Peace on Earth

Intro

Who did God invite to witness the most important birth on earth? We might be surprised.

Goal

Let’s understand that worldly importance is unimportant to God. He has very different values.

Sermon Plan

We will look at Luke 2:1-40, God’s guest list and peace on earth.

Bethlehem

Luke 2:1 About that time Emperor Augustus gave orders for the names of all the people to be listed in record books. 2 These first records were made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 Everyone had to go to their own hometown to be listed. 4 So Joseph had to leave Nazareth in Galilee and go to Bethlehem in Judea. Long ago Bethlehem had been King David’s hometown, and Joseph went there because he was from David’s family.

Stable

5 Mary was engaged to Joseph and traveled with him to Bethlehem. She was soon going to have a baby, 6 and while they were there, 7 she gave birth to her first-born son. She dressed him in baby clothes and laid him on a bed of hay, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Shepherds

8 That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep. 9 All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord’s glory flashed around them. The shepherds were frightened. 10 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. 11 This very day in King David’s hometown a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. 12 You will know who he is, because you will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying on a bed of hay.”
13 Suddenly many other angels came down from heaven and joined in praising God. They said: 14 “Praise God in heaven! Peace on earth to everyone who pleases God.” 15 After the angels had left and gone back to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us about.” 16 They hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and they saw the baby lying on a bed of hay.
17 When the shepherds saw Jesus, they told his parents what the angel had said about him. 18 Everyone listened and was surprised. 19 But Mary kept thinking about all this and wondering what it meant.
20 As the shepherds returned to their sheep, they were praising God and saying wonderful things about him. Everything they had seen and heard was just as the angel had said.

Circumcision

21 Eight days later Jesus' parents did for him what the Law of Moses commands. And they named him Jesus, just as the angel had told Mary when he promised she would have a baby.
22 The time came for Mary and Joseph to do what the Law of Moses says a mother is supposed to do after her baby is born. They took Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem and presented him to the Lord, 23 just as the Law of the Lord says, “Each first-born baby boy belongs to the Lord.” 24 The Law of the Lord also says that parents have to offer a sacrifice, giving at least a pair of doves or two young pigeons. So that is what Mary and Joseph did.

Simeon

25 At this time a man named Simeon was living in Jerusalem. Simeon was a good man. He loved God and was waiting for God to save the people of Israel. God’s Spirit came to him 26 and told him that he would not die until he had seen Christ the Lord. 27 When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to do what the Law of Moses says should be done for a new baby, the Spirit told Simeon to go into the temple. 28 Simeon took the baby Jesus in his arms and praised God,
29 “Lord, I am your servant, and now I can die in peace, because you have kept your promise to me. 30 With my own eyes I have seen what you have done to save your people, 31 and foreign nations will also see this. 32 Your mighty power is a light for all nations, and it will bring honor to your people Israel.” 33 Jesus' parents were surprised at what Simeon had said. 34 Then he blessed them and told Mary, “This child of yours will cause many people in Israel to fall and others to stand. The child will be like a warning sign. Many people will reject him, 35 and you, Mary, will suffer as though you had been stabbed by a dagger. But all this will show what people are really thinking.”

Anna

36 The prophet Anna was also there in the temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. In her youth she had been married for seven years, but her husband died. 37 And now she was eighty-four years old. Night and day she served God in the temple by praying and often going without eating. 38 At that time Anna came in and praised God. She spoke about the child Jesus to everyone who hoped for Jerusalem to be set free.

Return Home

39 After Joseph and Mary had done everything that the Law of the Lord commands, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. 40 The child Jesus grew. He became strong and wise, and God blessed him.
Contemporary English Version (CEV) Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society

Bethlehem (vs 1-4)

Old Testament prophecies predicted that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). How was this to happen, when Joseph and Mary were from Nazareth. Augustus, the pagan Emperor of Rome demanded a census and just like Cyrus before him (Isaiah 44:28, Isaiah 45:4) did God’s will without knowing it. This brought the family to Bethlehem.

Stable (vs 5-7)

The super wealthy may flatter themselves they have the best life. Heaven may disagree. Jesus’ birth was in the most humble of circumstances. God owns everything but He understands true values. Messiah was to be born in a stable. The most important birth of human history did not take place in wealth and power, but amidst the lowliest of circumstances.

Shepherds (vs 8-20)

A holy angel did not announce the birth of the Christ to the wealthy and powerful, but to humble, unwashed and unkempt shepherds. Disrespected on earth, they were shown incredible respect by heaven! It’s not the size of the group hearing the Gospel that matters. A chorus of angels joined them in praise and worship. Then the shepherds became witnesses.

