AVBC - Sunday 11/30/25 – Sermon Title: “Jesus Came, and He Will Return!” (“Christmas Hope” - Sermon Series: Part 1 of 5) – Luke 21:25-36, Revelation 21:1-4 (1st Sunday of Advent)

 Sunday 11/30/25 – Adams Village Baptist Church

Sermon Title: “Jesus Came, and He Will Return!”                                                         (“Christmas Hope” - Sermon Series: Part 1 of 5) –                                                      Luke 21:25-36, Revelation 21:1-4 (1^st Sunday of Advent)

 

          Brothers and sisters, this morning we are starting a new sermon series called “Christmas Hope.” This sermon series will run through Christmas Eve, on Wednesday December 24^th. This year we will have the seven o’clock service, and then on Sunday December 28^th Melissa and I will be away.

          With this said, in many traditions of Christianity, we call the season leading up to the season of Christmas, the season of Advent. Advent is a season of preparation, and we now find ourselves in this season. Further, full disclosure, there is nothing in the Bible about the season of Advent, or the season of Lent leading up to Easter Sunday. The early Christian Church over the years developed these seasons, as part of church tradition to prepare us and to orient us towards Christ. Since Jesus is born on Christmas, this sermon series is called “Christmas Hope.”

In addition to the season of Advent not being in the Bible, neither is an Advent Wreath, the Christmas Tree, the candy cane, the hanging of the greens, and definitely not our mixed pot of soup that will have after we hang the greens. In every Christian Church then, we all have some traditions. We all have some things that we have integrated into the life of the church, our lives, our communities, and in worship that we have added on top of Holy Scripture. This is not always a bad thing, as long as these extra things that we have added in point us to Christ and grow our faith in Christ. The ongoing debate, therefore, is how Christian tradition is enough, and how much is too much?

          With this said, about a week or two ago, a memory picture popped on my Facebook page. For those of us that have Facebook, you might notice that a “memory” or previous post pops up periodically, so that you may re-share the post once again on your Facebook page. This memory of mine that popped up was from November 21, 2012, and it was picture of Melissa and I, taken at my parents’ then home in the Adirondacks. It was my first-year pastoring two churches, back when I knew everything!

          When I saw this picture, I then remembered back to my first season of Advent and Christmas as a new pastor. I was excited, because in the season of Advent we were awaiting the birth of Jesus. In fact, most of my years when I was a Methodist Pastor, we used pre-canned scriptures from what was called the “Revised Common Lectionary.” We even had what was called “Lectionary Groups” to meet weekly, just to discuss the weekly scriptures, and how were going to preach on them. So, this means some churches all read the same scriptures for each service and each Sunday, and some still do.

          So, in 2012, I was preparing for my first Advent sermon, as I was totally clueless at that point. I did figure out though that we had to light only one Advent Candle on the first Sunday though, so that was good! As I looked over the readings for the First Sunday of Advent in 2012, the gospel reading was from Luke 21:25-36. I remember reading it, and I was reading I said, “Hey Melissa, can you come in here for a minute?” At home I only say this to Melissa about fifty times a day. I asked Melissa to come into my church parsonage office because I was confused as to why our gospel reading for the First Sunday of Advent, the season where are preparing for the birth of Jesus, did not seem to fit. (Office Sign)

          Once again, our reading for this morning from Luke 21:25-36 says:

The Coming of the Son of Man

²⁵ ‘There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. ²⁶ People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷ Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in a cloud” with power and great glory. ²⁸ Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’

 

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

²⁹ Then he told them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees; ³⁰ as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. ³¹ So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. ³² Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. ³³ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

 

Exhortation to Watch

³⁴ ‘Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, ³⁵ like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶ Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man’ (Lk. 21:25-36, NRSV).

          So, Melissa walks into my church parsonage office, and I show here the first part of this gospel of Luke 21:25-36 reading. I then asked Melissa, doesn’t this reading seem a little dreary for the season of Advent?

          I then started doing research, and I began to research what Advent actually was and what it meant. What I discovered was that Advent was not just about waiting and anticipating the birth of Christ on Christmas, but Advent is also about anticipating and waiting for Jesus’ second coming or return to earth of Jesus Christ. This is why in Luke 21:25-36, Jesus is not telling us about His birth, but instead, He is telling us about the day He will return. To drive this point home further, Jesus gives us “The Lesson of the Fig Tree,” then encouragement to watch and wait, and anticipate that one day He will return in glory.

          In doing more research, I also learned the word Advent is from the Latin word “Adventus,” as Christians have had this season of Advent for 1400-1500 years (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adventus). This season of Advent that we find ourselves in now though, is about awaiting the birth of Jesus, and also His second coming. We are also invited to invite Jesus into our hearts anew during this season.

          The reason that I chose our second reading for this morning from the Book or Revelation 21:1-4 is this scripture describes our world when Christ returns. There will of course be judgement, but what will the world look like for those who loves Jesus. In Revelation 21:1-4, it says once again:

The New Heaven and the New Earth

21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. ² And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

‘See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; ⁴ he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away’ (Rev. 21:1-4, NRSV).

          This is why my sermon is called, “Jesus Came, and He Will Return!” If you think about it, since Jesus was born almost two-thousand years ago, every Christmas we are awaiting the memory of Jesus’ birth. I mean when we are born, we are not re-born as a baby every year. Even so, Christmas is a day where we remember the birth of Jesus. The season of Advent though is about much more that just remembering Jesus’ birth on Christmas. It is also about inviting Jesus into our hearts anew and also awaiting Christ’s return.

