Blake Heffner December 31st, 2006

“Great Exhortations” 12/31/06 Texts: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Romans 13:8-14

INTRO: It’ New Year’s Eve Day, the time when traditionally we contemplate making resolutions designed to improve our lives. Have you set any personal goals yet? Well, the Bible is filled with exhortations (or encouragements) toward improving our lives. Let’s explore a few of them that might inspire us toward some meaningful resolutions for the year ahead.

1. At the End , Moses Urged: Choose Life!

It was Moses’ last speech. It was time to turn over the leadership to Joshua and bid his people farewell before they entered the Promised Land. Together they had witnessed God’s almighty hand in the Exodus and His distinctive guidance and providence in the wilderness for forty years. Yet, the people seemed so wayward, so vulnerable to failure. Moses would not be able to steer them straight any longer, so he offers one last urgent sermon:

“Listen! What I am telling you today is not too hard for you to understand. It’s not way out there beyond your reach. No, it’s the most basic, simple instruction: ‘Choose life, not death! If you choose to obey the commandments that the Lord has given you, and walk in his ways; if you will love the Lord your God above all things, then you will be blessed and enjoy a long life! If, however, you decide to go your own way, do your own thing, you will be in deep trouble. If you turn to other gods and serve them, you will surely be cursed and die. It’s your choice! I strongly recommend you choose life!”

Life is all about choices, isn’t it? Erma Bombeck, at the end of her life, looked back and reflected upon how some choices had robbed her of life. Like Moses, she tells us things are not too hard to understand or actualize. You may have heard this list before, but it is worth re-visiting now & then.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
(written after she found out she was dying from cancer). Or, How to make the most of the time we’ve got!}

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the ‘good’ living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.” There would have been more “I love you’s” More “I’m sorry’s.”
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute…look at it and really see it .. . live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!
Don’t worry about who doesn’t like you, who has more, or who’s doing what.
Instead, let’s cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.
Let’s think about what God HAS blessed us with, what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally.

Again, that’s not deep or esoteric advice. But, you will agree those are ways to choose life in the everyday sense. Maybe, there’s a resolution or two for each of us in that list!

2. Before Coke, Jesus Urged: Give Live Love!

Have you noticed the slogan on bottles of Coke lately? GIVE LIVE LOVE. What an original idea! Isn’t this really Jesus’ main message? If we are to choose life, we must choose to “give and live love!” We’ve heard this many times before. Paul summed it up in our lesson from Romans 13: “The only obligation you have is to love one another. Whoever does this has obeyed the Law… [The whole Law] is summed up in one command, ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ If you love someone, you will never do him or her wrong. ”

We fully understand what Paul is saying, don’t we? Love is not so-called “rocket science.” Yet, in this era of hyper-busy-ness, when we are consumed by our personal schedules and agendas, we find it very hard to consistently give and live love for others. Do you agree? To effectively care for those around us – relatives, friends, neighbors and strangers – we have to swim against the raging stream of busy-ness. It takes time and energy to care for others – as we naturally care for ourselves. I don’t know about you, but I need to be more resolved in this area.

Years ago a sociology professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore assigned his class to visit a city slum and interview 200 boys. “On the basis of your findings, predict their future.” Shocked at what they saw in the slums, the students estimated that 90 percent of the boys interviewed would someday serve time in prison. Twenty years later the same professor asked another class to locate the survivors of the 200 boys and compare what happened. Of the 180 boys they could find, only four had ever been to jail. Why had the predictions by the earlier class proven false? A common denominator - over 100 of them remembered having the same high-school teacher, Miss O’Rourke, who had been a tremendous influence on them at the time. After a long search, Sheila O’Rourke was found in a nursing home in Memphis. When asked for her explanation she was puzzled and replied, “All I did was love every one of them.” Never doubt the power of love, especially the love of God in Christ Jesus.

That was the effect of one teacher during one year in the life of those hundreds of young men! Imagine what effect we can have on the people around us if we simply and consistently love them! “Giving and living love” shouldn’t be something we have to ‘add on’ to our agendas. It has to be our agenda, PERIOD. It is the only way to choose life! Let’s focus on this in 2007!

