Sidney UMC - First Sunday after Christmas Day - 12/30/18 - Sermon - “Our Jewish Heritage"

Sunday 12/30/18 - Sidney UMC

Sermon Title: “Our Jewish Heritage”

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 148

                                            

New Testament Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17

                                                   

Gospel Lesson: Luke 2:41-52

          Once again my friends, my brothers and sisters, Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas, as we are still in the twelve-day season of Christmas, which goes through this coming Saturday January 5^th. Next Sunday will be Epiphany, as we will celebrate the coming of the three Wisemen or Magi, which will visit Jesus with Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh.

          Today then, is the First Sunday after Christmas Day, and since this twelve-day season of Christmas is so short, this will be the only “Sunday after Christmas Day” that we have to celebrate.

          Many pastors take this Sunday off, but I really like to preach on this Sunday if I can. Why do I like to preach so much on this Sunday if I can? Well for one I am still sugared up from Christmas cookies, and two this is a Sunday where we can talk about the roots of our Christian faith. You see as Christians, we come out of Judaism. We come out of the Jewish faith. Jesus was a Jew. Jesus’ parents, Mary and Joseph were Jews. Every single one of Jesus’ twelve disciples were Jews. The Apostle Paul, who was originally Saul of Tarsus, was a Jewish Pharisee. In fact, the Apostle Paul, formally Saul of Tarsus, was highly educated on the scriptures and the Law of Moses, which is why he was able to quote them so well in his New Testament letters.

          Every single book of our 39-book Old Testament in our Bibles, was written by a Jew. The Prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Micah, and etc., all Jews. The Jewish faith is also many centuries, and even millenniums older that Christianity. The creation story that we have in the Book of Genesis, Adam and Eve, the Garden of Eden, Abraham, Moses, Noah, King David, all Jewish.

          Now you might be thinking right about now, “We get it Pastor Paul the Bible is very Jewish”. Well what’s the point that I am trying to drive home this morning? The point is this, I have met people in my life who claim to be “Christians,” but who at the same time are Anti-Jew, or Anti-Semitic. People who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ, but also say that they are Anti-Jew or Anti-Semitic. Friends, if we have any understanding of our history as Christians, if we have any comprehension of the Bible, I would argue that it is impossible to be both a Christian and Anti-Semitic or Anti-Jew.

          We all know all too well about the fairly recent Jewish Synagogue shooting in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. The shooter in that incident, Robert Bowers wrote in his biography:

“Jews are the children of Satan,”

(https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/27/us/robert-bowers-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooter.html).

          Yet we sing during Advent and during this the season of Christmas that Jesus was born in the City of King David, in Bethlehem. King David who was Jewish King, came from Bethlehem, a Jewish town.

          I have heard people that have claimed to be “Christians” tell me that Jesus wasn’t in fact Jewish, but that the Jews brutally killed him. In this way of thinking, Jesus came to overthrow the Jews, and they killed him for it. In this line of thinking, Jesus therefore, wasn’t Jewish.

          The reason that this is utter nonsense, is that number one, the Romans, under Governor Pontius Pilate killed Jesus. The Jews did not kill Jesus, and a Jew, Simon of Cyrene even helped Jesus carry his cross to Golgotha or Calvary. Jesus also came to fulfill the Jewish law, not to destroy Judaism. In fact, according to the Book of Revelation, God with save remnant of the Jews. Of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, 12,000 of each tribe will be saved, making 144,000 of God’s chosen people that he will save and preserve in the end of days (Rev. 7:1-8, NRSV). This is sometimes called the “Sealed of Israel” (Rev. 7:1-8, NRSV). So if Jesus came to overturn and destroy Judaism, and if the Jews killed Jesus, which are both not true, then why would God explicitly tells us in the Book or Revelation that he would preserve 144,000 of his chosen people? Friends, our connection to Judaism is undeniable, as we can literally be considered reformed Jews.

          Our Old Testament, which is comprised of the Torah and the rest of the Jewish Bible, or our Old Testament was all originally written in Hebrew. Hebrew is both the spoken and written language of the Jews.

          Christianity then, started with Jesus. The word Christian wasn’t even used until it was coined in the city of Antioch, as the followers of Christ there were called “Christians”. This of course meant “Christ followers”. For the first probably 20-30 years of the Christian faith, all Christians were Jews. The very early Christian Church before it was called the Christian Church was simply called “The Way”. Jesus came to show the people of Israel this “Way,” as he said in John 14:6:

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn. 14:6, NRSV).

          So Jesus, the first 12-disciples, and all Christians for the first 20-30 years of the faith were all Jews. Except that they were Jews that believed that Jesus was the Messiah, the savior.

