Freeville/Homer Avenue UMC's - Epiphany of the Lord Sunday - 01/01/17 Sermon - “It happens that quick"

Sunday 01/01/17 Freeville/Homer Avenue UMC’s

Sermon Title: “It happens that quick”

Old Testament Scripture: Isaiah 63:7-9

                                            

New Testament Scripture: Hebrews 2:10-18

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 2:13-23

          My friends, my brothers and sisters, welcome again on this Epiphany of the Lord Sunday, and Happy New Year!

          On this our Epiphany of the Lord Sunday, many Western Christian Churches celebrate the Wise Men or the Magi coming to visit Christ, and bringing him the gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. While some scholars think that Wise Men or Magi came to Christ on the night of his birth, and while others scholars think that the Wise Men or Magi may have come when Christ was a toddler, we have a special Sunday in the life of the church to celebrate Jesus, and the Wise Men, or the Magi coming to him.

On this day, we also remain in the season of Christmas, and we will be in the season of Christmas through this Friday January 6^th. So this Sunday is not actually the holiday of the Epiphany of Lord, as the Epiphany is celebrated formally in many Western churches this Sunday January 8^th. Since many churches don’t have Friday worship services though, many churches like ours celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord today in worship. Many Western churches on this day then, will sing that great hymn “We Three Kings,” which is one of the only Epiphany hymns that I know of.

Sometimes some folks have remarked to me that the church has odd names for holidays or even seasons. These names are for example, Advent, Lent, and today “Epiphany”. Why don’t we just call today “Wise Men Sunday?” Further, what does the word “Epiphany” mean anyway?

According to www.dictionary.com the word “Epiphany” is defined as:

1. (Initial capital letter) a Christian festival, observed on January 6, commemorating the manifestation of Christ to the gentiles in the persons of the Magi; Twelfth-day.

2. An appearance or manifestation, especially of a deity.

3. A sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.

4. A literary work or section of a work presenting, usually symbolically, such a moment of revelation and insight (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/epiphany?s=t).

          Sometimes when people have an “ah ha” moment or a light bulb above the head idea, they might say that they had an “Epiphany”. The appearance of God in the flesh, Jesus Christ was an “Epiphany”. The Wise Men or Magi having their own “ah ha” or light bulb above the head moment to take the long journey to see the Christ-Child, God in the flesh, was an “Epiphany”. For all of these reasons then, that is why the event of the Wise Men or the Magi going to and visiting the Christ Child is called the “Epiphany of the Lord”. The holiday of the “Epiphany” is also always the last day of the twelve days of the Christmas Seasons. The last day of the season of Christmas is again this Friday January 6^th, and thus this Friday is the Epiphany. Again, we celebrate this today, as we generally don’t have church services on Friday.

          The other thing that I wanted to mention as well, is that gospels don’t specifically say that there were three Wise Men or Magi came to see baby Jesus. Since there were three gifts however, of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh, many people throughout history have just assumed that there were three Wise Men or Magi. It could have been more, as we just don’t know for sure. Church tradition also claims that the names of the Three Wise Men or Magi, were “Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar” (https://www.gotquestions.org/three-wise-men.html).

          The gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh, have important meanings to. They are: “gold as a symbol of kingship on earth, frankincense (an incense) as a symbol of deity, and myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of death” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_Magi#Gifts). So Gold for a king, frankincense, an incense for a God, and Myrrh to anoint the crucified body of Christ. All these gift are significant, and important.

          So the Wise Men or Magi came, whether it was three or more, and whether it was on the night of Christ’s birth, or when he was a small Child. They had names, whether the ones that we have are accurate or not, and the gospel of Matthew tells us they came with Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh.

The Gospel of Matthew also tells us that they left a different way that they came, as King Herod lied to the Wise Men or Magi telling them that he was excited about Christ’s birth. King Herod told them that when they have found the Christ Child to let him know, so that he may come and worship Christ.

          It seems clear that Wise Men or Magi were changed by the “Epiphany of the Lord,” by being in the presence of the Christ Child, and Joseph and Mary. After being warned in dream, the Wise Men or Magi left a different way, as to avoid King Herod altogether. This is the story of the scripture for this Friday January 6^th, on the actual day of “The Epiphany of the Lord”.

          I could have picked those scriptures for this morning, as it is “Epiphany of the Lord Sunday”, but instead I picked the scriptures with today’s reading from the gospel of Matthew discussing what happened after the Wise Men or Magi left.

          You see whether the Wise Men of Magi came on the actual day Christ was born or not, we celebrate them generally speaking as part of the Christmas story. For us, our Christmas story, our Christmas seasons are drawing to close this Friday January 6^th.

          For many of us the preparations for Advent, then Christmas can be huge, and sometimes it seems like that it is over in an instant. That the excitement of Christmas, the trees, the lights, the gifts, the birth of Christ, is over in an instant.

          On this “Epiphany of the Lord Sunday”, we have Friday’s gospel reading of the Wise Men or the Magi coming to visit the Christ Child that I just discussed.

By reading the gospel of Matthew narrative though, it seems that they did not stay for any extended length of time. It seems they came, they saw, they were changed, and then they went on their way.

          For many of us, Christmas, the birth of Christ is a holiday, an event that we anticipate, we plan for, but we often say many Christmases that “it happens that quick”.

          In this same way, after all that Joseph and Mary must have went through to get Bethlehem, because Caeser ordered a census of everyone, they must have been tired. After finally getting to Bethlehem, registering for the census, so that Caesar would have an accurate population count, largely for tax purposes, there was then no room at the inn.

          Then in probably what seemed to Joseph and Mary like an instant, there was a star, Wise Men, Shepherds, the birth, the majesty, the love, and the glory. It probably seemed like it happened in an instant. Like that first Christmas, did any of our Christmas Days of this Christmas Season seem to come and go in an instant?

          It is my hope and prayer that we have a blessed, Christ filled, and prosperous New Year. I can imagine that Joseph and Mary, with their new son Jesus hoped for this, as well.

          Yet remember, I said that the Wise Men or Magi were warned in a dream to not return to King Herod to tell him where Jesus was. The Wise Men or Magi as the term goes, “were on to King Herod”. They knew that he sought to harm Jesus.

