December 13, 2021 — Ephesians 5:21–33  

“He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” Ephesians 5:28–33 

When Paul says that husbands are to love their wives, the Greek word for Love he uses is “agape” — this kind of love is unconditional, sacrificial love and Biblically refers to a love that G-d is, the love that G-d shows, and the love that G-d enables in the children of G-d. 

It is not surprising that Greek literature throws little light on its distinctive NT meaning. Biblical agape love is the love of choice, the love of serving with humility, the highest kind of love — it is not a love that is superficial in appearance, has nothing to do with emotional attraction, and differs from sentimental relationship. Agape is not based on pleasant emotions or good feelings that might result from a physical attraction or a familial bond. Agape love is self-sacrificing love for the recipient.  

Agape love does not depend on the world’s criteria for love, such as attractiveness, emotions, or sentimentality. This is not agape love, but is a love based on impulse. Christians must understand that the type of love G-d has for all of creation is a sacrificial, unconditional love – it is the love G-d has for the world through Jesus.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, you showed your love for all of humanity on the cross: “for G-d so loved the world, G-d sent the Son…”. Help us to remember this love and to lead with this love in all our actions and interactions. Amen.

Pastor Dave 

December 12, 2021 – Advent 3C

“John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? ⁸Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. ⁹Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” ¹⁰And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” ¹¹In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” ¹²Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” ¹³He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” ¹⁴Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.” ¹⁵As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, ¹⁶John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹⁷His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” ¹⁸So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.” Luke 3:7-18

This is the third Sunday in Advent – it is called “Gaudete” Sunday – “Rejoice” Sunday – “Joy” Sunday – “Pick Candle” Sunday.  Today we begin with Paul, because he proclaims “Rejoice in the Lord always – again I say Rejoice”.  This phrase begins and ends with the word Rejoice – and the Latin word for “Rejoice” is “Gaudete” – that is why it is called “Gaudete” Sunday.  Now, let me ask you, how hard is it to “Rejoice” always?  Not easy, right?

And wait, it gets better, Paul then says “Do not worry about anything.” How hard is that?

We currently live in a society where the various churches trying to scare the “hell” out of people. For example, they preach a Gospel of right belief – right practice. You must believe within the right and wrong, black and white world of which they live in – and if your life is off the tracks, then it is because you have erred in your faith. This is why I am glad I am a Lutheran – because we believe in the grey areas of reality — that life is not defined by narrowly defined right and wrong. And so we preach about our only hope: relying on the Amazing Grace of Jesus Christ.   

Of course, in the season of Advent, the first two Sundays brought us just that message – “The Day of the Lord is doom and gloom” – it is a terrible day – there will be wars and rumors of wars and earthquakes, dogs sleeping with cats – it is a day of judgment not of rejoicing”.  And now, this third Sunday in Advent, the message shifts, dramatically – from fear and forboding – to “Joy” and “Rejoicing”.  So, what is going on?

Have you ever noticed that there are churches in our midst who like to play on people’s fears. And if you do not believe as they do you are going straight to hell. These churches tell us that G-d is a vengeful G-d, yes filled with grace, mercy and love, and if your life is going great, then you are on the right track. But if you are suffering in this life, or if your life is doom and gloom, it is because you are not living right. Different proclamations – different ideas of G-d’s amazing Grace.

So let’s flesh this out just a little – because we need to hear some good news – we need to know if we are to live a life of fear, fear that we have done enough, or a live a life of rejoicing for what G-d has already done for us.

We are to focus on Joy, not fear, according to Paul.  So, how do we tur our fear into joy?  Well, we proclaim that we have a G-d who loves us so much that we have a safety net – we have a back up plan – and that safety net is the fact that G-d has our back through the person of Jesus Christ.  So, even though we are sinful and unclean people, and even though we suffer or are in pain or cry now, when we get to the next life, the life that Christ has won for us, our suffering NOW will pale in comparrison to the Joy to come.  And my friends, this is a message that sells – NOT FEAR – but JOY.

Pastor Dave