Message Title: Advent 3- Joy “Gaudete Sunday”
Theme: O Come Emmanuel
Season: ADVENT
Main Text: all
Scripture Reading: All
RCL Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11
Focus:  God’s promises are good for humanity and creation.
Function: To embrace joy this season through the little things.
Other Notes: CHRISTMAS PROGRAM TONIGHT AT 6:30PM! – NEED A READER!

SCRIPTURE READING 1: Isaiah 35:1-10 READER:  CHRISTY

The desert and the dry land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom like the crocus. 2 They will burst into bloom, and rejoice with joy and singing. They will receive the glory of Lebanon, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the Lord’s glory, the splendor of our God. 3 Strengthen the weak hands, and support the unsteady knees. 4 Say to those who are panicking: “Be strong! Don’t fear! Here’s your God, coming with vengeance; with divine retribution God will come to save you.” 5 Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be cleared. 6 Then the lame will leap like the deer, and the tongue of the speechless will sing. Waters will spring up in the desert, and streams in the wilderness. 7 The burning sand will become a pool, and the thirsty ground, fountains of water. The jackals’ habitat, a pasture; grass will become reeds and rushes. 8 A highway will be there. It will be called The Holy Way. The unclean won’t travel on it, but it will be for those walking on that way. Even fools won’t get lost on it; 9 no lion will be there, and no predator will go up on it. None of these will be there; only the redeemed will walk on it. 10 The Lord’s ransomed ones will return and enter Zion with singing, with everlasting joy upon their heads. Happiness and joy will overwhelm them; grief and groaning will flee away.

SCRIPTURE READING 2: Psalm 146:5-10   READER:  ABBY J

5 The person whose help is the God of Jacob— the person whose hope rests on the Lord their God—is truly happy! 6 God: the maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, God: who is faithful forever, 7 who gives justice to people who are oppressed, who gives bread to people who are starving! The Lord: who frees prisoners. 8 The Lord: who makes the blind see. The Lord: who straightens up those who are bent low. The Lord: who loves the righteous. 9 The Lord: who protects immigrants, who helps orphans and widows, but who makes the way of the wicked twist and turn! 10 The Lord will rule forever! Zion, your God will rule from one generation to the next! Praise the Lord! 

SCRIPTURE READING 3: James 5:7-10   READER:  RILEY

7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, you must be patient as you wait for the coming of the Lord. Consider the farmer who waits patiently for the coming of rain in the fall and spring, looking forward to the precious fruit of the earth. 8 You also must wait patiently, strengthening your resolve, because the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Don’t complain about each other, brothers and sisters, so that you won’t be judged. Look! The judge is standing at the door! 10 Brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord as an example of patient resolve and steadfastness. 

SCRIPTURE READING 4: Matthew 11:2-11  READER: MARCIA

2 Now when John heard in prison about the things the Christ was doing, he sent word by his disciples to Jesus, asking, 3 “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” 4 Jesus responded, “Go, report to John what you hear and see. 5 Those who were blind are able to see. Those who were crippled are walking. People with skin diseases are cleansed. Those who were deaf now hear. Those who were dead are raised up. The poor have good news proclaimed to them. 6 Happy are those who don’t stumble and fall because of me.” 7 When John’s disciples had gone, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John: “What did you go out to the wilderness to see? A stalk blowing in the wind? 8 What did you go out to see? A man dressed up in refined clothes? Look, those who wear refined clothes are in royal palaces. 9 What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 He is the one of whom it is written: Look, I’m sending my messenger before you, who will prepare your way before you. 11 “I assure you that no one who has ever been born is greater than John the Baptist. Yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

CHRISTMAS TRADITION:

1. AUDIENCE ENGAGMENT: Do you have a favorite American Girl doll?
   1. Original 6 – I had Josephina.
2. Kirsten was a Swedish immigrant
   1. Saint Lucia?- Swedish tradition “Light in the Dark”
   1. “Lucia Day – also called Saint Lucy’s day – can be traced back to the 4th century. A Christian feast day, it commemorates the martyr Lucia of Syracuse, who, as legend has it, brought food to Christians hiding in Roman catacombs, lighting her way with a candlelit wreath on her head.

The 13 December was the historic Julian calendar’s shortest day, and according to Swedish folklore, the long night was dangerous, with dark spirits out in force. Staying awake was paramount, and eating helped – another connection to the small feast associated with today’s Lucia celebration. Lucia made her first recorded appearance in a Swedish rural home in 1764, but the custom really established itself in the 1900s.”[1]

• Aside: Dear America books would be the next step up for your reader who has graduated past the American Girl books.

