Sermons From My Heart

Have you ever been afraid?

It doesn’t have to be an occasion when you were physically scared. It can be an occasion where you were afraid for your health or your finances or even for a loved one. How did you feel? How did you react? 

There are different ways to react. Some say God is dead. Some say God is in control. Some can withstand the grasp of their situation because they pray to God like the writer of Psalm 71 did. They pray to be delivered from their situation, and if we are Christians that is the proper way to respond.

Psalm 71 is an individual lament. It’s suitable for a faithful person who is in danger. The psalm seems to be an elderly person’s plea. One of our greatest challenges as we get older is the decline of our physical strength. For example, people who lead worship services in nursing homes, care facilities and hospitals know the staying power of the psalms and familiar hymns. People who struggle with Alzheimer’s or dementia may have forgotten almost everything, but some of them still remember the psalms and hymns they learned as children.

The psalmist’s enemies plan to hurt him by taking advantage of his weaknesses. The Hebrew word for cruel suggests leaven or yeast, and just like yeast ferments, the wickedness of the psalmist enemies was fermenting. One of the reasons for life’s trials is ungodly foes. Our wise response is to fully rely on the character and compassion of God. James reminds us in James 1:2 and 12 that God uses trials to refine our faith. God can take someone who is overcome by stress and build into his/her life insights which will enable them to live above and beyond its paralyzing grip. The faithful person receives assurance from God’s covenant promises. God is faithful. He keeps his promises, and these promises give us hope.

If we have faith in God and believe in his kingdom, we will face hardships, including hatred and persecution. God will deal with those who attack and persecute him and his followers. These hardships won’t last, but God’s strength will last. The psalmist’s cry for deliverance is based on God’s character. When he delivers his people, the results will be praise and worship. God has been faithful, he is faithful, and he will be faithful.

The psalm is a declaration of our trust and the hope we have in God throughout our lives. Psalm 71 is a sturdy statement of hope and trust. It will only happen when we depend on God and his righteousness.

It’s in God’s nature to provide refuge, deliverance and rescue to those who believe in him. In return, we are to depend on him. He is our one true source of hope and support. The only possible response to God’s steadfastness and grace is to make praising God the most important part of our lives.

Psalm 71 brings forth the theme of childlike trust. We have to trust God just like a child trusts a parent. Trust is not easy. We have to confront our reluctance to trust God. That reluctance is a barrier and an enemy to our faith. We have to confront all of our enemies constantly. When we fail to praise God, frustration builds. God is saddened. We miss a great opportunity to be blessed. God has been with us forever. He never forgets his promises. He never abandons us when we need him, and that gives us confidence.

Children build their child-like trust in God by coming to God, and that is how we as Christians are to build our trust in God. Some people argue against leading children to Christ at an early age, and some denominations will not baptize children or infants. If we don’t teach our children to have faith in Jesus, someone else or something else will convince them to trust something else or someone else.

When we take time to praise God, fear, doubt and frustration fade. Praising God doesn’t mean that our problems aren’t serious or that our problems won’t go away, but praising God forces us to lift our eyes to God. He has the power to lift our hearts and offer us eternal hope. He is our refuge and our strength, especially in times of trouble.

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, NKJV (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; pp. 751-752)
2. ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.
3. Williams, D. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 13: Psalms 1-72 (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1986; pp. 511-514)
4. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible, New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publisher; 2006)
5. Eric Mathus, “Commentary on Psalm 71:1-6.” Retrieved from http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2753
6. Bobby Morris, “Commentary on Psalm 71:1-6.” Retrieved from http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=1532
7. David Jeremiah, “Digging Deep.” Retrieved from turningpoint@davidjeremiah.org
8. Michael Youssef, Ph.D., “Life Gets Better with Praise.” Retrieved from leadingtheway.org
9. Selwyn Hughes, “When Broken by Stress.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
10. Mark Ellingson, “Lectionary Scripture Notes, Proper 16, Ordinary Time 21, Pentecost 13, Cycle C (2016).” Retrieved from http://www.lectionaryscripturenotes.com
11. Johnson, “Bible Study, Proper 16(C)-August 21, 2016.” Retrieved from http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2016/08/01/bible-study-proper-16c-august-21-2016
12. JoAnn Haynes, “Commentary on Psalm 71:1-6.” Retrieved from http://www.aplainaccount.org

As Ryder and Josh set plates and forks on the table for lunch, a dog started barking outside. “There Sarge goes again,” said Ryder with a sigh. “He’s always barking.”

“This bark sounds different than usual,” said Mom. “Maybe one of you boys should go check it out.”

“Aw, Mom, we’re busy,” said Josh. “Besides, Sarge barks at everything–squirrels, people, cars. You name it, he barks at it.” Since Mom didn’t insist, no one checked to see why Sarge was barking.

When Josh and Ryder went out to ride their bikes later that afternoon, they stopped and stared at the empty garage. “Where are our bikes?” asked Josh.

“I don’t believe it!” cried Ryder. “They’re gone! Who would have the nerve to come into our garage in broad daylight and take our bikes right out from under our noses?”

“After all the work we did mowing lawns to buy those bikes,” said Josh. “Now this!”

The boys rushed into the house. “Our new bikes are gone! Someone stole them!” Everyone hurried out to see for themselves.

Dad returned to the house to call the police department and report the loss. When he came back outside, he stopped to pet Sarge. “Didn’t we hear Sarge barking a couple hours ago?” he asked. “He was trying to warn us, and we didn’t listen to him.”

That evening Dad read aloud from Psalm 19. “Warnings are important,” he said after he finished reading. “Today Mom warned you boys to check on Sarge, but you didn’t. Sarge was warning us about the bikes getting stolen, but we didn’t listen. In this psalm, we see that God speaks through His Word not only to teach us about who He is and how much He loves us, but also to warn us about sin.”

“You mean how sin separates us from God, and only trusting in Jesus can free us from sin and give us eternal life?” asked Josh.

Dad nodded. “Yes, the Bible definitely warns us about sin in that way. But it also warns those who already trust in Jesus about the consequences of sin and how disobeying God can mess up our lives and keep us from living the life God wants for us. Let’s be sure to listen.”

How about us? Do we take warnings seriously? God warns Christians about the dangers of sin in the Bible. Listen to Him and obey His commands. Is God warning us about something today? If we think He is, we must pray and ask Him to help us know what action to take and get advice from someone we trust. God’s warnings are one of the ways He helps us and guides us through life.

Psalm 19 points out two areas where God has chosen to reveal Himself. The entire universe testifies of the Creator and brilliantly displays the glory of God. If we look for Him in the beauty of the world around us, we will find Him. God has placed the sun (which was an object of worship among the pagans) in the heavens and is therefore supreme over it. The figures of the bridegroom and the runner picture the sun’s glory and power as it moves across the sky. Since it is so glorious, how much more glorious must its Creator be.

Psalm 19 reveals a God who always communicates through His word and His works. They show us the loving heart of God seeking our hearts. As we listen to the heavens and nature, we hear God’s glory. The heavens and nature worship God with their praise and witness His glory to us.

God isn’t limited to words in His communication with us. He uses dreams, angels, visions, impressions and mental pictures. Since He is the communicator, we need to hear Him speaking to us beyond our limited mental capabilities.

God communicates with us through the Old Testament law. The law converts us and restores us to God. It drives us to despair so that we may be driven to Christ. The process is completed when we accept the crucified and risen Christ as our Saviour.

All of the means God uses to communicate with us have the same goal. God wants us to know Him, to worship Him, to love Him, and to obey Him. When God speaks, He speaks the truth. His commandments are just and righteous. They tell us what to do and how to please God. The knowledge of God is for the worship of God. His commandments are pure. They transmit the light of God to our souls. In Christ we become light and we are to live in that light.