3. Before Nike, James Urged: Just Do It!

The apostle James realized the problem is not lack of knowledge on our part; it’s often failure to put into practice what we know. So, he urged us, long before Nike, to “Just do it!” Just take what we have learned and “walk the walk,” as they say. Friends, let’s be honest, isn’t it true that we often think about doing the right things, we just don’t always follow through.

One summer, a man spent the day on the beach in Jacksonville, Florida. The undertow was unusually strong that day, and more than once, lifeguards jumped down from their towers to rescue swimmers from the treacherous surf. Finally, the man went to the lifeguard station to express his appreciation for the dedication of these men. When he walked inside, he noticed a sign on the wall in large red letters: IF IN DOUBT, GO! And the man said, “Those same words should be on the walls of every church and on the wall of
every person’s soul.”

“If in doubt, go!” Let’s resolve to be quicker to act upon the promptings of the Holy Spirit this year. If we wonder that we haven’t seen someone lately, let’s pick up the phone. If we know someone has been grieving, let’s send a card and then pick up the phone. Like Erma Bombeck, let’s not let the state of our house keep us from inviting a friend or neighbor over for lunch or supper. Let’s not sweat the small stuff – and so much of our fretting is over small stuff. Could it be we have hurt someone – even unintentionally? If there is any question in our minds, let’s “just go” to them and try to make amends. When we get these little things down, we’ll be ready to move on to deeper and broader forms of love.

Friends, in 2007, may the Lord to help us to choose life, give love, and make time to act upon our intuitions – in Jesus’ name, for his glory!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we praise you for the New Year that lies before us. It is a clean slate, thanks to your grace. Because, if we are in Christ, all things are made new: the past is finished and we have a fresh start. Lord, fill us with your Holy Spirit and enable us to make the most of this new beginning. Set before us goals that, by your grace, we can achieve. Show us how to love those around us – by being more patient, more kind, and less irritable, less self-centered. Lord, help us as a congregation to keep our eyes upon Jesus, who is the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith…

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Blake Heffner December 31st, 2006

“Great Exhortations”

Texts: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Romans 13:8-14

INTRO: It’ New Year’s Eve Day, the time when traditionally we contemplate making resolutions designed to improve our lives. Have you set any personal goals yet? Well, the Bible is filled with exhortations (or encouragements) toward improving our lives. Let’s explore a few of them that might inspire us toward some meaningful resolutions for the year ahead.

1. At the End , Moses Urged: Choose Life!

It was Moses’ last speech. It was time to turn over the leadership to Joshua and bid his people farewell before they entered the Promised Land. Together they had witnessed God’s almighty hand in the Exodus and His distinctive guidance and providence in the wilderness for forty years. Yet, the people seemed so wayward, so vulnerable to failure. Moses would not be able to steer them straight any longer, so he offers one last urgent sermon:

“Listen! What I am telling you today is not too hard for you to understand. It’s not way out there beyond your reach. No, it’s the most basic, simple instruction: ‘Choose life, not death! If you choose to obey the commandments that the Lord has given you, and walk in his ways; if you will love the Lord your God above all things, then you will be blessed and enjoy a long life! If, however, you decide to go your own way, do your own thing, you will be in deep trouble. If you turn to other gods and serve them, you will surely be cursed and die. It’s your choice! I strongly recommend you choose life!”

Life is all about choices, isn’t it? Erma Bombeck, at the end of her life, looked back and reflected upon how some choices had robbed her of life. Like Moses, she tells us things are not too hard to understand or actualize. You may have heard this list before, but it is worth re-visiting now & then.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
(written after she found out she was dying from cancer). Or, How to make the most of the time we’ve got!}

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the ‘good’ living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.” There would have been more “I love you’s” More “I’m sorry’s.”
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute…look at it and really see it .. . live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!
Don’t worry about who doesn’t like you, who has more, or who’s doing what.
Instead, let’s cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.
Let’s think about what God HAS blessed us with, what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally.

