Mid-week Advent #3

 

Advent mid-week 3
14 December 2022
Isaiah 35:1-10
"A wasteland transformed"

For many, life is a wilderness, a wasteland, and a desert. Like the Israelites who were in bondage in Babylon when this text was written modern man lives in bondage – bondage to fear, anxieties, loneliness, loveless ness. Today people again are living in conditions of ignorance poverty and misery from which they need to be delivered. When God comes, Isaiah reminds us that a wasteland will be transformed into a garden.

1. From the wilderness of sadness to the garden of joy – “The wilderness and desert will be glad.” (V.1)

 

A.   The personification of nature is quite common in Isaiah. Barren land will bring forth lush growth and vegetation. An about face, and change of the landscape – God is moving among His people.

B.    The wilderness of sin and loneliness, isolated from God because of the misery of sin brings forth a new relationship – life with God has He comes to visit His people. In the form of a son, His only Son.

2. From the wilderness of fear to the garden of courage – “Encourage the exhausted and strengthen the feeble.” (V. 3)

A.   Feeble arms, legs, bodies need physical therapy. Christ is our therapist. A helper just He comes to Thee.

B.    He offers Himself as He bids us to come to Him.

Here we find that great exchange His life of perfection for our futile attempts of piety. He exchanges our sin for His righteousness and carries our sins on His own back on the bloody cross.

3. From the wilderness of bondage to the garden of freedom – “Then the eyes of the blind will be opened the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb will shout for joy. For waters will break forth in the wilderness and streams in the Arabah.” (Vv.5-6)

A.   Jesus will quote this verse in Matthew’s gospel to prove that He is the Messiah. “Report back to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.” (Matthew 11:4-5)

B.    God provided water for His children of Israel during their sojourn in the desert.

He provided for them then, and He provides for us now. Forgiveness, life, salvation have all been given to us freely. Truly, our Father is the provider of all who are in need.

A desert becomes a lush garden.  A dream? A dream comes true when the Lord’s Messiah, our Savior, breaks into time and space. Jesus has come to offer His life as an exchange for our life of misery and sin. O rejoice ye Christians loudly! Jesus has come to offer salvation!

Words-485
Passive Sentences – 3%
Readability – 73.2
Reading Level – 6.5

 

 

Mid-week Advent 2

 

Advent Mid-week 2
07 Decembe3r 2022
Isaiah 11:1-10
"A Profile in Greatness"

In this Advent season we look forward. As we look forward, we anticipate one of two great events happening. Either we will celebrate with family and friends yet another Christmas or we will see Jesus’s face to face as He returns in glory.  If it is to be yet another Christmas celebration, we will welcome Him into our hearts and homes.  If it is to be His Second Advent – we will be ushered out of this world only to spend our time in glory. Certainly, we need to be prepared for these coming events.

But who is this expected one and what is He like?  Is He worth the effort?  Is He worth all the preparation?  Is He worth the wait?

Admissions officers of colleges and universities often prepare profiles of new students to acquaint the faculty with the lives of incoming students. In business, the personnel director might do something similar with a new hire profiling a city of a community; highlighting schools, churches, and community attractions. Profiling can be a positive thing.

In our Old Testament lesson for this evening Isaiah draws a profile of the Messiah about 800 years before He came into the world.

This evening, let’s consider the portrait that Isaiah would paint for us as we consider the One who is coming. This evening, consider the profile of greatness.

I.                    Who is He?

A. He is a prince – v. 1 “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a branch will bear fruit.”

As Isaiah wrote this prophecy the Assyrians had all but destroyed Judah.  Things got even worse! The Babylonians which took Judah into exile brought the kingdom of Judah to an end in the year 586 BC.  How could a prince emerge from such great odds stacked up against them?

With God all things are possible – In these words we have the Lord’s promise that the Messiah will grow as a shoot from the stump of David’s dynasty. As Jesse, the father of David has the promise of an even greater son emerging on the scene.

B. This coming one not only is He a prince – He is also a man of spirit. “The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him – the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord.” (v. 2) The Holy Spirit will endow Him with the wisdom to undertake wise purposes and with the power to carry them out in the fear of the Lord.

