We are over the hill in this sermon series.
 
Literally.
 
We’ve been watching Jesus showcase his authority over demons, over sickness, over disease, and last week on the top of the mountain he unveiled it in all its face shining, resplendent clothing, ascended prophet appearing, cloud encircling glory!
 
We now know Jesus has LIMITLESS authority.
 
But we’ve gotta come down the mountain.
And as we come down…
 
…We see Jesus humbling himself.
…We see Jesus hiding his authority.
…We see Jesus succumbing to earthly authorities.
 
This is the Lenten portion of our AUTHORITY sermon series. Today, we watch as Jesus submits himself to the temptations of the devil himself.
 
Before we begin, a prayer: O Lord, strengthen us by the truth. Your Word is the truth. Open our eyes to see what you want us to see; open our ears to hear what you want us to hear; and open our hearts to believe what you would have us believe. Amen.
 
I. Background
 
The battle starts in Matthew 4 verse 1, “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”
 
The wilderness was in Ancient Israel was a desert. It was (and is) very hot, very dry, very dusty, and very wild. It’s the kind of place that Bear Grylls might attempt to go (with a camera crew and emergency supplies close by).
 
Jesus goes into this desert alone.
By himself.
 
That’s dangerous.
It’s where wild animals are.
Scorpions.
Leopards.
Vipers.
 
Or something worse.
And something worse did meet Jesus there.
 
Or someone worse.
 
The devil.
 
The Bible doesn’t tell us a lot about the devil. We know that he is an angel who became conceited (1 Tim. 3:6), he was kicked out of heaven (Luke 10:18), he used temptation to bring our world into ruin (Genesis 3), and that the world is under his evil influence (1 John 5:19).
 
He’s really good at doing evil.
And he’s really good at getting others to do evil.
 
Maybe you know.
From experience.
 
In fact, his initial temptation, the one that led the first two human beings – Adam and Eve – into sin brought destruction on this earth. The truth is that in a certain sense…
 
It’s because of the devil that sin is in the world.
It’s because of the devil that death is in the world.
It’s because of the devil that COVID 19, racism, winter storms, and joblessness are in the world all results of his very first temptation.
 
Which means…
 
This desert.
This dry, barren, pathetic wasteland.
Filled with death and bones and vicious animals.
 
That’s his kind of place.
It’s his home turf.
 
II. The Temptations
 
After fasting forty days and forty nights, Jesus was hungry.
 
I think this is probably one of the greatest understatements in Scripture.
Mostly because I fast for two hours and I’m hungry.
 
Jesus fasts for 40 days and 40 nights.
 
He’s hungry, sure…
Maybe even tired.
Stomach’s growling.
His body is weak.
His hands are shaking.
He’s sweaty.
Light-headed.
 
It’s not a great time for Jesus.
 
Isn’t this the time when the devil likes to strike?
The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” (v.3)
 
Or make it rain drown bread from heaven.
Or get some ravens to bring you crumbs.
Or hit that rock with a stick and make water come flowing out.
 
Since you are the Son of God, this can’t be hard for you.
 
Obviously, your “Heavenly Father” doesn’t care about what happens to you on this earth.
It’s been forty days.
He doesn’t care about you.
 
You’ve got to take matters into your own hands.
 
But Jesus didn’t even blink, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (v.4)
 
My dad’s Word brings life.
Like back at the beginning when his Word brought life to this world.
 
Your words, on the other hand, bring death.
Like shortly after the beginning when your words brought death to this world.
 
My Father will sustain me.
He already has been sustaining me.
 
His plan is for me to die on a cross.
Since I don’t see any crosses around this place…I’m not dying here.
Not now.
 
I know my Father will provide.
 
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. (v.5)
 
The holy city is a reference to Jerusalem. It’s a beautiful city. The heart of Ancient Israel situated on a hill.
 
Within Jerusalem was the temple. It was the second version, having been rebuilt after the first was destroyed, but still quite magnificent.
 
The highest point of the temple would have been near the Kidron Valley. It was about 100 feet from the top of the wall to the ground. It is also important to note that the word pinnacle comes from a Greek word meaning wing and was commonly used to refer to a turret-like structures on the top of the wall.
 
But the devil didn’t bring Jesus up there to marvel at its architectural features…
 
“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down.
It is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
 
That’s from the Psalms.
Your Father’s promise!
 
He’ll protect you so that not even your foot gets hurt on a stone.
 
Like the ones down there.
Sharp.
Jagged.
Murderous.
 
But your Father said he’d keep you safe. So…What are you waiting for?
You’ll be a beacon of faith.
You’ll be world-renowned.
They’ll write books about you.
 
If you just force your Father’s hand and…
Jump!
 
And so, Jesus jumped…
At the chance to rebuke Satan again.
Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (v.7)
 
Sure, my Father could protect me from dying on those jagged stones.
Just as easily as he could raise up those stones and run them through you right now.
 
But God didn’t tell me to jump.
I take orders from him.
He doesn’t take orders from me.
 
Just like I don’t take orders from you.
 
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. (v.8)
 
The highest mountain near Jerusalem was Mount Hebron. It’s currently 4,652 feet. One can certainly see for a great distance from there.
But this is something more. There appears to be otherworldly forces at work. Because from this mountain peak, the devil was able to show Jesus all the kingdoms of the world.
The glories of Jerusalem.
The busy streets of the Greek agora.
The powerful structures of Rome.
 