          After they left, the gospel of Matthew picks up this morning, telling us that “an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him” (Mt. 2:13, NRSV). Joseph then takes Jesus and Mary to Egypt at night, as to sneak out undetected (Mt. 2:14, NRSV). This is also significant, because the prophet Hosea said in 11:1, “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son” (Hos. 11:1, NRSV). So Joseph taking Jesus and Mary to Egypt was also prophesized centuries before by the prophet Hosea.

          King Herod then found out that the Wise Men or Magi had left, and in a fit of anger, ordered all children in and around Bethlehem two and under to be killed. This massacre of innocent children was predicted by the prophet Jeremiah.

          So again, the beautiful Christmas story “happened that quick,” Joseph flees with his family to Egypt, and King Herod has all children in and around Bethlehem two and under massacred.

          We tend to not include these things in the Christmas Story as they are harsh, and occur after the birth. For many of us, Christmas comes and goes like a flash of light. For many of us, “it happens that quick”. What are our after Christmas stories like this year? Are they good stories? Or are we fleeing to Egypt in our lives?

          My guess is, is that as Joseph and Mary were fleeing at night to Egypt they weren’t brainstorming there New Year’s resolutions. I don’t think Joseph inquired of Mary as they were fleeing to Egypt if a new Gym membership would be good for him to tighten up his abs.

          My point is, is that Christmas for some of us can be a beautiful moment, especially in this church. We sing, we light candles, and there is so much love. Yet, “It happens that quick”.

          The gospel of Matthew reading for this morning then says, when King Herod died, an angel of Lord told Joseph in a dream in Egypt that is was safe for him to return to Israel (Mt. 2:19-20, NRSV). Interestingly enough though, according to the gospel of Matthew, King Herod’s successor King Herod Archelaus, was not sympathetic to Jesus either. In another dream, the angel of the Lord told Joseph in a dream back in Israel to leave Judea. This area of Judea included among other places Jerusalem, and Bethlehem. The angel of the Lord told Joseph in a dream that King Herod’s successor King Herod Archelaus was not a friend of Jesus’.

          As a result, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus went back the district of Galilee, to the town of Nazareth. Jesus was then raised to man in the district of Galilee, in the town of Nazareth. This is why some people call Jesus, Jesus of Nazareth. This is also why we have a college in Rochester, NY called Nazareth. It is named after Jesus, the one from Nazareth.

          The gospel reading for this morning ends like this, “There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazorean” (Mt. 2:23, NRSV). The interesting thing is that no Old Testament or Hebrew Bible prophet actually directly predicted that Jesus Christ would “be called a Nazorean” (Mt. 2:23b, NRSV), as this prediction was taken from oral tradition. This means that this prediction or this prophecy was spoken of and taught for centuries, but never recorded in the Bible. Nevertheless, this is why we have Christian denominations like the “Church of the Nazarene”.

          So Christmas day for us, just like in the Biblical narrative, has come and gone. This Friday the season of Christmas will end. For many of us, “It happens that quick”. Where to we find ourselves as our Christmas season will soon draw to an end? Are sneaking away, avoiding King Herod? Are we fleeing to Egypt? Or are we in a good place as we face this New Year?

          The reality is that the day of Christmas, and soon the season of Christmas will end. What are the next steps we will take in our lives? How are our stories after the day of Christmas going to play out in 2017? Whether we realize it or not Christmas and the Christmas Season every year seems to “happen that quick”.

          I wish you all then a Happy New Year, a continued Merry Christmas, and an early Happy Epiphany. May your post-Christmas Day and post-Christmas season stories be bright, blessed, and filled with the love of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Freeville/Homer Avenue UMC's - Christmas Eve - 12/24/16 Sermon - “Light into darkness" ("The Messiah is coming" Series) (Part 5 of 5)

Saturday 12/24/16 Christmas Eve

 Freeville/Homer Avenue UMC’s

Sermon Title: “Light into darkness”

(“The Messiah is coming” Series – Part 5 of 5)

Old Testament Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7

                                            

New Testament Scripture: Titus 2:11-14

Gospel Lesson: Luke 2:1-20

          My friends, my sisters and brothers in faith, welcome on this our Christmas Eve. This night that has so much emotion, so many memories, so many traditions, and hopefully some love and kindness to. Tonight at midnight, we move from the season of Holy Advent, to the season of Christmas.

          I’m sure that we can all remember a variety of our own personal memories of Christmas Eve. Perhaps we can remember Christmas Trees, cookies, gifts, the family gathering, and etc.? Christmas Eve is a night that I am sure that has a lot meanings and memories for all of us.

          For many of the people that I know, there is a tradition on Christmas Eve of attending a Christmas Eve service. At such services, we often light candles, and the pastor or the priest will tell us that “Old Old Story” about the birth of Jesus Christ. We will hear of shepherds, of Wise Men, of a bright star, of no room at the inn, of a manger, and of a baby named Jesus. Now let’s be honest, everyone loves a baby.

          This is the Christmas story that many of us have heard many times over, the story that adorns many of our Nativity Scenes at home. The story of the birth of Jesus Christ. The question then that I have for us to consider on this Christmas Eve, is all of this just a story? By this I mean, is the Christmas story, the birth of Christ, just a nice story that we tell every Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, because it is part of our tradition to do so? Is it just a nice story that makes us feel warm, loved, and full of joy? Is it just a story, or is there any truth to this story?

          Do we believe that it is possible that God came to earth, so that we might know him? So that we could see and touch the very face of the living God? That God would love us so much as to enter into our crazy world as a vulnerable baby, who would then grow up to love, heal, and forgive.?

Well friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, it might come as a shock, but as the pastor, I believe that Christmas Story is so much more than just a story. I believe that Jesus Christ is the hope of the world.

          At the very center of the story of the birth of Jesus Christ, there is hope. The belief in something better. The belief in a better world. The belief in world of peace, love, mercy, and justice. Do we believe that a better world is possible, or do we just like to hear the “Old Old Story” every Christmas Eve, before we go home and drink the eggnog, and before grandpa passes out in the recliner? Is there any truth to this story, to what Christmas is?

