Message Title: Revelations of Life
Theme: Revealing Revelations
Season: Epiphany
Main Text: Deuteronomy 30:15-20;
Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:21-37
RCL Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Sirach 15:15-20; Psalm 119:1-8; 1 Corinthians 3:1-9; Matthew 5:21-37
Focus: Moses calls for Israel to embrace God’s commands and live.
Function:  To choose the Giver of Life through intentional practice of faith.
Other Notes: VALENTINE’S DAYBlessed Be the Tie: “Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above”

SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 5:21-37  ²¹ “You have heard that it was said to those who lived long ago, Don’t commit murder,^[a] and all who commit murder will be in danger of judgment. ²² But I say to you that everyone who is angry with their brother or sister will be in danger of judgment. If they say to their brother or sister, ‘You idiot,’ they will be in danger of being condemned by the governing council. And if they say, ‘You fool,’ they will be in danger of fiery hell. ²³ Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift at the altar and go. First make things right with your brother or sister and then come back and offer your gift. ²⁵ Be sure to make friends quickly with your opponents while you are with them on the way to court. Otherwise, they will haul you before the judge, the judge will turn you over to the officer of the court, and you will be thrown into prison. ²⁶ I say to you in all seriousness that you won’t get out of there until you’ve paid the very last penny. ²⁷ “You have heard that it was said, Don’t commit adultery.^[b] 28 But I say to you that every man who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery in his heart. ²⁹ And if your right eye causes you to fall into sin, tear it out and throw it away. It’s better that you lose a part of your body than that your whole body be thrown into hell. ³⁰ And if your right hand causes you to fall into sin, chop it off and throw it away. It’s better that you lose a part of your body than that your whole body go into hell. ³¹ “It was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a divorce certificate.’^[c] 32 But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife except for sexual unfaithfulness forces her to commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. ³³ “Again you have heard that it was said to those who lived long ago: Don’t make a false solemn pledge, but you should follow through on what you have pledged to the Lord.^[d] 34 But I say to you that you must not pledge at all. You must not pledge by heaven, because it’s God’s throne. ³⁵ You must not pledge by the earth, because it’s God’s footstool. You must not pledge by Jerusalem, because it’s the city of the great king. ³⁶ And you must not pledge by your head, because you can’t turn one hair white or black. ³⁷ Let your yes mean yes, and your no mean no. Anything more than this comes from the evil one.

REVELATION:

1. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT:
   1. Action: Pour Skittles, Reese’s pieces, & M&M’s in the same bowl.
   1. Ask: How do you feel about this?
   1. Assumed response: appalled
   1. Ask: But they all look the same, don’t they go together?
2. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: How do you feel about cereal being mixed together?
   1. When I was young my parents would mix the last of cereals together to use them up. I HATED this because the tastes and textures were different. YOU CAN’T MIX THESE TOGETHER!

TRANSITION: In our text today, we will discuss the distinction between life giving actions and actions that lead to death. Can these two things mix?

1. Literary context:
   1. Deuteronomy is the fifth book in the Torah. The Torah is the first section of the Hebrew scriptures. Gen, Ex, Lev, Num, and Deut are the foundational documents for this people; not only laws but the essence of their existence. Stories of their foundational identity and purpose are included in the Torah.
      1. Here, the people are about to enter the promise land FINALLY after wandering for 40 years. The generation about to enter the promise land have only known the wilderness, they never were slaves in Egypt. God’s promise is finally going to be realized.
      1. Moses & the enslaved generation will not get to enter the promise land, they lost that right because of their disobedience.
      1. Joshua, son of Nun, will be taking over the leadership of the Israelites after Moses.

MAIN TEXT: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; ¹⁵ Look here! Today I’ve set before you life and what’s good versus death and what’s wrong. ¹⁶ If you obey the Lord your God’s commandments that^[a] I’m commanding you right now by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments, his regulations, and his case laws, then you will live and thrive, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. ¹⁷ But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and so are misled, worshipping other gods and serving them, ¹⁸ I’m telling you right now that you will definitely die. You will not prolong your life on the fertile land that you are crossing the Jordan River to enter and possess. ¹⁹ I call heaven and earth as my witnesses against you right now: I have set life and death, blessing and curse before you. Now choose life—so that you and your descendants will live— ²⁰ by loving the Lord your God, by obeying his voice, and by clinging to him. That’s how you will survive and live long on the fertile land the Lord swore to give to your ancestors: to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

EXPLAINATION:

• Before entering the Promise land, Moses will die. Moses provides the people with a choice, follow God and live or embrace evil and die.
  • Choose life and live in God’s ways.
  • ESV Vs. 20  …loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”
• Connect to Gospel
  • Jesus continues in the Sermon on the Mount by framing more laws around the traditional understanding—following the letter of the law—and a new interpretation –following the essence of the law.
    • Not just following the letter as God’s people but following God’s heart that is woven into the letter
  • Moses – live by the law; Jesus- examples

INTERPRETATION:

1. Does this only make sense in my head? (Smite button)
   1. Choose God and Choose life; Choose evil and choose death
   1. While some would see this as a curse, I see this as a logical consequence:
      1. God is the one who put breath in our lungs. God is the one who knew us in our mother’s womb. To reject God is to reject the very life in our lungs.
         1. It’s like a person taking out their pacemaker or unplugging from life support.
            1. “No thanks life, I’ll do life on my own.”…promptly dies….
            1. Rejecting the thing that made me alive is God
2. Last week: We discussed we live for God not for the reward. God’s ways of living are not the same as the worlds. The way we include kids in church is one example.
   1. The problem of motivation: things get sticky in our faith when we talk about the blessings God pours out on God’s people.
      1. God’s people were doing things to try to gain something BUT it was distinctly selfish motives. Their own words gave away their selfish ambitions.
   1. What if the motive is wrapped in holiness like a Pharisee?
      1. “I follow the letter of the law but God’s heart. Because I follow the letter of the law, I know I am righteous and can be arrogant and proud around others who are not as holy as I am.”
3. Motivation is key –The actions look the same on the surface but the motivation behind them is different and the essence they emit will be tangibly distinct. (faithfulnessàsuffering (paul))