          I know some people that profess to be Christians but have told me that they do not believe in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Common things that I have heard is that “it just doesn’t make sense,” “it is not scientific,” etc. In being person of faith though, is to believe that the God of the universe can do all things. To be a person of faith, is to believe that God can work within and outside of the natural world in which we live. Further, we hear in various scriptures about Jesus returning. In fact, we even hear Jesus himself discuss this in the gospels, as we heard an example of this morning.

          On this First Sunday of Advent 2025, I would submit to us all then that if we no longer believe in the second coming or the return of Jesus Christ, then we have forfeited part of the greatest hope that we have as Christians. Here is why, for those of us that are or were history or social studies majors of teachers, here is the historical argument for the second coming of Christ. In our world, we have roughly six-thousand years of recorded human history. Fragments of writing, artifacts, things showing how different civilizations lived and functioned. Beyond about six-thousand years ago though, it is harder and harder to really understand how societies or people functioned fully.

          Over these six-thousand years of recorded human history, I believe we have tried everything. We have had Egyptian Pharaohs, we have tried Roman Emperors, and other kinds of Emperors. We have had kings, queens, dictators, democracies, republics, communism, socialism, capitalism, religion governments, etc. It would seem like brothers and sisters that in the past six thousand years of recorded human history, we have tried just, as I said, just about everything. Hopefully, we had the goal of creating a perfect world in the process. A world of peace, no war, harmony, human flourishing, and a world where everyone had the basic things that they needed to live.

          I believe that in many ways life in many countries is much better than it was just one-hundred years ago, or less, but is the world perfect? No, far from it. With knowing how many retired educators and some active educators who are in this church, if were to give humanity a report card grade, would be give humanity an A+? I would not give humanity and F, but I certainly would not give us an A+. Even though medical technology and so many other aspects of our lives have improved so dramatically, why is there still so much brokenness in the world? Or to ask it another way, can we as humans create a perfect world, and a perfect society? As I said, we have about six thousand years of recorded human history and have tried just about everything.

          Should we give up? No, but do we really think that we as humans have the capacity to make this world perfect? I believe that we can make it make much better, but making it perfect, I mean perfect, I believe that this will only happen when Jesus Christ our Lord returns to this earth to live and reign. In my years of ministry, and in life I have encountered Christians that got burned out, jaded, or even became cold in their faith. You see some of them had just seen so much, so much suffering, so much brokenness. Year after year they served Christ and they gave and gave, and while progress was made for Christ, the world did not become perfect. In some places, it seemed like no matter how much the people of Christ did, it actually became harder and harder.

          Some people I have talked to have also asked hard questions, such as, “why would God allow a child to die from a disease.” These are hard questions, and sometimes we will not fully have all of the answers that we seek on this side of heaven. Brothers and sisters, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem almost two thousand years ago, his earthly mission was not to have us make the world perfect. His mission was to show us a radical new way of living and loving, to die for our sins, and to save our souls and transform us. For nearly two-thousand years, the followers of Christ, Christians have been called to move this world towards the perfection the world will be when Christ returns.

          Not only do I believe in the return of Jesus Christ, but I am also putting all my eggs in that basket. Why? I believe that our church, and others like it can do so much to make Adams, Adams Center, and the world better. Jesus is coming on Christmas as baby in manger in Bethlehem, as a rescue mission. Jesus is coming to save and restore a broken humanity, knowing that this broken humanity will not be fully restored until He returns. For if there is no second coming of Christ, which I believe that there is, then how will this world be perfected? I believe we can continue to make our communities and the world much better, but when Jesus returns it will a perfect world.

          As our reading for this morning from Revelation 21:3-4 says once again of Jesus’ return:

³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

‘See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; ⁴ he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away’ (Rev. 21:3-4, NRSV).

          Imagine a world where every tear will be wiped for our eyes. A world with no sorrow, no suffering, no pain, no disease, no war, no death, no anger, no crying, no mourning, and no pain? Imagine a world with no cancer? A world where cancer units close because no one has cancer? A world that no longer has chemotherapy or radiation, as no one needs it. A world that, as much as we love our military, will see our militaries dissolve, as we no longer need defense against war and aggression. A world where would no longer need police officers, as no crimes would be committed. A world where all elected leaders would always tell the truth, and always do what is right. A world with no poverty, no hunger, no homelessness, and only peace. A world led by the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ.

          When Jesus comes on Christmas, his earthly mission continued God’s perfect plan for how the world will be made perfect when Christ returns. The season of Advent is about so much more than just the birth of Jesus. Even when Jesus was on the cross that first Good Friday, He prayed for His enemies, he offered one of the criminals on the cross next to Him salvation, and he made sure that His mother Mary would be taken care by His “Beloved Disciple” John. Our lives and our faith as Christians is not always easy, but generation after generation at our church and others, the work of the gospel continues. We continue the work of our ancestors that with culminate with the return of Jesus Christ our Lord.

          One of my heroes of our Christian faith, is Mother Theresa, or as she is now known as Saint Mother Theresa of Calcutta. Mother Theresa served the poorest of the poor Calcutta, India. She had times of immerse sorrow for the human suffering that she saw. She could not fix it all, but our Lord Jesus Christ called her and calls us to be His representatives in the world. Until Jesus returns, we will continue the mission of the gospel. Bringing people to the hope and salvation found of Christ and equipping them to serve and love a world that desperately needs it now more than ever.

