Advent 2 mid-week

Advent 2 mid-week 2018

12 December 2018

Characters of the Nativity-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).

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.

1. 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.

2. 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. 

Mid-week Advent 2

Mid-week Advent #2

December 13, 2017

Luke 1:26, 31-33

To Whom Does Jesus Come?

INTRODUCTION: In the Gospel of Luke the birth of Jesus is foretold. The Lord sends a messenger who comes to Mary the very peasant girl who will give Him birth. To whom does Jesus come?  Jesus comes with comfort to him who waits.

In Luke 1:26  we read: “In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,”  The mention of Elizabeth's "sixth month" establishes a link between Jesus and the prophet John the Baptist. Nazareth was a small town off the main trade routes. Its insignificant size contrasts with Jerusalem, where Gabriel's previous appearance had taken place. Jn 1:46 records the negative Judean opinion of Nazareth. “What good ever came out of Nazareth?”  

Likewise, the region of Galilee contrasts with Judea. Surrounded as they were by Gentiles, the Galileans were not necessarily irreligious but many were somewhat lax regarding strict Jewish traditions. And what really is the point? Jesus did not come to the high and mighty, the religious. He came from a region of sinners and a family of sinners to redeem sinful people.

What can we say concerning this Savior? Let’s see what the angel has to say:

“You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”  Luke 1:31-33

Mary’s Son was to be infinitely greater than John.

(a) His name was to be Jesus, ‘Jehovah is salvation’ (31).

(b) He would be great (32), a title which, unqualified, is usually reserved for God Himself.

(c) As heir to David’s throne He will reign over God’s people (33).

(d) His kingdom will be eternal (33).

CONCLUSION: To whom does Jesus come? He comes to comfort those who wait patiently for Him.

Mid-week Advent 2

December 07, 2016

Characters of the Nativity-Shepherds

INTRODUCTION: 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 clothes 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).*

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.

1. 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.

2. 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.”

CONCLUSION: 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.  

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

Advent mid-week 2

Advent Mid-week #2
Romans 15:4-13
The basis for hope: the coming of Christ

Introduction: We live at a time in which hope is in short supply. Many in this country are disillusioned and doubtful. We once hoped education would solve our problems. We no longer hope that ware will end war. Our hopes were raised when a new administration took over in Washington, but many are disappointed. Can a person hope in anything anymore? Now we are in the Advent season, one of hope for a new age through a coming Deliverer. Can this be an empty hope too? One thing is sure; there is no good reason to hope in man, but we can hope confidently in God. 

Tonight we consider the roots of our hope –

1.    The Scripture – V. 4 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

We can hope in the promises of Scripture for God is faithful. Here Paul defends his application of Psalm 69:9 {“zeal for Your house consumes Me…”} to Christ.

In so doing, he states a great truth concerning the purpose of Scripture. It was written for our instruction, so that as we patiently endure we might be encouraged to hold fast our hope in Christ. {See 1 Corinthians 10:6, 11; “These things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did…These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.”}

2.    The coming of the Son of David – V. 12 “And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in Him.”

We can hope because Christ is coming again to set things right. Jesse was the father of David and the Messiah was the “Son of David”.  The Gentile mission of the early church was a fulfillment of this prophecy, as is the continuing evangelization of the nations.

3.    The God of hope – V. 13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

If we have God, we can hope. For God is a God of hope.  Any hope the Christian has comes from God. Paul will say in Romans 5:5 “And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom He has given us.” Your hope is not to be equated with unfounded optimism. To the contrary, it is the blessed assurance of our future destiny and is based on God’s love, which is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit.

It has been objectively demonstrated to us in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through the Holy Spirit God has poured out His love in our hearts and His love for us continues to dwell in us.  Hope cannot be conjured up by man’s effort; it is God’s gift of the Spirit.  Paul will say in Romans 8:24-25 – “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” We are saved by faith, not hope. But hope accompanies salvation. Hope is our destiny, our future in Christ. Hope is the anchor of our faith. Hope is our assurance that a mansion glorious awaits us.

Conclusion:  We hold fast our hope in Christ. We can hope because Christ is coming again to set things right. If we have God, we can hope. For God is a God of hope.  Any hope the Christian has comes from God the One in whom we trust. 

+Soli Deo Gloria+

Advent mid-week 2

Advent Mid-week 2

December 13, 2006

Luke 1:26, 31-33

To Whom Does Jesus Come?

INTRODUCTION: In the Gospel of Luke the birth of Jesus is foretold. The Lord sends a messenger who comes to Mary the very peasant girl who will give Him birth. To whom does Jesus come?  Jesus comes with comfort to him who waits.