APPLICATION:

1. BACK TO BEGNNING: As I become more familiar with God. *scoop handful of candies and eat* I will be able to distinguish the difference between actions motivated by God’s love and actions motivated out of selfish ambition.
   1. A close examination will enable me to sort out those candies and intentionally pick the ones I want to eat.
   1. In the same way a close examination of our faith will help us to develop a more genuine relationship with God.
2. Start with the actions:
   1. Ask: Why do we recite the Lord’s Prayer and Doxology each week?
      1. Are we trying to elicit a specific response from God?
      1. Distinction between: Practicing for reward vs practicing w/ obedience (trying to believe)
   1. When we struggle to believe, we gather with our faith siblings and practice our faith in hopes that God will meet us there and guide our steps.
      1. “I believe, help me in my unbelief”- father asking for healing for his son in Mark 9:24
      1. Psalms of helplessness Ps109: 26; 119: 86

CONLCUSION:

Today’s revelation:  Church/practices help train our hearts to see the world through God’s eyes

Message Title: Revealing a heart transformation
Theme: Revealing Revelations
Season: EPIPHANY
Main Text: Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12);
Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:13-20
RCL Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12); Psalm 112:1-9 (10);1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16); Matthew 5:13-20
Focus:  God’s people are called out on their manipulation tactics. 
Function: To embrace our role as God’s people because God is good, not because we gain a reward.
Other Notes:

Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:13-20 ¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how will it become salty again? It’s good for nothing except to be thrown away and trampled under people’s feet. ¹⁴ You are the light of the world. A city on top of a hill can’t be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on top of a lampstand, and it shines on all who are in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven.  ¹⁷ “Don’t even begin to think that I have come to do away with the Law and the Prophets. I haven’t come to do away with them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸ I say to you very seriously that as long as heaven and earth exist, neither the smallest letter nor even the smallest stroke of a pen will be erased from the Law until everything there becomes a reality. ¹⁹ Therefore, whoever ignores one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called the lowest in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever keeps these commands and teaches people to keep them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰ I say to you that unless your righteousness is greater than the righteousness of the legal experts and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

REVELATIONS:

1. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: Out of the different generational names, how did each generation get their name?
   1. The Greatest Generation (GI Generation): Born 1901–1927. (WWI)
   1. The Silent Generation: Born 1928–1945. (post war, seen & not heard, etc)
      1. Seen & not heard? ? bc they didn’t test the status quo and “worked within the system”
   1. Baby Boom Generation: Born 1946–1964. (obvi)
   1. Generation X: Born 1965–1980. (unable to be defined)
   1. Millennial Generation: Born 1981–1996. (coming of age at the time of the millennial change)
   1. Generation Z: Born 1997–2010. “Zoomers”
   1. Gen Alpha: 2010-2024 – not named yet
2. If you were able to change the label of your generation, do you have an idea in mind?

TRANSITIONS:  I wonder what label Stevie’s generation will earn. In our passage today, God is speaking to the people claiming the label of Israel. They are clinging to their title but not embracing the significance of the name.

Main Text: Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12) Shout loudly; don’t hold back; raise your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their crime, to the house of Jacob their sins.² They seek me day after day, desiring knowledge of my ways like a nation that acted righteously, that didn’t abandon their God. They ask me for righteous judgments, wanting to be close to God. ³ “Why do we fast and you don’t see; why afflict ourselves and you don’t notice?” Yet on your fast day you do whatever you want, and oppress all your workers. ⁴ You quarrel and brawl, and then you fast; you hit each other violently with your fists. You shouldn’t fast as you are doing today if you want to make your voice heard on high. ⁵ Is this the kind of fast I choose, a day of self-affliction, of bending one’s head like a reed and of lying down in mourning clothing and ashes? Is this what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? ⁶ Isn’t this the fast I choose: releasing wicked restraints, untying the ropes of a yoke, setting free the mistreated, and breaking every yoke? ⁷ Isn’t it sharing your bread with the hungry and bringing the homeless poor into your house, covering the naked when you see them, and not hiding from your own family? ⁸ Then your light will break out like the dawn, and you will be healed quickly. Your own righteousness will walk before you, and the Lord’s glory will be your rear guard. ⁹ Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and God will say, “I’m here.”

EXPLAINATION:

1. Book:
   1. Author: Trito-Isaiah; lots of time has passed since Isaiah the prophet lived
   1. Dating: they’ve returned from exile and are starting to rebuild their lives
2. The Servant & All Servants: A few weeks ago we learned that God is sending a singular servant named Israel who will restore all Israel and be a light to the nations. Christians call this singular servant Jesus.
   1. In chapters 56-66 Isaiah uses servant in the plural to refer to God’s people following God’s design. These servants will inherit the New Creation
   1. Motivation
   1. It appears Israel still hasn’t learned anything from exile; they still don’t know how to please God – they to the religious stuff but they don’t GET anything from God. (selfishly motivated & treating God like a vending machine)
      1. “I thought it was insert fast, receive God’s blessing”
      1. God isn’t a vending machine where we insert religious actions or speak religious jargon and receive favor from God.
3. Their cluelessness reminds me of the audience in last week’s message from Micah 6:8
   1. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: What 3 things did God want instead of sacrifices in Micah 6:8?
      1. Not sacrifices – – Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with God
         1. No rituals or going through the motions BUT transformation
   1. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: What are we to do instead of fasting: vs 6-7
      1. Liberation and hospitality

INTERPRETATION:

1. Connection to Gospel passage
   1. God’s people are…
      1. Salt of the earth – Flavor enhancer (MSG!)
      1. Light – aids sight
      1. City on a hill – (like a light house?)
   1. Jesus has come to fulfill the law, not demolish it.
      1. We are no longer judged by the law but we’re still called to live by the law
      1. Jesus simplifies the law in to: Love God, Love Others
      1. Golden rule
2. We are called to live differently not for reward but because the design God has is the best design.
   1. God’s design forms bonds, develops communities, builds trust and lets love flourish

APPLICATION: To embrace our role as God’s people because God is good, not because we gain a reward.

