2nd Sunday in Advent.
Readings:
Old Testament: Malachi 3:1-7b
Epistle: Philemon 1:2-11
Gospel: Luke 3:1-14 (15-20)
Grace, Mercy, and Peace be unto you from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
We all have a job to do. And it seems this is the season when people are at their best, when their hearts are turned towards helping others in need. You can already see the salvation army volunteers out in front of stores ringing their bells. But our job isn't a seasonal one. Is isn't to be confined to the month of advent, but rather is one that should performed througout the whole year. Just as many of you set new year's resolutions, the new year being a time of new beginnings, so should advent be a time to set new Christian goals, and one of those goals should be to prepare the way for Christ's return- to, "go forth and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit" (MT 28:19) This is our commission. This is how we prepare the way for Christ's second advent. Just as we must prepare the way for Christ's return, so was it necessary to prepare for his first coming, when he would become the Light of the World.
Now, prepare comes from the Latin word praeparar, which means "before something is brought forth." it is what must be done. My Webster's dictionary defines it this way:
1. to make ready, usually for a specific purpose; make suitable; fit; adapt; train
2. to make receptive; dispose; accustom
Our Old Testament lesson says, "See I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me." And we read in the Gospel lesson of John the Baptist going throughout the area around the River Jordan, where he preached of a baptism for the forgiveness of sins. This is what had to be done to prepare the way for Christ. It is in the River Jordan, by John the Baptist that Christ is baptized and receives the Holy Spirit- about which John says, "I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel" (Jn 1:31) So only by preparing the way could Christ be revealed. And now we are all called to be ambassadors of Christ.
In the Epistle lesson, Paul, "prays that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you may have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ."
In Luke, John says "produce fruit in keeping with repentance" Now, those listening to John ask him how this is accomplished, to which he replies, "the man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same." Give in the name of Christ and share your faith, by this we produce fruit. By producing fruit, being in Christ, the vine, "the Father prunes you so that you will be even more fruitful." Andy by these things we can come to understand all the good things we have in Christ while preparing the way for his return. Christ is the reason for the season, and in His name we should diligently do our work, preparing the way for His return. His love will surely not fail or cease. God has already delivered on his promise of redemption and salvation, and that is why we celebrate in this very special time of year. Let your celebrating and rejoicing overflow to those around you, and into the coming days and months. Make it your resolution to carry on with your work in Christ's name, until that day He returns, Amen.
29 November 2009
24 November 2009
First Sunday in Advent
This is my first step towards achieving my personal goal of writing a message for every sunday of the new church year. Please be patient as I am sure I have lots of room for growth. The style and flow will most likely be different than in previous posts as these will be less "from the hip."
Readings:
Old Testament: Jeremiah 33:14-16
Epistle: 1 Thesselonians 3:9-13
Gospel: Luke 21: 25-36
Grace, Peace, and Mercy be unto you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Welcome to the first Sunday of the church year: the 1st Sunday of Advent. It is a time of promises and anticipation and fulfillment.
Of course, we know, that the culmination of Advent is in the birth of our Lord and Savior , Jesus Christ, celebrated on Christmas day. It is a most wonderful time of year, and a most stressful time of year. But Advent is about looking forward with anticipation, with hope, with the surity that God fulfills his promises, to the coming of Christ.
"'The days are coming,' declares the Lord, 'when I will fulfill the gracious promise I made to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.'"
";In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David's line he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called, The Lord Our Righteousness." (O.T. lesson)
It seems that every year the stores are stocked and the displays for the Christmas season are put out earlier and earlier. And for us this shouldn't necessarily be considered in negative light- for us it is the beginning of our anticipation, and a reminder of our eternal hope-for we know the fulfillment of His gracious promise- our righteousness is soon to come. The birth of our Savior is on the horizon, and for the next month this should be our focus- Christ's coming.
But we should not only consider the birth orf our Lord in this time of year. We should give thanks to God for his merciful promise being kept (He always keeps his promises), and, in that truth, also look ahead to the second advent, or coming of Christ. that we should look with hope and anticipation as our redemption draws near, again with the surity that God fulfills His promises, and to the coming of the Kingdom of God. The gospel lesson for this day warns that we need to be careful, "or our hearts will be weighed down with dissipation , drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the Earth." So we have been told by the Lord, who spoke only the words that God had given him, that this second advent is coming. But, with love, he also warns of the traps, which seem ever magnified in this bustly time of year. Dissipation being idle or frivolous amusement or diversions; a wasting or squandering. do not spend your time on that which is not fruitful. Remember your redemption when the season weighs on you. I know the days are getting colder and snow is just around the corner. I know some of you are worried about how to pay for the gifts during this time of economic hardship. I know that some of you are worried about finding a job, or what to cook, or what lights and where, and the tree... it really can be frustrating. But take those moments to remember your Savior draws near; your Redemption is near at hand.
so be glad and give thanks to God, for he sent us Christ and He will again come and for those of us that have heard, that have knowledge in the spirit, it will not be a trap. Love others by warning them of the traps, and the hope that is in Christ.
