No room in the Inn, but what about in our hearts?

Christmas Eve Sermon
12/24/2005

† IN HIS NAME †

ON this holy night, may you see anew the gift of grace and peace, that God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ has given you.

Is there room?
It wasn’t a Marriott, or a Hilton. It wasn’t even a Best Western, or a Motel Six. It was an inn, with maybe 2 or 3 private rooms, and a common area, where most people would lay a bedroll, and sleep the night away, in front of the fire. No showers, probably the Judean equivalent of a outhouse, and a small cooking area. It would have been a hot, muggy room, reeking of the evening meal, and wine which flowed freely, and every inch crammed with body’s sweaty and smelly from the day’s journey.
But there was no room there, none at all.

Back then, there was no Christmas celebration, it was no major holiday. It was more like April 15th, when taxes were due, and the crowds were traveling to pay the tax that was derived from the census. Therefore, patience was probably short, and many probably concerned about money, and time away from home.

But there was no there in the inn, none at all.

As a kid I often thought, if only I were the innkeeper, Mary and Joseph would have gotten the best room, no matter who I offended, no matter what it cost. We usually picture the innkeeper as mean scoundrel, who takes great joy in telling them there is no room – but that they can sleep in the stable, over back by the manger. As I get older, I am not as sure, for I see in the innkeeper, a picture of myself. Harried and hassled, with too many distractions, too many needs.

To be honest, I am not sure, there would be room at my inn, either.

What is there?

As a society, even as the church, I fear we do not do any better making room for Jesus. Indeed, we should be better at it, for we know WHO He is. Yet our lives are just as busy, just as taken up by work, by the business, by the preparations for celebrating the Holidays. We run from this mall, to that appointment, to this party, to that friends house, till we are so tired, so exhausted; That often, we forget the “reason for the season”, the miracle of Christ’s coming. There is little room in our hearts, for that which is truly the most important, the fact that we live in the presence of God! That we are not alone, or unloved, or without hope. We overlook the peace of God, exchanging it for the chaos of this world.

Some of you may be saying – not me pastor- see – I am here – I made room – tonight. Some of you will probably come tomorrow at 9:00 o’clock as well. Yet, walking in the door, was your mind on worship, or on the thousand little details left to deal with? Or if you are like me – on the little details that make up the service?

If I take a moment to really think about it, the rest of my year is not much better, I am just more attuned to the irony at this time of year. That I spend more time planning for worship than actually doing it, that I spend more time reading about prayer, than on my knees. That I spend more time talking about God, than talking to Him.

It doesn’t surprise God – He came – for that reason..

And then, I look at the manger scene, and realize, the Father knew this about me – prior to sending Jesus to be born in a stable, to be laid in a feeding trough. Despite all that I am, despite the lack of room and time I have for God in my hectic life, Jesus came for me and for you, and for the whole world.

He did not expect us to be perfect, but He came, as our Old Testament readings says, to establish His kingdom. Look at it there on page 5. It doesn’t say he came to take someone else’s kingdom, or to take the kingdom prepared for Him. He would rule our hearts, our lives, but He knew, that when He came, there would be little room, if any.

How God makes room – He incarnates

But to this imperfect world, without room for Him, Jesus was born. Because He had room in His heart, for us! Our imperfections did not matter, for in the cross, that imperfection, that sin, would be separated from us, and laid on Him. His righteousness, would be credited to our account – and the Father would see us as righteous, even as He poured out wrath on our sin – which Jesus took on Himself. He laid all heaven aside, to come and love us, beyond anything anyone of us could imagine. He makes room in our hearts, by ridding us of sin, and guilt and shame. By teaching us about His incredible love, and that love, while self-sacrificing, is always fulfilling. By being our God, by making us, His People.

All those things that would distract us, become so much…less, when we realize why Christ came for us. It is put well, in a song we occasionally sing here. The verse talks of the inability we have to measure the worth, the worthiness, of Christ. But the chorus is the point of the song.
Crucified, you were laid behind the stone.
You lived, to die, rejected and alone.
Like a rose, trampled on the ground,
You took the fall for my sins,
And thought of me, above all.

Glory to God in the Highest – and on earth peace

My friends, this Christmas, amidst the noise, and confusion, among the feasting and sharing, and family. Among the worries of realizing that Monday brings the bills,and the weight on our scales that will take a month to remove….

Among all that stuff – realize the Love of God for you, shown in the coming of Christ. Realize the peace that comes from knowing you are forgiven, that you are a child of the God, the creator of the universe.
Praise Him with all that you are, glorify God in the highest, and know the peace that He gives to His people, the peace given to us, because of the righteousness of Jesus Christ, who was born and was crucified, that we might live!
AMEN!

Glory to God in the Highest and.....

Glory to God in the Highest and…
Luke 2:1-20
The Mass of Christ!

† In the name of Jesus! †

May you know, and realize, the grace of God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, is yours!

One birth – among 32000 per day 480 per minute, one every 7 seconds in the USA.
Yet, the world celebrates one birth… this day.
News for the whole world

Three times the population of Anza each and every day. Imagine, over 32 thousand babies are born into this world today. Over 480 children born every 60 seconds. Every 7 seconds, just in the United States, a baby leaves the womb.