Again, that’s not deep or esoteric advice. But, you will agree those are ways to choose life in the everyday sense. Maybe, there’s a resolution or two for each of us in that list!

1. Before Coke, Jesus Urged: Give Live Love!

Have you noticed the slogan on bottles of Coke lately? GIVE LIVE LOVE. What an original idea! Isn’t this really Jesus’ main message? If we are to choose life, we must choose to “give and live love!” We’ve heard this many times before. Paul summed it up in our lesson from Romans 13: “The only obligation you have is to love one another. Whoever does this has obeyed the Law… [The whole Law] is summed up in one command, ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ If you love someone, you will never do him or her wrong. ”

We fully understand what Paul is saying, don’t we? Love is not so-called “rocket science.” Yet, in this era of hyper-busy-ness, when we are consumed by our personal schedules and agendas, we find it very hard to consistently give and live love for others. Do you agree? To effectively care for those around us – relatives, friends, neighbors and strangers – we have to swim against the raging stream of busy-ness. It takes time and energy to care for others – as we naturally care for ourselves. I don’t know about you, but I need to be more resolved in this area.

Years ago a sociology professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore assigned his class to visit a city slum and interview 200 boys. “On the basis of your findings, predict their future.” Shocked at what they saw in the slums, the students estimated that 90 percent of the boys interviewed would someday serve time in prison. Twenty years later the same professor asked another class to locate the survivors of the 200 boys and compare what happened. Of the 180 boys they could find, only four had ever been to jail. Why had the predictions by the earlier class proven false? A common denominator - over 100 of them remembered having the same high-school teacher, Miss O’Rourke, who had been a tremendous influence on them at the time. After a long search, Sheila O’Rourke was found in a nursing home in Memphis. When asked for her explanation she was puzzled and replied, “All I did was love every one of them.” Never doubt the power of love, especially the love of God in Christ Jesus.

That was the effect of one teacher during one year in the life of those hundreds of young men! Imagine what effect we can have on the people around us if we simply and consistently love them! “Giving and living love” shouldn’t be something we have to ‘add on’ to our agendas. It has to be our agenda, PERIOD. It is the only way to choose life! Let’s focus on this in 2007!

1. Before Nike, James Urged: Just Do It!

The apostle James realized the problem is not lack of knowledge on our part; it’s often failure to put into practice what we know. So, he urged us, long before Nike, to “Just do it!” Just take what we have learned and “walk the walk,” as they say. Friends, let’s be honest, isn’t it true that we often think about doing the right things, we just don’t always follow through.

One summer, a man spent the day on the beach in Jacksonville, Florida. The undertow was unusually strong that day, and more than once, lifeguards jumped down from their towers to rescue swimmers from the treacherous surf. Finally, the man went to the lifeguard station to express his appreciation for the dedication of these men. When he walked inside, he noticed a sign on the wall in large red letters: IF IN DOUBT, GO! And the man said, “Those same words should be on the walls of every church and on the wall of
every person’s soul.”

“If in doubt, go!” Let’s resolve to be quicker to act upon the promptings of the Holy Spirit this year. If we wonder that we haven’t seen someone lately, let’s pick up the phone. If we know someone has been grieving, let’s send a card and then pick up the phone. Like Erma Bombeck, let’s not let the state of our house keep us from inviting a friend or neighbor over for lunch or supper. Let’s not sweat the small stuff – and so much of our fretting is over small stuff. Could it be we have hurt someone – even unintentionally? If there is any question in our minds, let’s “just go” to them and try to make amends. When we get these little things down, we’ll be ready to move on to deeper and broader forms of love.