          For the entire season of Advent, I have been doing a preaching series called the “Messiah is coming” series. In this series, I have looked from a historical standpoint, a human standpoint, and from a divine standpoint, at how the people of the Old Testament or the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament experienced God. Part of this experience for some, was the experience and the belief that a savior would come. That a savior would come and among many other things, would offer humanity “hope”. How many of us think that world today needs hope?

          My dear friends, my sisters and brothers, behind all of the wrapping paper, behind all of the lights, behind all of the trees, is the hope of a savior named Jesus. The hope of better, more loving, more just, and more caring world. This is the hope of Christmas Eve. This is the joy of Christmas Day.

Friends, I pray that tonight you claim that hope anew for yourselves. That you would believe that Jesus was born, grew up, loved, healed, and forgave, and laid his life down out of total love for you. Imagine what believing in Jesus, and following him, and living like him, could change this world into?

          The hope of Christmas, is the hope that this baby, this Jesus can actually change us, teach us, and show us, how to be better, how to be more loving, and how to be more caring. This Jesus will even die for the sins of humanity, as Jesus said himself in the gospel of John 15:13, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn. 15:13, NRSV). I hope that tonight that we all might find if anything even a glimmer of hope.

          One of my favorite bible commentaries, the “Africa Bible Commentary” discussed the Christmas Story like this:

“The story of the angelic hosts and the visit of the shepherds to the manger is perhaps the best known of all the nativity stories. But the rich imagery of the entire story appeals to some of the profoundest feelings in the human heart: shepherds caring for their sheep (2:8); the mother and father caring for their new baby (2:7, 16, 19); the angel choir breaking into the darkness of earth’s night to herald the long awaited sunrise, assuring the humble poor that whatever the mighty governments of the world might be doing, God cares for people, and with a shepherd’s hearts has chosen that Jesus should be born not in a palace but in a manger (2:9-14) (Africa Bible Commentary, 1234).

          The commentary then says, “The Christmas story invites all of us to respond like a child as we express our faith not so much in professional terms as in personal ones” (Africa Bible Commentary, 1234).

          Friends, sisters and brothers in faith, the God of light, life, and love is coming soon, has already come, and will return one day in glory. We have hope. We in truth don’t even know that actual day that Jesus Christ was born, as in many Western Churches we celebrate it on December 25^th. Whatever the day that Christ was actually born though, this day represents hope. The power, the hope, and the change that can continue to work in us and through us, is what the Christmas Story represents to me.

          Of all of the attributes, or qualities, or characteristics that God has, according to the biblical texts, they can all be funneled into God being three things. These three things, are that God is a God of light, life, and love. Real strong imagery, but powerful truths that can change us, sustain us, and can empower us, with God’s help, to change the world.

          We hear in the gospels that the night that Christ was born was a dark night. Many of us don’t like the dark. Some of as children are afraid of the darkness. Maybe some of us as adults are still afraid of the dark. Jesus tells us in the gospels that he “is the light of the world”.

          When looking at the reading from the prophet Isaiah for this Christmas Eve, we are given a prophecy of the coming savior, the coming Messiah, of Jesus. Isaiah, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined” (Isa. 9:2, NRSV). Isaiah encourages us to have hope, as he says that “the light of world” is coming.

          The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said of darkness, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that” (https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/martinluth101472.html).

          Jesus Christ is coming son, to be born, to show us love, to shine light, and give us new life. How can we embrace this light, this love, and this life on this Christmas Eve, and how can share this with others?

          In the Apostle Paul’s Epistle or letter or Titus, he says of Jesus Christ, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all” (Titus 2:11a, NRSV).

          In our gospel reading for this Christmas Eve, we have as I said the “Old Old Story” from the gospel of Luke. We have Emperor Augustus ordering the census, we have Mary and Joseph going to Bethlehem, we have one of the birth stories of Jesus Christ (Lk. 2:1-7, NRSV). We have the shepherds who come, we have the angels who sing, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and an on earth peace among those whom he favors!” (Lk. 2:8-14, NRSV). Oh, and of course there is no room at the inn for Joseph and Mary (Lk. 2:7b, NRSV).

          So my friends, my sisters and brothers, many of us know the “Old Old Story,” but does it change us any? Does our faith grow as a result of it, and do we then have a desire to share the light, life, and love of God with others? Do we have desire to be the love of Jesus in world, to change it, to improve it, and to heal it? Or is it just a nice story that we hear once a year on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day?

I would like to close this Christmas Eve sermon with a story about finding light in the darkness, as Jesus Christ is “the light of the world”. This story is taken from Rev. Max Lucado’s “The Woodcutter's Wisdom and Other Favorite Stories”, and is called “The Cave People”. Here is how it goes”

“Long ago, or maybe not so long ago, there was a tribe in a dark, cold cavern. The cave dwellers would huddle together and cry against the chill. Loud and long they wailed. It was all they did. It was all they knew to do. The sounds in the cave were mournful, but the people didn't know it, for they had never known joy. The spirit in the cave was death, but the people didn't know it, for they had never known life.”

“But then, one day, they heard a different voice. "I have heard your cries," it announced. "I have felt your chill and seen your darkness. I have come to help."

“The cave people grew quiet. They had never heard this voice. hope sounded strange to their ears. "How can we know you have come to help?" "Trust me," he answered. "I have what you need." “The cave people peered through the darkness at the figure of the stranger. He was stacking something, then stooping and stacking more.” "What are you doing?" “One cried, nervous. The stranger didn't answer”. "What are you making?" one shouted even louder. Still no response. "Tell us!" demanded a third. The visitor stood and spoke in the direction of the voices. "I have what you need." With that he turned to the pile at his feet and lit it. Wood ignited, flames erupted, and light filled the cavern. The cave people turned away in fear. "Put it out!" they cried. "It hurts to see it." "Light always hurts before it helps," he answered. "Step closer. The pain will soon pass." "Not I," declared a voice. "Nor I," agreed a second. "Only a fool would risk exposing his eyes to such light." The stranger stood next to the fire. "Would you prefer the darkness? Would you prefer the cold? Don't consult your fears. Take a step of faith" For a long time no one spoke. The people hovered in groups covering their eyes. The fire builder stood next to the fire. "It's warm here," he invited. "He's right," one from behind him announced. "It's warmer." The stranger turned a saw a figure slowly stepping toward the fire. "I can open my eyes now," she proclaimed. "I can see." "Come closer," invited the fire builder. She did. She stepped into the ring of light. "It's so warm!" she extended her hands and sighed as her chill began to pass. "Come, everyone! Feel the warmth," she invited. "Silence, woman!" cried one of the cave dwellers. "Dare you lead us into your folly? Leave us. Leave us and take your light with you."

