mid-week Advent 2

To Whom Does Jesus Come?

Luke 1:26, 31-33

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 2

Philippians 1:3-11
Christians are prepared for Christ’s return

Two realities hit us from our text for today. First, Christ will in fact return to this earth and second, He has already prepared us and continues to sustain us as we anticipate His coming. Christians are well prepared therefore we wait for Him confidently.

I.        Christ prepares us for the day of Christ by giving us the Gospel.

A.     God alone is responsible for the creation of my faith. He has done it all. Signed, sealed and delivered by the Savior.

1.      This is good news because I’m too sinful to create faith or to co-operate with God.

2.      The idea of grace excludes any effort on my part. Not grace plus my good intentions. Not grace plus my efforts. Not grace plus my co-operation. It’s all based on the grace of God alone.

3.      This creation of faith comes through the Gospel. It is the Gospel preached, taught, read from the Scriptures and shared. Whenever the Gospel is present there faith is being produced and increased.

B.     God also preserves and prefects my faith.

1.      He does so by the Gospel. We are sealed by the Savior’s grace through the Gospel so that we will be able to stand on the last great day.

2.      He does so alone – He doesn't need our help - He accomplish it all on the cross on Good Friday and confirmed it on Easter Sunday.

C.     God’s work in me enables me to stand confidently on the last day.

1.      I am standing in Jesus and His completed work! Because of the cross and empty tomb I am able to stand!

2.      My standing depends not on me but on God’s grace alone.

Transition: While God prepares us for the day of Christ by the giving of the Gospel, this Gospel also produces something in us.

II.     God prepares us for the last day of Christ by bringing forth in us the fruit of faith.

A.      These fruits spring from our righteousness in Christ.

1.        They only have value because we are in Christ. For example, look what is printed in fine print on a dollar bill. “This note is legal tender for all debts public and private.”  It is more then a piece of paper. The dollar bill has value because the treasury has placed its mark on it. The cross and empty tomb has value to forgive sins because God has placed His mark on them. The righteousness of Christ has real intrinsic value as it is lived out in our lives. Living out the cross and tomb is what we often call the fruit of faith.

2.        And so living our faith in our daily lives, we glorify God.

B.      These fruits are produced gradually – like a tomato, which takes all summer to ripen.

1.      They develop as we grow in our relationship to Christ and in knowledge.

2.      They develop as we grow in moral experience and insight.

C.      The works done in us will stand, when Christ comes again in glory.

1.      They will be pointed out publicly Matt 25:34-36 -"Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

 'For I was hungry, and you gave Me {something} to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.'

2.      But our sins, being forgiven - will not be mentioned. They have lost their power and effect! Satan cannot accuse us any longer!

Christ is preparing us for His return in glory by giving us the gospel and by bringing forth in us the fruit of faith. Take comfort in the promises of the Gospel – Cling to Christ’s sure and certain words – For in Christ you are being prepared, perfected and made ready.

St Nicholas

ETERNAL GOD,
in your great love
you gave your servant NICHOLAS
a perpetual name for deeds of kindness on land and sea.
Grant that your Church may never cease to work
for the happiness of children,
the safety of sailors,
the relief of the poor
and the help of those who are tossed
by tempests of doubt or grief;
through JESUS CHRIST our LORD,
who lives and reigns with you and the HOLY SPIRIT,
one GOD, now and for ever.

Anglican collect from For All the Saints: Prayers and Readings for Saints' Days, copyright © 1994 General Synod of the Anglican Church in Canada. Used by permission.

Mid-week Advent 1 Luke 1:18-20

Introduction:  To whom does Jesus come? Does He come only to those who are rich in faith? Does He come only to those who have everything figured out? Does He come only to those who are secure in their beliefs?  What about the Scrooges of this world? Does Jesus come to them also? These Scrooges…they want to believe. They want to get all caught up in the merriment of this holiday season and yet they are reserved… There are those people who simply haven’t finally gotten a full grasp of the Christmas story. Now don’t get me wrong, they know the story inside and out which might be their downfall. They don’t necessary doubt but they have questions. Could the Savior really be born in Bethlehem, in a stable, to a Virgin?  As we consider the question: to whom does Jesus come we will find that Jesus comes with proof to him who has questions.