Testimony, statutes, commandments and judgments are all synonyms for God’s law, the Bible. The connection between the previous verses with their references to creation and God’s Word here is that as the sun is the centerpiece of creation, so must God’s Word be the centerpiece of believers’ lives.

David prayed for cleansing and help that he might be blameless and innocent. He wanted more than just forgiveness. He prayed that his future words and thoughts would always be acceptable in the sight of God, who was the source of David’s strength and redemption. This is a good prayer for us as well. Words are powerful and rarely neutral. If we want our words to bless other people, they must always be spoken in truth and love. We should think before we speak and look for ways in which our words will bring God glory.

David’s question in verses 12 to 14 expresses that without God’s Word, it is difficult for people to know if or when they violate God’s will. The Word brings hidden faults to light and offers strong warnings about what displeases God so that the believer’s actions, words and thoughts may receive God’s favour. We need God’s Word so that we can understand the works of God. General revelation holds us accountable, but it also condemns us because in our sin we deny the Creator. But in the darkness, God speaks. When we commit our lives to Jesus and trust Him alone for our salvation, God forgives us of all our sins, even the ones we don’t remember.

Because of sin, God’s Word is not our natural instruction nor our natural delight. The real reason why many people in the Western world reject Jesus is repression and rejection of what they instinctively know to be the truth-that there is one, true, living God who created us all and has revealed Himself through the Person of Jesus Christ. God’s Spirit has to bring conviction of sin and cleansing of sin. The Holy Spirit will control our lives.

The liberating message of God’s Word is ours every moment. Satan may attack us, but we have the Sword of the Spirit. The world may tempt us, but we can hide God’s Word in our hearts. Obeying God’s Word gives us three rewards:

1. The reward of doing God’s will.
2. The reward of living a fulfilled life.
3. The assurance of being ready to stand before Christ’s judgment seat.

If we want to live lives that honour God, we must put God at the centre of our lives and we must do things God’s way. God’s Word should be the most valuable thing in our lives. To hear His Word and to do it is to build our spiritual lives upon the rock. Seeking, studying and obeying His Word helps us to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven.

Are we living in fear because we aren’t following God? Could it be that peace won’t come because practical obedience isn’t the pattern of our lives? Is disobedience producing fear and dread in our hearts? It’s time for us to come home to God. On the way back, God will drive, we will ride shotgun, and our fears will be packed in the trunk.

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p.718)
2. Sarah Young, “You Will Find Me.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
3. “A Curious Incident (Part 1)” Retrieved from info@keysforkids.org
4. Williams, D. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol.13: Psalms 1-72 (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1986; pp. 157-166)
5. Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible: New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)
6. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
7. Steve Arterburn, “The Power of Words.” Retrieved from com@crosswalkmail.com
8. The Rev. Billy Graham, “How Can You Ask Forgiveness for Things You Don’t Remember?” Retrieved from arcamax.com
9. Michael Youssef, Ph.D., “Champions Do Things God’s Way.” Retrieved from mydevotional@leaadingtheway.org
10. Anne Graham Lotz, “Instinctive Recognition.” Retrieved from info@angelministries.org
11. David Jeremiah, “Turning the Page.” Retrieved from turninngpoint@davidjeremiah.org
12. Ron Moore, “Clean and Clear.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com

There is a common thread in Nehemiah 8:1-10 and Luke 4:14-21 and it is freedom from slavery. In the case of the reading from Nehemiah, the story takes place after the Israelites have returned from captivity in Babylon. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus mentions that he has come to free us from the captivity of sin.

Jesus came to give us our jubilee-our freedom.  We are all captives to our sinful, human nature. The readings from Nehemiah and Luke show us that we as Christians have to come together to hear God’s Word and be taught what it means and how it applies to us. The only way the passage from Isaiah that Jesus read can be fulfilled is if we all come together and work together. We are all part of the one body of Christ that Paul refers to in 1 Corinthians 12:12-30. We are stronger when we are united and work together. Locally, we are stronger when we work with other churches in such ventures as the recent Shepherd’s Walk and the annual Good Friday Walk of the Cross.

The story from Nehemiah is part of a story about rebuilding. The temple has just been rebuilt following the Israelites’ return from captivity in Babylon. There were roughly 50,000 people in the congregation that day. They were hungry for God’s Word. They were not anxious for the service to conclude-unlike many churchgoers today. God gave the Israelites some wonderful gifts: land, security, abundance and prosperity. The memory of those gifts bound the people together; but over time they grew cynical and careless about their faith. The people called on the prophet Ezra to read from the Law of Moses, and they responded to God’s Word. They were eager to hear the Word of God. When they heard the Word of God, they cried because when they looked at their history and compared it to God’s Word, they realized that they screwed up big time!!!!!!!

Unfortunately, the same could not be said for the congregation Jesus preached to in the reading from Luke’s Gospel. In Luke 4:22-30, the crowd was ready to kill him after he said that he was the long-promised Messiah. They could not accept that he was the Messiah. To them, he was just a gifted preacher who was the son of a carpenter. They were ready to hear God’s Word, but in contrast to the congregation who heard Ezra’s preaching, they were not moved by the Holy Spirit. They were out for profit and the status quo, even though both Jesus and the passage from Isaiah told them that the status quo wrong! Jesus dared to tell them that God’s love was for everyone. He illustrated that his message was for everyone by referring to Elijah being sent to the widow of Zarapeth, who was a Gentile. Elisha healed Naaman the Syrian-not a Jew, but a Gentile. If God can be so gracious and quick to attend to the needs of a poor widow in Sidon and an undeserving Gentile in Syria, what gave the Jewish elders the right to say who belongs in the kingdom and who doesn’t? They wanted to hear how the Jews were God’s chosen people and how salvation belonged only to them.

We can understand a little of how they felt. They were God’s chosen people. They had been persecuted all of their lives because they maintained God’s word and kept up the Jewish customs. They built the temples and synagogues and tried to live as God wanted them to live because they were God’s chosen people. It is true that when you are persecuted people you have to develop a sense of pride in order to survive. When pride becomes exclusive, it becomes dangerous. It’s hard for persecuted people to hear that others will be included in the same grace that they will know and feel they have deserved.

It’s hard for us also. It’s okay as long as food is delivered to our door, but what about when grace is extended to our neighbour. It’s hard for us to accept that Christianity is growing in all areas of the world except for North America and Europe. It’s hard for us to hear that other people are prospering in the Word of God.

The people of Nazareth rejected the Gospel because its vision included both Jews and Gentiles. Paul even argued in 1 Corinthians 12:14 that “For the body is not one member, but many”. We are all members of the one body of Christ. Jesus came to restore sight to the blind, but the people of Nazareth wanted to keep their narrow vision.

The people in Galilee had an expectation of what the Messiah could be. They expected him to be a military ruler who would drive out the Romans and restore Israel to the glory days of the reign of King David. They did not expect a Messiah who would urge them to care for those whom they considered to be unclean-the poor, the sick, prostitutes, etc. Unlike the congregation Ezra preached to, the congregation in the synagogue did not accept the concept of grace.

The Scriptures were long neglected by the Israelites, and they were neglected by the people in the synagogue. The people were nearly illiterate when it came to the Scriptures, and many of us are also scripturally illiterate. It is like the story of the pastor who visited a Sunday School class one day. He asked the students, “Who broke down the walls of Jericho?” One child answered, “Not me, I didn’t do it, Pastor”. The pastor asked the teacher if that answer was typical of her students, and the teacher replied, “I know that student. If he said he didn’t do it, he didn’t do it!”

The pastor then went to the Sunday School superintendent and told him what happened. The superintendent replied that it was the best class, and that he was sure that no one in the class was guilty. A few days later the pastor told the story to the church’s board, and the treasurer spoke up, “Pastor, I move that we pay for the damage and charge it to upkeep!”