1. BACK TO INTRO: Depending on your generation you may have different feelings about attending church and what the service is supposed to be like and how we are supposed to behave.
2. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: Define reverent/ what does it mean to act reverently?
   1. Kids in church – sit still and be quiet?
   1. …. Well, I’m going to challenge that. Starting now, we’ll have ribbons & egg shakers for kids to use during worship each week.
   1. You’ll also notice little fun signs about kids in worship around for you to read, giggle, and consider.
      1. Unlike your elders, we will identify this next generation as co-heirs of this church. It is currently their church too. They get to claim it now, they get to impact its ministry now. We acknowledge the need to share.
3. Planning our calendar-
   1. We aren’t going to fill it with things just to fill it. “ Because it’s what we’ve always done.”
   1. Each event will serve a purpose or it doesn’t need to take up our time.
      1. We aren’t doing things to earn rewards, we’re doing things to honor God and serve our community.

CONCLUSION: Claim your name. Be God’s child. Serve others.

Not about me but about Christ (communion)

Our motivation – receive reward? Compelled to follow God?

COMMUNION:

Message Title: Flipped Revelations
Theme: Revealing Revelations
Season: Epiphany
Main Text: Micah 6:1-8;
Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:1-12
RCL Scripture: Micah 6:1-8; Psalm 15; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Matthew 5:1-12
Focus: God’s kingdom does not operate like the world’s kingdom.
Function: To live in the upside-down kingdom.
Other Notes:

SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 5:1-12 ¹ Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up a mountain. He sat down and his disciples came to him. ² He taught them, saying: ³ “Happy are people who are hopeless, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. ⁴ “Happy are people who grieve, because they will be made glad. ⁵ “Happy are people who are humble, because they will inherit the earth. ⁶ “Happy are people who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because they will be fed until they are full. ⁷ “Happy are people who show mercy, because they will receive mercy. ⁸ “Happy are people who have pure hearts, because they will see God. ⁹ “Happy are people who make peace, because they will be called God’s children. ¹⁰ “Happy are people whose lives are harassed because they are righteous, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. ¹¹ “Happy are you when people insult you and harass you and speak all kinds of bad and false things about you, all because of me. ¹² Be full of joy and be glad, because you have a great reward in heaven. In the same way, people harassed the prophets who came before you.

REVEALING INTRO:

1. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: Can you think of any inventions or innovations that didn’t go as planned?
   1. Inventions that failed in the best ways
      1. Ford Nova didn’t work out in Mexico because the name translated in to Spanish literally means “No Go”
      1. Inventor of sticky notes was trying to make a super sticky glue but made the sticky substance on the back of these notes
      1. unsuccessful inventions:
         1. HD DVD lost to BluRay
         1. Betamax lost to VHS
         1. Microsoft Zune lost to Ipod/Itunes

TRANSITION:  Our plans don’t always line up with the grand plan. God’s plan doesn’t line up with the world.

MAIN TEXT: Micah 6:1-8; Hear what the Lord is saying: Arise, lay out the lawsuit before the mountains; let the hills hear your voice! ² Hear, mountains, the lawsuit of the Lord! Hear, eternal foundations of the earth! The Lord has a lawsuit against his people; with Israel he will argue. ³ “My people, what did I ever do to you? How have I wearied you? Answer me! ⁴ I brought you up out of the land of Egypt; I redeemed you from the house of slavery. I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam before you. ⁵ My people, remember what Moab’s King Balak had planned, and how Balaam, Beor’s son, answered him! Remember everything^[a] from Shittim to Gilgal, that you might learn to recognize the righteous acts of the Lord!” ⁶ With what should I approach the Lord and bow down before God on high? Should I come before him with entirely burned offerings, with year-old calves? ⁷ Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with many torrents of oil? Should I give my oldest child for my crime; the fruit of my body for the sin of my spirit? ⁸ He has told you, human one, what is good and what the Lord requires from you: to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God.

EXPLAINATION:

1. Context:
   1. Prophet: Micah of Moresheth (location unknown)
   1. Date: 8-6^th century BC (during Judean kings Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah)
   1. Audience: Both Northern & Southern Kingdoms thought the Northern Kingdom is destroyed in the midst of Micah’s message.
2. Scripture context:
   1. Vs 1-5 God’s voice – lawsuit & covenant breakers
      1. Listen mountains, hills, foundations of the earth – I’ve got beef with Israel
      1. Israel: I’ve loved you and cared for you -examples– yet you treat me poorly and ignore my commands
   1. 6-7- the Voice: voice speaking rhetorically as Israel, clearly they are out of touch with God’s expectations. You hear it in their language.
      1. What does God want from us? (reminds me of the prophets of Baal in their contest with Elijah to summon their god) Forgot the terms of the covenant.
         1. Reasonable – burned offerings
         1. Less reasonable – thousands of rams w/ many torrents of oil
         1. Unreasonable – sacrifice first born son
   1. 8 -Micah: God doesn’t want ritual; God wants changed hearts & lives.

