Isaiah 55:1-9, Luke 13:1-9

Isaiah 55:1-9

Luke 13:1-9

“Will We Get What We Paid For?”

Lent 3   March 7, 2010

We are 3 weeks into our journey through the season of Lent.

Lent is an important season for us as we focus on Christ – what His death and resurrection mean for us – and how we can become better disciples of the One who callus us to follow Him in love and service.

Today we are going to look at a basic question that we all have to answer –

are we going to try to get what our actions have “paid for” from God – or “get what we deserve” from God – or will we accept the free gift of salvation that Christ has paid for for us and offers us?

“You get what you pay for”

We’ve all hear that before – haven’t we?

Back in September I became the proud owner of my first laptop computer.  It was a refurbished one that I had purchased at a much reduced price – but I thought it was a great deal – until a few weeks later it began running slow and I discovered it had not been as refurbished as advertised! So – for Christmas I broke down and bought a new laptop – one that was more expensive than the first one I had purchased but – I thought – much better – and still cheaper than others I had seen.  It worked great until a few weeks ago when the USB port broke and it was going to cost more than the computer was worth to get it fixed. For those of you who don’t know, the USB port is where you plug in your printer or any of the other peripherals that make a computer more useable. Of course, the damage was not covered under the warranty. When I took it back to the store last weekend and asked why it had broke so quickly, they didn’t answer my question directly, but inferred that  the computer had a great price tag because it was built with inferior parts.  I looked at them and asked:

“So – it’s a ‘you get what you pay for’ deal – right?”

The sales person nodded his head.

Well, I now am the proud owner of my third laptop in the past 6 months – this one much more expensive but much more powerful than the other two put together – so hopefully it will last awhile. And to think that I could have gotten this one in September and saved myself a lot of misery and set up time for the other 2 computers.

By the way – if anyone wants a laptop I have 2 I can cut you a deal on!

I learned again that you get what you pay for!

Most of you probably have stories to tell of how you’fe learned that lesson!

When we buy something at a “special deal” — but it turns out to be not so special — someone might say to us:

“Well — you got what you paid for!”

Or — if we buy something especially nice — something that is extra special but comes with an extra special price tag — we may justify it by saying:

“Well — you do get what you pay for, you know!”

Indeed — many times you do get what you pay for.

Most of the time that is a pretty true statement.

But — not always.

Our Old Testament lesson for today is an exception to that rule.

It may be true most of the time that you get what you pay for — and yet — here’s an offer that is for free.

Now — we all know that there’s no such thing as a free lunch — right?

And yet here is Isaiah giving us an image of God as a street merchant — hawking wine and milk that is free — wine and milk that has no price – that is free for the taking.

Now — if someone were to offer us wine and milk that is free — we just might be skeptical.

“What’s wrong with it?”  we might ask.

“Has the wine soured?” “Does it taste like vinegar?” “Has the milk curdled”?

There is no such thing as a free lunch – and you get what you pay for.

And yet – here is God offering the very best — and offering it for free.  In fact — God says that what we are working for — what we might be able to pay for — will never satisfy us.  Only what God offers for free us will.

It makes no sense at all.

It goes against our better judgment.

We know we get what we pay for — don’t we?

And yet – this is God’s offer!

Our Gospel lesson deals with this, also.

OK — Jesus — what about those Galileans Pilate killed while they were worshipping in the Temple — and mixed their own blood with the blood of their sacrifices?

What were they “paying” for?

What are their deaths and the defiling of the sacrifices payment for?

You get what you pay for.

Luke has Jesus saying — in no uncertain terms — that these Galileans — and the people in Jerusalem who died when the tower of Siloam fell on them — were not paying for any specific wrongs that they had done.

In other words — tragedies are not paybacks for things that have been done.

And — Isaiah does have God offering the very best — for free — and even saying that what we can pay for will never truly satisfy us.

So here’s a question —

When it comes to the things of God — will we get what we paid for?

Friends, I hope not.

I truly hope not.

I hope that in God’s eyes I will never get what I’ve paid for.

I hope that in God’s eyes none of us get what we’ve paid for.

Look at the parable in our Gospel passage for today.

A Landowner tours his vineyard, and notices a fig tree not producing fruit.

The tree has not produced in years.

Wouldn’t it be prudent to cut it down — and maybe plant another tree that will bear fruit?

It doesn’t take a degree in horticulture to figure that one out.

It has not borne fruit — it has not “paid” for being in the vineyard — it should not stay there — and yet — and yet — when the Landowner orders it cut — the Gardener begs for more time.

“Let me dig around it and put manure around it another year —” he proposes —

and so it seems that a deal is struck.

But — if after another year — it is still unproductive and unfruitful — the ax will be laid to the root of the tree — and it will be cut down.

And it will only be getting what it paid for.

It paid nothing — so it will get nothing.

But – here’s the thing – I don’t believe Jesus is just telling a story of a benevolent Gardener persuading a Landowner to give a tree another chance.

I believe we have much more here than that. .

Will we get what we paid for?

The fig tree certainly didn’t!

Neither – according to Jesus — did the Galileans or those at Siloam.

Neither would those God addressed through Isaiah if they accepted what God offered.

Will we?

Again — I certainly hope not.

You see — if we got what we paid for — in God’s eyes — what would that be?

What do you think we deserve to get from God?

Based on how we live – - what are we paying for – and what will we deserve to get – from God?

Maybe death.

Maybe hell.

There’s no “maybe” about it — is there?

We are like that fig tree.

Too many times we don’t bear fruit — and deserve to be cut down and thrown into the fire.

That’s what we’ve paid for.

That’s what we deserve to get.

But — wait.

If the Gardener and Landowner are gracious to that tree — how much more gracious will God be to us?

Yes – praise God — God is gracious.

God — knowing what we’ve paid for is not what God wants us to have — offers us something else.

God offers us a chance for salvation.

God offers us a chance to bear fruit.

God offers us a chance to accept God’s grace and love.

Now — how do we have this chance – this salvation – God offers?

Do we get it because of something we have done – or “paid for” – or deserve?

No – friends – we don’t get this chance – this salvation — because of what we’ve paid for – or what we deserve – or we’ve done — but because of what Christ paid for us.

Christ’s death on the cross was the price for our sins.

Christ’s death on the cross makes it possible for us to have — not what we’ve paid for — but what He paid for — for us.

So – here’s the question we all have to ask ourselves —

So — will we get what we’ve paid for —

or – will we get what Christ has paid for us?

During Lent we think about Christ’s death for us — and how we live in response to it.

So — what will it be?

Will you get what you’ve paid for?

Or — will you accept what Christ has paid for for you?

Will you continue with what Isaiah says will never satisfy?

Or — will you accept what is the only thing that can satisfy?

The choice is yours.

Will you “bear fruit” — or not?

Will you accept God’s offer of grace and love and salvation — or not?

If not — you’ll only get what you’ve paid for.

You’ll only get sin — death — and hell.

But — if you repent — if you come to God and accept salvation — if you let God change you and begin “bearing fruit” — if you begin truly living in God’s ways — you’ll get the salvation Christ paid for for you.

Think about it.

I pray you will repent — and let God change you.

If you do — you’ll get the salvation and eternal life Christ has paid for for you.

If not — you’ll only get the sin – - death — and hell you have paid for.

The opportunity to repent and bear fruit is before you.  Christ offers the opportunity to turn from our sinful ways – to repent – and to bear fruit for Him in this life, while receiving salvation for the life to come.

Don’t miss the chance for salvation.

Remember that the tree in the Parable in our passage for today did not have but a year to begin bearing fruit.

We don’t have forever to decide to accept God’s offer and accept — not what we’ve paid for — but what Christ has paid for for us.

No one knows how much time they have to make that decision.

We don’t know how much more time we have to make that decision.

You don’t know how much longer you have to make that decision.

So — what will it be?

Will you repent?

Will you accept what Christ has paid for for you?

Or

Will you get what you’ve paid for?

Which will it be — for you?

Well?

Amen

Genesis 15:2-12, 17-18; Luke 13:31-35

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18

Luke 13:31-35

Who’s Afraid?

February 28, 2010

Lent 2

We are 2 weeks into the season of Lent — the most important Season of the Church year as we reflect upon what Christ has done for us and what God calls us to do for Him.  Since the very early days of the Church Christians have observed the 6 weeks before Easter as a time for solemn reflection, greater commitment, and prayer.  The early Church used the 6 weeks before Easter as a time for teaching those who wanted to join the Church what it meant to be a Church member, much as we continue to do today as we hold Confirmation classes during Lent.

Lent is indeed an important time for us as we seek to become better followers of the One who calls us to follow Him in lives of love and service.

Last week we looked at one of the things that keep us from being better followers of Christ – that being how we respond to temptation.

Today we are going to look at another thing that sometimes keeps us from being better followers of Christ – that being fear.

Fear is one of the things that can keep us from following Christ and trusting Christ. It is one of the obstacles we face to being a better follower of Christ.

How many times have we known the things God wanted us to do – known what it meant to be a follower of Christ in a specific situation in our lives – but let fear keep us from stepping out and doing what we knew God wanted us to do?

How many times have we had to face situations in our lives, and feared that God would not give us the strength we needed?

Fear is indeed one of the things that can keep us from truly following Christ, and truly living the life of faith God wants us live.

My Dad tells a story of an incident in World War II.

The best German fighter plane was the Focke Wulf .  It was a terror in the skies for Allied planes.  Dad was a Bomber pilot in Europe — and tells this story of how one day in the Mess Hall of his home field in southern Italy there was a sign sporting a picture of the Focke Wulf  with this caption:

WHO’S AFRAID OF THE BIG FOCKE WULF?

Without much of a thought Dad took out his pen and wrote under the picture and caption:

I am

Billy D. Hayes

Before long, most of the other pilots at his home field had done the same.

Who’s Afraid?

Fear may be good at times — it at least keeps us from being too rash or too foolish or overconfident.  But — at other times — fear is not so good!

Who’s Afraid?

Aren’t there times in our lives when we let the circumstances of our lives scare us?

Aren’t there times when the things happening in our lives strike fear in us?

Aren’t there times in our lives the “big, bad wolves” of our lives intimidate us?

Aren’t there times when the circumstances of our lives cause us to doubt God’s plan for us?

Don’t we – maybe — like Abram — look around sometimes and wonder if God and God’s plan for our lives can be trusted?

Yea – a lot of times we understand how Abram may have felt — simply because we’ve been there ourselves.

Who’s afraid?

If someone were to put a poster somewhere that read:

“Who’s Afraid?”

There are many times I would have to write n it:

“I am.

Bill Hayes.”

Quite honestly there are times in my life that I am afraid.

Many of you may have times that you are afraid also.

What are some of the things that scare us?

What about the present economic situation?

That’s indeed scary.

What about poverty — hunger — homelessness?

Problems we used to think were  “out there somewhere” have come close to  home — and can indeed scare us!

What about debilitating illness?

The thought of getting a debilitating illness can scare even the most healthy of us — and those who have debilitating illness can be very scared at times.

O – here’s one for you —

What about the fact that so many church members seem so apathetic to the things of God and the things of the church?

Now that’s one that scares me and keeps me up at night – what about you?

What about when God calls us to try something new – either as individuals or as the Church?

That can truly be unsettling and scary!

These are just some of the things that can scare us — and there are many, many more.

Many circumstances of life do indeed scare us — and sometimes we are so scared we want to throw up our hands and say:

“Lord — don’t you see what’s happening?”

“Can’t you tell what we’re up against?”

“Don’t you care?”

“Aren’t you with us?”

Who’s afraid?

Our Old Testament and Gospel lessons for today are about — among other things — fear.

“O Lord GOD, what will you give me,

for I continue childless”

You can almost hear the fear in Abram’s voice.

Our Old Testament lesson is about one of the times God came to Abram — whose name, of course, was eventually to be changed to Abraham — and promised him that his descendants will inherit the land on which he is standing.

Abram wants to believe this — but there is one problem — God promised him this years before — but after many years he is still without children.

How could Abram’s descendants inherit the land if he had no descendants?

Had he followed and trusted God — all for nothing?

Had he given up his family and fortune and followed God — for no reason?

He had no descendants to inherit the land.

Could God be trusted?

Fear that God would not — or could not — make good on His promises must have gripped Abram.  There must have been some fear on Abram’s part that the circumstances of his life were going to keep God’s promises from being fulfilled.

Could God be trusted?

Was God really in charge?

These questions may have crossed Abram’s mind – and caused him to be fearful.

Who’s afraid?

“Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.”