Right now, there are over 6 Billion, 500 million people alive. Of that 6 billion, 500 million people, at least 5 billion – and probably closer to 6 billion, know that today is Christ-mas. They may not know all the details, but I dare say there are few places in the world that are not affected by a day, set aside, to celebrate this one birth.

One little baby, lieing in a feeding trough for animals. IN a country that even today is looked down on by most of the world. What difference could this baby make? What was the big deal about this birth? Why should we it matter more than the other 20,000 births that day? Why should it matter more than the millions and billions of babies born since?

Why? Why does God deserve glory for this one birth?
Why do the shepherds make known
Why does Mary treasure these things?
Even the immediate reaction to the birth was one that appears shocking. It is hard to come up with a modern parallel to the shepherd of that time, perhaps it would be best described as the itinerant farm workers, those people that live in shacks and squalor, working for their next meal. Imagine them coming into Anza, and telling everyone that while sleeping in the fields, angels came, and told them of a miraculous birth – the birth of one who would lead the world?

All who heard, our gospel reading says, wonders about what they were told by the shepherds. Perhaps they had too much wine out there in the fields, Perhaps their isolation had made them a little wacko? That is what I think of when I read “wonder” there. Yet, the word is the other kind of wondering, to marvel, to be amazed. The shepherds were believed by the people they told about the glorious site, and about the incredible words of the angels.

I have to wonder, if the innkeeper was told, what his reaction would have been?

Scripture tells us, that Mary treasured these things, and thought about them often. Despite the miracle of the childbirth, despite the appearance of the rough, just from the field shepherds. Angels? Singing incredible praises? About this, my miraculous baby?

All this, for one single birth?

Why would angels sing such incredible praises? What caused all to be so awestruck, at something so common as the birth of another baby in an impoverished land?

Born to us, a Savior!
Timothy defines it well!
Redeems us from lawlessness
Purify himself a people
Zealous for good works!
Isaiah kicks in
He upholds it with justice
And righteousness

I think we start to see what makes this birth different, in the way it is announced to the shepherds. Hear again that wondrous announcement,

Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord!

There is the gospel, the good news of great joy! There is a baby born this day! Even though on this planet, there are 32,000 other births this day, for the parents, and grandparents only this one brings the joy that a birth can bring. The hardest hearts can melt and find joy in the birth of a son or daughter, or grandson or granddaughter. There is awe, first that the mom got through the ordeal, then that the dad didn’t pass out, or crash the car on the way, or get lost. But, there it is, a new life.

Yet this baby was not to bring joy only to his parents and family, but according to the angel – the good news of great joy, was for ALL THE PEOPLE. All of the people of the world would find joy in this birth, a joy that Peter describes as inexpressible joy!

You see it in the phrase as well – unto you is born – not just to Joseph and Mary, but to us, humanity. This baby doesn’t bring joy to just one family, to just one clan, but brings joy to every people, every language group, every nation.

Because, from before the earth’s foundations were laid, this baby was on a mission. To accomplish something incredible, here is the way the Apostle Paul shared the mission of this one, who was born so simply,

14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

This baby, came into the world with that mission – to redeem us from all “lawlessness”, a nice way of saying that while we know God’s law, and as individuals, and as the human race we flaunt it, and do what we want. It is not hard, to look at the world and see it rejoicing in sin, as opposed to rejoicing in what is good. Yet, even looking at the world, we Christians sometimes sin, as we take pride that we are better. In truth, we are only better, because we have faith that our sin is forgiven, whereas the world doesn’t know that…yet.
Jesus came into this world, to redeem us from sinful lives, as Paul says to the church in Corinth,

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (ESV) 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Yet Jesus came to redeem us from that – He came to purify us, to make us Holy, and righteous, in Him. It is an incredible job that the Jesus does to us, a re-creation, a taking of that which was not holy and remaking it holy! We begin to desire doing what it right and good, over what serves ourselves. We begin to see others in a different light, as people who need to know, that Christ has come, that they no longer need to live in slavery to sin, but that God has rescued and redeemed them as well, in Christ’s life and death!

The Old Testament reading this day, describes it a bit differently – but it is still the same – Jesus came to establish a kingdom, giving it His righteousness, and still maintaining justice.

Amazing! All through a baby that was born among 20,000 other babies born that day in the world!

There is the gospel
Peace for all with whom the Father is pleased!

In the bulletin, this sermon was titled, Glory to God in the Highest… and….

That is what I think we need to focus on today, and every morning we are blessed with life.

That yes, a baby was born into the world, a birthday we celebrate, on December 25th each year. But to be honest, if all we look at is the birthday, the day is meaningless. It is not worth celebrating – not worth the incredible work of decorating, and cooking and all the cleaning that it requires. It wouldn’t be worth all the work that Arlene does on the organ, and that I do preparing sermons and such.
The key to it all comes in the second half of the praise/prayer of the angels.

And on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.

To know we have peace with God, that He is pleased with our lives, not because we are perfect, but because we have, in faith, received the incredible gift of Jesus, and His righteousness, which He credits to us.