Circumcision (vs 21-24)

Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day according the Old Testament law, a day when circumcision is safer because blood-clotting levels are high.  Firstborn were claimed by God after the Exodus. Because Jesus was a firstborn, he would be redeemed by offering a sacrifice. The family’s poverty is gauged by the offering, which was the smallest allowed under the law.

Simeon (vs 25-35)

Simeon was an elderly, righteous man. God granted his last wish to see Christ before he died. The only status that heaven was interested in was not his wealth or job title, but that he was righteous and devout. His words put to music were for most of Christian history a popular song to end church services, the Nunc Dimittis.

Anna (vs 36-38)

Anna was an 84 year old prophet. She had been married only seven years and was a widow most of her life. Anna served God in the temple in a very important prayer ministry and had the privilege of announcing Christ. Her only status was not worldly but what heaven was interested in, she worshiped and prayed night and day.

Peace? (vs 14)

We proclaim peace on earth, but what peace? It’s only half the story. Peace is conditional. There is a real peace to those of good will, a peace which passes understanding (Philippians 4:7). Our passage has some other things to say. Different translations say peace on earth with whom God is well pleased or on whom his favor rests.

Outro


Jesus came to bring peace on earth, a peace which passes human understanding to those on whom his favor rests and when he returns, world peace. Like Anna and Simeon we wait patiently for that day.

God with Us

Intro

What was Jesus’ birth really like?

Goal

Let us understand the circumstances of Jesus' birth.

Sermon Plan

Let’s look at Matthew 1:18-25, Joseph's dilemma, the meanings of Jesus' names and whether or not Mary remained a perpetual virgin.
Matthew 1:18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.
20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: 23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” 24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Joseph’s Dilemma (vs 18)

Joseph, betrothed to Mary, found her pregnant. A groom typically prepared a home for his bride. That could take a year. When all was prepared, he came to collect his bride, like Christ comes for the Church. Joseph decided to cancel the wedding privately for Mary’s sake. An angel said this was a sign of a new age of peace.

Joseph’s Mercy (vs 19)

Imagine being Joseph, engaged to Mary. You feel betrayed. You don’t want to disgrace her, nor have her punished. An angel says to marry her. Her pregnancy is of the Holy Spirit and her son would bring salvation. You marry her knowing there will be gossip. You also know the child’s name, Jesus (God saves) and Immanuel (God with us).

Jesus’ Name (vs 20-21)

False gods and idols cannot save, and insulting the name of the one who can is foolish. Not taking a rest day causes stress and early death. Dishonoring parents causes broken families, poverty and crime. Murder and adultery destroy families, and theft destroys neighborhood security. False witnesses fill the land with distrust. Coveting causes crime and war.
Jesus means “YHWH (the Lord) saves.” Only he can rescue us from damnation. His name is the hope of the whole world (Matthew 12:15-21). Jesus’ name heals (Mark 9:38-40). Catholics take Jesus name seriously. The Society of the Holy Name prays for blasphemers. His Greek name is abbreviated ΙΗΣ1, IHS in English, a sign seen in churches everywhere.
1 Iota, Eta, Sigma
References: biblestudytools.com, newadvent.org/cathen, christogenea.org

Central Christianity (vs 22-23)

Jesus is the center of Christianity, his birth, resurrection, salvation, his divinity and humanity. Controversies over Jesus still exist. In 451 AD, the last Ecumenical Council widely recognized by Protestants, contributed perhaps the greatest consensus of opinions on Christ in Christian history, affirming the Trinity, Christ's virgin birth, his humanity and his deity, and his two natures in one person.
Science tells us that Earth is only a temporary home and is trying to find another planet far, far away. Humanity sees our salvation as a species in “technology with us.” The Bible also tells us that Earth is only a temporary home and that our long-term answer is found not in “technology with us” but in “God with us.”
Jesus means Joshua. Two Joshuas were forerunners of Jesus. Joshua the son of Nun conquered 31 cities in Canaan beginning around 1400 BC. Jesus was born to save each one of us. We cannot save ourselves from death, but Jesus can. Joshua and the promised land symbolize Jesus and eternal life. Joshua the son of Jozadak was a high priest (Haggai 1). Jesus is our high priest (Hebrews 8:3-5).
(References: newadvent.org/cathen; The Oxford History of the Biblical World. 1998. Oxford University Press; biblearchaeology.org; orthodoxytoday.org)

Perpetual Virginity? (verse 25)