In Luke 1:26  we read: “In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,”  The mention of Elizabeth's "sixth month" establishes a link between Jesus and the prophet John the Baptist. Nazareth was a small town off the main trade routes. Its insignificant size contrasts with Jerusalem, where Gabriel's previous appearance had taken place. Jn 1:46 records the negative Judean opinion of Nazareth. “What good ever came out of Nazareth?”  

Likewise, the region of Galilee contrasts with Judea. Surrounded as they were by Gentiles, the Galileans were not necessarily irreligious but many were somewhat lax regarding strict Jewish traditions. And what really is the point? Jesus did not come to the high and mighty, the religious. He came from a region of sinners and a family of sinners to redeem sinful people.

What can we say concerning this Savior? Let’s see what the angel has to say:

“You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”  Luke 1:31-33

Mary’s Son was to be infinitely greater than John.

(a) His name was to be Jesus, ‘Jehovah is salvation’ (31).

(b) He would be great (32), a title which, unqualified, is usually reserved for God Himself.

(c) As heir to David’s throne He will reign over God’s people (33).

(d) His kingdom will be eternal (33).

CONCLUSION: To whom does Jesus come? He comes to comfort those who wait patiently for Him.

Advent Mid-week 2

Advent Mid-week 2

December 7, 2005

Characters of the Nativity-Shepherds

INTRODUCTION: 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).*

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.”

CONCLUSION: 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.  

+ Soli Deo Gloria +

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

Advent mid-week 2

December 8, 2004

Isaiah 11:1-10

A Profile in Greatness

INTRODUCTION:  In this Advent season we look forward to the celebration of Christmas and for the coming again of Jesus into our hearts and the close of this age. Who is this expected one and what is He like? Is He worth hoping and waiting for?

In our Old Testament lesson for this night the prophet Isaiah draws for us a profile of the Messiah some 800 years before He is born. Consider this profile of greatness.

I.                     Who is He?

A.     A prince – “then shall a shoot spring from the stem of Jesse and a branch from his roots will bear fruit.” (V. 1)

B.     A man of Spirit – And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him. The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” (V.2)

C.    A God fearing man – “And He will delight in the fear of the Lord.”

II.                   What will He do?

A.     Judge righteously, not on evidence of hearsay – “He will not judge by what His eyes see, nor make a decision by what His ears hear, but with righteousness will he judge the poor.” (Vv. 3b-4a)

B.     Destroy the evil in the world through His Word – “He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked.”

III.                  What will He accomplish?

A.     Peace on earth – (V.6) “The wolf will dwell with the lamb, leopard will lie down with the kid, and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together and a young lad will lead them.”

B.     The world will know God – (V.9) “They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord.”

C.    Nations will seek God – (V.10) “Then it will come about in that day that the nations will resort to the root of Jesse, who will stand as a signal for the peoples; and His resting place will be glorious.”

CONCLUSION: Often in schools and in business a profile is made of new students or interns to acquaint the faculty or management with the lives of incoming students. We have reviewed the profile of the coming Messiah – truly a profile of greatness.

Mid-week Advent 2

Advent Mid-week 2

December 10, 2003

Malachi 3: 1-4

CAN YOU ENDURE?

The second candle is lit!  We are less than two weeks away from the birth of our Lord and Savior!  We are waiting with expectation!  I am like the little boy who is watching Mom put presents under the tree!  Wanting to open all the presents that belong to me, and to help others open their presents, just in case they don’t want to open theirs right away. 

We are waiting patently, but we are impatient!  Who can take the coming of Christ at Christmas?  Each year, Christmas is becoming more and more difficult to endure.  We all have experienced it with the buying and the exchanging of gifts, the cost of the gifts, what should you get that one member of the family who is so difficult to buy for, or, who seems to have everything.  And, if that were not enough, there are all the stresses and strains which come along during Christmas.  Social agencies report that at Christmas there are more personal problems that occur than at any other time of year.  It seems at Christmas there are more loneliness, more heartaches, and more disappointments.  Who can take Christmas!?

Our text from which our thoughts will focus, cuts away the fluff and focus on the real issue which is at hand, and that is the problem which all of us must deal with and that is how do you and I rest and find peace when we know that the Lord will return?  Malachi in verse two of our text asks us, “But who can endure the day of His coming?”

[1]    The first thing we must ask ourselves is this: can we endure the secularization of Christmas?  In a sense we can say that it is easy to endure the secularization of Christmas because Christians have been doing that for centuries.  The celebration of Christ’s coming to our world was introduced to the world because already pagans were celebrating the coming of Winter.  (December 21, “Winter Madness”) And times have not changed much over the years. 

It was Lutheran Christians who brought the celebration of our Lord’s natal day to Fort Wayne and the surrounding areas.  Soldiers at the fort saw December 25th, as just another day.  And other religious groups in the area believed that any type of celebration as pious and as Christianized as it was, was just not proper.

