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

December 11, 2021 — Ephesians 5:1–20  

“Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving. For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things Godʼs wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth – trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. But all things being exposed by the light are made evident.” Ephesians 5:1–13  

“Be imitators….of Jesus”. Imitators (the Greek word is “mimetes”) is translated as an imitator, follower, actor, or impostor. Mimetes means “do as I do.” Plato said a mimetes was one who represents characters. Aristotle said it was one who is like another. A mime is one who acts a part with mimic gestures and action. The verb “to be” is in the present imperative…meaning Jesus is commanding for continual, ongoing action — and imitation – to imitate Jesus. Now think about this for a second—how successful might we be if we try to keep this command, being imitators of Jesus, but act solely in our OWN strength? My feeling is we will fail without Christ.  

The only way to imitate the life of Jesus is by relying on the same power Jesus relied upon—the power of the Holy Spirit. Note that just after Jesus’ ministry was inaugurated through His baptism and the giving of the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit filled Jesus and led Him into the wilderness and then “…all Hell broke lose”. The only way we can obey this command, to be imitators of Christ, is through the power of the Holy Spirit.  

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, we want to imitate you – but we are not perfect. Help us to follow your commands, to love all, to forgive without limits, and to allow you, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to be our sure guide for daily living. Amen.

Pastor Dave