          The Jews also have an extensive history of persecution. I think part of this is that they have always been a minority. Today, there are about 2.2-2.5 billion Christians on the planet earth. This is about 1/3 of the population of earth. In the world today there about 14-15 million Jews, which is about .2% of the world’s population. So the world is about 33.3% Christian, and about .2% Jewish. When you are small group of people, it is easy to marginalize and oppress those people (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism).

          After the Jewish people survived through the horrible atrocities of Nazi Germany and World War II, there were continued calls to give the Jews a homeland. A country of their own. This country, Israel, was formed in 1948 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel). The next day Israel was invaded by four Arab Countries. Since that time, Israel has been in many armed conflicts. One of the biggest supporters of the creation of Israel was President Harry Truman.

          As many of us know there is on-going struggle between Israel and the Palestinian people. While I support the Palestinian people have their own nation one day, I also fully and emphatically support the State of Israel and their Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

          I tell you all this to say that we as Christians have historical, biblical, and divine connection to the Jewish people. The Hebrew Scriptures or the New Testament, we believe as Christians pointed the way towards Christ our savior.    In our reading this morning from the Gospel of Luke, once again, we have the only story of Christ as a child. Don’t get me wrong we have the Christmas birth narratives and the visit from the Wisemen, but other than this story this morning, the next time we hear about Jesus, he is getting baptized in the Jordan River by his cousin John the Baptist. So Jesus is born, Wisemen, this morning, and then boom he’s thirty and getting baptized. This means, that other than this morning’s story, we have no idea what Jesus’ childhood was like.

          So let’s look at this gospel reading from the gospel of Luke once again. It says:

“Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to (Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor” (Lk. 2:41-52, NRSV).

          So let’s unpack this gospel lesson. First off, why did Mary and Joseph go to Jerusalem for the Passover every year, and why did they take Jesus? Well, because they were Jews. Jews have long celebrated the Passover. The Passover is the holiday that when the Jews were in Egypt and Moses was pushing for their freedom. The Jews towards the end of this struggles were told to sacrifice a pure and spotless white lamb. They were told to take the blood of this lamb and to cover their door posts, so that the angel of death would “Passover” their houses. This holiday celebrates God sparring their first born children, but more broadly celebrates the Jewish people be freed from slavery in Egypt.

          The Jews therefore celebrate being freed from slavery and God’s favor on them. Passover last about a week or a little longer every year. Therefore, all Jews in Jesus’ era went to Jerusalem during the Passover to celebrate and to worship at the great Temple in Jerusalem.

          So this is the only story where Jesus is a boy, and he is about 12 or 13 in this story. When the Passover holiday listed in the gospel this morning ended, Mary and Joseph began the long journey north back to Nazareth. They were likely in a group of people traveling together. Now after a full day of traveling, Mary and Joseph realized that Jesus was missing. So the search began, and ended with a full day’s journey back to Jerusalem.

          Where did they find young Jesus when they returned to Jerusalem? In the temple, as Jesus was amazing many with his understandings of the scriptures, life and faith. Mary and Joseph were amazed to see and hear all that young Jesus had to say. Mary then asked young Jesus why he had stayed behind, and why he stressed them out so much. Jesus just said, did you know I was supposed to be here, here in my Father’s house?

          Mary and Joseph didn’t understand what Jesus meant, and they then went back to Jerusalem. Mary treasured all Jesus showed her and said in her heart.

          Lastly, the scriptures say once again that”

“Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor”

(Lk. 2:52, NRSV).

         

Even though Jesus was God in the flesh, he still had to learn to walk, to talk, and grow into a man.

Next week you will all hear about the visit of the Wisemen or Magi to Jesus, and then the next week on Sunday January 13^th, we will have Jesus being baptized in the Jordan River by his cousin John the Baptist. Other than the birth stories, the Wisemen, and you Jesus today at the temple, we then pick up with Jesus at the age of thirty. By then, he will have grown and prepared, and will go forth as the fullness of man and the living God in the flesh.

It is in scripture like this though that we see that Jesus was indeed Jewish. That Mary and Joseph took Jesus to a Jewish holiday celebration that lasted about a week. That part of this celebration included worship and many other Jewish traditions and customs. With all of this being said, Jesus was a Jew, and important part of the foundation and the heritage of Christian faith, is that of Judaism. The Jews are our forefathers and mothers, and therefore, may we never forget “Our Jewish Heritage”. Amen.

Sidney UMC - Christmas Eve - 12/24/18 - 7:00 pm/11:00pm - Sermon - “Hope is here, and is now!" The "Hope is Coming" Series - Part 5 of 5)

Monday 12/24/18 - Sidney UMC –

Christmas Eve – 7:00 pm/11:00pm

Sermon Title: “Hope is here, and is now!”

                (“Hope 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

          Merry Christmas Eve my friends, my brothers and sisters in Christ! Welcome once again to this service of worship, which is on this night of love, joy, wonder, peace, and hope.