You can almost hear the fear in some of the Pharisees voices – and maybe their attempt to strike fear in the hearts of Jesus and his followers.

Our Gospel lesson tells of the time some of the Pharisees told Jesus of Herod’s plot to kill Him.  This message may have been intended to strike fear in Jesus — and it probably did strike fear in the hearts of some of his followers.

Could it be that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem — but was not going to make it?

Could it be that Herod was going to kill Him on the way?

Jesus was talking about going to Jerusalem and dyeing — yet rising again.  But — could it be that His death was now immanent at any moment — and at the hands of Herod?

And if Herod killed Jesus — what would happen to them?

Jesus said they were going to Jerusalem — where — yes — He would die — and yet rise again — but — what if He never made it to Jerusalem?

What if Herod killed Him before He got there?

It may have looked like that the circumstances of life were going to keep Jesus’ promises — any of them — from coming true.

Was God really in charge?

Could Jesus be trusted?

Who’s afraid?

So – what does God say to Abram?

Yes — God says to Abram — I am in charge — and I can be trusted. Do not be afraid. God repeats His promise of descendants to Abram — then in a vivid picture of an ancient covenant ceremony God commits Himself to fulfill that promise.  God commits to keep God’s word.  God says — in effect — that it doesn’t matter what the circumstances of life may look like — God and God’s promises can be counted on.  God is in charge of Abram’s life — not the circumstances of being childless.

Have faith, Abram.   Despite the way things look — God can be trusted.

How does Jesus respond to the Pharisees?

“Go and tell that fox for me,

‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures

today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work.’”

Jesus responds to the Pharisees.

In other words, Jesus says that it doesn’t matter what Herod wants to do to Him — what matters is God’s plan for Him.

Herod can’t interfere with God’s plan.

No matter how intimidating — or scary — or “foxy” Herod might be — Jesus is not going to be deterred from what He knows He must do.  He goes to Jerusalem — unafraid — because He knows God is in charge.  He stays in control – - regardless of how things may look — or who may oppose Him.  He doesn’t let the fear of Herod or anyone else for that matter keep Him from His mission.

Who’s afraid?

When we might be tempted to sign “I Am” to a poster asking “Who’s Afraid” we can hear again God’s words.

Hear again the words of God to Abram.

Hear again God’s promise to be with him — that the circumstances of childlessness did not mean that God’s promises would not be fulfilled.

Hear again God’s promise that God was in charge of Abram’s life — regardless of how desperate the situations of Abram’s life may look.

Hear again Jesus’ words that regardless of what Herod may do or want to do — He knew God was in charge.

Who’s Afraid?

The things of life don’t have to strike fear in us — or at least they don’t have to take away our conviction that God is with us — regardless of how desperate our circumstances may appear.          In prayer — Bible Study — and Worship we can get another vision of our circumstances — especially those circumstances of life that scare us.  We can get God’s vision.            As Abram worshipped God he received a new vision of God’s presence and God’s promise to be with him.  As we pray — study — and worship we can get a new vision for the fact that regardless of life and how it may appear – regardless of how scary things may become – regardless of how afraid we may become that God is not with us — God is with us – and God strengthens us.

God is with us to strengthen us to cope with and overcome the things that scare us.

God is with us to help us overcome our fears – step out ijn faith – and follow Him.

Jesus did not let foxy old Herod stop Him.

We can’t let whatever things there may be in our lives take away our commitment to God or make us doubt God’s presence in our lives.

Regardless of how scary the circumstances in our lives may be — God is with us.

God was with Dad as he flew against those scary Focke Wulves.

God was with Abram as he journeyed on in faith.

God was with Jesus as He journeyed to the cross.

There’s another expression from World War II.

When planes would get damaged by the enemy — but the pilot successfully landed the plane — they sometimes said they flew home “on a wing and a prayer.”

God’s wings hold us up and sustain us when we face the hard and scary times of our lives.

In prayer we can give our problems and troubles to God — and let God strengthen us and sustain us.

The author Max Lucado writes:

“Jesus is not afraid of the things that cause us fear.  He never said ‘Don’t bring your fears to me.  I’m too busy.’  Instead, He says: ‘I’m not afraid of the things that cause you fear.  Bring your fears to me.”

We can take our fears to Jesus.

The one who wasn’t afraid of foxy old Herod is not afraid at all of the scary things in our lives — but strengthens us to cope with them.

Who’s afraid?

Because of Jesus, we don’t have to sign the list of those who are afraid and live in fear.

Because of Jesus, there is an answer to our fears.

We need to stop spending so much time focusing all our attention on our fears — and know that God is with us – and by God’s glorious grace, we don’t have to be afraid.

If we bring our fears to Jesus, He will strengthen us so that we can more faithfully follow Him.

Amen.

Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Luke 4:1-13

Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Luke 4:1-13

“How Do You Answer When The Devil Comes Calling?”

February 21,2010

Lent 1

The Season of Lent that we begin today is the most important Season of the Church year as we reflect upon what Christ has done for us and what God calls us to do for Him.  Since the very early days of the Church Christians have observed the 6 weeks before Easter as a time for solemn reflection, greater commitment, and prayer.  The early Church used the 6 weeks before Easter as a time for teaching those who wanted to join the Church what it meant to be a Church member, much as we continue to do today as we hold Confirmation classes during Lent. Lent is indeed an important time for us as we seek to become better followers of the One who calls us to follow Him in lives of love and service.

We begin this Season today by looking at one of the things that keep us from being better followers of Christ – that being how we respond to temptation.

How we respond to temptation is one thing that – many times – keeps us from being a better disciple of Christ.

When we are presented with temptations, I see that we have 2 options — we can respond by overcoming it or by being overcome by it.

We can overcome it or we can be overcome by it.

When we overcome temptation we are going in the direction God wants us to go. When we are overcome by it we are not.

Letting ourselves be overcome by temptation is what we call sin.

We know that God does not want us to sin.

We know that sin separates us from God.

Some of us may know the definition the Westminster Shorter Catechism gives:

Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God

Sin is being overcome by – or giving in to – temptation instead of overcoming it.

So – if we know  that giving in to temptation is sin – and if we know that sin is going against God’s will for us – why don’t we just overcome temptation instead of letting it overcome us?

Easier said than done, is it not?

“I can resist anything but temptation”

That line is attributed to Oscar Wilde, but it is certainly true of me – and most probably you also.

I think that we all understand what temptation is.

There is a story told about a little boy in a grocery store that I think  illustrates the nature of temptation. The boy was standing near an open box of peanut butter cookies. “Now then, young man,” said the grocer as he approached the boy. “What are you up to?” “Nothing,” replied the boy: “Nothing.” “Well it looks to me like you were trying to take a cookie.” The grocer replied.

“You’re wrong, mister!” The boy replied “I’m trying not to!”

That’s temptation!

How many of us have shrugged and used the old Flip Wilson line:

“The Devil made me do it!”

when caught doing something we weren’t supposed to?

It’s a convenient defense — but there’s one problem:

the devil can’t make us do anything.

The devil may be clever, but the devil is not all powerful. It may feel that way when we’re being tempted —  but it is not that way.

But the devil sure knows how to lay out the bait, doesn’t he? The devil  knows us like a skilled angler knows fish. He knows our habits. He observes our hangouts. Then he prepares a tailor-made lure and drops it right in front of our noses.

The devil can’t make us take the bait and become overcome by temptation. He can’t make us bite, but he does know what happens inside us when we catch a glimpse of that tantalizing bait. Our fleshly nature draws us to it. We linger over it. We toy with it. We roll it over in our minds until it consumes our imagination.
Then, the struggle begins.

Immediately, our conscience might jab us in the ribs, warning us of the danger. We know it’s wrong to let temptation overcome us. We may even see the consequences. But the devil’s invitation looks so good.

What do we do?

Well, the temptation ends and the consequences begin with our response.

We either overcome temptation and follow Jesus into a victory – or we let the temptation overcome us and go into the spiral of sin.

Anyone who has overcome temptation knows the feeling of freedom that decision brings. On the other hand, we all know the feeling of emptiness that follows and the pain of the hook in our cheek when we let temptation overcome us and we sin.

Temptation and sin are as old as creation itself. Ever since the creation story in Genesis people have been sinning.

But – here’s the thing to remember – even though sin is as old as creation itself, the love and grace of God is older than sin. Even though we are tempted and many times let temptation overcome us, God continues to give us ways to overcome temptation.

The devil comes calling every day – in fact many times every day – tempting us with many options – just as he tempted Eve and has tempted every person ever since – but God can give us a way to answer when the devil comes calling that will not lead to being overcome by temptation – but overcoming it.

Our scripture passages for today give us 4 temptations that we face – and ways to overcome them.

One temptation we face is to forget about God and what God has done for us.

Our Old Testament passage for today from Deuteronomy 26 refers to this temptation.

Here in Deuteronomy 26 Moses is addressing the people of Israel before they were to enter the Promised Land. It had been 40 years since God had brought them out of Egypt, and now they were about to go into the land God had promised them.  But – God knew human nature.  God knew that the people would occupy the land – plant and harvest crops – and do well in the land. God know they would be successful. God also knew that – particularly as those who knew the struggle they had experienced in Egypt and while wandering in the wilderness died – the people would be tempted to forget how God had blessed them and brought them to this land of promise.  God knew that they would be tempted to think that they had come to the land and done well there by their own powers and their own abilities. God knew that they would be tempted to forget what God had done for them – so God commanded them to take the first of their crops to the priests every year and recite the creed that reminded them of how God had blessed them and brought them to the land of promise.

Why did God command them to bring the first fruits and recite what God had done for them?

Did God need to be reminded of what He had done for them?

No – but God knew that they needed to be reminded.

God knew that they needed to be reminded of what God had done for them and how God had blessed them.  God knew that – without the reminders – they would forget what God had done and begin to think that they had come to live in the land and have the crops because they were smart or they were powerful or they were resourceful. Without the reminders, God knew that they would forget what God had dome for them.

We are a lot like the people of Israel – aren’t we?

If we are not careful, the devil can tempt us into forgetting what God has done for us. If we are not careful, the devil can tempt us into thinking that we have what we have because we are smart or powerful or resourceful – instead of acknowledging the truth that all we have is ours because God has blessed us.

Yea – one temptation we face is to forget about what God has done for us.

We need to find ways to remind ourselves that all we have is from God.

We need to find answer when the devil comes calling with the temptation to forget about what God has done for us.

We need to celebrate what God has done for us – all God has given us –especially our salvation through Christ.

Look for ways to remind yourself that all you have is from God – and that your salvation is from God.

The ancient Israelites had their creeds and faith statements that helped them remember what God had done for them.

Find ways to remind yourself of all God has done for you.

Find ways to answer when the devil comes knocking so that you can overcome the temptation to forget what God has done for you.

The passage from Luke 4 shows us how Jesus was tempted in other ways – other things the devil came knocking and tempted Jesus with – and tempts us with also.  It also gives us ways to answer so that we can overcome the temptations the devil comes calling with.

First – there is the temptation to do things our way instead of God’s way.

Jesus has been fasting in the desert 40 days after His baptism, and in verse 3 the devil says to Him:

“If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”

The statement is a supposition instead of a affirmation.  A better way to translate it might be:

“since you are the Son of God,” or

“in view of the fact that you are the Son of God.”

The temptation would be no temptation at all if Jesus were not indeed the Son of God. The devil is well aware that God exists and I don’t think that he expends a great deal of effort trying to keep us from believing in God. He does, however, try to convince us that our way of doing things is better than God’s way of doing things. The devil entered into the Biblical picture at creation by tempting  Eve into believing that her way of doing things – eating the fruit she wanted – was better than God’s way of doing things.  In essence he said:

“Do you really believe that God is good? He has told you not to eat from that one tree because he knows that the moment you do so you will be as wise as He is. He is not your friend. He is holding out on you”.

The temptation sounds innocent enough, doesn’t it? You could almost sense the innocence in the devil’s presentation of this temptation –

“just make these stones into bread” – what’s the big deal?”

“You the Son of God – you know you can do it — just do it!”

“There is no law against turning stones into bread. It won’t hurt anything.”

Jesus had been without food for six weeks! Because he was the Son of God he could invoke His supernatural powers. The temptation was very real. Jesus could have done it in an instant and his hunger was screaming,

“Do it.”

The devil is suggesting to Jesus that there must be something wrong with the Father’s love since “His beloved son” was hungry. He was tempting Jesus to disobey the Father’s will by using his divine power for his own purposes. He was tempting Jesus to believe that his way – changing the stones into bread – was better than God’s way.