 

C.  This coming one will also be a God-fearing man. “And He will delight in the fear of the Lord.” Jesus, speaking to the people, speaks of the validity of His testimony.  In the gospel of John, He says: “The one who sent Me is with Me; He has no left me alone, for I always do what pleases Him.” (v. 29) Then, John replies with this observation: “Even as He spoke, many put their faith in Him.”

Transition: We see who this coming one is but what will He do?  Many a skeptic may question, “but what have you done for me lately?”  Isaiah replies to this question:

II.                 What will this chosen one do?

A. He will judge righteously, not on outward appearance or on hearsay – “He will not judge by what He sees with His eyes, or decide by what He hears with His ears.” (v. 3b) This is good news for you.  Despite the holy and pious things people might say, often time people act from selfish, self-centered, and self-serving motives. They ask. “what’s in it for me?”  Jesus establishes a new standard.

He will judge by the standard He sets for the world - a standard that is centered in the cross and empty tomb. “With righteousness He will judge the needy with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.” (4b)

B. He comes to destroy the evil in the world through the power of His Word.  “He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth; with the breath of His lips, he will slay the wicked.” (4b)

As in Isaiah’s day world rulers many times lacked those qualities needed for leadership. Jesus, on the other hand, rules with righteousness and equity. You will always receive a fair hearing with Jesus on the throne.

III.               What will this coming Messiah accomplish?

A. He will establish peace on earth. “The wolf will live with the lamb; the leopard will lie down with the goat the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a young child will lead them.” (v. 6)

We see this verse depicted in Christmas cards which we receive in the mail at Christmas time.

On the cover we see a lion and a lamb lying down together.  As the world works, you would expect to open the card and find a picture of the lion licking his chops having just devoured the lamb!  The world knows nothing of peace!

The world knows only strife, contention, and war. It is only Jesus who can bring about real and everlasting peace.  That is why the prophet says, “And a young child shall lead them.”  It was only at the coming of the Savior that the angels could sing “peace on earth, good will toward men”.

B. With the coming of this child to earth the sons of men will come to know God – “They will neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mountain for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” (v. 9) As the Word of God is taught people come to the knowledge of the truth. As Christ came into this earth so He reveals Himself to the whole earth that people now can come to know God.

C. Wise men still seek Him. As the coming one enters time and space so now the nations seek after God. 

Isaiah writes: “In that day the root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to Him and His place of rest will be glorious.” (v.10)

This is the profile of the coming one Jesus our new born king.  Jesus, a descendant of David comes as the righteous branch with healing for the nations. As we prepare to celebrate His entry into time and space as an infant may we even now prepare our hearts and minds to be welcomes by Him when he comes again as judge and king.  Oh, come let us worship Him, Christ the Lord. Amen.

Words-1,335
Passive Sentences –4%
Readability –79%
Reading Level -5.5

Mid-week Advent 1

 

Advent 1 mid-week
Isaiah 40:1-8
The Road to Bethlehem
30 November 2022       

Joseph and Mary traveled from the town of Nazareth to Bethlehem. They did not begin their journey the day before Christmas. They started early enough that the child Jesus was born in Bethlehem according to the prophecy. During the season of Advent, we are on the road to Bethlehem for the birth of the Christ child.

Will we get there in time for the Christ to be born anew in our hearts? It depends on the road we travel and the kind of road that it is. John the Baptist was sent to urge us to build a road on which Christ would come. The prophet Isaiah prescribes the kind of road we need to build. Let's consider the road that leads to Bethlehem…

1. The road that leads to Bethlehem is a straight road of righteousness. Listen to verse 3 of Isaiah's prophecy. "…make straight in the desert a highway for our God."

As we prepare to meet Christ in this season of Advent, we need this straight road. We need a road that leads to righteousness. Isaiah tells us that a highway for God was to be built in the in the wilderness and desert. God promised to come to His people in the wilderness. That is because that is where people are - in the wilderness of sin and in the desert of spiritual darkness.

