Sidney UMC - First Sunday After Christmas - 12/27/20 - Sermon - “Jesus Was A Jew"

Sunday 12/27/20 - Sidney UMC 

Sermon Title:       “Jesus Was A Jew”

Old Testament Scripture: Isaiah 61:10-62:3                                      

New Testament Scripture: Galatians 4:4-7

Gospel Lesson: Luke 2:22-40

          Welcome once again, friends, brothers, and sisters, on this our First Sunday after Christmas. Since we are still in this 12-day season of Christmas, until Wednesday January 6^th, which is Epiphany, I say, Merry Christmas! We are still in this Christmas Season, so again, Merry Christmas!

          On this Sunday, the First Sunday after Christmas, Jesus, our Lord, has been born, and this morning Jesus’ parents, Mary and Joseph are taking baby Jesus to the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem in accordance with the Law of Moses. The Law of Moses is the first five books of the Old Testament, or the Torah. So, it is still the Christmas Season today, Jesus has been born, and Joseph and Mary are presenting baby Jesus at the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. Jesus also gets circumcised on the eighth day of his life, as is the Jewish custom for boys.

          In the gospel of Matthew narrative of Jesus’ birth, Mary and Joseph take baby Jesus, and flee to Egypt, as King Herod orders the killing of all male children two years old and under, in and around Bethlehem. King Herod is hoping to have Jesus killed, but Joseph is warned in a dream, and he takes Mary and Jesus to safety in Egypt. I believe that before this happened Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple this morning. Jesus was then visited by the Wise Men, or the Magi, as most scholars think that they did come the night that Jesus was born, but after. The presence of the Wise Men coming to see Jesus scared King Herod though, and he ordered the massacre of all two-year-old and younger male children in around Bethlehem. After fleeing to Egypt, when it was safe, Mary and Joseph came back, and went back to Nazareth where they were living before traveling to Bethlehem for the Roman Emperor’s population census. Jesus then grew up in Nazareth, and many called him Jesus of Nazareth, or the Jesus the Nazarene.

          Based upon the scripture, and the fact that both Joseph and Mary were Jews, we have every reason to believe that Jesus was raised in strict Judaism. Jesus probably learned all of what we would call the Old Testament or the Hebrew scriptures, or the Tanakh, as did everyone in Nazareth. Jesus was raised to follow the Laws of Moses in the first five books of the Old Testament or the Torah, and he clearly knew what the scriptures said. Jesus probably wore a Yakama or Kippah on his head. Jesus would go on to preach in the Jewish Synagogues and the Temple in Jerusalem, and he had a clear knowledge of the scriptures and the faith that he was raised in. So much so, that Jesus always had clear response and quick rebuke to the Pharisees, Sadducees, and other critics that challenged him. When Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness, and the devil quoted scripture, Jesus fired back with other scriptures. “Jesus was a Jew,” God in the flesh, and he knew his stuff, and he was God in the flesh.

          In Jesus being a Jew, being raised a Jew, the twelve disciples that he called were also Jews. Many of the people that Jesus preached to and taught, not all, but many, were Jews. You see, many Jews had long awaited a savior, a Messiah, would save them, who would redeem Israel. Jesus claimed to be this savior, this Messiah. Not only this, but Jesus fulfilled hundreds of Old Testament or Hebrew Bible prophecies about who the Messiah would be and what he would do. For the Messiah, would be a descendant of the great King David, he would be born in Bethlehem, the city of David. This Messiah would save his people and would do amazing things. The prophecy said that Jesus would be called the Nazarene, as he was raised in Nazareth. Even though Jesus would become the savior of the world, who would die for us all, he was raised a Jew.

          One of the predictions of what this Messiah would be like, is found from our reading for this morning from Isaiah. In Isaiah 62:1-3, it says once again:

“62 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. ² The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. ³ You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God” (Isa. 62:1-3, NRSV).

 

          Salvation with come, through the Messiah. “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel”. The Messiah, Jesus, through God, will restore Israel and all of humanity.

          In repeating, in part, some Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah, about Jesus, the Apostle Paul tells us in our reading from Galatians 4:4-7, once again, of Jesus the Messiah. Once again, the Apostle Paul says in Galatians 4:4-7 for this morning:

“⁴ But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵ in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. ⁶ And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” ⁷ So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God” (Gal. 4:4-7, NRSV).

 

          So, the Apostle Paul is telling us that even though “Jesus was a Jew,” that his parents Joseph and Mary were Jews, that he was born redeem Israel and all the world. He was a Jew, but came to earth, as the Messiah, the savior of the world.

          This leads me to our gospel lesson from the gospel of Luke for this morning, once again. Prior to the first verse of this morning’s gospel reading, Luke 2:21 says:

“²¹ After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb” (Lk. 2:21, NRSV).