Today, it seems that merchants and store keepers, and internet businesses try to get as much “bang” for their buck as possible, offering sales and displays for their customers long before December, and in some locations long before November, or September!

Yes, it is easy for some to be distracted, and it is easy for one to focus on all of the lights, and trappings of the season, forgetting the reason for the season.  But you and I can endure the secularization of Christmas for as soon as December 25th comes around, the shopping frenzy will be over!  The real question for us is this: can we endure the refiner’s fire of cleansing of sin?  In short, can we take and can we endure the Holy presence of Jesus Christ?  That is the question, that is the issue which we must face!

[2]    When Malachi wrote this verse, he saw the coming of Christ.  He saw the Lord coming to the world, not as a baby, but as the King and Judge of all.  This is how we must see Him too!  We must see Him as Judge and King!

No wonder some are so miserable during this time of the year!  They look at their sin and they see nothing but despair and misery.  They try to be happy but they can’t.  The reality of their sinful condition jaunts them.  Who can endure the coming of the Lord?  The answer short and sweet is, NO ONE CAN!!  No one can stand before Jesus for He is a  holy and a perfect God.  Malachi tells us that.  He is a consuming and purifying fire.

That is why we need to look and see just who it is who was born there in the small city of Bethlehem some 2,000 years ago.  Yes!  It is a baby which we worship, but He is more than just a baby.  He is at the same time God made flesh.  He did not stay in the crib, but grew up to be a man.  He lived and died in our place, that we might be freed from sin and restored to be the children of God as we were created to be in the first place.

Without forgiveness we cannot come into the holy presence of our Lord.  We could not endure the refiner’s fire.  We could not endure His holy presence.  That is why if you and I are to make any sense of this celebration of Christmas – if we are to endure this season – we must look beyond the trappings and the lights and the sentimental sounds and realize with Simeon of old, that there is this little boy is all of God’s promise, all of God’s forgiveness, all of the remedies of our sin!

This is a merry Christmas for you and for me, for only one reason . . . and that is, that we see in the baby the answer to all our prayers; the solution for all of our problems; the only way out for our problem with sin.

If we focus only on trappings and the wrapping, and we cannot see God’s miracle of stamping out sin in this baby – then the misery and the pre and post Christmas blues will probably continue.

But our text reminds us to wake up and sing, rejoice, and shout!  For God has come to you!  He has been set to restore and rescue you!  He has come to bring you and me salvation and eternal life!  You and I will have a merry Christmas for here we stand, redeemed and saved and restored by a Savior who loves us with an everlasting love, who has promised to never leave us nor forsake us!

Who has promised to walk with us each day of our life!  In these days and weeks of preparation may we each see that the cross is only a few weeks away from the Creche and the cradle.  For it was at the cross, there at Golgotha, that salvation was completed.  When we do that, we will be able to take Christmas.  We will be able to enjoy the season.  And we will be able to understand that YES, in the baby Jesus, there really is PEACE on Earth and Good will to Men.  There is peace and safety for all who believe.

In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

The peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord, to everlasting life.  Amen.

Advent mid-week 2

Mid-week Advent 2

December 11, 2002

Psalm 19

Glories in the Heavens

INTRODUCTION:  The company of the angels who sang to the shepherds concerning the Savior's birth said: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace good will toward men."  Our Psalm for this evening, Psalm 19 sings the same new song.  As we count down the days before Christmas we consider the Lord of heaven and earth who has come to visit His people. He has made His revelation known in the heavens and in the Scriptures, which give light to the life of men. Consider the glory of God made known to men.

1.      God's revelation concerning Himself in the heavens

A.     An Unmistakable witness V. 1

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

B.     An untiring witness V. 2 

2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.

C.     An understandable witness Vv. 3-6

3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, 5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. 6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.

Transition:  God is made known in the world. But we know Him best through the testimony of the Scriptures.

2.      God's revelation of Himself in the Scriptures

A.     God's Word is precious  Vv. 7-10

1.      It challenges us V. 7 

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

2.      It cheers us V. 8 

8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

3.      It changes us Vv. 9-10 

9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure 

and altogether righteous. 10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

B.     God's Word is powerful Vv. 11-14

1.      It convicts us V. 11

11 By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

2.      It cleanses us V. 12 

12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.

3.      It corrects us  Vv. 13-14

a.      It will keep me from folly V. 13 

13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

b.      It will keep me in fellowship V. 14 

14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Heavenly father, You have filled the world with beauty. Open our eyes to see Your gracious hand in all Your works, that rejoicing in Your whole creation, we may learn to serve You with gladness, for the sake of Him through whom all things were made, Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

For All the Saints A Prayer book for and by the Church, Year 2: Advent - Pentecost - American Lutheran Publicity Bureau Delhi, NY © 1995

Mid-week Advent 2

Advent Mid-week 2

Isaiah 11:1-10

December 12, 2001

"A Profile in Greatness"

INTRODUCTION:  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 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 of 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, lets 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 word 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 and me.  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 seeks 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)

CONCLUSION: 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.