Ah yes, there are plenty of questions in the Christmas story. The man we will focus on this night is an old man by the name of Zachariah.

We know a little concerning Zachariah the father of John the Baptist. We know that Zachariah was a priest, whose lot it had fallen to offer up prayers at the Temple in Jerusalem.

The Jewish  exile into Babylon had interrupted the original lines of descent; so once returning to Israel the divisions were regrouped, most of them corresponding to the original in name only. Each of the twenty-four divisions served in the temple for one week, twice a year, as well as at the major festivals.

An individual priest, however, could offer the incense at the daily sacrifice only once in his lifetime since there were so many priests. Therefore this was the climactic moment of Zechariah's priestly career, perhaps the most dramatic moment possible for the event described to have occurred. God was breaking into the ancient routine of Jewish ritual with the word of His decisive saving act and nobody could believe it!

The suddenness of the appearance of the angel in the Holy Place is in agreement with other supernatural events in the Christmas story. Consider the heavenly host that visited the shepherds. (cf. 2:9, 13).

Only a heavenly being had the right to appear in that place with the priest. Zechariah's startled and fearful reaction is not only a natural reaction to such an appearance but is also consistent with what the Gospels say about the response of the disciples and others to the presence of the supernatural. They are - startled and to say the least - apprehensive at best, - doubtful and the worst.

This is the first indication of prayer on the part of Zechariah. The specific petition probably refers to both his lifelong prayer for a child (probably a son) and his just-offered prayer in the temple for the messianic redemption of Israel. Actually, the birth of his child was bound up with redemption in a way far beyond anything Zechariah expected.

As he prays for a son his prayer will be answered. As he prays for the redemption of Israel through the coming of the promised Savior his prayer will be answered!

That the prayer included a petition for a son is substantiated by the further description of the child, beginning with his name "John" (meaning "The Lord is gracious"). John being named before his birth stresses God's amazing mercy and grace in choosing John to be His servant.

To question does not mean doubt! Mary’s question arises from faith (v.45). Mary simply inquired as to the way God would work; Zechariah questioned the truth of the revelation. Zachariah's question, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” ^{Luke 1:18} seems oh so innocent, but  it was asked in doubt. In contrast to Mary's question- - "How can I be sure of this?" apparently was a request for a sign. Though we are told that Zechariah was devout (v.6), his quest for confirmation was perilously close to the attitude described by the skeptics, who in Luke 11:29 are searching for confirmation of Jesus’ ministry but find nothing to their satisfaction. “As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.”  

In the midst of his skepticism, disbelief, uncertainty and doubt the Lord speaks to Zachariah through the messenger Gabriel. “The angel answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.  And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.” ^{Luke 1:19-20}

There you have it! Zachariah is dumbfound by the news and staggers at the very thought that he would be a father in his old age. Thus he will live in silence until the child is born. Yet, the  mighty acts of God will be fulfilled in Zachariah’s lifetime. He will have a son, and the promised Savior will be born. John will be His prophet and the holy one of Israel will come to deliver His people. It will happen all as Gabriel had promised.

The Christmas story is just as difficult to imagine as is the birth of John, born to parents well beyond years and yet it all happened as it has been recorded to us in sacred Scripture.

The fact that Zachariah had difficulty believing what his ears were hearing does not mean it is impossible. To the contrary, it reminds us that what is impossible for man is all God’s doing!  If an old couple could cradle in their arms their own son could not God give us His own Son to be conceived of a Virgin, to be born, suffer, be crucified, die and then rise from the dead on the third day?  If you have difficulties grasping the wonder of the Christmas story your in good company with the likes of Zachariah and Thomas and even Peter.   To whom does Jesus come? He comes with proof to him who questions.

Advent 1

A new season, and yet a stern warning – Be ready, and prepare for Christ’s return by being found blameless in holiness.