Friends, in 2007, may the Lord to help us to choose life, give love, and make time to act upon our intuitions – in Jesus’ name, for his glory!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we praise you for the new year that lies before us. It is a clean slate, thanks to your grace. Because, if we are in Christ, all things are made new: the past is finished and we have a fresh start. Lord, fill us with your Holy Spirit and enable us to make the most of this new beginning. Set before us goals that, by your grace, we can achieve. Show us how to love those around us – by being more patient, more kind, and less irritable, less self-centered. Lord, help us as a congregation to keep our eyes upon Jesus, who is the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith…

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Blake Heffner December 24th, 2006

“Christmas Wonder” December 24, 2006

Texts: The Christmas Stories in Luke and Matthew

[Sing] I wonder as I wander out under the sky

How Jesus the Savior did come for to die

For poor orn’ry people like you and like I

I wonder as I wander out under the sky.

This Advent I’ve watched with awe as the characters of the Christmas story seemed to come to life before my eyes…

Joseph. We know him as the carpenter, the artist with handtools. Joseph is the provider, who told the angel, “I’ll take the job! I’ll take care of God’s Son and his mother.” Over the years, our nativity figurines have become worn and weather-beaten. This fall a handful of artists offered many hours of careful labor to restore and repaint them. Take a close look when you get the chance; they are absolutely beautiful. What a wonderful gift!

Mary. We see her as a young woman, maybe a mere teenager. Yet, she was willing to believe the angel Gabriel, that nothing is impossible with God. Mary offered herself as the Lord’s servant: “Here I am! Let it be with me according to your word!” This past week I was touched as a young husband and wife offered themselves to the Lord just as freely. They recognized their need for a Savior and a new beginning, and – like Mary – they invited Jesus Christ to live in their hearts. How priceless is that?

The Shepherds. They witnessed the angelic host, then hustled to Bethlehem to find the baby in the manger. The last thing we hear about them is “they returned glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.” Last Sunday afternoon, it seemed like a motley crew – over thirty of us, of all ages, gathering to sing Christmas carols. We visited a nursing home where one woman had her daughter push her wheelchair behind us – just to catch more of the joyous songs. It was a special evening; so many hearts were touched. And, I believe, like the original shepherds, the singers themselves returned home glorifying and praising God for the wonderful things they had heard and seen.

The Magi. Certainly they’re the strangest characters of the nativity scene. We don’t know exactly where they came from or where they went. But we do know that they followed the light of that star over Bethlehem and brought their precious gifts for the infant King. This week, I was fortunate enough to travel with three wise people. We came from the East too and visited a young, unmarried mother of four, bearing gifts for their Christmas. She graciously welcomed us in and then told us all about her kids and their trials as a family. She expressed gratitude for all the presents she could not have provided. It was a sacred and wonderful moment.

Many others joined in this magi-like giving - albeit indirectly - through the gifts to Northampton County residents and the Operation Christmas boxes. How marvelous it is that Jesus said, “As you have done it to the least of these my brothers and sisters, you have done it to me!”

The Innkeeper. We have no idea who was on duty that night, minding the inn in Bethlehem. All we know is that business was so good there were no vacancies. Well, not exactly – there was some space round back where the animals were. They would provide warmth, and the manger could serve as a basinet. Just like an innkeeper, our Consistory is usually all business, especially this time of year when we have to create a new budget proposal. This past Monday evening, though, it was amazing. In spite of the business at hand, the meeting turned into a conversation about the vitality of our church family and the need for us to stoke the flame of love and fellowship in the months to come. Oh yes, we eventually did crunch some numbers, and nobody got home much before 11. But, like that original innkeeper, we came away with the wonderful insight that business isn’t everything; it’s not even close to the most important thing!

The Angel. Angels are God’s messengers. I suspect that they come in all shapes and sizes. One of them came up to me this week and said the most unusual thing: “I can’t wait until God comes and fixes all this… and you especially!” I did a double-take and started to grin. We both knew what she meant, but it came out a little funny. It was a priceless moment of laughter.