 

          So, Mary and Joseph have Jesus circumcised, named, all in accordance with the Torah or the first five books of the Old Testament. “Jesus was a Jew”.

          The gospel of Luke then continues stating this directly, saying once again:

“²² When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord ²³ (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), ²⁴ and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons”                  (Lk. 2:22-24, NRSV).

 

          So again, more rites, rituals, and spiritual practices that Mary and Joseph entered with Jesus, in accordance with the Jewish Law, or the Law of Moses.

          In addition to Mary and Joseph taking 8-day year old Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem for the rites, rituals, and spiritual practices of an 8-day old, Mary and Joseph, and little Jesus encountered a man named Simeon.

          Simeon was an older man, a devout Jew, and was very aware of the prophecies about the coming of the Messiah, the savior. The gospel of Luke continues for this morning, says:

“²⁵ Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. ²⁶ It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. ²⁷ Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law,”                       (Lk. 2:25-28, NRSV).

                Simeon then takes baby Jesus into his arms and praises God for Jesus, the Messiah. Mary and Joseph were amazed by this, and Simeon told them that their child, Jesus, was destined to do amazing things. This child will change the world, this Messiah, this savior (Lk. 2:28-33, NRSV).

          There was also another woman at the Temple, a prophet, named Anna, and this Anna when she saw Jesus praised God and spoke to everyone about the Christ Child, the Messiah that she had seen with Joseph and Mary. Anna the prophet told everyone that this child, Jesus, was the one they have been waiting years for, the savior, the messiah, who would redeem Israel.

          This gospel reading then ends with what I believe is Mary and Joseph coming back from Egypt, where they fled after the Wise Men visited, to head home to Nazareth. In Nazareth, they raised Jesus, and no doubt continued to raise him in strict Judaism. For “Jesus Was A Jew”.

          I like to give a sermon every year about our Jewish heritage as Christians, to remind us that the Christian faith comes out of Judaism. As Christians then, we should see our Jewish brothers and sisters, the people who still follow the Torah, the Law of Moses, as our spiritual ancestors, from which Christ came, and through him brought to us the Christian gospel. Understanding Judaism is to understand the Old Testament, and where we come from as Christians.

          Friends, when we know our roots, when we know our past, when we know where we come from, then we know who we are. Even though we are going forward today, and into the future, knowing our heritage, knowing our past, and knowing who we are, informs not only our present, but it also informs our future. May embrace Christ deeper this day, but may we also remember where our faith originally came from. For “Jesus Was A Jew”. Amen.

Sidney UMC - Christmas Eve - 7 pm/11 pm - 12/24/20 - Sermon - “Is the "Inn" of your heart open?" ("The Path To Christmas" Series: Part 5 of 5)

Thursday 12/24/20 - Sidney UMC

Christmas Eve – 7:00 pm/11:00 pm 

Sermon Title:       “Is The “Inn” Of Your Heart Open?”

                   (“The Path To Christmas” 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

          Welcome once again everyone, and Merry Christmas to you all! Welcome, as tonight we cross from the season of Advent, which is the season of Joy, Hope, Peace, Love, expectation, and anticipation, to the season of Christmas. Tomorrow morning, Christmas Day, is the first official day of the 12-day season of Christmas. Tonight, we gather for worship, as Christians have for nearly two-thousand years, all over the world. Tonight, we gather, as do brothers and sisters in Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, North American, South America, etc. We gather, as the savior of the world, the prince of peace, the king of kings, and the Lord of Lords is to be born anytime now. We gather on this blessed night with Christians the world over, with hope, joy, love, and mercy, to see this child born in a manger in Bethlehem.

          I am blessed that this is my ninth year as a pastor leading Christmas Eve worship. Yet, as we all know, this year is different. This year, 2020, the year of the COVID-19 Pandemic, and the year of a divided country, social upheavals, and other tensions. I think if we are honest, many of us love coming to the Christmas Eve services on the years that we have come, because we love the service. Jesus is born, and everyone loves a baby, right? We love the candles, the singing, the beauty, the majesty of it all. Further, so many of us know the story of that first Christmas. Some of us in fact, have acted it out in church pageants. Some of us have the read the story to others, and some of us have had it read to us. On some of these Christmases we felt close to God, and maybe some of these Christmases have been crushing, because of losses that we have faced in our lives. So how are we doing on this our Christmas Eve 2020? How are we feeling? How is it with our souls?

          As I said, as we gather to worship on this our Christmas Eve 2020, the year of the plague, things are quite different. We cannot touch each other, we cannot sing, and we cannot even light real candles. So, we will listen to Silent Night at the end of this service with LED tea light candles. I am sure this is exactly the way that Jesus would have wanted us to do this! Still though we gather. Some of us gather to hear hymns that we have heard for generations, some gather for hope, some gather to be with family, and some gather out of hope of what God will do this Christmas, and in the coming year. We gather on this night for so many reasons.