Modern man seems to be primed and ready for a certain end - threatening to destroy itself; with weapons of mass destruction, the proliferation of atomic and nuclear reactors, and an explosion of population numbers.  Can modern man take the return of Christ seriously? Today’s Epistle lesson addresses this entire issue of the Second Coming of Christ.

We cannot afford to be ignorant of this matter. The second Coming is significant for us as it helps us understand God’s ultimate control and victory over every evil power. History has a redemptive end in Jesus Christ. Paul helps us to be ready for the Master’s return.

I.        Christ is returning again – Paul announces His coming as fact. V 13 “May He strengthen your hearts so you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones”.

Paul reminds us that the Lord will come with all of His holy angels. It has now been 2000 years since Christ first appeared. Many speculate that Christ has no intentions of returning any time soon. They argue “It’s been 2,000 years why the concern now, after so many years?” Such thinking should not distract us. The point of the matter should be quite clear to us. The Lord will return in glory with all of His holy angels. We need to be ready to greet Him when He returns in glory.

Therefore we need Him to strengthen us so that we may stand blameless when He appears in glory.  To stand blameless before Him is impossible. By nature we are blind, dead and enemies of God. Our sins rise up against us to condemn us. How can we be assured that we will stand blameless before Him when He returns? It all boils down to two words; do and done.  If there are things that we must do to be ready for Christ’s return our goose is cooked for none of us can reach the standard of perfection, which our Lord requires.

Instead, we stand on the word “done.”  Christ cries from the cross moments before He died: “it is finished!” With that cry, Jesus our Lord and our redeemer fulfilled all of the requirements of the Law. It is done in Christ. He has the sufficiency to make us ready for His 2nd return.

Transition: It is certain that the Lord will return. When He returns He will find us blameless in Him. So what are the conditions necessary for His return?

II.     Conditions in which Christians need to be ready.

Love for all v 12 – “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone as ours does for you”. 

Again the difference between do and done is needed here. The Lord has predicted that prior to His return the love of many would grow cold.

Yet, Paul encourages us to have love for all and that it would increase. How can this be done? By ourselves we cannot do this. We cannot do what the Lord requires. Thus we must rely on what has already been done by Christ.  Thus Paul tells us: May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other. There you have it!  It has already been accomplished in Christ. It is the Lord Himself, which makes our love increase and overflow for each other. It is His love, which motivates us. It is His love, which flows in and through us. It is His love demonstrated to us, which we by His grace demonstrate to others.

It is God Himself, which increases our love. It is the Lord Himself who will declare us Blameless – V 13 “May He strengthen your hearts so you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones.”  We stand blameless and spotless based on what Christ has accomplished for us. The hymn writer explains it this way:

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus name.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,

Oh, may I then in Him be found,

Clothed in His righteousness alone,

Faultless to stand before the throne.[1]

On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand!  In Christ it is done! In Christ we will be ready to stand!

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[1] My Hope is Built on Nothing Less, The Lutheran Hymnal © 1940 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO

St. Andrew

Collect for St. Andrew’s Day (November 30)  AALMIGHTY God, who didst give such grace unto thy holy Apostle Saint Andrew, that he readily obeyed the calling of thy Son Jesus Christ, and followed him without delay; Grant unto us all, that we, being called by thy holy Word, may forthwith give up ourselves obediently to fulfill thy holy commandments; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Time in the Word - Advent 1

Time in the Word

 November 26- December 1, 2012

Preparation for Advent 1

While many may seem rushed during this particular time of the year spend some time with your Lord in devotion and prayer. Consider the many blessings He has given you as we begin to prepare for His coming as the promised Savior and redeemer of the world.

The theme for the first Sunday of the Church year Advent 1 falls under the theme “The return of Christ”  In the Old Testament lesson we learn that God will send a Messiah to execute justice and righteousness on the earth. In the Epistle St. Paul reminds us to prepare for Christ’s return by being blameless in holiness. In the Gospel lesson we are told to watch and pray as preparation for the sudden return of Christ.