“She turned to the stranger. "Why won't they come?" "They choose the chill, for though it's cold, it's what they know. They'd rather be cold than change." "And live in the dark?" "And live in the dark." The now-warm woman stood silent. Looking first at the dark, then at the man. "Will you leave the fire?" he asked. She paused, then answered, "I cannot. I cannot bear the cold." Then she spoke again. "But nor can I bear the thought of my people in darkness." "You don't have to," he responded, reaching into the fire and removing a stick. "Carry this to your people. Tell them the light is here, and the light is warm. Tell them the light is for all who desire it." And so she took the small flame and stepped into the shadows.”

My friends, my brothers and sisters, I believe that the light, the life, and the love of God is coming soon in baby named Jesus. I believe that this baby has come, has lived, has taught us to love, heal, and forgive, and has died for us. I also believe that this Jesus will return again in glory.

On this Christmas Eve, will you claim and accept the light of Christ, and will take it into the darkness, so that others can live in the light to? It is my sincerest hope and prayer that you and your family will experience the power of God, the love Jesus, and the warmth the Holy Spirit in this Christmas Season, and always. God’s blessings to you, Merry Christmas, and Amen.

         

         

Homer Avenue UMC - Blue Christmas/Longest Night Service - 12/17/16 Sermon - “Finding Light, Love, and Life in the Middle of it All?"

Saturday 12/17/16 Blue Christmas/Longest Night Homer Avenue UMC

Sermon Title:

“Finding Light, Love, and Life in the Middle of it All?”

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 80:1-7

                                            

New Testament Scripture: Hebrews 10:32-39

Gospel Lesson: John 16:31-33

          My dear friends, my brothers and sisters, welcome this night to this our Blue Christmas or Longest Night service. This Blue Christmas or Longest Night Service is a service that many churches are now having every year, but this is not a historical service of the Christian Church. This is not a service that we have for centuries, but instead it is a service that we have implemented in more recent years.

          While the seasons of Holy Advent and Christmas are supposed to be times of great joy, hope, anticipation, excitement, wonder, and love, some people despite their best efforts struggle either this year, or perhaps have struggled other years to feel this way, during the Advent and coming Christmas season.

          Perhaps you are having a great Advent, and perhaps things in your lives are going well, and if this is the case, see this service as opportunity to grow closer to God, to reflect more on your life with God, and to try to love and care for others more.

          In explaining this service a little more, I found a good explanation of why many churches do this Blue Christmas or Longest Night service. Here is an explanation: “Blue? Yes, blue as in the blues. As in "I am feeling blue." Not everyone is up and cheery for the Christmas holidays. Dealing with the death of a loved one, facing life after divorce or separation, coping with the loss of a job, living with cancer or some other dis-ease that puts a question mark over the future, and a number of other human situations make parties and joviality painful for many people in our congregations and communities. There is a growing attentiveness to the needs of people who are blue at Christmas. Increasing numbers of churches are creating sacred space for people living through dark times. Such services are reflective, accepting where we really are, and holding out healing and hope” (http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/blue-christmaslongest-night-worship-with-those-who-mourn).

“Some churches hold a service of worship on the longest night of the year, which falls on or about December 21st, the Winter Solstice. There is an interesting convergence for this day as it is also the traditional feast day for Saint Thomas the Apostle. This linkage invites making some connections between Thomas's struggle to believe the tale of Jesus' resurrection, the long nights just before Christmas, and the struggle with darkness and grief faced by those living with loss” http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/blue-christmaslongest-night-worship-with-those-who-mourn.

I decided to have this service tonight, as having this service on the actual Winter Solstice, which is next Thursday December, 21 might have been a little harder to do. In any event though, the longest night every year in the Northern Hemisphere is the Winter Solstice. On the Winter Solstice, there is the least amount of sun light or any other day of the year. As a result of this, in recent years some churches decided to create this service, so that we would have this time together, on a dark and cold night.

In the midst of this season of Advent, and in the midst of the soon to be season of Christmas, if we are suffering, or if we are not suffering, how can we “Find light, love, and life, in the middle of it all”. Dr. Ben Witherington III a very prominent and well known Wesleyan scholar at Asbury Theological Seminary, in Wilmore, Kentucky, has argued that there are three main core attributes or characteristics of God, of Jesus, of the Holy Spirit. These three attributes or characteristics are light, life, and love.

The gospels tell us that Jesus is the light of the world, that he loves us, and that he calls us to love other. We are also told that Jesus has come to give us new life. Sure there are many words to describe God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, but the main attributes or characteristics of God can be boiled down to light, life, and love.

Every year in the Northern Hemisphere on the Winter Solstice, as I said, we have the least amount of light than any other night of the year. Yet we serve and believe in a God of light, life, and love. So how then when there is less light in the world on nights light this, or in our own lives, can we “find light, love, and life in the middle of it all”?

We hear scriptures tonight that speak of crying out to God for help. Many who are suffering pray and call upon God for healing and for restoration. In our reading tonight from Psalm 8:1-7, we are reading a prayer for Israel’s restoration. The Psalmist says, “Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved” (Ps. 80:7, NRSV). Maybe some of us feel this way during this season of Advent, and despite our best efforts, the light, life, and love of God seems more distant to us right now, than other times in our lives.

          In our reading tonight from the Apostle Paul’s Epistle or letter to the Hebrews, the Apostle Paul encourages us in our sufferings. The Apostle Paul says, “you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and persecution, and sometimes being partners with those so treated” (Heb. 10:32b-33, NRSV). The Apostle Paul then encourages to “live by faith,” and to believe in the imminent return to earth of Jesus Christ (Heb. 10:35-39, NRSV). Have hope in Christ. Many of scriptures of Bible have a great deal to say about suffering, and how we can deal and cope with suffering.