We, like the people who heard the prophet Ezra speak, need to be always ready to hear God’s Word. The only way we can discover God’s true nature is to study and hear Scripture and apply it in our lives and our world. By worshipping on our knees or with our faces to the ground, we remind ourselves that he is our sovereign and we are his subjects. While we need to study God’s Word on our own, we also need to gather with fellow believers on a regular basis to hear God’s Word explained-just like Jesus and Ezra explained God’s Word to the people. God’s Word and God’s joy give us strength because when we feel weak (as we often will on our Christian walk of life) he loves us enough to step in and help us. He loves to save us and forgive us. He loves to show his love to all believers.

The reading of Scripture has great influence on each generation that hears it, but how each generation hears Scripture and interprets its relevance is always a source of debate and conflict. Scriptures are often complex and rooted in a particular time, and therefore they require interpretation-interpretation provided by people like me and our ordained clergy. We need to know not only how the Scriptures applied in the time they were written, but also how they apply to our lives today, especially since we live in a different time and place.

The crowd in the synagogue knew that the text Jesus read from Isaiah was a prophecy about the coming of the Messiah. Jesus announced to the crowd that he was the Messiah Isaiah referred to. Jesus ushered in a new age with his words, just like Ezra’s words ushered in a new age. When the people heard the Word of God from Ezra, it became a source for reform and a means of new life for the community. The people in the rebuilt temple were prepared to throw a party to celebrate their return to a godly way of life, and they were prepared to share their goods with the poor. The passage Jesus read from Isaiah said the same thing-show concern for the poor. The Israelites longed for the world to be a better place, and we also long for the world to be a better place. The only way it will be a better place is if we hear and obey the Word of God, especially the part about showing care and compassion to the poor.

When Ezra and Jesus read from the Old Testament texts, they preached in God’s power. God’s power was unleashed, but the people had to stop and listen. We also have to stop and listen to God’s Word carefully. Paul said in the reading from 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 that we have to listen carefully to God’s Word without distraction. The freedom promised in God’s Word is only available when we are not absorbed in ourselves or self-centered or isolated. The freedom comes when we come together as part of one body of Christ. The people who heard Jesus speak in the temple did not know how to listen to the Word of God because they were isolated. They believed that they were God’s chosen people, and they also believed that they were better than other people, especially the Samaritans and the Gentiles and other people that Jesus cared for. The people who heard Ezra speak were hungry for the Word of God. God’s Word has the power to change the lives of those who hear it.

The light of Christ that resides in us should attract others to us. We need to be the most positive people on earth, and we need to see opportunity in the midst of life’s challenges. That is what Jesus tried to tell the congregation in the synagogue. Paul states in 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 that we are all part of the one body of Christ. We are all united. We have to work together to do his work in the world.

Jesus and the Word of God will fix everything that sin has ruined. They will make everything new, including the reversal of Satan’s curse. This is done through the church, the body of believers. The anointing of the Holy Spirit will give us the tools we need to turn to God and do his work in our world. The readings from Nehemiah and Luke show us that it is one thing to quote the Scriptures, but it is another thing to believe in what the Scriptures teach us. The good news is not just for the poor, the blind and the oppressed. They will receive it more gladly than others because they have much to gain and little to lose. The rich, the powerful and the elite will not be nearly as receptive.

The Scriptures should fill us with the Holy Spirit so we can spread joy in the world, just like Jesus came to spread joy in the world. By referring to the Holy Spirit, we express the active presence of God in the world. The Holy Spirit empowered Jesus for his task in the world, and it empowers us to continue to do his work in our world.

Both readings also symbolize the renewal of covenants between God and his people. Nehemiah led the Israelites in the rebuilding of the temple, and in the process there was a spiritual renewal. Jesus came to restore our relationship with God by projecting a vision of hope. God’s Word restores our relationship with him when we take part in the Eucharist. We become different people when the Holy Spirit comes upon us. We celebrate and share with humanity’s children. We have been set free and we enjoy the special favour of God. God’s Word shines a light into our darkness and continues to set us free. Since we have experienced the freedom God offers to us, we must encourage others to seek and accept the freedom God offers to everyone.

Bibliography

1. Preaching Magazine, November/December 2012 (Nashville, TN: Salem Publishing Inc.; pp. 55-56)
2. Stanley, C.F., The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, NASV (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson. Inc.; 2009)
3. Jude Siciliano, O.P., “First Impressions, 3^rd Sunday, Year C”. Retrieved from preacherexchange.org
4. John Shearman’s Lectionary Resource, 3^rd Sunday After Epiphany, Year C. Retrieved from http://lectionary.seemslikegod.org/archives/third-sunday-after-epiphany-year-c.html
5. Exegesis for Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6,8-10. Retrieved from sermonwriter.com
6. Mark D. Roberts, “Mardi Gras?” Retrieved from Newsletter@ThehighCalling.org
7. Michael Demkovich, O.P., “In Your Hearing”. Retrieved from torch.op.org
8. Diane Swinger, “The World is About to Turn”. Retrieved from colsoncenter.org
9. Os Hillman, “How is Your Joy Quotient?” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
10. Michael Craven, “Why Did Jesus Come to Earth?” Retrieved from caw@donationnet.net
11. B. Meyer, “Our Daily Homily”. Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
12. Mike Benson, “Memorize”. Retrieved from http://forthright.net
13. Rebecca Barlow Jordan, “Joy”. Retrieved from com@crosswalkmail.com
14. Charles F. Stanley, “How to Listen to the Word of God”. Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
15. Jimmy Gentry, “A Lifetime of Days Holy to the Lord”. Retrieved from preaching.com
16. The Rev. Dr. Mark Anschutz, “Sermon for the Third Sunday”. Retrieved from day1.org
17. The Rev. David Jones, “Everything Depends on Remembering”. Retrieved from day1.org
18. Lectionary Worship Resources, Year C-Epiphany 3. Retrieved from http://sacredise.com/lectionary/2010/01/year-c-epiphany-3/
19. Sarah Dylan Breuer, “Dylan’s Lectionary Blog. Third Sunday After Epiphany, Year C”. Retrieved from http://www.sarah;aughed.net/lectionary/2007/01/third-sunday-after-epiphany-year-c.html
20. Exegesis for Luke 4:14-21. Retrieved from sermonwriter.com
21. Swindoll, Charles R., Swindoll’s New Testament insights on Luke (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Inc.; 2012)
22. MacArthur, John, et al: How to Preach Biblically (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 2005)
23. Gary L. Carver and Tom Garrison, “Prophet or Profit?”. Retrieved from esermons.com
24. Cynthia E. Cowen, “Love Walked Across the Field”. Retrieved from esermons.com
25. Robert A. Hausman, “The Call of the Tradition: Remember and Return”. Retrieved from esermons.com
26. Ron Lavin, “The Water Gate and The Word Proclaimed”. Retrieved from esermons.com
27. Philip W. McClarty, “When Preaching Turns to Meddlin'” Retrieved form http://www.sermonwriter.com
28. Philip W. McClarty, “Jesus’ First Sermon”. Retrieved from http://www.sermonwriter.com
29. Gary L. Carver and Tom Garrison, “The Bible: Head and Heart”. Retrieved from http://www.sermonwriter.com
30. Exegesis for 1 Corinthians 12:12-31. Retrieved from http://www.sermonwriter.com

Hello boys and girls!

How many of you like to go out on a nice, sunny day and play with your friends? Has anyone ever said that they can’t play with you because they don’t like you, or because of where you live, or because of who your parents are? Well boys and girls, I certainly know how you feel because I was shunned at times when I was your age.

Jesus also knows how you feel because he was often rejected because of what he told people. For example, in Luke 4:14-21 he attended worship services in the synagogue in his hometown. He was asked to read a portion of Scripture, and the reading he chose was written by the prophet Isaiah. That particular reading talked about the long-promised Messiah.