Collect for Advent 1 – Stir up Your power, O Lord and come, that by Your protection we may be rescued  from the threatening perils of our sins and saved by Your mighty deliverance; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Collect for St. Andrew’s Day (November 30)  ALMIGHTY God, who didst give such grace unto thy holy Apostle Saint Andrew, that he readily obeyed the calling of thy Son Jesus Christ, and followed him without delay; Grant unto us all, that we, being called by thy holy Word, may forthwith give up ourselves obediently to fulfill thy holy commandments; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Collect for the Glorious Reign of Christ —Lord God, heavenly Father, send forth Your Son, we pray, that he may lead home His bride, the Church, that we will all the redeemed may enter into Your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

A prayer for Christ’s return – O Lord, absolve Your people from their offenses that from the bonds of our sins, which by reason of our weakness we have brought upon us, we may be delivered by Your bountiful goodness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

A prayer of supplication – Almighty God, our heavenly Father, because You desire not the death of a sinner but rather that he should turn from his evil way and live, graciously turn away from us the punishments which we by our sins have deserved and which have been borne for us by our Lord Jesu Christ, and grant us ever to serve You in holiness and pureness of living; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.  

Monday, 26 November 2012—Psalm 89:6, 14-16, 18, Antiphon, Zechariah 9:9b – Behold your King is coming to you; righteous and having salvation.  These words were fulfilled by Jesus when He entered Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday. They hailed Him then but later rejected Him. How would Jesus fare if He were to enter our city today?  Christ is always coming to us whether we recognize Him or not. In which ways does He come to us? Hint: it all starts with the word “W” Word, Wafer, Wine, and Water. Prepare for Him now while there is still time. There will come a time when time shall be no more.  

Tuesday, 27 November 20012—Psalm25:1-10; key verse v6 Remember, O Lord, Your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.- The Advent season is a time spent in reflection. We remember the Savior’s prophecies and we see how He fulfilled them. We remember His promises to restore and forgive us and we see how He worked everything out according to the Father’s plan. As we prepare for Thanksgiving and the beginning of the Advent season spend some time thinking of the many gifts and blessings the Savior has given you. How ought we respond with thankful and grateful hearts? How can thanksgiving be translated into thanks living?

Wednesday, 28 November 2012— Jeremiah 33:14-16–God’s promise to send a Branch from David will be fulfilled. In verse 14 God promises to fulfill a promise. Was not the promise fulfilled in Christ? Is there still a promise to be fulfilled? Has the promise been fulfilled in you. Let’s look at the one who is coming. Who is He? He is the Son of David- royalty. (v.15)  He is work is justice and righteousness. (v.15b) The results of His coming is salvation. (v.16)

Thursday, 29 November 2012—1 Thessalonians 3:9-13– Be blameless in holiness at the return of Jesus Christ. When Christ comes, we are to be pleasing to Christ. Paul explains what these requirements are. Who can meet them? Is it possible to meet these demands? Love – not only Christians but all people. (v.12) Be blameless in holiness – not only before men but before God. (v.13) How is such perfection obtained? It is found in the holy one of God. 

Friday, 30 November 2012 – Luke 21:25-36– Conditions of the world prior to Jesus’ return. Of this we can be certain the end will come. Will it be this generation? Consider verse 36. The signs of the end are clearly given in verses 25-26. Know the signs!  Thus in this Advent season we prepare for the end and for the celebration of Christ’s return. How might we do this? Consider verses 34-36.

Saturday, 1 December 2012—-Luke 19:28-40 - This verses inspired the hymn The Advent of Our King. (LSB 331)  We come to the beginning of a new church year. The harvest is complete. Thanksgiving festivities have come to a close. We now prepare for the celebration of Christ’s birth. We anticipate Christ’s sure and certain return in glory. This year will it be a miserable or a merry Christmas? If you are prepared to meet Christ when He comes in the clouds of heaven you will be in the right frame of mind to celebration His first Advent. Circumstances may change. Our perception to them is what is important.

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 and Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House

Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series C – John Brokhoff © 1979 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH