Sermon for 12/16/07

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Sermon for 12/16/07
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Advent 3, MATTHEW 11:2-11,
Beyond the Bah Humbug Blues (RW2001)

Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, AMEN

SUMMARY: All Christians who live in a broken world will experience times of pain or fear which causes us to have disappointments and doubts. This can lead us to the Bah Humbug Blues, when it appears that God did not live up to our expectations, that He has forgotten us. Even John the Baptist, sitting in prison is trying to make sense of what is happening and asks Christ “Are you the one?” His expectations of a warrior king messiah left him confused as to who this servant Jesus really was. He’s looking for proof! But faith is not based on proof. And yet, in Advent we discover that if we do look around us we will see daily “signs” and “wonders” and we can be assured that Christ’s love and presence are with us in good AND bad times.

GOSPEL FOR 3^rd SUNDAY IN ADVENT – MATTHEW 11:2-11 (2^nd Service)

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me."

As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:
'I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.'

Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

1) THE BAH HUMBUG BLUES! My yard this year is lit up beautifully with lights and decorations, but… I didn’t do it. (My daughter Janine did.) Our Christmas tree looks great and every room is festively filled with seasonal colors and adornments. But I didn’t do it! (My wife Char did.) See, for about a dozen years now, I’ve had to deal with a mild case of S.A.D. - seasonal affectedness disorder. While everyone else is getting excited about Christmas and the holidays, I just want to go to sleep until spring. Like an old bear – I’d rather hibernate through the winter. The people, ministries, the hobbies that have excited me throughout the rest of the year, seem to lose their ability to ignite my passion. I get what my family calls the “Bah Humbug Blues.” Scientifically it has to do with a chemical change in the body, specifically in melatonin levels, due to a lack of sunshine which can cause constant sleepiness, lack of energy, and yes, severe depression on some folks. My mild case is very manageable, but it has branded me the bah humbug scrooge and official grinch of the Bailey household at Christmas time. Seems ironic, doesn’t it? A pastor who confesses he has a hard time getting excited about Christmas!!! But I know I am not alone! I am not the only person who gets a case of the Bah Humbug Blues!

2) JOY? In fact, statistics says that there are lots of folks, plenty of Christians in fact, who will have a hard time finding the joy in Christmas this year. It’s hard to sing “Joy to the world” when you’ve lost your job. The fears of not being able to provide financially for your family or pay the bills can suck the joy right out of life. It’s hard to think of “peace on earth good will towards men” when your marriage is falling apart and the threat of divorce lies over your head. “Hark the herald angels sing” – but who can sing with them when someone you have loved has just passed away. The “Bells of Christmas” may be ringing, but they ring hollow for those parents whose children are addicted, or in prison, or homeless on the streets. The fact is, the “brokenness of this world” could care less that it’s Christmas, and it randomly dumps the consequences of sin, Satan, and death on the doors steps of “anyone and everyone” sooner or later! If you are not experiencing any major problems right now, count your blessings and praise God! But I’ll bet someone around you is struggling to find the joy of Christmas. Because it’s hard to keep the faith and share the joy when it appears God may have “abandoned you”!

3) JOHN THE DOUBTER? After all, what other conclusion can you come to when the world around you is falling apart? When everything you hoped for, dreamed about, worked for, or loved seems to have disintegrated before your very eyes. And suddenly, like John the Baptist – you’re sitting in a deep dark dungeon wondering how it “all went wrong”. John the Baptist appears to be morphing into John the doubter. Imagine dedicating your whole life to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah! …the One the prophets said would re-establish the kingdom of Israel! And yet, Israel is still a prisoner of Rome. Their expectations awaited the one who was to become the “new and improved” King David – and yet this Jesus shows up instead as a servant who drinks with tax-collectors, sinners, lepers, prostitutes, and the broken outcastes of the world. The Holy One who John himself had baptized in the River Jordon was anything but what John the Baptist had anticipated. Little wonder he was evolving into John the doubter!