John Piper says that sin …”gets its power by persuading me to believe that I will be happier if I follow it than if I follow God. The power of all temptation is the prospect that it will make me happier.”

If you watched our saw clips of Tiger Woods’ news conference the other day you may have noted that he said he had felt he deserved to be happy and have everything he wanted. He now realized that was a temptation he should have overcome instead of letting it overcome him.

So – how did Jesus answer when the devil came calling with the temptation to do things His way instead of God’s way?

In verse 4 Jesus says:

“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’”

We often brag that we are “people of the Word.” But are we really? The question is not how much Bible do you know but how much of the Bible that you know are you applying in your life. Jesus lived by the word. The key phrase in each of his answers is to the devil is “it is written.” He did not allow the situation or the circumstances or even the enemy to dictate the truth. The answers to all three temptations came right out of scripture.

Jesus in his answer was saying,

“ I will not complain. Neither will I take matters into my own hands. I will trust my Father and His word and trust His plan.”

We may not be tempted to turn stones into bread — the impossible does not tempt us– but the temptation to believe that our plan is better than God’s plan is still very strong. The devil still tempts us to believe that if we want something done we need to do it ourselves and follow our plans — not trust in God or seek His plan. We regularly are tempted to go outside the confines of God’s plan for us to satisfy our personal needs or desires. We often promote ourselves because we are sure that God will not do it. We scheme and we plan for our well-being, because we assume that God does not care or maybe does not know about our needs. That attitude can not  be further from the truth, and that answer to the devil when he comes calling with the temptation to do things our way instead of God’s way could not be further from how God would have us live.

Jesus found a way to answer “no” when the devil came calling with the temptation to do things His way instead of God’s way.

Jesus can help us find ways to do the same thing.

The second temptation the devil came calling with was the temptation to take the easy way instead of God’s way.

The devil took Jesus to a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world – and told Him that He could give Him authority over all these if He would worship him.

He was offering Jesus a kingdom without the cross.

Why go to all the trouble and pain to win the world when it can be handed to you on a silver platter?” is what the devil was saying.

No suffering, No struggling, No sacrifice.

Easy for Jesus — but without meaning for us. If Jesus were to accept the crown without the cross there would be no forgiveness for our sins.

Thank God Jesus had an answer when the devil came calling with temptation to take the easy way instead of God’s way.  Thank God Jesus answered:

“Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”

We do not have to look far to see how the devil comes calling with the temptation to take the easy say instead of God’s way. Our world  teaches us to avoid pain, to take the easy way, the path of least resistance. Avoid sacrifice.

Why give all that money to the Church?

Why do things to help others?

Why go out of your way to come to Church on a nice Sunday morning or Sunday night or Wednesday night?

Why not spend your money on something you want?

Why not just let others find help somewhere else?

Why not come to Church if and when it suits?

You only live once!

You deserve to be happy.

No – we are called to love and serve God and others – and although that may not be the easy way – it is God’s way – and it needs to be our way.

Like Jesus, we need to say “no” when the devil comes calling with the temptation to do things the easy way instead of God’s way.

The third temptation the devil came calling on Jesus with was the temptation to not believe God’s love until He saw it.

The devil took Jesus to the point of the temple roof that overlooked the Kidron Valley, about a 450 ft. drop to the ground. Whether he took him there physically or in a vision we do not know, but once there he made Jesus very tempting offer. Having seen Jesus defeat him two times by quoting Scripture, the devil now quotes it himself, but for his own purposes:

“If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. (10) For it is written:‘He shall give His angels charge over you,To keep you,’ (11) and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up,Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”

Actually, the devil misquotes the promise of God. It was right as far as it went, but he did not quote it all. For Jesus to have supernaturally survived a fall from the pinnacle of the temple in the full view of the people would have immediately identified Him as the Messiah. But Jesus would have been insisting that God “show” Him His love. It would have been testing God. It would be the equivalent of saying to God –“I won’t believe in You until I see You show me Your love on my terms.”

But – just as He did for the other 2 temptations the devil came calling with – Jesus had an answer for this temptation also.

“It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’”

Jesus understood that starting His ministry by dramatically jumping from the pinnacle of the Temple would be completely contrary to the will of God. To do so would be to test God. Jesus refused to take this shortcut.

Jesus said “no”  when the devil came calling with the temptation to not believe God’s love until He saw it.

There are many subtle ways that the devil comes calling to us with the temptation to put God to the test – to not believe God’s love until we see it. We may not be tempted to jump from the top of the church – but we are tempted to do it in other ways.  We do it when we dive into a path of our own choosing and then cry out to God to bail us out. We do it when we test the boundaries of known sin. God says: “Here is the line,” – but we see how close we can get to that line and are surprised when we fall. Then we blame God. But it happened because we tested God.

We need to find ways to say “no” to the devil when he comes calling with the temptation to not believe God’s love until we see it.

The one thing common to all three temptations the devil came calling to Jesus with is that  he attempted to distract Jesus from His mission and destroy His relationship with His heavenly Father.

The devil is always looking for ways to distract us from our mission and destroy our relationship with God. He is always calling on us  with temptations to either forget what God has done for us, or do things our way instead of God’s way, or do things the easy way instead of God’s way, or not trust God’s love until we see it.  We need to find ways to answer these and all temptations the devil will come calling with. In all these things, Jesus can give us the answers God would have us give and the strength to be the people God would have us be.

Don’t miss the truth given in verse thirteen:

“Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.”

This verse says that “when the devil had ended every temptation” – the temptation was “ended” when he carried to completion and every avenue of attack was employed. When it says that the devil “departed from Him”.

The Greek is much more blunt — it says he “stood off.”

The devil will always be lurking in the shadows, watching, waiting for our next vulnerable moment – then he will come calling with a temptation.

When you are weak – you can expect the devil to come calling with a major temptation.

When you resist – you can expect the devil to try a different approach.

Martin Luther was once asked how he overcame the devil – and replied:

“Well, when he comes calling at the door of my heart, and asks ‘Who lives here?’ the dear Lord Jesus goes to the door and says, “Martin Luther used to live here, but he has moved out. Now I live here.”

When Christ fills our lives then devil has no entrance.

When we say “yes” to Jesus it’s easier to say “no” to the devil!

When we let Christ strengthen us to fight temptation, we can have an answer with the devil comes calling – we can overcome temptation – and we can be better followers of Christ.  Amen.

Luke 5:1-11

Luke 5:1-11

Can We Go Before We Know?

February 7, 2010

Many of you know that I love gadgets and technological things.  I’m not real good at fixing them and I don’t really understand how they work  –  but I enjoy using them – or as Sally says – I like to “play with them”.  From my Black Berry phone to my laptop computer I enjoy gadgets – and I admit that sometimes my use of them can be described as “playing with them”.   At times I can even be distracted by them.  When I receive an e-mail and my Black Berry vibrates I want to grab it and see what the e-mail is – regardless of whatever else I might be doing.

Maybe you’re the same way. Technological innovations can be great and very helpful – but only if you use them the right way and don’t let them run your life.

One of my newest gadgets is my Garmin Nuvi GPS.  It helps get me where I want to go – and it’s Bluetooth enabled so I can use it as a speaker phone for my Black Berry while I’m driving – which is a big help!  If only I could teach it to display my e-mails while I’m driving!  I’m not sure that “there’s an app for that”, though!

GPS – or Global Positioning System – technology is truly remarkable!

I have it on my Blackberry also – but the screen in small and the “voice” hard to understand – so Sally and I gave each other the Garmin for Christmas. It does have a bigger screen and is easier to understand.

The beauty of a device with GPS technology is that you can enter in the address of your destination and it gives you directions on how to get there.  As long as you don’t mind the fact that there is a satellite “up there somewhere” that knows where you are it’s really pretty cool!

I have only had one experience where a GPS device didn’t help me get to where I was going.  Sally and I were going to the Big Tent Conference in Atlanta last June and using the Navigator application on my Black Berry to find our downtown  hotel.  The application worked fine as far as getting us on and off I-285 at the right spots – but once we got into downtown Atlanta it went haywire – continuously telling us to “make legal U – turn as soon as possible.”  The problem was – every time we would make a U turn (which is not easy in downtown Atlanta) it would tell us to make another one.  If we had followed the directions of the Navigator application we would have been going around and around on Peachtree Street – not exactly the safest thing to do!  I finally surmised that the tall buildings of downtown Atlanta were keeping the satellite that the Navigator was trying to communicate with from figuring out where we were!  We did finally get to our destination!

That experience aside, I do love GPS devices – and other technological stuff!

I used to think it was really neat that I could go to the internet on my computer – go to Google maps or mapquest – and print out directions to where I wanted to go – but that sounds pretty old fashioned now, doesn’t it? And using a real map from the highway department – well, who does that any more?

When I was a child my family took a trip to California – by car, mind you –not plane – that took about 2 weeks. Needless to say, we had no GPS device and no google or mapquest maps. I still remember Dad driving the car while mom clutched the maps and the travel brochures – trying to figure out where we were and where we would eat and where we would spend the night and what sights we would see that day. If the “National Lampoon Vacation” movies had come out in the 1960’s I am sure my sisters and I would have changed our name to “the Griswalds”.

Technology has truly made it easier for us to plan trips or even run errands.

There is something in us that makes us want to know where we are going before we leave from where we are. Nobody gets in the car any more and just drives – we want to know where we are going – and on the way want to know exactly where we are and exactly how much longer it will take to reach our destination.

We want to know where we are going and how to get there before we go.

Many of us even want to make sure we can trust the map – or the GPS system.

Is the map the newest version?

Is the GPS updated with the most recent software?

We want to know where we are going before we go.

Even in making decisions we find it hard to commit to one course of action before we feel we have all the information we need and have weighed all the options before us.  We don’t want to “just rush into a decision” without feeling that we are fairly sure of what the outcome will be.  Much like the feeling that we need to know where we are going before we go anywhere, many times we might feel like we need to know what the outcome of our decisions will be before we make them.

I’m not saying that being careful is wrong – or that knowing where we are going before we go is a bad thing – or that it’s wrong to weigh all our options until we are fairly sure we know what the outcome of our decisions will be before we make them. Being careful and prudent is good – at times. But – then again – there are times we have to follow – times we need to go – even before we are really sure where we are going.

Can we do that?

It’s hard – but there are times we definitely need to go before we really know where we are going – or make decisions before we know what the outcome might be.

As much as we like to know where we are going before we go, there are times we need to “go” before we “know”.

Can we?

Can we “go” before we “know”?

Our scripture passage for today speaks to this. Here we have Luke’s version of the calling of the first disciples – Peter, James and John.

I found it interesting as I looked at this passage this week that Luke’s version of the calling of Peter, James and John is different from the version that Matthew and Mark relate. In Matthew and Mark the calling of the first disciples takes place fairly soon after the baptism of Jesus and His beginning of His ministry, so it appears that the disciples are making a dramatic decision to follow someone they barely knew anything about or may not have even heard of. In the passage we have before us today, however, Luke puts the calling of the disciples after Jesus had begun His ministry and His fame was beginning to spread.  Several times in chapter 4 Luke records that news of Jesus’ ministry was spreading throughout the countryside – when He came to Nazareth the people had already heard of what He was doing – after He was forced to leave Nazareth the news of what He was doing spread and chapter 4 ends with many people flocking to Jesus to hear Him and be healed by Him. As chapter 5 begins there is a large crowd of people listening to Jesus – so many that He must get in Peter’s boat and put out into the water to keep from being pushed by the crowd.

Luke’s version of the call of the disciples may not be the dramatic response to an unknown teacher that Matthew or Mark might have – but it is still dramatic and was a brave response on the part of Peter, James, and John.

Did they know who Jesus was?

Luke seems to lead us to believe that they did. In fact, Peter refers to Jesus as “master” when Jesus tells them to put out into the deep water and let down the nets – so he must have had some knowledge of who Jesus was.

But – did they know what Jesus was calling them to do – and everything that they were getting themselves into when they left everything and followed?

I doubt it!

How could they have known where Jesus was going to be leading them – what was going to happen to them – and what they were getting themselves into?

They could not have known!

But – even though they could not have known exactly where Jesus would lead them or exactly what was going to happen to them – they followed.

They left everything – and followed.

Maybe they knew who Jesus was – maybe they had heard stories of what He said and what He did – but they did not know everything about where He was going or where they were going when they followed.

But what did they do?

They left everything – and followed.

They didn’t know where they were going — but they had a sense of who was calling them – and they followed Him.

They didn’t have all the information they needed to know what the outcome of their decision might be – but they made a decision – and followed.

Even when they did not know – they decided to go.

Can we do that?

Can we go before we know?