          In looking at our gospel of John reading for tonight, Jesus Christ encourages us to cling to our faith, to him, even in the hardest of times. Jesus says, “Do you now believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me” (Jn. 16:31-32, NRSV). Jesus then says, “I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!” (Jn. 16:33, NRSV). On the day of his crucifixion Jesus was largely abandoned, and because of this, he know what it is like to suffering, to be alone. He know what it is like to physically suffering the whip and nails of the cross.

          So back to my original question for us to consider tonight, how do we “find light, love, and life in the middle of it all”? I think the answer to this, is number one, we must fully surrender our lives, and everything we have to Jesus Christ. We fully trust him as our Lord and Savior. We must not look to ourselves, but we must look to Jesus in all things.

          In addition to this first and most important step, we secondly need to continue to be the church. When I say continue to be the church, I mean we continue to love and to care for one another, and minister to each other. Jesus Christ says that he will always be with us, but brothers and sisters, we can also be there for each other to. As a church, we suffer together, we laugh together, and we live our faith together.

          If you are doing well, great! Let us take joy in that. If you suffering though, let us suffer together. Let us pray together. For through the ups and downs of life, God has called us to not only embrace his light, life, and love, but to share it with each other. Friends, sisters and brothers, even if we are broken, even if we are hurting, if we love and care for each other, if we pray together, we will find more of God, of Jesus, of the Holy Spirit.

          We are never alone, as Christ is always with us, but beyond that may we be here to love and to serve each other. When we do this, the Christian Church goes from places proclaiming to the gospel of Jesus Christ, to a community of people that live it out. May we love each other boldly and powerfully in this season of Holy Advent and soon to be Christmas. Let us also remember that we are never alone, for Christ is always with us. If we believe in him, we will be with him for eternity.

          So let us continue being the church, continue living and proclaiming the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and we all find and share the light, life, and love of God with other. May we all be blessed in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Freeville/Homer Avenue UMC's - Fourth Sunday of Advent - 12/18/16 Sermon - “Can it be true?" ("The Messiah is coming" Series) (Part 4 of 5)

Sunday 12/18/16 Freeville/Homer Avenue UMC’s

Sermon Title: “Can it be true?”

(“The Messiah is coming” Series – Part 4 of 5)

Old Testament Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-16

                                            

New Testament Scripture: Romans 1:1-7

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 1:18-25

          This morning my friends, my sisters and brothers, we find ourselves in the Fourth Sunday of this season of Holy Advent. This season of hope, joy, love, mercy, kindness, peace, and justice. In this being the Fourth Sunday of Advent, this also means that Christmas Day is next Sunday. Is anyone not ready for Christmas Day next Sunday?

          Well the season of Christmas, which is of course only a twelve-day season, begins at midnight on Christmas Eve and goes until January 6, 2017. Until Christmas Eve at midnight then, we are still now in the season of Holy Advent. This season of waiting, of hope, of wonder, and of joy.

          It would seem though, as the Book Ecclesiastes discusses in chapter 3, that our lives, like the church, have seasons to them. There is a time to cry, a time laugh, and etc. etc. (Eccles. 3, NRSV). Many of us have heard this scripture, read this scripture, or even have heard the Beatles sing this scripture.

          Here is the problem though, while we have the various seasons of our lives, the church also has its various liturgical seasons every year. We have the Seasons of Advent, Christmas, the season after the Epiphany, Lent, Easter, the season after Pentecost, and of course Ordinary or Common time, when our paraments are green. In each one these liturgical seasons there are certain moods, emotions, and focuses that we are supposed to have.

          The season of Lent for many for example, is a season of repentance and self-denial, while awaiting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The season of Advent however, that we are in now until Christmas Eve at midnight, is a season of hope, joy, love, peace, mercy, kindness, and justice.

          What if though, the seasons of our lives that we are currently living through right now, do not match up with the liturgical season that we are in, in the life of the church? To say it another way, what if the season of your life that you find yourself in right now, is not a season of hope, joy, love, peace, mercy, kindness, and justice? How can we find these things, and share these things, especially if we are in seasons of our lives where we find very little of these things.

          As I will discuss more in my Christmas Eve message, the three basic ideas or concepts that comprise all that God is, can be simplified to, God being light, God being life, and God being love. Yet some are in a season of their lives right now where maybe the light, life, and love of God does not seem as present to them as it has been in other seasons of their life.

          Perhaps you can think of past Advents and Christmases when you had all of the emotions and feelings that are supposed to characterize this season that we are now in, but maybe this year you don’t feel the same. Or perhaps you do.

          Wherever we are in the seasons of our lives right now, how can we try to have more of the light, life, and love of God in our lives, and how can we share this with others? It would seem that if we are in seasons of our lives of great joy, abundance, and contentment that this is quite easy to do, but what if the seasons of our lives that we are in right now are quite the opposite.

          I can imagine that on that first Christmas, when Jesus Christ was born, that all who came and adored Jesus were also in different places in the seasons of their lives to. Are we to believe that all the shepherds, and all the wise men, and etc. were all in the same seasons of their lives? Did all of these people feel the same about their current life circumstances? Or were they in different places in their own lives? They came, they saw, and they were amazed, but were all there life circumstances identical? Probably not.

          Yet the folks on that first Christmas, and us today, are offered this same hope in this season of Advent, and soon to be in the season of Christmas. How can we discover this hope though, and how can this hope change us? Even if we are not in the best seasons of our lives right now?

          All through the Christian Bible, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament, we have accounts all different life seasons and emotions. In our reading today from the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible, the prophet Isaiah, prophesies about the one who is to come. The “Messiah,” the savior of the world.

          In this scripture, Isaiah tells of one of the signs that occur, whereby we will know that the savior of the world, the “Messiah” has come. Isaiah says, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel” (Isa. 7:14, NRSV). The prophet Isaiah, who was born centuries before Jesus, says the “Messiah” is coming, and this is a sign to know this. I would imagine that over the centuries before Christ was born on Christmas that many people found hope in these prophetic words that Isaiah wrote. I can imagine the people that were suffering before the birth of Jesus, hoped and prayed that he would eventually come and save his people. Where are you finding hope in this season of Advent?

