Well I can’t believe that I have let this place slip out of my mind. Thinks have been busy and I have been meaning to put my homilies on this site, just haven’t done so. But, start this new Church year, I’ll be adding them as I preach them. So, first sermon of 20/21 Church year:
Oh Lord may the words from my mouth be from your inspirations to my heart, Amen.
Light three candles to watch for Messiah, let the light banish darkness. Lift your heads and lift high the gateway for the King of glory. Yes, week three of our time of preparations’, three tapers burning, to show us that the day draws near. Signs, that something is coming. That soon, the greatest gift of all, will be delivered.
Signs, that informs us to start getting ready, for as the voice cries out of the wilderness, or in our case, the prairie, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,” as the prophet Isaiah said. Make straight, indeed. Our Lives, anyway.
For as we here in our Old Testament lesson from Isaiah: he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn. Fitting words for this past year. For has it not been like we’ve been in exile, just like the Israelite’s? For have we not seen this past year, those things in which the Israelite couldn’t do, while in Babylon? Mainly for us, not being able to go to Church and more importantly, come together and worship in our own Church! Even now, it is highly recommended, to not hold in-person, worship services. Now, don’t get me wrong, for if you feel uncomfortable being in fellowship with your Church family, yet are OK with going to the “big” stores, that’s your choice, however, when you are wondering why you are feeling hungry after eating, that food from the “big” store, it just might just be your spiritual body, that’s crying out, to be fed!
To proclaim the year of the Lord, to inform of the day of vengeance of our God. Yes indeed, we are in the Advent season and I’m not talking just about the coming of a little baby, born in a manger. Make straight the way of the Lord and as we heard from last week’s Old Testament lesson; the valleys will be raised up and the mountain tops lowered, to make the path straight and even. Word’s for us to ponder over and wonder where we might be, on our own path. Our own path that leads us to the Cross. For if you are like me, even though we have an express ticket, I’m taking that “scenic route”! Not because, oh it’s pretty, not because of less traffic, and not because it’s shorter, it’s because I’m a sinner.
For have we not all been taking the “scenic route”? For we, that have gained the wisdom granted from God, of his great works and how to gain access to being able to see him and be with the host of Heaven, don’t we still find ourselves wondering off that straight and narrow path. Don’t we find ourselves, “committing the crimes”? Do we not find ourselves, sinning, once again? Going with reckless abandonment down that “scenic route”! Even though it’s filled with sharp curves and speed bumps, we make that wrong turn and after seeing we are going nowhere, finally stop to ask ourselves, where are we going? Now, for most of us, we know that God allows U-Turns! That as we find ourselves, get farther away from God, all we have to do is stop! What were doing, saying, thinking, or going, that is separating us from God. To turn around and fall to our knees and confess that we’re not on that straight and even path, that leads to salvation. That we have fallen into that old trap of “if it feels good, do it” routine. In other words, we have not abstained from everything that is evil, and that we have fallen once again, short of God’s Glory. That we are again in need of that forgiving Grace from God, through Jesus Christ.
For do we not hear in our New Testament lesson from I Thessalonians Chapter 5, that U-Turns are allowed; for REJOICE always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good. May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. These words from the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians, still hold true to us today.
Now, I would like for you to think about these two passages, test everything and hold fast to what is good. For if you hear or read something that makes you scratch your head and say, What! Hold onto what you know is most certainly true. In other words, test the waters. See for yourself, if it’s true or not. But, know this, what you choose to believe can either put you on that road less traveled or on a freeway to hell! For as the song says, I will choose to listen to the voice of truth. For that voice of truth will lead us down that path of righteousness, for his name’s sake.
So, as we continue in our advent, our preparations of the coming blessed remembrance, let us listen to the words from today’s Psalms; Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy.
Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad indeed. Those great things; the birth of a Savior, the preaching and teachings, the ultimate sacrifice, the Glorious resurrection, and a promise.
That though the one who shouts out from the wilderness, prepares the way, only baptized with water, and one not worthy to untie his sandals has made know that one is coming, that is greater than he. So, let us be like John the Baptizer, shout out that “Good News”, tell others to prepare for that who is coming, to seek out and test the voice of truth, the Bible, to come to the Altar of God, confessing they are sinners and seeking forgiveness, to come to the banquet and feast on that the Lord has provided and to give thanks and praise to the Great I am.
So, light one candle to wait for Messiah, let the light banish darkness, he shall bring salvation to Israel, God fulfills the promise.
Praise be to God, Amen