TRANSITION:  St. Lucia is celebrated because of her devotion to Christ’s people. Her actions point to Christ as does the season of advent. She was celebrated for bringing food, our text today points to the things we will receive in Christ.

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11

EXPLAINATION:

1. Isaiah 35:1-10 – Promise
   1. Timing: 1^st Isaiah, just before Babylon attacks!
   1. Like last week, we see promises of both nature and humanity flourishing under God’s design
      1. The wounded are healed and disabled are no longer held back by limitations
      1. The earth is healed
      1. The vulnerable are safe and provided for
2. Psalm 146:5-10 – Promise
   1. One of the last 5 psalms are praising God with repetitive “Hallelujahs”
   1. This God heals, restores, liberates, adopts, protects
   1. This is a God worthy of praise
3. James 5:7-10 – Wait
   1. James writes a letter to Jesus’ followers (not a specific church)
   1. This letter is a message of encouragement to Christians to stay faithful to Jesus no matter the circumstance.
   1. This section calls for remaining faithful while patiently waiting— probably one of the hardest things a Christian is asked to do “wait.”
4. Matthew 11:2-11 – Validate (look for ways God has already shown up)
   1. Part 2 of John the Baptist- flash forward just a little way from the reading last week.
   1. Jesus’ ministry has started and John has already been arrested.
      1. John’s disciples ask if Jesus is the one John’s been proclaiming about-
         1. Instead of giving a simple answer, Jesus quotes Isaiah – you tell me, I’m doing the work!
      1. Jesus affirms John’s ministry and fulfillment of prophecies.

INTERPRETATION: God is not slow in keeping promises 2 Peter 3:9

1. This week I resonate strongly with our passages in Isaiah and Psalms. I feel the waiting and am excited about the promises.
   1. On the other side of Easter, waiting on Christ to return is HARD—the second Advent is HARD.
   1. James tells us to patiently remain faithful.

APPLICATION: To embrace joy this season through the little things.

1. It is easy to get lost in the consumerism of the holidays and miss the reason for the season.
   1. But I don’t think that means you can’t exchange presents on Christmas. – My dad’s dad used to say “It’s not your birthday, it’s baby Jesus’ birthday.”
   1. Instead of doing a total ban on Christmas traditions in order to make space for “the reason for the season,” let’s weave Jesus into each joyful thing.
      1. Bless others with baking cookies
      1. Give gifts because Jesus gave us the greatest gift of all
      1. Care for the vulnerable through donating to charities, volunteering, or inviting people into your home.
   1. Waiting vs. Instant gratification
      1. Doubt isn’t a sin but a tool to look again
         1. Search your story, search stories of others (God Shows up)
      1. Privilege to wait
         1. Experience wonder
   1. Use the joy of the season to encourage you to remain faithful all year long.
      1. Joy of every day things
      1. Joy of hope, healing, belonging, & safety
      1. Train yourselves to look for God showing up in the little things
2. Gaudete Sunday
   1. Rejoice in the Lord Ps 85
   1. Nearness of the coming of Jesus

CONCLUSION

[1] https://visitsweden.com/what-to-do/culture-history-and-art/swedish-traditions/christmas/lucia/#:~:text=On%2013%20December%2C%20Sweden%20celebrates,midst%20of%20a%20dark%20winter.

Message Title: Advent Week 2: Love
Theme: O Come Emmanuel
Season: ADVENT
Main Text: All
Scripture Reading: All
RCL Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12
Focus: God folded His love for creation into the design.
Function: To embrace advent by living God’s love in our hearts and lives.
Other Notes:

SCRIPTURE READING 1: Isaiah 11:1-10 READER: BO JOSH

A shoot will grow up from the stump of Jesse; a branch will sprout[a] from his roots. 2 The Lord’s spirit will rest upon him, a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of planning and strength, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord. 3 He will delight in fearing the Lord. He won’t judge by appearances, nor decide by hearsay. 4 He will judge the needy with righteousness, and decide with equity for those who suffer in the land. He will strike the violent[b] with the rod of his mouth; by the breath of his lips he will kill the wicked. 5 Righteousness will be the belt around his hips, and faithfulness the belt around his waist. 6 The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat; the calf and the young lion will feed[c] together, and a little child will lead them. 7 The cow and the bear will graze. Their young will lie down together, and a lion will eat straw like an ox. 8 A nursing child will play over the snake’s hole; toddlers will reach right over the serpent’s den. 9 They won’t harm or destroy anywhere on my holy mountain. The earth will surely be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, just as the water covers the sea. 10 On that day, the root of Jesse will stand as a signal to the peoples. The nations will seek him out, and his dwelling will be glorious.

SCRIPTURE READING 2: Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19   READER: CHRIS

God, give your judgments to the king. Give your righteousness to the king’s son. 2 Let him judge your people with righteousness and your poor ones with justice. 3 Let the mountains bring peace to the people; let the hills bring righteousness. 4 Let the king bring justice to people who are poor;  let him save the children of those who are needy, but let him crush oppressors! 5 Let the king live[a] as long as the sun, as long as the moon, generation to generation. 6 Let him fall like rain upon fresh-cut grass, like showers that water the earth. 7 Let the righteous flourish throughout their lives, and let peace prosper until the moon is no more. 18 Bless the Lord God, the God of Israel— the only one who does wondrous things! 19 Bless God’s glorious name forever; let his glory fill all the earth! Amen and Amen!

SCRIPTURE READING 3: Romans 15:4-13  READER: TAMMY

4 Whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction so that we could have hope through endurance and through the encouragement of the scriptures. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude toward each other, similar to Christ Jesus’ attitude. 6 That way you can glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ together with one voice. 7 So welcome each other, in the same way that Christ also welcomed you, for God’s glory. 8 I’m saying that Christ became a servant of those who are circumcised for the sake of God’s truth, in order to confirm the promises given to the ancestors, 9 and so that the Gentiles could glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, Because of this I will confess you among the Gentiles, and I will sing praises to your name.[b] 10 And again, it says, Rejoice, Gentiles, with his people.[c] 11 And again, Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and all the people should sing his praises.[d] 12 And again, Isaiah says, There will be a root of Jesse, who will also rise to rule the Gentiles. The Gentiles will place their hope in him.[e] 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in faith so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

SCRIPTURE READING 4: Matthew 3:1-12  READER: JOYCE

 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the desert of Judea announcing, 2 “Change your hearts and lives! Here comes the kingdom of heaven!” 3 He was the one of whom Isaiah the prophet spoke when he said: The voice of one shouting in the wilderness, “Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight.”[a] 4 John wore clothes made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. 5 People from Jerusalem, throughout Judea, and all around the Jordan River came to him. 6 As they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. 7 Many Pharisees and Sadducees came to be baptized by John. He said to them, “You children of snakes! Who warned you to escape from the angry judgment that is coming soon? 8 Produce fruit that shows you have changed your hearts and lives. 9 And don’t even think about saying to yourselves, Abraham is our father. I tell you that God is able to raise up Abraham’s children from these stones. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be chopped down and tossed into the fire. 11 I baptize with water those of you who have changed your hearts and lives. The one who is coming after me is stronger than I am. I’m not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12 The shovel he uses to sift the wheat from the husks is in his hands. He will clean out his threshing area and bring the wheat into his barn. But he will burn the husks with a fire that can’t be put out.”

INTRO TO SERIES: Welcome to Advent- Yes, it started last week with Pastor Joy. But we’re all together!

As we count down the days to Christmas, we will prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus, Emmanuel, God With Us through the examination of scripture and fun holiday traditions.

ADVENT CALENDARS:

1. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: How many of you do advent calendars?
   1. For $800 you could have had a Swarovski advent calendar
   1. I love the look of the reusable wooden ones
   1. But let’s be honest, the cheap chocolate ones are more my budget!
2. You can get calendars in just about any theme:
   1. Aldi calendars- beer, wine, cheese, hot sauce, candles, chocolate, pop figures, dog treats, etc
   1. https://www.aldi.us/en/products/advent-holiday-calendars/
3. There is something magical about counting down the days to Christmas. It’s that carrot dangling in front of you encouraging you to keep going because Christmas is just around the corner.
   1. If only we could have “advent” calendars for the mundane things. They already have some for other holidays like Halloween. But imagine:
      1. Advent to Tax Season
      1. Advent to Oil Change

TRANSITION: Advent calendars remind us of the promise of Christmas. Let’s discuss our scripture readings and see what excitement is brewing behind God’s Word.

TEXT: Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12

EXPLAINATION & INTERPRETATION:

1. God’s design has love woven into ALL creation Isaiah 11:1-10
   1. The Book of Isaiah covers a large window of time.
   1. The section here points to the coming of Assyria (which would wipe out the Northern Kingdom of Israel)
   1. Consequences are coming for God’s people but God reminds them of what God originally intended for creation.
   1. God’s going back to the plan- wolves & lambs laying down together, children won’t fear the serpent, no harm or destruction on God’s mountain. Doesn’t this sound beautiful!?
2. We praise God because of his love Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 ONE TRUE KING
   1. A natural response to these promises is worship. While our psalm speaks of kings, it may not be talking about earthly kings.
   1. Psalm 72, a psalm of Solomon, speaks of kings while also portraying a perfect image.
   1. No king of Israel rules perfectly – no king today either- this psalm points to a perfect king, the One True King.
3. God’s design includes Jews & Gentiles Romans 15:4-13
   1. Paul writes a letter to the Churches in Rome with strong instructions on how to live as Christ followers.
   1. Tensions between Jewish and Gentile believers was strong. This letter reminds both parties that God’s design originally included everyone.  
   1. (Paul also quotes the Isaiah passage)
4. Our response to God’s design is to change our hearts and lives to get with the program Matthew 3:1-12
   1. Last but not least is the story of John the Baptist in the wilderness preaching and baptizing people for the forgiveness of sins.
   1. John is not claiming to be the messiah but the proclaiming that the messiah was coming. He reminded the people that God would fulfill God’s promises and they should be ready.
   1. How would they get ready? Changing their hearts and lives.

APPLICATION:

1. Our God designed creation to be fruitful and flourish under the collaboration of God and humans. God designed things so lamb would not fear the lion and child would not fear the snake. We’re getting back to that place.
   1. Jesus is the man getting us back to God’s plan after humans have taken bunny trail after bunny trail.
2. Knowledge of the coming Messiah SHOULD change us.
   1. Not because we fear going to hell.
   1. But because we’re so excited for what God is doing.
   1. We want to be a part of it!
3. The second week in Advent is focused on LOVE
   1. We love because God first loved us 1 John 4:19’
   1. Everything about our faith flows from this truth.
      1. God loved first. God created out of love. God designed love. God calls us to love.
4. GET YOUR ADVENT ON! Want to keep “Christ” in Christmas? Feed the hungry, comfort the afflicted, love the outcast, forgive the wrongdoer, inspire the hopeless.
   1. Go ahead, eat your cheese or chocolate, enjoy your fancy crystals.
   1. Join in the celebrating& giving hope
      1. Dec 11^th 6:30 pm Christmas Program – need readers
   1. Find ways to serve & show love:
      1. Jubilee Dec 10^th – cooking & clean up
      1. Kokomo Rescue Mission Dec 16^th
         1. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO DRIVE & DELIVER RED RIBBON CHRISTMAS BOXES IN THE KOKOMO AREA ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16 AT 7:30 AM. https://kokomorescuemission.org/events/ and fill out the Delivery Driver Sign-Up.

CONCLUSION

COMMUNION

Message Title: Strength from the Shepherd

Theme: Strength Through Trials

Season: ordinary time

Main Text: Jeremiah 23:1-6; 

Scripture Reading: Psalm 46

RCL Scripture:  Jeremiah 23:1-6; Luke 1:68-79 **; Psalm 46; Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 23:33-43

Focus: God is the Good Shepherd.

Function: To distinguish the Good Shepherd from the false shepherds and trust in the guidance of the Good Shepherd.

Other Notes: CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY

scripture reading: Psalm 46 For the music leader. Of the Korahites. According to Alamoth. A song. 46 God is our refuge and strength, a help always near in times of great trouble. ² That’s why we won’t be afraid when the world falls apart, when the mountains crumble into the center of the sea, ³when its waters roar and rage, when the mountains shake because of its surging waves. Selah ⁴ There is a river whose streams gladden God’s city, the holiest dwelling of the Most High. ⁵ God is in that city. It will never crumble. God will help it when morning dawns. ⁶ Nations roar; kingdoms crumble. God utters his voice; the earth melts. ⁷ The Lord of heavenly forces is with us! The God of Jacob is our place of safety. Selah ⁸ Come, see the Lord’s deeds, what devastation he has imposed on the earth—⁹bringing wars to an end in every corner of the world, breaking the bow and shattering the spear, burning chariots with fire. ¹⁰ “That’s enough! Now know that I am God! I am exalted among all nations; I am exalted throughout the world!” ¹¹ The Lord of heavenly forces is with us! The God of Jacob is our place of safety. Selah

INTRODUCTION: The internet is a funny place. You can access a Wikipedia list of “honorific” nicknames in popular music. [1] I’d like to hear your thoughts on the matter.

1. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: Name the….
   1. King of Rock – Elvis Presley
   1. King of Pop – Michael Jackson
   1. Queen of Soul – Aretha Franklin
   1. King of Blues – BB King
   1. Queen of Pop* – Madonna (Cher Empress of Pop)
   1. Others?
2. Further questions:
   1. What designates an individual the royalty of their genre?
   1. Should new generations be able to claim their own musical royalty?
3. It’s a little offensive to think a new generation could produce such greatness as these legends! But legends have to be born at some point in history, right?