          We have all gathered here tonight for many reasons. Some of us always come to Christmas Eve Service, some of us were bribed by our families to come here, and some of us were just “volun-told” to come here. Maybe some of us don’t have to work tomorrow, and we figured, “Well there’s nothing else to do in Sidney!” My mother Susan used to bribe my brother Kenny to go to church by taking him to the Old Country Buffet afterwards. Whatever our reasons for gathering tonight, many of us love the majesty, peace, and solemnity of this night. Many of us love Christmas in all it splendor.

This night, Christmas Eve is special night therefore, for many of us indeed. Christmas Eve is ingrained in the fabric of many of our families. We have traditions, cookies, meals, gifts, Christmas Trees, and etc. and etc. Oh, and now ugly Christmas sweater parties. This time of the year, this night is special to millions and even billions of people the world over. It’s a night that captivates us all.

As Christians, this is the night that we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God come down from heaven. The sovereign Lord of all of creation, that creation the heavens and the earth. This God who existed before time, who has created everything, who is of infinite in power, love, and wisdom. This God sought to come personally into our world, into our mess. This God who could have entered humanity with a spectacle that could have easily been the biggest event and the biggest party in world history.

If God so desired it, the birth of His only son would make New Year’s Eve in Times Square in New York City look like a boring and sleepy event. Yet that first Christmas, which probably wasn’t on December 25^th, as we are pretty sure that Jesus was born in the spring, was so simple.

The sovereign of all creation, could even get a room in the Holiday Inn. He was born in what we would equate today to be an old wood shed in the back yard, or a cave. This seen was humble, full of smelly animals and hay, and the place that the savior of the world was laid was manger. This manger many scholars believe was a feeding trough to feed animals. If you have even seen pigs or other animals feed from a troth, well this is the sort of thing that the baby Jesus was laid in.

The God of all creation, of all love, power, majesty, and wisdom, comes to us like this. Why would this happen? It probably isn’t what would do. Who would want to give birth like, let along to the savior of the world. The birth of Christ, this Nativity Story is one that continues to humble me, as God loved us so much that He was determined to become like one of us. It’s the equivalency of a wealthy person giving up that they have to become poor, homeless, and persecuted. The birth of Christ, this night hopefully will give hope to us all.

I also find it interesting every year to see signs that say, “Keep Christ in Christmas”. I completely agree with these signs, but the funny part is the word “Christ” is in Christmas. In fact the title of “Christmas” which is about a thousand years old refers to special “mass” that Roman Catholic Church held on December 25^th. For that day was the “mass,” the service for Jesus Christ. This is where we get the title “Christmas” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas). So you can indeed take Jesus, the religious part of tonight and holiday out of your celebration, but you can’t say “Merry Christmas,” with saying the name Christ, the savior, Emmanuel. For the word Christ is forever etched into this night, tomorrow, and the whole 12-day season of Christmas.

Let’s look again at tonight’s scriptures. The reading from the Prophet Isaiah foretells the coming the Messiah, of Jesus Christ. The Prophet Isaiah said this one who will born to us, the Christ will called:

“Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isa. 9:6b, NRSV).

In our reading from the Apostle Paul’s Epistle or the letter to Titus for tonight, Paul says of Jesus Christ:

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.” (Titus 2:11-14, NRSV).

You see my friends, Christ is coming as baby very soon. Very soon he will born and among us. We can call him daily to come into our hearts and souls, and Christ one day will return to earth in Glory. This was all foretold centuries before Christ by the great prophets of the Old Testament and other Old Testament of Hebrew Bible scriptures. Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist prepared the way for the Messiah, for Jesus. We are all called to prepare ourselves for the coming the Christ, and to help others prepare as well. Tonight then is also a night of anticipation and preparation. I’m sure all people here have everything perfectly ready for tomorrow morning, don’t we? Tonight is also a night of anticipation and preparation.

Tonight we prepare for a woman named Mary, likely in early teens, to give birth to the savior of the world. The one who change the world, teach us how to love to better, to even die for us, only to be raised gloriously to new life that first Easter morning. The same Christ that promised that would return to us one day in glory.

In looking again at our gospel reading for tonight, many of us have the heard story many times. Many of us know that the gospel of Luke says:

“In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” (Lk. 2:1-7, NRSV).

          In our country and other countries we have censuses taken every so many years to determine our population and other demographic statistics. No doubt a big reason that Roman Emperor Augustus, who controlled Judea where Mary and Joseph were from was concerned about taxes. More people, well then more taxes. Not only this, people were required to go where their families were from. Since Joseph was from Bethlehem, he took Mary who was to give soon to Bethlehem. The birth of Christ, the Messiah being Bethlehem was of course written by an Old Testament prophet hundreds of years prior to birth of Jesus. All the past prophesies, all the predictions of old are all coming tonight on this night.

