December 1989

INTRODUCTION

In this month's worship services, a feature called "Words of Praise" appears nearly every Sunday. Many years ago I began arranging for a planned, prepared, effective, three-minute, up-to-date testimony from a person in our congregation. This has been a wonder­ful addition to our worship services. The effect is to let "the Word become flesh" in people’s everyday lives. Persons who probably would never stand and voluntarily testify in the prayer meeting tradition, amaze me with their insights and the freshness of their walks with Jesus, and give inspirational feedback on things in the church's family life that have had positive results. Try it. Handpick the first few to get it started on a level above the customary off-the-cuff sharing. You'll be glad you did!

In developing a style of sermon preparation, we are all different. To enable you to follow my path, five steps seem logical to me for developing a given major point in a ser­mon. Since I favor expository preaching, I find the big ideas and principles of a biblical event or paragraph, in contrast to verse-by-verse exposition. Once the broad strokes are discovered and the outline has opened, treat each major point in the following way:

First, Statement: The basic point, such as "God is love."

Second, Clarification: What do you mean, "God is love"?

Third, Explanation: The development of the passage, tracing the theological concept or doctrine, the word studies and insights that are the meat arid the substance of the sermon: "How do you know God is love'?"

Fourth, Illustration: The picture window of truth: How can I see or feel the fact that "God is love"? Be sure to poke holes in the darkness with illustrations and let the light shine through. It is an art that Jesus mastered-and the people heard Him gladly.

Fifth; Application: Answer the brutal question, "God is love. So what?" Without appli­cation, you only have an essay or lecture. Preaching' applies the proclamation of God's truth to life. Don't preach without it!

Walk with me through the most humbling privilege of preaching the good news of Our God who came to us in human form. How can you top such a high calling?

Let the Word of God speak to your parish .through your sanctified personality.

-Randal E. Denny

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1 Pet. 1:10-12

1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

INTRO:

Living behind China's "bamboo curtain," Dr. Timothy Yeh, a Chinese Nazarene physician, was questioned about how Chi­nese Christians could endure hardships put on them. He said, "I thought all Christians endured. Wonderful things happen when all you see is Jesus!"

Seeing another coming persecution, Peter's letter urged his Christian readers to look to Jesus. Peter's first letter was sent to encourage Christians to face oncoming trouble. With Jesus, they could have courage to remain true. Peter assured them that present sufferings would someday give way to fu­ture glory. God would keep them for salvation's final completion through faith in Jesus.

ILLUS. A minister told of a good man, “But I heard a farmer say he was a miserable plowman because, while he was driv­ing the plow, he continually looked back to see if he was on the right course as he plowed and to see if he had made a straight furrow. Consequently, it was always crooked. There is only one way to drive a plow-to look steadily before you. Do not look at your attainments but to the Lord, walking in His smile."

In all of life, look to Jesus (vv.10-12).

I. Prophets of old pointed to Jesus

The word prophet comes from the root phe, which means "to say or proclaim." The prefix pro is added, which means "before or in advance." A prophet speaks in advance the word and will of God. Peter says their message centered around "the grace that was to come to you" (v. 10, NIV)-the "unto you grace" - Jesus! This important passage tells us two things about the prophets.

A. The prophets worked under inspiration: "trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the. Spirit of Christ in them was pointing" (v. 11, NIV). The prophets did not come up with ideas of their own. The Spirit of the Lord inspired them. He goaded and guided their message: "the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing" - "kept on pointing out" the twofold, theme, "the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow."

God often chose to reveal truths in Scripture that were be­yond the comprehension of the writers. Though they didn't fully understand, they wrote as the Holy Spirit directed them.

B. The prophets worked with anticipation: "the prophets ... searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christian them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow" (vv. 10-11, NIV).

The prophets spoke of things better than they had known or experienced.

The prophets pointed to Jesus with eager anticipation, wanting to understand better what they had written about Him. Peter's verbs "searched intently" and "searched with great care" graphically depict miners digging down, breaking the soil, chipping away through rock, and coming at last to the rich ore of precious metals. Being inspired does not preclude but stimulates hard work. The myth of neglecting study and simply opening your mouth to let the Holy Spirit fill it is a ter­rible joke. Inspiration is the product of the searching mind of man and the revealing Spirit of God.

The prophets dug down to find" out, "What does it say?"

They concluded, "Some One is coming!"

II. Preachers of Peter’s day pointed to Jesus

Speaking of the prophets, Peter said, "It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you; when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven". (v. 12, NIV); Preachers proclaimed the message of Good News'-the story of Jesus' birth, life, death, and res­urrection. The Good News is Jesus.

A. Preachers in the Early Church spoke with authority as witnesses. Theirs was no hearsay message. They had seen and heard and felt the mighty movings of God through Christ. They could say without a doubt, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory" (John 1:14, NIV).

B. Preachers in the Early Church spoke about fulfillment of Scriptures. Having witnessed' Jesus and the mighty acts of God, the preachers began digging up truths out of the Scrip­tures and found them all pointing to Jesus.

The prophets dug down to find out, “What does it say?" They concluded, "Some One is coming!"

The preachers dug up to find out, "What does it mean?" They concluded. "Some One is come!"

III. Angels of heaven point to Jesus

Peter adds, "Even angels long to look into these things" (v; 12, NIV). What prophets wrote about and preachers spoke about, the angels long to catch a glimpse of. There's no room for triviality in preaching. Angels don't know everything but are eager to learn.

Peter's word "to look into" is descriptive, meaning "to stoop down to' take a peek." The' angels stoop down to peek in on the delight of our salvation in Christ Jesus. They stoop down to see what the prophets wrote and the preachers spoke!

A. Angels look for revelation. The more they see God at work, the more they admire and praise Him, They watch for additional facets of revelation of God's goodness and grace.

B. Angels look toward glorification. They know Jesus is coming again in glory. There's a great day coming. The next great event in God's plan is Jesus' return in glory.

The prophets dug down to find out, "What does it say?" They concluded, "Some One is coming!"

The preachers dug up to find out. "What does it mean?" They concluded. "Some One has' come!"

The angels stoop down to find out, “How can these things be?" They, conclude, "Some One is coming!"

IV. Believers of today point to Jesus

"These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what has been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect" (Heb. 11:39-40). They lived in an era of prediction; we live in an era of fulfillment. Fulfillment perfects prediction. How can we use it?

A. Believers study the Bible for an interpretation of Jesus. The same Holy Spirit guides us in understanding Jesus as the interpreter of God's Word. Jesus is the Word that translates the language of heaven into terms we can understand.

ILLUS. Christianity is Jesus. God didn't drop a scroll of the­ology from heaven. He came himself. Finishing the course on the New Testament, a Greek professor told his class: "You have studied Christ himself, the whole Christ, all of Christ. When you study the Bible, you are studying the Lord himself. For all we know of the Lord is encompassed in these sacred pages." Believers study to understand Jesus.

B. Believers yield themselves for an application of Jesus. As the believer trusts Jesus as Savior and Lord, out of these facts emerge comprehension and application of ethics, of doctrine, of duty, and of how we live. We must allow Jesus to apply himself in our motives and values.

C. Believers extend an invitation for Jesus. Jesus says, "I have come that they may have life" (John 10:10, NIV). We in­vite you to Jesus.

"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe .... How shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?" (Heb. 1:1-2; 2:3, NIV).

ILLUS. A missionary sat on the patio watching a black ant crawl up a table leg until it reached some spilled sugar. It seemed to eat, then crawled back down the table leg. Soon two black ants crawled up the table leg to the sugar: They ate and left. Soon a steady stream of black ants moved up and down to enjoy the sugar. The missionary thought to himself, "They must have some system by which they communicate, 'I have found something good and I want to share it!'"

That's exactly what every believer in Jesus desires to com­municate.

The prophets dug down to find out, "What does it say?" They concluded, "Some One is coming!"

The preachers dug up to find out, "What does it mean?" They concluded, "Some One has come!"

The angels stoop down to find out, "How can these things be?" They conclude, "Some One is coming again!"

The believers stand up to find out, "How can we use it?" They conclude, "Some One is inviting you!"

CONCLUSION:

What does Jesus want you to do? First, repent of your sins.

Second, receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

This Advent season, will you make that most important decision and receive Christ? Let Him fill that emptiness in your heart. Take my Jesus. Let Him be your Jesus, too.

