AVBC - Christmas Eve - 7 PM - Sermon Title: “Christmas Hope Has Come!” (“Christmas Hope” - Sermon Series: Part 5) – Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-20 (Christmas Eve – 7:00 PM)

 Wednesday 12/24/25 – Adams Village Baptist Church

Sermon Title: “Christmas Hope Has Come!”

(“Christmas Hope” - Sermon Series: Part 5) –                                                         Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-20 (Christmas Eve – 7:00 PM)

          Brothers and sisters, friends, greeting once again on this Christmas Eve 2025! Welcome on this night that we are preparing to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This night that Christians for over two-thousand years have gathered and have celebrated the hope, the joy, the peace, and the love that has come into our world. Tonight, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, I would invite us to consider why the birth, the life, the death, the resurrection, and one day return of Jesus Christ matters? Why is this night, this Christmas Eve, that Christians have held sacred for over two-thousand years so important? Further, how has the birth of Christ and everything that he did and said changed us? How has all this changed our culture? How are we all different because of the birth of Jesus and everything He did so long ago? If Jesus were never born and never did all the things that He did, how would our world and how would we be different today.

          On this Christmas Eve, I would ask us to consider why Christmas matters. No, I am not talking about Egg Nogg or Christmas cookies, which many of us do like! Tonight, I am completing our five-week sermon series called “Christmas Hope.” As the season of Advent transitions into the twelve day season of Christmas at midnight tonight, thus far in this sermon series, we have discussed how Jesus would be born, how He will return to us one day, and how we can invite Him into our hearts anew every day. For Jesus is love itself.

We then talked about how the Old Testament or the Hebrew Bible predicted and prophesied the birth, life, death, resurrection, and one day the return of Christ. We talked about how Jesus’ cousin John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ ministry on earth, and how Jesus our savior and our Lord is coming, as the hymn is called “Soon and Very Soon.”

          Tonight though, we will conclude this “Christmas Hope” sermon series with the message “Christmas Hope Has Come!” In addition to the questions, I posed to myself and us all at the beginning of this message, I ask why is tonight, why is the coming birth of Christ a thing of hope? What does Christmas mean for us? Many parents might be exhausted from preparing for Christmas, some of us have probably gained at least some weight during this time of the year, but if not, there is always New Year’s for that, right! Many of us have been going here and there, and amidst all of this, tomorrow, or tonight based upon the family, we will share gifts, love, and of course food and time together. It is a time of being together, yet why is the birth of Jesus important, and what impact does it have on us today? Has the birth of Jesus changed us, and has it changed our society? Our culture has been more than most of us will ever know by the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord.

          Next year the Adams Village Baptist Church will have existed for one-hundred and eighty-years. That is a lot of Christmas Eves and Christmases spent together. I would invite us all on this night then to remember our best and most sacred memories of Christmas and why we celebrate on this night the birth of baby that was born in the humblest of ways over two-thousand years ago. This baby that was born in a barn, an animal stable, to young mother, and a loving father. This baby that would grow up and be the most transformative to ever cross the horizon of this world.

          As we heard just a few minutes ago from the Old Testament Book of Isaiah, or the Prophet Isaiah, we heard a prophecy written about the coming of Christ about seven-hundred years before Jesus was born. What the great Prophet of Peace, Isaiah tells us of this baby, of this Christ who is coming among us soon, how He will change us all forever. We hear once again in Isaiah 9:2-7, this:

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.
³ You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. ⁴ For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. ⁵ For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. ⁶ For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ⁷ His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onwards and for evermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this (Isa. 9:2-7, NRSV).

          Tonight, the light of the world, Jesus the Christ will be born. This child, this savior will be called “Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” The authority and love of Christ will grow, He will inherit the eternal throne of His ancestor King David, and His will be established with justice and righteousness forever.

          In looking at the Apostle Paul’s letter or Epistle to Titus for this evening, we hear a scripture that has will long continue to be a scripture read on Christmas Eve and even Christmas day. In this scripture from Titus 2:11-14, we hear these words, 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, ¹³ 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).

          Tonight, friends, brothers, and sisters, we await the “grace of God,” that is fully coming in the person of Jesus Christ. This baby that is fully human, yet fully God, which will offer us all salvation through his death on the cross. All who will turn to Him and make Him Lord of their lives will be offered forgiveness, salvation, and eternity. This Jesus will teach us how to live better, love more deeply, and care for each other in new and powerful ways. This God and Savior, Jesus Christ, has come to redeem us and change us forever.

