A Time Of Trial

January 24, 2016

Stetson Memorial UMC

Fourth Sunday of the New Year

All Scripture is from the AMP Bible

Luke 4:14-21

Psalm 19

Habakkuk 4:17-19

Matthew 19:26; James 1:2-3;

2 Corinthians 4:16-17; Hebrews 4:16

“A Time of Trial…”

Prayer for the Spirit’s leading…

16 Therefore we do not become discouraged [spiritless, disappointed, or afraid]. Though our outer self is [progressively] wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary, light distress [this passing trouble] is producing for us an eternal weight of glory [a fullness] beyond all measure [surpassing all comparisons, a transcendent splendor and an endless blessedness]!

(2 Corinthians 4:16-17Amplified Bible)

“The deepest level of worship is praising God in-spite of the pain, thanking God during trials, trusting Him when you are tempted to lose Hope and Loving Him when He seems distant and far away. At my lowest, God is my hope. At my darkest, God is my light. At my weakest, God is my strength. At my saddest, God is my comforter.” Touching Lives May 13, 2014

A time of trial, there seems to be no way around them. We are going through life and it is pretty good until that thing happens…that monkey wrench in the works, that situation of event we didn’t sign up for. We find ourselves in the midst of a time of trial. Now they may seem senseless at the time but are they really?

2 Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. 3 Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. (James 1:2-3)

OK…let me recap this year, we have had epiphanies, those moments when we really understand and get a glimpse of who God is. We have visited the shore of the Jordan River and step into the water with Jesus as remembered our own baptism. We have at by the never ending bottomless well of God and drank deep of its life giving water. We came to realize that there is no end to what God offers. There is no end of God’s love for us. But now here is where it may get a little shaky…a time of trial.

As we look at the world around us we can see that not only may we be going through a time of trial but the world in which we live is certainly going through one. Joblessness is up…more homelessness…war…people dying of starvation…not to mention natural disasters…just to name a few. We can become dismayed and frightened because of these times in our faith walk but be strong and courageous…I bring you good news…

From the Luke Scripture this morning we see our hope and the good news that can and will make us courageous through our turn on the trial road. It is a one word answer that shook the world to its knees and changed the tide of trials. The word is “Jesus.” When He pronounced in the end of this scripture “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing and in your presence”, He changed everything! (Speak through the scripture through the Spirit…)

How can this be…how can things change? How am I going to fix what is going on in my life? I just can see no way out of this mess I’m in, I don’t even know how I even got to this point in my pilgrimage…

26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With people [as far as it depends on them] it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26Amplified Bible)

We don’t have to be discouraged because our moment of trial is producing eternal things in our lives. Sure it is hard and tough…been there, done that, I won one of the t-shirt franchises…but we have hope that in the end it won’t be the end but the beginning of something new. And even more so…we can come up next to those around us as they are in there “trial period” and help them along. We can sit by them and just be because we know what it is like to go through trials…maybe not the same as they are going through but a trial anyway. We can be like the man in the story of the starfish…Tell the story with the starfish helper…

We have hope…we have help…we have someone who has been there in our Risen Lord and we have our fellow journey people as well who can walk a while with us as we journey the often rocky road of trials…

17

Though the fig tree does not blossom

And there is no fruit on the vines,

Though the yield of the olive fails

And the fields produce no food,

Though the flock is cut off from the fold

And there are no cattle in the stalls,

18

Yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the Lord;

I will [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation!

19

The Lord God is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army];

He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet

And makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my high places [of challenge and responsibility]. (Habakkuk 4:17-19)

As it is written in the Scriptures:

16 Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment]. (Hebrews 4:16)

AMEN…Amen…and amen!

Now that's a deep well

January 17, 2016

Stetson Memorial UMC

Third Sunday of the New Year

Human Relations Day

Ephesians 3:14-21 AMP Bible

Psalm 36:5-10 AMP Bible

“Now That’s A Deep Well…!”

Prayer for the Spirit’s leading…

A Reading from the Letter to the Ephesians, chapter 3, verses 14-21, listen to the Word of God to you and me, the people of God…

Well’s…how deep is a well? Do you ever run out of water in a well? What do you do…how long does it take in order to get the well working again and have enough water so that it is usable again?