We, you and I, have complete peace with God, because a baby was born that would later die on a cross. Because that Baby, named Jesus, gives us the ability to trust in Him. The ability to trust the promises in His word, to trust the work He does in our baptism, and the work that He does, in giving us His Body, and Blood.

That is a gift that goes beyond any understanding.

That is what we need to survive in this world!

And may that peace of God, guard your hearts and minds, in Christ Jesus!

O Favored Ones!
Luke 1:26-38
12/18/2005 – Advent 4

† In the name of Jesus †

Grace and peace, from God our Father, and the living and reigning Lord Jesus Christ be yours!
Impossibilities
Moses to see God/Sinners to see God and live 33:19
Mary’s Pregnancy

There was a man, who was asked by God to do an impossible task. To work with a bunch of riotous troublemakers and complainers, who didn’t like to listen to anyone, and lead them into a relationship with God.

It was a task that had already been underway, and hitting several dead ends, when talking with God, the man said, God, you tell me I am favored, that I have found grace in your sight. I need to know that you are with me, with us, that the way we are going is your way.

In Exodus 33:18, Moses continues this discussion, asking God to let him see God, in His glory. God’s response is to let Moses see His glory pass by, but God tells Moses, He cannot see God’s face, for no man can see God’s face, and live. Even though Moses was the chosen leader of God’s people, even though God’s favor – according to God – was on him, it was still impossible for him to see God’s holiness, face to face. It was impossible.

There is another impossibility, seen in today’s Gospel reading. The impossibility of giving birth to the Son of God. The impossibility of giving birth, as Mary describes it, without knowing a man.

Both Mary and Moses have a lot in common. Both were asked to do an incredible thing for God. Both have names that begin with “M”. Most important, is that they are described as being found in God’s favor.

They are favored ones, the ones on whom God’s favor rests….

And for us this day, we can take great joy, great comfort, in the fact that we to, are God’s favored ones.
Distressed and Looking for Logic
How can I be favored/graced?
Recognizing the power of God
Israel’s reaction
I am constantly amazed by the reaction of people in the Bible to messengers of God. There is usually a tremendous fear, an anxiety that is based in realizing who we are, in view of who He is. I sometimes, when reading about Moses, or Abraham, or Daniel, or Mary, think I would not react in the same fear as they did. Yet, fact to face with God’s holiness, I think my reaction, could be no different.

Mary reaction to the Angel of God is that she is “troubled”. Look up the word in Greek, and you see it means “acutely distressed”. Think back to the days when you were in elementary school, and were called down to the principal’s office, knowing that you had been in some trouble that day at recess. Think about that long walk – down the hall – up the stairs, down the other hallway. Perhaps that is the closest thing I can compare of it.

Mary, our gospel reading says, tries to discern, she tries to see some kind of logic, some kind of reason, as to why this monstrous angel, named Gabriel – which means the Valiant on of the Lord, why this angel would be greeting her, as the favored one of God. It is beyond her comprehension.

To realize that you are in the presence of God, that His power surrounds you, is an awesome and yet frightening revelation. To this young lady, it is frightening, just as it was to the people of Israel during the time of Moses leadership. Indeed, just the reaction of seeing God’s glory, reflected in the face of Moses, caused them to ask Moses to hide that face behind a veil. They could not deal with even a reflection of the power of God… it was… to powerful.

Yet the angel says, Do not fear.. do not be afraid… take comfort in the Gospel, and then proceeds to note a whole bunch of things – that comforts us from the fear of realizing we are in the presence of God.
The Comfort of the Gospel
You are found in grace!
No need for fear – you are in grace!
Jesus – God Saves!
He – your savior reigns forever
You aren’t alone! (others in the same situation!)
God overshadowing….

The first thing that brings comfort is how Mary is addressed. When Mary first hears the angel’s greeting, the angel addresses her as a favored one. Then the angel will repeat it, telling her she has been found in God’s favor. That word is the same word for grace, for the incredible gift of God, given to those that receive them in faith. The incredible notion that God does not find us, as horrid ugly sinners, but because of Jesus, He sees us as washed clean of all that in our baptism. Mary does not need to fear the presence of God, for He has determined her to be in grace, and the same holds true for us!
This is due to the second point in which we find comfort. It would have been more apparent to Mary, or to someone familiar with the Hebrew language. The name, the incredible name of her Son, holds a promise firm within it. Jesus or Joshua in English, for they are the same, Iesou in Greek, Yeshua in Hebrew, has a very specific meaning. It means – GOD SAVES! He has saved, He is saving, He will save. It is the very nature of God, the very nature of His Son, to save His people. Think about that for a moment, for history bears it out – for God has always saved His people from their sins. Rescuing them from slavery that their sin entered them into, providing the temple – where they knew, according to 1 Kings 8 that they could confess their sins, and walk away – free from them! This is the name of Her Son, a promise for Mary and You, and I!

When the Angel tells Mary of Jesus’ taking the throne of David, the angel mention that Jesus will rule there – forever! That the one who is responsible for saving us, is in charge for all time, bring a level of comfort. It is not like Jesus takes sabbaticals, or vacations, or bathroom or lunch breaks. God is there, for us, hearing our prayers, and in wisdom, granting them’ looking out for us, guiding our steps, forgiving our sins.