          This morning in our reading from the Book of Romans, the Apostle Paul speaks of who Jesus is. The Apostle Paul said that the “Messiah,” or Jesus was the one who was “promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead” (Rom. 1:2-4a, NRSV). So the Apostle Paul is saying that Isaiah was right in his prophecies, as were many others in the Old Testament or the Hebrew Bible. The Apostle Paul is saying that Jesus Christ, is the hope, is the “Messiah,” is the savior of the world.

          The reason that I have titled my sermon “Can it be true?” this morning, in this sermon series called “The Messiah is coming,” is because we have a pre-birth narrative preview of Jesus Christ this morning in the gospel of Matthew. I find it interesting not that Isaiah this morning predicts the birth of Jesus in this season of Advent. I also find it interesting not that the Apostle Paul talks about the prophecy coming true through in Jesus, but that we have more specific information about the birth story of Jesus. It isn’t the actual birth story in the gospel of Matthew, but here we have some specific details about the birth of Christ. This story in the gospel of Matthew is almost a pre-birth story about the birth of Christ.

          Recently, our resident Bishop of the UNYUMC, Bishop Mark J. Webb released his official Christmas video message. In this message, Jesus talked about finding hope in Jesus in this season of Advent and Christmas. Our bishop talked about the gift that is Jesus Christ.

          In the gospel reading this morning from Matthew’s gospel, the gospel talked about Joseph and Mary, and how Joseph was assured by an angel of the Lord in a dream that Mary’s pregnancy was of God (Mt. 1:18-20, NRSV). I can imagine how hard it was at first for Joseph to hear that Mary was going to have child.

Further, the angel of the Lord in this gospel reading tells Joseph that this baby, this son, should be named Jesus, as “he will save his people from their sins” (Mt. 1:21, NRSV).

          The gospel then says, “All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us” (Mt. 1:22-23, NRSV). This is of course the prophecy that we heard this morning from the prophet Isaiah, which was written centuries before Christ.

          So, friends, brothers and sisters, we are in a church season of hope, joy, love, peace, mercy, kindness, and justice. Perhaps the current season of your life is exactly like what this season of Advent is supposed to be. Yet, as I said, what if it isn’t? How can we find glimpses of hope? I believe that this pre-birth story of the birth of Christ from gospel Matthew from this morning has been given to us in order to give us a little glimpse of hope.

          Have we seen any glimpses of hope in this season Advent? We like the church, have seasons in our lives. Yet, are we able to claim hope, love, joy, or peace in this season. Further, have we been able to give any of this away?

          Advent and Christmas then my brothers and sisters, isn’t just what we experience as individuals, but it is also about what God is doing in us as a whole church congregation. As a church, we might find ourselves individually in all different seasons in our lives, but it is my hope that together, we might offer each other love, peace, mercy, grace, hope, and justice. How can we love each other more? How can we love this community that we live in more? How can we share the hope of Jesus Christ more?

          My sisters and brothers, in this season of Advent and soon to be the season Christmas, may we seek the hope of Jesus Christ, and may we seek to share that hope with each other. May we have hope in the one who is coming, the one named Jesus. Amen.

Freeville/Homer Avenue UMC's - Third Sunday of Advent - 12/11/16 Sermon - “Proclaiming the coming Messiah" ("The Messiah is coming" Series) (Part 3 of 5)

Sunday 12/11/16 Freeville/Homer Avenue UMC’s

Sermon Title: “Proclaiming the coming Messiah”

(“The Messiah is coming” Series – Part 3 of 5)

Old Testament Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

                                            

New Testament Scripture: James 5:7-10

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 11:2-11

          My friends, my sisters and brothers, welcome once again on this the Third Sunday of Advent. It seems hard for me to believe that Christmas Day is only two weeks from today, but it is. We had the blessing last Sunday of having a sermon from our Finger Lakes District Superintendent, the Rev. Jeff McDowell.

          In his sermon, Rev. McDowell encouraged us, to “let go and let God” in our lives. To let God guide us, not the other way around.

          I know that for many of us, we know that we are supposed to “let go and let God,” and yet this is not always easy for us to do. When the stresses of life, when the complications of life, when the hardships of life, and when the struggles of life occur, it can be to just hard sometimes to just “let go and let God”.

          The season of Advent that we are in now, is supposed to be a season of great hope, peace, joy, love, and anticipation. Yet for many of us, this season has become a season of racing here, and racing there. It has become a season of buying, and less sleep, of stress, and for some, maybe a season of sorrow and heartache, and etc.

For me, it makes me wonder how we got from that first Christmas in Bethlehem, to what Advent and Christmas has become for us today? Would Jesus be happy with all of the commercialism and the other aspects of the Advent and Christmas Season that we have in our culture today? Further, how can try to re-focus on the love of Jesus Christ in the middle of what has become for many a hectic and a busy time of the year? How can we in the midst of such things find the hope of Jesus Christ?

          In this being our season of Advent, I began a sermon series two weeks ago, called, “the Messiah is coming”. Every Advent for nearly two-thousand years, we have awaited the birth of Christ, like folks did on that first Christmas in Bethlehem, so long ago. The difference for us today though, is that Christ has already been born. The big question for us to ask ourselves then, is can the hope of Jesus’ birth still change us and fill us in this season of Advent and beyond?

          You see, whatever our reality is in this season of Advent, “the Messiah is coming”. Whether we are hope filled, or whether we are hopeless, “the Messiah is coming”. The Messiah that came long ago, and continues to come and fill us, is coming. Through the power of God, and through the power of God’s people, the hope I believe that we should strive to have in every Advent and Christmas Season, is to somehow experience the Messiah, Jesus, anew.

          The idea of the Messiah coming is a very ancient idea, as I discussed on the First Sunday of Advent. Many of the Ancient Hebrew Bible or Old Testament prophets, like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah, and Zephaniah, predicted the Messiah would come one day, to bring love, hope, renewal, mercy, grace, healing, and justice. Friends, brothers and sisters, can we recapture this in this season of Advent, and then Christmas?

          In last week’s lectionary reading from the Gospel of Matthew, John the Baptist, the one who famously “prepared the way” for Jesus, began his ministry of calling people to repent and be baptized. John the Baptist claimed that under heavy Roman occupation and persecution, that the Jewish people, and the people of the world had cause for great hope. How can people who suffer so, or feel stressed or stretched thin have any cause for hope?