“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
 
Cause I know the Father promised it to you. He said it would all be yours…
 
…after you suffer.
…after you are betrayed.
…after you are abandoned.
…after you are falsely accused.
…after your own people turn against you!
…after you nails pierce your flesh.
…after you slowly lose oxygen.
…after you struggle to breathe.
 
Then…sure, it could be yours.
 
But…
 
Why go through that painful plan?
I’ve got an easier plan.
 
Just bow down.
And it’s yours.
 
I’ll deceive.
I’ll lie.
I’ll cheat.
I’ll get it for you.
 
Only worship me.
 
“Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” (v.10)
 
God is God; you aren’t. I follow his plan; Not yours.
Your plan means momentary ease for an eternity of suffering.
His plan means momentary struggle for an eternity of glory.
 
I’m not abandoning his plan.
I’m abandoning you.
 
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
 
III. Authority over Temptations
 
This is quite the showdown.
The authority of heaven versus the authority of the earth.
The ultimate good versus the ultimate evil.
 
But it’s more than just a good story.
It teaches us some applicable truths.
 
(1) Satan’s Authority Is False
 
Satan felt like he had Jesus where he wanted him.
 
It was the desert.
Jesus was tired.
Jesus was hungry.
Jesus was malnourished.
 
But…
Did you notice something about verse one?
 
It said that Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert.
This showdown wasn’t the devil catching Jesus off guard.
 
It was God’s plan the whole time.
 
God’s plan to showcase the devil’s failures.
God’s plan to expose his weakness.
God’s plan to make a public spectacle of Satan.
 
Because he has no REAL power.
 
Remember that.
 
If you’re struggling to defeat a sin.
If you’re struggling to say NO to temptation.
If you find yourself continually losing your temper…
Or repeatedly going back to your addiction.
If you think saying NO to your boyfriend pressuring you for sex is too hard.
Or saying NO to your friends pressuring you to drink too much is too difficult.
 
You’re believing a lie.
Actually, you are believing a liar.
 
Did you know devil means “liar?” That’s appropriate, because that’s all he does.
 
That sin will not make you feel better.
That sin will not improve your life.
That sin will not be ‘no big deal.’
 
Sin is not something that you have to do!
Sin is never something that you have to do!
 
The devil’s authority is a lie.
 
Call him on it.
 
(2) Jesus’ Authority is Trustworthy
 
Because Jesus crushed the devil under his feet before breakfast.
 
This wasn’t even hard.
Though he was hungry, tired, and alone.
Jesus defeated the devil simply by speaking a few words.
 
In fact, it’s almost as if he’s playing with the devil. Because what happens after the third temptation that’s different from the others?
 
Jesus adds the command, “Away from me.”
And with that, the devil is gone.
 
To be fair this isn’t Jesus’ last interaction with the devil.
 
Because later on Jesus would face the devil’s handiwork head on.
He’d face every sin that Satan ever got you to commit.
He’d carry the guilt that came as a result of your listening to the devil’s lies.
He took on the death that the devil himself brought into the world.
 
And Jesus crushed it all.
 
Completely.
Absolutely.
 
Just like some kind of a desert snake.
Dangerous.
And intimidating.
 
Jesus fearlessly walked over to that snake.
And stomped on its head.
 
Jesus won.
And Jesus always wins.
 
And with Jesus, you will win too.
 
(3) Jesus Has Given Us His Battle Weapons
 
Because did you notice the each of Jesus’ rebukes contain a similar phrase?
“It is written.”
 
As in, “God’s Word says.”
As in, “the divine Scripture states,”
As in, “The Bible tells us this.”
 
You have that same Bible.
You have God’s Word.
 
So… Use it. Here are a few ways that will help you fight off the devil’s temptations:
 
(1) Read It
 
Because it is wise to dress the part for your day.
 
If you are going on a job interview, it’s a good idea to wear a suit.
If you are going jogging, you might want to wear your workout clothes.
If you are going clogging, you will need to bring along your pair of wooden clogging shoes.
 
The truth is that each day is a battle. You need to wear what you need for battle.
And God’s Word is what arms you for battle!
 
It gives us a sword that we use to slay the devil’s lies.
It gives us a helmet of salvation we put on to stand in God’s saving power.
It gives us the breastplate of righteousness that identifies us as God’s forgiven children.
It gives us the belt of truth that secures us in the reality of our Saving God.
It gives us shoes of readiness that makes us swift to avoid any attacks the devil throws our way.
It gives us a shield of faith ready to extinguish the deceptions that the world aims at you.
 
(2) Know It
 
Because sometimes you don’t have a Bible on you. You do have a phone, but sometimes that might be out of battery life.
 
So why not have key passages ready to go to fight against the devil’s schemes?
 
If you struggle with lust, learn passages the rebuke lust.
If you struggle with lying, learn passages that rebuke deception.
If you struggle with greed, learn passages that rebuke greed.
If you struggle with pride, learn passages that rebuke pride.
 
You know yourself.
God knows your too.
He has provided you with the exact weapon you need.
 
(3) Speak It
 
Have you tried this? Have you tried actually, verbally speaking God’s Word when you are tempted?
 
It’s powerful.
Because it’s God’s Word.
Spoken against the devil.
 
I don’t know that the devil can hear our thoughts.
He’s not all knowing like God.
So…
 
Tell him what you’re thinking.
 
It is written, “Don’t sin.”
It is written, “Worship God.”
It is written, “You already lost devil.”
 