In the bible there are many references to well’s. There were well’s in various parts of the tabernacle in the wilderness where the Israelites worshiped and heard from God. There is Jacobs well which he dug and it was left to all of those who would inherit the property. As a matter of fact, this is the same well where Jesus had an encounter with a Samaritan woman where He offered her Living Water. It is the same Living Water that we are all invited to drink as well… God offers this water because of His great love for humanity.

So far this year we have had epiphanies, those aha moments, when we really understand and get a glimpse of who God is. We have visited the shore of the Jordan River and step into the water with Jesus as remembered our own baptism. All of this has me thinking about how deep God’s love for us truly is. Don’t get me wrong I know that God loves us, but how deep is that love? Is it as deep as a well or much more than that? Is this well of living water He offers able to run out or is it vastly more than that?

From the Psalm this morning we not only hear how loving and honorable our God is but we hear about a fountain of life. This is where we find this life-giving water. But it’s not of temple life but it is of eternal life that the Psalm speaks of. We are allowed to drink from this river…to drink to our fill. But there is one catch…we have to believe. There is a never ending supply of this water as we take refuge under His wings.

God’s deep love…I think one of the best descriptions of it is found in the Letter to the Ephesians found in Chapter 3. Paul prayed continually for the people of Ephesus that they would truly understand who they were in God’s eyes and how much He loved them. It is also my prayer too that we would all understand how precious we are and dearly loved to and by God…

Speak from the Spirit…

My conclusion is this. There is no end to what God offers. There is no end of God’s love for us. There is no end to this well. We don’t have to worry about times of drought. There is no true drought with God as we dip our cup by the stream of life and drink our fill all the days of our life. We can and will do this through our Lord Jesus Christ in whose name we have hope and a future. Amen… 

Fire and Water

January 10, 2016

Stetson Memorial UMC

Second Sunday of 2016

“Baptism of the Lord Sunday”

Isaiah 43:1-3 NIV

Acts 8:14-17 MSG

Psalm 29 NIV

Matthew 3:13-17 NIV

“Fire and Water…!”

Prayer for the Spirit’s leading…

Last week, we talked about “epiphanies” and how they just kind of happen. For instance, your reading one of those long sections in the bible that you have read at least a hundred times. All of the sudden you have this unveiling of your eyes and you all the sudden have this understanding that you have never had before. That’s an epiphany. God revealed something in His word that He felt you needed to see and understand.

In studying for my sermon, and that is an epiphany in itself…I am actually studying when I prepare a sermon…I had one of those epiphany appointments. Today is baptism of the Lord Sunday. Now I realize that you receive the Holy Spirit at baptism and it is through the baptismal waters that we receive grace. I have written many sermons on water and the Spirit. But this time…this time…there was a deeper understanding…an epiphany… (Speak from the Spirit about water and our baptism by the fire of God).

So this is when fire and water work together.  It’s when the water of our baptism works with the flame…the fire…of the Holy Spirit. You need both in baptism, both fire and water. In our baptism of water…our rebirth…we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit…the flame within us. We are re-created into a new person. God, through Christ, recreates us into a new creation. God loves to create. In Genesis we hear about how God created light over the waters. God created…the earth was birthed, out of the waters that covered the earth. Something new was created out of the water. But in our baptism there is yet another element that is added to the creation. Fire is added…the Holy Spirit…to complete the new creation…

From the Acts Scripture this morning we see the Apostles, Peter and John, went Samaria to complete what had already been started. These new converts had received their baptism in the name of Jesus but there was something missing. They needed the Holy Spirit. They went and prayed over them and that was when they received the Advocate and the Counselor…the Spirit of and from God that would teach them and guide them on their way. Fire and water working together to bring the finale of fire that Jesus began on the cross…

Matthew three verses thirteen to seventeen gives us another snapshot of what happens when we are baptized…It reads:

Matthew 3:13-17New International Version (NIV)

The Baptism of Jesus

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

I like how the Message Bible ends this piece of scripture:

“You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life.” In our baptism we too here…You are my son…you are my daughter, you are chosen and marked…I have claimed you and you are mine…the pride of my life…through this water I have marked you with the seal of my Spirit.