          We’re also told in this gospel reading that there was no room at the Inn, or as I like to call it, “The Bethlehem Holiday Inn”. If my mother Susan had been present to negotiate though, Mary and Joseph would have been given the penthouse suite on the house. Unfortunately for Mary and Joseph, this was not the case. This birth, in the manger, the nativity, even if it didn’t happen exactly as we might think it did, was all foretold hundreds of years earlier.

          The coming of the shepherds who watched their flocks by night, who worshiped the new Christ Child, the savior, were foretold. The gospel for tonight speaks beautifully of their encounter with an angel of the Lord (Lk. 2:8-20, NRSV). The gospel of Matthew also included the visit of the Magi, or the Wiseman, which probably wasn’t the actually night that Christ was born (Mat. 2:1-12, NRSV). We can’t mess up our Christmas play though, and the important thing is that Wise Men or Magi came as predicted hundreds of years before. In seriousness though, on Sunday January 6^th, we have our holiday called “Epiphany,” which celebrates the visit of the Wise Men or Magi to visit Christ. The reason Epiphany is about two weeks after Christmas, is because the Magi or Wise Men likely came to visit Christ a little later in the story.

          However we have missed or messed up any of the details of what this night is, or what we celebrate tomorrow, the important thing is this, “Hope is here, and hope is now!” Jesus will soon be born and be among us! He will change this world and us forever! He can come into our hearts daily, and he will return again in glory. I hope that in season of Advent that will very soon at mid-night tonight become the season of Christmas that rediscover anew the joy of Jesus Christ. The joy of God in the flesh come down for us, to give us love, joy, peace, and hope. My friends, my brothers and sisters in Christ, “Hope is here, and is now!”

I would like to close this Christmas Eve message with a story about love, caring, and hope. This story with you called “Some Christmas Tears,” by an unknown author. Here is how it goes:

“It was only four days before Christmas. The spirit of the season hadn't yet caught up with me, even though cars packed the parking lot of our local discount store. Inside the store, it was worse. Shopping carts and last minute shoppers jammed the aisles. Why did I come today? I wondered. My feet ached almost as much as my head. My list contained names of several people who claimed they wanted nothing but I knew their feelings would be hurt if I didn't buy them anything.”

“Hurriedly, I filled my shopping cart with last minute items and proceeded to the long checkout lines. I picked the shortest but it looked as if it would mean at least a 20 minute wait.” In front of me were two small children - a boy of about 5 and a younger girl. The boy wore a ragged coat. Enormously large, tattered tennis shoes jutted far out in front of his much too short jeans. He clutched several crumpled dollar bills in his grimy hands.”

“The girl's clothing resembled her brother's. Her head was a matted mass of curly hair. Reminders of an evening meal showed on her small face. She carried a beautiful pair of shiny, gold house slippers. As the Christmas music sounded in the store's stereo system, the girl hummed along, off-key but happily.”

“When we finally approached the checkout register, the girl carefully placed the shoes on the counter. She treated them as though they were a treasure. The clerk rang up the bill. "That will be $6.09," she said. The boy laid his crumpled dollars atop the stand while he searched his pockets. He finally came up with $3.12. "I guess we will have to put them back," he bravely said. "We will come back some other time, maybe tomorrow."

“With that statement, a soft sob broke from the little girl. "But Jesus would have loved these shoes," she cried. Well, we'll go home and work some more. Don't cry. We'll come back," he said. Quickly I handed $3.00 to the cashier. These children had waited in line for a long time. And, after all, it was Christmas." Suddenly a pair of arms came around me and a small voice said, "Thank you, lady." "What did you mean when you said Jesus would like the shoes?" I asked.

“The boy answered, "Our mommy is sick and going to heaven. Daddy said she might go before Christmas to be with Jesus." The girl spoke, "My Sunday school teacher said the streets in heaven are shiny gold, just like these shoes. Won't mommy be beautiful walking on those streets to match these shoes?" My eyes flooded as I looked into her tear streaked face. "Yes" I answered, "I am sure she will." Silently I thanked God for using these children to remind me of the true spirit of giving." (http://www.gospelweb.net/Christmas/SomeChristmasTears.htm).

Friends, brothers and sisters, “Hope is here, and is now!” I pray that tonight, tomorrow, this season of Christmas that we may discover anew and share abundantly with each other the great love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas, and may God bless us all! Amen.

Sidney UMC - Fourth Sunday of Advent - 12/23/18 - Sermon - “Mary did you know?" The "Hope is Coming" Series - Part 4 of 5)

Sunday 12/23/18 - Sidney UMC

Sermon Title: “Mary did you know?”