          I have talked with many people, some of whom are Christians, some of whom are atheists, and say that they believe nothing. Yet, when I talk to many of my secular friends, they can tell me countless ways of why they have been hurt by churches, clergy, etc., but I never met one person that has ever told me that they have a problem with Jesus. I have had secular friends tell me things like, “Paul I love that you love Jesus, and I would come to your church, but I am not really into organized religion.” In response I have said, “Have you seen my desk in my church office? Believe me, there is nothing organized about it!”

          When we as Christians, when we as a church look and live like Jesus, Adams, Adams Center, and the world is better. Jesus is the church, and the church shines when we live, love, and serve like Him.

          In looking at our gospel of Luke reading once again on this Christmas Eve, we have one of the two birth narratives of Jesus, as only the gospels of Matthew and Luke discuss the birth of Jesus. This is what Luke 2:1-20 tells us once again:

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. ² This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ All went to their own towns to be registered. ⁴ 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. ⁵ He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. ⁷ 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.

The Shepherds and the Angels

⁸ In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: ¹¹ to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’ ¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ ¹⁶ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them (Lk. 2:1-20, NRSV).

          Many of us have heard the birth story of Jesus, whether mentioned in the gospel of Matthew, or from the gospel of Luke reading that we just discussed. We hear of the population census for all people in the Roman Empire to be registered. This was largely for taxation purposes, and to know how many people were living in the various parts of the Roman Empire. The Jews were living under the oppressive bondage of the Roman Empire at this time. Joseph and Mary therefore had to come to be registered in Bethlehem, as Joseph was descendent from the great King David. Bethlehem has long been known as “The City of David.”

As the birth narrative of Jesus continues in our gospel of Luke reading, there was no room at the inn, and so Jesus was born in a stable, among animals, and was laid in a manger that was likely a feeding trough.

          An angel of the Lord appeared to the Shepherds of the fields, and a multitude of the heavenly host praised God, as the Shepherds went and beheld the Christ-Child. The shepherds came on way but left transformed. Mary treasured the words that the shepherds told her in her heart, and the shepherd returned to there fields glorifying and praising God. In the gospel of Matthew birth narrative, we have the Wise Men who come with the Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh, and the flight to Egypt, the King Herod, and the murder of the innocents.

          Many of us know the birth story of Christ well, as our youth and kids acted it out and spoke it in our worship service this past Sunday. Many of us have nativity sets in our homes, like we do on our sanctuary table in the front of the sanctuary. I saw a picture on Facebook recently that showed a nativity set, but Jesus had been removed and replaced with the little green character Yoda from the Star Wars movies. The caption said, “Yoda has been there for a week, and mom still hasn’t noticed.”

          So, I would submit to you, dear friends, brothers, and sisters that the birth of Christ has changed us, has changed our culture, and has changed the world. Some of us do not even realize all the ways that Jesus has changed us, in fact I have a list. Before I read this though, I want to tell a Christmas story. This is a true story that took place during World War I, called “The Real Story of the Christmas Truce.” This is story of hope, of the power of the love of Jesus Christ, and the power of “Christmas Hope.” For those who attended our Advent book study, we also heard this story from the author of the book study book, Max Lucado. Here is how it goes:

The Christmas Truce has become one of the most famous and mythologised events of the First World War. But what was the real story behind the truce? Why did it happen and did British and German soldiers really play football in no-man's land?

Late on Christmas Eve 1914, men of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) heard German troops in the trenches opposite them singing carols and patriotic songs and saw lanterns and small fir trees along their trenches. Messages began to be shouted between the trenches.

The following day, British and German soldiers met in no man's land and exchanged gifts, took photographs and some played impromptu games of football. They also buried casualties and repaired trenches and dugouts. After Boxing Day, meetings in no man's land dwindled out.

The truce was not observed everywhere along the Western Front. Elsewhere the fighting continued and casualties did occur on Christmas Day. Some officers were unhappy at the truce and worried that it would undermine fighting spirit.

After 1914, the High Commands on both sides tried to prevent any truces on a similar scale happening again. Despite this, there were some isolated incidents of soldiers holding brief truces later in the war, and not only at Christmas.