The voice of God stating that Jesus was God’s Son and He is well pleased in Him…the voice of God stating that you and me, we are sons and daughters and God is well pleased. The All powerful and infinite God…who as we read in Psalm 29 this morning…whose voice thunders over the waters…who sits over the floods…who gives strength and peace to His people…is well pleased…

Today is the Baptism of the Lord Sunday, the day when we remember not only his life changing baptism but ours as well. Through water we are saved. Through water we are redeemed. Through water we are given a new life. (Walk down the aisle with the Baptismal Bowl and sprinkle the congregation when saying remember your baptism) So when the waters of life seem as if they are about to overtake you…remember your baptism… But now, this is what the Lord says he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; When you feel as if you have no one who really cares in your life…remember your baptism… I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you feel like an outcast in this journey of life…remember your baptism… When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When life has thrown you too many curves and you just can’t take one more…remember your baptism… When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. You have been sealed with love…you have been sealed with power…you have been sealed with grace…you have been sealed by the Spirit.  For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; Remember your baptism…

Amen!

Prayer Over theWater

Let us pray: Almighty God, the life you birthed in us by baptism into Jesus Christ will never die. Your justice never fails. Your mercy is everlasting.  Your healing river flows. Your Spirit blows where you will. We cannot stop you, God!

We are dry and thirsty, O God. Come, refresh us!

Come upon us, Holy Spirit!

Come upon these waters.

Let these waters be to us drops of your mercy.

Let these waters remind us of your righteousness and justice.

Let these waters renew in us the resurrection power of Jesus.

Let these waters make us long for your coming reign.

Most Holy God, Father! Full of Truth and Grace! Glory to you!

Jesus Christ, Savior, Lord! Glory to you!

 Spirit of fire, Spirit over the waters, Spirit of holiness! Glory to you!

Eternal God, One in Three and Three in One! All glory is yours, now and forever. Amen!

Brand Spanking New

January 3, 2016

Stetson Memorial UMC

First Sunday of 2016

New Year/New Things

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 MSG

Isaiah 43:18-19 MSG

Revelation 21:1-8NIV

“Brand Spanking New…!”

Prayer for the Spirit’s leading…

Epiphany→ noun, plural epiphanies.

1. (initial capital letter) a Christian festival, observed on January 6, commemorating the manifestation of Christ to the gentiles in the persons of the Magi; Twelfth-day.

2. an appearance or manifestation, especially of a deity.

3. a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.

4. a literary work or section of a work presenting, usually symbolically, such a moment of revelation and insight.

Good morning to all of you and Happy New Year. I can’t believe that we are at a new year already. Have you all made your New Year’s resolution yet? I have made a couple but we’ll see how that goes… I pray this New Year brings you blessings, hope and joy and that you have a renewed vision of Jesus and who He is in your lives.

In the Christian calendar the first Sunday of the year is known as “Epiphany Sunday”. “Epiphany” is a very interesting word to me…so much so that I decided to look up the definition which I just read. This definition kind of reminds me of those old V8 commercials… you know what I’m talking about, the ones that the person has just discovered that what they were drinking had no real nutritional value and they could have had a V8 instead that would have given them nutritional value. That sudden realization that there was something more out there than what you are living with or doing.

I think we all have epiphanies in some shape or form. We are looking for our car keys and then all of the sudden a thought comes to mind of where they are. We may be reading scripture and all of the sudden we have that “ah ha” moment and it all makes perfect sense. We may see or be in a situation and all of the sudden it is like “light dawning on the horizon” we understand why it is all happening…we see it through the eyes of God instead of our own eyes.

The bible is full of epiphanies…people who all of the sudden understood something about God and His promises. Many men and women turned their lives around because of their encounter with Yahweh. I think my favorite one is found in Revelations…although I think that the whole book of Revelation is one big epiphany in itself… It is found in chapter 21 verses 1-8. It reads:

Revelation 21:1-8New International Version (NIV)

A New Heaven and a New Earth

21 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”[a] for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[b] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

God is creating…recreating something new…something that He intended from the beginning and He will dwell with His people. There is no more crying…or death…or anything that is against God…He will create everything brand spanking new. As we grasp this fact…this promise…what an epiphany we have as we realize who our God is and whom belongs to Him…you and I…we belong to Him who sits on the throne. Think about that for a moment. The Creator of all that we see…all that is good…is recreating…not only is He recreating the world in which we live but He is recreating us each day as we draw closer to Him.