You know something, that angel really hit the nail on the head. Christmas is all about God coming to fix things… you and me especially! It’s captured so well by that carol “I wonder as I wander… how Jesus the Savior did come for to die for poor orn’ry people, like you and like I…”

When we are utterly honest, won’t we admit that we are the ornery ones who need some fixing? We’ve needed it since our ancestors ate that fruit and were unceremoniously escorted from the Garden. The little word for it is “sin” – something we don’t often connect with Christmas. Yet, sin is the very reason God sent his Son into this world – to fix it! We are the lost sheep that the Good Shepherd comes to gather in his arms. We are the anxious ones to whom Jesus says, “My peace I give to you, not as the world gives.” We are the ones with so many ailments and conditions; to whom Isaiah declared, “By his stripes we are healed.” Oh, my friends, we are the ones with broken hearts to whom Jesus calls, “Come to me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest.” We are the ones who find ourselves shackled by old habits and dim outlooks; to whom Jesus says, “If you continue in my word… you will know the truth and the truth shall set you free.”

All this began in that humble stable long, long ago, when [as Paul proclaims] the Son of God laid aside his crown, “emptied himself and took the form of a servant, being born in our human likeness. He humbled himself in obedience to the Father, even to the point of death on a cross. There-fore, God has highly exalted him and given him the name that is above every name. One day, at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and even under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

This is why George Beverly Shea, that great singer, once wrote:

“There’s the wonder of sunset at evening,

The wonder as sunrise I see;

But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul

Is the wonder that God loves me.”

Have you taken the time lately to marvel at how much God loves you? He knows all about you – and still says, “I love you! I forgive you! I need you to show my love to others!” Jesus’ love is the wonder of all wonders! Tonight, I invite you to volunteer to become a character in the story of that great love.

We began with an American folk hymn, let’s end with another.

[Sing] “What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!

What wondrous love is this, O my soul!

What wondrous love is this

That caused the Lord of bliss

To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,

To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.”

Please turn to number 177. As Richard brings us into the right key, let’s sing verses 2-4:

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down, When I was sinking down, sinking down, When I was sinking down Beneath God’s righteous frown, Christ laid aside his crown for my soul, for my soul, Christ laid aside his crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing, To God and to the Lamb I will sing, To God and to the Lamb Who is the great “I Am,” While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing, While millions join the theme, I will sing.

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on. And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be, and thro’ eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on, and thro’ eternity I’ll sing on.

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Blake Heffner December 17th, 2006

“Your Greatest Joy Is Still Ahead!” December 17, 2006

Texts: Isaiah 35 & 40 (sel.) Luke 1:46-55

INTRO: This morning we have great joys to celebrate!

* Yesterday, the Wilson Warriors football team won the state championship! This is likely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Let’s recognize the players in our midst this morning with a rousing cheer. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

* The brand-new pew cushions which surprised us this morning. They are a Christmas gift to St. John’s from an anonymous benefactor. Let’s take a moment to thank God and ask Him to consecrate them…

* And, this morning it has been our joy to welcome a new sister into God’s family through the sacrament of Holy Baptism. Madison Grace Pagats is a precious child of God!

* Think of your fondest Christmas memory… Where were you, who was with you, what made it such a joyous experience?

This certainly is an exhilarating moment! And, you have likely enjoyed euphoric moments in times past! Without taking anything away from these memories, my claim this morning is that, without a doubt, “our greatest joys are still ahead of us!” This is not merely my claim; it is the Bible’s proclamation – from beginning to end: Because Jesus Christ has come into this world and he is coming again, there are unspeakable joys ahead for everyone who receives him and believes in him.

I. The Joy of Perfect Justice

The prophet Isaiah declared (in his ninth chapter): “for unto us a child is given, to us a son is born; and the government will be upon his shoulder… and he will establish justice and righteousness for evermore” (9:6-7). Mary was captivated by this very thought in her song. She interpreted the meaning of this child conceived by the Holy Spirit to be God’s instrument to establish justice: “[God] has stretched out his strong arm and scattered the proud… He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty-handed.” In other words, the Messiah will turn everything around. “Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be brought low. [What has been] crooked will be made straight; and the rough places in life will become smooth!”