TRANSITION: Today is Christ the King Sunday! This is a holy day where we celebrate our King on High. Jesus is more than the King of Pop; he is the King of Kings! To celebrate our King on High we are reading from Jeremiah 23 today and hearing God promise a coming shepherd… what will the shepherd be like?

main text: Jeremiah 23:1-6 Watch out, you shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture, declares the Lord. ² This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, proclaims about the shepherds who “tend to” my people: You are the ones who have scattered my flock and driven them away. You haven’t attended to their needs, so I will take revenge on you for the terrible things you have done to them, declares the Lord. ³ I myself will gather the few remaining sheep from all the countries where I have driven them. I will bring them back to their pasture, and they will be fruitful and multiply. ⁴ I will place over them shepherds who care for them. Then they will no longer be afraid or dread harm, nor will any be missing, declares the Lord. ⁵ The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up a righteous descendant from David’s line, and he will rule as a wise king. He will do what is just and right in the land. ⁶ During his lifetime, Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And his name will be The Lord Is Our Righteousness.

EXPLAINATION:

1. Context:
   1. Prophet: Jeremiah of Anathoth*, written down by a scribe named Baruch.
   1. Dating: BEFORE EXILE/FALL OF JERUSALEM
      1. Previous weeks: Haggai & Malachiwere both AFTER EXILE
   1. Audience: Southern Kingdom of Judah (after Northern Kingdom of Israel has been wiped out)
      1. Assyria à Babylonà Persia
2. Content
   1. Calling out the false shepherds
      1. Divided and scattered the flocks
         1. driving them way
      1. Haven’t attended to their needs
   1. Good Shepherd
      1. Hope for the sheep
         1. Gathered up
         1. Led to a pasture
         1. Fruitful & multiply
         1. No fear, no harm, all accounted for
      1. king will care for them
      1. King of David’s line
      1. Israel & Judah will experience safety – United

INTERPRETATION:

1. Much like the music world, the Bible contains an extensive list of rulers. But earthly kingdoms were not part of God’s original design. Today’s Israel & Palestine are not the same as the title of scripture. In Genesis 1, God created humans in God’s image and then commissioned them to work in tandem with God.
   1. That design didn’t stick. Humans had their own ideas of hierarchy that didn’t include God.
   1. Eventually the people of Israel, free from Egypt and slavery, were a sovereign people. But they didn’t want to follow God’s design. They demanded a king to rule over them so that they would look like the other nations.
      1. God placed Saul as king because he fit Israel’s expectations of a king. But it didn’t take long for the pressure of ruling to get to Saul. Saul failed Israel and God.
      1. God put David in next, David was considered a good king, though he was imperfect and did some things TERRIBLY wrong.
      1. Eventually Israel couldn’t agree on who would succeed David’s son Solomon, and the kingdom split in two.
   1. You get the idea that kingdoms were not part of God’s design?
   1. God wanted to be in direct contact with us. He didn’t want us to have human rulers. The weight of leading is a great temptation that frequently leads to failure. – Bribes or power
2. God’s goal was to get us back to his design- humans and God working in tandem.
3. God promised a shepherd, a king was coming.
   1. This Promised Shepherd is not like the false shepherds.
   1. This shepherd would ACUTALLY care about the wellbeing of the flock.
   1. The shepherd would prioritize the needs of the flock.

APPLICATION:

1. We are called to trust in God’s design above any ruler that attempts to claim our loyalty.
   1. We just had mid-term elections. A bunch of politicians made promises in hopes of securing our votes.
      1. No politician is our Savior.
      1. No human government is going to fill the role of Jesus.
      1. No human government is going to satisfy the calling of the Church.
      1. No laws passed by governments is going to make us holy or righteous.
   1. Only the Good Shepherd fills those roles.
2. Our Good Shepherd wants our flourishing.
3. Our Good Shepherd promises an end to fear and pain and abandonment.
   1. Time to reflect on the Good Shepherd- song Prince of Peace (6 minutes)
   1. Time to think of our leaders- YES pray for leaders
      1. THIS SONG WILL REMIND US THAT THE Prince of Peace/ King of Kings is the Good Shepherd we can depend on.
      1. No matter what humans have designed, the Good Shepherd has God’s design in mind.

CONCLUSION: This Sunday is a reminder that hour faith, loyalty, security all belong to Christ, our one True King. The Prince of Peace, Lord of Lords, and King of Kings. Our Messiah. God made flesh. He has come and will come again. We wait in his trustworthy plan to come to fullness.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honorific_nicknames_in_popular_music

Message Title: Strength to Say I’m Wrong
Theme: Strength Through Trials
Season: ordinary time
Main Text: Malachi 4:1-2a
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 12
RCL Scripture: Isaiah 65:17-25; Isaiah 12 **; Malachi 4:1-2a; Psalm 98; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19
Focus: Israel refuses to take ownership for their wrongdoings and instead blame God.
Function: To create a habit of recognizing when we are wrong and making things right.
Other Notes:

SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 12

You will say on that day:
“I thank you, Lord.
Though you were angry with me,
    your anger turned away and you comforted me.
² God is indeed my salvation;
    I will trust and won’t be afraid.
Yah, the Lord, is my strength and my shield;
    he has become my salvation.”