So pastor Ruth…when can we expect this new world order? Good question. Well remember that reading from Ecclesiastes I read a little while ago? It will happen in God’s time. But we have that promise that it will happen. As children of God, I believe that nothing happens that isn’t Father filtered…nothing happens that God is not aware of…nothing happens for no reason. As we look around us the world doesn’t look all that appealing. There is so much evil around us that we can hardly look at it. We may be thinking “how can God let this happen? Where is God in this?” There a right time for everything on the earth… God is working out His plan. Each day He is creating and recreating. It’s His nature. As we look at the world with the eyes of God, we can see that promise beginning to take shape. But we must believe.

Maybe as we begin seeing through God’s eyes we can begin to see our part in the plan. Perhaps if we begin within ourselves we can begin a chain reaction that will affect the world around us and beyond. Isaiah 43:18-19 tells us:

“Forget about what’s happened;

    don’t keep going over old history.

Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.

    It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?

There it is! I’m making a road through the desert,

    rivers in the badlands.

My prayer for us as individuals and as a church is that we all will have that epiphany that will bring us ever closer to our Lord Jesus Christ this year…That we will have a revelation of who Christ is to us and who we are to Him…That we will embark on new journeys that will lead us to a new and exciting place where we will encounter our Redeemer in new ways.

Happy New Year…happy new you…happy new world…Amen

How Is It With Your Soul

https://youtu.be/VYEq5SDyF9Q

December 27, 2015

Stetson Memorial UMC

Last Sunday of The Year 2015

A Soul In Retrospect

Joel 2:28-29

Matthew 3:11

Isaiah 44:3

http://home.snu.edu/~hculbert/selfexam.htm

(All Scripture is taken from the NIV Bible)

“How Is It With Your Soul…?”

Prayer for the Spirit’s leading…

Read the Scriptures…

Here we are at the end of another year. We have almost finished the race of 2015 and the next race is looking at us from just beyond the horizon. We tend to look back in retrospect at what has happened over the year.There has been both good and bad. There have been victories and struggles. But we have made it almost to the end.

As we end I would like to throw in a question that you might not hear too much in the world in which we live. How is it with your soul? Have you ever wondered about that? How is it with your soul? This question is one that John Wesley would ask all who were part of the movement that he was ushering in. He expected that everyone would be part of “classes” as he called it. They were accountability groups that prayed for each other and studied the scriptures together. How is it with your soul?

I think that we as Christians may have gotten away from caring for the soul…others and our own. We are so busy with everyday life that we don’t have time to tend the garden of the soul. We have forgotten that sin is waiting right around the corner just waiting for us to put our guard down. As soon as that happens, sin just slowly creeps in until it can take of all that we do and say. How is it with your soul?

We have just traveled to the manger another way and we thought about…we talked about…things that go on in the world around us and how through the eyes of God we can still see God working. But how can we see Him working if we are not taking time to be with him each day as He whispers His promises to our hearts? How is it with your soul?

This morning…I am going to ask us some of these Wesleyan questions…yup I am including myself with these questions. The questions have their origin in the spiritual accountability group started by Wesley when he was a student at Oxford — a group that detractors called "The Holy Club." The first list appeared about 1729 or 1730 in the preface to Wesley's second Oxford Diary. OK…here we go…now these are just some of them. I didn’t want to scare us off…

Ask Questions…

We are beginning to get ready for a new year. My prayer is that as we venture into the New Year, we will continue to ask these questions of ourselves. As we venture out in God’s name may we go out knowing the One who has sent us. We are His hands and feet. Go forth in the Strength of God, the Hope of Jesus Christ and the Wisdom of the Spirit.

Amen

For Unto Us A Child Is Born

https://youtu.be/oDRm6PFPBaU

December 24, 2015

Stetson Memorial UMC

Christmas Eve

Inspired by Marcia McPhee

Sermon Series “Awed and Odd”

Praise In The Midst Of Suffering

psalm 150

(All Scripture is taken from the NIV Bible)

“For Unto Us A Child Is Born…”

Prayer for the Spirit’s leading…

A Reading from the Psalms…the praise chapter I like to call it…so Psalm 150.