          One of my favorite contemporary Christian songs is a version of the song “Come Jesus Come We’ve Been Waiting So Long,” by Stephen McWhirter. In this song the singer sings about wanting Jesus to come back to us now. I posted this song on our church Facebook page, but here are some of the lyrics of this song:

“… Sometimes I fall to my knees and pray Come Jesus come let today be the day. Sometimes I feel like I'm gonna break … But I'm holding on To a hope that won't fade. Come Jesus come We've been waiting so long For the day You return To heal every hurt and right every wrong. We need you right now Come and turn this around. Deep down I know this world isn't home. Come Jesus come Come Jesus come” (https://lyricsondemand.com/stephen_mcwhirter/come_jesus_come).

 

          The Bible talks about those Christians that went before us as that “great cloud of witnesses.” Every name on a stained-glass window, every portrait, every placard, all part of that line of heroes. For we stand in a line of heroes, and we stand on the shoulders of giants. We continue to preach Christ, so that people will know Him and have eternal life. We continue to preach Christ, so that people will be transformed from the inside out. We continue to preach and serve like Christ, knowing and believing that one day He will return in glory. None of us know when, but Jesus will come back. As my sermon for this morning is called, once again, “Jesus Came, and He Will Return!” Not only do I believe this, but I bet the names we read on stained glass windows, that we see on portraits, and that we read on placards in this church, I am sure believed it and still do in glory.

          How then can we take this sermon on this first Sunday of Advent called “Jesus Came, and He Will Return!” and take it with us out of the church this morning, into Adams and the world? This, brothers, and sisters, is why season of Advent is important:

Key reasons Advent is important:

·       It prepares for Christmas: The four weeks of Advent serve as a reflective and spiritual preparation for the celebration of Jesus's birth.

·       It anticipates Christ's return: Advent is also a time to prepare for Jesus's second coming, encouraging believers to be alert and ready for his future return.

·       It emphasizes hope and joy: Each week of Advent often focuses on a theme like hope, peace, joy, or love, helping people refocus on these spiritual values.

·       It connects to tradition: Advent connects modern Christians to centuries of church tradition and the generations of people who longed for the Messiah.

·       It encourages reflection: The season encourages a pause from the usual holiday rush to reflect on the spiritual significance of the season, providing a time for self-examination and prayer. 

Brothers and sisters, “Jesus Came, and He will Return!” Amen.

AVBC - “Giving Thanks” (“A Thankful & Giving Thanksgiving” - Sermon Series: Part 4 of 4) – Colossians 3:15-17, Psalm 107:1

 Sunday 11/23/25 – Adams Village Baptist Church

Sermon Title: “Giving Thanks”                                                                                  (“A Thankful & Giving Thanksgiving” - Sermon Series: Part 4 of 4) –                 Colossians 3:15-17, Psalm 107:1

 

          This morning, we are completing our four-week sermon series called “A Thankful and Giving Thanksgiving.” With Thanksgiving being this Thursday, and this being the month of November, this month is in part known for the holiday of Thanksgiving. Due to this, we have been talking about different aspects of Thankfulness, receiving, giving, hope, and today “Giving Thanks.” This made me think of the 1978 song “Give Thanks.” In this song it says:

… Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given
Jesus Christ, His Son

(https://genius.com/Don-moen-give-thanks-lyrics).

 

I never knew the history of this song, so I looked it up. What I learned in preparing for this sermon on “Giving Thanks” about the song “Give Thanks,” was amazing! Here is what I learned:

"Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart" was written in 1978 by Henry Smith. The song was his only published worship song out of 300 unpublished compositions. It was written after Smith had trouble finding work after graduating from university. He also suffered from a degenerative condition that eventually left him legally blind. While at his church in Williamsburg, Virginia, his pastor inspired him with a reference to how Jesus made himself poor to make others rich through him. When Smith started performing the song in church, a visiting United States Military officer took the song to Europe, from where its popularity spread.

In 1986, Integrity Music published the song on their Hosanna! Music audio cassette but credited it as "author unknown". Later that year, Don Moen released the song on his Give Thanks album. Smith contacted Integrity to inform them of his authorship, and they said that they had been attempting to track him down. As a result, Smith signed a writer-publisher agreement with Integrity for distribution rights to the song.

The lyrics have been erroneously credited to Moen rather than Smith in some media reports. In the United States, the song was used by a Catholic news website to focus on returning a Christian focus to Thanksgiving celebrations. The song has also been cited by Christian authors to be used for thanksgiving and giving thanks to God. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Give_Thanks_with_a_Grateful_Heart#:~:text=The%20song%20was%20his%20only,eventually%20left%20him%20legally%20blind).

 

          I found it amazing that God just gave me that song, which is in our Celebration Hymnal. I had no idea that song “Give Thanks” was and is often centered on Thanksgiving celebrations. As I am preaching on “Giving Thanks,” this history of the song “Give Thanks” is exactly how God calls us to be, not only on Thanksgiving, but in general. Sometimes it can be hard for us to be thankful, or to “Give Thanks,” even though the Bible calls us to do so. Here is a question for us all to consider this morning, what can we “Give Thanks” for today. Here is another question for us all to consider this morning, what are we struggling to “Give Thanks” for today?