It’s kinda like trash talk.
Can you trash talk the devil?
Absolutely. Please do.
 
Because…
 
The truth is demoralizing to the devil.
 
The truth is that the devil has no authority over Jesus.
Jesus crushed him.
 
The devil has no authority over Jesus.
He knows that.
 
The devil has no authority over Jesus.
He already lost – repeatedly.
 
The devil has no authority over Jesus.
 
And…
 
Since Jesus has authority over your heart…
The devil has no authority over YOU.
 
Amen.

One summer I vacationed on the beach. On this particular day, we were walking along a boardwalk right off the beach in hot, one hundred degree weather and came upon a beach side restaurant.
 
Before we could get in, I noticed a young surfer. He had long hair, sunglasses, bronze body. He was still wet from catching the latest wave and walked into the store.
 
I said, “Hello” to him.
He responded by saying hello the way all surfers say hello.
 
He waved.
 
The surfer entered the restaurant.
 
“What are you doing?” said the owner.
“Duuuuude,” the surfer replied, “Be chill, man. I’m just looking for some grub.”
“Can’t you read?”
 
The manager pointed at a sign, “No shirt. No Shoes. No service.”
 
The surfer sat down outside.
He reached into his bag.
He pulled out a shirt and some sandal.
He put on the shirt and the sandals.
The owner let him inside.
 
But when the surfer was received his order, immediately he went outside.
He sat down.
He took off his shoes.
He took off his shirt.
 
The manager saw.
And simply shook his head.
 
He was outside.
The manager had no authority outside.
His authority had limits.
 
Most authorities have limits.
 
The limits may be geographical.
They may be political.
They may be financial.
 
Should we expect limits to Jesus’ authority?
 
Today, we’ll dig deeper into the limits of Jesus’ authority. Before we begin, a prayer: O Lord, strengthen us by the truth. Your Word is the truth. Open our eyes to see what you want us to see; open our ears to hear what you want us to hear; and open our hearts to believe what you would have us believe. Amen.
 
I. Background
 
Today’s lesson skips ahead in the book of Mark to chapter 9. First, some background…
 
Mark chapter nine occurs about two years after Jesus first calls his disciples to follow him, drives out the synagogue demons, and heals Peter’s mother-in-law. That means the disciples have seen Jesus display a wide range of authority in that time period.
 
In chapter 2, he shows his authority over the body and causes a paralyzed man to walk.
In chapter 3, he shows his authority over flesh-eating illness and heals a man with a shriveled hand.
In chapter 4, he shows his authority over the weather and commands a storm to stop storming.
In chapter 5, he shows his authority over death by raising a little girl to life.
In chapter 6, he shows his authority over matter and feeds 5000+ people with five loaves of bread and two fish.
In chapter 7, he shows his doubly shows his authority commanding both deafness and muteness to leave the same man at the same time.
 
This leads to chapter 8. In it, Jesus asks his disciples a question. He wants to know what the people have been saying about his authority. Most think he is a powerful prophet. Some even think he’s prophet come back to life.
 
But it isn’t until Peter answers, that Jesus nods in agreement:
Peter said, “You are the Messiah.” (Mark 8:29)
 
Messiah is a Hebrew word that means “the Anointed One.”
The Old Testament is filled with prophecies about the Anointed One.
Peter is saying that Jesus is that Anointed One who has all authority.
 
Jesus agrees.
 
Jesus also thinks it’s time for his disciples to know the truth about why he is on earth. He tells them about how he would eventually go to Jerusalem, be betrayed, be falsely accused, be convicted, be crucified, and be killed on the cross for their sins.
 
Now remember.
Peter had just told Jesus that he was the Messiah.
The one with all authority.
 
Peter’s response to this one with all the authority?
 
Yell at him.
 
Jesus, this is a stupid plan!
You don’t know what you’re talking about.
I’ve got a better plan. My plan involves us making a bunch of money, buying mansions on neighboring lots and playing Xbox against each other till our kids grow old and beat us.
 
Also in my plan Jesus…
You don’t die.
 
Look at Jesus’ response to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Mark 8:33)
 
You just said I was the ultimate authority. Why are you acting like YOU are?
 
Ouch.
 
II. The Mountain
 
After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him and led them up a high mountain where they were all alone.… (9:2)
 
I wonder how those six days went for Peter.
 
Maybe he kept a low profile.
Always tried to keep his distance from Jesus.
When he was looking at Jesus and Jesus turned to look at him, Jesus would turn his head quickly.
 
“Don’t make eye contact.”
 
Now Peter was part of a select group of three disciples that were heading up a mountain alone with Jesus.
 
Please don’t talk to me. Please don’t talk to me. Please don’t talk to me about the incident.
Maybe if I speak first, I can set the subject of discussion and we’ll never circle back to the rebuke.
 
“This sure is a nice mountain.
I really love it.
It’s so…mountainy.”
 
Eventually they get to the top.
They unload some gear.
James wipes his brow.
John gets out a granola bar.
Peter takes a deep breath.
 
Maybe he should just broach the subject head on.
Apologize.
Get on Jesus’ good side.
 
But as Peter turned to speak with Jesus.
 
Something…Distracting happened.
 
For starters, Jesus’ clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. (v.3) To Peter, this was strange. They lived in a desert environment. Most people’s robes started out white, but at the end of a few days they became a permanent light brown. Stained by the desert storms.
 
Like Peter’s.
 
When Jesus got to the top of the mountain, his clothing became instantly spotless.
Clean.
Pure.
 
But this wasn’t the only thing strange.
 
His face shone like sun (Mt. 17:2)
 
Peter couldn’t even look directly at Jesus.
 
It was so bright.
So brilliant.
So blinding.
 
Something Peter had experienced.
Looking up too high into the sky while navigating his boat.
Or the reflection of the sun on the lake.
 
But this wasn’t coming from the lake.
Or the sky.
It wasn’t even coming from the sun.
But the Son.
 
And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. (v.4)
 
Which doesn’t sound that strange.
Until you realize that these guys were prophets.
Dead prophets.
 
Both of them had left the earth hundreds of years before this moment.
 
Whatever they talked about,
 
Peter was in awe.
 
What kind of authority was this?
 
Instant removal of all dirt molecules?
Human skin that illuminates like the sun?
The ability to summon dead prophets back to life?
 
TRUTH:
Jesus’ authority is LIMITLESS.
 
He isn’t limited by size.
He isn’t limited by space.
He isn’t limited by life.
He isn’t limited by death.
 
His power is above and beyond and far and wife and high and below.
 
It’s unlimited!
 
It’s like the breadsticks at Olive Garden. They bring out a basket of breadsticks. You eat them up. Then, they bring out another basket of breadsticks. You eat them up again. They bring another basket and another and another and another. It’s an unlimited amount of breadsticks you can eat without increasing your total bill!
 
Although, I kinda think it is limited.
Cause eventually they run out.
Or they close.
 
But not Jesus.
He doesn’t run out.
He doesn’t close.
His authority is unlimited.
 
III. The Source
 
Peter was pumped.
 
Seeing all these miracles occur…
Simultaneously…
Before his face…
 
He felt confident.
He felt excited.
He felt good.
 
And a little scared.
 
Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (v.5)
 
Just then a cloud descended on the mountain.
Totally normal. Clouds do that.
 
The cloud began to encircle Peter.
Not unheard of. It was the top of a mountain.
 
But what the cloud did next?
Was something Peter had never experienced before…
 
A voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” (v.7)
 
Hmm…
 
This seemed familiar.
Peter had a quick flashback to synagogue as a child.
Listening to Rabbi Hezekiah tell the story of the people of Israel in the wilderness.
God appeared to them at night and led them by a pillar of fire.
And during the day…
 
What was it?
God appeared to them in a…
 
Cloud.
God appeared in a cloud!
Peter dropped to the ground.
 
This was God.
The All-Powerful God.
 
TRUTH:
Jesus was given UNLIMITED authority by HIS UNLIMITED Father God.
 
Consider how unlimited Jesus’ Dad’s authority is!
 
This is the authority that spoke matter into existence.
The authority that told mountains to jut out of the ground.
The authority that told stars, millions of light years apart, to appear in the sky.
This is the authority that created life.
This is the authority that created authority.
 
This is the authority with the authority to give eternal life.
 
This is God the Father.
And with his words he is giving authority to Jesus.
 
Your Jesus.
Your Savior Jesus.
 
IV. What Now?
 
This gives us a few very important What Now points.
 
(1) Don’t Put Limits on Jesus’ Authority
 
This is exactly what Peter did prior to the Transfiguration.
 
He identified Jesus as all powerful Messiah.
Then, immediately questioned his authority.
Essentially, Peter told Jesus, “You don’t have authority to make me feel sad. So…no, you can’t die.”
 
Thank Jesus, that Jesus didn’t listen.
 
But I think this happens way to often with Christians.
 
“It’s my body. God doesn’t have authority over it.”
“God, get out of my finances…and for that matter get out of my bedroom. You have no authority there!”
“God, it’s my life. Thanks for the ideas.... But I’m the authority over my life.”
 
I guess what I’m saying is that Jesus have authority over all things!
Yet so often, we, believers, refuse to recognize that authority.
 
Here.
In our hearts.
 
That’s a problem. Because if you are the authority over your life?
You have to face the all-powerful, sin hating, speak to you from a cloud, God…
 
All.
By.
Yourself.
 
Don’t put limits on Jesus’ authority.
 
Instead…
 
(2) Listen to Him
 
If you have to, picture yourself surrounded by a cloud and a booming voice from within speaking that truth!
 
Listen to Jesus!
 
He is the limitless authority.
He is the one without boundaries.
He is the one who can do anything.
 
Not you!
 
And…
By the way…
That’s exactly what he did.
 
His authority is not limited to the physical.
His authority crosses into the spiritual.
 
He has authority over sin…and lived perfectly.
He has authority over shame…and died in your place.
He has authority over death…and rose triumphantly for you.
 
He has authority to bring you into eternal life.
 
Listen to him.
 
Because if you remember last week, the one who has all that LIMITLESS authority is the One who cares so deeply for you.
 
And he wants to bring you into the limitless joys of heaven.
Forever.
Which…
 
Is limitless.
 
Listen to him.
 
Amen.

Ever had a problem with your internet and called customer service to get it fixed?
 
You call them up.
Press 1 for English.
Press 5 for technical support.
 
Wait.
Wait some more.
Listen to some mellow jazz music.
Try not to tap your foot to the beat.
 
Finally, a prerecorded voice interrupts the music:
“You are our valued customer. We care about your call and we care about you. Please stay on the line.’
 
You think, “That’s nice.”
 
Then, you wait.
Wait some more.
Hear some more mellow jazz music, before…
Waiting some more.
 