In what was known as the 'Live and Let Live' system, in quiet sectors of the front line, brief pauses in the hostilities were sometimes tacitly agreed, allowing both sides to repair their trenches or gather their dead (https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/the-real-story-of-the-christmas-truce).

          In this moment in World War, I and in countless other moments since Jesus Christ was born on Christmas, the “Christmas Hope” of Jesus Christ has broken through into our broken world. The birth of Christ, and everything He did and said, has transformed us and the world forever. How has it transformed us? Here is how:

“The birth of Jesus fundamentally reshaped Western civilization by introducing core values like inherent human dignity, love, and compassion, which spurred development in law (human rights, equality), politics (separation of church/state, democracy), education (universities, literacy), arts (religious themes), medicine (hospitals), and social structures (family, abolition of slavery). This Christian framework, emphasizing agape love and serving the poor, became the cultural bedrock, even influencing post-Christian societies by establishing ethics like valuing suffering over inflicting it and seeing inherent worth in every person, shaping modern Western identity”              (Google Search).

          The birth and life of Jesus has so transformed Western Culture, that western countries, even one’s where Christianity is in sleep decline, have been shaped and transformed by the birth and life of Jesus Christ. Let us never take for granted the power of the birth, the life, the teachings, the death, resurrection, and one day return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus, and His birth that we celebrate on Christmas will radically transform the world, and us.

          Here are some more ways the birth and live of Jesus has changed Western Culture:

Moral & Ethical Foundations

• Human Dignity: The idea that humans are made in God's image elevated the value of every individual life, challenging ancient hierarchies.
• Compassion & Service: Jesus's focus on the sick, poor, and marginalized fostered humanitarian aid, leading to modern hospitals and charities (Red Cross, World Vision).
• Family: Teachings promoted partnership, equal worth, and self-sacrificing love, strengthening family units. 

Societal & Institutional Impact

• Law & Governance: Concepts of justice, equality, and individual rights stem from Christian principles, influencing constitutions and civil codes.
• Education: The belief that humanity should seek knowledge led to the founding of universities (Oxford, Cambridge) and a general commitment to education.
• Arts & Culture: Religious themes dominated Western art, architecture, and music for centuries.
• Science: Christianity's view of a rational, ordered universe created by God provided a framework for scientific inquiry. 

Cultural Transformation

• Calendar & Time: Jesus's birth became the central marker (Anno Domini/BC/AD) for dating years in the Western calendar,.
• Women's Status: Jesus's inclusion of women as disciples and witnesses elevated their status, impacting future rights, despite historical reversals.
• Shift in Values: The idea of suffering for a higher purpose (rather than inflicting suffering) became a central moral tenet, distinguishing Western ethics. 

Legacy in "Post-Christian" West

·       Even as secularism grows, Western societies still largely operate on assumptions of inherent human value, rights, and humanitarian care that originated from this Christian framework, making it a foundational, if sometimes unconscious, part of Western culture (Google Search).

Brothers and sisters, on this Christmas Eve 2025, I invite us all anew to embrace the “Christmas Hope,” that only Christ brings. Let us anew celebrate His birth, His love, His Hope, His Peace, and His Joy. May we embrace Him anew as Savior and Lord for He has and will continue to change everything. For Jesus is our hope, Jesus is Christmas. Jesus is and always will be our “Christmas Hope.”

Merry Christmas brothers and sisters and may we behold anew the Jesus Christ our Lord is coming, coming into our hearts, and coming again one day! Amen.

AVBC - Saturday 12/20/25 – Sermon Title: “Blue Christmas/Longest Night” Service – “How We Move Forward!” - Psalm 80:1-7, Hebrews 10:32-39, John 16:31-33 (Saturday December 20th – 6:00 PM)

 Saturday 12/20/25 – Adams Village Baptist Church   Sermon Title: “Blue Christmas/Longest Night” Service –           “How We Move Forward!” Psalm 80:1-7, Hebrews 10:32-39, John 16:31-33 (Saturday December 20^th – 6:00 PM)                                  

          Brothers and sisters, friends, welcome once again, to our first ever “Blue Christmas/Longest Night” service here at the Adam’s Village Baptist Church. I hope that this is the first of many of these annual worship services.