            (“Hope is Coming” Series – Part 4 of 5)

Old Testament Scripture: Micah 5:2-5a

                                            

New Testament Scripture: Hebrews 10:5-10

                                                   

Gospel Lesson: Luke 1:39-45

          So some people that I know think that the title of the song “Mary did you know?” makes no sense. Some people have said, “Have you ever told a pregnant women that she would have a baby?” I can’t imagine walking up to a woman that is 7-months pregnant and saying, “Did you know that you are going to have a baby?” I can only imagine what here answer would be. This morning in our gospel of Luke reading, Mary is told that she was about be pregnant, as she wasn’t pregnant yet.

          In fairness through, around asking a 7-month pregnant woman about being pregnant, I have seen a show on television about women who didn’t know they were pregnant. I of course am not a woman. This might be a shock for some of you to hear! Yet, I just don’t get how a woman didn’t know she was pregnant until she went into labor. That’s a discussion for another day though!

          In the gospel of Luke 1:26-38 we have what is commonly called the “Annunciation of Mary”. This means, this is the place in the gospel of Luke where the Angel Gabriel tells Mary that she will bear the Messiah, the Christ Child. I went to this place in Israel 4-years ago, and it was beautiful. So this is what Luke 1:26-38 says:

“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her” (Lk. 1:26-38, NRSV).

          So, did Mary know? Well of course she did! I don’t think that the song “Mary did you know?” is meant to be a literal question. I think it is more to say Mary did you fully realize who this child was that you were carrying in your womb? I don’t think that Mary fully got all of it. I mean how could fully understand all that God was, is, and will be.

          For the past few weeks, we have been going through Advent and discussing all that Advent is. In the process of this, I have been preaching on how Jesus Christ is the “Hope” that “is coming” amongst us. I talked about how Advent is a season to prepare for Christ’s birth, how can invite him daily into our hearts, and how can be prepared for this glorious second coming to earth. In the second week of this the “Hope is coming” series, I talked about the “Messianic Prophecy”. These are all of the predictions in the Old Testament or the Hebrew Bible about what the Messiah, what Jesus would be like. Mary, having been a devout Jew would have learned extensively the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament. In the process of this, Mary must of indeed have known much of what her son Jesus would do. This is because so much of Jesus’ life and death was predicted in the Old Testament or the Hebrew Bible.

          In the gospel lesson that I just read from Luke 1:26-38, the Angel Gabriel also tells Mary that her much older Aunt Elizabeth is six-months pregnant. Elizabeth of course is carrying John the Baptist. Jesus’ cousin John the Baptist is the one in whom the Old Testament Prophet Isaiah said would prepare the way of the Lord. Isaiah said that John the Baptist would prepare hearts and minds for the coming of Jesus Christ.

Last week, I said like John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus Christ that preparing the way for others can be a great gift. We are all called in this season of Advent, and soon to be Christmas, to prepare the way for each other. We are called to love, heal, and forgive, as we draw ever closer to the light that is Jesus Christ.

          It is interesting that the Angel Gabriel tells Mary that her much old Aunt Elizabeth is six-months pregnant, because in our gospel of Luke reading for this morning Mary then goes to visit her aunt Elizabeth. Before reading this gospel lesson once again, our reading from the Old Testament Prophet Micah for this morning, predicts the birth of Christ (Mic. 5:2-5a, NRSV). In this scripture, the Prophet Micah names the birthplace of the Messiah as Bethlehem. Micah says this Messiah will rule Israel, and will be great. In fact, the scripture says again that this Messiah:

“Shall be the one of peace” (Mic. 5:5a, NRSV).

          On the titles for Jesus Christ, is of course the “Prince of Peace”.

          This morning, once again, The Apostle Paul tells the Hebrews in our Epistle or letter of Hebrews reading that Christ offered himself as a sacrificed for us (Heb. 10:5-10, NRSV). In doing so, we can be saved and reconciled to God’s grace. This means that the light is Christ is in us, and we can share it with each other, and with the world.

          So back to this morning’s gospel lesson from Luke. Did Mary know? Well yeah! I wonder though if she really knew fully just how marvelous Jesus would be. I can’t imagine what it would be like to hold and cradle the living God. Let’s look again at what Luke 1:39-45 says for this morning. It says in reference to Mary visiting her Aunt Elizabeth who is pregnant with John the Baptist:

          “In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord” (Lk. 1:39-45, NRSV).

          So John the Baptist leaps in the womb of his mother Elizabeth when Mary enters the room with Jesus in her womb. I can’t imagine how exciting and yet terrifying it must have been for Mary to carry the savior of the world, Jesus. I mean she knew from the Old Testament or the Hebrew Scriptures that this child that she was carrying would be the savior of the world. She also knew how he would die.

          When the Angel Gabriel came to Mary, she was likely teenager, and wasn’t married to Joseph yet. Initially Joseph cut of the engagement, and I can only imagine what Mary’s parents thought. I mean what is it like to carry and give birth to God in the flesh?