Then, the prerecorded voice repeated itself.
“You are our valued customer. We care about your call and we care about you. Please stay on the line.”
 
It’s not so convincing the second time.
And definitely not the seventeenth.
 
Sometimes that happens.
Business, politicians, doctors assure us that they care about us.
But they get busy.
They do not respond.
They have way more people to serve than just you.
 
But God is different.
 
Today we will see that the authority that cares the most for is the one with the most authority.
 
Before we begin, a prayer: O Lord, strengthen us by the truth. Your Word is the truth. Open our eyes to see what you want us to see; open our ears to hear what you want us to hear; and open our hearts to believe what you would have us believe. Amen.
 
I. In-Law Illness
 
Today’s lesson is from Mark 1:29. It picks up right where we left off last week:
 
Jesus had been to the synagogue.
He impressed everyone with his teaching.
Then, he impressed them more when he drove out a demon from a man that had tried to overrun the gathering.
 
Verse 29 tells us where Jesus and his disciples went next: They left the synagogue and went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.
Yes. Peter and Andrew are brothers.
And yes, Peter and Andrew are grown men.
And yes, they still live together with their parents.
In fact, a common part of Israelite culture was something called the four-room house. It consisted of a main living space that was shared. From there, you could access separate bedrooms that each family unit could occupy.
 
So…
Peter and Andrew did not share a bunkbed.
In Peter’s family room maybe there was some fishing gear, posters of his favorite fishermen, a few mounted fish, and…
His mother-in-law.
Mostly likely taken in as a widow to the space that Peter and his wife occupied.
 
When Jesus came over, Peter’s mother-in-law was in the bedroom.
She did not even come out to say, “Hello.”
 
Why?
Simon’s mother-in-law was lying in bed, sick with a fever. Without delay they told Jesus about her. (v.30)
 
So…about my mother-in-law. She’s sick.
I know you’ve had a long day and all, but…
You know how you drove out that demon thing? Do you think you could use your…
Peter, don’t ask. He doesn’t owe us anything.
…It doesn’t hurt to try. Jesus, do you think you could drive out the fever too?
 
Jesus nodded. Peter led Jesus into his family’s space. There on the bed was his mother-in-law.
Sweaty.
Pale.
Breathing heavy.
 
His wife was seated next to the bed, holding a wet rag to her mom’s head.
Tears running down her cheeks. (It’s hard to see your loved one stuck on a bed.)
 
It was hard for Jesus to watch too.
Because he cared for this woman.
He went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her. (v.31)
Just like that.
 
He didn’t give her any medicine.
He didn’t apply a wet washcloth.
He didn’t put Vick’s VapoRub on her feet.
 
He simply took her hand.
And she was healed.
 
TRUTH:
Jesus cares enough to ACT.
 
It isn’t like at work. You might reach out to a coworker for help and they might respond with an email that says, “Thanks for reaching out. Unfortunately, that is beyond my scope of responsibility. You might try emailing this other person.”
 
Then, you email that person. And they respond, “I’m sorry. I don’t think that’s my area. You might try this person.”
 
You know…
…the person you sent the first email to.
 
Not Jesus.
 
Jesus got up.
Jesus walked to the woman in need.
Jesus healed her.
 
And Jesus still acts today!
 
Granted.
Some of you might be thinking:
 
“What are you talking about? I asked Jesus for help a while ago and I still haven’t received it! I still have doubt. I still have financial issues. I still have COVID. He hasn’t acted!’
 
But he did.
Before you even requested his help.
 
Two thousand some years ago, he heard your cry for help.
He heard your cries over that shameful thing you did.
He heard your shame over that awful thing someone did to you.
He heard your stress over this mess that you were in.
 
And he acted.
 
He came out of heaven, came to earth, came to this earth, went to the cross, died, and rose triumphantly for YOU.
 
He acted to win your forgiveness.
He acted to give you peace.
He acted to win you a place of eternal action in heaven!
 
So…
 
Yes. Jesus cares enough to act on your behalf.
Thousands of years before you knew you needed him to act, he acted.
 
II. The Whole Town
 
Peter’s mother-in-law is feeling much better. In fact, Scripture says that she immediately got up and started, ‘waiting on them.” (v.31)
 
Goodness, I thought I’d never be healed.
Glad to be feeling like my old self.
Jesus, I’m embarrassed. Let me fix my hair quick.
Did they show you wear to hang your coat?
I see Peter didn’t take off his shoes.
Let me fix you up a nice plate of my famous Tuna Casserole Surprise!
Did you see this precious photo of Peter when he was four? His bowl cut is so cute.
 
For a bit, everyone is relaxing.
They’re telling jokes.
Jesus just sits down to put his feet up on the ottoman, when…
 
That evening, when the sun had set, the people kept bringing to him all who were sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door. (v.32-33)
 
Knock-knock-knock.
Jesus, can you help my uncle? He’s blind in his left eye.
 
Knock-knock-knock.
We’re looking for Jesus? There’s a mysterious cough that my husband can’t shake.
 
Knock-knock-knock.
Hey Jesus. I hear you drove out a demon! Could you drive out this spliter from my left pinky?
Jesus doesn’t send them away.
He doesn’t tell them his office hours are 9-5.
He doesn’t tell them to take a number.
 
Jesus helps.
He healed many people who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. (v.34)
It’s an action-packed day, right?
Yet this follow up to the story teaches us two more things about Jesus’ authority:
 
TRUTH:
Jesus is never TOO ANYTHING to help.
 