          Every year many of us have this feast called Thanksgiving dinner, and for those that have nowhere to go, many people often invite folks over, or meals are delivered to people who cannot get out or have nowhere to go. Since all of this is true, and since such efforts will go into this great holiday that we are celebrating this Thursday, will we “Give Thanks” to God? It can be hard if we have experienced a loss, or our lives have changed radically. Yet, God is the same today, yesterday, and forever. Melissa and I are blessed to have Thanksgiving dinner this Thursday with my mother and stepfather, and her parents. I “Give Thanks” for that, because my parents live in Wisconsin, and Melissa’s parents are often busy on their farm. Who knows when the next time all of us will be able to do this again? Who knows if my mother Susan will finally call it “Pulaski,” and not “Pulaaaski”?

          When I was a little boy, I loved Thanksgiving and Christmas, and I had all of my grandparents, and most of family. As I got older though, God called some of these family members home, and all my grandparents are now with the Lord. This reminds me that our time on this earth is so quick, and I do not want to waste the opportunity to “Give Thanks.” We do not know for certain who will be with us or not for Thanksgiving 2026, and we are called to “Give Thanks”.

          In our scripture reading from Colossians 3:15-17 for this morning, we hear once again:

¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Col. 3:15-17, NRSV).

 

          Now this, I am sure is what we should all strive for everyday, as God’s word tells us, but life happens to us. We love Jesus, but sometimes we have the loss of loved one or something else. Yet, we are called to “Give Thanks,” for God is so good. What I love about Adams Village Baptist Church, is that we are a family. We are called to love each other, pray for each other, to bear one another’s burdens. Sometimes we are even called to tell each other to get our acts together if needed. This has not happened to me yet, but I am sure it is coming. The church of Jesus Christ our Lord, is an extension of our biological family, and as a result you all are my extended family. Since this is true, we have even more reason to “Give Thanks” to God. Further, if we are honest, who does not like Thanksgiving dinner? We probably all have memories of grandpa or that old uncle snoozing in the recliner after dinner, and I still have memories of sitting at the kid’s table. Thanksgiving is one of the ways that God calls together.

          The other scripture that I picked for this morning is Psalm 107:1, which says once again:

¹ O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    for his steadfast love endures for ever (Ps. 107:1, NRSV).

 

          Sometimes in our lives some of us find this easier to do than others, yet God is always with us, and we are called to “Give Thanks.” One of the hopes that I have as your new called pastor here at Adams Village Baptist Church is to have new ministries. Why? Not so that Pastor Paul will work 100 hours a week, but because we need each other. Imagine we had an in person or online weekly women’s prayer meeting? Imagine we had a weekly prayer meeting right here in the sanctuary. Imagine small groups here or in people’s homes? Imagine the church having enough ministries that you could be connected to brothers and sisters throughout the week?

          I think I might have told you this before, but a man that joined a church I was pastoring once told me that he would join on the condition that we were not “A Sunday only Church.” Adams Village Baptist Church is not a Sunday only church, but some potential new ministries can lift us up, give us strength, and help us to “Give Thanks.” Imagine a ministry for single mothers. Imagine a ministry for those who have or are experiencing grief? The Thanksgiving holiday reminds us that we need each other. The church is our extended family.

          As I was praying about this sermon for this morning, I wanted to tell a story about “Giving Thanks.” Melissa and I met at Potsdam College, and I have loved Saint Lawrence County ever since. It was only a few years ago that I heard about martyrdom of the original Saint Lawrence, that Saint Lawrence County was named after. When I read this story, my heart was warm, and I “Gave Thanks.” Here is the story of martyrdom of Saint Lawrence:

Saint Lawrence was a Christian martyr whose unwavering faith and incredible courage left an indelible mark on Christian history.

Saint Lawrence was born in Huesca, Spain, in the third century AD, when the Roman Empire was vehemently persecuting Christians. He grew up in a devout Christian family and felt a strong calling to serve the Church. Lawrence eventually journeyed to Rome and became one of the seven deacons of the city’s Christian community.

In 258 AD, the Roman Emperor Valerian issued a decree ordering the persecution of Christians, and the Church faced increased scrutiny and danger. The Roman authorities targeted Christian leaders, and Lawrence, one of the deacons, was among those they sought to apprehend.

One day, the Roman Prefect demanded that Lawrence hand over the Church’s treasures, believing that the Christians had accumulated great wealth. Lawrence asked for a few days to gather these treasures. Instead of collecting riches, Lawrence worked diligently to distribute the Church’s resources to the poor, widows, and orphans of Rome.

When the appointed day arrived, Lawrence and a group of impoverished Christians presented themselves before the Prefect. He boldly declared that these were the treasures of the Church. Enraged by this act of defiance, the Prefect ordered Lawrence to be tortured mercilessly.

Lawrence endured unimaginable pain with incredible fortitude while refusing to renounce his faith. Legend says that during his torment, he cheerfully exclaimed, “Turn me over; I am well done on this side!” This display of unwavering faith and his willingness to endure suffering for the sake of Christ moved those who witnessed it.

Ultimately, Lawrence was sentenced to a gruesome death by roasting on a gridiron. As he lay dying over the hot coals, he is said to have prayed for the conversion of Rome, sealing his martyrdom with a profound act of love for both God and his fellow believers.

Saint Lawrence’s martyrdom inspired many during his time and continues to inspire Christians today (https://persecution.org/2023/10/31/faith-under-fire-the-life-and-martyrdom-of-saint-lawrence/).