After he finished his reading, he told the people that he was the long-promised Messiah that Isaiah talked about. The people couldn’t accept this statement because they saw him only as the son of Mary and Joseph, or as the son of a carpenter. That was a shame, because when they rejected him, they rejected someone who was part of the body of Christ that the apostle Paul refers to in 1 Corinthians 12:21-31.

Boys and girls, someone else who knows about rejecting people is a  little boy named Johnny. Johnny was lying in his bed after a nice bath getting  ready to go to sleep. His mommy and daddy were seated on the bed beside him.  They were talking about things that had happened that day. Johnny’s daddy  asked him, “Did you play with the new boy next door, today?” “No, he’s weird,” said  Johnny.

“What do you mean?” asked his  father. “He talks funny.” said Johnny  trying to copy the way the new boy talks. Johnny made himself laugh, but his  parents didn’t laugh. “I think the boy has trouble starting  words,” said his Mother, “but if you wait for him, he can say anything anyone  else can say. You just have to wait for him.”

“I still think he’s weird,” said  Johnny.

“Well,” said his father, “God gives  different gifts to different people. You learn soccer fast, but you learn piano  slowly. You start words quickly, but he starts words slowly. Starting words is  not one of his gifts. Do you know what gifts God has given him?”

“No, I didn’t think about it,” said  Johnny.

“When you think someone is weird, you  aren’t looking for the gifts God has given them, so you won’t find them,” said  his mother. “Tomorrow, you can find out one of his gifts. Maybe he is good at a  game.”

“Maybe he can play marbles,” Johnny  said.

“Remember in Church the story of  Pentecost where God gave something to each of the disciples that made their  faces light up, gave each one something wonderful?” asked his father.

“Yes!” said Johnny. “They all  caught on fire.”

“The Bible doesn’t say they caught on  fire,” said his mother. “It says there was something like fire on their heads.  Maybe it was like fire because it was a bright light.” “Maybe it was like fire because it  warmed their hearts,” said his father. “We do know that God gave them the gift  to love one another, and God has given you that gift too, Johnny. God has  given you the gift of playing nicely with the boy next door.”

Johnny had never thought about  that. He’d thought about other gifts from God but never the gift of playing  happily with the boy next door. So, he thought about that. But first they said a  prayer , and boys and girls, I’d like to you to close your eyes, bow your heads and repeat that same prayer after me.

Dear God, thank you for  giving us the gift of loving you and loving each other. Help us play happily  with the people next door. Amen.

Hello boys and girls!

How many of you like to do things for yourselves, such as tying your shoe laces or getting dressed or brushing your teeth? Do you like it when people try to help you when you don’t need their help?

Boys and girls, there are some things that we can’t do by ourselves. For example, could you run a relay race by yourself? Could you play basketball or football if you were the only person on the team?

The church is the same. Jesus tells us that all of us are members of the Body of Christ, also known as the church. We don’t come to church as individual people and then leave. Jesus tells us that we are to be a team of people who work together for Jesus. Each of us is an important part of that body, and all of the things we do are just as important.

Our church body is just like our human body. All of the parts have to work together, and all of the parts have to be there. Suppose we were missing an eye or an ear or a hand or an arm or a foot or a leg. What would happen?

Let me tell you a story about how important it is for people to work together for Jesus. It’s a story of a little girl named Shelly.

I like being on our youth group planning committee, thought Shelly as the members shared ideas for making their meetings more interesting. But she frowned when Cole offered his suggestion. “How about planning a mission program that reaches out to kids in our community?” he asked. “And let’s give everyone in the youth group something to do. You know–get everyone involved.”

Mr. Gray, the youth leader, liked the idea. “That sounds good,” he said, “and it will fit in nicely with the Bible study I’m planning for the next several weeks.”

“But some of the kids never want to do anything,” objected Shelly. “I don’t see how we can we get them involved if they’re not really interested, so what would we do about them? Or doesn’t it matter? Do we really need them?”

“Nah.” Zoe, another committee member, shook her head.

Cole disagreed. “We want them all to have a part,” he insisted.

“Let’s think about that, kids,” said Mr. Gray. “Let me ask you something.” He turned to Shelly. “You broke your thumb a few days ago. Does it matter?” he asked. “How important is your thumb?”

“My thumb?” asked Shelly in surprise. She laughed as she looked down at her bandaged thumb. “I didn’t think I used it much . . . until I couldn’t use it at all,” she said. “Now that it’s broken, I see how much I really need it. It’s way more important than I ever knew!”

“Yes, I thought it might be.” Mr. Gray smiled. “And God says that’s exactly how it is with the body of believers. All who believe in Jesus are referred to as the Body of Christ, and every single member is important–just like every part of our physical bodies is important. Each person has a job to do for the Body of Christ to function properly.”

“That makes sense,” said Shelly, “but . . .” She frowned. “I still don’t see how we’ll get kids to help if they don’t want to.” She looked at her thumb again. “Or do you think they will want to if we show them that we need them?”

Cole nodded. “Yeah, and I think we should be careful to not complain about anything we’re assigned to do, but act like we’re enjoying it ourselves,” he said.

Zoe grinned. “That part should be easy. I think we will enjoy it,” she said.

“Good,” Mr. Gray approved. “Let’s put those ideas into action.”

Let’s close our eyes and bow our heads for a moment of prayer. Dear God, thank you for the chance to come together and work together to do what you want us to do. Help us to remember that what each one of us does is important to you. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.

Bibliography

1. “The Broken Thumb.” Retrieved from sermons4kids.com
2. Mark A. Hultquist, “Many Parts-One Body.” Retrieved from sermonsuite.com

Do you know that you have spiritual gifts from God?

That’s right. Each and every one of us has spiritual gifts from God. These gifts come in many different forms. Some are greater than others, but they are equally important. Each gift is essential for the benefit of all believers. The danger is that someone who possesses a public and “impressive” gift might lord it over the one who possesses a private gift of service. Those who have the gift of helping others rarely seek recognition or attention. Their instincts are to reach out and serve other without reward or recognition.

The theme of Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians is unity. The church in Corinth had many issues, but the greatest problem was the lack of unity within the church. In the section of First Corinthians that is just before the reading we heard today, the diversity of the body illustrated the diversity of the gifts within the body of believers. In this section of the Letter, attention is cast on the fact that many members are required to make up one body.

The church today sometimes finds itself in a similar situation. Sometimes there is fighting about who is most important in the church body. This wastes time that would be better spent demonstrating unity to a world that needs a model of genuine community and unity.

One sign of unity is when all members equally care for one another. Spiritual gifts are not just a matter of figuring out what one is good at so he/she can be satisfied in serving. Spiritual gifts are intended to promote unity and working together to share the Good News.

One example of spiritual gifts is the gift of prophecy. Prophets in Old Testament times were those who proclaimed the very words of God before there was a written text. A prophet today is one who proclaims the very words of God as revealed in the Scriptures. Paul listed apostles first and speaking in tongues last. The Corinthians were putting speaking in tongues first and casting aspersions on the apostles, especially since the apostles were acting in a similar manner to Old Testament prophets.

Some believers have the gift of preaching while others have the gift of leadership. Not everyone has the same gift, and not everything we do will satisfy us 100% of the time. Not all roles or gifts are equally exciting, but they are equally important. Everyone works together and they are firmly planted on the foundation of their faith in God.. Being a Christian is like being a part of a human body. Each Christian is unique, but each Christian is part of something bigger, namely, the Body of Christ. If we aren’t connected to the church, we won’t know the purpose of our lives. We won’t know our role or our function. We won’t know our value or our meaning. We need to be in relationships with other people. We have to learn from others if we want to fulfill our potential and our role within the Body of Christ.