³ You will draw water with joy from the springs of salvation.
⁴ And you will say on that day:
“Thank the Lord; call on God’s name;
    proclaim God’s deeds among the peoples;
    declare that God’s name is exalted.
⁵ Sing to the Lord, who has done glorious things;
    proclaim this throughout all the earth.”
⁶ Shout and sing for joy, city of Zion,
    because the holy one of Israel is great among you.

INTRODUCTION:

1. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: What do chicken and gambling have in common? – Kenny Rogers
   1. Disclaimer: the only reason I know this is because of Josh. I had no clue there were Kenny Rogers restaurants.
2. Kenny Rogers released “The Gambler” in 1978. Though this song is at the height of cheesy country – don’t be offended, just admit it—the song still came to my mind while thinking about our text for today.
   1. “know when to hold em, know when to fold em, know when to walk away, know when to run….”
3. Kenny’s song may have been about poker but the words insinuate a wisdom and humility needed to live your life.
4. Today, we get to talk about the comfortable lesson: It takes wisdom and humility to admit when you are wrong.

TRANSITION: We’re in the prophet Malachi this morning to hear his message, which requires humility from the audience and instead of folding they don’t back down.

Malachi is a short book. Let’s get some context for our passage while you turn to Malachi 4. This is the last book of the Old Testament, right before the Gospel of Matthew.

1. Dating: Judah has returned from exile. They have been back in the land about 100 years. The Temple is finished and has gone into disrepair from neglect since the days of Haggai.
2. Audience: God sends Malachi to speak to Judah- God’s people who returned from exile in Babylon- and get them back on track.
3. Content: The book of Malachi is basically a prophetic debate between God and his people. God reveals the state of God’s people and they dispute God’s observations. This back & forth happens 6 times over the course of chapters 1-3.
   1. God says “I love you.”
      1. Israel says “No, you don’t.”
      1. God says, “yes, I chose you to be my people.”
   1. God says you’re defiling my temple
      1. Israel says “no we aren’t”
      1. God says, “yes, you’re offering blemished and sick animals as sacrifices. You don’t care about me or this practice.”
      1. God says “priests you are participating in this defiling.”
      1. Israel says “nope.”
      1. God says “remember the job Levites are given!”
   1. God says “men, you’re leaving your wives vulnerable by divorcing them for foreign wives and foreign gods.”
      1. Israel says “nah uh.”
      1. God says “you’re divorcing me when you divorce your wives. You’re choosing other gods above me.”
   1. Israel says “you’ve neglected us!”
      1. God says “I’m sending my messenger to prepare the way. I’m coming.”
   1. God says “Come back to me!”
      1. Israel says “We don’t know how”
      1. God says “trust me more than the money you’re hoarding, give your tithes to me as an act of trust.”
   1. Israel says “We won’t trust you; you’re letting evil prosper.”
      1. God says “the faithful remnant remembers what I’ve done.”

MAIN TEXT: Malachi 4:1-2a Look, the day is coming, burning like an oven. All the arrogant ones and all those doing evil will become straw. The coming day will burn them, says the Lord of heavenly forces, leaving them neither root nor branch. ²But the sun of righteousness will rise on those revering my name; healing will be in its wings so that you will go forth and jump about like calves in the stall.

EXPLAINATION:

1. In Malachi 4, God promises to keep God’s side of the covenant. God promises the coming of a messenger and the Day of the Lord. This day will end evil and we will finally see justice prevail.
2. A cleansing fire was mentioned in chapter 3, now God uses imagery of an oven burning straw to speak of the restoring work he has planned.
   1. Evil will get burned up
   1. Those who revere God will be healed & restored.

INTERPRETATION:

1. Israel is back from exile. They lost everything when Babylon destroyed their homeland. They’ve rebuilt- even the Temple- but they haven’t learned their lesson.
   1. I keep picturing Israel shouting complaints at God and plugging their ears when God replies while shouting “I’m not listening.”
      1. Israel says “I’m suffering God and it’s all your fault.”
      1. God says “have you tried living the way I designed you to live?”
      1. Israel says “you are the one making my life hard.”
2. God has continually kept God’s promises. Israel continues to break their promises.
   1. God promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that this people would be God’s people. God has not given up on them but even exile didn’t teach them to trust in God’s way.
   1. Will Israel learn to take ownership of their actions and claim their responsibility to the Covenant?