We gather here tonight to celebrate the birth of a King. We gather here tonight and sing songs. We gather here tonight to not only waiting expectantly but we are expectantly waiting for His return. We can see in the world around us that there is much strife and chaos. We live in a world of greed and despair. We pray for Christ’s return to usher in a new age… but we too get a feeling of despair at times as we see the world around falling deeper and deeper in to the abyss…but…but…there is a light that shines bright in the east. We have gathered here tonight to testify of the light that shines bright… There is hope to be found in Emmanuel, God with us.

This advent, we are journeying to the cross by another road than what we may usually travel. We have been traveling a road that at times may have made us squirm a little. We have been inspired by Marcia McPhee’s “Awed & Odd” Sermon series where she states:

“We Christians believe in “folly”–that there is peace, love, joy and hope in the midst of the good and difficult times. This makes us “odd”–according to those who proclaim the victory of decline and death all around. It is especially in this season of expectant hope that we can instead proclaim the awe-inspiring presence of God’s reign that continually makes all things new. This is a season of odd “union”–swords into plowshares, wolves and lambs resting peacefully together, and the “speechless” singing for joy!”

Here we are at the eve of hope, love, joy and peace…we have taken off our blinders and have seen God in world and working even though broken. We have talked about seeing peace in the midst of conflict and have decided that even though the world around us may be broken God is always working out His plan even if I don’t perceive it. We know because we have seen the light of God working within situations that others might deem hopeless.

Yes we are a little “odd” because we are “awed” by God who even in the darkness is there creating order out of chaos. And we decided that we would rather be awed for God even though the world calls us odd.

We have seen “Love In the Midst Of Hate”. We decided that Jesus, our Risen Lord, is the One to show us the way by the example that He set. We also decided that as Jesus judges and reigns there will be peace in the midst of conflict and no more hate because all there will be love. And we have decided that if we look with eternal eyes we can see and react to “Joy in the Midst of Despair?” We have also realized that no matter what the circumstance…Joy and Hope are choices that we make…

So here we are tonight to celebrate the birth of Emmanuel. Now some may say… ”How can you celebrate now? Can’t you see the world around you and all the suffering? Are you blind to the world?” Our response…our choice is to praise God in the midst of suffering.

We choose to praise God even in the storms of life. We, as did Job, understand that we praise God in good times, how can we not also praise Him in the times of suffering? He is still God. He still is Emmanuel. He still walks those roads with us helping us through.

On this night we celebrate the greatest gift to humankind. This gift, wrapped in swaddling clothes is the one gift that keeps on giving…giving hope, giving love, giving joy, giving peace…who would have thought a baby so small could be so large?

Isaiah 9:2, 6-7New International Version (NIV)

2 The people walking in darkness

    have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of deep darkness

    a light has dawned.

6 For to us a child is born,

    to us a son is given,

    and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the greatness of his government and peace

    there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne

    and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

    with justice and righteousness

    from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty

    will accomplish this.

Let us use eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart that is open to what God is doing in the world around us. Then we will be able to see the peace and love that is evident to all who seek love. We will have joy even though there is despair around us. We no longer have to feel hopeless and alone. We can and will have peace in the midst of chaos. We will have patience and understanding in the midst of hate. But most of all…we will truly feel Emmanuel…God with us. We will hear His gentle voice of encouragement, compassion and hope. But it begins here (touch chest) and here (touch eyes). As we have an open Heart and lead by the Spirit of God we will use eyes of love and grace as we seek the love of God in the world around us. We are no longer hopeless but hopeful because of loves work one early morning in a stable for we realize we are never alone.

Amen

“Why Do I Feel Hopeless…”

https://youtu.be/b_dSZoiqqvA

December 20, 2015

Stetson Memorial UMC

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Inspired by Marcia McPhee

Sermon Series “Awed and Odd”

Hope in the Midst of Hopelessness

Presence in the Midst of Loneliness

Matthew 1:20-23

Hebrews 6:19

Romans 15:13

Job 8:13-18

Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

(All Scripture is taken from the NIV Bible)

“Why Do I Feel Hopeless…”

Prayer for the Spirit’s leading…

A reading from the book of Job…chapter eight…verses thirteen through eighteen…listen to the word of God for you and me…the children of God.

Each Sunday that we gather here together there is an air of hope all around this sanctuary. We share our hopes, our dreams, our pain and our joy with one another. We have heard answered pray and we have heard new prayer request. There is hope. But most of all, each Sunday I come here I get to see Nolan Howes. That little cherub is hope…hope for our church… and hope for the future…hope for the world.