INTERPRETATION:

1. Flipped Revelation: Connect to Beatitudes–
   1. In Matthew, Jesus starts his Sermon on the Mount with a series of statements that contradict normal expectations. Society operates 1 way; God operates a completely different way.
      1. I normally love the translation I use on Sundays – Common English Bible – but for the Beatitudes I think it falls short.
      1. The translators chose to translate “markarioi” as “happy.”
         1. Μακάριος – can translate as happy but blessed or “to be envied” are better choices.
         1. The meaning of happy in English is so fleeting. The emotion is here one minute and gone the next.
         1. But in God’s upside-kingdom, you are to be envied when you are lost or at the end of your rope (MSG).
   1. The kingdom of God revealed tells us the world’s priorities are not God’s priorities. The world’s plans are not God’s plans. The world’s favorites are not God’s favorites.

APPLICATION: Where the world sees hopeless God is hope-filled

1. The voice speaking with God in Micah 6:6-7 was so disconnected from God’s truth that he didn’t know how to satisfy God.
   1. God doesn’t require religious pomp and circumstance. God wants transformation.
      1. God doesn’t want you to go to church àGod wants you to be the church
      1. God doesn’t want you to tithe (minimum)àGod wants you to give joyfully of yourself (time, resources, $)
      1. God doesn’t want you to go on mission trips àGod wants you to serve in all ways and all times
      1. God doesn’t want you to sing hymns (or worship songs)à God wants you to celebrate him in all times because it radiates from you.
   1. God wants to see us transformed by God’s truth

CONCLUSION:

Benediction: Do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with God

Message Title: Revelation of Liberation
Theme: Revealing Revelations
Season: Epiphany
Main Text: Isaiah 9:1-4
Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:12-23
RCL Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1, 4-9; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-23
Focus:  God’s design liberates His people.
Function: To participate in shattering yokes.
Other Notes:

SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 4:12-23 ² Now when Jesus heard that John was arrested, he went to Galilee. ¹³ He left Nazareth and settled in Capernaum, which lies alongside the sea in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali. ¹⁴ This fulfilled what Isaiah the prophet said: ¹⁵ Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,  alongside the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles,¹⁶ the people who lived in the dark have seen a great light,  and a light has come upon those who lived in the region and in shadow of death.^[e]17 From that time Jesus began to announce, “Change your hearts and lives! Here comes the kingdom of heaven!” ¹⁸ As Jesus walked alongside the Galilee Sea, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, throwing fishing nets into the sea, because they were fishermen. ¹⁹ “Come, follow me,” he said, “and I’ll show you how to fish for people.” ²⁰ Right away, they left their nets and followed him. ²¹ Continuing on, he saw another set of brothers, James the son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with Zebedee their father repairing their nets. Jesus called them and ²² immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.²³ Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues. He announced the good news of the kingdom and healed every disease and sickness among the people.

EVERYDAY REVELATIONS:

1. Audience Engagement: Could someone define “late-stage capitalism”?
   1. An entry on Urban Dictionary .Com says “There is no single way to define late-stage capitalism, as the effects are most often seen on a micro scale and the scope is very broad as a result of the plethora of industries.
      Some of the various examples of late-stage capitalism could include, but are not limited to: profiting off of your attractive physique, selling your personal data, selling your poop, dropshipping, house flipping, game companies making every single game pay-to-win, news corporations putting paywalls on their news sites, smartphone companies removing the headphone jack to save money, paying people to say positive affirmations, etc etc.”[1]
      1. Every company charging subscriptions even when you already purchased the product
      1. No hobbies only “side hustles”

TRANSINTION:  – yoke of slavery in our lives

MAIN TEXT: Isaiah 9:1-4 Nonetheless, those who were in distress won’t be exhausted. At an earlier time, God cursed the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but later he glorified the way of the sea, the far side of the Jordan, and the Galilee of the nations. ² The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned. ³ You have made the nation great; you have increased its joy. They rejoiced before you as with joy at the harvest, as those who divide plunder rejoice. ⁴ As on the day of Midian, you’ve shattered the yoke that burdened them, the staff on their shoulders,and the rod of their oppressor.

EXPLAINATION & INTERPRETATION:

1. Isaiah context
   1. Zebulun & Naphtali – MAPs (12 tribes, N & S kingdoms, Jesus’ time)
      1. These are territories part of the Northern Kingdom of Israel that were destroyed by Assyria before Isaiah’s message.
2. Christian vs. Jewish interpretation: (first, this portion in the Jewish scriptures starts at Isaiah 8:23)
   1. “made the nation great”
      1. Jewish: “They have become aggrandized to all who hear of them, when the nations heard the miracles that were performed for them.”^[2]
         1. It has come to the attention of other nations what God has done for them. They are celebrated for the work of their God by other nations.
      1. Christian: Frequently Christians get confused about this language and want to “transpose” America into the place of Israel in scripture. i.e. If [America] shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven (2 Chronicles 7:14 adapted).
         1. Christians in America are not the New Israel. – Christians around the world are citizens of the Kingdom of God – & God hasn’t abandoned the Jews. (Heb 11)
      1. Jews and Gentiles have distinct relationships with God, we don’t need to try to be our sibling. – Look into the discussion surrounding Acts 15 & the Jerusalem Council for more information.
   1. “shattered the yoke”
      1. Jewish: “The yoke which was a burden to Hezekiah, and that he bent his shoulder for this heavy burden to pay harsh tribute, and the rod with which he had oppressed Hezekiah.”[3]
      1. Christian: Jesus’s death & Resurrection set us free from the yoke of sin.