          On the first Sunday of the season of Advent, which ends tonight, I began a sermon series called, “The Path To Christmas”. Every year, and earlier for some of us, when the four-week season of Advent starts before Christmas, we are preparing for Christmas. We begin to take out our decorations, we begin shopping, we get the tree, the eggnog, the stockings, the ugly Christmas Sweater, etc. Amidst all that Advent is, we prepare for Christmas. As Christians we also are called to ask God to help us to focus on the birth of His son Jesus, during a crazy time of the year. On non-2020 Advent seasons, most of us could not wait until Christmas was over, as the whole thing seems like an endless treadmill of running around, shopping, wrapping, preparing, and eating too much. Some of us long for December 26^th, when the craziness of the Advent Season, and Christmas Day are over.

          For years now, I have heard so many talking about the excessive commercialization of Christmas, the rampant consumerism, and how it gets bigger and bigger each year. “How can the story about the birth of Christ, have been turned into all of this chaos?” I have heard some people ask. I have also heard people ask, “Wouldn’t it be nice if Christmas was simpler, and we just celebrated the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with our family and friends?” The real meaning of Christmas is God coming among us as a little child, us coming together, and the hope of Christ’s return one day. For in Jesus, we find the source of life, light, and love. In him we are made new and filled with love. We are then called to live this love out in a variety of ways in a broken and a hurting world.

          In my Advent Sermon series “The Path To Christmas,” I have been talking about how our journey’s to Christmas, as I said, are all different this year. Many of us have also had smaller Thanksgivings, and some of us have no family get togethers planned this Christmas. “I just want Christmas to be simpler and to get back to basics,” I have heard for years. Well dear friends, through a horrific global pandemic, we have gotten just that.

          Yet, during our otherwise insanely busy Advent and the Christmas seasons, I think that so often we have missed the sheer simplicity of that first Christmas. Jesus’ Mother Mary was told by the Angel Gabriel, at the Annunciation, that she would bear the Christ Child. She was probably only 14-years old, and her fiancé Joseph dumped her due to her pregnancy. Joseph later went back on this, and eventually they married.

Joseph and Mary, as tonight’s gospel of Luke reading tells, us once again, made a long journey to Bethlehem, Joseph’s hometown, and the ancestral birth of the great King David. The Roman Emperor Augustus had ordered a population census for the whole of the Roman Empire, like the censuses that we have in the United States. The Roman Emperor Augustus wanted an accurate accounting of all people, in large part to charge more in taxes. Everyone was required to return home, to be registered in this census, and since Joseph was from Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph left Nazareth to go to Bethlehem. This was a journey of up to 100-miles, depending on the route.

          In some movie depictions, Mary rode on a donkey, but we have no scriptural or written evidence of this. In fact, Mary and Joseph may have walked the whole way on foot. Mary was “very” pregnant, and the journey was likely exhausting. When they finally arrived in Bethlehem, things were likely chaotic, and they probably had little money. After registering for the census, Mary then went into labor. Joseph had enough money for a room at the Inn, or the Super 8 here in Sidney. Unfortunately, the Inn or the Super 8 was completely full, with no open rooms. The Inn or the Super 8 owner however, had a barn, a shed, or maybe even some sort of cave out back. This structure held animals and was a stable of sorts. This is what the Inn keeper or owner had to offer Mary and Joseph. Giving birth to the savior of the world, among animals, with the smells, the hay, etc.

          After Mary gives birth, the shepherds come to see Jesus, and then the Wise Men or Magi will make there way to see Jesus, as well. They see and follow the Bethlehem Star, and many of us have this depicted in our Nativity Scenes at home.

          I really believe that for so many of us that the simplicity of this story of the birth of the savior of the world has been so overshadowed by all that Christmas has become in our culture. Do not get me wrong it is not all bad. We all seem to like the lights, the music, the food, but it all exists, because of the birth of Jesus.

          In my short life, I have learned that on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day that many people are kinder than normal. Some would not normally to something nice, but then they think, “but its Christmas”. The birth of Christ is so significant to the whole world, that human behavior on this night and tomorrow is changed in many. All because the birth of Christ.

          In our reading for tonight from the Old Testament Prophet Isaiah, once again, Isaiah, hundreds of years before that first Christmas, prophesied on the birth of Christ. Isaiah said once again 9:2:

“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).

          This centuries old prophecy, which led many by the Bethlehem Star in the sky to a manger, to see the savior of the world born among the animals in a shed.

          Or as our reading from Titus 2:11-14 says so well form this evening, once again:

“¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all,  ¹² 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. ¹⁴ 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” (Tit. 2:11-14, NRSV).

          So, this night, Christmas Eve, we gather to worship the one who will be amongst very soon. This Jesus will transform the world forever, millions and even billions gather to worship on this night.