APPLICATION:  To create a habit of recognizing when we are wrong and making things right.

1. Convo with God
   1. Me: Why is there war, famine, & orphans?
   1. God: You tell me
2. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: We’ve talked about apologizing but what about simply admitting to yourself that you were wrong. On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being excellent 1 being poor, how good are you at admitting when you’re wrong? (Deescalated)
   1. PERSONAL CONNECTION: I don’t know about you but there are times when I’m so convinced that I’m right that I am not able to back down. Those typically lead to rage prayers with God to help me fix my attitude if I’m wrong. Nothing more embarrassing than someone seeing you pray like that.
      1. Prayer is the only thing that can finally break me down when I’ve armored up for battle. Believe me, sometimes I can barely get the words out.
3. God loved Israel, regardless of what they had done. God even gave them a pathway back to him… but they chose to point fingers instead.
   1. If you are feeling stuck today, I need you to hear two things:
      1. God loves you as is, no conditions attached. God is good no matter what you’re feeling
      1. God provides a way to healing but it may mean letting go of your perspective in exchange for his.
      1. Problem of suffering – God didn’t design your life to include pain

CONCLUSION

Nothing will change if we don’t take ownership

1. The Israelites were choosing other gods over God. They valued their wealth and possessions over the security that God could provide. God asked them to sacrifice the very thing that was their stumbling block.
   1. What is the thing you are terrified for God to ask you to give up? Where are you standing your ground?
   1. What are you preventing yourself from receiving while you cling to “your perceived best?”
2. In arguments—admitting your fault and apologizing provides a clear pathway to enriched relationships.
   1. In faith- admitting God wants even better than you want for yourself enriches all of creation.
   1. Are you ready for the transformation? Not “I won’t back down”

Message Title: Come On God, I’m Exhausted!
Theme: Strength Through Trials
Season: Ordinary time
Main Text: Haggai 1:15b-2:9
Scripture Reading: Psalm 98
RCL Scripture: Haggai 1:15b-2:9; Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21; Psalm 98; Job 19:23-27a; Psalm 17:1-9; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17; Luke 20:27-38
Focus: Haggai shares God’s words of perspective with Israel.
Function: To grow the habit of turning to God first when we are empty.
Other Notes: Veterans’ Day & Communion

SCRIPTURE READING: PSALM 98 

A psalm.

98 Sing to the Lord a new song
    because he has done wonderful things!
His own strong hand and his own holy arm
    have won the victory!
² The Lord has made his salvation widely known;
    he has revealed his righteousness
    in the eyes of all the nations.
³ God has remembered his loyal love
    and faithfulness to the house of Israel;
    every corner of the earth has seen our God’s salvation.

⁴ Shout triumphantly to the Lord, all the earth!
    Be happy!
    Rejoice out loud!
    Sing your praises!
⁵ Sing your praises to the Lord with the lyre—
    with the lyre and the sound of music.
⁶ With trumpets and a horn blast,
    shout triumphantly before the Lord, the king!
⁷ Let the sea and everything in it roar;
    the world and all its inhabitants too.
⁸ Let all the rivers clap their hands;
    let the mountains rejoice out loud altogether ⁹ before the Lord
    because he is coming to establish justice on the earth!
He will establish justice in the world rightly;
    he will establish justice among all people fairly.

SERIES INTRODUCTION: Each year November begins with All Saint’s Day. This month of gratitude starts out by pointing back to those who helped shape our faith. During these last few weeks before Advent starts, we will look at three passages from the prophets. We will listen to their wisdom and hope this wisdom gives us strength to endure life’s trials.

“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” – Mary Anne Radmacher

INTRODUCTION:

1. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: How do you recharge your proverbial batteries? What do you do when your strength is depleted?
   1. Have you ever come back from a vacation and NOT felt rested?
   1. OR Took too long of a nap and now you feel groggy?

TRANSITION: As we examine this text, we’ll consider exhaustion and turning to God for our source of rest.

MAIN TEXT: Haggai 1:15b-2:9 1:15bon the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month// in the second year of Darius the king. 2:1 On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the Lord’s word came through Haggai the prophet: ² Say to Judah’s governor Zerubbabel, Shealtiel’s son, and to the chief priest Joshua, Jehozadak’s son, and to the rest of the people: ³ Who among you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Doesn’t it appear as nothing to you? ⁴ So now, be strong, Zerubbabel, says the Lord. Be strong, High Priest Joshua, Jehozadak’s son, and be strong, all you people of the land, says the Lord. Work, for I am with you, says the Lord of heavenly forces. ⁵ As with our agreement when you came out of Egypt, my spirit stands in your midst. Don’t fear. ⁶ This is what the Lord of heavenly forces says: In just a little while, I will make the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry land quake. ⁷ I will make all the nations quake. The wealth of all the nations will come. I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of heavenly forces. ⁸ The silver and the gold belong to me, says the Lord of heavenly forces. ⁹ This house will be more glorious than its predecessor, says the Lord of heavenly forces. I will provide prosperity in this place, says the Lord of heavenly forces.