          Did Mary know? Of course, but how could one truly and fully know and understand all that Christ was going to be and still is? I don’t know about you but I love to see the children come up for the children’s time every Sunday. They are always fun, often cute, and oh so honest!

 Don’t we look at our children, grand-children, and great grandchildren with great hope? When the baby is born and we hold them for the first time, don’t we look upon that child and wonder what will become of them? We wonder what this child will do, who they will become, and how their life will be. Imagine what it would be like to carry and give birth to the living God? “Mary did you know?” She sure did, but did she really understand it all? I doubt it.

          I want to tell you story about the love of child, as we await the birth of Christ that is coming very soon. This story is called “A Box of Kisses,” by an unknown author. This is how the story goes as it says:

“The story goes that some time ago, a man punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree. Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, "This is for you, Daddy." He was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, but his anger flared again when he found the box was empty. He yelled at her, "Don't you know that when you give someone a present, there's supposed to be something inside it?" The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said, "Oh, Daddy, it is not empty. I blew kisses into the box. All for you, Daddy." The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl, and he begged for her forgiveness. It is told that the man kept that gold box by his bed for years and whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there”

(https://www.great-inspirational-quotes.com/a-box-of-kisses.html).

          Mary did you know? Oh she knew, and how many of you wouldn’t trade your kids, your grand-kids, or your great grandkids for anything? Mary the blessed virgin, the mother of the savior, the Mother of God is carrying the savior of the world. Very soon, I mean very soon, Mary will give birth to this miracle, the savior, the Christ Child. Then one day this child that Mary will deliver soon, will deliver her, will deliver us, and will deliver all of humanity. Amen.

Sidney UMC - Blue Christmas/Longest Night Service - 12/20/18 - Sermon - “Light defeats darkness"

Thursday 12/20/18 – Blue Christmas

/Longest Night Service - Sidney UMC

Sermon Title: “Light defeats darkness”

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 80:1-7

                                            

New Testament Scripture: Hebrews 10:32-39

                                                   

Gospel Lesson: John 16:31-33

          Friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, welcome once again to this our Blue Christmas or Longest Night service. How many of us here have never been to a Blue Christmas or Longest Night service?

          I want to read a short description of what this service is all about for those who have never been to a worship service like this before. This description is taken from www.umcdiscipleship.org, and it says:

“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”.

“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” (https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/blue-christmaslongest-night-worship-with-those-who-mourn).

          Tomorrow, December 21^st is the winter solstice. In being the first day of the season of winter, the winter solstice also has more darkness than any other day of the year. In fact according to one source that I read, it says:

“The winter solstice (or hibernal solstice), also known as midwinter, is an astronomical phenomenon marking the day with the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_solstice).

          So tomorrow, the first day of the season of winter, or the winter solstice is shortest day of daylight all year. Or another way to phrase it, is that tomorrow will be the “Longest Night” of the year. Since some are feeling “blue” or not overly cheery this time of the year, and since tomorrow is the “Longest Night” of the year we gather to bring the light of Jesus Christ into the darkness. This is why this service is called both Blue Christmas and the Longest Night Service.

          In the gospel of John, among other “I Am” statements, Jesus says in John 8:12:

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (Jn. 8:12, NRSV).

          While tomorrow is the Winter Solstice or the first day of winter, we have our annual Christmas Cantata tomorrow night, here at the church at 7:00 pm. Given this, doing both this service and the Cantata in one night, would probably be too much. The good news though, is that we can gather tonight and tomorrow night to praise God and to shine the light of Jesus Christ into the darkness. Darkness loses, and the light of Christ wins! We will be here singing tomorrow night, and the light of Christ will overcome the darkness!

          In looking at our scripture readings for tonight, in our reading from Psalm 80:1-7, the people of Israel cry out to God to restore them and give them new hope (Ps. 80:1-7, NRSV). Maybe tonight, we are in need of restoration from God? Maybe we are crying out to God for hope? May we seek the hope and the light of God through Jesus Christ together!

          In our reading from the Apostle Paul’s Epistle or letter to the Hebrews for tonight, Paul asks the Hebrews to recall the sacrifices that they have made for their faith. Paul writes once again:

“But recall those earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and persecution, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion for those who were in prison, and you cheerfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves possessed something better and more lasting. Do not, therefore, abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great reward.  For you need endurance, so that              when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. For yet “in a very little while, the one who is coming will come and will not delay; but my righteous one will live by faith. My soul takes no pleasure in anyone who shrinks back.” But we are not among those who shrink back and so are lost, but among those who have faith and so are saved”                                  (Heb. 10:32-39, NRSV).

          The Apostle Paul says that many have suffered, and many have suffered for their faith. The Apostle Paul reminds us that God is with us, and that we are saved by our faith in Jesus Christ.