Was Mary a Perpetual Virgin? Verse 25 says Joseph did not have relations with Mary until her son was born. Elsewhere we read of Jesus’ siblings (Mark 6:3, Matthew 13:55, John 7:3, Acts 1:14, 1 Corinthians 9:5). Contrary to perpetual virgin dogma, the Greek word for cousins was not used. John 19:26-27 only indicates that Mary was a spiritual mother and does not prove she had no children of her own to look after her.
Psalm 69 is quoted several times in the New Testament as referring to not only David, but also Jesus (John 2:13–17, John 15:24–25, John 19:28–30, Romans 15:3). It states plainly that “my brothers” are “my mother’s children” (vs 8). We ought not to hide our doctrinal errors behind infallibility, but repent and admit truth.

Outro/Take Home

Jesus was God with us, is God with us every hour of every day and will be God with us forever.

The Real Jesus

Intro
Who is the real Jesus? If he walked the earth today would we be offended by him?
Goal
Let’s examine the real Jesus.
Sermon Plan
Let’s look at Matthew 11:2-11 and being offended at Jesus.
Matthew 11:2 John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, 3 “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?”
4 Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— 5 the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” 6 And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.”
7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? 8 Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces. 9 Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. 10 John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say,
‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’ 11 “I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Are You the One (vs 3)

John the Baptist’s messengers asked Jesus, are you the ONE? Jesus was different than John expected. He did not live a Nazirite vow or ascetic lifestyle. Jesus ate and drank with sinners. He was a pacifist not a warrior. He turned the other cheek, healing and preaching good news to the poor. Blessed are those not offended by this Jesus.
John’s messengers asked, are you THE One, not one of the ones, but the one. There are many would-be Messiahs, selling salvation in real estate millions, salvation from old vacuum cleaners, salvation in jewelry, salvation in worldly politics, salvation in fashion, salvation in new gadgets and the vitamin Messiahs. There is only one real savior and his name is Jesus.
Are we are disappointed in Jesus? He did not encourage tongues, Sabbaths, prayers to Mary, or rosaries. He did not teach about popes or bishops, Christmas, specific liturgical demands, American or British nationalism, and a materialistic gospel. He condemned abusive, authoritarian religious leadership. He healed, preached to the poor about giving and self-sacrifice, and a kingdom not of this world.
John was an activist and revolutionary. Jesus was a healer and teacher. Was John frustrated that Jesus did not get into politics or fight? Jesus did not make John a disciple. John looked for a political Messiah. Are we disappointed with Jesus, the life of poverty, the hair, the dying on a cross or do we wait patiently for salvation?

Rescuing Christmas

Christmas was rescued from paganism. Christians converted pagan temples into churches. They converted winter observances into Christian ones. Christmas is again becoming a pagan festival, the pursuit of profit, the focus on gifts, parties, the stampedes for merchandise and the pressure to spend. There is still a voice of one crying in the wilderness. Let’s rescue Christmas all over again.

The Real Jesus (vs 5)

What do we see and hear of Jesus, a little baby in a manger, a long haired hippie, a tooth fairy who will grant our wishes, or someone who heals lives and preaches to the poor? Instead of an imaginary Jesus of our wishes, let us get to know the real Jesus and be grateful for who he really is.
Is our salvation found in politics, wealth, or the military? Will he wear simple clothes or expensive attire? Jesus was none of those things. The blind received sight, the lame walked, lepers were cleansed, the deaf heard, the dead were raised up, and the poor heard the good news. This is what the Messiah looks like. He is the one.
Do we create a fake Jesus, with things that neither Jesus nor his Apostles taught? Do we attach ourselves to traditions, human ideas and fads more than Jesus? Our ideas, politics, and traditions only divide us. They are built on a Jesus that we created because we are disappointed with simplicity of the real Jesus? The real Jesus unites us.

Taking God’s Kingdom by Violence (vs. 12)

John the Baptist’s death is an example of God’s kingdom suffering violence and violent people taking it by force. The Greek word translated as violent can also be translated as zeal or aggressive force and certainly ardent zeal is needed for Christians to enter God’s kingdom. Christianity is not the easy path. It is a spiritual battle against evil.
Outro/Take Home
Do we know the real Jesus or have we created a fictitious Jesus? Are we expecting him to solve all our worldly problems now or do we look forward to that day when he will take over the governments of this world? Have we put our faith in the real Jesus?


Repentance for Christmas

Intro

A commercialized, materialistic Christmas disappoints us every year. We spend money we don’t have on gifts that our children don’t need and we end up raising unhappy and selfish adults who don’t appreciate the greatest Christmas gift of all. What we really need, we don’t want to hear. What we really need in preparation for Christ’s coming is repentance.

