–11). Carol Stream, IL

Shake, Rattle, and Roll - December 3, 2107 sermon

     By Pastor Greg...

(Message begins with video: The Story of Christmas, According to Kids)

I love the imagination of those children.  I love the way they tell the Christmas story.  “I love you, and you’d the best baby I’d ever seen.  There.  I said it.”  When viewed through the eyes of a Child, Christmas is still something magical.  Christmas is still a special day filled with joy and love.  A child has not yet become frustrated and distracted by the worries and concerns of this life.  A child is still excited about the idea of receiving a gift and the thrill of giving a gift as well.

As a boy, my father began a tradition that I passed along to my children.  Dad would pile my sisters and me into the car and head off to shop without mother; we left her at home.  That never happened any other day of the year.  We would travel from place to place and from store to store looking for Christmas gifts; something each of us children could wrap and give to our mother on Christmas day.  I remember keeping these special gifts tucked neatly in my closet, and trying to keep them a secret.  But, as a kid, I would always let something slip.  “Boy Mom, sure would be nice if you had a warm blanket to snuggle with, huh?”

Hey, this was harder than it sounds.  The excitement would build with each passing day.  By Christmas Eve, I was about ready to burst.  When Christmas morning finally arrived, I would dance around the room in excitement.  Rushing to the tree, I would grab a gift and tell mom to open this one next.  And then, something strange would happen.  Rather than tear open the present, my mother would go into that “Shake, Rattle, and Roll” routine.  This must be something adults are supposed to do.  I mean, why not just open it and find out what it is?  But, no, my mother would analyze and scrutinize the gift, trying to figure just what was inside.  Guess what I do now that I am an adult?

I wonder if God felt the same way with His Christmas gift?  As the day of Christ’s birth drew near, did He have that same excitement?  Did He have trouble keeping the birth of Jesus a secret?  Is this why the Old Testament prophets constantly wrote about God’s gift?  It sure seems that way.  It sure seems God would let something slip; dropping a hint here and there about the Messiah; “Boy, it sure would be nice for everyone to be forgiven, huh?”  Would God have gotten excited by the waiting?  Like I said, it sure seems this way because there are many places in the Old Testament where it appears God could hardly contain Himself in anticipation of the gift He would be giving on Christmas. 

Through Isaiah, God says, “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.  And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  His ever expanding, peaceful government will never end.  He will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David.  The passionate commitment of the Lord Almighty will guarantee this!” (Isaiah 9:6-7).  “The passionate commitment of the Lord,” it says at the end of verse 7.  Or, as most translations read, “The zeal of the Lord.”  Zeal is not a word we use very often.  Today we use words like passion or enthusiasm.  So, to say God’s zeal will make sure this happens is to say He is enthusiastic about giving us this Son.  One gets the impression that all Heaven was about to break loose, bursting at the seams with excitement and anticipation for the Advent of the Christ-Child. 

Isaiah also says, "You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth" (Isaiah 49:6). 

Daniel comments about this as well.  “As my vision continued that night, I saw someone who looked like a man coming with the clouds of heaven.  He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence.  He was given authority, honor, and royal power over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him.  His rule is eternal—it will never end.  His kingdom will never be destroyed” (Daniel 7:13-14).

Other Old Testament prophets wrote about this Child.  Micah says, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village in Judah.  Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past.  The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies until the time when the woman in labor gives birth to her son.  Then at last his fellow countrymen will return from exile to their own land.  And he will stand to lead his flock with the Lord's strength, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.  Then his people will live there undisturbed, for he will be highly honored all around the world” (Micah 5:2-4).

Enthusiasm surrounded the birth of this Son; heaven was filled with passionate excitement, and the people of Israel were to sing and shout.  Zephaniah says, “Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!  For the Lord will remove his hand of judgment and will disperse the armies of your enemy.  And the Lord himself, the King of Israel, will live among you!  At last your troubles will be over, and you will fear disaster no more.  On that day the announcement to Jerusalem will be, "Cheer up, Zion! Don't be afraid!  For the Lord your God has arrived to live among you.  He is a mighty savior.  He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears.  He will exult over you by singing a happy song" (Zephaniah 3:14-17).

Now, as the people of Israel heard these words proclaimed and as they were able to read them, what must have gone through their mind?  As they thought about this “Gift” from God, were they filled with wonder?  They knew the gift was coming.  They knew what the gift would be like, especially if they read the words of these prophets.  The Chief Priests and the Scribes knew these things.  When they were asked by King Herod, they gave a pretty precise answer ("In Bethlehem,’ they said, ‘for this is what the prophet wrote: 'O Bethlehem of Judah, you are not just a lowly village in Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel” Matthew 2:5-6).  But instead of receiving the gift with gratitude, most if Israel gave Jesus the old “shake, rattle, and roll.”  They tried to figure Him out rather than receiving the gift of Jesus.  People do the same today.  

          Jesus was a precious gift that was given to us by God Himself.  He selected the gift that was perfect for all of us.  On Christmas day, God was dancing joyfully in anticipation of us not only receiving the gift, but opening it as well.  And so, here we stand.  We hold the gift of Jesus in our hands and yet, so many refuse to open it.  We examine Him.  We turn Him over and over in our mind.  We spend our time trying to figure out this gift instead of opening our hearts and accepting why this gift was given in the first place.  We miss the joy in the heart of the Giver.  We miss the pleasures to be found in the gift Himself.  Instead of trying to figure out the gift, instead of wondering what it is, why don’t you open your heart and find out?