          You might have noticed that this service is called both Blue Christmas and the Longest Night service. There is a reason that this service has both titles, and I want to explain briefly what a “Blue Christmas” service is, and what a “Longest Night” service is. They can be very interwoven, as we are doing tonight, and hopefully when I am done explaining what each of these services are, we will understand more the reason that this worship service tonight has two titles.

As far a “Blue Christmas” service, here is a good description of what a “Blue Christmas” service is:

“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 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 service of course is also called the “Longest Night” service, and here is why:

“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).

          This day of course is tomorrow, Sunday December 21^st, 2025. This Blue Christmas/Longest Night service was created therefore, so that on this long, dark, and cold night tonight, tomorrow night, and in general, we can shine the light and the warmth of Christ everywhere, even if some of us feel a little “blue”. The reason that we are not having this service tomorrow on the actual “Longest Night,” is because it can be a lot to ask of people come to a church service in the morning on a Sunday and then ask them to come back for another service on Sunday night.

          Now that we all understand a little bit more what a “Blue Christmas” service and a “Longest Night” service is, what I want us to consider tonight is this, “How We Move Forward!” Perhaps tonight you are not feeling “blue” or feeling any sense of loss at all tonight, or maybe you feel very “blue,” and have a deep sense of loss. We can all call upon are Lord Jesus Christ to fill us this night and always as we consider our lives, and all potential losses I mentioned earlier in this service. Perhaps there are losses and struggles that we have that were not listed in our “Naming the Loses We Have Suffered” that were spoke out earlier in this service. Perhaps lighting a candle of Hope has lifted us up, even if just a little. Perhaps the anointing prayer that we will offer for those who want it at the close of this service will offer us more hope.

          The real question though is this my brothers and sisters, if we feel “blue” in this this Advent season and very soon to be Christmas season, and if we will lament on some level on the longest night of the year tomorrow night, what do we do? Tonight, I want to talk about how as believers in Christ, as and as a church, “We Move Forward!”

          I have told a short story to some of you probably a few times now, as Pastor Paul tends to repeat stories. This story was about my first week in seminary school back in late August/Early September of 2010. All of us students had received all of our class books, we got checked in and went around the room introducing ourselves and explaining why God called us to the seminary. After this, the head of the seminary told us that we had a homework assignment, to which I heard few groans from my classmates. The head of the seminary then assured us that the homework assignment would not be more reading or another paper that we had to type.

          This is what our first assignment was, we were to go home that week of the late summer of 2010, and we were to survey the area where we lead or participated in a ministry. We were told to see what we would see. This could be kids playing, people mowing their lawns, people washing their cars, people riding bikes, people grilling, spending time together, etc. Then the head of the seminary then said, and after you do this, I then want you to go home and I want to sit in a quiet room or place where you live. Do this for about twenty minutes and think about what you do not see. Think about those people behind closed doors that are depressed, grieving the loss of their husband and wife. Think about someone who is trapped in domestic violence and or addiction. Think about those who are crying themselves to sleep, and those are hungry and without. The head of the seminary then said, “how do we reach those people for Christ?”

          Tonight, on this “Blue Christmas,” and officially tomorrow when it is the actual “Longest Night” of the year, “How Do We Move Forward?” The answer, dear brothers and sisters, is that we move forward together. Our faith in Christ was never meant to be Sunday morning only for one hour, or an hour and fifteen minutes if the pastor gets long winded! Our Christian faith, our relationships and walk with Jesus Christ should be at the very center and core of our entire identity on this earth and eternally.

          At some point in our recent history in Western Culture, which would be America, Canada, Western Europe, Australia, etc., for many people Christianity has become just attending a weekly worship service. If people truly want to be less “blue” though, I believe that one of the best ways that we can do this is together! Jesus had twelve disciples, and the early church lived their faith out together daily. When churches continue to shift from just worship, to living our faith out actively together, then there is more hope, more love, and less feelings of being “blue.”

          I remember hearing a story from late Grandpa Winkelman about a fellow farmer who fell off his barn roof while trying to do some repairs. This was during the Great Depression, and many folks at this time had little to nothing. Yet, the farmer’s local church, I believe a Lutheran church, was alerted that the farmer fell off his barn room and broke his leg in a few places. The farmer was going to be laid up for 2-3 months at least, and this was during the Great Depression. As you can imagine, this farmer really struggled during the healing process, as he needed to work and run the farm. He was able to do a little more here and there as time went on during his recovery, but not as much as he wanted or needed.

          Within no time, families from the church began bringing meals over to his house, women from the church choir would come and read scripture and sing hymns to the farmer. That church was there every day for that man until he was back up and full back to working on his farm. Fellow farmers even came to help with the farm daily. This man believed in God, but usually only went to church on Christmas and Easter, or for special occasions. He was not really a man of deep faith or conviction. Yet by the end or his recovery, this man was so moved by what these “Christians” had done for him and his family, that he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. When was fully better, I was told that he was not only in church every Sunday, and for all the special occasions, but that he then started helping others the way in which his church helped him. The farmer said, “after what my church did for me, there was nothing that I would not do for them and others.”

          My sermon title for tonight once again is “How Me Move Forward!” The story that I just talked about, about the injured farmer, is story not of a church that went to Sunday worship only, but that lived their faith out daily. We have been blessed in a short time to see real growth, new live, and new hope here at the Adams Village Baptist Church. How do we really grow as a church though? How do people meet the needs of here in Adams, Adams Center, and beyond? We have to continue to be like injured farmer’s church. Brothers and sisters, the gospel that Jesus Christ that He calls us to is hard, but if we are willing to be the hands and the feet of Christ then lives will be changed. If we are willing to love and live like Jesus, I guarantee you that people will be less “blue” than many are right now. This my brothers and sisters, as Christians, and as a church, is “How We Move Forward!”

          One of the prophesied names of Jesus in the Bible in Isaiah 53:3 is the “Man of Sorrows,” as has called us to be his witnesses and to serve in a broken world every day. There are days where we are all weary. There may even be weeks where maybe all we want to do is go to church on Sunday, but brothers and sisters our faith is a seven day a week faith. As “We Move Forward!” we are going to create new ministries that meet people’s needs. Next year, I want to start a “Grief Share” support group, for people who have and still experience different kinds of losses and heart break. People who on different levels who are “blue,” who are right here in our communities, as Jesus is challenging us to be His hands and feet. What I am telling you and telling myself my brothers and sisters on this first “Blue Christmas/Longest Night” service at this church, is when we are more like Jesus you will see things in this church and this community happen that you cannot even imagine.

          When we think about when Jesus was on earth, imagine how He felt in the human part of himself when saw the hurt and brokenness in the world? More than just getting more people to church, which we want, how can bring more people to Christ. Further, how can we, how can I, be more like Christ for others.

In the gospel of John 1:5 says:

⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it       (Jn. 1:5, NRSV).

          On cold and dark nights, on days that some are feeling “blue,” how can we be the light of Christ? The other amazing side of this my friends, is that grace and blessings that we will receive from God being like Jesus. I do not mean that we all suddenly financially wealthy, but we can feel the hope and the grace that comes only from Jesus Christ our Lord. We could start a weekly prayer meeting in this church, so that some people get out of the house or apartment that need to be with other people. Some weeks maybe some people pray more than they talk, and some weeks talk more than they pray. The ministries are clever in a way. Why? This is because the ministries of the church, hopefully, by design, are to bring us together, point us to Jesus, and are designed to grow and build of faith in Christ and in each other. Imagine a church where every day there is something here for the people? A bible study. A book study. A prayer meeting. A “Grief Share” support group. A craft club, etc. After almost fourteen years of ministry this is what I have learned, a “craft club” is about so much more than the crafts. Further, if people cannot come here, then we go to them. We do not have to be alone, because we have Jesus, and we have each other. If you are feeling “blue” on any level tonight, there is hope in Jesus, and we can also find the hope of Jesus in each other.

To briefly touching on our scriptures for tonight, in the reading we heard from Psalm 80:1-7 from Marian, 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? Maybe you or someone you know feels that way right now. I know that I have had times when I have felt those feelings. Yet, Jesus says He is the light of the world. May we allow his light, life, and love to fill us tonight, and always, and may we then share it with others, so that light will overcome the darkness, even on the longest night of the year.

          In our reading once again from the Apostle Paul’s Epistle or letter to the Hebrews for tonight that Cynthia read, 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, we have each other. This understanding of what the church is, and what the Christian community is, challenges churches that seem to be Sunday morning only churches. Since the last statistic I read, since about 1,500 churches are closing a month in this country, I wonder how many of them are Sunday morning only churches?