One commentator saw another point of comfort, one I never realized before. He pointed out that because Mary had such an incredibly impossible miracle to trust in God for, the angel points out the miracle a cousin is experiencing! Another miracle, another outpouring of God, that cannot be denied! I have said before, one of the things that strengthens my own faith, is when I see that faith active in another Christian. When I consider the things that I know you all struggle with, and see God get you through them! That is one of the benefits of church, to know we are not alone in our faith, that the God that sustains Harold, or Steve, or Bette Ann, or a Bobbi and Connie, that faith is active in me as well! Mary knew her cousin was to experience a miraculous birth – and that could strengthen and comfort her, as she too required a miracle to give birth to Jesus! So too, in the church, do we find those who have the same needs, who have received the same grace, and found God’s strength to overcome the same temptations. We aren’t alone in the presence of God, but have those who have been here, much longer, those that can testify to us of His grace! What an incredible comfort!

The last comfort I see, is found in the Angel’s description of what shall happen to Mary, as the grace of God overshadows her. As I read that, I thought of Jesus’ words about Jerusalem, how He longed to take her under His wings, as a mother hen’s wings surround her chicks, protecting them and giving them comfort with her presence.

The kind of comfort we get, when God baptizes us, granting to us faith and repentance, and forgiveness; giving us the incredible gift of the Holy Spirit. This incredible comfort, that enables us, those who trust in God’s promise, to enter His presence!

Without fear of wrath, without fear of damnation, knowing that we are truly the ones who are favored of God. Not because we are special, any more than Mary or Moses was. But because God calls us, and those like us, to be His children!

The impossible – made possible
Mary gives birth !
2 Cor. 3: - We can see Him face to face

It is impossible, for a woman to give birth, without knowing a man. Yet, Mary gave birth to Jesus, and for us, grace and forgiveness became more than a promise, but a reality.

A grace that takes the other impossibility we started with, the impossibility of man seeing God’s glory, and not only makes it possible, but listen to these words from 2 Corinthians,

18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, (we) are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)

The veil that Moses had to wear, for the people couldn’t stand the reflection of God’s glory, no longer need the veil.

For the impossible has happened, the Son of God, was born a baby, that we, who were born babies, could become the adopted children of God. And see Him, face to face, and reflect His glory!

AMEN

May the peace of God, which is far beyond any comprehension, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. !AMEN!

Our Souls Magnify the Lord!

Our Souls Magnify the Lord!

Luke 1:46b-55

† In His Name †

Grace and peace,f rom God our Father, and our Lord, Jesus, the Messiah!

Hilarious News!

Sarah, Hannah, Elizabeth, Mary, and You

Sarah thought it was most amusing, Hannah realized it was a gift of God, delivering her from her misery, a gift beyond any comprehension, Elizabeth’s felt similarly, and her husband was so awe-struck by the news, that despite being a preacher, he couldn’t speak for 9 months! And Mary, well Mary said words, that have become a song, words that echo through churches even until now.

They all reacted to the same news, that they were pregnant! Joy, laughter, relief, filled their hearts, praises flowed from their voices. Well, except for Zechariah, Elizabeth’s Husband, and probably Joseph’s, who had a bit of trouble believing the news.

As we work our way through our Gospel reading this day, I want you to see yourselves in Mary’s shoes, to realize the awe that she felt, to rejoice with her, to share in the joy, of knowing what it means to be pregnant with Christ, to bear Him in love, not just for your salvation, but for the salvation of the world.

For you see, by the end of the sermon, I hope you will understand, each one of you, even the guys, are pregnant. Yes, I did say, each on of you is pregnant. Ladies, stop looking at your husbands and picturing them pregnant. Seriously, you bear Christ the Messiah, and you have the incredible blessing to deliver Him to the world, just as this young lady did.

We are going to look at this song of Mary today, at her claims of how God has worked in her life. As we do, we will realize that God is working in our lives, in the exact same manner.

And then, our souls shall magnify the Lord, and our spirits rejoice in God, our Savior.

(pause)

1. Low Estate of the slave/servant–

a. Mary wasn’t anything special

b. Devastated, slave to sin

c. You ain’t there? You will be

We shall deal with the opening of the song, towards the end. In verse 48, we start examining the song,

⁴⁸ for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

The humble estate of His servant, is how Mary describes her situation, at least in this translation. Her situation was not what we call advantageous; even as we translate the words into English, the translators are kind. The words used to describe her, are in other places translated as humiliation, instead of humble estate, and slave, instead of servant. Her future was not what we would call bright, her future husband, nothing more than a common construction worker, the kind that is hired by the day. Yet to this humble lady, we find an incredible blessing coming.

Yet, even here, we can identify with Mary, for before we bear Christ, we to are in a situation that, should we think about it, is humiliating. The stigma for a young woman, unmarried, to be found pregnant in those days, was incredible. People assumed that it was evidence of sin, and yet she bore it. Can you imagine if the evidence of each our sins were so clear to see? What kind of humiliation would we have put ourselves under? She was called a servant, a slave, because of economics; whereas we were slaves to sin, unable to serve any other master. What humiliation, to realize that we are enslaved to the sins, and passions that so easily betray us.

Yet, when God gave this young woman the Messiah, and that was known, she was called blessed. So too are we blessed, when the Holy Spirit calls us to life, and we are joined to Christ in our baptism. When we are given forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit. All shame is gone. Like Mary, we find the truth of verse 52 – He does lift up, for that is what exalt means, he does lift up those who are humiliated. He forgives us, and takes us from the lowest of the low, and makes us children of the King.

It must be noted, that God does humble those who refuse to recognize their need. Those who believe they are at the top, that they do not need God, for they have achieved everything else themselves. Part of me wants to rejoice, for I see the powerful humiliated; yet even more, can I rejoice, when I see, that because they are humble, they can see God, and be exalted along with us! That is part of the incredible work of Christ that we deliver to the world, that enemies can be reconciled.

2. Done great things

a. Salvation

b. Bearing Christ to the World

c. Filled our Hunger

We consider next, verse 49, for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name!

I suppose it is possible, that this young lady, when hearing that her son would be the one who will be given the throne of David, that she believes the blessing will be that she will be mother to a King. Yet, the rest of the song bears witness that her joy is based in more than that.

Her song depicts the Lord’s mercy given to all, not just her. As we looked at Wednesday night in our Advent Service, Mary notes that God’s mercy was to all who fear Him, to all who realize that they need His grace. That mercy, towards the end of this praise song, sees all Israel helped by God’s mercy. He fulfills the promises to Abraham, the promise that God confirmed to generation after generation. More than just her hunger is filled, as God gives righteousness to all that are starving for it.

It amazes me how much of this song is directed, not to what God does to Mary, but that God does to the world, because of the Baby that she bore. And she recognizes that!

Yes, it was for her salvation, she was lifted up, but so are millions, that come to know her Child, the One who would die for the world. Just as we find our salvation, and yet, we realize that His work in our lives, continues to impact the rest of the world. It is an amazing thing that our Lord does to us, in calling us to faith, in elevating us our of the humiliation that existed because of sin.

3. The praises ring forth!

a. My Soul Magnifies

b. My Spirit Rejoices

c. We realize He remembers, even as we do!

Though we don’t give birth literally, as we go through life, working in our jobs, enjoying our hobbies with others, living next door to our neighbors, we bring them Christ.

What incredible joy, when we see their new birth in Christ! What joy when we see evidence of the life that Christ calls them to, appear! It is enough to bring the strongest man to tears of joy, it is enough for a church to spontaneously praise God in song or applause.

It is enough to make you want to sing, to pour our voices in praise! Even as Mary did. To realize that along with my salvation, is the salvation of all those who trust in God.

I think back to some of the baptisms I have done, where loved ones stood looked on. To see the tears of joy fill their eyes.

It is truly amazing. To see such makes one want to praise God with everything they are. It also makes one even hungrier to see the word of God take root in the lives of people. To see them realize the incredible blessing of the Lord’s Supper, to know that bread and wine is the Body and Blood, given and shed for us, for the forgiveness of sins.

It is not hard to understand Mary’s words about Her soul magnifying her Lord, about her spirit rejoicing in God, our Savior.

In a few moments, we are going to remember the mercy of Christ, as we share, as the family of God, in the Lord’s Supper. A mercy that is not in the past, a mercy that is as incredible now, as it was that day when Mary uttered those words. A mercy given to those of humble estate. A mercy that exalts us, lifting us from enslavement to sin, to be able to bear Christ, to the world.

Truly, the realization of this, brings joy and peace beyond my words,

May that Joy and the peace of God, that is beyond all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus!

The Expectation

Mark 11:1-10

† In the name of Jesus †

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Murphy’s Law & Expectation

We begin a new church year today! Part of me, the analytical side, tells me I should have plans laid out for the new year. One-month plans, quarterly plans, and yearly plans. Maybe even start looking at 5 and 10 year plans, for certainly, 10 years from now, this town will be radically different that it is today. So will this church! Part of me wants to plan for it. I need to set out goals, and document the steps that will get us from where we are today. To an extent, I do plan some along this way, as we shall see over the next year. Yet another part of me, laughs a bit at the idea of making plans

Two things I know, if I lay down specific plans; the first is that a certain Mr. Murphy will show up, and invoke his laws on anything we plan. You all do know Mr. Murphy, and his infamous laws? Here they are,

1. Nothing is as easy as it looks,

2. Everything takes longer than it should,

3. And if anything can go wrong, it would, at the worst possible moment.

The second thing I know, is that God will do more than we can ever dream! I have usually found out, that while things do not go the way I anticipate, the result is far more incredible than I could ever dream. The funny thing, is that God so often, uses whatever dashes our expectations, and turns them into something so spectacular, something so beyond our expectations.

I can think of so many examples in my life, from what I expected to be as a pastor, to what I am now. I always dreamed what a congregation I would pastor would be like, and you guys are nothing like I pictured. Yet, conversations with both Pastor Strelow, and Pastor Neilsen this week, have confirmed one thing. That I have been blessed with being able to serve a congregation that loves God, and loves each other, like very few congregations in the world do.

I can think of more expectations in scripture, those of Abraham, those of Moses, those of Gideon, or King David. Those of the Apostles Peter and Paul, who never could have seen what they experienced coming – if they had, they would have run!

Yet God used what happened to them all, to His glory, and to their salvation.

No greater picture of expectations dashed, and fulfilled beyond imagination exists, than in today’s gospel lesson, and it is there, we shall see God’s glory, and love, for us.

… Hallelujah to the King

o Jesus acknowledges He is Lord

o Blessed is He that Comes in the Name of the Lord

o Let’s get on with it, and crown Him

o Uhh, not that way

Throughout the gospels, people wanted Jesus to admit He was, or at least that He thought He was, the Messiah. The chosen, anointed one of God, for that is what both Messiah means in Hebrew, and Christ means in Greek.

This day in today’s reading, is described in detail in all four gospels, and it is incredible. For Jesus, in saying, “the Lord needs it,” is making a claim, as He is, in entering the city of Jerusalem on a colt of a donkey. For such was prophesied in the Old Testament book of Zechariah, where it says,

⁹ Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9 (ESV)

He is claiming, on the the day of the triumphal entry, His Messiahship. Jesus had often said to the apostles, to not reveal His role as Christ, until the proper time. Yet, here, in this passage, He acknowledges it, as clearly as if saying, “Yes, I am the King, I am the Messiah.”

He is the one blessed, and who comes in the name and authority of God the Father. The one of whom the Law and prophets spoke of, and whom, it was promised, would deliver Israel, make her free, a people incomparable. The people respond – by hosting an inaugurational parade!

Here is our King – Praise Him – praise the God who gave Him to us. What a blessing we have, for the Kingdom that God promised to King David, it is finally here! They had what someone from the south might term a “rip roaring time!”

Then a week later, they took their King, and killed Him, brutally, on a cross.

For He was, as the sign said above His head, in three languages, “the King of the Jews”.

Their expectations were comepletely dashed, and incredibly fulfilled, on that hot Friday afternoon, just five days after the parade.

… Save us, O King

… We are blessed, the Kingdom of David has come

… David’s Kingdom

… Again, God’s reference – not ours

… The Blood of the Covenant of Peace

… We proclaim it till He comes!

You see, there is something unique in that parade, that I never saw there before. These people were crying Hosanna! Hosanna!, Hosanna in the highest. Perhaps it is being overly familiar with those words, but I forgot they are a prayer, far more than a praise. It is a cry, a cry out to God. It literally means, Save us! We find it in Psalm 118,

²¹ I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. ²² The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. ²³ This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. ²⁴ This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. ²⁵ Save us, we pray, O Lord! ( that’s the Hosanna!) O Lord, we pray, give us success! ²⁶ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord. Psalms 118:21-26 (ESV)

That is where this song of praise comes from! What an incredible praise, what an incredible prophecy. For the people do reject this coming King, and He does answer them, and provide for them, salvation, in His very death that they call for. They wanted a King and Savior, though they didn’t realize the cost.

He did. He knew, He planned it all, and on the day of the parade, He said, Yes, I am He.

It does not stop there either. Our gospel reading, by referring to the Kingdom of David, refers to a passage from Ezekiel, hear it now, as it describes the Kingdom of which Jesus rules.

²⁴ "My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd. They shall walk in my rules and be careful to obey my statutes. ²⁵ They shall dwell in the land that I gave to my servant Jacob, where your fathers lived. They and their children and their children's children shall dwell there forever, and David my servant shall be their prince forever. ²⁶ I will make a covenant of peace with them. It shall be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will set them in their land and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in their midst forevermore. ²⁷ My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. ²⁸ Then the nations will know that I am the Lord who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary is in their midst forevermore." Ezekiel 37:24-28 (ESV)

This was the kind of Messiah that they were led to believe was coming, for them. A King of Kings, who shall have His people abide in their presence, forever. God the Father says, I will be their God, they will be my people, and does it, answering the cries for the people to save Him. He does in Christ, who is our prince forever!

A covenant is a contract, and God established one, with us forever. Forever will the people of God be in His presence,. Forever will their sins be forgiven. Forever, I will have saved them.

Such a covenant, is signed in the blood, as an assurance that the covenant would be fulfilled. Christ’s blood, spilled on that mountain outside of Jerusalem, signed the covenant of peace between the God and His people.

Moments from now, when the elder hands you the cup, after I have told you to take and eat, realize the importance of that cup, the Cup Jesus calls His blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant.

It is His answer, to our cries of Hosanna, our cries for God to save us.

And it is far more incredible than we could ever realize.

Drink it, and as Paul describes, proclaim His death, for you, until His second advent appears

And know the peace of God that passes all understanding, that guards your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus!

Prepare the Way

Mark 1:1-8

Advent Sunday II -December 4,2005

† In His Name †

May the grace and peace of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, be yours.

Road Work

A Message of Comfort – the plan

For most of us, it is a sign, a symbol that we dread to see; It can strike fear into the most courageous of travelers. It has unbelievable power of us, draining us of our energy, our desire, and our patience. It can stop many of our missions, and hinder our duties. It can stop us from accomplishing what we need to do, what must be done. And yet, it promises a great future.

It comes in various sizes, and with different words placed upon it, but they are all the same color, orange, and it is always exactly where we don’t want to see it, at the crucial intersection, along the road where there is no place to turn around, safely. It is, the construction sign, those bright orange signs telling you, that around the next bend, a flagman awaits, as you will, for 20 to 30 minutes, minutes that give you enough time to read the entire Bible, twice, with enough time to breeze through Leviticus again, this time for fun!

In today’s gospel reading, as well as in the Old Testament selection from Isaiah, we find such a sign, a sign that a new road is being prepared. Preparation that will require some pretty incredible construction. Isaiah gives us one other insight, as we prepare to traverse this zone, the knowledge that the work ultimately, will bring us the most incredible comfort.

It will help to remember that promise of comfort, as we look at the daunting work, and the incredible task of traversing the road.

Road Grading

A bit of work

Repentance leading to forgiveness Romans 2:4

Law preaching is not for fun!

Peter’s idea of patience

In the past few months, I have learned that one should not take paved roads for granted. They are an incredible blessing, and convenience. They really assist you maintaining your vehicle. But they take a bit or work and a large amount of money to create. These words from Isaiah, referred to in Mark’s gospel, so well picture the making of a road, here in the wilderness,

³ A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. ⁴ Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Isaiah 40:3-4 (ESV)

These words as well, picture humanity so well. Our lives are about as straight as Bautista Canyon Road. There are ups and downs, there are twists, and places where it doesn’t look safe to traverse. In trying to lift ourselves out of the muck and mire, we create mountains of pride, only to realize we created valleys of despair all around those mountains. Either way, on top of it all, or at the deepest of deep, we find our sin has made travel nigh on impossible.

John’s message, the beginning of the gospel, called for some re-construction of people’s lives. A pretty radical form of construction, called repentance. A complete re-mapping of our mind, and how it operates. A radical process for sure, that will jolt us and jostle us, as we are operated on, and all of our work, and all of our sin, and all of our pride, is tossed aside. Romans has a great description of this repentance,

⁴ Do you have contempt for God, who is very kind to you, puts up with you, and deals patiently with you? Don't you realize that it is God's kindness that is trying to lead you to him and change the way you think and act? Romans 2:4 (GW)

Proclaiming repentance, John’s task, and indeed ours today as well, isn’t easy. It is the spiritual equivalent of taking a road grader, a couple of skiploaders, some major dump trucks, and bulldozers, to our lives. It is the preaching of the “law” that is still part of the topic of our ongoing Sunday School class. It means revealing that our lives aren’t as smooth and easy going as we would like people to think.

We were, and still are, just like the people John spoke to, in need in need of a complete reconstruction of our lives. Lucky for us the Apostle Peter notes the incredible patience of the general contractor,

⁹ The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Road Cleaning

The difference between John’s cleansing water, and the Spirit’s cleansing

In the prophetic passage in Isaiah, which Mark paraphrases in the beginning of his gospel, I have said there is a note, that is one we must consider, as we are being granted the gift of repentance. There, the reading opens with these words,

Comfort my people, Comfort my people, as then it moves into the description of John the Baptist’s cry for the roads to be straightened, for mountains to be flushed, and for valleys to be filled. He calls for the work to be done, and starts to prepare, by baptizing people in the Jordan. A baptism of repentance, where the mind is changed, the routes remapped, and sin forgiven.

When I used to drive Malibu Canyon Road to work, there would be these incredibly large boulders that would fall down the mountain side and block the road. Some of them were only 3 or 4 feet by 5 feet. One I remember was 24 feet high, and nearly 40 feet long. It blocked our access to work, just as sin blocks our access to our God and Father. There is a great picture of forgiveness in greek, that reminded me of those boulders. You see, forgiveness is simply tossing aside those boulders, getting them out of the way of traffic. Sometimes they would linger there on the side of the road, remembrances of our being stopped. Sometimes they would be pushed deeper into the canyon.

What a picture that is, of the forgiveness we have in Christ Jesus, and His washing us in our baptism! Our sin is just tossed aside, as is described in the Epistle to the Hebrews,

¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2(ESV)

Such an awesome picture of our forgiveness, promised throughout God’s word, given to us in the Word, and in the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Sin, with all its devastating guilt, and shame, and fear of God’s wrath, is just dropped, on the side of the road. And we are free, to be what God has constructed us to be.

That is the difference between John’s baptism, with water, and Jesus’ baptism, with the Holy Spirit. John’s baptism was preparatory, Jesus Baptism was complete, as it seals us, just as the newly paved road is sealed and made permanent.

We receive not only the forgiveness of sins, which was promised to those who were baptized by John, but the Holy Spirit as well.

That is one of the reasons John says to compare them is not possible. For even John’s baptism, only pointed us to Christ, whose work on the cross is there, for us. The work we are united with, in our Baptism

Prepare the way..

For His coming, to and for us….

Isaiah’s picture

Peter’s vision

In the time of Isaiah, and in the time of John the Baptist, a small part of the world, awaited the Messiah. The one whom would fulfill the Father’s plan for the world, bringing about forgiveness and peace, and the reign of God in the world. It was a painful project to complete, for it required Christ’s Body and Blood, shed for our forgiveness.