God creates people to carry out specific kinds of work in order to meet human needs. God uniquely designs each of us. He fits each of us for certain tasks. He distributes skills, abilities, interests and personalities among us so that we can carry out his work in the world. That work includes spiritual tasks and secular tasks such as health, education, business, law and so on.

In light of what has gone before within the Corinthian church, Paul’s exhortation to desire the best gifts may seem contradictory. As the following verses will reveal, what Paul considers the best gifts will be quite different from what the Corinthians had been pursuing. The best gifts are those that glorify God the most.

The church is the body of Christ. Every believer is part of that body, so every believer should make the church a priority. When church isn’t a priority, believers deprive themselves and fellow believers. That foundation helps us work together, especially when one member is suffering. Believer are encouraged to come together to help fellow believers when they suffer. The best way to help is for each believer to use his/her gifts. When we use our gifts to do God’s work, we strengthen each other and the Church as a whole.

We need to be connected to a church family so that we can fulfill our calling to serve other believers in practical ways. We need the church and the church needs us. There are no insignificant roles to play in either the church or the body of believers. Every role is of equal importance, because all of the roles are connected. This is something for us to seriously consider at this time of year. It is time for church and parish annual meetings, and during these meetings people are elected to various positions of leadership within a church or the parish. If you are asked to consider running for a position, it means that the people who are asking you think that you have gifts that are especially suitable for the position.

Most of us will never be in a position to influence a lot of people. When we act or speak, only those who are close to us will notice, but our actions will ripple outward to affect an entire community. When we serve God and others, we steady the whole body as we support each other. We must always look for needs that God can meet through us. We don’t have to depend on our own personality or powers of persuasion. Christ will work through us. We are his eyes, ears, hands and feet in the world.

The measure of a Christian worker is not the ability to speak or the worker’s personality. It is the enduring work which he/she accomplishes. That work won’t be manifest or completely recognized until Jesus returns. Only Jesus can truly judge the merits of our efforts.

Some people are multi-talented and well-rounded, but they rarely commit to doing one thing well. They are spread so thin that their impact is minimal. All Christian workers need to stay focused on what they are good at. Here’s a good example of why we need to stay focused.

A sea captain and his chief engineer argued as to which one of them was more important to the ship. They couldn’t agree, so they decided to switch roles. The Chief Engineer came to the bridge and the Captain went to the engine room. After a couple of hours, the Captain come on the deck. He was covered in oil. He waved a monkey wrench at the Chief Engineer and shouted, “Chief, you’ll have to come down here. I can’t make the ship go.”

The Chief Engineer replied, “Of course you can’t. We’ve run aground!”

We must not allow our gifts to be greater than the fruit of the Spirit. When our gifts are greater than the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, our lives will crumble. When we grow in faith, God’s power will work in us to make us more Christ-like.

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, NKJV (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p. 1588)
2. Ed Young, “Body Builder.” Retrieved from www.edyoung.com
3. Carolyn Dale Newell, “No Member is Too Weak.” Retrieved from com@crosswalkmail.com
4. Christine Caine, “Gifts and Fruit.” Retrieved from Biblegateway@e.biblegateway.com
5. Pastor Rick Warren, “Where Do You Believe God Can Use You?” Retrieved from connect@newsletter.purposedriven.com
6. Charles Stanley, “How to Serve the Church.” Retrieved from www.intouch.org
7. Michael Brooks, “Standards.” Retrieved from forthright.net
8. Jack Graham, “How to Maximize Your Kingdom Impact in 2015.” Retrieved from www.jackgraham.org
9. Joel Osteen, “Know Who You Are.” Retrieved from joelosteen.com
10. Os Hillman, “Is There Hierarchy in Calling?” Retrieved from com@crosswalkmail.com
11. Jim Liebert, “Partners of Equal Value.” Retrieved from homeword.com
12. David Jeremiah, “A Helping Hand.” Retrieved from turningpoint@davidjeremiah.org
13. David Jeremiah, “The Body of Christ.” Retrieved from turningpoint@davidjeremiah.org
14. David Jeremiah, “Uniqueness and Unity.” Retrieved from turningpoint@davidjeremiah.org
15. Rick Warren, “You Learn Your Purpose Through Relationships.” Retrieved from connect@newsletter.purposedriven.com
16. Rick Warren, “God Created You to Need Other People.” Retrieved from connect@newsletter.purposedriven.com

Jesus’ first miracle-that of turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana-is a significant moment in Jesus’ ministry. It’s also an important explanation of God’s character and mission. Throughout the Scriptures God’s relationship with His people is compared to a marriage. God wants an intimate connection with us in which we are loved, known and made known.

What we have here us the power of God showing itself in the world to bring about something only God could do. It’s about God acting through Christ in a way that gives us a sign that God is at work here. John wants to show us what Jesus says, does and means. Jesus means life, joy, abundance and peace. John believes that the Christian life is meant to be a comedy, not a tragedy. Despite how dark things appear to be in the world, despite the fact that the path of life will lead Jesus and us through death, things will turn out bright in the end. God is in control, and He will lead us to light and life in Jesus.

Jesus performed His first public miracle, not in the temple but in a Jewish home in Cana; not at a funeral but at a wedding; not at a fast, but at a feast. This is a reminder that the life of a Christian should reflect the joy that characterized Jesus.

The miracle at Cana was the first sign, or evidence, of Jesus’ glory, and the disciples saw and believed. God’s glory was revealed through a miracle that did not heal anyone or cast out demons. It was a miracle of abundance. It was part of His plan for us. Jesus was a man of sorrows and grief, but He was also a man who went to parties and had a good time. His presence at the wedding in Cana is an invitation for the rest of us to join Him at His party and to enter into His joy. Jesus wants to be invited as a vital part of every relationship. Inviting Him at the beginning will strengthen and set the direction for it.

The servants were the only people who recognized what happened. Everyone else enjoyed the wine without knowing where it came from. The servants knew what happened in that situation. If we want to know what Christ is doing in a particular situation we have to be a part of that situation. The work of God’s kingdom comes through those who bring its light into places that are ravaged by sinful human nature.

Jesus was asked by Mary to get involved in an unusual problem. Have you ever asked Jesus to get involved in an unusual problem? No matter what problems we have, Jesus invites us to seek Him as the solution. Mary saw the shadow that she knew could be answered by Jesus’ light. She invited Jesus to change the situation of poverty into a celebration of love that was shown in a wedding that ran up against human limitations.

Jesus performed His first miracle not merely to replenish the wine supply but to save a humble Galilean family from disgrace. Running out of food or wine at a wedding feast was considered a terrible mistake on the part of the groom’s family. In Jesus’ time, a wedding day was a great celebration. The ceremony usually took place late in the evening after a feast. Then there was a procession to the groom’s home, with an open house that went on for at least a week. No wonder the people ran out of wine! We don’t know how or when Jesus turned the water into wine. He simply moves in His own time and in His own way.

Mary spoke to Jesus as her son, but Jesus changed the relationship from son to Saviour. His response- “What does your concern have to do with Me?”-was not meant to demean her but to refocus her perspective. Notice the emphasis on timing when Jesus says, “My hour has not yet come.” Everything Jesus did had a purpose and was on schedule.

Jesus’ response to Mary’s request might seem to be rude or indignant, but it wasn’t. It might have been spoken in a tender manner. He did not intend to refuse to provide wine, but only to delay it a little. Mary’s response indicates that she did not consider Jesus’ words a rebuke. Jesus is still looking for those who will respond to Him with the same simplicity of obedience.

The meaning of Jesus’ comment was that He has started His mission on earth, and all other activities were not as important. He was following a schedule that God created before the creation of the world. The Old Testament prophets described the Messianic age as a time when wine would flow liberally. Jesus was likely referring to the fact that the blessings of the Messianic age would come after His death and resurrection. Jesus’ actions show how vastly different God’s ways are from the world’s. The world starts with the better, which often becomes bitter in the end. But God starts with something ordinary and makes it extraordinary. Whenever Jesus enters a life, He transforms it.