          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 day that Jesus was crucified, on that first Good Friday, all Jesus’ disciples, except John, who was called “the beloved disciple” abandoned Jesus. Yet, Jesus had his mother Mary there, Mary Magdalene, and probably other women followers, as well. In the human part of himself, Jesus felt all alone on the cross, know that God the Father, and the Holy Spirit was ever present.

          However, “blue” that we might be feeling tonight, or how “blue” someone we know is feeling tonight, we have Jesus. We are not powerful, and Jesus has called us to be together on “Blue Christmas,” on the “Longest Night,” and etc. For this is the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is our faith, our hope, and how Jesus calls us to transform lives and the world. Amen.        

AVBC - Sunday 12/14/25 – Sermon Title: “Jesus’ Cousin John/Soon and Very Soon” (“Christmas Hope” - Sermon Series: Part 3&4 of 5) – Matthew 3:1-17, Isaiah 11:1-16 (3rd Sunday of Advent)

 Sunday 12/14/25 – Adams Village Baptist Church

Sermon Title: “Jesus’ Cousin John/Soon and Very Soon”                                     (“Christmas Hope” - Sermon Series: Part 3&4 of 5) – Matthew 3:1-17, Isaiah 11:1-16 (3^rd Sunday of Advent)

          This morning, we are continuing on with our “Christmas Hope” sermon series. This sermon series is designed to lead us through this season of Advent and into the Christmas season. This sermon series is one that reminds us of and teaches us that in this the season of Advent we are awaiting Jesus. We await Jesus’ birth, we are called to invite Him into our hearts anew daily, as we await His return one day. In this season, Jesus is coming, and he will return, and as we heard last Sunday the coming of Jesus was prophesied centuries before His birth. These prophecies all throughout the Old Testament or the Hebrew Bible point us to our savior that is coming soon, what His life would be like, how he would live and love, and the hope of His return one day.

          This morning though I am going to combine my message for this morning, on this Third Sunday of Advent, and my message for next Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Advent. I am doing this because next Sunday is our annual Youth Christmas Service. As a result, next Sunday will be the best sermon I never gave!

          For this third sermon in this “Christmas Hope” sermon series, this sermon is called “Jesus’ Cousin John.” The sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Advent is called “Soon and Very Soon.” Given this, I will first discuss “Jesus’ Cousin John,” then I will finish this message with “Soon and Very Soon.” Since some of the Old Testament prophecies discussed the life of the Messiah, of Jesus, then talking about “Jesus’ Cousin John” points us to what Jesus would do here on earth.

          When I say, “Jesus’ Cousin John,” I am talking about John the Baptist. The prophecy in the Old Testament foretold one who would prepare the way of the Lord. The Old Testament of our bibles predicted that John the Baptist, or the “baptizer” as some would call him, would prepare Jesus for His earthy ministry. On Christmas, we will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord, as scripture foretold. John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin would then prepare Jesus to start his three-year earthly ministry. This is important, because since Advent is about Jesus’s birth and second coming, what He accomplished here on earth matters.

          When Mary, Jesus’ mother was carrying Jesus in her womb, she went to visit her cousin Elizabeth, and the scripture tells us that the baby that she was carrying, John the Baptist, leaped in her womb. This John the Baptist would then grow up and begin calling the people of Judea to repentance. To confess their sins to God, and in addition to this, be baptized as sign of this repentance and spiritual transformation. Further, this Baptism that John offered in the Jordan River was one of immersion. The people being baptized were called to repent and went fully into the water. They came up out of the water having asked God’s forgiveness and we transformed and changed through the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist, and the form of immersion baptism that he performed, is part of the identity of those Christian Churches and Christians that believe only in full immersion baptism. The reason once again, that John the Baptist is sometimes discussed in Advent, is because he was prophetically called in the Old Testament to prepare the way for his cousin Jesus Christ.

          As I was discussing in my message last Sunday about “Old Testament Prophecies Fulfilled,” our gospel of Matthew 3:1-17 reading for this morning begins with the Old Testament prophecy foretelling of Jesus’ Cousin John the Baptist. In fact, our reading for this morning of Matthew 3:1-17 starts by saying once again:

The Proclamation of John the Baptist

3 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, ² ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ ³ This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, ‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight”’ (Matt. 3:1-3, NRSV).