          John the Baptist said in Matthew 3:11, “I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Mt. 3:11, NRSV). John the Baptist, in the face of great hardship and adversity has found hope in this coming Messiah.

          Like many folks though, John the Baptist realized that he had a part to play in this Messiah story. We also have a part to play in this hope of the Messiah. We here, all of us, can through the power of God change the world around us. Do we believe that through God, that God can use us to do great things in this community and this world?

It would seem that some in this season of Advent though are doing as the John Mayer song says, “waiting on the world to change”. I believe that Jesus, the Messiah did and is coming to do many things. Part of this process though, is us changing from the inside out, so that instead of “waiting on the world to change,” we go and change the world around us. What would it take for us to have this level of hope, joy, peace, love, mercy, and justice?

          Do I believe that this Jesus is God in the flesh that is coming amongst us soon? I do. Do I believe that Jesus on earth will be fully God and fully human, will live a sinless life, teach us to love, heal, and forgive, and then die for the sins of all of humanity? I do. Do I believe that Jesus will then rise again, and return one day in glory? I do.

          Yet, if I believe all of these historic Christian teachings, which I do, what good is it if I sit and around and do what John Mayer said in saying, “waiting on the world to change”?

          In this way, Advent and Christmas is very much about God coming into the world to change it, to die for us, to rise again, and to one day return in glory. Are not changed at all by any of this though? Have we given up on hope? Are we at this point, as John Mayer said, that we are “waiting on the world to change”? The Jesus Christ that I believe in is reflected in the scripture from James 1:22 that says, “But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers” (Jas. 1:22, NRSV). 

          I have to admit that I was a little taken aback when our Finger Lakes District Superintendent, Rev. Jeff McDowell talk last Sunday about how one in four people living in this Finger Lakes District area have no faith beliefs, and how many people have given up on church all together. Or perhaps some believe but instead of coming and changing the world with the church, they are as John Mayer said, “waiting on the world to change”? Maybe they feel that the church has harmed them, or maybe they feel that the church has lost its hope, and has become irrelevant. Whatever this reality may be, “the Messiah is coming”. We have an opportunity to reach people for Jesus Christ.

So as we await the messiah in this season of Advent, are we changed from the inside out by Jesus Christ? How can we “let go and let God” more, like Rev. Jeff McDowell said to us last week? How can we allow our hearts and our souls to be filled with God’s love, grace, mercy, peace, and justice, and how can we then take that to the world? How can we love each other, so that we may experience healing, grace, and the love of Jesus Christ?

          This morning also in the gospel of Matthew like last week, John the Baptist, the one who was baptizing people and proclaiming the coming of Christ, is now in jail. It must be hard to be in jail. I participated in a prison ministry weekend once, and I can imagine that being in prison must be awful. I can imagine that someone like John the Baptist could have just said being in jail, “forget all this Messiah stuff! I have no hope!”. Or John the Baptist could have just said, “well I will just sit here and jail and keep,” “waiting on the world to change”? Well friends, much like many of us when get overwhelmed, or sad, or we are struggling, John the Baptist begins to briefly lose sight of who Jesus is.       

          So why does John the Baptist, like some of us might, seem to temporarily lose heart? Well our gospel reading begins this morning by saying, “When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he send word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” In our present context, it would be like saying that John the Baptist, who is in jail now, is now not having a good Advent any more. He is now doubting if Jesus is even worth having hope in. Some in this season of Advent and then Christmas, might feel the way that John the Baptist felt in this moment.

In answering John the Baptist’s inquiry of whether Jesus was truly the Messiah, Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see; the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me” (Mt. 11:2-6, NRSV).

          John the Baptist, the one who proclaimed the Messiah was coming, the one who announced that Jesus had arrived and was then baptized him, has what seems to be a moment of weakness or brokenness. Friends, sisters and brothers, this is why we need each other, so that through God we can build each other up. In this way we can be doers, by living and working together in Jesus’ name.

          The gospel then goes on, as Jesus is speaking to the folks that John the Baptist called to repent and be baptized. Specifically it says, “As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out and see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces” (Mt. 11:7-8, NRSV).

          Jesus then concludes this gospel reading by saying, “What then did you go out to see? A prophet” Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, ‘See I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (Mt. 11:9-11, NRSV).

          Jesus Christ said that John was a great man, a great prophet. Even though John the Baptist did doubt some this morning, Jesus saw who he was, and he sees who all of us are, as well.

          I believe that through the awesome power of God, we can find the hope, the love, the joy, and peace that is Advent and Christmas Seasons. Amen?

I also believe that in loving and caring for each other, that we can also find these things anew in each other, through God. Friends, “the Messiah is coming”. The hope of the world is coming. Do we have hope, do we have joy, and do we have peace? If we come together in love and hope, if we continue to be doers, I believe we can all be renewed by Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit. May God bless us all. Amen.

         

Freeville/Homer Avenue UMC's - First Sunday of Advent/United Methodist Student Sunday - 11/27/16 Sermon - “Isaiah's prophecy" ("The Messiah is coming" Series) (Part 1 of 5)

Sunday 11/27/16 Freeville/Homer Avenue UMC’s

Sermon Title: “Isaiah’s Prophecy”

(“The Messiah is coming” Series – Part 1 of 5)

Old Testament Scripture: Isaiah 2:1-5

                                            

New Testament Scripture: Romans 13:11-14

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 24:36-44

          Welcome again my friends, my brothers and sisters, on this the First Sunday in this the season of Advent. This season of hope, of wonder, of joy, of love, and of anticipation. This season of Advent is our season of preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ, the savior of the world. The Season of Christmas itself will begin at midnight on Christmas Eve, and we will then have as the song says, “Twelve Days of Christmas,” as the season of Christmas is twelve-days.

          In some Christian Churches, it is the tradition to sing no Christmas hymns in worship until the twelve-days of Christmas actually begin. To this I say, “bah-humbug,” as every Sunday of Advent we will sing more and more Christmas hymns.

          This Sunday, is also a special giving Sunday in the life of the United Methodist Church. This special giving Sunday is “United Methodist Student Sunday”. Your special gifts on this Sunday, go to fund United Methodist students who will become pastors or a variety of other professions. Your gifts towards this special giving Sunday will allow some of our best and brightest to get a college education, to then do amazing things in the name of Jesus Christ. If you would like to give to this special giving Sunday during our offering this morning, please make yours checks out to UNYUMC, and indicate your funds as being for United Methodist Student Sunday on your check memo lines or envelopes. We will then make sure that these funds get to conference, and then to the students that need them.