Goal

Let’s understand that John the Baptist did not tell people to go on shopping sprees in preparation for Jesus, but to repent.

Sermon Plan

Let’s look at Matthew 3:1-12 and the idea of repentance as preparation for Christ.
Matthew 3:1 In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, 2 “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” 3 The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’”
4 John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey. 5 People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John. 6 And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. 9 Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 10 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.
11 “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12 He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Preaching & teaching (vs. 1)

John the Baptist, then Jesus and his disciples preached or announced that the kingdom was near (Matthew 3:1-2; 4:17). Preaching and teaching are VERY important to the life of the church. Preaching is a public announcement to unbelievers. Teaching is instructing believers to obey what Jesus commanded. That's what Jesus instructed his disciples to teach (Matthew 28:19-20).

Something is Wrong (vs. 2)

John called for repentance, signalling that something was wrong. Is there something wrong with our modern world? Repentance is a change of heart about our life’s direction with hope for a new beginning and a new world. John wanted to see proof of repentance, fruit. The root cause of all our planet’s ills is spiritual and so is the solution.
Is repentance just a one time thing? Repent is written here in the sense of keep on repenting. Christian life is continual repentance. Conversion is merely the beginning of a process of change. Our journey begins with small changes. The idea that we do not have perfect knowledge and the humility to learn new perspectives are indicative of ongoing repentance.
John’s the Baptist had a sense of urgency, the “kingdom of heaven is near.” In military terms, God was establishing a beachhead and would eventually take over. God’s kingdom is God’s rule. He rules in the lives of those who accept him. The “kingdom of heaven has come near” is the equivalent of saying that God is now taking control.1
1 The Gospel of Matthew, The New International Commentary of the New Testament, R. T. France, 2007, Wm B. Eerdmans Publishing Co, p. 102

Preacher in poor country clothes (vs. 4)

John was a wilderness preacher dressed in farmer’s clothes, challenging the establishment with a new approach to sin. He emphasized the oft overlooked ingredient of repentance, a change of heart. After confession of sin, John ignored Levitical sin offerings, emphasizing baptism. His baptism of repentance prepared for a new high priest who would also baptize people with the Holy Spirit.

The announcer (vs. 5)

John heralded one of the most important announcements of all history. It was made in the wilderness at the edge of Roman imperial control. This last of the Old Testament prophets was dressed in simple farming clothing reminiscent of Elijah. Israel crossed the Jordan to become God’s people in this wilderness. It was a fitting place to announce a revival.

Truth or Comfort (vs. 7)

Words of comfort have their place, but John the Baptist preached a discomforting call to repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matthew 3:1-12). He called some religious leaders a brood of snakes, warning them to produce proof of a changed heart. In a selfish and corrupt world do we all need a confrontation with the truth?

Social gospel & works salvation (vs. 8)

Social gospel is a modern phrase, not a quote from scripture. The concept of a social responsibility towards others is merely loving our neighbor. The bottom line is that a social responsibility towards others is clearly evident among those who believe. John the Baptist told the Pharisees to show fruit of a changed heart. One such fruit is how we treat others.

Baptism of Fire (vs. 11)

The baptism of fire was pictured by tongues of fire resting on each of the faithful at Pentecost (Acts 2), similar to that mode of water baptism placing water on the head. Baptism with fire has a double-meaning. The unrepentant who choose hell over heaven will also be thrown into a lake of fire, a mode even Baptists might approve.
God with us, Immanuel, was born as a helpless baby. Why? We human beings tend to focus on power that we can see. Yet, like the still, small voice that Elijah experienced, the power of God is often unseen. It is in the good news that Jesus brought. Perhaps if we truly hear that message we may find unimaginable power.
The tongues of fire resting on people’s heads at Pentecost (Acts 2) is described by some as a baptism of fire. Some churches baptize with water on the head symbolic of this and a washing rather than being overly literal. Baptism can be an immersion experience like trials by fire and the unrepentant cast into a lake of fire.

Disappointment in Jesus (vs. 12)

John was disappointed in Jesus. Even the disciples were disappointed that Jesus came to die for the world rather than conquer the world. Perhaps what the world really needs is not in a king like this world’s, but one who rules in the hearts of people and produces a fire that creates permanent change in us from the inside out.

Outro/Take Home 

Should we preach smooth things, or is there a better way? Is a revival of that message of repentance needed, that bitter pill which we really need for the healing of our world today? Is repentance the BEST preparation for the coming of the Christ?