          In this portion of our scripture from Matthew 3:1-3, Matthew is citing the Old Testament Prophet Isaiah 40:3, which is saying that “Jesus’ Cousin John” the Baptist is the one foretold to prepare the way of the Messiah, of Jesus Christ. Jesus will be born on Christmas, He will grow up, and His Cousin John the Baptist will prepare Him for his three-year earthly ministry.

          Continuing on in our reading from Matthew 3:1-17, we hear about what “Jesus’ Cousin John” the Baptist was like, and the ministry to which he was called. Once again, this is what it says, picking up in Matthew 3:4:

⁴ Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. ⁵ Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, ⁶ and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. ⁷ But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? ⁸ Bear fruit worthy of repentance. ⁹ Do not presume 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. ¹⁰ Even now the axe 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 (Matt. 3:4-10, NRSV).

 

          Continuing on, John the Baptist says, picking up with Matthew 3:11:

 

¹¹ ‘I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹² His winnowing-fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire’                           (Matt. 3:11-12, NRSV).

 

     This reading from Matthew 3:1-17 then ends with Matthew 3:13-17, with Jesus being baptized by immersion from his cousin John the Baptist. This is what it says, once again:

The Baptism of Jesus

 

¹³ Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. ¹⁴ John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ ¹⁵ But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness.’ Then he consented. ¹⁶ And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. ¹⁷ And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased’ (Matt. 3:13-17, NRSV).

 

          “Jesus’s Cousin John” the Baptist was called to prepare for Jesus to begin His mission on earth. In this season of Advent and soon to be Christmas, Jesus is coming, and we are called to prepare our hearts, our minds, and our souls. “Jesus’ Cousin John” the Baptist, is also part of the reason we are called “Baptists” and is connected to people that are “Anabaptists,” like the Amish, Mennonites, etc. “Anabaptist” mean re-baptizer, as in the 1500’s and the 1600’s some Christians only did baptism by full immersion, and only if the person was old to understand accept Christ as Lord and savior.

          Since I am combining my sermon for this Sunday, and next Sunday, I want to talk about what would have been my message for next Sunday called “Soon and Very Soon.” I picked this title because of the hymn called “Soon and Very Soon” In the first verse of this hymn it says:

“Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King!                                          Hallelujah, Hallelujah, we're going to see the King!” (https://gccsatx.com/hymns/soon-and-very-soon/)

 

          In the scripture that I chose for the fourth part of this five-part sermon series called “Christmas Hope,” I picked Isaiah 11:1-16. In this reading from the Prophet Isaiah or the Book of Isaiah in the Old Testament, we hear of the coming of the Messiah, the “Christmas Hope” that we find only in Jesus Christ. This prophecy from Isaiah 11:1-16 talks about “The Peaceful Kingdom” of Jesus Christ our Lord, who is coming, has come, and one day will fully come to fruition in Jesus Christ our Lord. This is what this scripture, this prophecy of the Messiah, of Jesus, says once again:

The Peaceful Kingdom

11 A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. ² The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. ³ His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; ⁴ but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. ⁵ Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins. ⁶ The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. ⁷ The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. ⁸ The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. ⁹ They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

          A leader will emerge from the lineage of Jesse, who is the father of the great King David. The Spirit of God will be upon him, as well as the spirit of wisdom and understanding, council and might, and the spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord. This messiah, Jesus will delight in the fear or respect of the Lord, and He will judge the poor with righteousness, and deal fairly with the meek of the earth. He we destroy the wicked, and righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins. The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid or baby goat, and the calf and lion and the fatling, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear will both graze on grass, and their young will lie down together. The lion will eat straw with the ox, and the nursing baby shall play over the hole of the asp, or snake. The weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den, or a place full of dangerous and poisonous snakes. They will not hurt or destroy anymore on the holy mountain of God, and the earth will be as full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters in the ocean.

Return of the Remnant of Israel and Judah

¹⁰ On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious. ¹¹ On that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that is left of his people, from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Ethiopia, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea. ¹² He will raise a signal for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts of Israel,
and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. ¹³ The jealousy of Ephraim shall depart, the hostility of Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not be jealous of Judah, and Judah shall not be hostile towards Ephraim. ¹⁴ But they shall swoop down on the backs of the Philistines in the west; together they shall plunder the people of the east. They shall put forth their hand against Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites shall obey them.
¹⁵ And the Lord will utterly destroy the tongue of the sea of Egypt; and will wave his hand over the River with his scorching wind; and will split it into seven channels, and make a way to cross on foot; ¹⁶ so there shall be a highway from Assyria for the remnant that is left of his people, as there was for Israel
    when they came up from the land of Egypt (Isa. 11:1-16, NRSV).