Christ is drawing near! And just as the fulfillment of God's gracious promise drew near over 2000 years ago and culminated in the birth of Jesus, The Lord our Righteousness, so again will His promise be fulfilled. so look with hope and joy in Christ to the future.
Amen.
Readings:
Old Testament: Jeremiah 33:14-16
Epistle: 1 Thesselonians 3:9-13
Gospel: Luke 21: 25-36
Grace, Peace, and Mercy be unto you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Welcome to the first Sunday of the church year: the 1st Sunday of Advent. It is a time of promises and anticipation and fulfillment.
Of course, we know, that the culmination of Advent is in the birth of our Lord and Savior , Jesus Christ, celebrated on Christmas day. It is a most wonderful time of year, and a most stressful time of year. But Advent is about looking forward with anticipation, with hope, with the surity that God fulfills his promises, to the coming of Christ.
"'The days are coming,' declares the Lord, 'when I will fulfill the gracious promise I made to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.'"
";In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David's line he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called, The Lord Our Righteousness." (O.T. lesson)
It seems that every year the stores are stocked and the displays for the Christmas season are put out earlier and earlier. And for us this shouldn't necessarily be considered in negative light- for us it is the beginning of our anticipation, and a reminder of our eternal hope-for we know the fulfillment of His gracious promise- our righteousness is soon to come. The birth of our Savior is on the horizon, and for the next month this should be our focus- Christ's coming.
But we should not only consider the birth orf our Lord in this time of year. We should give thanks to God for his merciful promise being kept (He always keeps his promises), and, in that truth, also look ahead to the second advent, or coming of Christ. that we should look with hope and anticipation as our redemption draws near, again with the surity that God fulfills His promises, and to the coming of the Kingdom of God. The gospel lesson for this day warns that we need to be careful, "or our hearts will be weighed down with dissipation , drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the Earth." So we have been told by the Lord, who spoke only the words that God had given him, that this second advent is coming. But, with love, he also warns of the traps, which seem ever magnified in this bustly time of year. Dissipation being idle or frivolous amusement or diversions; a wasting or squandering. do not spend your time on that which is not fruitful. Remember your redemption when the season weighs on you. I know the days are getting colder and snow is just around the corner. I know some of you are worried about how to pay for the gifts during this time of economic hardship. I know that some of you are worried about finding a job, or what to cook, or what lights and where, and the tree... it really can be frustrating. But take those moments to remember your Savior draws near; your Redemption is near at hand.
so be glad and give thanks to God, for he sent us Christ and He will again come and for those of us that have heard, that have knowledge in the spirit, it will not be a trap. Love others by warning them of the traps, and the hope that is in Christ.
Christ is drawing near! And just as the fulfillment of God's gracious promise drew near over 2000 years ago and culminated in the birth of Jesus, The Lord our Righteousness, so again will His promise be fulfilled. so look with hope and joy in Christ to the future.
Amen.
22 November 2009
Maybe Wishes
So, life is a struggle. I recently updated my facebook status to say I am an allusion, but life, as we know it, is really the allusion (def: 1. a passing or casual reference; an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication). What we see is not all there is, and I often refer to the defficiencies caused by perspective, but to be honest, no individual realizes, or sees, the allusions around him and is even deficient in his own perspective- that is, to say, that not even his supposed portion is realized.
Sometimes I jot down notes; incomplete thoughts; or meditations. They seem to help when I'm at a crossroad. Here is what I found today:
To what end is a life lived (truly a relavent question)
Sometimes you have to step with faith, knowing that in faith there is doubt. (in this the difference between knowledge and the path)
truth matters.
it could be as simple as it reads (on scripture passages that tend to cause me mental anguish)
God shouldn't be a force in your life. Your life should be a force for God.
As the Christian calendar turns over here in the next week or two with the beginning of advent, I have decided that I will go over the texts for each sunday beforehand and write a short passage of meaning (nearly a sermon [but shorter] for I am not an ordained minister). I think this a good goal and have already written most of the passage for the first sunday in advent. The texts will come from those used in LCMS churches and found on the LCMS.org website (truly difficult to navigate). I will copy them word for word without omission. If any of my readers would like to share with others, that is fine. And any comments or advice is always welcome.
Sometimes I jot down notes; incomplete thoughts; or meditations. They seem to help when I'm at a crossroad. Here is what I found today:
To what end is a life lived (truly a relavent question)
Sometimes you have to step with faith, knowing that in faith there is doubt. (in this the difference between knowledge and the path)
truth matters.
it could be as simple as it reads (on scripture passages that tend to cause me mental anguish)
God shouldn't be a force in your life. Your life should be a force for God.
As the Christian calendar turns over here in the next week or two with the beginning of advent, I have decided that I will go over the texts for each sunday beforehand and write a short passage of meaning (nearly a sermon [but shorter] for I am not an ordained minister). I think this a good goal and have already written most of the passage for the first sunday in advent. The texts will come from those used in LCMS churches and found on the LCMS.org website (truly difficult to navigate). I will copy them word for word without omission. If any of my readers would like to share with others, that is fine. And any comments or advice is always welcome.
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