          In our gospel lesson for tonight, Jesus himself once again tells us what it is like to be alone and to be persecuted. The gospel once again says:

“Jesus answered them, “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. 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. 16:31-33, NRSV).

          In the gospel, Jesus is saying that when he will be tried and crucified that the majority of his friends will scatter. Even though all alone on the cross though, Jesus says that God the Father would be with him. Jesus encouraged us to know and trust that God is with us through all trials and temptations. Lastly, Jesus calls us to have faith and courage, as He has overcome sin and death for us.

          We have plenty of scriptures therefore that discuss hardship, suffering, and faith. I am convinced that one of the many reasons that Jesus created the church, was so that we wouldn’t be alone. When we are together and when we are living out our faith together, the light that Christ shines within us shines even brighter. Perhaps our light almost seems extinguished tonight, but I bet someone else here has some light to share, so that our light can again grow strong. We gather tonight to seek and share the light of Christ. We gather to declare that God is good, that Christ is alive, and that His light will prevail over the darkness.

          There is a really good video on YouTube called “Does God exist” that portrays a young Albert Einstein in school in Germany, where he was from (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvhGeNzdRZA). In this video, which is in German, but subtitled in English, little Einstein’s teacher, teaches the class that there is no God. The teacher asks the students if God is good, to which they all agree that He is good. The teacher then asks the class if God created everything, and again the students say yes. The teacher then asks if evil exists, and of course the students agree that evil does in fact exist. The teacher then says that if God created everything, and if evil exists, then God must have created evil. The teacher then says that because of this, God must be evil. Therefore, the teacher said, there is no God.

          Well right then, young Albert Einstein raised his hand in the class. The teacher called on young Einstein. Albert Einstein stood up and then asked his teacher a question. He asked the teacher if cold existed. The teacher replied, well of course cold exists, haven’t you ever been cold. Young Albert Einstein then says to the teacher that he is wrong, because cold does not exist. Einstein said that cold is merely the absence of heat.

          Not being done, Einstein then asked the teacher if darkness exists. The teacher said well of course, you have seen the night time and dark places. Einstein tells the teacher that he is wrong again. Einstein said that darkness is merely the lack of light. He then said that evil is what happens when humans don’t have God’s love in their heart. Therefore, God exists, and evil exists only exists when the love of Jesus isn’t present. Young Albert Einstein shut his teacher right up, as he defended the fact that God does indeed exist.

          One of the things that I love about this story is that young Albert Einstein tells his teacher that darkness doesn’t exist. In fact, darkness is only the absence of light. We gather tonight for this Blue Christmas/Longest Night Service, to declare that the light of the world, Jesus Christ, overcomes and casts out darkness. We gather together, some of us with lights in us that are dim and some that are bright. We combine them together as the body of Christ, why cry together, we laugh together, and through this light of Christ, the darkness flees and hides. Friends, on a cold and dark night, the light of Christ prevails. Amen.

         

         

Sidney UMC - Third Sunday of Advent - 12/16/18 - Sermon - “Preparing the way of the Lord" The "Hope is Coming" Series - Part 3 of 5)

Sunday 12/16/18 - Sidney UMC

Sermon Title: “Preparing the way of the Lord”

                (“Hope is Coming” Series – Part 3 of 5)

Old Testament Scripture: Zephaniah 3:14-20

                                            

New Testament Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7

                                                   

Gospel Lesson: Luke 3:7-18

          Today, my friends, my brothers and sisters, we continue our journey together towards Christmas, on this our Third Sunday in the Season of Advent. This season where we prepare our hearts and our minds for Christmas, for the coming of Jesus Christ. It’s hard for me to believe that Christmas Eve is just a week from tomorrow! To me, it seems like that time is just flying bye! Am I the only one that feels this way?

          For the past two weeks I have preaching a sermon series on the hope that “is coming” to us in Jesus Christ. This hope that is coming, coming into us, and working through us. In the first week of this series, I talked about the hope of Christ’s birth, the hope of Christ entering into our hearts daily, and the hope of Christ’s triumphant return to earth.

          Last week I talked about the “Messianic Prophecy,” which are all of the predictions made about the coming of Jesus Christ. These predictions made from Old Testament prophets and from the books of the Old Testament give us details and a picture of the savior of the world, of Jesus. In the Old Testament we read for example, that the savior will be born in the City of David, which is Bethlehem. We hear that Wise Men or Magi will visit this child. We hear that this child will be born of a virgin, and etc., and etc.

          One the scriptures from last Sunday that I didn’t preach on was Luke 3:1-6. Interestingly enough, last Sunday there were two readings from the gospel Luke, and I preached on Luke 1:68-79 only. Once again, in Luke 1:68-79, we have John the Baptist’s father Zechariah, signing over his eight day old son. In this song, this scripture, Zechariah is singing about how his son John the Baptist will prepare the way for Jesus Christ. John the Baptist, is Jesus’ cousin, and the man who lives in the wilderness. He wears clothes made from camel’s hair, eats bugs and honey, calls people to repent of their sins, and baptizes them. This is why he is called John the Baptist.