Freely translated, everything that has been wrong will be made right one day. You and I both know that this side of heaven there are no guarantees that the good guys always win. It’s dog eat dog out there, and the poor are getting poorer while the rich are getting richer. In the last century alone, millions of innocent people have been victimized on the basis of their ethnicity or religion, and it is still happening.

Mary and the prophets declare that the King of kings will put an end to this. He will establish perfect justice, wherein everyone gets what they deserve.
Have you suffered injustice, have you been treated unfairly or rejected? This has not gone unnoticed by Almighty God. Your valley will be lifted up! The crooked places in your life will be made straight, because Jesus is coming again to finish what started in Bethlehem! “We shall overcome one day” (as the spiritual says), and on that day we will rejoice in perfect justice!

II. The Joy of Complete Illumination

Again, it was Isaiah who declared, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined” (9:2). He was not speaking about the star of Bethlehem. That was merely a sigh pointing to the child who is the true “Light of the World.”

We still live in that condition called “deep darkness.” Think about it. There is so much confusion; morally everything is gray these days. Secularism is rising around the world. People seem to have less and less conviction and more and more indifference to the things of God. Even among us who believe, there is so much we do not understand, so many questions without a clear solution. Are you with me? Can you personally sense this darkness and our need for illumination?

But, there will be a day, the Bible says, when everything that has been hidden will be revealed. When Jesus returns we shall realize the meaning of those prophetic words: “Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Darkness shall cover the earth, [yes] thick darkness the peoples, but the Lord will arise upon you and his glory will be seen upon you… You shall see and be radiant. Your heart shall thrill and rejoice!” On that day you and I will have no more questions, no more doubts; we shall rejoice in complete illumination!

III. The Joy of Perfect Healing

This morning we read from Isaiah 35 that “the desert will rejoice and blossom… streams of water will flow in the dry wastelands.” Isaiah interprets this vision to mean that “the eyes of the blind will be opened, the ears of the deaf will unstopped, the lame shall get up and leap like a deer, and the tongues of the dumb will sing for joy.” This was fulfilled, as you know, in the life and ministry of Jesus (see Matthew 11:2-6).

If you perhaps cannot identify with those who are victims of injustice, or those who live in deep darkness, you can certainly identify with the need for healing. We need healing on all levels – physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Everyone of us has some area of life which is like a desert, where flowers do not blossom and things just don’t work as they should. Physically, the older we get, the more ailments we seem to have. They tend to discourage us. Spiritually, we can identify even more with the picture of blindness and deafness, lameness and the inability to speak. But, friends, it is precisely in these dry and barren areas where the Lord wants to bring rivers of living water and new life. The Holy Spirit’s present mission is to open our eyes and ears to the kingdom of God, to strengthen our weak legs and enable us to leap and dance for joy. This joy is possible today. And, the day is coming when we shall rejoice in perfect healing – for “when he appears, we shall be like Him!” (I John 3:2).

IV. The Joy of Salvation

There is another form of joy, which Jesus describes in Luke 15. In fact he does it three ways. It is the joy of a lost sheep being found by its shepherd, a lost coin being found by its owner, and a lost son returning home to his father. Each of these stories ends the same way, there is a great celebration for, as Jesus says, “There is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents that over 99 who need no repentance.” This is called the joy of our salvation. Some of us are still living in that far away country. We even know where home is, we long for the comforts of home, but there is something that keeps us from making the trip. How about you? You know that Jesus came to seek and save the lost – but maybe you think: “Someday, some other time, I’ll get things straight with Jesus. I know he’ll wait for me.”

Yes, the Lord is very patient with us. But, the longer the prodigal son stayed away from home, the more love and joy he missed. When he finally came home he was treated royally. If you aren’t sure where you stand with Jesus, why not straighten things out right now? Just tell him that you are that lost sheep, that lost coin, that lost son, and you want to be rescued from your old ways. You are a sinner in need of a Savior, and you are craving the acceptance and forgiveness of your heavenly Father. This Christmas, why not ask Jesus to be born in your heart – or reborn. This is our ticket to the most ultimate joy, a joy that even the angels share. We will experience even “the desert singing and shouting for joy!”