APPLICATION:

1. As we discussed last week, the words of scripture have layers. The words for the people who originally received it, the words for us today, and the words for believers in the future.
   1. I look at this world and my heart is filled with a desire to see the shattering of earthly yokes and not only spiritual ones.  –not attempt to shatter physical yokesàDoesn’t matter that they died in slave labor because their soul was saved…
2. BACK TO INTRO: I think a perfect example of late-stage capitalism is from 2017: In 2017 an Apple factory in China added nets to their buildings in order to minimize employee death by suicide. “The corporate response spurred further unease: Foxconn CEO, Terry Gou, had large nets installed outside many of the buildings to catch falling bodies. The company hired counsellors and workers were made to sign pledges stating they would not attempt to kill themselves.”[4] – save their bottom line
3. Ways to bring about the liberation of Christ:
   1. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: what yokes are we supposed to shatter? –the Kingdom of God knows no borders
   1. The yoke of capitalism:
      1. do things for joy and do not try to make a dollar off of every hobby—
         1. paint, make soap, make music, garden, sew, build bookshelves
      1. pay attention to where your products come from:
         1. “Made in USA” “Goods produced in American Samoa (a United States territory) are entitled to attach a “Made in USA” label, as this is an insular area of the United States. This area has until recently had few of the labor and safety protections afforded United States workers, and there have been a number of cases of sweatshop operators exploiting labor forces imported from South and East Asia. The Northern Mariana Islands is another U.S. possession in the Pacific that was exempted from certain U.S. wage and immigration laws until 2007, where the use of the “Made in USA” label was likewise controversial. The label is controversial also since all U.S. insular areas, except Puerto Rico, operate under a customs territory separate from the U.S., making their products technically imports when sold in the United States proper.^{” (Wiki)}
      1. Buy it for life
         1. Skip the “Fast fashion” and buy second hand AND learn to repair your clothing
         1. Purchase items for long term use rather than buying cheap items that will not handle extensive usage.
   1. The yoke of politics – loyalty to a certain political party above Christ
   1. The yoke of self-absorption  – loyalty to self above others (Jesus tells us to love our neighbor as ourself).

CONCLUSION: Today’s revelation: God’s salvation manifests both spiritually and physically. God’s people are agents or catalysts of the physical salvation.

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[1] https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=late-stage%20capitalism

[2] https://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/15940/jewish/Chapter-9.htm/showrashi/true

[3] IBID

[4] https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jun/18/foxconn-life-death-forbidden-city-longhua-suicide-apple-iphone-brian-merchant-one-device-extract

Message Title: Revelations of Salvation
Theme: Revealing Revelations
Season: Epiphany
Main Text: Isaiah 49:1-7;
Scripture Reading: John 1:29-42
RCL Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42
Focus:  God promises to not give up on Israel.
Function: To claim Jesus.
Other Notes:

SCRIPTURE READING: John 1:29-42 ²⁹ The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! ³⁰ This is the one about whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is really greater than me because he existed before me.’ ³¹ Even I didn’t recognize him, but I came baptizing with water so that he might be made known to Israel.” ³² John testified, “I saw the Spirit coming down from heaven like a dove, and it rested on him. ³³ Even I didn’t recognize him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit coming down and resting is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ ³⁴ I have seen and testified that this one is God’s Son.” ³⁵ The next day John was standing again with two of his disciples. ³⁶ When he saw Jesus walking along he said, “Look! The Lamb of God!” ³⁷ The two disciples heard what he said, and they followed Jesus. ³⁸ When Jesus turned and saw them following, he asked, “What are you looking for?” They said, “Rabbi (which is translated Teacher), where are you staying?” ³⁹ He replied, “Come and see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. ⁴⁰ One of the two disciples who heard what John said and followed Jesus was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. ⁴¹ He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Christ^[c] ). ⁴² He led him to Jesus.

SERIES INTRODUCTION: The season of epiphany is a season of discoveries or revelations. I like the word epiphany better than revelation in general, it prevents the confusion of revelation = end times rather than revelation = reveal (like a can of sardines peeling back the top). Revelations expose the truth. You can’t go back to life before the revelation; the knowledge changes you.  These Ah-ha! Moments teach us something new about Jesus as the Christ.We will read passages from the Old Testament and look at different ways God reveals truth to God’s people with the hope of training ourselves to look for the revelation of Jesus as Messiah.

INTRODUCTION: Speaking of revelations, have you ever heard the phrase “I was today years old when I learned….” This popular trend on the internet has led to adorable and sometimes helpful discoveries.

1. I was Today Years Old ….
   1. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: What is a lesson or fact you learned embarrassingly late?
   1. https://www.boredpanda.com/today-years-old-people-share-facts/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic
      1. Donkey Nannies
      1. Harvest mice
   1. Snap/Pop Freeze Pops/Otter Pops to open them
      1. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: Btw what’s the best color?

TRANSITION: There may not be any cute harvest mice in our scripture today, but we may still have some amazing revelations.

MAIN TEXT: Isaiah 49:1-7 Listen to me, coastlands; pay attention, peoples far away. The Lord called me before my birth, called my name when I was in my mother’s womb. ² He made my mouth like a sharp sword, and hid me in the shadow of God’s own hand. He made me a sharpened arrow, and concealed me in God’s quiver, ³saying to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I show my glory.” ⁴ But I said, “I have wearied myself in vain. I have used up my strength for nothing.” Nevertheless, the Lord will grant me justice; my reward is with my God. ⁵ And now the Lord has decided—the one who formed me from the womb as his servant—to restore Jacob to God, so that Israel might return to him. Moreover, I’m honored in the Lord’s eyes; my God has become my strength. ⁶ He said: It is not enough, since you are my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the survivors of Israel. Hence, I will also appoint you as light to the nations so that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. ⁷ The Lord, redeemer of Israel and its holy one, says to one despised, rejected by nations, to the slave of rulers: Kings will see and stand up; commanders will bow down on account of the Lord, who is faithful, the holy one of Israel, who has chosen you.