Mid-week Advent 2

Advent 2 Midweek Service 

December 13, 2000 

Epistle Text: Philippians 1:3-11

"Being Thankful to our All-Faithful God"

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.   Dear friends in Christ, tonight's sermon text is our Epistle lesson from Philippians 1, verses 3-11.  Please join me in a word of prayer.    (Gracious God, our heavenly Father, we ask you to open our hearts and our minds to your precious Word.   Fill us with your truths and nourish our faith through thy Word and Holy Spirit.   Thank you for giving us your Son, Jesus, and thank you for our salvation in Him. Amen.)

Have you ever noticed in our society and country an attitude of unthankfulness and ungratefulness?   It may be quite apparent to some while others are somewhat unaware of it.  We can often observe that many people in our society today do not even give thanks to God for their daily bread.  Also, it is becoming less and less frequent for people in general to even acknowledge a gracious God who blesses, provides and forgives.   According to today's popular culture and contemporary society, it's cool and even right to give ourselves the credit for everything we have.   'You know, all that I have, "I have earned."  I provide for myself.'  As a whole, our society is taking God out of the equation of their lives and replacing Him with anything and everything.    Society is walking further and further away from

God and His truths given in the Holy Bible.   This is evident by the unthankfulness and ungratefulness being manifested in the lives of so many people.

Unfortunately, this is evident in our own lives as well. We too are fallen and sinful beings in total need of God's forgiveness. In our lives there are times when we act unthankful towards God, our family members, and even others.   We are guilty of taking the blessings of God for granted.   We are just as guilty of being selfish and full of pride as everyone else is. The one thing that is true of all us is that we are poor, miserable, sinners.    We are all in need of God's grace, mercy and forgiveness.    Let us give thanks to God for the forgiveness that we have in His Son, Jesus Christ.

In our text for today, the Apostle Paul says that he was thankful to God every time he remembered the saints at Philippi. Paul always prayed joyfully for them because of their partnership in the Gospel.   They were a source of love, support, and assistance for Paul.   For many of us here tonight, there may be a person or a number of people that have helped us in our lives and have really shown us the love of Jesus Christ. Every time we remember them, we can give thanks to God our Heavenly Father.   That's exactly how it was for the Apostle Paul.   Paul thanked God for the provisions and blessings he received from the people of Philippi.   Let us render thanks unto God for all the blessings we have received from Him also.

In light of this, we too, can admit that we have many temporal and eternal blessings in which we can thank God for.  In the temporal aspect of things, we can be thankful for our homes; many are homeless.    We can be thankful for our eyesight; many are blind.    We can be thankful for our food; many are hungry and worse off.    We can be thankful for our families; many are lonely.  We can be thankful for our jobs, many are unemployed. 

God has richly blessed us and for this we need to be thankful.    As believers in Christ we are to bear witness to our faith in the Lord and one easy way to do this is to show gratitude and thankfulness to our Lord.   Where we have fallen short of this by being ungrateful and unthankful, we ask God to forgive us for Christ's sake.

Furthermore, God our Redeemer has blessed us with more than just temporal things.   In Christ Jesus, God has blessed us with heavenly riches, those riches that last forever, eternal riches.  These riches are forgiveness of all our sins, salvation, and eternal life in heaven with Christ.   Like verse 6 tells us, we too can be totally confident that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus; which is the Resurrection.    God who has worked faith in our hearts will sustain such faith unto life everlasting. God does this through His Word and through the Sacraments. It is here that we are fed with the food and power that comes from on High.   God our heavenly Father is faithful to take care of us.   He will not abandon us even when we die.

The Holy Spirit, by the Gospel, keeps us in the true faith.

For this we can be most thankful.   We are indeed blessed by God with many temporal and eternal blessings.   Let us give thanks to God with a grateful heart for all our blessings. Let us give thanks to God for our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

I believe that it was Paul's desire for his audience to grow and mature in their love for one another.  Verse 9 tells us this:  "And this is my prayer - that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight."   In other words, real love does require growth and maturation.   Real love is active.   Real love is Christ who suffered, died, and rose again for our behalf; and for the world's behalf.   Real love is Christ in us.   Paul's charge to the Philippians to grow and mature in their love is our charge also.   This being so that we may be able to discern what is best and may remain pure and blameless until the day of Christ.   May we share together in God's grace, receive His forgiveness by faith, and obtain the goal of our faith, the salvation of our souls.  It is here in our faith, the faith that God has given to us and sustains that we are enabled to love by being thankful and grateful.   As Psalm 107:1 says, "O Let us give thanks to the Lord, for He is Good!"          Amen.

Jon Smithley