For forty years, the Israelites were in the wilderness with God. The place where God made a covenant with them. To be with God and to communicate with Him, we need to get away from the affluence and opulence, from the distractions of the world and from the busyness of daily concerns. It is in the wilderness where we meet God.

2. The road that leads to Bethlehem is a level road of humility. Listen to verse 4 of Isaiah's prophecy. "Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low and the "crooked shall be made straight…"

Isaiah asks the people to find God. In their captivity they had been looking at themselves and their plight. Now they are to life their heads and look at God who comes in humility and meekness. In this Advent season we too are to seek after the same God who comes to us in humility. Isaiah asks us to look to the God who has a mighty are to deliver. He asks us to look at the God who can still be a tender and gentle shepherd who seeks to rescue lost and injured sheep. There is hope and comfort for us in this Advent season for there is hope and comfort found in the Savior who came to us in meekness and humility to be our only Savior.

3. The road that leads to Bethlehem is a smooth road of graciousness. Listen again to the final words of verse 4. "…and the rough places plain."

When this prophecy was written the people were in the darkness of exile in Babylon. They were captive in a foreign land. They needed a gracious Savior who would lift them out of their despondency and depression. Does the comfort Isaiah speak of merely mean "sympathy"? It is more than that. Isaiah tells us that "with strength" God will come to save us. God will comfort His people by giving strength to deliver them out of their troubles. In being a gracious God, he makes our rough road smooth, as He steers us clear of those obstacles that are "in our road".

As He does this in our life then we truly are comforted. Then we truly find a God who can save us.

Isaiah begins his prophecy with these words, "Comfort ye, Comfort ye my people" By these words he implies that there is comfort needed in the lives of people back then and in the lives of people living in Decatur, Indiana in the year of our Lord 2022.

Behind these words, there is a state of sorrow and distress. The words of this ancient prophecy, written 700 years before Jesus was even born, speaks to us this day. In Christ you will find comfort, as He gives you rest for your souls, as you find your strength in Him. On the road that you travel may He direct and keep you, as He descends upon you to give you, His peace.

Words-750
Passive Sentences –9.4%
Readability-77.7%
Reading Level – 5.8

  

Characters of the Nativity - Mary

Advent mid-week 3

17 December 2015

Characters of the Nativity

Mary, the Mother of our Lord

Matthew 1 Luke 1 & 2

The circumstances regarding the Savior’s birth point to the fact that Jesus was born in time and space. There were circumstances involving His birth – there were persons who witnessed His nativity.

It was probably sometime after Mary returned to Nazareth that “she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:18). Joseph, being a just but also kindly man, planned to divorce her quietly, rather than expose her to public disgrace, but was reassured by the message of an angel, given in a dream, that Mary’s child was conceived by the Holy Spirit.

Joseph was instructed, as Mary had already been (Luke 1:31) to call the baby’s name Jesus (“Jehovah is salvation”), “for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

Immediately Joseph took Mary to his home as his wife, but had no union with her until after the birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:25).

If we had only Matthew’s account, we would have thought Joseph and Mary belonged to Nazareth, but Luke makes it clear that the birth of Jesus occurred in Bethlehem only because of the census, which brought his parents to their ancestral home town. Matthew and Luke bring Bethlehem into the picture to make the record fulfill the prophecy of Micah 5:2.

A census was taken in the Roman world every fourteen years, so one would have occurred about 8-7 B.C., and it may have been somewhat delayed in Palestine.  In a census in A.D. 104 people in Egypt were required to return to their own town for enrollment. When Quirinius was appointed governor of Syria in A.D. 6, it was his second such appointment; he may well have been an additional governor at the time of an earlier census. There seems no valid reason, therefore, to reject Luke’s clear statement about the circumstances of Jesus’ birth.

The census would account for the shortage of accommodation in Bethlehem. The “inn” (katavluma), probably was a simple lodging place, and of course, with no reservations in hand the inn was full. Somewhere nearby, perhaps in a cave, Jesus was born and laid in a “manger” (favtnh)—not a stall, but a feeding trough for animals.