4) JESUS ARE YOU THE ONE? And now, sitting in prison he wondered, “Was it all for nothing?” Had John misunderstood God’s calling? And could a life-time of faithful service really result in prison and possibly death simply because he had upset the local ruler by preaching the truth? Where’s the joy now? Where’s the promised “new world”? And so in his disappointments and doubts he dares to ask “Jesus are you the one?” Or is there another to come?” In other words, “God are you still out there? Instead of feeling “delivered” or “liberated”, I’m in prison and still waiting for you to come! Jesus, if you ARE the one – then why am I feeling the way I am feeling? Jesus are you the one?”

5) IS GOD REALLY OUT THERE? Are there not times in our own faith journey when we know exactly how John feels? Have we forgotten those times when we started a new project, a business, a career, a marriage, a family – something important! – then, as time goes on, the good prospects began turning sour. And we began wondering – “Is God really out there?” Have you ever wondered “Hmmm, if Christ is present… then why is my life falling apart?” Maybe you’re feeling that now in your life. It’s amazing how many questions like this arise out of our trauma and pain. We ask these questions, because when our friend, spouse, child, marriage, job, or hope is… dying – the light appears to be going out. Those of us who recognize our brokenness, and accept the fact that we are living in a broken world – we know, as John the Baptist did, that there will be times when we will sit in a painful prison of confusion, frustration, or hurt; and we will wonder… “Is God really out there?”

6) CHRISTMAS – CHRIST = MAS! It is no accident that Christmas time, is the worst time for depression and suicide. When hearts are hurting – even we who have followed Him – we begin to question if Jesus is really the Messiah – the deliverer of His people. When we are imprisoned in emotional jails built out of disappointments and doubts, it is hard to find hope. And when it appears that the “Christ” in Christmas is missing, all you have left is the “mas”; that is, “a mass of confusion”, “a mass of pain, and “a mass of meaningless busyness.” Without Christ, the season can become a mass of heartache and despair.

7) PROOF? SIGNS AND WONDERS! So what is it we want in times like that? What is it that John is looking for when he sends his followers to Jesus to ask if He is the one? The same thing most of us desire: PROOF! Proof that God is with us, among us, present here with us – today – now! We want proof that there is a God who hears our cries, and who cares! We seek proof that there IS a God who has a plan for the world, and …for us! But notice, Jesus does not provide proof – He simply says, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” John, a biblical scholar would be reminded that these are the “signs and wonders” spoken of by the ancient prophets. Proof John? No – faith is not based on proof. Faith is based on what we do not see and can’t prove. BUT… if you open your eyes to what is happening around you – you will see “signs and wonders” that God is present and truly cares – loving His children and touching His children daily.

8) LIFT YOUR EYES UP! Perhaps one of the most amazing things Advent calls us to do, is lift our eyes up from our problems and look around for the signs and wonders going on around us. One of the truly great benefits of being a pastor is that I am privileged to be aware of most of the miracles that are going on in this church! I get to see how God is healing us – some through counseling, some through hospitals, and some through His Word! I get to share in the journeys of those of you who are growing in your faith! I get to watch lives changed and renewed because of the small groups who study His Word and encourage one another to grow spiritually. I see compassion and caring bringing friends and loved ones into the family of God, and finding peace, faith, hope, and love in Christ. But for you who do not get to experience the benefits of the ordained ministry – you will have to hear the call of Advent to lift your eyes up and intentionally look for the signs and wonders that point to God’s presence, love, and care!

9) HANDS? SIGNS AND WONDERS! Let’s help it along a little; raise your hands if... if God has changed your heart in a good way, brought you hope, or blessed you in ways this year that have helped you endure and grow? Raise your hands if God’s presence and power have touched you recently! Now for those who may be questioning if God is present and active in the world – take a look at those hands and recognize them for what they are: signs and wonders of God’s presence and power! Are these raised hands PROOF?! Hardly. It was their personal experience with divinely inspired faith – not proof – that caused these brothers and sisters to raise their hands; but in doing so they merely presented themselves as signs and wonders that point to the one who is among us and in us – Jesus Christ!