LIGHTING THE FIRST ADVENT CANDLE:

Today is the beginning of Advent, the preparation time for celebrating Christ's birth and the Christian in­sights into God and life. As the prophet Isaiah said, "For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee" (60:2).

(While lighting the candle): As we light this first Ad­vent candle, we begin our anticipation of Christ's birth­day celebration. We light the flame of hope in our hearts. We shall strive to make this a season of joy that places Jesus at the center. Let this candle remind us of Christ and our commitment to His kingdom here and now!

"THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS"

John 1:1-18

2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

INTRO:

A skeptic argued, "Why would God have to come to earth in the form of a man? Why should that be necessary?"

One Christmas Eve a wintry storm blasted. A flock of birds beat against the skeptic's window trying to get warmth. The compassionate man tried to lure the birds into his bam for safety but to no avail. He said to himself in frustration, "If only I could become one of them! I could talk their language, get right in there with them, get them to trust me, and lead them to life!" In a flash he realized the meaning of Christmas! God has spoken to us in the only way we can comprehend: He became man himself.

John answers three important questions about the Christ of Christmas.

I. Who is Christ? (see vv. 1-5)

"In the beginning" Doesn't that ring a bell in your memory?

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Gen. 1:1). Christ participated in God's creative and redemptive work flowing through history.

John equates Christ with "the Word." The Good News is that God has spoken and intervened in history. Advent is an event-an actual, historic event-Christmas! God's meaning­ful event is the person of Christ.

Christ was also identified by John as "the light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it" (1:5, NIV). It speaks of Christ the Victor. All the darkness of the world cannot snuff out a single candle. Light always wins against darkness!

ILLUS. In Charles Dickens' Tale of Two Cities is a heart ­moving scene. The French Revolution resulted in daily be­headings of France's aristocracy. The guillotine is kept busy. A cart carrying two prisoners rattles along on its way to the place of public execution. The man is bravely giving his life to protect a friend. He had exchanged places with the political prisoner in order to save his friend's life. Beside him in the cart is a young woman, scarcely more than a child. She had ob­served him in prison and sensed his brave spirit. That morning she asked, "If I may ride with you," thinking of that last dread journey, "will you let me hold your hand? I am young and weak, and I think it will give me more courage."

As they ride together to the guillotine her hand is in his, she can hold up her head-and courage looks out from her eyes. Turning to the man, she says, "I think you were sent to me by heaven."

Jesus has come to us in our human predicament-sent from heaven-and He gives us courage and hope!

II. Why did Christ come? (see vv. 9-13)

ILLUS. Nathan was creative in his excuses for staying up past his bedtime. When the three-year-old discovered that his old "I need a drink of water" routine had gotten threadbare, he started experimenting with other excuses. He crawled up on his mother's lap, rubbed his head, and said, "I bumped my head on a pillow:' Surely he could gain a few more minutes' reprieve!

One night his father put him to bed, turning aside all at­tempted delays. Nathan's bedroom light was out, but a little light shined in from the hallway. He said, "Daddy, I don't want you to leave me alone."

His father made a great theological statement: "You won't be alone. Jesus is right here with you."

Nathan responded, "But, Daddy, I want somebody here I can see!"

In our limited vision and wisdom, we often feel overtaken by the darkness of our world, our culture, our situation. We have felt alone and unsure about God-but then Jesus came. He is the God we can see. Jesus said, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" (John 14:9, NIV).

John adds one of the most beautiful statements in the Bi­ble: "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12, NIV). John's concept of faith is wrapped up in that word, received. Faith reaches out to accept God's gift of Jesus.

When God's love was made flesh, then we beheld His glory!

III. What did Christ do? (see vv. 14, 16-18)

The meaning of Christmas is condensed: "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." John wrote this to refute those first century pseudo-Christians - the Gnostics. To them, the idea of God becoming flesh was a scandal!' Gnos­tics thought of God as too far removed to have anything to do with men in the flesh. But John insists, "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us"!

Jesus is God come down to our level of understanding and experience.

ILLUS. In the middle of London's Trafalgar Square stands a tall column. On top is the life-size statue of Admiral Lord Nel­son. Like others thronging the Square, I couldn't make out the features of Nelson-he was too high up. The sculptor, at­tempting to exalt his hero, placed him too far above the peo­ple until he is not discernible· from the pavement below. His elevation hinders revelation.

In 1948, during an exhibition, an exact replica in plaster was placed at street level. People came to see for themselves what Lord Nelson looked like. For the first time they could discern his features.

Jesus brought God down to our level so that within the range of our dim, finite vision, we could see Him face-to-face.

CONCLUSION:

In Nice, France, a varied assortment of people sat dispirited in a little restaurant on Christmas Eve'-tourists, an unhappy French family, a cold flower lady, a listless piano player. An American sailor entered with a buoyant spirit, bought some flowers from the old flower lady, and distributed them happily among the people, and walked out exclaiming, "Merry Christmas, everybody!"

The mood changed instantly to a spirit of cheer-Christ­mas family atmosphere pervaded the little restaurant. The iso­lated people joined the piano player singing Christmas carols.

Later, an American tourist wrote to the admiral of the fleet: “Somewhere in your forces is a young sailor who gave a very special gift to my family, to me, and to the other people in that restaurant. Because your young sailor had Christmas in his heart, he released the love and joy that had been smothered within us by anger and resentment. He gave us Christmas."

That's what Jesus did for our sad, old world! "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory)”! Now we can sing from our hearts transformed by His love: "Joy to the world! The Lord is come!"

LIGHTING OF SECOND ADVENT CANDLE:

As we prepare to light the second Advent candle today, the Bible reminds us: "Turn from your sins" (Matt. 3:2, TLB); "For the kingdom of heaven is near. ... 'Get the road ready for the Lord; make the paths straight for him'" (vv. 2-3, Williams).

We light this candle to remind us how the way to our hearts is to be prepared for Jesus' coming: As Advent light is increased let our readiness increase.

Prayer:

O God, as You prepared the minds and hearts of peo­ple for Your Son's first coming, may Your Spirit work to light up our darkened lives with the glow of Your good news. Prepare our minds and hearts so that Christ may dwell within us and not be ill at ease but feel wanted, invited, exalted. Lord, let Jesus reign in our thoughts and affections as King of Love' and Prince of Peace. Amen.

"FORGIVE US OUR CHRISTMASES - "

Luke 1:68-79

3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

INTRO:

A short time before Jesus' birth, John the Baptist was born, John's father, Zechariah, "was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied'~ (v. 67, NIV). In his prophecy, Zechariah antici­pated the coming Messiah who would "enable us to serve him without fear" (v. 74, NIV).

During the events leading up to Jesus' birth, an angel made an odd statement. He said to Zechariah, "Do not be afraid" (1:30, NIV): The angel cautioned Joseph, "Do not be afraid" (Matt. 1:20, NIV). On the night of Jesus' birth, the angel sur­prised the shepherds on the Judean hillside, "Do not be afraid" (Luke 2:10, NIV). Those statements may seem out of place until you begin to see the chaos and confusion that first Christmas caused.

Even today, activities increase and demands seem to grow with each Christmas season. A little girl felt the pressure one Christmas Eve. Her father was loaded down with worries and packages. Mom's anxiety had reached the breaking point several times during the day. No matter where the little girl went, she seemed to be in the way. All around was hustle and bustle - so many trying to do so much, all in getting ready for Christmas.

By the time she was pushed off to bed, the feverish plan­ning for Christmas had unnerved her too. As she knelt to pray the Lord's Prayer, she got mixed up: "Forgive us our Christ­mases, as we forgive those who Christmas against us."

In the midst of all the pressures, God's messenger keeps saying, "Do not be afraid!" I wonder why?

I. Stress enters the Christmas season

A. The coming of Jesus added stress by disrupting plans. Zechariah was in the midst of performing long-awaited re­ligious service-and the angel's announcement disrupted it. Joseph and Mary's wedding arrangements were disrupted. The advent of Jesus' birth threw a wrench into their dreams and plans.

The angelic announcement disrupted working schedules for the shepherds. Their rotating job assignments got disturbed. Necessity forces some people to work when others celebrate special occasions.

B. The coming of Jesus added stress by causing incon­venience.

Jesus came at a time of family reunions. The family was gathering from everywhere and coming home. Imagine all the pressures caused by preparations for large family gatherings in those days!

Jesus came at a time declared set apart by the government. Caesar Augustus set up a census on the day God became a man the day Jesus was born. His birth was squeezed into a legal holiday. That's one reason it was largely unnoticed. .Jesus came at a time when commercial enterprises were overloaded. Hotels were overbooked! Marketplaces buzzed with excitement as the influx of visitors haggled with mer­chants over prices. It seemed everything was in short supply as the demands increased. "There was no mom for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7, NIV).

C. The coming of Jesus added stress by producing crisis. Mary faced the risk of rejection by her family and commu­nity.

Joseph faced the fear of betrayal - all because of Jesus' coming.

Zechariah faced the frustration of broken communication when he needed it most!

The shepherds faced the jeopardy of job security. Jesus, God's Lamb who would someday take away the sin of the world, would replace the Bethlehem Sheep raised to be slaughtered in the Temple.

You think our modern Christmases create crises and stress, but it's nothing new! Jesus invades as the great Disturber:

II. Stress can be bandied by proper response

ILLUS. The Christmas rush jammed the streets of London. Drivers were losing their tempers. One fellow who had deco­rated his car by putting a bunch of holly on the hood seemed to think that everyone should make way for him. When a taxi blocked his progress, he leaned out and shouted abuse. The taxi driver replied, "What's the use of hailing holly on your bonnet if you ain't got holly in your heart?"

Without our heart's response to God's love and grace in giving us Jesus, our celebrations are, as Shakespeare said, "full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."

Seasonal stress can be managed if you choose to put Christ at the center: You choose your own reactions and responses.

Mary responded with acceptance and adoration.

Joseph responded with trust and obedience.

Zechariah responded with expectation and patience.

The shepherds responded with curiosity and praise!

ILLUS. In a lodge on top of Mount Tom in Massachusetts, a window has four panes of glass. Each pane is a different color: Through the brown glass, you see the panorama of the Berkshire Hills as in the beauty of autumn. Winter is sug­gested by looking through the blue pane. The green pane gives the hills the youthful look of spring. A summer sunset is the impression as you look through the pane of red. In each case, the same Berkshire Hills are in view.

So it is with Christmas!

Christmas can be what you make it. He who has no Christ­mas in his heart will never find Christmas under a tree! What is your response to Christmas stress?

III. Stress is overcome in divine Presence

It's Christmas and our world breathed a sigh of relief! In spite of all the pressures, Jesus is come - and we're better for it.

A. The announcement of the angel spoke assurance: "Fear not." Stress springs from fear-fear of inadequacy, fear of the unknown, fear of missing something. The message of Christmas is the antidote for fear:

B. The arrival of Jesus made it worth it all! To have Jesus come and live among US pushes the stress to the background. When God revealed himself to us, He didn't come as a philosopher but as a baby. A baby always means a new chance and new hope. That's what Christmas brings! Our new beginnings and our hopes are in Jesus Christ.

This week, savor the excitement and noise and confusion and colors of the Christmas season.

ILLUS. A wealthy Boston family held a christening party af­ter the baptism of their baby. Guests and friends swarmed into their palatial home. Soon the party was in full swing. Peo­ple were having a wonderful time, enjoying one another, eat­ing, drinking, and being merry. Somebody asked, "By the way, where's the baby?"

Instantly the mother's heart shuddered! In questioning panic, she left the room and rushed into the master bedroom where she had left her baby asleep in the middle of their large bed. She found her baby dead, smothered by the guests' coats!

Don't let Jesus be smothered by the coats of guests as we busy ourselves running here and there.

CONCLUSION:

I wonder how Jesus is treated as we celebrate His birth?

Let's take time to bask in His presence! Let's approach Christ­mas with an expectant hush, not a last-minute rush! "For he himself is our peace" (Eph. 2:14, NIV).

Lighting of Advent Candles: (Read Isaiah 9:2, 6-7)

As we light this candle, may our preparation for Him be quickened. May we be saved from being overly ab­sorbed in the materialism and commercialism of the season so that our hearts will be filled with the spirit and hope of Christ.

O Lord God, keep us watchful for ways that we might ready the world and ourselves for your rule. In Jesus' name, amen

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