GIFTS & GIVERS: Oh, for the Joy!

ASK PEOPLE THEIR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS CAROL and many times the answer will be "Joy to the World." Sure, they like "Away in a Manger," but when it comes to Christmas carols it's "Joy" that wins out! (No, "Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer" does not classify as a "Christmas Carol.")

JOY is one of the top emotions for the season, and rightfully so.  There is JOY when the kids see Santa and packages with their names on them under the tree.  There is JOY when the aromas of fresh-baked Christmas cookies and breads permeate our homes. There is JOY that comes as we hear the clarion call of the bells, and yes JOY when we sing the Christmas songs.  Truly, JOY is the emotion of Christmas.

JOY fills the Christmas scene.  There was the JOY that filled the proclamation of the angels (Luke 2:10-14). There was JOY in the shepherds hearts as they saw the new born baby and recounted the message of the angels (Luke 2:16-20).  I am sure there was JOY in the heart of Mary as she pondered the little one in her arms and the greetings brought to Him that night (Luke 2:19). And there was JOY in the attitude of the magi who had traveled so far to worship the new born King (Matthew 2:1-12)

JOY is a gift that God gives to us, and like His gift of peace, it is not dependent upon the circumstances.  For when the angels withdrew to heaven and the shepherds returned to their fields, life was still waiting to be lived.  They were still shepherds...but forever a different group of shepherds for they had met the Good Shepherd on that dark starry night.  And when the magi returned to their far away countries by a different route because of the threat of death over their heads, they returned a different group of kings for they had worshiped the King of kings. And even when Mary and Joseph had to bundle up their new born son and head south to Egypt for  fear of Herod (Matthew 2:13-18) they knew that even though they were in exile they carried with them God's promised Deliverer.

JOY is still a gift that God offers us today.  Even in our rough and tumble world, His JOY remains firm and steadfast in the hearts of those who know Jesus, the Son of God, our Savior.

So, this Christmas, receive again God's gift of JOY, and remember, this gift is given to be shared.  How? By letting Christ dwell richly in you.  By focusing your heart on His.  By remembering that is was His JOY to go to the Cross for you. (Hebrews 12:1-3) As you do these things, His JOY will be manifested in and through you, and you will sing with the carolers of the ages,

"Joy to the world the Lord is come,

Let earth receive her King.

Let every heart, prepare Him room,

And heaven and nature sing,

And heaven and nature sing,

And heaven and heaven

And nature sing."

GIFTS & GIVERS: Wrapping the Unwrappable

THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT is approaching and for us at Felton Bible Church it will be a full day of celebration and fellowship as we remember the One who came as the Prince of Peace, as we remember His great gift to us as we share together in Holy Communion, and as we gather around the tables to enjoy another scrumptious FirstSunday Fellowship Meal.

Last week's message "What are You Getting for Christmas?" focused upon the reality that we have been given much so that we could give much. (Genesis 18:18; Galatians 3:8; 1 John 4;10; 1 John 4:19) And in particular we focused upon Jesus being the Light of the world (John 3:19-21; John 8:12) and our call to live in that light (Ephesians 5:8-11) and to be a light (Matthew 5:14-16). This week we shall focus upon the gift of God's peace that comes to us in and through the Person of Jesus Christ, and what it means to not only get that gift, but in turn to give that gift as well.

So, the question before us today is, "If we have received God's gift of peace, how then can we give it away?" As I pondered this question I realized that we are talking about "incarnational-giving." That is giving in the very same way (limited as we may be) as God gave to us through the Son, Jesus the Christ.

In the Incarnation, God was wrapping the unwrappable. (a new word, I believe. ;o)) God was taking Himself, and wrapping Himself in human flesh (John 1:1-5; John 1:14; Philippians 2:5-11). When we speak of incarnational-giving, we are talking about in some form giving ourselves as gifts to another.

If we are talking abut giving the gift of peace, how can we wrap that gift, which is in many ways unwrappable? What are the ways in which we can give peace that goes beyond just saying, "Peace be with you"? I am working through the possible ways that can be done, and I know that this gift will at the least demand presence (there's the Incarnation again), and meeting of real needs (there it is again), and it will most like be costly, at least in the sense of time (I suppose we could read that as "sacrificial" another aspect of the Incarnation). Beginning to get the picture?

I would love to hear some of your ideas about how we could wrap the unwrappable in regards to God's gift of peace. I am sure the Scriptures would help us in that matter. There are those words about God's peace in the Apostle Paul's letter to the Philippians (Philippians 4:4-9), which might give us a good starting point, and to that I would had our Advent text for this coming week which includes God's Word through the Prophet Isaiah,

He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those who have young. (Isaiah 40:11)

So, as you seek the gifts to give this Advent be sure to add to your list God's gift of peace. I am sure you know at least one person who needs that gift.