He is never too tired.
He is never too worn out.
He is never too sleepy.
Jesus is never too out of Red Bull.
He is never too busy.
He is never too “with another client.”
Never too booked.
Never too swamped with emails.
 
Jesus is too tired or too busy or too anything to help you, because Jesus is too GOD for anything to be TOO much.
 
God is unlike human beings.
He’s eternal, so he never tires.
He’s all knowing, so he never fails.
He’s all present, so he’s always there.
He’s all powerful, so it’s never a problem.
Because Jesus is God, he is able to offer divinely complex and personally individualized help to each individual.
To you.
 
TRUTH:
Jesus is an EXPERT in WHATEVER ails you.
 
In verse 34 it mentions that Jesus “heals various sicknesses and drives out various demons.”
 
None of the diseases stumped him.
 
He’s an expert in leprosy.
He’s an expert in cold.
He’s an expert in flu.
 
He’s an expert in Bronchitis and Babesiosis and Bacterial meningitis.
 
He’s an expert in breast Cancer.
He’s an expert in Lymphoma.
He’s an expert in COVID-19 and all its variants.
 
And he’s an expert in taking out various demons.
 
And I don’t necessarily know what kinds of demons there are.
I just know they are all bad.
 
The point is this:
 
Jesus is an expert in whatever ails you.
Whether it’s a sickness.
Or a demon.
Or finances.
Or career.
Or relationships.
Or parenting.
Or loneliness.
Or depression.
 
Jesus knows.
Jesus cares.
Jesus knows exactly how best to care for you.
 
III. A Strange Way to Care
 
Still, Jesus was true human, so he needed rest.
 
Jesus got up early in the morning, while it was still dark, and went out. He withdrew to a solitary place and was praying there. (v.35)
 
That sounds nice doesn’t it.
The sunlight is just peaking over the horizon.
The air is cool and crisp.
The birds are just beginning to chirp.
And…
 
Here comes Simon Peter running up the hill:
Simon and his companions…said to him, “Everyone is looking for you!” (v.36-37)
People from town.
People from the countryside.
People from the next county.
 
1st cousins.
2nd cousins.
3rd cousins twice removed.
 
They’re all here looking for you!
 
He told them, “Let’s go somewhere else, to the neighboring villages, so that I can preach there too.” (v.38)
 
At first glance, Jesus’ response is a bit “un-Jesus” like. In fact, it seems to be in direct opposition to what we talked about so far:
 
Didn’t Jesus care enough to act?
Wasn’t Jesus NEVER too busy?
Wasn’t Jesus an expert in anything that might ail anyone?
 
Yes.
 
Why didn’t act then?
 
Because…
He cared TOO Much.
 
He cared TOO MUCH to let these people think of him as an “earthly ailment Savior,” and forget him as spiritual Savior.
 
He cared TOO MUCH about these others that he couldn’t not share that spiritual saving message with others.
 
TRUTH: Sometimes Jesus cares by NOT ANSWERING our requests
I know you want me to end this pandemic, but it’s drawn you closer to me and I care about you too much to let your draw farther away.
 
I know you want me to give you back your old job, but it was leading you away from me. I care about you too much to let your stray too far.
 
I know you want me to fix your relationship, but that person was poison to your soul. I care about you too much to watch your spirit die.
 
Sometimes Jesus cares by NOT ANSWERING our requests.
In fact, sometimes that’s the only way.
 
It’s like Daniela.
You all know.
We asked for God to send us children for years.
Every month.
Every day.
Waiting.
Thinking – Why would you answer?
 
Because God had our daughter reserved for us.
We just had to wait.
He cared about her.
He cared about us.
Too much.
 
Friends, God cares about you too much.
 
In fact, note this about Jesus’ preaching the Gospel:
“In fact, that is why I have come.” (v.38)
It means Jesus’ purpose was to save people from their sins.
Jesus’ purpose was to save people to heaven.
Jesus’ purpose…
The reason he came to earth.
The real reason…
 
Was YOU.
 
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose, because those God foreknew, he also predestined…And those he predestined, he also called. Those he called, he also justified. And those he justified, he also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30)
 
He cared deeply for you.
He cared deeply for you before you were you.
He cared deeply for you when you were a 1 celled little baby in your mother’s womb.
He cared deeply when you were a little baby in your mother’s arm.
he cared deeply for you when you were in preschool sobbing because some kid stole your show and tell.
He cared deeply for you when you were in 5th grade nervous because of that bully.
He cared deeply for you in 9th grade when you were crying on the end of your bed after your first breakup.
He cared deeply for you when you were in college drinking too much alcohol after your first real breakup.
He cared deeply for you when you were caring deeply for the little baby you just had in your arms.
He cared deeply for you when you sent that child off to college.
He cared deeply for you when you heard that bad doctor’s report.
 
And friends.
And he still cares deeply for you.
Until he gets to tell you face to face, how much he cares for you.
 
That’s the kind of authority he is.
The authority that cares the most for you is the one with the most authority.
Amen.

When I was younger, my friend and I decided to open a lemonade stand. We pooled our allowance, bought some Lemonade mix, borrowed our mother’s pitchers, and started mixing up some fresh lemonade directly from the garden hose.
 
At the end of the day, we had made a pretty good haul. Something like a solid $12.45.
 
I divided it up:
 
Here’s $6.20 for you.
And $6.25 for me.
 
My friend smelled a rat:
“Why did you get more money?”
 