This miracle showed His power and character as the Messiah. It showed His divine power and that He was commissioned by God. This miracle caused many people to believe that He was the Messiah. Those who believe in Him can take comfort in the knowledge that He is always present and He is always with us. We should welcome His presence.

The waterpots were large, low basins for the purpose of Jewish purification. Six of them would have held enough wine for more than 2,400 servings. This miracle foreshadowed the day when Jesus would replace the water of Jewish ritual with new wine that was superior in every way.

The old and new wines represent the old and new creation. The old wine of the law has given out, but the new wine, representing the new creation, has come. Jesus pours out the wine of the “end times” and there is enough for everyone. Jesus is the good wine that allows our lives to grow. As we get older, our faith gives us a taste of life in new ways. We drink a wine that keeps getting better and better. It gives us a longing for the best wine we will drink at God’s banquet table.

When we invite Jesus into every aspect of our lives, He can change our past pain for present comfort and turn our deep sorrow into joy. He can take our wounds and turn them into fresh wisdom. The miracle of turning water into wine reveals Jesus as:

1. One who honours the bond of marriage by His presence at the wedding.
2. One who bestows His gifts lavishly; if in the physical realm, how much more in the spiritual?
3. One whose infinite love is made effective by His equally infinite power
4. One who, accordingly, is the Son of God, full of grace and glory.

This was the first of Jesus’ miracles on earth, but it wasn’t his last. When we walk with Jesus every day, we become accustomed to the miracles he performs. He does so many great and wonderful things for us. He supplies everything we need — a roof over our head, and a nice warm bed. We have clothes to wear and plenty to eat and drink. Oh yes, He is so good, but do you know what? He is saving the best for last. What is it? Eternal life. If we put our trust in Jesus as our Savior, we will live forever in heaven with him. Now, that’s what I call “saving the best for last!”

This story is about more than turning water into wine. It’s a sign, and each sign reveals who God is so that people would accept him and the nearness of God that he brings. The people are gathered and want to celebrate, but they don’t have the means to do so. Jesus allows us to celebrate the nearness of God. God has come close and given us the reason and means to celebrate. God has saved the best wine until last.

So what can we do? What is our place in a miracle of plenty? We can be like Mary. We can notice, name, persist and trust. No matter how profound the scarcity, no matter how impossible the situation, we can interfere, pull Jesus aside, ask for help and ready ourselves for action. We can tell God hard truths, even when we’re supposed to be celebrating. We can keep human needs squarely before our eyes, even when denial, apathy or distraction are easier options. Finally, we can invite others to obey Jesus, who we have come to know and trust.

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; pp.1443-1444)
2. Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament. Part of Wordsearch 12 Bible software package.
3. Fredrikson, R.L. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol.27: John (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1985; pp. 64-77)
4. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
5. Jude Siciliano, OP, “First Impressions, 2^nd Sunday in Ordinary time -C-.” Retrieved from preacherexchange.org
6. Vikki Burke, “The Miracle of Abundance.” Retrieve from dbm@dennisburkeministries.org.
7. Os Hillman, “How Would Jesus Impact Your Wedding Party?” Retrieved from tgif@marketplaceleaders.org
8. The Rev. Jason Cox, “Come and Dine: Epiphany 2-C- 016.” Retrieved from epipscopaldigitalnetwork.com
9. “The Wedding Guest.” Retrieved form BibleGateway@e.BibleGateway.com
10. Jude Siciliano, OP, “First Impressions, 2^nd Sunday -C-, January 20, 2019”. Retrieved from preacherexchange.org
11. “Saving the Best for Last.” Retrieved from Sermons4KIds.com
12. Debie Thomas, “They Have No Wine.” Retrieved from journeywithjesus.net/lectionary-essays/current/essay
13. Dominic Ryan, OP, “Water into Wine.” Retrieved from www.english.op.org/torch/water-into-wine
14. “Marriage for All.” Retrieved from noreply+feedproxy@google.com

This is an exciting time. It is the beginning of a brand new year. Some people like to make New Year’s resolutions or promises to themselves about what they plan to accomplish in the new year. The number one resolution that people make is, “I am going to lose weight.” Even if we don’t make any New Year’s resolutions, this is an exciting time. It is a time that we can forget our past mistakes and look forward to new opportunities that lie ahead of us. It is a time of new beginnings.

At the beginning of Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, the crowds might have sensed a new beginning, especially the people who were baptized. They might have had a sense that John the Baptist was the long-promised Messiah. John did what all good messengers do. He pointed past himself to the one whom he was sent to herald.

John was able to reject the notion that he might be the Messiah for several reasons. The Messiah would be more powerful, worthy of far more reverence, and would have a broader ministry. Also, the Holy Spirit would work differently in the Messiah’s ministry; supplying it with a purifying, judging and saving aspect that John’s did not have.

Jesus experienced times of new beginnings in his life too. One of those times was when He was baptized. He was a carpenter and a faithful son of Mary and Joseph. He was about to begin his role as the Messiah, and He probably asked himself, “Who am I as I begin the greatest work in the universe?” There were a couple of very important things that happened when Jesus was baptized. First of all, the Bible tells us that the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit came down in the form of a dove and landed upon him. The second thing was that God spoke and said, “You are my Son. I love you and I am well-pleased with you.”

There are times in our lives when we need someone to encourage us and reassure us. We need someone to tell us who we are, why we matter, and why they have high hopes for us. Jesus needed reassurance and encouragement at this time when His life would take a new direction. He knew that He would need resources beyond His human abilities and wisdom.

When God said that Jesus was His Son and He was pleased, He was telling us the same thing.  If all we ever do in this life is exercise our primary calling-that of being His child-we have fulfilled our primary purpose and God will be pleased with us. Having God’s approval isn’t easy because He demands complete and perfect obedience in everything we do, say and think. We can’t obey God perfectly on our own. We need the power of the Holy Spirit. He teaches us to know God and truth and things hidden from wise people. His touch glows within us and lights a fire within us.

Why did Jesus need to be baptized by John? Baptism was the outward sign of repentance from sin, and Jesus was sinless. His baptism was the assurance that He is like us in every way except for sin. That’s why He submitted to baptism at John’s hands. He is like us and not like us at the same time. His identity came from God, but His role was confirmed by John the Baptist as He began an earthly phase of His life. Although John’s was a baptism of repentance, Jesus did not need to repent. For Him, baptism was a means to identify Himself with sinners in order that they might identify with Him in His life.

In baptism Jesus was initiated into the family of God and claimed by God as His beloved child. In baptism Jesus accepted His ministry, accepted that He is the one John was teaching about, and claimed His identity as the Saviour that the prophets spoke about. He knew that He needed to acknowledge and repent for all of our sins, merely by being human.

Up until this time, He has not performed any miracles, but with God’s stamp of approval and with the spirit of God upon him, Jesus began to perform great miracles. From this new beginning, many people began to understand that Jesus was truly the Son of God and they began to follow him.

Our own baptism represents a new beginning for us as well. When we are baptized, it shows the world that just as Jesus rose from the dead through the glory of God the Father, we also live a new life in him. God may not always be well-pleased with us, but He looks down with an approving smile when He sees us trying to walk with Jesus.

Before He was baptized, Jesus prayed. We might ask ourselves why Jesus prayed if He was so attuned to the will of His Father. He prayed because he wanted to keep in a relationship with the heavenly Father. What is stressed is that Jesus was at prayer, the Spirit came and Jesus’ true identity was proclaimed. We should have the same purpose when we pray. We can pray to Him at any time and in any place. The Holy Spirit is there for us. All we have to do is pray and ask for it.