          Given all of this, the question that I have you, and for me on this night, is this, are you transformed by this Christ? Have you turned to this Jesus, embraced him, renounced your own sin and darkness, and embraced his light, life, and love? Are you walking in darkness the Prophet Isaiah said? Do you believe that through God’s love that you can be made a new creation, and be made whole? Not just on your own, but also through your brothers and sisters in faith? Do you believe that your present circumstances define you, or do you believe that the great love of our Lord Jesus Christ can change you forever? I know that I do. Do you?

          As I have said, many of us have heard the birth narrative of Christ in both the gospel of Matthew, and of course tonight in our gospel of Luke reading. We know the story. We know the star in the sky, we know about the shepherds, we know about the Wise Men, we know about no room at the Inn or the Super 8, and we know how Jesus was born.

          The good news for us, is that while there was not enough room for Mary and Joseph at the Bethlehem Super 8, the Inn’s of our hearts have amazing amounts space. I have heard people tell me that when their children were born, when they got married, or when they got a new puppy or kitten, that the love in their hearts grew. It seems that for many of us the space in the “Inn’s of hearts” can grow much smaller or much larger. The good news for us on Christmas Eve, is that we have room in “Inns of hearts” for Jesus. Are our hearts hardened and angry on this Christmas Eve, or are we open to the hope and the love of Christ in our hearts?

          I am always taken by the famous picture of Jesus standing at the door and knocking. Generally, in these pictures, if you look carefully, there is no door nob on Jesus’ side. You see, he knocks on the doors of our hearts, but we must decide if we have enough room in the “Inns of our hearts” to let him in. Friends, do you have room in your hearts for the life-giving love of Jesus? Will you open the door of your and permit him to come into your life, to take your guilt, your shame, your brokenness, and your sin, so that you be made whole and filled with love?

          I have a told a great story before, and I know that some of you have heard a version of this story from me more than once. Yet, I feel it is such a good story to tell on this our Christmas Eve 2020, the year of the plague.

          This story is called: “Whoever Takes The Son Gets Everything”. Here is a version of this story:

“A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art. When the Vietnam war broke out the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son”

“About a month late there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art. The young man held out his package. "I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this."

 

“The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. "Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift." The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected”.

 

“The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?" There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted. "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one." But the auctioneer persisted. "Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?" Another voice shouted angrily. "We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!" But still the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son! Who'll take the son?"

 

“Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. "I'll give $10 for the painting." Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. "We have $10, who will bid $20?" "Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters." "$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?" The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!"

 

“A man sitting on the second row shouted. "Now let's get on with the collection!" The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I'm sorry, the auction is over." "What about the paintings?" "I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. Whoever receives the son gets everything!"

God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is, "The son, the son, who'll take the son?" Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything” (http://www.ecclesia.org/truth/son.html).

 

          Friends, brothers, and sisters, in 2020, the year of the COVID-19 pandemic and everything else that has happened, I hope, I pray that through all of this, we have been pointed back to God. I hope that we realize that is not the number of gifts we get, it is not the materialism, it is not about who did or got the most. What it is really about friends, is this, “Is the Inn” of your heart open to love of Jesus Christ,” because when it is all said and done whoever receives the son gets everything. Merry Christmas and God bless you all! Amen.

Sidney UMC - Blue Christmas/Longest Night Service - 12/19/20 - Sermon - “Seeking The Light Of Christ In The Darkness of 2020"

Saturday 12/19/20 – Blue Christmas

/Longest Night Service - Sidney UMC 

Sermon Title:

             “Seeking The Light Of Christ In The Darkness of 2020”

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 80:1-7                                      

New Testament Scripture: Hebrews 10:32-39                                                

Gospel Lesson: John 16:31-33

          Welcome again, to this our Blue Christmas or Longest Night Service. Who here has never been to a Blue Christmas or Longest Night Service?       

          Well let me read to you all a short explanation of what a Blue Christmas or Longest Night Service is. 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 holiday. 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).

          This coming Monday, December 20^th, 2020, is the first day of the season of winter. This day is also the winter solstice. What is the winter solstice? Here is one explanation that I found:

“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, Monday, December 20^th, on the first day of the season of winter, or the winter solstice, we will have the shortest day of daylight all year. I generally find it easier for folks however, to have this service on a Saturday or a Sunday though. So may the message and the spirit of tonight carry into Monday December 20^th and beyond.

My sermon title for tonight is “Seeking The Light Of Christ In The Darkness of 2020”. Every year, various people come to this service, and this year we also have people attending online to. Some of these attenders are suffering a loss, some find this time of year to be hard and generally painful, and some are just here to worship with their brothers and sisters. All these are great reasons to be here, and everyone is welcome. The fact that we are also living through this year of 2020, the year of the COVID-19 Pandemic, and so many other things, also magnifies the need for a service like this. There is so much darkness, hurt, and pain in this world. With this said, how do we overcome all this darkness? How do spiritually walk into the warmth of light and hope? On Monday December 20^th, the actual longest night, how we will seek light amidst the darkness?

When describing the nature of who God is, there are three words throughout the Bible that best describe God. These words are Life, Light, and Love. Once again, these words are Life, Light, and Love. On this the Longest Night of the year, Jesus reminds us in John 8:12, when he says:

“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).       

          In looking at our scripture reading from Psalm 80:1-7 for tonight, we hear that the people of Israel are crying out to God to restore them and to give them new hope (Ps. 80:1-7, NRSV). How many of us have every cried out to God for restoration and hope? I know that I have, especially in this year of 2020, the year of COVID-19 Pandemic. Yet, Jesus says he is the light of the world. May we allow his light, life, and love to fill us tonight, and may we share it with others, so that light will over come the darkness, even on the longest night.

          In our reading once again from the Apostle Paul’s Epistle or letter to the Hebrews for tonight, Paul writes in 10:32-39

“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 reminds us that many people have suffered, and that many people have suffered for their faith in Christ. Whatever we are suffering or have suffered, God is with us. Jesus is with us, and He will be with us for eternity, if we place our trust in him. This rings ever truer in this year of 2020, and God is with us, and the people of God are with each other.

          In our short gospel lesson from John 16:31-33 for tonight, Jesus reminds us of suffering and persecution. Jesus once again tells us in this gospel lesson:

“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).

          The promise of Jesus Christ is that he will always be with us. Yet Jesus does not promise us that we will not suffer, that we will not have hardships, or that we will not have struggles. This year of 2020 is a magnification of this reality. As we pray, as we are open our hearts and our souls to God, may the light of Christ fill us anew this night, may the Holy Spirit fill us, and may when we leave here to go into a cold and dark night, may we carry the light of Christ with us. Be a light to others and may other be a light to you.

          Friends, I heard a great poem recently called “Christmas 2020,” which really speaks to the realities of this year, and the COVID-19 Pandemic. I would like to read it to you. Here it is:

(Christmas 2020)

          My friends, brothers and sisters, the love of God is in us, and the light of Jesus is in us. Let us share it with each other, and with the world. Let us love each other boldly and serve each other graciously. For in doing this, the light overcomes the darkness. For even on Monday, December 20^th, the Longest Night of the year, the light of Christ will be shining, and it will overcome the darkness. Even in 2020. Amen.        

Sidney UMC - Fourth Sunday of Advent - 12/20/20 - Sermon - “Bearing God" ("The Path To Christmas" Series: Part 4 of 5)

 Sunday 12/20/20 - Sidney UMC

Sermon Title:                    “Bearing God”

                   (“The Path To Christmas” Series: Part 4 of 5)

Old Testament Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16                                      

New Testament Scripture: Romans 16:25-27

Gospel Lesson: Luke 1:26-38

          Welcome once again, on this our Fourth Sunday of Advent. This season of Joy, Hope, Peace, Love, expectation, and anticipation, that leads us to the birth of Christ on Christmas. This season where we await the birth of Christ, and his triumphant return to earth.

          Through this season of Advent and soon to be Christmas Eve, I have been preaching a sermon series called “The Path To Christmas”. Every year, the season of Advent begins, and we all begin our journeys towards Christmas, towards the birth, and hopeful return of Jesus.

          So far in this sermon series, I have talked about Jesus’ birth, his anticipated return, and how not everyone knew everything Jesus would fully do in his life leading up to that first Christmas. Sure, we knew the big picture, but like this Covid-19 Pandemic, we did not have all the concluding details. So many of us know the story of Christmas, and all the details and struggles leading up to that first Christmas. So, we know the story, we know the season of Advent, and we know what happened that first Christmas. On that first Christmas all the people knew was that Jesus, the Messiah was coming soon. Joseph and Mary, I am sure did not know the exact day and time that Jesus would be born. Joseph and Mary knew that Jesus was the savior and that he would save us all, but they probably did not know a lot of things that we know now.

          In the same way of knowing the big picture, and having some uncertainty, this is like us not knowing when we will get through this COVID-19 Pandemic. We know it will end, we have hope that we will be delivered, and we know the big picture. Yet, like the events leading up to that first Christmas, and the first Christmas itself, we are not going to know all the details and all the specifics until this pandemic ends.

          Last Sunday, we had a Gospel of John reading that discussed Jesus’ cousin John the Baptist. John the Baptist called people to repent of there sins and to be baptized. John the Baptist told everyone that he was not the Messiah, but that the Messiah was coming. John the Baptist was preparing the way for Jesus. In a similar way, in this season of Advent and soon to be Christmas, God calls us to prepare in our hearts, in our homes, in our churches, in our communities, and in our world, for the birth of Christ. Like John the Baptist, in this season of Advent, through this COVID-19 Pandemic, how are we preparing the way for Jesus? Are we praying? Are we reading scripture? Are we calling, reaching out, sending cards, cooking meals? How are we connecting to God and God’s people in such a way that we are orienting our lives to prepare for the birth and hopeful return of Christ? How are we in our various ways sharing and telling the story, and showing Sidney and the world the joy of Christmas, this baby that will be born and who will change the world?