Shalom.

GIFTS & GIVERS: Taken for Granted

GIFTS AND GIVERS CAN BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED. For instance, take my mom. I could always count on her to provide new packages of underwear every Christmas morning. There was one year that she forgot, and I remember almost going into shock. Now that she's gone to heaven, well, I have to buy my own!

We can get so used to the ways things are, that when they change we are left standing with our mouths wide-open in disbelief. I guess we don't miss things until they're no longer given. It becomes increasingly easier to take for granted that both giver and gift will always be around. And when that happens we move from gratefulness to grumpiness in a heart-beat.

My key sermon text for this coming first Sunday of Advent is taken from Isaiah 9:2,

The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.

Light, now there is another thing I take for granted, until it;s longer available. Living here in the Redwood forest we loose our electricity numerous times throughout the winter months. The rains descend, the winds blow, the trees fall, the power goes out. That's the way it goes around here. But no matter how often it happens I never fail to flip the light switch up to turn the light on. I just take for granted that the light will go on, even if I know that the power is off.

The interesting thing is that after a day or so with no power, when it does come on we are sometimes saddened. The truth is living in the dark has its benefits; no TV, more time with the family huddled around a candle, earlier to bed, all benefits we do not avail ourselves of when the power is on.

Yet, truth be known, I enjoy living in the light. It has great benefits, not least of all safety and security. When God spoke through the prophet Isaiah He was declaring to the people of Israel that light was coming. He spoke to a people who had been living in darkness (being away from God) for so long that they were taking the darkness for granted. Sadly in fact, when the light came they were not even able to recognize it, as the Gospel writer John wrote,

The true light the gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world could not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who did receive Him, tho those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become the children of God. (John 1:9-12)

This Advent season my prayer is that I will not take the Giver and the Gift for granted. That I will not be so comfortable in the dark that I would refuse to turn on the light. That I would desire the light, welcome the light, and live in the light. This is my Christmas prayer.

I pray it for you, as well.

The Journey Toward Contentment

Last week I began a little series on contentment, (The Journey Toward Contentment) seeing how we were entering the seasons of Thanks-giving and Gift-giving, I thought it would be an appropriate topic. My texts last week were taken from the Psalms of Ascent, (Psalms 120-134) and we talked about having the correct priorities, the correct people, and the correct places aligned as we took this journey toward contentment. I am not sure how the sermon went over, but a group of us did have a good discussion in my study afterwards as we sought to discuss the practical implications of the journey.

As we continue on the journey this week I am focusing upon the giving of thanks, and the Apostle Paul's directive to "give thanks in all circumstances." (1 Thessalonians 5:18) This directive, along with those that surround it (1 Thessalonians 5:12-28) are easily read but difficult to apply. I mean really, give thanks in all circumstances?!

Well, being one who believes in the triune God, and who believes that His Word is true, I guess I must believe these declarations are true as well, even if I find them hard to apply. What I have discovered is that thanks-giving in all circumstances is more Whom you are thanking, and what you are thanking Him for, rather than the present circumstance in which you find yourself.

One thing that I have personally discovered is that as I place my focus upon God and upon others, my thankfulness in all circumstances increases.

This past week my family and I went to watch Disney's newest installment of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" (You must see it in 3D to really appreciate it!) Therein I was once again reminded of the importance of contentment and difference wrought in old Ebenezer Scrooge once he got his priorities, people and places in correct order. He learned that contentment was not to be found in hoarding, but in handing out, not in getting but in giving. And that is why once again this Christmas season I am promoting the ministry of the Advent Conspiracy, who are asking the question, "Can Christmas still change the world?" (Nice follow-up t my recent sermon series on "Changing Our World for Good.") I believe we can!

That is why I am encouraging my family, friends, blog-readers(?), to give a gift to the least of these. (Matthew 25:31-46) Rather than spending time and wrapping paper for a gift for _____________ (fill in the blank), give a gift in their name to a ministry of compassion like, Living Water or Food for the Hungry or __________________. Give a gift that blesses God, blesses those who receive the gift, those in whose honor it is given and blesses the giver. Now, there's a way to spend Christmas that will increase our thanks-giving in all circumstances and move us toward contentment.