10) EXPECTATIONS! Naturally, a few of us may be wondering: “Why, if He is present in their life, isn’t He present in mine?! Am I being punished? Singled out?” I believe those questions reveal not a failure on God’s part, as much as it is a failure on our part to understand the stumbling block in our own minds as to discovering what’s really happening. See, God never lets us down, but often we THINK He’s turned His back on us because of our expectations! Like John, who wrongly expected a warrior King type of Messiah who would use divine power and great armies to free and restore the people of Israel – we too get into trouble when our earthly expectations reflect OUR will and not HIS! I understand John’s confusion – after all, who would have imagined that a servant King (who suffered and died for us on the cross) could possibly “CHANGE THE WORLD!?!” We ALL have expectations of God, but when they grow out of human ignorance – it’s not God who has to be changed! It’s our human expectations that need changing! The author Matthew and the early church all expected Jesus to return in their life-times! But they failed to take into account the Lord’s timeline and HIS desire to see so many others given the chance to experience His love! We’re so much better off when the Spirit helps us align our expectations with God’s expectations!

11) SUFFERING AND TRIALS! Take for instance, the common “expectation” errors we make when it comes to suffering and trials! We hate them, right? We want immediate healing, immediate deliverance, immediate relief from our pain and discomfort. Our logic assumes that because we have those expectations – God must too! And it follows therefore that if things are going well, then God must be liking me! But when things go sour, when the people or things that make us happy are taken away, we inversely conclude that God must be upset with me – turned His back on me – walked out of my life. Because IF He loved me, he would stop my loved ones from dying, heal all my wounded relationships, and bring me immediate comfort, peace, and all the good things of life. And that nasty thing “death” – that He would never let me near! But if those are OUR expectations of God, then our expectations need to be changed! God never said He would save us from the brokenness of the world, He said He would save us in the MIDST of the brokenness! Let me repeat that: God never said He would save us from the brokenness of the world, He said He would save us in the MIDST of the brokenness! He would save us in the midst of our suffering and trials!

12) DELIVERER? The fact is, it is never God who lets us down – it is our human expectations for a deliverer that let us down. God didn’t say He would love us and care for us in the good times only, but in the bad times too! He didn’t say you would be spared from having trials in your life, He said He would help you ENDURE and GROW in them. He didn’t say, “Follow me and you’ll never experience pain, disappointments, or doubts” – He said He would give you and me inner peace and hope even in the midst of chaos and crisis! He didn’t say He would prevent you from ever sinning, or dealing with evil in the world, or from having to deal with death, but He did say He would save you from those three powers having the final say in your life! Yes, there will be a time in heaven, when all the brokenness of the world will go away, but for now you will have to deal with it – but not alone! Nor without hope! God didn’t say we would have ONLY good times and no bad times, but He did say our deliverer would be with us in both the good and the bad times! So do your expectations for a “deliverer” line up with God’s?

13) LATER! I hope you have the following verse marked in your bible: John 3:7! While some of you are opening to that place in your bibles, let’s reflect on a couple of questions; “If He’s here, then why don’t I FEEL His presence?” “Can God be here when I’m feeling bad?” “Can God love me and care for me when I don’t understand what’s happening?” Maybe it helps to realize that most of the time the disciples never fully understood the mysterious ways of Christ either! Here in John 3, Jesus desires to wash the feet of Peter – which blows Peter’s mind! A master never washes the feet of a servant or follower! But Jesus answers in verse 7, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand!” Friends, we need to understand that most Christians will spend a great deal of our lives NOT being able to understand what Jesus is doing! After all, our tiny finite brain is trying to understand the infinite mind of God! Who knows how long our trials will last? Or how will Jesus present Himself? Well, all I can say is Jesus usually comes along a path we do not see, expect, or sometimes even desire. But He Comes! And like Peter, there will be a day when we will see it all clearly! But that comes later! Right now, however, it is enough to know that your Savior is still in control! And loves you! And is with you – even though you may not understand how! Never-the-les, He is with you, even among disappointments, doubts, and brokenness! What did Jesus say? “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand!”