The events at the baptism of Jesus present one of the Bible’s clearest pictures of the Trinity, with the entire Godhead present. The Son of God stood in the Jordan River, identifying Himself with sinful mankind. The Father spoke from heaven, affirming the Son. The Spirit of God descended from heaven in the form of a dove and anointed the Son for His coming ministry. The dove is a symbol of purity and harmlessness. In this situation, the dove represented the spirit with which Jesus would be endowed-one of purity and innocence.

Just like Christ’s baptism marked the start of His ministry, our baptism is our entrance into the Christian faith. When we gather together publicly in worship, there should be celebration, praise and thanksgiving. God calls us into a deeper relationship with Him through Christ as God declares to us how special we are as God’s children who are prepared and sent to take part in ministry with God. Jesus has given us an example to follow.

The Baptism of the Lord is a call for us to change our attitudes. As we get older and wiser, we move toward Jesus’ message or a reduction of the dignity and worth with which we were created. In other words, we are on the road to eternal life with Christ or a life of eternal damnation. Our baptism, like Jesus’ baptism, is a choice. How have we progressed? How have we given in to the ways of the world? As we begin a new year, we can try again to make the choice about how we can grow in our spiritual lives.

Baptism not only represents our movement away from sin, but it also marks our movement toward something as well. Some people argue that it marks our movement toward purity and holiness as we seek to allow the Holy Spirit to baptize us as well. God gives us opportunities for new beginnings. Let us make the most of them as we live a new life in Christ through the power of his Holy Spirit.

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p.1390)
2. “New Beginning.” Retrieved from Sermons4Kids.com
3. Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament. Part of Wordsearch 12 Bible software package.
4. Larsen, B. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 26: Luke (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1983; pp. 77-81)
5. Jude Siciliano, OP, “First Impressions, Baptism of the Lord, -C-.” Retrieved from preacherexchange.org
6. Pete Briscoe, “Experiencing Life Today.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
7. Pastor Ken Klaus, “A New Beginning.” Retrieved from lh_min@lhm.org
8. B. Meyer, “Our Daily Homily.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
9. David Walle, “Luke 3:15-17,21-22.” Retrieved from communic@luthersem.edu
10. The Rev. AnnaKate Rawles, “Baptism of Our Lord: Worthy of Our Calling.” Retrieved from comment=reply@wordpress.com
11. Jason Buckwalter, “Luke 3:15-17,21-22.” Retrieved from http://www.aplainaccount.org/luke-315-17-21-22/
12. Christine Hallenback Ask, “Luke 3:15-17,21-22.” Retrieved from commuinic@luthersem.edu
13. Lanie LeBlanc, OP, “First Impressions, Volume 2: Baptism of the Lord, January 13, 2019.” Retrieved from volume2@lists.opsouoth.org
14. Carol and Dennis Keller,  “First Impressions, Volume 2: Baptism of the Lord, January 13, 2019.” Retrieved from volume2@lists.opsouoth.org
15. Brian Gleeson, CP, , “First Impressions, Volume 2: Baptism of the Lord, January 13, 2019.” Retrieved from volume2@lists.opsouoth.org

The Feast of the Epiphany is the day when we remember the visit of the three wise men, but we also remember that Jesus came into the world for everyone-Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor, upper class people and lower-class people, humble shepherds and wise men and so on.

It is also a happy time or a sad time depending on how you look at it. It marks the end of the 12 Days of Christmas and the end of the holiday season. For most of us, the decorations have been put away for another year, the parties and celebrations are over, visitors have returned home, and we are settling back into our daily routines after the Christmas season. We, like the Magi, need to break away from our daily routines and busyness to take time to look for the Christ Child. It might mean stopping in the midst of our daily lives to pray that God will help us center our thoughts on Jesus more than our daily lives. It might mean that we have to put down our to-do list to pick up our Bibles to read and absorb God’s Word.

The wise men endured a long, difficult journey. They endured dangers, hardships and scorn to find Christ, and so should we. When they found him, they worshipped him, and so should we. They set an example for us as Christians to follow. The Magi were on a quest, looking for more in their lives. They were not satisfied with the way things were. Otherwise, they would have stayed put. Change started for them when God made the first move and showed them a light in their darkness. They didn’t have to follow that light, but they picked up and began a journey that took them to Christ. They left their daily routines to find Jesus.

The star the Magi followed was not a natural phenomenon. It is a reminder that we need divine intervention to find out where Christ is in our lives. The busyness of our everyday lives can distract us from seeing the Messiah. When the light of Christ dwells in us, it guides us and blocks out the light from outside, worldly distractions. The light of Christ gives us the strength we need to make the name of Jesus known throughout the world.

The wise men studied the stars and believed in astrology. They believed that a person’s destiny was influenced by the star they were born under. They believed that if something strange happened in the sky, it was because God was breaking into the natural order to announce some special event. That is why they noticed and followed the star of Bethlehem. They had a limited sign and came to the Messiah, but those who knew the truth about God, his words and actions failed to take the Messiah’s birth seriously when they found out about it. In fact, they, like Herod, saw it as a threat to their positions and their way of life. Herod even saw it as a threat to his rule.

The Magi could not return to their old way of living after they met the Messiah, and we can’t return to our old way of living after we meet the Messiah. Jesus’ presence changes everything. There is more to life than our routines and careers. Life has more meaning now because the light of God’s presence is among us.

Those who refused to take the Messiah’s birth seriously were wrong. Jesus was a threat to their positions and their way of life because he challenged their way of doing things. He challenged them to change their ways, accept God in faith and follow his ways and teachings. He was ignored and despised not only because he challenged the established way of doing things, but also because he was not the type of Messiah people were looking for. They were looking for a Messiah who would come from the established ruling class and drive out the Romans. Instead, they got a humble servant who came from earthly parents who belonged to the lower classes of society. This fit in with one part of God’s plan for salvation-concern for the poor and disadvantaged members of society.

Epiphany is more than the inclusion of the Gentiles as part of God’s Kingdom. It is about breaking down the barriers that divide people. It challenges us to reconsider how we look at people whom we see as being outside the boundaries of God’s love. We must remember that God’s love knows no boundaries. We must take off our spiritual blinders and welcome those whom we don’t want to love.

The wise men represent us in God’s plan. They represent everyone who sets out in search of a king and finds the son of God. They gave Jesus the most precious material gifts they had, but each and every one of us can give him something even better-ourselves. Those who, like Herod and the chief priests and scribes, try to derail God’s plan for salvation will fail. They are no match for God or God’s people. God loves everyone, and Jesus came to save everyone.

The Magi were foreigners in the eyes of the ruling class, but Jesus was of keen interest to them. They went out of their way to find him and set treasures before him. The gifts the Magi brought were symbolic. Gold was a gift fit for a king, and Matthew’s Gospel introduced his Jewish audience to a king who would rule with love instead of hate, peace instead of violence. Frankincense is a gift for a priest. Jesus ministers to God on behalf of men. Myrrh is a gift for someone who is about to die. Jesus came to die for us on the cross. As we end another Christmas season, one of the best things we can do is to think about what gifts we can bring to him.

Bibliography

1. Billy Graham, “Who Were the Wise Men?” Retrieved from arcamax.com
2. Augsberger, M.S. and Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 24: Matthew (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1982)
3. Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, NASB (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 2009)
4. Jim Liebelt, “The First Christmas Gifts”. Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
5. Mel Lawrenz, “” Magi”. Retrieved from thebrookletter@me.com
6. Exegesis for Matthew 2:1-12. Retrieved from lectionary.org
7. Jude Siciliano, O.P., “First Impressions, Epiphany of the Lord (A)”. Retrieved from preacherexchange.org
8. Karen Ehman, “Search Carefully”. Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
9. John Boll, O.P., “Volume 2, Feast of the Epiphany (A)” Retrieved from Volume2@preacherexchange.org

Well, Christmas is almost over for another year. For most of us the holidays are over and our lives get back to normal this week. Children will be going back to school, people will be going back to work, family and friends will be going home (if they haven’t gone home already), and we will be settling back into our normal routines.