Joseph and Mary stayed in the environs of Jerusalem until two further requirements of the Jewish law were fulfilled. For every first-born child, a redemption price of five silver shekels, about $3.65 in American money, or ten days’ wages for a working man, had to be paid to the Temple a month after the birth (Numbers 18:16). Then, forty-one days after the birth for a boy, the ceremony of the mother’s purification took place (Leviticus 12:2-4).

For convenience, these two ceremonies were commonly combined in one visit to the Temple, as was the case here. The offering for a mother’s purification was a lamb and a turtle-dove or a young pigeon. Joseph and Mary offered the alternative permitted to a mother too poor to afford a lamb, of two turtle-doves or pigeons (Luke 2:24)*

Luke tells us (Luke 1:26-38) that the angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will be the mother of Jesus through the Holy Spirit. This messenger from heaven comes to a young girl in Nazareth to tell her that she is to be the mother of the Messiah. Joseph was a son of King David. By physical nature Jesus was a son of David. He was also the Son of God and his kingdom is eternal. This is all God’s work; the child would be the product of the Holy Spirit. Humbly and submissively, Mary consented to be God’s instrument in bringing His Son on earth as a human being.

The only question Mary will ask is “how will this happen?” When Mary receives the news of her coming motherhood of the Messiah, she asked a sensible and normal question, “How?” Since she is unmarried, how could she become a mother? In this twenty-first century, not every girl would need to ask that question! How is this miracle to be performed?

The answer is in the Holy Spirit who would be the Father of God’s Son. The question, “how?” was vital to Mary, but to Christians there are more important questions about this child. Who is He and why is He coming?

The circumstances surrounding Mary turn the impossible and the improbable into our reality. This is an impossible situation! A birth without a father, a peasant girl becoming the mother of God, and God becoming a person! Nothing is impossible with God! Christmas is God’s work and action! He comes to us in the person of Jesus Christ. He chooses Mary. He produces a life by the Spirit. Because Christmas is of God, the impossible becomes possible.

Sources:

Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, “The Birth and Infancy Narratives” Grand Rapids MI D. G. Stewart editor  

Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH pp.22-23

Characters of the Nativity -

Advent mid-week 2

10 December 2015

Characters of the Nativity

Luke 2:1-18

-Shepherds

Out in the fields a group of shepherds stood guard over their flock that night. Such flocks were always needed for the sacrifices of the Temple at Jerusalem, a mere six miles away. Informed of the birth by an angel, the shepherds went to Bethlehem, found the babe wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger, and excitedly repeated the message they had received. For others, the shepherds’ words were a passing wonder, “but Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).^[1]

By faith we journey with them to Bethlehem. For this good news of Jesus’ birth was given by the angel to shepherds who went to see the new born king.

With the shepherds we visit the new born king. The shepherds were keeping watch to guard the flock against thieves and marauders. Into the night of the world Jesus came as the true Light. A symbol of this truth was the heavenly light.

A question. Why is it that so few experience the true joy of Christmas? The answer quite frankly is that they have not heard the good news told by the angel to these shepherds. It is told to us this night. The source of our joy is found in verse 11 of our text: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”   Luke 2:11

Who is born? “To you is born this day a Savior” This is good news to those in need of a Savior. And when is He born? “This day” Christmas is a contemporary experience, not an historical observance of an ancient event. Today is the day of salvation. This is the day the Lord has made. Now He is making all things new.

Transition: “To you is born a Savior”. We now tell His story with joy.

Like the shepherds we share His story with others. The shepherds were afraid in the face of the divine glory and holiness but they had no need to fear because the angel’s message was not of judgment but of salvation, not only to the shepherds but to all people.

To whom is He born? He is born “to you”. “To you is born this day a Savior.” It is not Christmas for you unless Christ is re-born in you. Thus we can say with the hymn writer: “Cans out our sin and enter in, be born in us today.”

The Christmas story is for real. It was to real live humans that the story of the Christ child was delivered. The first announcement of this birth came to a despised people. It came not to the rulers, the educated, the scribes or the pious Pharisees. This news came not to aristocratic elite but to shepherds – the despised, unlearned, crude, rough people listed with publicans and sinners. For He is a real Savior who has come to save real sinners and in His birth, suffering, passion, death and resurrection there is forgiveness, salvation and life. 