          As I said, we are now in a season of waiting for the coming of the savior of the world, Jesus Christ. The hope that I have for us all, is that we can find the peace of Jesus Christ during this busy and sometimes very stressful season. I also hope in this season and always that we can strive to love, to live, and to reach out more, to be more like Jesus.

          So have you found the hope of Jesus Christ yet in this season of Advent? You see my sisters and brothers, Jesus Christ, “the Messiah is coming”. Are we ready for his arrival? Are we ready with joy, hope, wonder, and anticipation for the one who will change our lives forever?

          As I preached last Sunday, many of the prophets and many of the people in the times of the Old Testament lived through circumstances that were sometimes very difficult. The Jewish people had a cycle where they would go from peace and prosperity, to war, slavery, and exile. From great joy and hope, to misery and despair. This cycle of ups and downs can be seen as we read through the Psalms in the Old Testament. In some ways, aren’t our own lives like this? Sometimes were up, and sometimes were down.

          Last week, I preached mainly from the Old Testament scripture from prophet Jeremiah. In this message, I spoke about how Jeremiah predicted that a leader would come, a decedent of the great King David. This leader would be great, would be righteous, and would save his people. This leader would change us and the world forever.

          For us Christians, we believe that this leader, this messiah, this prince of peace has already come to us in the name of Jesus Christ. Yet we still live in world that desperately needs hope, joy, love, and a savior.

          Every week in this church and many other churches we read a few different scriptures in our worship services. We often read a scripture from the Old Testament, a scripture from the New Testament, and then a reading from one of the four gospels, which also from the New Testament. While we tend to read only three scriptures every Sunday, our lectionary scriptures, that our church and many churches follow, give us four scriptures every Sunday.

          We only read three of them, as to not overwhelm us with trying to understand too much scripture in one worship service. These scriptures are picked long in advance by the church, and are picked out in such a way that the Old Testament scriptures, the chosen Psalm, the New Testament scriptures, and the gospel reading will all connect together. Today the prophecy of the prophet Isaiah will connect to the New Testament scriptures.

          Next Sunday, our Finger Lakes District Superintendent will not be preaching from the lectionary however, as he has chosen two scriptures that will correlate or come together.

          This morning, the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 2 predicts the coming of the Messiah, the Savior, Jesus Christ. So let us on this First Sunday in Advent see what the great prophet Isaiah predicted about the coming of the Messiah.

          Our reading from Isaiah 2 begins with: “The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all nations shall stream to it” (Isa. 2:1-2, NRSV). My sisters and brothers, Isaiah is alluding to messiah coming.

          Isaiah then says, “Many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, the house of the God of Jacob; and he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths” (Isa. 2:3a, NRSV). God will restore Israel.

          The next part of this scripture really gets to the heart of what Isaiah is telling us this morning. Isaiah says, “For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword again nation, neither shall they learn to war any more” (Isa. 2:3b-4, NRSV). Isaiah’s prophecy this morning is that the Prince of Peace, the messiah, the savior, a decedent of the great King David, is coming.   

          Isaiah then ends this scripture by saying, “O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!” (Isa. 2:5, NRSV). Jesus tells us in the gospels that he is the light of the world.

          In the reading from Psalm 122 that we did not read for this morning, it discusses reaching the gates of Jerusalem and standing in the house of the Lord. How fitting, as this day we are discussing the coming of the Lord of life, Jesus Christ. The one who will reconcile us all to God’s abundant grace.

          After we have read Isaiah’ prophecy of the coming of the Messiah in the Old Testament, we then can look at the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans in the New Testament. In this letter to the Romans, Jesus of course has already come, has already lived, and has already died and rose again.

          In this scripture, the Apostle Paul discusses not the hope of the coming messiah, but instead Paul says what should do now that Jesus Christ has come. The Apostle Paul says, “Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provisions for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (Rom. 13:13-14, NRSV).

          In this scripture from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans, Christ is not predicted to come, he has already come. The Apostle Paul then tells us to believe and live like the Messiah, like Jesus Christ.

          As it turns out in our gospel of Matthew reading for this morning, we have a scripture on the second coming of Jesus Christ. So in Isaiah and in Psalm 122 we hear ideas, prophecies about the coming of the messiah. We hear about the hope that is to come in Jesus Christ.

          The Apostle Paul then tell us a little bit about how to live, follow, and serve our now arrived messiah, Jesus Christ. At this point, Jesus Christ has already been born, has already lived, has already died, has already been raised, and has promised to return one day in glory.

          In the reading from this morning from the gospel of Matthew, we hear as I said, of Jesus’s then triumphant return to earth.

          Quite a lot in one set of Sunday morning scriptures! We go from the prediction of the messiah, to living like the messiah that came, to the last line of the gospel of Matthew reading for this morning that says, “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at unexpected hour” (Mt. 24:44, NRSV). What this very means is that Jesus Christ will return one day unexpectedly, and without warning.

          As you can see in an extreme way this morning, the scriptures we are given to read every week correlate, and connect. This morning, we begin with Isaiah’s prophecy of the coming messiah, and then this leads the Apostle Paul telling us how to better live for Christ. We then hear in the gospel of Matthew about Christ’s triumphant return.

          Yet all of these realities about Jesus Christ, who he is, what he would be, and what he still is, began long before he ever walked the earth. In this season of hope, joy, love, and anticipation, the prophet Isaiah this morning is pointing us to very reason we have this season of Advent. The prophet Isaiah is pointing us to the fact that “The Messiah is coming”.

          Friends, brothers and sisters, in this season of Advent, are we drawing closer to Christ? Are excited that he is coming? Are seeking daily to love others more? “The Messiah is coming,” to show us a new way to love, heal, and forgive, to reconcile himself to all of creation. Do we have joy, love, hope, and anticipation about this?

          It is my hope that in this season of Holy Advent that we rediscover the love, the hope, and the joy of Jesus Christ, and that we then share this with the world. In Jesus name. Amen.