Friends, are you one who has been wounded by injustice? Do you feel like you have been living in darkness? Are you searching for genuine and complete healing? Do you feel a sense of being lost and far away from home? Come, then to Jesus Christ – the Babe of Bethlehem, whom the angel declared will bring great joy to all the people!

Prayer: “O holy child of Bethlehem! Descend to us we pray; cast out our sin, and enter in; be born in us to day. We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tiding tell; O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel.” Amen.

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Blake Heffner December 10th, 2006

“Pathways to Peace” December 10, 2006

Texts: Isaiah 9:6-7; 26:3 Colossians 1:15-20

INTRO: Isaiah foretold that the child who is born to us, the Son who is given will be called “the Prince of Peace.” The angels declared to the shepherds that his birth would bring peace on earth and good will toward all. Yet, our world is still desperately lacking peace, and our lives are no different. Nonetheless, the Bible urges us to “seek peace and pursue it” (Ps. 34:14). Let’s consider some of the pathways to peace in God’s Word.

I. Peace through Stillness

In this season, how often we find ourselves in such a dither that we don’t have any peace. We have so many things to do, so many places to go, that it feels more like chaos than peace. When things get crazy, the psalmist tells us to: “Be still and know I am God.” He is not suggesting we escape to a beach in the Caribbean. You may remember that Psalm 46 begins with imagery of an earthquake, where the mountains are shaking in the heart of the sea, the ocean waves are raging. The psalmist goes on to tells us that the Lord puts an end to wars by breaking bows, shattering spears, and burning shields with fire. It is amid this picture of violence that we read: “Be still, and know that I am God.”

The simplest pathway to peace for you and me is to stop for a moment –each day and just sit in the presence of the Lord. Just take a break from our frenzied activities, and be still. Sit down, maybe put on your favorite Christmas album, begin to breathe deeply and say the name of Jesus. It’s amazing how “pacifying” it is. This puts everything into perspective. We can let go and let God help us create an agenda we can live with!

II. Peace through Concentration and Trust

Sometimes, though, the tension and anxiety in our lives come from more than busy-ness. There are storms and stresses that just about bowl us over. You know what I mean: someone is very ill, another is out of work and has bills to pay, or a marriage has hit the rocks. Perhaps, someone very special has died at this time of year, and all we can think about is how much we miss that person. In such overwhelming situations, we can begin to despair of ever finding peace or joy again.

There’s a little verse tucked away in the prophecy of Isaiah that’s brought me through such situations in the past - chapter 26, verse 4. The version I memorized long ago runs like this: “Thou dost keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusts in thee.” “Perfect peace” – that sounds like something we only dream about!

Peter could verify this. Remember that windy night; the disciples were in their fishing boat. The waves were tossing them all around. Then, suddenly someone sees Jesus walking on the water! They were terrified – thinking he might be a ghost. Jesus identifies himself and says, “Don’t be afraid!” Peter says, “Lord, if it’s you, let me to come to you on the water!” You know the rest of the story. Jesus says, “Come!” And Peter leaps out of the boat and actually begins to walk on the water toward Jesus. But, when he notices the wind, he begins to think about the danger of drowning. He starts to sink like an anchor, until Jesus reaches out and catches him.

The point is that we often look more at the troubles that surround us than at the Lord who is right in front of us. If we could just keep our minds concentrated on Him, we’d experience the perfect peace Isaiah describes. Whenever we take our eyes off of the Lord, we succumb to anxiety and despair. This season, keep your mind “focused” on the One who is Lord even of the winds and waves in our lives – and He will give you peace.

III. Peace through Reconciliation

In our epistle lesson today, Paul alludes to another form of peace – the peace of reconciliation: “Through the Son, then, God decided to bring the whole universe back to himself. God made peace through his Son’s sacrificial death on the cross and so brought back to himself all things, both on earth and in heaven.” We live in a day when “conscience” doesn’t seem to bother many folks. Few people realize that their lack of peace may come from being separated from the living God through sin.