 

          “Giving Thanks” is this is one probably the many reasons that we have a county called “Saint Lawrence” County. This level of faith and this level of “Giving Thanks” is something that we should all aspire to. Not seeking martyrdom necessarily, but “Giving Thanks” under all circumstances. Are we thankful? If we are thankful, what do we “Give Thanks” for? Is it possible to “Give Thanks” in all circumstances? Regardless of what is going on in our lives, we have Jesus, and we have each other. Jesus gave us the church, not just to come to worship on Sunday, but to be a community, a family, that loves, prays, and lives out our faith together. When we have family, and when we have the extended family of the church, we have so much. So much that it is much easier to “Give Thanks.” I “Give Thanks” to God for my family, for my friends, for my cute little dog, and for my church family. If we feel like we are alone, we are not alone. When Jesus created this thing we call church, He knew exactly what he was doing.

          He is another good story about “Gratitude” or “Giving Thanks.” This is a story about a blind boy. Here is how it goes:

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by, his feet. He held up a sign which read, “I am blind, please help.”

There were only a few coins in the hat – spare change from folks as they hurried past.

A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. Then he put the sign back in the boy’s hand so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.

Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy.

That afternoon, the man who had changed the sign returned to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, “Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?”

The man said, “I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way.”

I wrote, “Today is a beautiful day, but I cannot see it.”

Both signs spoke, the truth. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind, while the second sign conveyed to everyone walking by how grateful they should be to see…

---

 

When your life seems full of troubles, it seems difficult to maintain an attitude of gratitude, doesn’t it? All we see are our problems, like a blackened storm cloud casting a dark shadow over our lives.

And the times when everything just seems to be going smoothly? We often take these precious moments for granted too, don’t we? Caught up in the bliss, comfort, and familiarity of it all, we can simply forget to be thankful.

So, what, then, is gratitude?

Simply put, gratitude is a habit. It’s a way of looking at the world and all the good things in it with a feeling of appreciation, regardless of whether or not your current situation is to your liking.

Gratitude is a heart-centered approach to being at peace with yourself and with all you have. When you practice this feeling of gratitude, it attracts even MORE things into your life for which to be grateful.

 

          In the song “Give Thanks,” it says once again:

 

… Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given
Jesus Christ, His Son

(https://genius.com/Don-moen-give-thanks-lyrics).

 

          So once again, what we are talking about is not always easy, but at the ripe old age for forty-four this is what I know, we will never be here on Sunday November 20, 2025 again. If we are honest, we have all wasted time being worried, stressed, or even lost sleep. Of all the things that we can regain in this world, time is generally speaking not one of those things. We have an opportunity this Thanksgiving and in general, to be present, to love, and to “Give Thanks.” I hope I, and I hope that we will take this opportunity to be all that Jesus has called us to be. May we “Give Thanks” of this Thanksgiving, and in general. Amen.

AVBC - “Giving Hope” (“A Thankful & Giving Thanksgiving” - Sermon Series: Part 3 of 4) – Luke 15:3-7, 1 Peter 1:3-4

 Sunday 11/16/25 – Adams Village Baptist Church

Sermon Title: “Giving Hope” (“A Thankful & Giving Thanksgiving” - Sermon Series: Part 3 of 4) – Luke 15:3-7, 1 Peter 1:3-4

 

          For the last two weeks, we have been walking together though our four-week sermon series called “A Thankful and Giving Thanksgiving.” In this month of Thanksgiving, and in general, we are called to be thankful, giving, and to have a spirit of gratitude. So far in this sermon series we have discussed, “Receiving Thankfulness,” and last Sunday we discussed “Giving Away.” In this month of Thanksgiving, and in general, are we allowing others to love and give to us? Further, are we giving to and loving others with our time, our talent, and our treasure? We can be generous, and we can “Receive Thankfulness?”

          This morning though, I want to talk about what I believe is the hardest of all types of giving. Yet, depending on the circumstance, it might also be the easiest one of all. This type of giving can cause us to be out of our comfort zone and stretch spiritually. Today’s message is called “Giving Hope.” Here is a question for us all to consider here this morning, have you ever done something for someone else, for a church, and or an organization, and in response you were told that the recipient or recipients felt hopeful as a result of what you did? Sometimes we might see a change in a person, in a church, in an organization, all because of something that God called us to do or give. I would argue that when through the love of Jesus Christ, when we give to others, it can give many a sense of hope. This is one of the most powerful things we can do as a Christian. Jesus gave hope everywhere He went, and lives were radically transformed, as a result. When we feel hope through Jesus Christ, that is a powerful way to be spiritually changed.

          For example, if you pick up the phone later today and call someone that you have not called in days, weeks, or even years, just to encourage and love them, how would that impact the other person? When you hang up the phone that person might be filled with so much hope all because you said yes to Jesus, yes to “Giving Hope.” Of all the human emotions that exist, I believe that none is more powerful than hope. Jesus Christ, our risen Lord is the very source of salvation, love, peace, mercy, and joy, and yes hope. Jesus so often looked at the world He was in and saw in some people hopelessness. How in this month of Thanksgiving and in general, can Jesus use us to bring and “give hope,” to others? It can be amazing sometimes that something very little can bring so much hope.

          To even further explain how much Jesus brought others hope and still brings us hope today, let us look at our scripture from Luke 15:3-7 for this morning. In this parable or story, Jesus tells us what happens when one of us goes astray, loses there way, or gets lost. You see brothers and sisters, the church is not just who is in this building, but we have folks that are part of this church who are homebound, in nursing care, etc. All of us matter, and all of us need to know that we are loved by Jesus and each other. Given this, imagine what Jesus can use us to do. In Luke 15:3-7 for this morning, this is once again what the story or “The Parable of the Lost Sheep” says:

³ So he told them this parable: ⁴ ‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? ⁵ When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. ⁶ And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” ⁷ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance             (Luke 15:3-7, NRSV).