“Because I can’t break up this quarter, besides…I’m the one in charge.”
“Why is that?”
“I invested more of my allowance.”
“But we used my mom’s pitchers.”
“But it was my idea.”
“But I ran up and down the road with a sign trying to get people to stop.”
 
We never determined who was in charge.
I think the extra nickel ended up with my mom.
She called it a “rental” fee on the pitcher.
 
But that’s always a tough question to answer in this world.
 
Who is in really charge?
Who has really authority?
 
Who’s has real authority when the boss is away?
Who’s the real driving force behind a project?
Who’s the real influence behind a government decision?
 
But what about the church?
Who’s in charge of God’s house?
 
Like…
Really in charge?
 
A council?
The longest tenured members?
Whoever has the most money?
 
Some “pastor?”
 
Today we discover who has authority in God’s house and what that means for the way we treat God’s space. But before we begin, a prayer: O Lord, strengthen us by the truth. Your Word is the truth. Open our eyes to see what you want us to see; open our ears to hear what you want us to hear; and open our hearts to believe what you would have us believe. Amen.
 
I. Assuming Authority
 
Today’s lesson is from Mark 1:21. It picks up right where we left off:
 
Jesus had visited the Sea of Galilee.
He had called some fishermen to follow him.
Four of them left their nets, their work, and their coworkers to immediately follow him.
 
Verse 21 tells us where they went next: Then Jesus and his disciples went into Capernaum. On the next Sabbath day, Jesus went into the synagogue... (v.21)
 
Capernaum is a local fishing town. This gives us an idea of where Peter, Andrew, James, and John lived before following Jesus. They were probably familiar with this small town and they were probably familiar with its synagogue.
 
A synagogue was the ancient Jewish version of church:
 
People gathered there to grow in faith.
They listened to the reading of Scripture.
They said prayers.
They sang songs.
A teacher prepared a speech and taught them about Scripture.
 
The synagogue at Jesus’ time was like church, only a little different:
 
Instead of opening the doors and inviting anyone to come on in;
The synagogue closed its doors and only allowed those who looked the part to come in.
 
It makes me wonder if any of these disciples had been inside before:
 
Jesus, this is beyond our jurisdiction.
Jesus, this isn’t a place for dirty old fishermen. I know. They told me so.
Jesus, Peter got thrown out of there once.
 
Jesus, the fish aren’t going to bite there. We’d have much better luck on the riverside like your cousin John!
Jesus, these Pharisees – they run this place.
Jesus, I see you aren’t listening to us. We’re going in anyways.
 
Jesus…
 
Are you sure?
 
Based on what Jesus did when he went inside…
I think he was…
Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. (v.21b)
 
Did you catch that?
Jesus didn’t just slip in the back.
He didn’t just grab the closest seat available.
He didn’t just listen to the others talk and make a bee-line for the fellowship cookies.
 
He walked to front.
He began to teach.
Jesus assumed authority.
 
TRUTH: Jesus ASSUMES authority in God’s House
 
This is still true today.
 
Today, we call God’s house – church.
It’s the building in which we gather together around God’s Word.
If you’re watching online, it’s the immediately vicinity of your laptop as you listen to this sermon.
 
And Jesus assumes authority in such a place.
 
Church isn’t run by the biggest donors.
Church isn’t run by the longest tenured members.
Church isn’t run by some council.
Church isn’t run by all those with seminary degrees.
Church isn’t run by some pastor.
Church isn’t run by a political group.
Church isn’t run by whoever did really well on the last Bible Trivia quiz.
 
Church is run by Jesus.
 
Jesus has authority in God’s house.
 
Which…
A brief aside…
 
How clear are we making that?
 
One of the saddest experiences in my ministry was leading a friend through Starting Point, getting them to attend worship, and finally asking them if they’d like to become a permanent member of our church family.
 
They said, “No.”
I said, “Why?”
 
They said, “That church isn’t for me. It looks like it belongs to the people who are already there. They give me the impression that I’m not welcome. They talk to themselves. They want nothing to do with my ideas for ministry. There are people there who act like they’ve got the authority, this is their church, and they are doing me a kindness just by letting me attend it.”
 
We need to do better.
We need to do everything we can to make this clear:
 
Jesus runs this place.
Jesus runs this place with mercy and grace.
Jesus runs this place and it’s by grace any of us are here.
Jesus runs this place, and we’d love you to be a part of this.
 
II. Speaking with Authority
 
Look at the response to Jesus’ teaching in the synagogue: The people were amazed at his teaching, because he was teaching them as one who has authority and not as the experts in the law. (v.22)
 
I love this subtle dig from Mark:
“Not as the experts in the law.”
 
It makes me wonder how those guys taught.
 
“I’m not sure. But this is what I think God is saying here….”
“Here are my thoughts, just my thoughts, on when a Savior might show up…”
“Remember what it says in Isaiah, wait…, Jeremiah…,no, That’s not right. Umm….Ezekiel?”
 
But Jesus speaks with authority:
 
God’s Word says this.
God’s Word is fact.
This. Is. Truth.
Because God speaks truth.
 
TRUTH: Jesus SPEAKS with authority in God’s House.
 
Again, this is a key part of our worship.
We gather together to hear God’s Word.
 
Not my latest musings.
Not the latest political commentary.
Not the ideas of Budda nor Mohammed nor even…the Pope!
 
We come here to listen to Jesus.
 