Martin Luther, however, had an extremely sensitive conscience. He tried everything to please God. He confessed his sins, he fasted and prayed fervently; yet, he felt no peace. He knew that whatever he did could never satisfy a holy God. Then the Spirit revealed to him the good news that we don’t have to appease God. That is why God sent his only Son into the world! In terms of Colossians 1, Jesus was “making peace by the blood of his cross” so that all things might be reconciled (or brought back) to God! This realization brought indescribable peace and courage to Luther, and it still does to everyone who receives Jesus Christ as Savior.

Reconciliation has two dimensions. We often emphasize the vertical one – reconciliation between ourselves and God. All we have to do is confess our sins and accept Christ as God’s free gift of grace. For many folks it stops there. They have become “children of God,” but they still may not enjoy serenity in their soul. This is where other dimension of reconciliation comes in. Jesus taught that if we harbor anger or resentment toward another person, it will affect our peace with God. In fact, there is no peace with God without our making peace with our neighbors. How often Jesus tells us that we cannot enjoy the forgiveness of our sins by God unless we extend that forgiveness freely toward others. Similarly, we will never experience the peace of Christ until our fists become open hands reaching out to our enemies, our clenched teeth give way to a warm smile, and our hardened hearts overflow with the love that conquers a multitude of sins. When we let God’s mercy flow through us toward that person who has hurt us, we experience true freedom and healing. This Christmas, why not identify anyone who has offended you, and just let go of your claims of injustice. Ask the Lord to fill your heart with His forgiveness toward that person. The Bible doesn’t suggest this as an option. No, it is a mandate; we are called to be ministers of reconciliation. This is our surest pathway to that peace which the world cannot give or take away.

IV. Ultimate Peace

Finally, in these days, we are constantly reminded that there is no peace in the world. Every evening the news media tell us about the violence in Iraq or Lebanon or Israel or somewhere else in the world. The death toll is terrifying, and we almost grow numb to the carnage. Beyond that, we shudder that other nations are developing nuclear weapons. In this world, there never seems to be any lasting sense of peace. When one hot spot cools off, another heats up.

Yet, Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. Isaiah declares: “Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end!” And we say, “Come, Lord Jesus!” Come, and put an end to this systemic hatred and violence. Come, bring on the day when “they shall beat their swords into plow-shares and their spears into pruning hooks; and nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more!” (Isa. 2:4).

This is the sentiment expressed in the Christmas carol we are about to sing: “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” This carol was inspired by the angel’s message to the shepherds: “peace on earth, good will to men and women!” The jubilance of the bells on Christmas day is disturbed by the thought that “there is no peace on earth… for hate is strong, and mocks the song of peace of earth good will to men” Yet, the bells seem to respond: “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; the wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace of earth, good will to men.”

Centuries ago, the Puritan Thomas Watson summed up this whole message in a paragraph: “God the Son is called the Prince of Peace. He came into the world with a song of peace: “On earth peace…” He went out of the world with a legacy of peace, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you.” Christ’s earnest prayer was for peace; he prayed that His people might be one. Christ no only prayed for peace, but bled for peace: “Having made peace through the blood of His cross.” He died not only to make peace between God and man, but between man and man. Christ suffered on the cross, that He might cement Christians together with His blood; as He prayed for peace, so He paid for peace.”

Friends, as we approach Christmas this year, let us “seek [this] peace and pursue it” in all its dimensions. Be still and experience God’s presence. Turn your eyes upon Jesus, and trust him to carry you through whatever storm is shaking your boat. Discover anew how Jesus has made peace with God by the blood of his cross, and share that peace, that reconciling love, with others. Then finally, listen to the bells that ring and remember that the Lord has a day when ultimate and lasting peace will come – on earth as it is in heaven!

Prayer

Great and gracious God, our heavenly Father, we praise you for sending your only Son into this world that we might have true and lasting peace: peace within and peace without. O Lord, bring us into this peace today, and in the days to come help us to share this peace with everyone we meet. May Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, be glorified in our lives. Amen.

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