          If Jesus will break free of His whole flock, of His whole church, us, to pursue the one who is lost, outcast, and or forgotten, what does this tell us about the love of Jesus Christ? If we are called to be like Jesus, then are we willing to do the same? If we love people and serve people in such a way that it offers them hope, joy, and a renewed sense of faith, you will see an Adams Village Baptist Church alive, moving, and growing in a powerful way that we have not seen in a long time. As I have heard the quote said of someone God used to give others hope, “After what you have done for me, there is nothing I won’t do for you.” When we give hope to others, through Jesus Christ, it can radically change someone from the inside out. For example, if you have been to a funeral or a celebration of life that was standing room only, my guess is that it was for a person that God used to “Give Hope” to many.

          One of my favorite Christian songs by Ray Boltz is called, “Thank You.” In this song, Ray Boltz sings, “Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am so glad that you gave” In this song “Thank You,” by Ray Boltz, a person dies and goes to heaven, and when the person enters heaven countless people approach that person and thank them for “giving to Lord,” for offering the love, care, kindness, and hope of Jesus Christ.

          In some countries on earth, our Christian faith is illegal or highly restricted. Yet, if you have incredible hope in Jesus Christ, then that hope goes beyond the fear of the persecution that you might face. Hope is powerful, and Jesus came among other things, to give us hope. Did Jesus go to people sometimes that society rejected, and who were told that they were of no value? Sure, he did, and the hope that he gave them changed them forever.

          An interesting aspect of the story or “The Parable of the Lost Sheep,” is that Jesus talks about laying the lost sheep on His shoulders. There are statues and pictures that you buy with Jesus or a shepherd with a lamb on there shoulders. A myth that has circulated for a long time is that sometimes the shepherd would break the leg of lamb, so that it would not run off again. While it was healing, and being carried on the shepherd’s shoulders it would learn the voice of the shepherd. As a result, when the lamb was then a full-grown sheep became lost, it could hear the voice of the shepherd and find its way back. While a myth, it is compelling myth about the length that Christ will go for us. When the lost are found, there is rejoicing. When someone who does know Jesus repents of their sin, and comes to Him, Jesus said in Luke 15:7, once again:

          ⁷ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance             (Luke 15:7, NRSV).

 

Whatever we have done, no matter how far we have fallen, Jesus will always forgive us.

In our reading from 1 Peter 1:3-4 for this morning, we hear once again:

A Living Hope

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, (1 Pet. 1:3-4, NRSV).

 

          We are offered grace, hope, love, and mercy though Jesus Christ, and God can use each and every one of us to “Give Hope” to others. Maybe someone here has given you hope, and maybe you have given someone here hope, as well. Further, have we ever been offered hope, and been completely oblivious to it? You see, sometimes when we pray to God, we ask Jesus for hope, that hope is given to us through another person. Sometimes the miracle that we pray for, or the hope we seek is offered by God putting someone in our path or God working through someone else.

          Here is a story where someone prayed to God for help, and they did not understand that the help, the hope they wanted, was not coming from God directly. Instead, the hope and the help that they prayed for came from people that God sent to help them. This story has different names, but this story or parable is called “The Drowning Man.” Here is how it goes:

The Drowning Man

A fellow was stuck on his rooftop in a flood. He was praying to God for help.

Soon a man in a rowboat came by and the fellow shouted to the man on the roof, “Jump in, I can save you.”

 

The stranded fellow shouted back, “No, it’s OK, I’m praying to God and he is going to save me.” So the rowboat went on.

 

Then a motorboat came by. “The fellow in the motorboat shouted, “Jump in, I can save you.” To this the stranded man said, “No thanks, I’m praying to God and he is going to save me. I have faith. So the motorboat went on.

 

Then a helicopter came by and the pilot shouted down, “Grab this rope and I will lift you to safety.” To this the stranded man again replied, “No thanks, I’m praying to God and he is going to save me. I have faith.”

So the helicopter reluctantly flew away.

 

Soon the water rose above the rooftop and the man drowned. He went to Heaven. He finally got his chance to discuss this whole situation with God, at which point he exclaimed, “I had faith in you but you didn’t save me, you let me drown. I don’t understand why!”

 

To this God replied, “I sent you a rowboat and a motorboat and a helicopter, what more did you expect?” (https://truthbook.com/stories/funny-stories/popular-stories/the-drowning-man/)

          What if you are the man in the rowboat? Will the person you talk with today, know that you carry the hope of Christ with you? What if you are the person in the motorboat, will the person you reach out to today, know that you carry the hope of Christ with you? What if you are the pilot of the helicopter, will the person you encounter today know that you carry the hope of Christ with you? In addition, what if someone comes to you today in a rowboat, or a motorboat, or a helicopter, will you recognize that they might in fact be bringing you the hope of Jesus Christ to you?

          When it comes to giving the hope of Christ, there are so many examples, and so many stories of how to do this. One of my favorite stories though, is a true story. Melissa and I love to watch movies sometimes with some of our free time. This story that I am going to tell you is depicted in a movie. This movie is called “Hacksaw Ridge.” In this movie that takes place in the era of World War II, the real-life character Desmond Doss, played by actor Andrew Garfield, enlists in the US Army. Desmond Doss enlists in the US Army following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Desmond Doss was a conscientious objector though, and as such, he refused to carry a gun or fight. Doss was a Seventh Day Adventist Christian, and he became a Combat Medic during his time in the US Army in World War II. His father also fought in World War I and had PTSD as a result.