EXPLAINATION:

1. Historical & Biblical Context of Haggai
   1. People:
      1. Darius I – Darius the Great- King of Persia (more about him later)
      1. Haggai- Prophet
      1. Joshua – High Priest, Jehozedek’s son (not the same Joshua as the Battle of Jericho)
      1. Zerubbabel – Governor of Judah, from David & Solomon’s family tree but not considered king.
   1. Dates:
      1. In 587 BC, Judah was conquered by Babylon (3 sieges) and sent into exile. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, ordered the looting and destruction of the Temple.
         1. We know because of the book of Daniel that the wealthy, skilled, or knowledgeable were also taken to serve in the king’s court while some of the poor laborers were left to tend the land on behalf of the king.
      1. In 539 BC, Babylon was conquered by Persia – Cyrus the Great- became emperor.
         1. 538 BC Jews were able to return to Israel as Persian subjects.
         1. Ezra 6:3-5 says Cyrus released an edict that the Jews should be given funds to rebuild their infrastructure, including the Temple, out of the royal treasury. 
         1. In 530 BC, Cyrus dies & his son Cambyses II rules (530-522)
      1. In 522, Darius overthrows the natural succession and claims the Persian throne. (Haggai 1)
         1. Around 520 BC, the Jews start rebuilding the Temple.
2. Historical Math:
   1. When the Jews finally get back to Judah, 70 years had passed since the first siege on Jerusalem.
   1. Now, they’ve been home 18 years… and they haven’t rebuilt the Temple yet.
      1. When the Temple is finally finished it’s been 70 years since Solomon’s Temple had been destroyed.

INTERPRETATION:

1. A prophet’s message: Haggai was sent to tell them to stop being self-absorbed and build God’s home too!
2. Self-Centered: The Jews finally get back to their home town and rebuild their lives. But survival is on their mind, not gratitude. (Honestly, I don’t blame them.)
   1. When they’re finally called out to step up and build a house of worship, they’re disappointed.
   1. It would be easy to say “what a bunch of whiners.” But I can understand where they’re coming from: Things have been HARD and many who returned to Judah were born in exile. They’re FINALLY back. Can’t the just rest a little?
      1. When they finally get back to work, they don’t put their full effort in and are disappointed with the results. They whine about how things USED to be.
3. God’s promise: God responds with compassion: you may be disappointed by the state of the Temple now BUT there is a time coming when the Temple will be fancier than you’ve ever seen before. (Ezekiel’s perfect Temple PHOTO)
   1. When Israel turns to God for their rest, hope, and plans, they find God’s intentions are even greater than they could imagine.

APPLICATION: To grow the habit of turning to God first when we are empty.

1. Israel was sent in to Exile as a consequence for not living into God’s Word and not doing sabbath for themselves and the land. They were selfish, greedy, and exploited every resource available. You would think that being kicked out of their home for 70 years would teach them some humility.
   1. You know the phrase “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” It seems like it should be “absence makes you lose perspective.”
   1. Israel needed to recenter their heart on God. – worship, prayer, studying the Word reminds us of God’s love.
2. CALHOUN — Sabbath – rest centered on God.
   1. Sabbath is God’s gift of repetitive and regular rest. It is given for our delight and communion with God. Time for being in the midst of a life of doing particularly characterizes the sabbath.
      1. Calhoun, Adele Ahlberg. Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us (Transforming Resources) (p. 40). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.
   1. Practice includes:
      1. setting aside time for intimacy with God and others you love resting in God one day per week practicing restful activities: walks, picnics, a Sunday afternoon nap, a phone visit with someone you love, tea or coffee with a friend, family time, games with your kids, love-making letting go of things that stress you out for twenty-four hours letting the difficult conversations happen another day not developing a to-do list for Sunday refraining from competition that moves you into a bad place
         1. Calhoun, Adele Ahlberg. Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us (Transforming Resources) (p. 40). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.
3. Taking time to rest IN God gives us the grounding and energy needed to carry on every other day of the week.

CONCLUSION: God’s design for our lives is flourishing. God designed work and rest balanced in one good life. When we are empty, we turn to God for rest.

COMMUNION: Lean into God for fruitfulness and rest. The solution isn’t to try harder.