EXPLAINATION:

1. Context:
   1. Isaiah spans a LARGE amount of time- pre-exile, exile, aftermath. Some scholars think about 3 authors (Isaiah plus a couple disciples) wrote this one book and passed it down the generations.
   1. Disclaimer: language about the audience can be confusing in the prophets.
      1. God regularly calls his people Israel- as in the whole 12 tribes- but by the time of Isaiah the 12 tribes split in to 2 kingdoms (Israel in the North, Judah in the South). God still sometimes calls the people living in Judah/Jerusalem Israel.
   1. Audience: Isaiah starts after the Northern Kingdom of Israel has fallen to Assyria. The audience is most likely Jews in Jerusalem/Judea. 
2. Revelation: God hasn’t abandoned Israel. Israel was chosen before its birth to show God’s glory.
   1. Isaiah 49 contains a beautiful poem about the servant of God who will restore Israel.
   1. Language in singular here. It isn’t until Ch. 56 that Israel becomes plural. This language leads to a variety of interpretations about this passage.
      1. Christians have interpreted chapters 49-55 as prophecy about Jesus, frequently this section is identified as prophecy about the suffering servant who will come to save us all.
      1. However, Jews see this as a prophecy about Israel – unified- and serving as God’s light to the nations.
   1. Is God’s reference to Israel a metaphor for someone who will perfectly represent God’s people or is this a text at face value talking about Israel finally being redeemed and restored with faithfulness to God?
      1. I don’t have a concrete black and white answer for you.
      1. You’ll just have to live on faith.
      1. Could it be both?

INTERPRETATION:

1. A quick glance through the prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Micah, Hosea, etc) we can see that Israel has lost their God given identity.
   1. Israel has not lived by the 10 commandments…. Nor the 613 laws they created to expand the 10 commandments for clarity.
   1. Israel has lost their heart while clinging to their label.
      1. In previous chapters, you can see Israel claim their preferential status because they are offspring of Abraham. But they have lost connection to the covenant of Abraham and the covenant of Moses.
      1. In Luke 3, John the Baptist even calls out the religious leaders who come to him for baptism and tells them that they can’t claim their heritage as their salvation.
   1. God will keep God’s covenant to Israel, even if Israel fails to keep their side of the covenant.
2. The story of Israel, of Judah, is our story.
   1. We too can be lost in the wrong labels.
      1. “I’m a gold star Christian because I voted for X politician or support X political party.”
      1. “I’m a gold star Christian because I go to church.”
      1. “I’m a gold star Christian because I don’t say GD”
   1. Loyalty to earthly tribes or powers doesn’t gain you preferential status.
   1. Legalistic or ritualistic practices of religion won’t gain you preferential status.

APPLICATION:

1. I have a friend who jokingly used to say that he was a “quarter catholic” because one of his grandparents was catholic.
   1. However, many Christians in the Midwest claim their Christian faith not because of conviction or practice but because it’s what their family has done for generations. They claim Christianity because of heritage not because of personal belief.
   1. Heritage isn’t what saves us, faith in Jesus does.
2. We may have learned about Jesus because of our Faith Family Tree. But our Faith Family Tree doesn’t save us, only Jesus does. Grandma Betsy doesn’t save us, only Jesus does.
   1. We can’t claim faith heritage or political party as our salvation.
   1. God doesn’t want your DNA. God wants your heart.
3. Today we peel back the wrapping to reveal God’s salvation.
   1. Salvation isn’t complicated – believe in Jesus.
      1. Rom 10: 9-13 ⁹Because if you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and in your heart you have faith that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ Trusting with the heart leads to righteousness, and confessing with the mouth leads to salvation. ¹¹ The scripture says, All who have faith in him won’t be put to shame.^[e] 12 There is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord is Lord of all, who gives richly to all who call on him. ¹³ All who call on the Lord’s name will be saved.
      1. Acts 16: 29-33 ²⁹ The jailer called for some lights, rushed in, and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. ³⁰ He led them outside and asked, “Honorable masters, what must I do to be rescued?” ³¹ They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your entire household.” ³² They spoke the Lord’s word to him and everyone else in his house. ³³ Right then, in the middle of the night, the jailer welcomed them and washed their wounds. He and everyone in his household were immediately baptized.
   1. No test
   1. No Gradebook
   1. No group project
4. Baptism opportunities- family dedications
   1. Feb 29^th? – Sunday school
   1. March ___ – after church
   1. Baptism on April 9^th – during service

CONCLUSION: It’s not complicated but it’s also not easy. Faith isn’t about having all the answers. It isn’t about the 401k or life insurance policy. Faith is trusting that God is good even when we don’t understand. God has revealed God’s self to us through Jesus. This knowledge has forever changed us.

Message Title: The Baptism of Jesus
Theme: Baptism
Season: EPIPHANY
Main Text: Matthew 3:13-17
Scripture Reading: Acts 10:34-43
RCL Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-9 Psalm 29 Acts 10:34-43 Matthew 3:13-17
Focus: Jesus is baptized.
Function: To make a decision about our relationship with Jesus.

SCRIPTURE READING: Acts 10:34-43 ³⁴ Peter said, “I really am learning that God doesn’t show partiality to one group of people over another. ³⁵ Rather, in every nation, whoever worships him and does what is right is acceptable to him. ³⁶ This is the message of peace he sent to the Israelites by proclaiming the good news through Jesus Christ: He is Lord of all! ³⁷ You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism John preached. ³⁸ You know about Jesus of Nazareth, whom God anointed with the Holy Spirit and endowed with power. Jesus traveled around doing good and healing everyone oppressed by the devil because God was with him. ³⁹ We are witnesses of everything he did, both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, ⁴⁰ but God raised him up on the third day and allowed him to be seen, ⁴¹ not by everyone but by us. We are witnesses whom God chose beforehand, who ate and drank with him after God raised him from the dead. ⁴² He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³ All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

INTRODUCTION:

1. Audience engagement: How do you get into a pool when you go swimming? Are you the kind to dip your toe in first? Or are you the kind that canon balls into the water?
   1. “don’t get my hair wet” – grandmas swimming
      1. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/moms-put-on-that-swimsuit_b_5521937
   1. Kids practicing baptism with siblings

TRANSITION: We aren’t diving into the deep end but we will discuss getting wet today! The first Sunday in the season of Epiphany we celebrate the baptism of Jesus.