Can we decide to follow Jesus – even if we do not know exactly where He is leading us?

Can we decide to follow where Jesus is leading us – even when we may not have all the information we need to know exactly what the outcome might be?

Tough questions, aren’t they?

Leaving everything and following someone when you’re not sure where they are going or what you’re getting yourself into is not an easy thing to do – even if that someone is Jesus.

Clarence Jordan was the son of a successful businessman in Talbotton, Georgia. As he grew up in Talbotton he became distressed over the poverty that so may people lived in – especially the white share croppers and the blacks. After graduating from the University of Georgia Clarence felt that he was being called into the ministry, and enrolled in Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Upon his graduation from Seminary he felt the call to go back to Georgia – but not to serve a Church as everyone expected him to do.  He and his family moved to a rural area outside of Americus, Georgia and established Koinonia Farms —  a community where the poor – both white and black – could come, work, and earn a living. Folks in the area called him a communist because everyone at Koinonia Farms shared everything equally.  Folks also called him a lot of other names and some refused to buy the products raised on the farm because the whites and blacks lived side by side and fellowshipped and worked together – not the most popular way for folks in southern Georgia to live in the 1950’s and 1960’s.  Many people tried to intimidate him and his farm and house were firebombed on many occasions, but Clarence and his family continued to work the farm and work for justice in many other ways.

Clarence was once asked if he ever regretted his decision to work for justice for the poor and begin Koinonia Farms.  He replied:

“I have never regretted it.  It might be good that I didn’t know what God’s call was going to mean for me – but I have never regretted following.”

Clarence Jordan was a person decided to “go” — to follow Christ’s call – even though he did not know all it was going to mean for him.

So were Peter, James, John, and the rest of the disciples.

So were folks like Abraham and Isaiah – and so many others in the Bible and so many others throughout history.

God can use anyone who is willing to “go” – to follow Him – even if they do not know where it may take them or all it might mean for them.

Can we do that?

Can we decide to follow Jesus – even if we do not know exactly where He is leading us?

Can we decide to follow where Jesus is leading us – even when we may not have all the information we need to know exactly what the outcome might be?

Can we go before we know?

Jesus is calling us.

Jesus is calling us to take His love into the world and to touch people with His love in specific ways.

Jesus is calling us to “catch men” – and catch women and children – for Him.

How do we respond?

Do we say:

“Lord – I’m not too sure about this.”

“Let me think about it.”

“I’ll get back to you on that.”

Or do we go and do what Jesus is calling us to go and do – even when we are not too sure of what it might mean for us or where it might lead us.

I’m afraid that too many times when Jesus calls us we are too cautious – want to gather too much information – and take too long to respond.

Too many times – when it comes to following Jesus — we are just too careful.  Too many times we want to know exactly where we are heading and how long it will take us to get there. We want a map that spells out the exact route we will take – or better yet a GPS that will talk to us along the way to guide us around anything that might make us give of ourselves or do things we don’t want to do.

We might say we are willing to follow Jesus wherever He might lead us – but when it comes time to put actions to our words we hold back.

We might say that we are willing to do anything it takes for the Church to grow and for folks in the community to experience God’s love – but when specific actions are recommended – or – dare I say it – Jesus calls us to specific actions – we hold back instead of following.

We might want to appear to be good followers of Jesus – but not want to act like it.

Can we overcome this?

Can we get to where we are active followers of Christ – always ready to follow wherever He might lead and do whatever He might call us to do?

Can we get to where we – like Peter – James – and John and so many others in the Bible – and Clarence Jordan and so many others throughout history – can follow Jesus, even if we don’t know exactly where we are going or what we are getting ourselves into?

Can we get to the point – in our personal lives and as a Church –where we are willing to “go” – to follow Christ — even before we know what all it entails?

God can use us if we are willing to “go” – to follow Him – even if we do not know where it may take us or all it might mean for us.

Can we do that?

It’s the only way we are going to be the people God is calling us to be.

It’s the only way we are going to be the Church God is calling us to be.

Getting past having to know before we go is not easy and will take prayer. It will also take commitment.

Pray, friends.

Pray that you can become a person who does not respond to the call of Christ to show His love to others with:

“Lord – I’m not too sure about this.”

“Let me think about it.”

“I’ll get back to you on that.”

But that you can become a person who can respond:

“Here I am Lord.  Use me in any way you choose.”

Pray that we as a Church can become a Church that does not respond to the call of Christ with excuses – but with actions.

Pray that we can become individuals – and a Church – who can “go” before we “know”.  Amen.

Psalm 8

Psalm 8

Praise God For Life’s Extras

January 31, 2010

Psalm 8 is a significant Psalm and a significant reminder to us of what life is all about. It’s the first “hymn of praise” in the Psalter, interrupting a string of Psalms asking God for help from distress or from enemies.

How easy it is for us to cry out to God for help when we feel under attack from real life enemies or from problems that seem to daunt us!

Psalm 8 is significant because it reminds us that there are times in our lives when we need to interrupt our laments and our cries to God for help – and give God praise for all God has done for us!

There are times in our lives when we need to interrupt our complaints to God and our moanings and groanings about how bad things are in our lives and see how great God is – how greatly God has blessed us – and praise God for His greatness and His blessings.

We truly need Psalms like Psalm 8!

Can’t you just picture young David sitting on a hillside outside of Bethlehem, gazing up at the moon and stars, and his heart filling with the wonder of it all?

Can’t you just imagine him taking out his harp and beginning to sing some of these words:

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens.

From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise. . .
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels and  crowned him with glory and  honor.
“You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the sea.
“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

Wow!

What beautiful words!

What a beautiful creation!

What a beautiful, powerful God!

Yea – we need Psalms like Psalm 8 to remind us that God has blessed us with so much, and we need to give praise to God for all His gifts to us!

Some of you know that I am blessed to be a part of a Prayer Group that meets every morning at Gregg’s Store.  We enjoy each other’s fellowship and share the good and bad things that happen in our lives, catch up on the community news, swap jokes, and most of all read a devotional and pray for each other and others we know are in need in the community.  A lot of good tings have come out of that group – a lot of people in the community have been helped as we have discussed ways that we can reach out to them, those of us who have gone through very hard times in our lives have been prayed for and strengthened and have felt God in our lives as we have shared with each other, and if we could just send some our ideas to someone who could do something about them many of the world’s problems would be solved!

What you may not know is that this group is also a book club!  Some of us read and passed around copies of The Shack and discussed what it meant to us when it first came out.  Back in December I was enjoying a day off and doing some things around the house when one of the members of the group knocked on the door.

“Pastor” he said – “this is a book one of the guys at the store found and let me borrow.  I read it last night – and I want you to read it.  I know there’s a sermon in there!”

I thanked him and took the book – but must admit I was somewhat skeptical.  My sermons and material for my sermons have been the butt of many jokes in that group!

I glanced at the title – Life’s Extras – and noted that it was written by Archibald Rutledge, who I knew was the Poet Laureate of South Carolina. I hated to admit that I could not remember reading anything he had written, and looked forward to reading this book.

A few days after that Mom fell and broke her hip – and Sally and I began making weekly trips to Rock Hill to check on her.  On one of the first of these trips I took the book, and as Sally drove I became absorbed in the wonder of Archibald Rutledge’s understanding of nature – and of God.

Rutledge writes that God’s gifts to us can be put into two categories – the things that are necessary and the extras.  Under the things that are necessary Rutledge lists sunlight, air, water, food and shelter – what he calls the bare necessities for living.  Under the things that are extras he lists music, the perfumes, and flowers.  He then writes that the wind might be necessary, but – as he writes –“the song that it croons through the morning pines is a different thing”.

What truth is in these words!

God has blessed us with things that we need for living – the things that are necessary – but God has also blessed us with “extras” – things that may not be necessary but without which life would be dull and without much joy.

Rutledge’s book made me start thinking about the “extras” God has blessed me with.

What are some of the “extras” – some of the things not necessary but that fill your life with joy?

Sally’s love, care, and support may not be completely necessary for my survival, although I hate to think where I would be without her in my life.

Friends and family are indeed some of the “extras” in my life that God has blessed me with. Without them, my life would truly be devoid of much of the joy it is filled with.

A loving congregation to serve is definitely one of “life’s extras” for me – as is the Prayer Group I mentioned a few minutes ago.

I can’t forget our dogs – Hallie and Buster.  They provide much joy and companionship for both Sally and me.

God has blessed me with an ability to communicate His love to others and I don’t take that lightly.  I volunteer my time at Carolinas’ Hospital, and find that I am blessed when I do this. That blessing may not be something that is necessary for my survival, but it is truly an “extra” for me that makes my life much richer. I find being on the Board of the House of Hope and the Presbytery committees I serve on are part of “life’s extras” for me, as is the times of fellowship I enjoy with fellow pastors.

These are just some of the “extras” God has blessed me with – just some of the things that cause me to pause and say to God:

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

What about for you?

What are some of “life’s extras” for you that cause you to pause and say:

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

Hopewell is a rural Church – in a rural setting – so maybe you are very familiar with the things Rutledge lists in Life’s Extras as being some of the “extra things” God has blessed him with that give meaning and beauty to his life. He lists things like the sound of the wind, the songs of the birds, the moonlight on a path in the woods, the stars, and beautiful flowers.

He relates one experience where the beauty of a moonlit night, the smell of the salt air over the marsh, and the song of a mockingbird cheered his spirit as he walked to visit a sick friend, and how these were the things that were giving his friend joy and even healing.

Another experience he relates was how, on visiting the family of a man in the mountains of North Carolina who had died, he noticed a rhododendron on the mantle next to the man’s picture. The man’s sister told him:

“To have it there helps me. It reminds me of God.”

The “extra” things in life can indeed help us find joy and healing – and can even remind us of God.

That’s what David discovered and wrote about it Psalm 8.

That’s what Archibald Rutledge knew and wrote about in Life’s Extras.

That’s what we can know and live our lives realizing as we give praise to God for the “extras” He graciously blesses us with.

The problem is that too many times we become so busy with our lives that we don’t take the time to realize – or give praise to God for – the “extras” He gives us in our lives. Too many times we overlook the beauty God blesses us with that is all around us – and we fail to look to God and say:

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

We tend to take things for granted.

We become so busy with our lives that we overlook our loved ones – our families and friends – or when we do pay attention to them it’s to yell at them because of something that we feel they have done wrong. Words and phrases like “how can you be so stupid?” come more easily to us at times than words like: “I love you”. “I appreciate you.” “Thank you for what you do for me”. “Thank you for what you mean to me”.  We overlook the “extras” God has blessed us with instead of letting them know what they mean to us – and fail to look to God in praise and say:

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

We tend to take things for granted.

We might drive by beautiful scenery – or have a beautiful sunrise of sunset right before our eyes – and not pay attention.

We might have the most beautiful flowers right before our eyes – and not pay attention to them or give praise to God for them.

We might take the “extras” in life that are all around us for granted – and not look to God and say:

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

We’ve got to do better, friends!

We need to be more thankful people.

We need to be more thankful to God for the “extras” He blesses us with – more aware of the “extras” God gives us – and express our thanks and appreciation to the people God blesses us with all around us.

We need to realize that everything we have is from God – and see God’s handiwork in all the things in life – whether it be a flower or a sunrise or sunset or a shining star or the moon on a beautiful moonlit night or a beautiful snowfall – or a person we know and love. All these things – and so much more – are God’s extras to us – and should cause us to stop and give praise to God.

You know – the Apostle Paul was right when – in the first chapter of Romans – he wrote that people can’t say they do not know about God because they can look at all of creation and know that God created it and is in it.  They may not take the time to realize it – but they can.

God is in all things – and gives us all things as “extras” for us to enjoy.

Do you see God in all things – enjoy what God has given you — and give Him praise – or do you just overlook the fact that God is there?

Frank Borman was commander of Apollo 8 space craft and had the thrill of looking down on the earth from 250,000 miles away. He radioed a message back to Houston in which he and his fellow astronauts took turns quoting the opening verses of Genesis 1:

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…”

He later explained: “I had an enormous feeling that there had to be a power greater that any of us, that there was a God, that there was indeed a beginning.”

John Glenn said one of his missions: “To look out at this kind of creation and not believe in God is to me impossible.”

We need to learn to realize the “extras” God has blessed us with – and say to God:

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

Of course, the greatest thing God has blessed us with is salvation through Christ. If you have never realized that God loves you and provides for your salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, you need to realize it. In fact, you should not let another minute go by without letting Jesus enter your heart and change your life.

Friends – God loves you and blesses you.

He blesses you with salvation.

He blesses you with all the things you need to live – all the “necessities” of life.

He also blesses you with so many “extras” in life – things that may not be exactly necessities but without which your life would be dull and joyless.

Learn to appreciate and praise God for “life’s extras”.

Let the people who are the “extras” in life for you know how much you love and appreciate them – and do your best to be an “extra” in life for them.

Learn to look at nature – the world around you – and give praise to God for it’s beauty.

Learn to give praise to God for the greatest gift He has given you – your salvation – and live a life in joyful praise to God for it.

Learn to be like David in the Psalms – who knew how to cry out to God for help – but also knew how to cry to God:

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

Learn to give praise to God for “life’s extras”.

Amen.

Luke 4:14-30

Luke 4:14-30

God’s Spirit Can Be On Us!

January 24, 2010

The Spirit of the Lord is on me,   because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4:18-19)

“Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing!” (Luke 4:21)

What exciting words these must have been to the worshippers in Nazareth that day!  These words were words filled with promise for the worshippers in Nazareth that day.  They were hearing that the promises of God — the kingdom of peace and healing that Isaiah and so many others had promised — were finally coming true — and it was going to be one of their own who would bring it into fruition!

Exciting words indeed!

But — for us to really understand what they might have meant for them to hear these words — and to hear them from Jesus, who had grown up in their own town — maybe we need to imagine that we are in that Synagogue that day — hearing those words.

Imagine with me that you are one of the townspeople worshipping on that Sabbath.

You hear Jesus say:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,   because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”  – and

“Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing!”

– and you wonder if these words will ever mean the same to you again.

What power Jesus seems to have as He speaks them!

It seems as if these words from Isaiah are taking on a whole new meaning for you and the others listening to Jesus — Joseph and Mary’s boy — speak these words.

He seems to have such authority.

Maybe you aren’t sure of what all His words mean — but it seems to you that He is saying that He is going to be doing the things Isaiah had written of centuries before.  Maybe He is going to be the one to bring the good news to the poor — proclaim release to the captives — proclaim recovery of sight to the blind — let the oppressed go free – and proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. Maybe He was especially chosen — even anointed by God — to fulfill these promises God had made so many years before.

He seemed to be saying that His mission in life was going to be fulfilling the promises of God.

You believe Him when He says that the Spirit of God was upon Him.

But – still – you wonder.

You wonder why this particular person – why Jesus – is the one with God’s Spirit on Him – and how Jesus  will do all these things He seems to be saying that it’s Him mission to do.

You see — you’ve known Jesus all his life.

His father — Joseph — was a good friend of yours.  You are a brick mason — and you and Joseph worked together on many a house in Nazareth.  You had been in and out of his shop many times — and he yours.  Like everyone else in Nazareth, you rejoiced when Joseph and Mary became engaged and married.  You remember when they returned from the census with their son — Jesus.  You had watched Jesus grow.  You watched Him learn to be a carpenter like Joseph.   You watched Him attend school in the Synagogue like the other boys His age.  You watched Him play with other children his age in the streets of Nazareth.  You watched Him on the Sabbath as a young adult as He participated in the worship in the Synagogue.

He seemed to be a normal boy — but then — all that changed.

He left town one day.

Some said He had joined with the followers of John the Baptist.

Others said — no — He was baptized by John — but He had begun His own ministry — traveling around the countryside — performing miracles — and teaching about God.

He had stirred up a great deal of attention — the reports of what He was doing had reached Nazareth long before He did.

But then — one day — He came to town.

How happy you and all His friends were to see Him!

How excited everyone was!

Maybe He would do some of those great things here in Nazareth that you had heard He had done in other places!

Sure enough — on the Sabbath He entered the Synagogue — and was invited to take part in the service. He stood to read the Scripture — and turned to Isaiah.

Everyone beamed with pride as Jesus stood to read:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,   because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Then — all eyes were on Him as He sat in the special chair reserved for the one who was to interpret the Scripture.  You and everyone else sit in anticipation to hear what Jesus would say about this Scripture — and He looked up and said:

“Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing!”

“Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing!”

It becomes so silent in the Synagogue that you could hear a pin drop. For a moment — no one says a word.  Everyone is in shock.  But — you were rejoicing!

Finally — you think to yourself — God’s promise is going to be fulfilled.

Finally — someone has God’s Spirit on them to bring good news to the poor  – proclaim release to the captives — proclaim recovery of sight to the blind — let the oppressed go free – and proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor!

You are not at all sure how Jesus — the son of Mary and Joseph — was going to do this — but you felt that — somehow — it would be done — and you even felt a strong desire to be a part of it.

At least that’s your initial reaction.

Somehow — God was in Jesus — and Jesus was going to make it His mission in life to fulfill the promises of God.

I hope this somewhat imaginative look at how someone in the Synagogue in Nazareth that day may have felt about and even initially reacted to what Jesus said makes you feel like you were there and listening to Jesus — because what Jesus said was not just for those people in that at that time and in that place — what Jesus said to those folks in that place and at that time Jesus says to us in this place and at this time, also.

The Spirit of the Lord is on me,   because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4:18-19)

“Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing!” (Luke 4:21)

God’s Spirit was indeed upon Jesus.

God’s Spirit also can be upon us.

Jesus used the passage from Isaiah to describe how His ministry was going to be.  He was going to be the one who would bring good news to the poor  – proclaim release to the captives — proclaim recovery of sight to the blind — let the oppressed go free – and proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor!

God’s word through Isaiah would indeed finally be fulfilled.

God’s promise to the people would finally be fulfilled.

God’s will for healing — justice — and peace was coming into the world — through Jesus Christ.

But – here’s the thing — just as the folks in Nazareth needed to hear that God’s promises were being fulfilled — we need to hear that, also. God’s promises of good news to the poor — release to the captives — recovery of sight to the blind – freedom for the oppressed — and the Lord’s favor was being fulfilled that day by Christ — but it can also needs to be fulfilled by us — here — and now.

Just as God’s Sprit was on Jesus – God’s Spirit can be on us!

Jesus said: “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing!”

Today — Jesus still says — the Scripture is still being fulfilled.

Not just that day in Nazareth – but today!

Commenting on this passage Fred Craddock writs:

“By reading Isaiah 61:1-2 Jesus not only announced that prophecy was fulfilled (vs. 21) but was also defining His role in the world. The passage says that Christ is God’s servant who will bring to reality God’s fulfillment of the longings of the poor, oppressed, and imprisoned.  Jesus says “today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing”.  The ministry of Jesus and the early Church showed that today God is active.  The Church today needs to show others that God is active in the world – not just in a vague “someday” and “sometimes” but today – here – and now!”

Indeed, God is active in the world – here and now!

The Spirit of God can be on us – here and now!

The Spirit of God can be on us as we take God’s message into the community and the world through words and actions that show God’s love and care to all who are in need.

It can be on us as we spread good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives, proclaim recovery of sight to the blind and freedom for the oppressed and proclaim the Lord’s favor is available for all. It is on us as we reach out with power and bring God’s Good News into the world!

It can be on us as we support the work of the Lighthouse Ministries or Thornwell – or so many other ways we reach out those in need.

It can on us as we share a smile or a kind word with someone who may need to see that smile or hear that word at that time.

It can be on us as we make a phone call to someone just to let them know we are thinking about them – or stop by just to say “hello”.

It can be on us in so many ways — large and small.  There are so many ways we all can fulfill God’s promises of love and healing and peace in our world.

I don’t think Jesus was only referring to folks who were poor economically or physically captives or blind or actually oppressed by a government. While He was certainly talking about these things in the literal sense, He was also talking about those “poor in spirit” – captive to disease or addictions – blind to God’s love – or oppressed to financial situations such as job loss or abuse or any of the other situations in life that can torment us and keep us from realizing God’s love and favor that is available to us.  It’s up to the Church – up to us – to show God’s love and favor to all in need – regardless of the need.  It’s up to us to let them know that God is active – as Craddock writes – not just someday or sometimes or somewhere but today – here—and now!

But – here is something we need to pay attention to.

Jesus proclaimed that God’s Spirit was on Him as He did God’s will in the world – and it was. Jesus had a powerful ministry as He did the things that showed God’s will to others.

God’s Spirit can be on us also – but only as we do the things that show God’s will to others and live in God’s ways ourselves.

The wonderful reaction Jesus got from the folks in the Synagogue in Nazareth did not last long – did it?

No – when Jesus began telling them what it meant to have God’s Spirit on Him and on them they began to react violently.

It was going to mean doing things they did not want to do – reaching out to those they did not want to reach out to – and showing God’s love to those who they preferred to stay away from.

In other words, it was going to mean changing who they were – and becoming who God wanted them to be. It was going to mean changing their attitudes and getting the attitudes God wanted them to have. It was going to mean letting God change them so they could do God’s things in the world and not their own things.

God’s Spirit can be on us – truly on us – as we let God change us.

God’s Spirit is only on us as we begin to let God change who we are and make us who He wants us to be. God’s Spirit is only on us as we pray for God to change us – then share the change God is making in our lives with others. God’s Spirit is only on us as we get busy and do the things God is calling us to do.

When we met to celebrate our Prayer Groups two weeks ago and look at what God might be calling us to be doing, one topic that continued to be brought up was that we at Hopewell seemed to need to have a greater commitment to God and to letting God change us. Some suggested that we needed to pray for God’s Spirit to anoint us and build a fire of excitement in us.  I could not agree more. We need God’s Spirit with us here at Hopewell – and we need God’s Spirit with us in our personal lives.  It really doesn’t matter what the Session does or what I do – unless each of us are willing to pray for God’s Spirit to anoint and change us personally we will not be the Church or the people God is calling us to be.

Each of us have to pray for God’s Spirit to bless us – to come upon us – and change us – before we can truthfully say “God’s Spirit  is on us!”

God’s Spirit was at work in Jesus as He spread good news to the poor, proclaimed release to the captives, proclaimed recovery of sight to the blind and freedom for the oppressed and proclaimed that the Lord’s favor was available for all.  God’s Spirit can be at work in us – and upon us – as we pray for it and give ourselves to God and let Him change our lives and our Church and do the things that show God to the world.  If each of us would pray for God’s Spirit, God will send it – will changes us — and glorious things will happen.

Pray for God’s Spirit to truly be on us.

Pray for a changed attitude among us.

Pray for an attitude of being willing to get involved in the things of the Church and the things of God.

Pray that we will be – as Craddock writes – people who show to our community and the world that God is at work – not just someday or somewhere but here and now.

That’s the only way God can truly make a difference in our lives, our Church, our community, and our world.

But – here’s the promise God gives us – if we pray for His Spirit to change us and through us make a difference in our Church, our community, and our world – it will happen. God wants it to happen – if we want it to happen. God wants it to happen – if you want it to happen.

Pray.

Then it can be true that God’s Spirit is on us – and we can be God’s people showing others that God is active in our lives – our Church – and the world – as Craddock writes: “not just in a vague “someday” and “sometimes” but today – here – and now!”

Then it can be said that God’s Spirit is on us! Amen

John 2:1-11

John 2: 1-11

God Can Change Us

January 17, 2010

(Celebration of ideas from Prayer Groups and how God can call us to new things)

Wow!

What a powerful passage we have before us today!

Jesus – who as John relates the story of His ministry has just begun to travel throughout the land teaching healing, and calling on others to follow – attends a wedding at Cana – and  “saves the day” with a wonderful miracle of changing water into wine.

Jesus saw the wedding is going badly after the wine gave out – or maybe it’s Mary’s bringing the problem to His attention that makes Him become concerned about the situation – and changes the water that is available into wine.

The party had come to a grinding halt when the wine gave out – but Jesus provided more wine – in fact much better wine than at first – and the party was saved.

Wow!

Wasn’t that really nice of Jesus to save the party – and provide wine?

Pretty neat – don’t you think?

Maybe Jesus would be a pretty good person to have around.  He sure does know how to keep a party going!

But – that’s not what’s really going on here – is it?

Of course not!

Jesus did not change the water into wine just to keep the party going!

I don’t believe that Jesus was all that concerned about the party.

I think Jesus was concerned with people realizing that He could create changes in the very nature of things and make things different.

I don’t think Jesus was interested in the people at the party having a good time – I believe He was interested in grabbing their attention so He could show them how to have the best time – indeed the best life — possible.

That’s what I think this story before us today is all about.

God can take us – change us – and give us the best life possible.

God can change us!

How can God change us?

Last Sunday morning we looked at God’s word to the captives in Babylon as Isaiah 43 records it and the Baptism of Jesus and saw how God has a future for us that is much more glorious than our present. Last Sunday afternoon we celebrated the Prayer Groups we had last fall and shared ideas of things God might be calling us to do in our future as individual Christians and a Church. Today I want to give all of us a chance to look at some of the things we discussed last Sunday afternoon – because I believe that these are ways that God can change us – – just as Jesus changed the water into wine – and give us the best life – and the best Church – possible.

I’m going to ask some of you to help me hand out these sheets as we look at how God might change us.

At our Prayer Group celebration last Sunday, we shared ideas of what we felt God was calling us to be doing as a Church.  A list  was  made of things we are already doing that we wanted to celebrate and continue doing and lists were made of new things we felt God might be calling us to be doing.

Hopewell’s Mission Statement gives us a good way to consider what we are doing and what we might be called to do. The Mission Statement is:

We at Hopewell Presbyterian strive to live out three basic commands of  Christ:

1. 1. Love God and others (Matthew 22:34-38)
2. 2. Serve others (Matthew 25:34-46)
3. 3. Tell others about Christ (Matthew 28:16-20)

We believe that, as we worship, study, fellowship, and serve we show our love for God, each other, and others.

Things discussed last Sunday that we are doing now to show our love for God and others, serve others, and tell others about Christ that we want to celebrate included:

1. 1. Outreach
2. 2. New members and “friends” who are not members but very active — showing some growth
3. 3. Youth
4. 4. Wednesday nights (fellowship, youth, young adults, Dave Ramsey, Bible Study)
5. 5. Active Session
6. 6. Christmas outreach
7. 7. Reaching members in times of need
8. 8. Youth to work camps
9. 9. Fundraisers for missions and other activities always supported well

10. “Community Clean Up Days”

What are some other things we are doing and want to celebrate and continue doing?

Ideas for things God might be calling us to do that would help us do a better job at showing  our love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ were divided into different areas. Things the entire congregation can do was one area. Other areas included things Session Committees would oversee.  Things the Session as a whole can do was another area, and things the Pastor could do was another area

Congregation

1. Each member needs to hold himself/herself accountable for his/her own personal relationship with Christ. (This was returned to several times and in several different ways of expressing the same thought – such as we all need to pray for God’s Spirit to anoint us, we all need to work on our own excitement about the Church and serving God, each member needs to “step up and do what they can”, etc. This is the one thing that – if implemented – would make the biggest difference in the Church.
2. Need to be ministers to each other
3. Need to be committed to spreading the Gospel
4. Should support missions, local, national, and international
5. Need to support church members and others who are having personal difficulties and rejoice with them in their blessings.
6. Need to develop an atmosphere of “family” within the church.

What are some other things the entire congregation can be doing that would help us do a better job at showing love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ?

Things Session Committees can oversee that will help us do a better job at showing love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ:

Christian Education:

1. Have a plan for presenting certificates and pins for attendance, etc
2. Program of memorizing scripture passages
3. Find ways to encourage people to bring their Bibles to Sunday School and Church
4. Sponsor or promote workshops for teachers that Presbytery sponsors
5. Encourage congregation members to “use their gifts” as far as being teachers and Christian Education volunteers
6. Look into small group studies in people’s homes, etc.
7. Encourage great commitment of teachers
8. Review materials for classes – children, youth, and adults
9. Continue to look for new ideas for Wednesday nights and new people to assist with teaching and leading activities on Wednesday nights
10. Look at ways to reach the college age young people in Church and community  (Francis Marion University, etc.)

What are some other things we can be doing as far as Christian Education  that would help us do a better job at showing love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ?

Congregational Care

1. Help nurture feelings of nurturing each other in the congregation (prayer chain, etc. – maybe meals to those in need.  The “new” e-mail Prayer Chain list and the way it is being used was praised!)
2. Help devise ways to support church members and others who are having personal difficulties and rejoice with them in their blessings.
3. Help develop an atmosphere of “family” within the church.
4. Continue: cards to sick, anniversaries, and birthdays – Communion to members who are  Homebound and in Nursing Homes,  gifts to  members who are  Homebound and in Nursing Homes.

What are some other things we can be doing as far as Congregational Care   that would help us do a better job at showing love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ?

Fellowship

1.  Find ways to promote activities, outings, meals, etc. that get us together so we can share our lives and our faith together

2. Help Congregational Care Committee in working to develop a “family atmosphere” within the Church

3. Plan a church wide retreat one weekend in the fall or spring—not summer.

What are some other things we can be doing as far as Fellowship that would help us do a better job at showing love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ?

Mission and Evangelism

1. Help nurture a commitment to spreading the Gospel among the members
2. Help support and promote Missions
3. Provide transportation for those who are unable to drive at night or for those who have no means of transportation.
4. Identify and invite the un-churched in the community to attend church programs
5. Arrange transportation for the children in Sunnyfield and other residential areas near the church
6. Look into being involved in Gospel Clubs at public schools
7. Consider buying a church van to use for youth and senior retreats
8. Continue offerings to Church supported agencies, collections for Thornwell and others missions, and suppers at FMU

What are some other things we can be doing as far as Fellowship that would help us do a better job at showing love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ?

Finance and Stewardship

1. Promote finance and Stewardship concerns

2. Promote ways to get congregation more committed to being good steards of their gifts and talents

What are some other things we can be doing as far as Finance and Stewardship that would help us do a better job at showing love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ?

Worship and Music

1. More upbeat or spirited service particularly music
2. Have a revival in October on the years we don’t have Homecoming which we used to do.
3. Have a children’s choir if enough are interested.
4. Try a worship service one Sunday night a month.
5. “Fifth Sunday Night Hymn Sing”

What are some other things we  can be doing as far as Worship and Music hat would help us do a better job at showing love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ?

Youth

1. 1. More support and encouragement for those working with youth
2. 2. Continue wonderful job with Sunday night and Wednesday night programs and Mission trips

What are some other things we can be doing as far as Youth that would help us do a better job at showing love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ?

Things the Pastor can do to help us do a better job at showing love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ was also a category.  The following ideas were shared:

1. More “meat and potatoes” and “fire” in sermons
2. Less repetition in sermons
3. Sermons should challenge the congregation
4. Sermons should teach Scripture, refer to Bible commentaries and esteemed authors.
5. Sermons should be spiritual and expound on the scripture chosen for the service
6. Children’s sermons should be geared more to the learning levels of the children involved.
7. Announcements that are in the bulletin should not be read to the congregation.
8. Needs to visit every member of the church
9. Needs to be a strong leader who leads by doing things
10. Needs to talk less and listen more to suggestions of others
11. Needs to prepare more challenging, scholarly sermons
12. Be respectful to all members of the congregation
13. Visit in the community in order to interest new members

What are some other things the Pastor can be doing that would help us do a better job at showing love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ?

Things the Session as a whole can do to help us do a better job at showing love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ was also a category.  The following ideas were shared:

1. Be prayerful in all actions they undertake
2. Remember they are serving God, not themselves
3. Listen to members of the congregation when suggestions are made and take them seriously
4. Treat all members of the congregation with love and respect
5. Be good stewards in the management of church affairs and money.
6. Be conscientious about fulfilling duties they undertake
7. Try to attend all Session meetings
8. Treat each other with respect – let everyone speak their minds – even if you disagree
9. Agree to disagree (Disagree without being disagreeable)
10. Try to support programs of the Church – attend functions
11. Follow through on ideas and things have agreed to do

What are some other things the Session can be doing that would help us do a better job at showing love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ?

Last Sunday afternoon – and today — we have looked at where we are – and shared ideas on what God might be leading us to do so we can do a better job at   showing love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ. We have looked at some ways God might be able to “make us new”.

What will be done with these ideas and suggestions?

The Session is having a planning retreat the first Saturday in February where we will begin looking at these ideas and suggestions — and how we can implement them. Every idea might not be done this year — every idea will be considered.

As for the things I might need to work on – I will consider them and pray for ways to implement them.  I want each of you to know that I am very approachable and that I will listen to your ideas and suggestions and take them under consideration – for I firmly believe that God speaks to us through each other.

Let’s all do the first thing under what the congregation as a whole can do – be accountable for our own personal relationship with Christ and pray for God’s Spirit to anoint us, work on our own excitement about the Church and serving God, and “step up and do what we can”. This is the one thing that would make the biggest difference in the Church – and be the instrument God can use to change us. As we pray –worship – and work together we can all be changed – and the Church can be changed.

Just as Jesus changed the water into wine – God can change us – and give us the best life – and best Church – possible. Amen.

Isaiah 43:1-7, Luke 3:15-17,21-22

Isaiah 43:1-7

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

“Are You Listening To God?”

January 10, 2010

Baptism of the Lord

Communion

What joyful — wonderful – promised filled — and appropriate – passages we have before us today!

These are joyful passages that proclaim God’s love and promise to God’s people.

Isaiah proclaims God’s love and promise of a brighter future for a people in captivity far away from their homeland who probably saw very little reason to rejoice and hope for the future –  and Luke declares God’s love for Jesus – God’s Son – the hope and joy of the world – as He is being baptized and beginning His ministry.

Joyful – wonderful – promise filled passages indeed!

And appropriate.

What do these passages have in common?

In both passages God is speaking God’s word to God’s people – and God’s word is a word of love and hope and promise. .

In our OT passage Isaiah is writing to the Israelites who were in captivity in Babylon – and maybe wondering if God still cared for them.

Can you imagine what it must have been like for them?

Over 60 years in captivity in a land that was not the land God had promised to their ancestors.  Many of them had never seen Jerusalem – and the stories of the beautiful land and the beautiful temple – and maybe even the stories of God and His love and care and freeing past captives – may have seemed like fairy tales to them.

Where was God now?

Why wasn’t God freeing them?

They may have felt that God had abandoned them – and their future was nothing more than serving their Babylonian masters.

And then – Isaiah brings a word from God.

God speaks – and God’s word to them is:

rejoice – have courage – God is going to save you – God will bring you back to Jerusalem and the land He promised your ancestors.

Fear not  – God says

Why?

Because God is going to do something new!

God is going to gather your people – and bring you back to Jerusalem

God will gather your people —

“from the east and west – north and south”

God will do something!

You have reason to rejoice – and your  future will be glorious – if you will listen to God!

Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann writes that this passage is one of the greatest examples in the Old Testament of God’s gracious choice of God’s people – what we call the Doctrine of Election — writing that —

“A tiny, miserable and insignificant band of uprooted men and women are assured that they – precisely they! – are the people to whom God has turned in love; they, just as they are, are dear and precious in his sight”

Regardless of how things may have looked to them in the present – regardless of their present condition – Isaiah brings God’s word to them — and that word was that He loved them – had a great future planned for them – and that He wanted them to look to His future – listen to His plan for them — and trust Him.

God wanted them to listen to His plan for their future – and follow it.

Isaiah proclaims that God has a plan for His people – and He wants them to listen to His plan – and follow it!

Amazing when you think of it – is it not?

To these captives – these “tiny, miserable, and uprooted men and women” — God spoke words of hope and words of encouragement – and told them to not worry so much about their present situation – but to listen to His plan for their future – and to follow Him!

To these captives — these “tiny, miserable, and uprooted men and women” — God spoke – and called them to listen.

And – you know what?

God’s word came true.

God’s vision for the future for these people became reality!

God was speaking to them – and they needed to listen!

So – let’s fast-forward some 500 years or so.

In our passage from Luke the people have returned to Jerusalem and the rest of the land of promise – just as God said they would —  and now John the Baptist is preaching and baptizing and telling the people that salvation is near – and Jesus – God’s Son – the one who will bring salvation — comes to him and is baptized.

And what happens?

We see the rare occurrence of the Trinity – God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – all acting at the same time.

God the Son is baptized and begins His ministry.

God the Sprit comes in the form of a dove to confirm and bless what God the Son is doing

And God the Father speaks.

Jesus begins His ministry – and the Father speaks words of love and encouragement

“you are my Son, whom I love.  With you I am well pleased.”

Can you imagine how that experience must have been for Jesus?

It must have confirmed for Him that He was God’s Son – loved by God –and called to do God’s work and saving will in the world.

Jesus heard God’s voice – and went into the future God had planned for Him.

Another wonderful – joyful – and promised filled passage.

Yea – these are 2 joyful — wonderful – promised filled — and appropriate – passages we have before us today!

They are joyful passages that proclaim God’s love and promise.

In Isaiah we see God’s love and promise and choice of a captive people in a faraway country who saw very little reason to rejoice and hope – and in Luke we see God’s love for Jesus – God’s Son – the hope and joy of the world – as He is being baptized and beginning His ministry.

Joyful – wonderful – promise filled passages indeed!

Passages filled with promise and hope for the future God has planned for His people!

And appropriate passages also.

Why do I say they are appropriate?

Well – I say this because I believe that they are appropriate for us – here at Hopewell Presbyterian Church on January 10, 2010.

I believe that — just as God spoke to the captives in Babylon of His plans for their future – a future of love and hope and redemption – a future filled with His plans for great and wonderful things – I believe that God speaks to us of a future filled with His plans for great and wonderful things for us.

I believe that — just as God spoke to Jesus and the crowd around Him at His baptism that Jesus was His Son – and that He was well pleased with Him – God speaks to us – calls us His people – tells us He is well pleased with us – if we will listen to Him and follow Him.

Just as Jesus listened to God – and went into the future God had planned for Him – we need to listen to God – and go into the future God has planned for us.

I believe that God has a “future plan” for us here at Hopewell – just as He had a “future plan” for the exiles in Babylon – a plan for a future that is filled with His promise and filled with great things. Regardless of how things may looked to us here and now — God has a word for us  – and that word is that He loves us– has a great future planned for us – and wants us to look to His future and His plan  –trust Him – and follow Him.

I believe that God is speaking to us of His plan for us – His plan for our future — and that we need to listen to Him.

But – I know that listening to God is not an easy thing to do.  Listening to God and following God is not easy at all.

We might look at how things are for the Church and in our lives and wonder if God really has a plan for us.

I’m sure some of the exiles in Babylon might have laughed at Isaiah and the word of God he brought to the people.

“What do you mean God is going to bring us back to Jerusalem and give us a future that is filled with great things? Are you crazy?”

That’s how some of them may have reacted to Isaiah’s word from God.

But God was speaking – and calling on His people to listen.

I’m sure that some of the crowd at Jesus’ baptism found it hard to believe that God was truly speaking.

“This is just a peasant from Nazareth! What do you mean He’s God’s Son?”

But God was speaking – and calling on His people to listen.

God is speaking to us here and now – and calling on us to listen.

Are you listening?

Are you listening to God?

Are you willing to listen to God’s plan for us – and follow God’s plan for us?

God has spoken to us – and continues to speak to us.

Are we listening?

Are we listening to God?

This past fall we gathered in prayer groups and prayed for God to give us His vision for Hopewell. We prayed for God to speak to us. This afternoon we are going to gather and share some of the ideas that were shared in our prayer groups.

Friends – I believe that God has spoken to us. I believe that when we come together as we have done and pray for God’s will for us and the Church – God speaks to us.

I also believe we need to listen.

I pray that you will come and join me this afternoon as we share what we feel has been God’s word to us. Even if you have not been involved in a prayer group, I pray you will come and share.

I believe that in the sharing we will hear God’s word to us.

I believe that in the sharing God will speak – and we will need to listen.

I don’t fool myself and I won’t try to fool you into thinking that we’ll leave this afternoon with a clear cut plan for how to do what we feel God is calling us to do – but I do believe that we might leave with a sense of what direction God is calling us to go in – maybe some general ideas – and some things to work on and do.

I believe that God will speak.

I believe we need to listen.

After this afternoon it will take commitment from each of us to put the plans we feel God is laying before us into motion – but if we will listen to God’s plans for us and do them – we will move into the future God has planned for us.

As we have partaken of the Sacrament this morning we have been strengthened to go into the glorious future God plans for us.

As we gather this afternoon we will continue to discover what that future is.

Let’s listen to God.

Are you listening to God?

Let’s look at the glorious future plans God has for us – just as He had a glorious future planned for the exiles in Babylon and just as He had a glorious plans for us all in Jesus.

Let’s listen to God – and do the work it will take to move into the glorious future He has planned for us. Amen

Jeremiah 31:7-14, 1 Peter 2:1-10, John 1:1-18

Jeremiah 31:7-14

1 Peter 2:1-10

John 1:1-18

We Are All Called

January 3, 2010

Christmas 2

Officer Ordination / Installation

Happy New Year!

It is indeed a new year – a year filled with new possibilities – new potential – - and new opportunities.

But we have to let it be that for us.

We have to let ourselves take advantage of the new possibilities – new potential – - and new opportunities that God may be laying before us — or this year will not be any different than any other.

You may remember my story about when I was young I used to want to stay up until midnight on New Years Eve and “see the New Year in”.  When I was 4 I decided that I was going to stay up and “see the New  Year in” – for it was not just a new year – but a new decade.  When the clock struck midnight it was no longer going to the 1959 – but 1960 – not the 1950’s – but the 1960’s!  I was sure that this was going to bring great changes – and things were going to suddenly look different.

I was excited! I was ready to stay up to “see the New Year in” – to “see the new decade in” but around 10:30 my tiredness caught up with my excitement. I decided I would lie down for awhile – but slept through the whole thing. On the morning of January 1, 1960 I awoke – disappointed that I had missed the New Year – the new decade — coming in – but raced outside to see how the New Year looked. I expected things to look different. Surely things would look different. Of course, nothing looked different. I told my parents that I did not know what the big deal was – everything looked the same to me.

Is that how the new year will be for us – just the same?

Or – will we see and take advantage of the new possibilities – new potential – - and new opportunities that lie before us?

For us here at Hopewell, today is not only a time for celebrating and thinking about the new possibilities and new opportunities God may be presenting us in our personal lives this new year – but it is also a time for celebrating and thinking about new possibilities  and new opportunities God may presenting us as a Church. Dresden Tucker and Sonny Sandifer have heard God’s call to serve Him and the Church — have responded by saying “Here I am” – and we have ordained them as Elders and installed them to active service on the Session.  Jay Gregg and Jimmy Gregg have also heard God’s call to serve Him and the Church – have responded again by saying “Here I am” – and we have installed them to active service on the Session.

God is laying new possibilities – new potential – - and new opportunities before us. But – - here’s the thing — we can grasp these new possibilities – new potential – - and new opportunities – and with God’s strength can do new and greater things for Him in the Church, the community, and the world — or we can just keep doing same old things in the same old ways and it can be “business as usual” – the same thing as always – and wonder why things remain the same.

It’s up to us.

Actually, it’s up to you.

It’s up to you to make the new year – with the new opportunities that lay before us – what you will make of them.

We can take advantage of the new possibilities – new potential – - and new opportunities God is laying before us – and truly be changed as individuals and as a Church – or we can just keep doing the same old things the same old ways and wonder why things never change.

You remember that Joshua told the people of Israel that they had to choose who they would serve – but as for him – he was going to serve the Lord.

In the same way, you have to choose if you are going to take advantage of the  new possibilities – new potential – - and new opportunities God is laying before us – and truly be changed as an individual – and if we will be changed as a Church.  But, as Joshua – I want to go on record as saying that – as for me – I want to take advantage of the new possibilities God is laying before us.  I want Hopewell to be the Church God would have us be.  I want us all to say – when God calls us – “Here I am – tell me what You want me to do”.

Anybody with me?

Anybody else want to listen for God’s call to us – and say to God:

“Here I am  – tell me what You want me to do”

Some of you may remember John Belushi’s stirring speech in the movie “Animal House” – and although he got his facts very confused – he ended with charging out the door – by himself.  He then returned and – with the typical Belushi raised eyebrow – looked around the room to see why no one else was following him.

I don’t want to go charging into the year by myself.

I pray that you will follow me – and together we will hear God’s call – and together we will be willing to respond to God:

“Here I am – tell me what You want me to do”

But – here’s another question.

After you choose that you want to take advantage of the  new possibilities – new potential – - and new opportunities God is laying before us – and truly be changed as an individual – and want to work for a change in the Church – after you decide that you want to respond to God’s call:

“Here I am  – tell me what You want me to do”

How do you do it?

How can you really take advantage of the new possibilities – new potential – - and new opportunities God is laying before you – and truly be changed?

How can you act on that commitment you make when you say to God:

“Here I am – tell me what You want me to do”

The passage from 1 Peter I read a few moments ago gives us an idea of what God thinks of us:

you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light

We are a chosen n race — a royal priesthood — a holy nation — God’s own people

That’s who we are as a community of Christians.

You are a chosen n race — a royal priesthood — a holy nation — God’s own person.

That’s who you are as an individual.

Chosen – royal – and holy

Holy – the Greek word is haggios — which means different – or set apart

That is who we are!

As a Christian, that’s who you are!

Regardless of what we might think about ourselves — regardless of what our opinions of ourselves might be –  this is what God thinks – and what God’s opinion is.

Regardless of what you might think about yourself  — regardless of what your opinion  of yourself might be –  this is what God thinks of you – and what God’s opinion is.

And it is God’s opinion that counts here!

And – God has a purpose for us – a purpose for you — as Peter writes –

to proclaim the mighty acts of him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

So – now you know what God thinks of you – and what God is calling you to do. We are the glorious people of God – called to show to the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You are a glorious person of God – called to show to the world the glory of your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That is who we are – and what we are to be doing. That’s who you are – and what you are to be doing.

A glorious person of God – called to show to the world the glory of your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

When you say to God:

“Here I am – tell me what You want me to do”

You are saying –

“I’m willing to be live as Your glorious person – and I’m willing to do what I can to show the world Your glory.”

Yea – it is a new year. A year filled with new possibilities – new potential – - and new opportunities that God is laying before us. Yea – starting today we have a new Session – this particular group has never served and lead before.

It’s up to us to decide what we are going to do with the new things God lays before us.

It’s up to the members of the Session to decide what they are going to do  with the new things God lays before them and before us.

But – it’s up to each of you to decide if you are willing to truly say to God:

“I’m willing to be live as Your glorious person – and I’m willing to do what I can to show the world Your glory.”

It’s up to you to decide if you are going to say to God:

“Here I am – tell me what You want me to do”

God is calling.

God is calling each of us.

God is calling you.

We like to talk about how members of the Session are “called by God”
– but the truth is we are all called.

We are all called to take advantage of each and every opportunity God lays before us – and to let God truly make this year different – for us as individuals – and for us at Hopewell Presbyterian Church.

We are all called.

How will we respond?

How will you respond?

It’s up to us to decide what we are going to do with the opportunities God is giving us. It’s up to us to decide if we are going to let God bless us – and truly live out our calling to be glorious people – called to show to the world our glorious God

It’s up to you to decide what you are going to do with the opportunities God is giving you. It’s up to you to decide if you are going to let God bless you – and truly live out your calling to be a glorious person of God – and show your glorious God to the world.

One opportunity each of us are going to have take part in what God is doing here at Hopewell will occur next Sunday.  We are going to have a very special day here next Sunday as we gather around God’s Table for the Sacrament of Communion during worship – then gather next Sunday afternoon at 3:00 to share some of the ideas God gave us as we spent last fall in our Prayer Groups. I look forward to seeing each of you at Worship and at the sharing time next Sunday as together we strive to listen to God respond to His call to us.

You heard Dresden, Sonny, Jay and Jimmy respond in the affirmative to the Ordination questions earlier. That’s a way of their responding to God’s call by saying:

“Here I am. Tell me what you want me to do”.

“I want to be Your glorious person – show me how I can show Your glorious will to the world”.

What about you?

How do you respond?

If we truly want this year to be different for us as individuals and as a Church, it’s up to each of us to respond to God by saying – in our own way:

“Here I am. Tell me what you want me to do”.

“I want to be Your glorious person – show me how I can show Your glorious will to the world”.

The members of the Session are called by God.

We are all called by God.

We are all called.

How do we respond?

How do you respond?

I urge you to decide that this year will not be “business as usual” or “just the same” for you – and for us as a Church.

I urge you to commit to making it different.

I urge you to let God change you.

I urge you to let God change us — so we can indeed take advantage of all the new possibilities – new potential – - and new opportunities that God is laying before us – and become God’s glorious people – called to show to the world our glorious God. Amen.

Micah 5:2-5(a), Luke 1:39-55

Micah 5:2-5(a)

Luke 1:39-55

“What Are You Sao Happy About?”

December 20, 2009

Advent 4

Every Who down in Who-ville liked Christmas a lot…
But the Grinch, who lived just North of Who-ville, did not!

The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season!
Now, please don’t ask why. No one quite knows the reason.
It could be that his head wasn’t screwed on quite right.
It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.
But I think that the most likely reason of all
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.

I could continue – but I am sure most of you know that these lines begin the

classic tale “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”  by Theodore Geisel – also known as  Dr. Seuss. Along with “Rudlolf  The Red Nosed Reindeer”, “Frosty the Snowman”, and “The Little Drummer Boy”, “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” was one of my favorite animated Christmas TV specials as a child. I’d watch it every year – and would sing along with the fact that Mr. Grinch was certainly “A mean one…” I’m sure that if I began singing about how mean Mr. Grinch was most of you would join in.  That particular song from “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” has become as familiar as Silent Night or Joy To The World.

You remember the story — high above a small town where people joyfully celebrate Christmas lived a creature known as the Grinch. He couldn’t understand what all the noise and singing and feasting and giving of presents was all about. Even after he sneaked into Who-ville dressed as St. Nick and stole all the presents from the Whos, he was dumbfounded to find that they still sang and celebrated. By the end of the story the Grinch experienced a sort of conversion – but Dr. Seuss still leaves a question unanswered:

Why is everybody so happy about Christmas?

Indeed – what are we so happy about?

Has this question ever crossed your mind?

You ever find yourself surrounded by people full of holiday cheer, but you don’t feel much like celebrating?

Ever had everybody around you smiling and laughing, but you just can’t get happy?

Ever felt that everyone is so carefree while your mind is full of worry, stress and pain?

There may be times you’re on the Grinch’s side – wondering why everybody else is so happy.  Or you may have the sentiments of Ebenezer Scrooge:

“Christmas?

Bah! Humbug!”

Why is everybody so happy at Christmas?

Indeed – what are we so happy about?

I must admit at times I slip into a “funk” and get pretty stressed out this time of year.  Sally can confirm that there are times I can be as grouchy as the Grinch or as hum-buggish as old Ebenezer.

I have developed a plan to help me restore my joy when I begin feeling “Grinchish”, however.  When I catch myself feeling that way, I like to reread the story of a young girl in the Bible who had a lot of reasons to be a Grinch at Christmas. She was a member of the poorest class of her people having no political power or rights. She was young and female in a culture that treated women as little more than property. She’s was an unwed mother, which was often an automatic death sentence in her community. Her fiancée was seriously considering calling the marriage off, which would mean she would never find a husband who would have her. Christmas was coming — in fact the very first Christmas was coming – and in spite of all she had to be worried and sad about, the Bible tells us that she was so happy she sang a song.

Wow — who was this glad girl and why was she singing?

Why was she so happy?

As we look at her song this morning, my prayer is that the song of this young girl named Mary will put a song in our hearts too.

As we see what she was so happy about, maybe we can discover what we have to be so happy about.

As you see what she was so happy about, maybe you can see what you have to be happy about – at Christmas – and all the time!

So – what was Mary so happy about?
Let me suggest 4 things Mary mentions in her song that can set your heart

singing this Christmas – 4 things that can give you joy – and help you remember what you have to be so happy about.

1. 1. Mary let God make her happy.

Listen to how Mary begins her song of joy:

“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (vs. 46)

What makes you happy? There may be more than a million answers to that question.

Some say money can make you happy – others that they are happy but have no money.

Some say that marriage can make you happy – others that divorce can make you happy.

Some say that a new house or car or boat can make you happy – others get stressed out over how to pay for all these “new things”.

Some say that family can make you happy – others say that their families drive them crazy.

Some say that belonging to a Church will make you happy – others declare that they will never step foot into a Church again.

So — what – or who — would you say makes you happy?
Mary’s song makes it clear the reason she’s singing is because God makes

her happy.

“My soul rejoices in God my Savior”
Mary knows God personally. God — she says – is her Savior. Her relationship

with God is real and personal.

Mary feels joyful in her relationship with God. That word literally means to jump up and down for joy. Think of a child, so happy they literally leap for joy. This is how Mary describes her relationship with God. This young woman sings because God makes her happy.
Who or what could make you that happy?

Millions of people think they know the answer to this question, but I fear they are mistaken. Watch “Wheel of Fortune” or “The Price is Right” and you will see people jump for joy over a new car, or a new house or a fabulous vacation for two to Cancun Mexico. Watch sports fans and the players scream and shout when their team wins a biog game. It’s not hard to be happy when things go good.
But Mary was happy even though she didn’t have much money — she sang for joy even when it seemed she was numbered among the losers in life. She found her joy in the Lord — and it was a joy that couldn’t be shaken nor taken by anyone or anything else.

This joy is the reason Mary could sing.

This joy is available to you too.

This is the joy that does not depend on your bank account or what’s in your garage. It is a joy that flows even through tears and suffering. It is the joy Jesus Himself promises to anyone who will hear His Word and believe it .
This is what Mary was so happy about – and it’s what you can be so happy about also.

One wise man put it this way:
“Happiness of heart can no more be attained without God than light and sunshine can be had without the sun. On every side, in every part of the universe men and women are seeking happiness and cannot find it because they do not seek it from God.”

There is not much that I like to make guarantees about or that I consider “a sure bet” – but here is one thing “you can take to the bank” as they say:

unless you find your happiness in God, you will never truly be happy.

Who is this girl and why is she singing?

She is Mary, mother of Jesus who finds her happiness in God. Her song calls you to find your happiness in God, too.

What is she so happy about?

She’s so happy because her happiness is in God.

Why can you be so happy?

You can be so happy in God!

Mary’s Song also describes another reason you can be happy:

1. 2. Because God has a special part for you to play in His plan.

Listen to how Mary sings about it:

“for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
⁴⁹for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
⁵⁰His mercy extends to those who fear him”  (vs. 48-50)

Two of the most amazing discoveries you will ever make in life come when you realize:

1) God is working out His plan for this world, and

2) God has chosen a special part for you to play in accomplishing His plan.

That’s pretty amazing – isn’t it?

Mary’s song celebrates the part God has for her to play in His plan for the

world. The angel Gabriel had already told her that she will be privileged to be the mother of God’s Messiah. God gives her a very important part to play in His plan and it excites her that she can do this for Him.

In spite of the challenges and problems the part Mary plays in God’s plan may have been for her, Mary was glad to be chosen for this special part to play in God’s plan. She sees beyond her own struggle and pain to God’s power, mercy, and holiness. Mary sings for joy that God is so great that He not only notices a poor nobody like her but actually invites her to be a part of His plan to save the world.

So — Have you discovered your part to play in God’s plan?

The author John Powell writes:

I have a sign in the mirror of my room I see it every morning in my groggy condition, when I first wake up: WHAT HAVE YOU GOT GOING TODAY, GOD? I’D LIKE TO BE A PART OF IT. THANKS FOR LOVING ME.
I have to find my place in God’s plans, rather than make my own little plans and then ask God to support them: “Come on, God, give me an A in this course. Come on, God, do this for me.” Instead, I pray, “What have you got going today, God? You love this world. You loved this world into life. You created this world. We’re all yours. What’s my part in the drama? What part do you want me to play? I will play any part you say. Want me to be a success? I’ll be a success for you. Want me to be a failure? I’ll fail for you. Whatever you want.”

This is the recipe for joy and happiness:

find your part to play in God’s plan.

In spite of the mess people make out of this sad, sinful world, God is still working out His incredible, glorious plan to change the world. Just like Mary He had a part for Mary t play in that plan, He has a part for you to play in His plan —  but also like Mary, you have to say “Yes” to God’s plan in your life.

Will it cost you?

Probably.

But then anything you do that makes a real difference is costly, isn’t it?

The question is — do you just want to pass away time — or do you want your life to count for something?

Yea – who is this girl and why is she singing?

She is Mary, mother of Jesus, a woman who gladly plays her part in God’s plan. Her song calls you and I to find our part in His plan and play it, too.

What is she so happy about?

She’s so happy because her happiness is in God.

She’s so happy because she’s playing a part in God’s plan.

Why can you be so happy?

You can be so happy in God!

You can be so happy in playing a part in God’s plan.

But Mary’s song is not done. She goes on to sing about God’s plans to instigate a revolution

1. 3. God turns the world upside down.

Listen to Mary’s song about God’s revolution:

^51” He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
⁵²He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
⁵³He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.”

So many misunderstand Christmas because they misunderstand what God did when He sent His Son to earth. Jesus was not born to make us nicer people, or to somehow help us learn how to play nice with one another.

Jesus came to bring in God’s kingdom in a fallen world.

Jesus came to turn everything on its head, and show us reality is not defined by human reasoning, but by God’s standards- which are very different from our own.

Mary recognized this revolutionary way of thinking in these verses.

“He has shown strength with His arm — He has bared His arm”.

The image is God baring His muscle to use His power.

What is He doing?

He’s putting down the proud and lifting up the humble.

God pulls down and lays low those sitting on a throne of pride.

God lifts up those who humble themselves.

No matter how high the proud sit, they are headed for a tumble — no matter how low the humble stoop, they are destined for higher ground.

God turns the world of the proud and the humble upside down.
Mary is celebrating God’s power to change the status quo.

People like to think that selfishness and pride are what it takes to get to the top — but God says that is just a detour to the bottom. The real way to climb higher is to humble yourself before God.

People like to think that the self- satisfied and self-sufficient  are those who have it made in life; but God says it is those who hunger and thirst for righteousness that will find real satisfaction in life.

The world says the happiest people are those who serve and satisfy themselves, but God says these are the real failures. The truly successful people in life, God says, are those who are humble enough to be used by God.

Mary celebrates the fact that God’s power can put this upside down world right-side up again. It is strange to think that the road to joy is open only if you are humble, but that’s what Mary is telling us.

Only when you step off the throne and fall at the feet of Jesus will you ever find true joy.

Only when you are starving for the Bread of Life will your soul truly find satisfaction.

Are you bowed at the feet of Jesus this morning?

Are you hungry and thirsty to know Him more?

If so, you’ll find true happiness.  If not, you won’t.

Who is this girl and why is she singing?

She’s Mary, mother of Jesus, glad that God is turning this world upside down. Her song calls you and me to let God turn our world upside down too.

What is she so happy about?

She’s so happy because her happiness is in God.

She’s so happy  because she’s playing a part in God’s plan.

She’s so happy because she is letting God turn her life upside down.

Why can you be so happy?

You can be so happy in God!

You can be so happy in playing a part in God’s plan.

You can be so happy by letting God turn your life upside down.

Finally, Mary’s song celebrates the fact of God’s faithfulness
4. God always keep His promises

Listen to Mary’s words:

“He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
⁵⁵to Abraham and his descendants forever,
even as he said to our fathers.” (vs. 54-55)

It was the day after Christmas at a church when the pastor noticed  that the baby Jesus was missing from the manger scene set up inside the church. He hurried outside and saw a little boy with a red wagon and in the wagon was the figure of the little infant Jesus. He walked up to the boy and asked: “Where did you get your passenger?” The little boy replied, “I got him from the church.” “And why did you take him out of the church?” the minister asked. The boy explained: “Well, a week before Christmas I prayed to the little Lord Jesus and I told him if he would bring me a red wagon for Christmas I would give him a ride around the block in it.”

Kids know the importance of keeping your promises, even if we adults sometimes forget.
Christmas is the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Mary believed in the God who keeps His promises. Her song proclaims that God will not forget His mercy.

God will not forget His people.

God will not forget His promise.

You know – a promise from God is a wonderful thing!

The Bible is full of God’s promises to you and me:

promises of His love,

promises of eternal, abundant life through Christ,

promises that He will never leave nor forsake you,

promises that He cares about you, no matter who you are.

Do you believe God keeps His promises?
Who is this girl, and why is she singing?

She’s Mary, mother of Jesus, a woman who testifies that God always keeps

His promises.

What is she so happy about?

She’s so happy because her happiness is in God.

She’s so happy  because she’s playing a part in God’s plan.

She’s so happy because she is letting God turn her life upside down.

Why can you be so happy?

You can be so happy in God!

You can be so happy in playing a part in God’s plan.

You can be so happy by letting God turn your life upside down.

You can be so happy by claiming God’s promises for your life.

Who are you, and what do you have to sing about this morning?

What are you so happy about?

I know you have your share of troubles and heartaches. Many of us are stressed out and anxious during the holiday. It would be so easy for you and I to live at the top of Mt Crumpet with the Grinch instead down in Who-ville with all those noisy, singing Whos.

But still there is this song, sung by this young girl who had her own plate loaded down with trouble and uncertainty, and yet she could sing.

She sang because God had made her heart happy;

She sang because she knew she had a special part to play in God’s plan.

She sang because God was turning her world upside down.

She sang because God always keeps His promises.

This Christmas, why not let God put a song in your heart?

Why not let God give you something to be truly happy about?

Why not let Jesus make you truly happy?

Why not discover your special part in God’s plan – and act on it?

Why not let God turn your life upside down?

Why not claim God’s promises for your life?

If you find your self in a “Grinchy” mood, why not remember what you have to be so happy about – and celebrate?

Indeed – discover in Jesus what you have to be so happy about!

Amen.