 

          On this day of the return of Christ, the Prophet Isaiah says further starting in 11:10, that Jesus will reign, and remnant of God’s people will be drawn back by God. Peace will ensue, and the reign of Christ will be present on earth.

          (Story about a retired pastor who prophesied over me).

          Here are some application points about the importance of John the Baptist for this morning:

Key reasons for John the Baptist’s importance:

·       Fulfilling Prophecy: He fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy of a messenger preparing the way for the Lord, acting as the final great prophet before Jesus.

·       Forerunner of Christ: His primary role was to announce the Messiah's arrival, famously declaring, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!".

·       Baptizer of Jesus: He baptized Jesus in the Jordan River, an event that revealed the Holy Spirit descending like a dove and God's voice confirming Jesus as His Son, initiating Jesus' public ministry.

·       Call to Repentance: He preached a "baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins," urging people to turn from wrongdoing to prepare for the Kingdom of God.

·       Model of Humility: He consistently pointed away from himself, stating he wasn't the Messiah and that he must decrease as Jesus increased, setting an example of selfless witness.

·       Bridge to the New Covenant: His ministry marked the transition from the old law to the new era of grace and the Kingdom of God, with his own death foreshadowing Christ's sacrifice. 

 

Here are some application points about the importance of Isaiah 11:1-16 for this morning:

Isaiah 11:1-16

 is a hopeful prophecy about the coming of an ideal king, the Messiah (Jesus Christ), who will bring about a reign of perfect justice, peace, and the restoration of Israel. 

The passage can be broken down into three main sections:

1. The Righteous King (Verses 1–5)

This section introduces the promised leader who will emerge from humble origins, specifically from the "stump of Jesse" (King David's father), signifying that the Davidic royal line, though seemingly cut down and dead, will sprout anew. 

·       Empowerment: The Spirit of the Lord will rest upon him, granting him perfect wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and the fear of the Lord.

·       Just Rule: Unlike human judges who are swayed by appearances or rumors, this king will judge with righteousness and equity, advocating especially for the poor and meek.

·       Authority: His words ("the rod of his mouth" and "breath of his lips") will be powerful enough to strike down the wicked and bring justice to the earth. 

2. The Peaceful Kingdom (Verses 6–9)

Isaiah uses vivid, poetic imagery to describe the universal peace and harmony that will characterize this king's reign, reversing the disorder and conflict caused by sin. 

·       Harmony in Nature: Natural enemies, such as wolves and lambs, leopards and young goats, and bears and cows, will coexist peacefully. A young child will be able to play safely near a cobra's den.

·       Universal Knowledge: This peace will be possible because "the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea". 

3. The Restoration of Israel and the Nations (Verses 10–16)

The final verses focus on the global impact of the Messiah's kingdom, where he serves as a "banner" or rallying point for all peoples. 

·       Gathering: God will "a second time" reach out to reclaim the scattered remnant of his people (both Israel and Judah) from nations around the world and bring them back to their land.

·       Unity: The long-standing rivalry and jealousy between the northern kingdom (Ephraim) and the southern kingdom (Judah) will end, and they will be united as one nation.

·       Triumph and Return: They will triumph over historical enemies, and obstacles to their return will be miraculously removed, depicted by drying up the "tongue of the Sea of Egypt" and the Euphrates River, creating a highway for the remnant, much like the Exodus from Egypt. 

Fulfillment

For Christians, these prophecies find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who came from David's line, was anointed by the Holy Spirit at his baptism (Matthew 3:16-17), and established a spiritual kingdom that gathers people from all nations. Many aspects, such as the complete transformation of nature and final world peace, are seen as pointing to his second coming and the new heaven and new earth.

          With all of this said, this sermon series, “Christmas Hope,” will conclude at our Family Christmas Eve service at 7:00 PM, with the message, “Christmas Hope Has Come!” Happy Third Sunday of Advent! Amen.