          The second gospel reading from Luke 3:1-6 from last week that I didn’t preach on however, says:

“In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

(Lk. 3:1-6, NRSV)

          Now a couple things about this gospel reading before I get into our scriptures for this Sunday. First, in keeping in alignment with the fulfilling the “Messianic Prophecy” of Jesus Christ’s birth and return, as well as Jewish culture, Luke is very detail oriented in this gospel reading. He tells you that it was 15-years into Roman Emperor Tiberius’ reign, and he tells you all the people who were in various places of power and authority. He does this, to be very precise.

          The gospel reading then immediately shifts to John the Baptist. Last Sunday, once again, we had the gospel reading from Luke where John the Baptist’s father Zechariah sang over baby John the Baptist. Now as an adult, the scripture says of John the Baptist once again:

“the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Lk. 3:2b-3, NRSV).

          So John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin, is now ready to fulfill his role in preparing the way for Jesus Christ. Well, is this part of the “Messianic Prophecy” that I discussed last Sunday? Yes it is. This foretold hundreds of years before Jesus Christ’s birth. Once again Luke 3:1-6 ends with quoting the Old Testament Prophet Isaiah. Once again it says:

“as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’

(Lk. 3:1-6, NRSV)

          So it was necessary that John the Baptist would prepare the hearts and the minds of men and women for the coming of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist would go on of course to Baptize Jesus in the Jordan River, and many Baptist Denominations today use the name “Baptist” as they perform and celebrate baptisms the way that John the Baptist Baptized Jesus.

          So we have the idea that Jesus came, is coming, and will return, and we know that his coming was foretold and predicted hundreds of years before his birth.

I wonder though what it’s like to prepare for someone else? Some of us might be preparing your homes for the coming of Christmas. Anyone here hosting Christmas this year? You need to wrap gifts, get food, clean, and on and on. I don’t know about you, but it is a lot more fun to not be the one who prepares, but rather be the one whom things are prepared for. Most people like to be the eater, but not the cook.

          You see, John the Baptist, that strange man who wore a camel’s hair shirt, lived in the wilderness, and ate bugs and honey, was called to prepare the way for the coming of the savior of the world. It might not seem like it, but “preparing the way” is important, because according to the Old Testament scriptures written hundreds of years before the birth of Christ, John the Baptist was required to prepare the way.

          Sure on Christmas you might not feel like some of your family members or kids appreciate all of the work that you have put into Christmas, but remember if you hadn’t prepared, well then it would have never happened would it! Any of you ever feel like that you have made great preparations for Christmas that were just not appreciated?

          Well let’s hear what our gospel reading for this morning, from Luke 3:7-18, once again tells us of John the Baptist. The scripture says once again:

^“John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Lk. 3:7-9, NRSV).

          The gospel once again then says of John the Baptist:

^“And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”

(Lk. 3:10-14, NRSV).

          John the Baptist is teaching some of the moral and ethical teachings that Jesus will take even further. The gospel then once again concludes by saying:

^“As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.”

(Lk. 3:15-18, NRSV).

John the Baptist says that the Messiah, Jesus Christ is coming, and when he does he will sort out the wheat and the chaff. Or to put it another way, Jesus will sort out the righteous from the wicked.

On Christmas, we don’t celebrate John the Baptist, we celebrate, praise, and worship Jesus Christ. Yet, preparing the way is important.

In this season of Advent, how are we allowing God to prepare our hearts and our souls for the coming of the savior? How are we actively following God to help to make this a reality? Further, what can we all do to help prepare the way for others?

If we prepare to have family at Christmas, prepare gifts, food, and or etc., these are good things. If God could use me to bring people to Jesus Christ this Advent though, then I would say that this Advent would truly be spectacular. So how are preparing ourselves, and how are we preparing the way for others?

I would like to share a story with you taken from www.maxlucado.com. Rev. Lucado, who is also the author of this year’s Advent Study, “Because of Bethlehem” has a great story about being ready, about being prepared. This story from Rev. Lucado 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 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 and 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 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.” (https://maxlucado.com/woodcutters-wisdom-and-other-favorite-stories/).

          The woman in this story, received the light and the warmth of Jesus Christ, and then Christ sent her out to prepare her people to receive the same warmth and the same light of Christ that she received. In this season of Advent, we celebrate John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus Christ. We are also invited to prepare our hearts and our minds for the coming of Jesus Christ. We are also called to be preparers in many way in this season. So how are you carrying the light and the warmth of Christ to others? May we all “Prepare the way of the Lord”. Amen.