The Language of Sanctity

OVER FIFTY YEARS AGO Thomas Merton wrote a description of America which could have been written today. In the words of Merton, describing the beliefs of his friend, Lax, we read,

Lax's picture of America -- before which he has stood for twelve years with his hands hanging in helplessness at his side -- is the picture of a country full of people who want to be kind and pleasant and happy and love good things and serve God, but who do not know how. And they do not know where to turn to find out. They are surrounded by all kinds of sources of information which only conspire to bewilder them more and more. And Lax's vision is a vision of the day when they will turn on the radio and somebody will start telling them of the love of God in language that will no longer sound hackneyed or crazy, but with authority and conviction: the conviction born of sanctity. (The Seven Storey Mountain)

Today, America is still looking for someone to tell them of God in a language that cuts through the facade and speaks to the heart. I believe that this language must be the language of holiness. Though, when I speak of a language of holiness, I am not referring to some rarefied tongue which utters words which demand a theological dictionary to understand. I am referring to a holiness that is born in the heart surrendered to God's ownership and lived out through the hands moved by the His Spirit.

This is a language that speaks through acts of compassion and mercy. It is a life that lives out the life of Christ in the world. It is not only a life that speaks the truth of God, but also lives out the truth of God. It is a holiness that is lived on the streets.

God spoke through the prophet Isaiah concerning this type of life:

6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness£ will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. (Isaiah 58:6-12)

I believe when we learn to speak and live this language then our light will shine, more importantly Christ's light will shine in and through us and this bring light to the world. (Matthew 5:14-16) Then the world hear, and believe.

GONE FISHING?

OK, SO MANY MIGHT THINK I HAVE BEEN "GONE FISHING" sine I have not posted here for quite awhile, but the truth is a man has to have his priorities! Right? Of course, right!

Though I have not been "gone-fishing" this week's sermon text from the Gospel of John deals with the issue of fishing, and seeing that this sermon should be the last in my sermon series, "Changing Our World for Good," I thought it good to open the Pastor's Study back up.

Our text for this week is John 21:1-25 where we find the risen Lord Jesus fixing breakfast on the shore of Galilee while the disciples struggle to bring in another miraculous catch of fish. (Luke 5:4-8) Another time where a second lesson is needed to teach the disciples the deeper truth.

Early in Jesus' ministry He called to Himself this group of men and told them He would make them "fishers of men." (Luke 5:10-11) And yet, how quickly after the glorious resurrection of Jesus, the Messiah, did these same men return to the lesser work of fishing for fish, which by the way, was not proving too profitable for them. I believe there is a lesson to be learned that once Jesus gets a hold of our lives the old ways of life will no longer profit us as we thought they did in the past.

There are lots of lessons in this passage, but the one that grabs me is the strong call from Jesus to Peter, "Then He said to him, 'Follow Me.'" (John 21:19) The reality is, the resurrection of Jesus changes everything. It changes our work, our home, our relationships, our past, our present, and most definitely, our future. To respondto God's grance and love poured out to us in and through the Person of Jesus Christ, and then return to "life as normal," is just wrong. We are not given the place to hang out a sign that says, "Gone Fishing," unless we are out fishing for souls with Jesus in the boat.

It is this fishing the Lord desires to find us doing as we follow Him awaiting His return. (Matthew 24:46)

TRUTH and CONSEQUENCES

TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES WAS A GAME WE USED TO PLAY AS KIDS. And of course it also was a television show during the "golden days" of TV. But as I read this coming week's sermon text (John 18:1-40) and contemplated the words of Pontius Pilate, "What is truth?" (John 18:38), I was reminded that it is not truth or consequences, but rather truth and consequences.

Pilate's question was of course a good question, one that has been asked in one form or another since God inquired about the truth of who ate the fruit from the tree in the midst of the Garden of Eden. Parents and philosophers, pastors and potentates have been seeking the answer to the question for millennia, and it's answer seems always elusive. It's answer seems determined by season or circumstance, or at least by the need of the moment. And so we continue to ask, "What is truth?"

Even as theologians we try to answer that eternal question. We try to nail it down into some propositional form. And just when we think we have an answer for the ages, somebody changes the question ever so slightly, or some new "revelation" comes to light. (Just take the flat earth "truth" for example.) So what are we to do? Can we ever find the truth?

I believe we can.

The problem in discovering the truth comes from the fact that we see it as a propositional statement, a reality that can be measured. But the truth is the truth is not a thing, but a Person. And until we come to know that Person all other truth will leave us questioning. When Pilate was searching for the answer to his question, what he failed to realize was that the truth was standing right in front of him. Truth was on trial, and without Pilate's realization of the Truth that stood before him all his decisions, no matter how truthful, would fall short.

Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). This is the Truth we need. To know this Truth is to know the Truth that will set you free. (John 8:32) To not know this One who is the Truth is to place yourself in the face of dire consequences! This is the Truth the world needs to know. A truth that goes beyond determining the human genome, or finding the "god-particle." It is a truth that brings us true life, a forgiven, reconciled life.

The one Truth that will set us free!