---

[1] Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, The Birth and Infancy Narratives Grand Rapids MI D. G. Stewart editor

Characters of the Nativity - Joseph

Advent mid-week 1

3 December 2015

Characters of the Nativity

-Joseph
Matthew 1:18-25

Joseph, the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The gospels of Matthew and Luke assert that Jesus was born to Mary at a time when she was betrothed to Joseph, before their marriage was consummated (Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:27, 35).

Joseph was a carpenter (Matthew 13:55), and was known as a “just” man (Matthew 1:19). When he learned that Mary was bearing a child, he was understandably disturbed. When he learned that she was to become the mother of Israel’s Messiah through the instrumentality of the Holy Spirit, he proceeded with his plans which brought him, with Mary, to Bethlehem where the child Jesus was born. ^[1]

Through circumstances and influences beyond his control Joseph was given his place in history. What lessons can be gleaned from his life’s story? Our text answers these questions this evening.

1.     Joseph is a man of profound conviction tempered with compassion. 

      

     He knew of two realities. First, Mary to whom he was engaged was expecting a child. He also knows he is not the Father. Our text reminds us“…Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.” (v.18)

Joseph, being a just man, tried to conform his life to the Jewish law. “Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” (v.19) Here we see Joseph’s dilemma. Whose reputation, he pondered, should be tarnished Mary’s or his own? That was the issue with which he was wrestling. Joseph felt betrayed, he loved Mary, yet he didn’t want to “expose her to public disgrace.”

If he were to continue in the relationship most people would simply conclude that after they were engaged but before they were married - she was expecting their first child. There would be some embarrassment. It would be awkward. But hopefully, in time the humiliation would subside.  But could he trust her? What guarantee would he have that she would disappoint him again?

If unfaithfulness was a part of her character what would be the consequences in the future? If word got out that he had married her, knowing full well that the child was not his, what sort of aspersions would be cast in his direction!

What he planned to do was to use the most private form of a legal divorce, handing a letter to Mary in the presence of only two witnesses to whom he needed not give his reasons.

When we must choose – choose wisely. Often we are forced to make decisions in life in which the outcome will not necessarily be pleasant.  When we have to choose “the lesser of two evils” as Joseph, we need to wrestle and pray. Actions do have their consequences. Joseph did not act rashly. Decisions reached hastily are often ill advised. Patience is needed when the situation is serious.

2.     Joseph also learned that we are placed in these challenging circumstances for God to do His best work. Divine intervention was necessary in Joseph’s situation. “But after he had considered this an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” - Matthew 1:20

The angel reminded Joseph of the greatness of his ancestry to assure him that his resolution was right insofar as Joseph knew the circumstances. Joseph knew of only outward circumstances. The Lord sees beyond these things. It is His responsibility to act.

It was Joseph would name this child. He would be given the name “Jesus” which means literally - ‘God saves!’ - For this Jesus is the Christ and He will save His people from their sins. The salvation from sin through this child Jesus is what Joseph and his family had hoped for so many generations. God was about to act and Joseph would see it. Not only would this child be called ‘Jesus’ but also “Emmanuel” – ‘God who is with us’ – the manifestation of God who is in our midst. 

3.     We see that Joseph is a man of profound faith.  Joseph’s faith is seen and demonstrated in his immediate obedience to the commands the angel gives him. “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.” Matthew 1:24 

Joseph came to know a profound truth. God is with us. So often we may live our lives with little awareness of how close God really is to us. The reality of our Christian existence is this: God is with us. It took a life changing moment in Joseph’s life to come to this conclusion.

Tonight God is saying to you - in all of life’s circumstances and in all of life’s decisions “I am with you” for this Jesus whose birth we celebrate this season is ‘Emmanuel’ – “the God who is with us” –He is ‘Jesus’ - “the God who saves”

---

[1] Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, Grand Rapids MI D. G. Stewart editor