There is one more part of Christmas to come, and that’s why I said that Christmas is almost over. There is one more gift for all of us, and on the Feast of the Epiphany we receive that gift. That gift is the fact that Jesus came for all of us-both Jews and Gentiles. This concept is represented in the visit of the Magi, which is written in Matthew 2:1-12, but it is also represented in the legendary story of the fourth wise man-a man named Artaban.

As he journeyed with his friends, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, he became separated from them. He never made it to Bethlehem. For many years he sought the Christ Child and in the process had many adventures and assisted many people, including dying beggars and frightened mothers, to whom he gave two of the three great jewels he had originally planned to give to Jesus. He even traveled to Egypt, hearing that Jesus and his parents had gone there, but was again frustrated in his quest. Now, after 33 years of searching he arrived in Jerusalem, hoping at last that he might find the child.

At Passover time, Artaban, now an old man, noted an unusual commotion and inquired about its cause. People answered him, “We are going to the place called Golgotha, just outside the walls of the city, to see two robbers and a man named Jesus of Nazareth, who are being crucified on crosses. The man Jesus calls himself the Son of God, and Pontius Pilate has sent him to be crucified because he claims to be the king of the Jews.”

Artaban knew instinctively that this is the king he had been searching for his whole life. Thus, he rushed to the scene. On the way he encountered a young girl being sold into slavery. She saw his royal robes and fell at his feet pleading with him to rescue her. His heart was moved and he gave away the last jewel for her ransom. Just then, darkness fell over the land and the earth shook, and great stones fell into the streets. One of them fell upon Artaban, crushing his head.

As he lay dying in the arms of the girl he had just ransomed, he cried out in a weak voice, “Three and thirty years I looked for thee, Lord, but I have never seen thy face nor ministered to thee!” Then a voice came from heaven, strong and kind, which said, “Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of my brothers or sisters, you did it to me.” Artaban’s face grew calm and peaceful. His long journey was ended. He had found his king!

This popular story powerfully presents the Epiphany message. The three magi of whom Saint Matthew speaks in his gospel brought their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, recognizing Jesus as priest, prophet, and king. Additionally, their presence in Bethlehem demonstrated how Christ was manifest to the nations. In a similar way, Artaban’s adventure showed that Christ calls us to manifest his glory to all nations. Artaban’s goodness and openness to all, even those he did not know, brought the face of Christ, namely the one he sought, to him. Additionally, those to whom he came, the poor and destitute, became Christ to him. Without realizing it, all his life he had been achieving his goal, to see the Christ Child. We, in turn, are challenged to be Christ to others; we must be ambassadors of the Lord.

God came to us in the form of Jesus so that we could come back to him. When we come to Christ, we are adopted into his family. We are also freed from the bondage of sin. That freedom has a purpose, which is being part of God’s plan for our lives. Our lives and the paths we take in life matter to God. We are to remember this when our lives seem aimless and without direction.

The church was unknown in the Old Testament and the Gospels. It wasn’t fully revealed until the events in Acts 2 occurred, especially the events that happened on the Day of Pentecost. It was not fully explained until Paul began his mission. The heart and soul of the mystery of the church is that Jews and Gentiles are joined into one body. The Gentiles are fellow heirs with the Jews, fellow members of God’s household, and fellow partakers of the promise of salvation for everyone. This process started with the visit of the Magi, but it was not fully realized until Peter preached to and baptized the Roman centurion Cornelius and his family.

Paul was the apostle, teacher and preacher to the Gentiles. The sufferings he experienced during his ministry were on their behalf, just like Jesus’ suffering and death were for everyone-both Jews and Gentiles. There are times when we as Christians will suffer for our faith like Paul, Christ and the disciples did. When we praise God, especially when we suffer, it forces us to keep our eyes on him and lifts us out of the pain of our suffering. It allows us to see clearly how God works in and through all believers to change something that is evil into something that is good. That does not mean that God causes pain and suffering. It means that God is with us and that he can use our suffering for his purposes.

Paul’s calling to preach to the Gentiles was the disposition of God’s grace. God not only appointed Paul a minister of the Gospel to the Gentiles through grace, but anointed him with power. This verified Paul’s apostleship-an amazing thing considering that Paul so violently persecuted the church previously.

Christ came to unite Jews and Gentiles into one body of believers through the Gospel. Christ revealed the mystery to Paul on the road to Damascus and at other times during his ministry. The purpose of his ministry was of interest to angels, especially since they rejoice when a sinner repents.

The mystery is made known to us through both God’s direct intervention in our lives and through Scripture. This revelation is a gift for everyone, whereas until Christ was born it was seen only as a gift to the people of Israel. We are to share the promise with everyone.

If we enlarge our horizons, our theology will not be restricted to a denominational understanding but will affirm the ecumenical affirmations of the Christian faith centered in Jesus Christ. To be sure, we ought to preserve the best in our own theological tradition, but admittedly we do not possess the whole truth. We can learn from one another, and as we dialogue we sharpen our basic convictions.

In order to share the gift, we have to use the gifts God has given us. Some of us have the gift of preaching and teaching. Some of us have the gift of singing. Others have the gift of leadership, and still others have the gift of just being able to talk to other people and share what God has done for them in their lives. We know what our gifts are, but we also know our limitations. We don’t have to worry, because God will make up for our limitations.

God created the church to be a public testimony to his grace-a place where anyone (both Jews and Gentiles) can go to receive a constant flow of mercy, and a place to hear the message of the Gospel. Yet the church not only declares the truth to humanity; God also designed the church to display the truth to angels.

The church is called to be a house of prayer. God’s people don’t need a priest to be a mediator to approach him, as was required in the Old Testament. Jews and Gentiles both have full access to God through Jesus.

Within the church there are to be no divisions due to race, spiritual or social reasons. Faith gives us free and unlimited access to God. When we place our trust in God, it opens the way for us to communicate with and have fellowship with him at any time and in any place. Anyone and everyone can come to him. We can do so because of God’s grace.

God wants everyone to see and share his wisdom. It’s up to us to make certain that this happens. Sometimes we can’t see that Christ came for everyone and can use everyone. We need to share our gifts and burdens just like Christ shared himself with everyone-both Jews and Gentiles. We are to spread the Good News to a world that desperately needs to hear it. When we spread the Good News, we are to share it with everyone, because Christ came for everyone-and that is the greatest gift that everyone can give and receive.

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, NKJV (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; pp. 1642-1643)
2. Preaching Magazine, November/December 2015 (Nashville, TN: Salem Publishing Inc.; p. 65)
3. ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.
4. Dunnam, M.D. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 31: Galatians/Ephesians/Philippians/Colossians/Philemon (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1982; pgs. 175-182)
5. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible, NASV (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
6. Don Ruhl, “Our Job: Make People See the Manifold Wisdom of God.” Retrieved from comment-reply@wordpress.com
7. Michael Youssef, Ph.D., “Moments of Weakness.” Retrieved from mydevotional@leadingtheway.org
8. Joni Eareckson Tada, “Let Me Not Shrink.” Retrieved from communications@joniandfriends.org
9. R.C. Sproul, “Answering the Ultimate Question.” Retrieved from Corsswalk@crosswalkmail.com
10. Pastor Bob Coy, “Access-able.” Retrieved from activeword.org
11. Don Ruhl, “The Privilege of Sharing the Preaching of Christ.” Retrieved from comment-reply@wordpress.com
12. Richard Hasler, “Enlarge Your Horizons.” Retrieved from http://sermons.com/sermon/enlarge-your-horizons/14228
13. Richard Gribble, “Ambassadors of the Lord.” Retrieved from http://sermons.com/sermons/ambassadors-of-the-lord/1467337