In our time, we await the seond coming of Christ, the creation of the new heavens and new earth, where righteousness will reign, according to our epistle reading.

The project is, for us completed, for we have been recreated, and realize the gift God granted to us in our baptism and in our repentance. Forgiveness, the presence of the Holy Spirit. Truly amazing.

We are even more blessed, to see that work continue on, as we become part of the road crew. May we lead others on this way, as they come to know Jesus, the way, the truth and the Life.

And may His peace, the peace that passes all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

AMEN

His Mercy, on them that Fear Him

Vespers Service

2^nd Wednesday in Advent

November 7, 2005

(intro to service)

As we look at the approach of Christ’s coming, we have been looking at the song Mary wrote, in praise of God. Found in Luke 1, it is called the Magnificat, and has been part of evening worship services for centuries.

† In the name of Jesus †

Grace, mercy and peace to you, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

Intro: From Generation to Generation

The Magnificat’s 5^th verse is the focus of our sermon tonight, “And His mercy is on them that fear Him, from Generation to Generation.” As we look at that mercy, and what it means to fear our Lord, I think it is important to realize the consistency of God’s care, His love, and yes, His mercy for His people. Throughout the centuries, throughout millennia, throughout all time, God is consistent in His dealings with His people. He was, He is, for us, and He will be for our kids, and their kids, and their grandkids, the same, bestowing that mercy on each generation.

Think of the lists of this person begat that person, such as the one that starts Matthew’s gospel. Beyond establishing the lineage of Jesus, the list reminds those of Jewish descent of the history they so well know. When they hear of Jacob and Judah, of Tamar and Ruth, of Jesse, and David and Hezekiah, the people of Israel would think of God’s love and mercy and grace, shown to His people, even when they didn’t deserve it. He is mercy to all generations of those who fear Him. Which includes us.

His Mercy

The Veil Swallowed Up

Note: all peoples

Death, Despair, Sorrow

What is this veil

1 Cor 3:12-18

In the old testament reading this evening, we see that mercy, illustrated as an incredible feast, a time of God’s providence. As part of that feast. I would like to look at that for a moment, specifically verse 7. There it talks about God removing a veil, which covers the mountain where His people are gathered.

By the way, it is important to note that even here, in the midst of the Old Testament, His people are defined as being people from all nations.

In removing that covering, God makes life clearer, less obscured. Death has no more power; sorrow is dealt with by the Holy Spirit, the Comforter; our reproach, which is similar to disgrace, is removed, tossed aside. That is the mercy of God, to those that fear Him, in every time period.

IN the book of 2 Corinthians, Paul mentions such a veil, that lies on the hearts of the Jews, when the Old Testament is read. They cannot see through that veil, it obscures their sight. Paul says there, the way the veil is removed, is when the person is turned to the Lord. Then God’s miraculous power is seen, as the person is made new in Christ, and as they focus on Him, they are transformed into His likeness. How deep is the riches of God’s mercy in Christ!

On Those Who Fear Him

A phobia

Isaiah’s phobia

How can I, stand?

But to talk only about God’s mercy, would be to render this phrase incomplete, to give it a meaning that is insufficient. For God’s mercy in Mary’s magnificat is restricted to those that “fear” Him. Though God would pour that mercy on the entire world, it is those that fear Him, that have received it.

Isaiah was well aware of this idea of “fearing” God. In His vision where he was ushered into the presence of God, even though he was of God’s people, even though he was a member of the Old Covenant, he feared. The incredible purity and Holiness of God was so incredible, that He feared He was dead. He had no right to be there, in the Presence of the Almighty, Holy, all-powerful and everlasting God. He realized his sin, and the sin of his people. He didn’t belong, even considering the sacrifices, the prayers, the things he did and said. Matter of fact, all of those things, were the reason for his fear. The punishment for them was so great, it would cost him, the very life he lived.

Yet, God was merciful. Christ’s sacrifice, 700 years in the future, cleansed Isaiah. He did not die. He did not pay for his sins, for they were to be paid for by Christ. Instead, Isaiah was changed, and made a mouthpiece for God’s word, the very words we have read this evening. He went, from “how can I stand here in the presence of God”, to “I find myself standing, because of God’s mercy!”

You see, it is when we realize the depth of our sin, that we fear God, and are able to recognize the incredible gift of His mercy. We don’t deserve it, we don’t earn it, we can’t buy it, but we need it.

How incredible is the mercy of God! That is given to His people!

Because of Immanuel!

Look at the promises that are yours in Christ!

Death- Swallowed up

Tears – wiped away

Reproach/disgrace - removed

The depth of that grace is so incredible! The death, the penalty for sin, is swallowed up, just devoured by the cross. The mercy of God, which wipes away every tear. How incredible a picture is that, our Father in heaven, wiping away each and every tear.

And the disgrace, the reproach of our sins, being removed, by this man’s death, a man who lived, for nine months, plus or minus a week or two, in the womb of a poor, humble young lady. And died on a cross, to show us the ultimate picture of the mercy of God.

May that mercy, and the peace of God it brings, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, this advent.

AMEN