14) UPSET? Well, if this is so… Does Jesus get upset at us when we don’t feel joyful? When we doubt and ask questions? Of course not! Did He get mad at John? Did He say “John, I can’t believe you’re asking such dumb questions!” Did He say “Where’s your faith, stupid?” No! Jesus understood John’s doubts and questions were actually a byproduct of faith! John knew that God promised a Messiah, and He believed Him! But John is also thinking He “messed up” somehow and misunderstood God’s will – perhaps wasting his life in a foolish way! Only the faithful would be so concerned! How could Jesus be upset?

15) NEVER! Friends, doubts get a bad rap in our culture, but Christ comes today knowing that doubts and questions are a byproduct of loving God! Will He yell at you? Get mad at you? NEVER! You’ll notice, Jesus turns to John’s followers and praises John! Same with you! Your questions and doubts that come from hurting hearts never anger Him! Jesus simply and gently lifts up your chins and says to you in Advent, “Look around you – at the healing taking place, the hope being spread, the lives being changed. Open your eyes to the signs and wonders that surround you! I am here, I am with you, in the good times and in the bad! Let the “Bah Hum-bug Blues” fade away in my embrace! And rest assured, I love you – and you will never be alone! NEVER!” Praise God. AMEN

Sermon/Confessional Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we confess that we forget that the brokenness of the world is not your doing, but ours. Forgive us for blaming you when life gets tough, …or for thinking you have abandoned us or don’t care. Help us as we walk towards the birth of Jesus, to see the signs and wonders in the world that reflect your presence and love. Open our eyes to the hope you give so many, the healing going on around us, the changed lives, …and empower us with the Holy Spirit to be a channel for your ever present love that brings small miracles into the lives of those in need.

Lord, forgive us for having selfish expectations that do not line up with yours. We confess we hate to suffer and deal with pain. We selfishly demand immediate relief, and work to avoid the stress and sacrifice of servanthood. Too often we have hesitated to walk into the pain in other people’s lives to help them. We have left “changing the world” to others. Forgive us and give us the strength to face a broken world and grow in the midst of trials and suffering. Empower us that we may willingly be your hands, feet, and voice to a broken world!

And now Lord, although you know us better than we know ourselves, listen as we share in a moment of silence, those other parts of our lives that need to be forgiven, washed clean, healed, and made anew.

(Silence)

Lord, thank you for understanding when we get down. Thank you for gently lifting our chins and helping us to see the signs and ownders of your love and presence all around us. Use our doubts and questions to bring us closer to you. Fan the glowing embers of our faith, and restore our joy even in the midst of a broken world! In Jesus Name we pray, AMEN

Sermon/Confessional Prayer:

Friends, listen to the good news: The Lord, who is always present, and always breaking into our broken world, …that Lord has mercifully heard your confession and eagerly forgives you all your sins. Go with lifted chins, see the signs and wonders of His presence, and know that He has come to you, is with you now, and always will be! AMEN

Opening prayer: Advent 3

Dear Lord, we come here this morning united in our desire to be near you, and yet no two hearts are exactly in the same place. Some are filled with joy and energy, while others of us struggled just to get here. Some hearts are eager to celebrate your coming at Christmas, while some of us just hope to survive the weeks to come. Some of us have overwhelming material and spiritual blessings, while others struggle to make ends meet. Some of us can sense you in everything around us, while others of us wonder where you went. Some of us are blessed with an abundance of family and friends, while some of us feel very much alone. It’s clear that the brokenness of the world has not gone away because we celebrate your birth. The need for hope has not diminished because of Christmas trees and presents. And so we come to you because we know you care. Whether our hearts are joyful or burdened, we need to hear your voice, and be filled with your love. We need our sins washed away, and our wounds and broken hearts healed, our souls filled again with your Holy Spirit. Fill us Lord, and touch us so that we are assured of your love! And empower us to serve and boldly sacrifice that others may someday join us as we feast at your table! In Jesus Name we pray, AMEN!

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