          This morning my sermon is called “Bearing God,” as this morning Jesus’ Mother Mary found out that she was going to carry and give birth to Jesus the Messiah. I remember some years ago, I saw a man get into a discussion with a few women on how he fully understood what being pregnant was like. Like a smart young lad, I just watched and said nothing. This man was relentless, and he kept digging himself deeper. At this point the few women grew aggravated with this man, and he ended up storming off.

          I learned a few things that day. Number one, as a man, do not get into an argument with a group of women, because you will always lose. Number two, I will never ever tell a woman that I understand or know anything about having a baby. Number three I decided, as this was years ago, if I were ever to get married, which I did, and if my wife were ever to have a baby, which she has not yet, I know what I would do. You know what I would do? I would do whatever, Melissa told me to do. For example, it is 2:00 am, and Melissa wants me to run out and get her Rocky Road ice cream and tuna fish. Done! Melissa wants me to get this or that. Done! I decided that I would do whatever she told me to do, and as a side note, we have had a really great marriage all of these years. I also remember learning about pregnancy and birth in my high school health class, and I just remember thinking that all women have my respect.

          What many of us never stop to think about though, is that Jesus’ Mother Mary, carried, physically, Christ in her womb for 9-months. Well likely 9-months unless Jesus was born a little early or little late. For the women that are here or watching, what would it be like to “Bear God”? What would it be like to literally carry in your womb the savior of the world, God in the flesh? When Mary was pregnant and she saw her cousin Elizabeth, who by the way was pregnant with Jesus’ cousin John the Baptist, the scripture tells us that John the Baptist leapt in Elizabeth’s womb in acknowledgement of Jesus.

          In fact, the gospel of Luke 1:41-44 says, when Mary was pregnant with Jesus that when she saw Elizabeth pregnant with John the Baptist that:

⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit ⁴² and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. ⁴³ And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? ⁴⁴ For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy (Lk. 1:41-44, NRSV).

          So, John the Baptist acknowledged Jesus in Elizabeth’s womb, and this scripture is in a small part, where the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and other Christians have developed the tradition of praying with rosary beads. Or “Praying the Rosary” as some call it.

          So, Mary bore God, bore Jesus. Imagine for second what it was like for Mary a couple of years after Jesus was born. Mary was caring for Jesus while her husband Joseph was working as a carpenter, or maybe stone mason. I can imagine in my mind Mary sitting around with other mothers having a play date where they lived in Nazareth, where Jesus grew up after his birth. In my mind I imagine that in this play date, including Mary and little Jesus, that one mother would say, “My Nathaniel is going to grow up and be a great general in King Herod’s Army”. Another mother would then say, “Well my Daniel is going to grow up be the High Priest of the Temple someday”. Then Mary, likely being very humble would be asked by the other mothers, “And Mary what will Jesus become one day?” Maybe Mary being modest would say, “Oh I’m sure he will think of something”. Maybe the other mothers would then press Mary and say, “Oh come on Mary tell us, what will Jesus become”? Then Mary would say ok, “Jesus will grow up, and at age 30 he will start his ministry as the savior of the world, he is God in the flesh foretold for centuries, he will save Israel, did for the sins of the world, and teach us a radical new way of living and loving. My son Jesus will be the most influential person who have ever lived”.

          At this point, I would imagine that the rest of the mothers would think, “well isn’t Jesus special”. Lastly, they would ask Rachel, and what will your son become when he is older. Rachel would then sarcastically say, “Well not the savior of the world, I can tell you that!”

          In our Old Testament reading for this morning from 2 Samuel, God is telling the great King David, that he will make him great, and that his kingdom will be forever. David will not be the eternal king, but one of his own family line will come and rule forever. This prophesied king born on Christmas, is Jesus. 2 Samuel 7:16 says:

“¹⁶ Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever” (2 Sam. 7:16, NSRV).

          The prophesy of the Messiah, the savior, Jesus Christ, says that this savior will be born in the Bethlehem, the city of King David, he will be born of a virgin, Wise Men or Magi will visit him, guided by a star. This baby who will be born on Christmas, will transform the world, die for our sins, and as 2 Samuel says, will live and reign forever.

          Even though many women here or watching live have given birth to many beautiful and terrific children, none of you given birth to God. There might have been some day that your children acted like there were God, but none of them are God! As a woman carries and bears a child, as Mary did this culminating with the birth of Jesus on Christmas, we are invited to be bearers of the love of Christ.

          You see, Advent and Christmas are seasons of hope, joy, peace, and love. In these seasons we are called to draw closer to God, closer to Christ, and seek the Holy Spirit. In doing so, we can feel the presence of God in us, in our hearts, and in our souls. We cannot bear Jesus as Mary did physically, but we can bear his love, his gospel, and his hope, with a community and world that desperately needs it now more than ever before. The power of hope, the power of faith, my dear friends, can transform Sidney and the world.

          In referencing quick again our gospel of Luke reading for this morning, Mary, who is likely a teenager is given quite a message. Once again, the gospel reading says:

“²⁶ In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” ²⁹ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. ³⁰ The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. ³² 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. ³³ He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Lk. 1:26-33, NRSV).

 

          The gospel reading continues longer, but the Angel Gabriel tells Mary that she will bear the Messiah, the Christ, Jesus, and she agrees. She is now “Bearing God,” who will be born on Christmas in Bethlehem the city of King David, who is Jesus’ ancestor. 

          What is amazing to me my friends, is that on that first Christmas, and this Christmas 2020. we celebrate the savior of the world. We celebrate God in the flesh who will come to us as a little baby. The God of the universe, who existed before time, the God who created everything, has saw fit to come down here into our mess and become one of us. God chose a common and poor woman, and his son will be born in an animal stable, will be raised in a blue-collar home, as his dad was a trade worker.

          The God of the universe so loved us that he is sending his only begotten Son to be among us. This Jesus, this baby that this coming will experience everything we do. This Jesus will know joy, sorrow, thirst, hunger, exhaustion, and incredible human suffering to the point of death on a cross. This baby that is coming in the simplest of ways, and who will grow into a man and be baptized by his cousin John the Baptist, will change the world.

          This Jesus will give us his gospel, teach us a new way to love, heal, and forgive, and even lay down his life for us, all because he loves us so much. This baby that is coming on Christmas is more than just an exciting night, is the start of the greatest story ever told. A story that we have been telling for over 2,000 years of how the Christ Child was born, and how he would change the world forever.

          Friends, in our hearts, in our souls, in our lives, in this season of Advent, may we all be “Bearing God” every day. May we all show the people and the world around us the great love of this Jesus, this Immanuel, this God with us, who is coming very soon on Christmas. Amen.

Sidney UMC - Third Sunday of Advent - 12/13/20 - Sermon - “Preparing The Way For The Messiah" ("The Path To Christmas" Series: Part 3 of 5)

Sunday 12/13/20 - Sidney UMC 

Sermon Title: “Preparing The Way For The Messiah”

                   (“The Path To Christmas” Series: Part 3 of 5)

Old Testament Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11                                       

New Testament Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Gospel Lesson: John 1:6-8, 19-28

          Friends, brothers, and sisters, welcome once again on this our Third Sunday of Advent. This our third Sunday in this holy season of waiting, anticipation, prayer, expectation, love, joy, peace, and hope, leading to Christmas.

          As many of us know, I started a sermon series on the First Sunday of Advent called “The Path To Christmas”. In this sermon series we have all been talking our journey’s through Advent to Christmas. In many years prior to this year, our biggest concerns were gaining weight, not having enough time in the day, being stressed out, a house full of people, being tired of listening to Christmas music, and feeling overwhelmed. So many of us have said for years that we want to get back to the basic of what Christmas is. We want to simply retell the story of the birth of Jesus, come together with family, lessen the clutter, lessen the excess, lessen the craziness, and lessen stress. We live in a culture where so many people are not excited for December 25^th, but rather are excited for December 26^th, when Christmas over.

          This year, 2020, is different though. While we await the memory of the birth of Jesus on Christmas, and his eventual return to earth, this year is vastly different. Amidst this Global Covid-19 Pandemic, political divisions, and social upheavals, we find ourselves in a hugely different season Advent, and soon to be Christmas. Things are lessened, things are simpler, and things are more basic this year. So many of us wanted this lessening, yet not the way we have it in 2020. Over 300,000 people dead from Covid-19, people laid off, some businesses closed, and many of us have not been able to see some of our loved ones.

          Last Sunday in my sermon, “What Will This Child Become?” I talked about how no one knew when Jesus Christ would be born. Even Joseph and Mary did not know the exact day or the hour that Jesus would be born. Life was hard in the time that Jesus lived in, and Mary and Joseph traveled dozens of miles to Bethlehem to register in the population census for the Roman Emperor. They likely had little money, were tired, dirty, and hungry. Then suddenly, Mary went into labor, and the Inn or the hotel was all filled up, so the shed out back became the place where Jesus, our savior was born. After Jesus was born, tons of people that Mary and Joseph have never met came to this shed, this structure, maybe this cave, to see and behold this Christ Child. I would think that most mothers would not like several strangers entering into the delivery shortly after giving birth.