          As you can imagine, Combat Medic Desmond Doss had a rough go of it in not being willing to fire a gun or fight. Some thought him a coward, but he enlisted to serve others. He did not enlist to fight, but only to serve and help others.         

          Combat Medic Doss was deployed to the Pacific theater of the war to fight against the Imperial Army of the Japanese Empire. In the movie, Doss and his fellow soldiers in 77^th US Army Infantry Division are assigned to fight in the Battle of Okinawa. I am sure that these soldiers fought in other places, as well, but the movie only covers this battle. During the Battle of Okinawa, Doss's unit is informed that it will relieve the US Army 96th Infantry Division, which was tasked with ascending by cargo net and securing the Maeda Escarpment ("Hacksaw Ridge") (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacksaw_Ridge). This of course is the reason that this movie is called “Hacksaw Ridge.”

          As the story goes, the Japanese attacked and the 77^th Infantry ended up falling back from Hacksaw Ridge in retreat, as all the soldiers climbed back down the cargo net. Yet there were many that were still injured up top on “Hacksaw Ridge” in Okinawa. For hours and all night long, Combat Medic Desmond Doss pulled dozens of wounded American soldiers off the field of battle and lowered them down the cliff, down Hacksaw Ridge to safety with ropes. In the movie, and in real life, Doss prayed as he rescued these wounded soldiers and said, “Lord let me save just one more.” After saving another wounded soldier and lowering them down the ridge with ropes, Doss again would pray, “Lord let me save just one more.”

The next day, the 77^th Infantry was ordered to go back up Hacksaw Ridge and to take it back, but the 77^th did not move. In anger, the commanding officer giving this command to the 77^th asks the captain of 77^th why they have not moved. The captain explained to his commanding officer that they had not moved because Corporal Doss had not yet finished praying for the 77^th. When Doss said amen, then the 77th went back up the cargo net to cliff.

          Not only is the movie “Hacksaw Ridge” based on the real life events of Army Corporal and Combat Medic Desmond Doss, but Doss was also awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman for rescuing, wait for it, 75 soldiers at Hacksaw Ridge. Seventy-Five soldiers! He died on March 23, 2006, at the age of 87. Doss risked his life all night long, under fire, to rescue wounded soldiers. Not only have seen and read some of the accounts of the men Doss saved, but I can guarantee to you that through Jesus Christ, the men were change and offered hope through Desmond Doss. Why? They were offered hope because Desmond Doss said yes to Jesus. He was willing to bring the rowboat, the motorboat, and the helicopter.

          Desmond Doss was not in the war to achieve glory, to move up in rank and power. Desmond Doss enlisted in the US Army after the Pearl Harbor Attack I believe to serve Christ and to “Give the Hope of Christ” to his fellow soldiers. With no gun, as a conscious objector, and doing this all night long up on Hacksaw Ridge, Desmond Doss rescued 75 soldiers who likely would have died. Of the many heroes that I have, Desmond Doss is one of those heroes, not because he refused to fight, but because was like Christ in middle of war.

          How then can we take the idea of “Giving Hope” in Christ with us today, and throughout the week? How can we better live and share hope today, tomorrow, and in general? Here are some life application points for today’s message.

Cultivating personal hope:

• Pray and worship: Engage in prayer, especially in difficult times, and choose to praise God to shift feelings of hopelessness.
• Engage with scripture: Read, memorize, and meditate on Bible verses that offer encouragement and hope, such as promises of eternal life and God's faithfulness.
• Connect with others: Join with fellow believers, choose uplifting companions, and reach out to a friend when you feel isolated.
• Practice thankfulness: Count your blessings to shift your perspective and focus on the good in your life. 

Sharing hope with others:

• Point to Christ: Remind others of the hope found in Christ's redemptive work, including freedom from sin and guilt, and the promise of eternal life.
• Offer practical help: Show love generously through actions like inviting neighbors for a meal, helping with yard work, or providing gifts to those in need.
• Be present: Offer gentle support, assure people you care, and walk with them through their struggles.
• Share from experience: Share how you have found hope and the ways God has been faithful in your own life.

As Christians, as believers, we are called to “Give Hope” to others. Are willing to allow Jesus to use us, so that others might have hope and transformation in Christ. Will we be attentive to the people in the row boats, the motorboats, and the helicopters trying to off us the hope of Christ too. We will recognize those people Christ sends us in rowboats, motorboats, and helicopters. We are called “give hope,” and it is one the hardest and easiest things that Jesus has called us to do. Amen.

AVBC - Sun. 11/09/25 – 4 PM - “A Time and a Place” (Family Memorial Service) Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, John 14:1-7

 Sun. 11/09/25 – 4 PM Adams Village Baptist Church

Sermon Title: “A Time and a Place” (Family Memorial Service)                      Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, John 14:1-7

 

          Good afternoon, friends, brothers, and sisters in Christ, and welcome once again to our annual Memorial Service here at the Adams Village Baptist Church. Today we remember those loved ones who passed on to glory in Southern Jefferson County. We specifically remember the names of those folks who have passed on from October, 2024 through September, 2025. A lot of time and care was taken to gather all of these names, and chimes will be struck for each name individually later in the service.

          For those that do not know me, my name is Pastor Paul Winkelman, and I have the pleasure and the honor of being the newly called pastor here at the Adam’s Village Baptist Church, as of the first of this month. I most likely do not know many of you, but I do want you to know what an honor and a privilege it is to be able to lead this service today to remember and uplift those we love who have gone on to glory.