Can you imagine a life without any hope at all? I think that we all have those days when we may feel a little hopeless…unending tasks we must do, trying to get the cross word puzzle done in ink, dishes to be done and dinner to prepare…needing to do…fill in the blank. I am talking about a hopelessness that brings you to your knees because you can’t stand…hopelessness that you just can’t shake and so you sit in sack cloth and ashes as Job did. Job lost everything even his best friends didn’t understand the depth of his sorrow. But Job did one thing that you and I can find strength in…Job never cursed God…he never really gave up the faith that he had in God. There is where his hope was found…the treasure of his heart…with Emmanuel, God with us.

This advent, we are journeying to the cross by another road than what we may usually travel. We have been traveling a road that at times may have made us squirm a little. We have been inspired by Marcia McPhee’s “Awed & Odd” Sermon series where she states:

“We Christians believe in “folly”–that there is peace, love, joy and hope in the midst of the good and difficult times. This makes us “odd”–according to those who proclaim the victory of decline and death all around. It is especially in this season of expectant hope that we can instead proclaim the awe-inspiring presence of God’s reign that continually makes all things new. This is a season of odd “union”–swords into plowshares, wolves and lambs resting peacefully together, and the “speechless” singing for joy!”

Today is the Fourth Sunday of Advent…we have taken off our blinders and have seen God in world and working even though broken. We have talked about seeing peace in the midst of conflict and have decided that even though the world around us may be that God is always working out His plan even if I don’t perceive it. We know because we have seen the light of God working within situations that others might deem hopeless.

We also decided that we are a little “odd” because we are “awed” by God who even in the darkness is there creating order out of chaos. And we decided that we would rather be awed for God even though the world calls us odd.

One place we have gone is finding “Love In the Midst Of Hate”. We decided that Jesus, our Risen Lord, is the One to show us the way by the example that He set. We also decided that as Jesus judges and reigns there will be peace in the midst of conflict and no more hate because all there will be love. And we have decided that if we look with eternal eyes we can see and react to “Joy in the Midst of Despair?” We have also realized that no matter what the circumstance…Joy is a choice…

So,”hope in hopelessness”, how do we find…Ok…how can we even find hope in hopelessness? As I stated last week about joy…hope too is a choice. Now we can give up hope or turn to the One who gives all comfort and strength. I am not going to make it sound easy to have hope just exude out of us. That would be a lie. But maybe…just maybe, we can look at Job’s example.

Now Job had lost everything…lost his home, his family, his wealth…even though the mill is closed and I have lost all that I held dear I will hope in the God of Job who is the giver of all that is good…but Job chose not to curse the Lord and trust that God was working out his plan for his life…

Hebrews 6:19New International Version (NIV)

19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

Last week we talked about Mary and how she found joy in the midst of despair. She really did trust in God her Savior because she could have had bad things happen to her because of this blessed condition. But what about Joseph, he could have divorced her quietly. Joseph could have divorced her publicly but he chose hope when he listened to the angel.

Matthew 1:20-23New International Version (NIV)

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

Not only hope for himself but hope for all who would come after him. He chose hope for you and for me. We now have God within our midst all because of one man’s choice of hope…

Because of one man’s hope we can have the choice of feeling God’s presence in the midst of loneliness. We can say to ourselves “God is here with me through this…” or “God is far away from me and doesn’t fulfill His promise to walk with me.” Which would you rather choose?

Isaiah 9:2, 6-7New International Version (NIV)

2 The people walking in darkness

    have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of deep darkness

    a light has dawned.

6 For to us a child is born,

    to us a son is given,

    and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the greatness of his government and peace

    there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne

    and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

    with justice and righteousness

    from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty

    will accomplish this.

We really do need eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart that is open to what God is doing in the world around us. Then we will be able to see the peace and love that is evident to all who seek love. We will have joy even though there is despair around us. We no longer have to feel hopeless and alone. But it begins here (touch chest) and here (touch eyes). As we have an open Heart and lead by the Spirit of God we will use eyes of love and grace as we seek the love of God in the world around us. We are no longer hopeless but hopeful because of loves work one early morning in a stable for we realize we are never alone.

Romans 15:13New International Version (NIV)

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Let us pray…pray for us to awaken and experience and see the joy of the Lord in the midst of despair…

Amen