          The first Christmas was so basic and so simple, and until this year we have made Christmas bigger and bigger every single year. Not this year though. Just like many of us hoped and awaited with wonder the birth of Christ, many of us this year not only await the memory of the birth of Christ and his return, but we also hope for the end of this pandemic. When will God deliver us? When will the pandemic be over? When can we get rid of these stupid masks?

          This Sunday, on this the Third Sunday of Advent, since we are all more than aware of our changed reality in 2020, the question is what are going to do about all of this? By this, I do not mean that we can change the reality of this pandemic just by a click of our fingers, but how can we respond to it? Are we going to stop living, stop having joy, stop having peace, and stop having love? I know that I am not going to do those things, because I have hope in Jesus and in this church.

          I really like our reading for this morning from the Old Testament Prophet of Isaiah. In Isaiah 61, he prophesizes of who this coming Jesus will be, and what he will do. Isaiah says in 61:1-2 once again:

“The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; ² to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;” (Isa. 61:1-2, NRSV).

          Powerful words indeed from the great Prophet Isaiah. So, with all these restrictions, with all that we cannot do, with all that we have lost, with all the people that we cannot see this Advent and soon to be Christmas, how can we do what Christ eventually did in this scripture? Or to put it another way, how can we love people in this season of Advent and soon to be Christmas, during the 2020 global Covid-19 Pandemic? Some might say, “Well Pastor Paul, we can’t see people, so what can we really do” How can we help the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives, and help to release people from spiritual prisons? How can we proclaim God’s goodness, and comfort all who mourn?

          I have seen more tears and sadness during this pandemic than ever before in my life. Some are sad, lonely, feel abandoned, feel uncertain, and want this all to be over. Yet even though this Advent 2020, the year of the plague, we are still here. We can still call, text, e-mail, send cards, and chat over the internet. We can still reach out, deliver food on the doorstep, and show great love and compassion to others. I will not allow a global pandemic to stop me from loving and serving others, from caring for them, or from declaring the hope and transformation that we have in Jesus Christ. Friends how are you loving and caring for each other in this Advent 2020, the year of the plague? How are you reaching out to those around you, those who likely would love to hear from you and receive your expressions of love? No pandemic can stop the love of Jesus Christ.

          In our New Testament reading from this morning from the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul tells us:

“²⁰ Do not despise the words of prophets,  ²¹ but test everything; hold fast to what is good; ²² abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thess. 5:20-22, NRSV).

          So, through this time pandemic, follow the wisdom of old, hold fast to hope, peace, love, and joy, and do not succumb to the misery and sorrow of this pandemic. Continue to love, care, and share the good news of Jesus Christ.

          In our gospel lesson for this morning, we hear about the way that is being prepared for Jesus. How are we allowing God to prepare us to serve and love in this Advent and soon to be Christmas? How are we preparing ourselves in this the year of 2020, the year of the plague?

          In this gospel reading, God sent a man name John the Baptist. The scripture says of John that:

“⁸ He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light”                               (Jn. 1:8, NRSV). 

We are not God, we are not Jesus, yet the light, life, and love of God shines through us. How will we share this, in Advent 2020, the year of the plague?

John the Baptist tells us as he is calling people to repent and turn from sin and darkness, and he is baptizing them in the Jordan River. John the Baptist is all telling everyone that the one who is coming after him is so much greater than he is (Jn. 1:24-28, NRSV). We are here today and here virtually; the Christian Church exists because of the great love of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist baptized others and then baptized Jesus, and for nearly 2,000 years billions of people have been baptized. This is the universal way to be forgiven of sins and be cleansed, be filled with the Holy Spirit, and it is the universal entry point into the Christian Church. Today, Dalton, has been brought into the universal Christian faith, of about 2.5 billion people on earth. We are called to love him, and spiritually prepare him, so that his faith will guide him, as it guides us.

In us “Preparing The Way For The Messiah,” it has amazed me through this time of pandemic what people have done for others. Thousands upon thousands of hand sewn face masks made, companies retooling to make personal protective equipment or PPE, companies switching from making liquor to making hand sanitizer, companies switching over to making ventilators.

Friends, this Advent 2020, and soon to be Christmas 2020, the year of the plague, has been a challenging and a trying year, but how we can prepare the way for the love of Jesus Christ? How we prepare the way for Christmas and the return of Christ? What can we do in this season of hope, joy, love, and peace for others?

There is a big broken world out there, just waiting for you, to bring the good news of Jesus Christ. A big broken world, that needs to know that Jesus died for them, that needs to know that they are loved, and that needs to know there is hope. We can be a part of that hope, we can do so much, even now. What can we do in this time to love and serve others, even during Advent 2020, the year of the plague? It is my hope and prayer then dear friends, brothers, and sisters, that we can change Sidney and the world, even during a global pandemic. Amen.