          I have often said that when it comes to the people who we love leaving this earth, I can be very selfish. I can be very selfish, because I do not want those people that I love to leave. Instead, I want them to be here with me and with others. Yet, for those who are now with Jesus, if we went to see them where they were for five minutes, would we really ask them to come back to this earth? As we continue to grieve and to remember, God is with us, and God has given us each other, so they we may love and uphold each other.

          Whether this is your first time at this service, like it is for me, or whether you have come to this service for years, what a privilege it is to honor and remember those that have went on before us. I have told different churches before that we all, “Stand in a line of heroes, and stand on the shoulders of giants.” Many who have gone before us have sacrificed, loved, and have given in so many ways. When we read their names aloud here in just a bit, we are honoring people made in God’s image. People like us that were and are loved by God.

          I prayerfully chose a couple of scriptures for this afternoon that I often read when I do funerals, celebrations of life, or a service like this. The first scripture that I just read that I want to discuss is where I got part of the title for this message. This scripture is from the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible Book of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. The Book of Ecclesiastes was largely written to remind and warn us to not place our hope in anything other than God. In Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 we hear of the difficulties of life on this earth. In this scripture, maybe many of the people that we will remember soon in this service have experienced many of the things in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. Once again, as I read a few minutes ago, once again this scripture says, once again:

Everything Has Its Time

3 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

² a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
³ a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
⁴ a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
⁵ a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
⁶ a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
⁷ a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
⁸ a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace (Eccl. 3:1-8, NRSV).

 

My best guess is that the names that we will read and have a chime for here soon, will include soldiers, nurses, teachers, business owners, and all sorts of vocations, including a stay-at-home parent. My guess is that these folks have experienced some or many of these “a time” statements. Further, some of these “a time” statements might seem harsh, like “a time kill,” or “a time to hate,” or “a time for war.” Since God gives us free will, I am certain that the God we love does want us to kill, to hate, or go to war with each other. This world though is so fallen though, and as we seek to love and serve others like Jesus, humanity often just falls so short. I can image the stories of the names that we will read here soon, and what they experienced in their lives. How many of the “a time” statements, once again, did each person experience, and further, are we not grateful that any of the struggles or the trappings on this world are not problems for any of these people that went on to glory.

          Since we are those who are still on this earth but will one day join those who are with Jesus in heaven, we still have opportunity to make Adams, Adams Center, Jefferson County, New York State, the United States, and the world even better than the people we will remember today made it. Imagine a world with no hate, no war, etc. I do not think we can be fully achieved until Jesus Christ our Lord returns to earth in glory, but I do think that God can use us to make it much better than it is right now. I hope and pray that we meet those people who we remember today, one day in hereafter. I hope that these same people will be proud of the good things we did and will continue to do in their absence.

          The other scripture that I read a few minutes ago is from the gospel of John in the New Testament 14:1-7. In this scripture, Jesus is telling his original disciples, and us, that through him there is no death, but only enteral and victorious life in Him. John 14:1-7, tells us, once again:

Jesus the Way to the Father

14 ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. ² In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. ⁴ And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ ⁵ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ ⁶ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him’ (Jn. 14:1-7, NRSV).

 

          In this scripture, Jesus is saying in heaven, where God is, where God the Father is, there many, countless places for people to go. Yet, if we know Jesus, He says that He will make a special place for each and everyone one of us. All we have to do is turn to Jesus and believe in Him. Put our faith and trust in Him, and give him our guilt, our shame, and our pain, he will make us into a new creation. He will give us eternal life, and He will even prepare a special place for us there.

          In our lives here on earth though, we experience all sorts of things. Our faith can get tested, we see things, we experience things. We might ask questions about suffering, and why would God allow this or that. The world we live in is broken and cracked, but if we call upon Jesus, He can be the rejuvenating the restorative water though us that flows though the broken and cracked places in this world. In John 14:6, one of Jesus’ original twelve disciples, Thomas doubts how to get to this heaven that Jesus speaks of, despite being with Jesus for three years. During these three years seeing and hearing the amazing things that Jesus said and did in the gospels. Jesus then reminds us that he is the way, the truth, and life, and only through Him and Him alone can we saved and restored.

          People have asked me, “Pastor Paul,” what if you are wrong and there is no heaven with Jesus? I tell them that I have put all my eggs in that basket. Why? I have done so because I get to live a spiritually free a life of victory now, believing fully that I will be reunited with countless others that have gone on before me, and who knows maybe a couple of the names we read tonight, will approach me in heaven one day and say, “oh, your that kid that did the annual Memorial Service at Adams Village Baptist Church when my name was read”.

          My best guess is that for the people on this list that loved Jesus and believed in eternity with Him, as many of us do, that this believe, this love, and this hope played a profound part in how they lived their lives. It did so, because if we know who we are, if we know where we have been, and if we know Jesus, we know the past, the present, and we have the promise of an eternal future with Him. Since I believe this so strongly, I believe that we will see those who love Jesus again, and if we are wrong, which I don’t believe we are, then we can continue to live lives of hope, love, peace, and victory with an open heart through our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

          So, as Jesus has promised to prepare places for us, we get the honor and the privilege of remembering those who have already checked into the Father’s House, knowing that at some point in the future, Jesus has a room waiting for us all.

Friends, know that you are loved, and know that you are prayed for, and know we are honored here at the Adams Village Baptist Church to have this service every year to honor those loves ones like yours, who went before us. May it be so. Amen.