MAIN TEXT: Matthew 3:13-17 ¹³ At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River so that John would baptize him. ¹⁴ John tried to stop him and said, “I need to be baptized by you, yet you come to me?” ¹⁵ Jesus answered, “Allow me to be baptized now. This is necessary to fulfill all righteousness.” So John agreed to baptize Jesus. ¹⁶ When Jesus was baptized, he immediately came up out of the water. Heaven was opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and resting on him. ¹⁷ A voice from heaven said, “This is my Son whom I dearly love; I find happiness in him.”

EXPLAINATION:

1. All Gospels rarely all share the same story. They each have different audiences and goals in mind. Therefore, they structure their gospels and highlight details based on their audience and goals. Occasionally, a story overlaps. These accounts are considered big deals, i.e.: calling disciples, crucifixion, and the empty tomb.
   1. The details are never exactly the same, but the fact that a specific event occurs in each Gospel indicates the significance.
2. Jesus’ baptism is covered by 3 of the 4 gospel writers. John’s version is a baptism of the Holy Spirit which details overlap with the other three accounts. (Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:29-34) Bottom Line: This story was significant.
   1. All:
      1. dove rep Holy Spirit
      1. Voice saying this is God’s son – who heard it was different
   1. ¾:
      1. include Water
      1. God is happy with Jesus
      1. Followed by temptation in the wilderness
   1. John
      1. No baptism, instead he alludes to a baptism of the Holy Spirit.
      1. John’s gospel emphasizes Jesus’ divine-ness. Of course, he wouldn’t have Jesus subject to human practices like baptism.

INTERPRETATION:

1. My baptism story- in a pond, 10 or 11. Scared of the fishes
   1. I went through a season of time where I didn’t feel secure about my baptism. I felt like I was too young and didn’t know what it meant. I even was hesitant to baptize young kids for this same reason.
   1. But baptisms aren’t for when it’s all figured out. They aren’t a period at the end of your faith. They are a capitol B at the beginning of your faith.  “I have decided to follow Jesus.”
2. Scripture Reading: The Apostle Peter realized this in Acts 10 (keep reading 44-48). He was in a group of Christians that believed you had to convert to Judaism before you could follow Christ. After all, Jesus was the Jewish Messiah. Then The Holy Spirit fell on a group of Gentiles and Peter had to admit that he was holding back the Gospel.
   1. God was not showing partiality, Peter was.
   1. God was not putting requirements on baptism, Peter was.

APPLICATION: To make a decision about our relationship with Jesus.

1. It’s the New Year. Time to make a fresh start and set goals for your year. This is the perfect time to reflect on your faith and where you want to grow.
   1. Start a new spiritual discipline- prayer, bible study, worship time, fasting, etc (I have a great book of ideas if you’re looking for something new)
   1. Attend Bible Study
   1. Attend Sunday School
   1. Get Baptized or Remember your baptism
   1. Commit to faith practices for your family through Child/Family Dedication
2. Stances & Definitions of Baptism- let’s do a little crash course on baptism together
   1. Traditional Baptist Belief: “For the one who experiences it, baptism should indicate an acceptance of Christ, a desire to be united in Spirit and in fellowship with Christ, and should function as a sign of discipleship in the times to come.” (The New Hiscox Guide for Baptist Churches)
   1. For Baptists, baptism is a symbolic gesture you make to express your commitment to believing in Jesus and walking in your faith with a group of people (ideally the ones witnessing your baptism).
      1. Baptist can be sticklers about this – My ordination story-
         1. “Baptists practice believer’s baptism by immersion most frequently, however we know it is not the mode that saves us. I will practice the mode of immersion unless through the process of pastoral care it is determined that the believer requires a different mode. I refer to the writings in the Didache, which are attributed by the early church to the Apostles. In Didache 7:1-5 it states: “But concerning baptism, thus shall ye baptize. Having first recited all these things, baptize {in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit} in living (running) water. But if thou hast not living water, then baptize in other water; and if thou art not able in cold, then in warm. But if thou hast neither, then pour water on the head thrice in the name of the Father and of the Son and
3. Interested in being baptized?
   1. Baptism Workshops
      1. Feb 26^th  during Sunday School
      1. March 12 after church
   1. Baptism – April 9^th  (Easter Sunday)

CONCLUSION: The beauty of Jesus’ baptism? That he opened the waters for the rest of us. We enter those same waters with Christ at our baptism. God didn’t change the plans to include us. Just as God intended Gentiles to receive the Holy Spirit, God intends us to be part of the family.

Back to Intro: we won’t remember what you looked like w/ your hair wet. We will remember your confession to follow Jesus. Don’t be afraid to dip your toe in the waters of baptism.

COMMUNION

Message Title: Tiny Baby, Enormous Gift
Theme: CHRISTMAS SUNDAY!
Season: CHRISTMAS 1
Main Text:
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 98; Luke 1:46-55; Luke 2:1-20; John 1:1-14; Titus 2:11-14; Titus 3:4-7; Hebrews 1:1-4
RCL Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14, (15-20); Isaiah 62:6-12; Psalm 97; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:(1-7), 8-20; Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12); John 1:1-14
Focus: God came as a helpless baby to heal the world.
Function: To celebrate God’s plan through the birth of Jesus.
Other Notes: JAMMIES TO CHURCH – jammie parade

INTRO: Merry Christmas! Our Savior is Born! Everyone got their cocoa and treats? I’m sure there is plenty of treats left over. Any great Christmas Jammies or sweaters we need to notice?

AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT:

1. Do the kids wait to open gifts until the adults are there?
2. Do you open your stockings before the presents or after?
3. Do you take turns opening gifts or all at once?

TRANSITION: Typically, this is a time for a sermon but I want to do something different today since it is only about once a decade that we get Christmas on a Sunday. We are going to read a series of scripture together to celebrate the significance of God coming as a helpless baby as a gift for all. (this will function similar to our Bible Study).

If you’re willing to be a reader raise your hand – I’ll pass out a passage to you.

GROUP ACTIVITY:

Promises Kept & Praises Sung

Isaiah 9:2-7 You have made the nation great; you have increased its joy. They rejoiced before you as with joy at the harvest, as those who divide plunder rejoice. As on the day of Midian, you’ve shattered the yoke that burdened them, the staff on their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor. Because every boot of the thundering warriors, and every garment rolled in blood will be burned, fuel for the fire. A child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be vast authority and endless peace for David’s throne and for his kingdom, establishing and sustaining it with justice and righteousness now and forever. The zeal of the LORD of heavenly forces will do this.

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! The LORD has made his salvation widely known; he has revealed his righteousness in the eyes of all the nations. God has remembered his loyal love and faithfulness to the house of Israel; every corner of the earth has seen our God’s salvation. Shout triumphantly to the LORD, all the earth! Be happy! Rejoice out loud! Sing your praises! Sing your praises to the LORD with the lyre— with the lyre and the sound of music. With trumpets and a horn blast, shout triumphantly before the LORD, the king! Let the sea and everything in it roar; the world and all its inhabitants too. Let all the rivers clap their hands; let the mountains rejoice out loud altogether 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.

Luke 1: 46-55 46 Mary said, “With all my heart I glorify the Lord!

47 In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior. 48 He has looked with favor on the low status of his servant. Look! From now on, everyone will consider me highly favored 49 because the mighty one has done great things for me. Holy is his name. 50 He shows mercy to everyone, from one generation to the next, who honors him as God. 51 He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered those with arrogant thoughts and proud inclinations. 52 He has pulled the powerful down from their thrones and lifted up the lowly. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty-handed. 54 He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, remembering his mercy, 55 just as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to Abraham’s descendants forever.”

Response: Any themes to note? – consistent praises or actions of God

The Birth

Luke 2:1-20 In those days Caesar Augustus declared that everyone throughout the empire should be enrolled in the tax lists. This first enrollment occurred when Quirinius governed Syria. Everyone went to their own cities to be enrolled. Since Joseph belonged to David’s house and family line, he went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to David’s city, called Bethlehem, in Judea. He went to be enrolled together with Mary, who was promised to him in marriage and who was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby. She gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guestroom. Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night. The Lord’s angel stood before them, the Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people. Your savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord. This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said, “Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.” When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.” They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child. Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them. Mary committed these things to memory and considered them carefully. The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Everything happened just as they had been told.

Response: Anything new stand out? – For me, the shepherds sharing the story was a new thing.

The Significance

John 1:1-14 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. The Word was with God in the beginning. Everything came into being through the Word, and without the Word nothing came into being. What came into being through the Word was life, and the life was the light for all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light. A man named John was sent from God. He came as a witness to testify concerning the light, so that through him everyone would believe in the light. He himself wasn’t the light, but his mission was to testify concerning the light. The true light that shines on all people was coming into the world. The light was in the world, and the world came into being through the light, but the world didn’t recognize the light. The light came to his own people, and his own people didn’t welcome him. But those who did welcome him, those who believed in his name, he authorized to become God’s children, born not from blood nor from human desire or passion, but born from God. The Word became flesh and made his home among us. We have seen his glory, glory like that of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

Response: Why would John include this at the beginning of his Gospel?Why not be like the other gospels?

The Impact

Titus 2:11-14 The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. It educates us so that we can live sensible, ethical, and godly lives right now by rejecting ungodly lives and the desires of this world. At the same time we wait for the blessed hope and the glorious appearance of our great God and savior Jesus Christ. He gave himself for us in order to rescue us from every kind of lawless behavior, and cleanse a special people for himself who are eager to do good actions.

Titus 3:4-7 But “when God our savior’s kindness and love appeared, he saved us because of his mercy, not because of righteous things we had done. He did it through the washing of new birth and the renewing by the Holy Spirit, which God poured out upon us generously through Jesus Christ our savior. So, since we have been made righteous by his grace, we can inherit the hope for eternal life.”

Hebrews 1:1-4 In the past, God spoke through the prophets to our ancestors in many times and many ways. In these final days, though, he spoke to us through a Son. God made his Son the heir of everything and created the world through him. The Son is the light of God’s glory and the imprint of God’s being. He maintains everything with his powerful message. After he carried out the cleansing of people from their sins, he sat down at the right side of the highest majesty. And the Son became so much greater than the other messengers, such as angels, that he received a more important title than theirs. 

Response: Why is Christmas good news? – the pressure is off our shoulders, its in God’s hands.

APPLICATION: Jesus is the reason we celebrate. How we celebrate varies depending on your cultural background. Eggnog, Hot Cocoa, Wassail. Oyster stew, Cookies, Birthday Cake, Gifts given, Gifts received, Time spent together: All of it celebrates the birth of Jesus. Hope for restoration.

CONCLUSION:  God turned this world upside down through the birth of Jesus and flipped expectations changing the world through a tiny baby. Join in the celebrations because Jesus is born! What an enormous gift! Our hope is here! Merry Christmas!

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

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[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.