We listen to him in our songs.
We listen to him in our hymns.
We listen to him in our texts.
We listen to him in our confessions.
We listen to him as we summarized Biblical truth in our creeds.
We listen to him as we read his words from Scripture.
We listen to him as we meditate on sermons based on, pointing back to, and revolving around the Holy Scriptures.
 
As a pastor, I’ve got to remember this:
These are the words of the authoritative Savior that I am handling. Take caution.
 
As a congregation, you’ve got to remember this.
These are the words of the authoritative Savior that you are listening to. Take caution.
 
‘Cause it’s easy to just think of worship as a “mark” in the box.
As a check off a list.
As a: “there’s a pandemic going on so, it’s not that important that I spend time in God’s house.”
Or, “I’ll turn on worship…I guess…But I’ll also turn on snap chat and pay more attention to that then whatever Gethsemane’s YouTube channel has to offer.”
 
This is Jesus speaking.
He really wants you to listen.
If you don’t, you’ll miss his guidance.
You’ll miss his comfort.
You’ll miss be reminded of how much he loves you.
 
III. Someone Who Has No Authority
 
Back to the text.
 
Jesus is making point after point after point.
People who are taking notes; are writing so fast their hand is starting to cramp.
Peter is working up the courage to shout his very first, “Amen!”
 
But before he can get to the “n” sound, someone else begins shouting.
 
Just then there was a man with an unclean spirit in their synagogue.
 
He’s wild eyed.
He’s wild haired.
He’s angry.
He’s loud.
 
He’s possessed by a demon.
 
The mothers in the congregation are covering their children’s eyes.
The fathers in the congregation are trying to figure out if they could take him.
The Pharisees in the congregation are diving behind their chairs, closing their eyes, and hoping someone else will take care of this.
 
Someone else does.
 
Jesus steps forward…
 
This demon cries out: “What do we have to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” (v.24)
 
Notice how absolutely correct this demon is.
 
Jesus is “holy.” Perfect; sinless; righteous.
He is “of God.” Divine. Powerful. Authoritative.
He is THE…One.” Unique. Exclusive.
 
The only authority in God’ House.
 
Jesus rebuked the spirit, saying, “Be quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions, and after crying out with a loud voice, it came out of him.
 
TRUTH: Demons have ZERO authority in God’s house.
 
Look at how little authority they have.
 
Jesus doesn’t have to punch the demon in the face.
He doesn’t have to get into an epic wrestling match.
He doesn’t hit him with an TKO out of nowhere.
 
He doesn’t have to sweat.
 
He simply speaks.
And the demon is terrified.
And leaves.
 
Demons have no authority in God’s house.
 
On the one hand, this is a warning.
Because sometimes we act like they do.
 
We use church as a place to complain.
“I can’t believe that we still have the same problems with our live broadcast.”
 
We use church as a place to badmouth others
“Did you see what so and so was wearing today?”
 
We use church as a place to lust:
“I did see what so and so was wearing today.”
 
We use church as a place to steal Jesus’ glory:
“I sure hope everyone notices how awesome of a Christian I have been lately. Let me sing a little louder in case they can’t hear me.”
 
Stop it.
Sin is the thing of demons.
And demons have no authority here.
 
And, on the other hand, that is comforting:
 
Because lost in this story is the fact that there was a helpless human being trapped by this demon.
He had lost control.
He was overwhelmed.
I’m sure he was terrified by the power of this demon.
 
Maybe you’ve felt that way too.
Your temptation is too much.
Your depression is so high.
Your fear is looming.
 
Demons have no power here.
 
Jesus words were so authoritative they drove out the demon.
Jesus words are still so authoritative they drive out fear, temptation, depression, and whatever else you are battling.
 
Demons have no authority here.
Jesus does.
 
And he loves you.
 
IV. The Authority’s House
 
One more point:
Because you might wonder why Jesus has such authority in God’s house…
 
Look at verse 27:
Everyone was so amazed that they began to discuss this with each other. They said, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He even commands the unclean spirits, and they obey him!”
 
How could he teach with such authority?
How could he drive out demons?
How could he assume such authority in God’s house?
 
Answer:
 
It was HIS house.
 
TRUTH:
Jesus has authority in God’s house, because Jesus is God.
 
That means this is HIS house.
 
His keys on the key hanger.
His slippers at the door.
His artwork on the wall.
His Netflix account.
He runs his house how he wants to…
 
With wisdom.
With holiness.
With forgiveness.
With grace.
With mercy.
With love.
 
Friends, we are approaching a year on this pandemic becoming a public emergency.
It’s been 10 and half months since we gathered full strength in this building.
 
That’s a long time to not gather in God’s house.
And yes…
I understand.
God’s house is MORE than a physical building.
It’s spiritual.
It’s people
 
But one of the things about gathering in a public place at a set time with people.
 
It ensures that you remain a part of his spiritual house.
That your physical departure from this house.
Hasn’t turned in a spiritual departure from his house.
If you’re concerned it has…
Maybe rethink whether or not it’s really health concern preventing you from being here.
Maybe rethink how you set up your time to worship online (be present).
Maybe rethink how you are staying connected with others who are a part of God’s house.
 
And understand when I’m saying this.
It isn’t me saying this.
It’s Jesus saying this.
 
Jesus doesn’t want you to be away from HIS house
BECAUSE he cherishes you.
 
Amen.

It sure is an interesting time to talk about Authority.
We had an Inauguration Day this past week.
 
Joseph Biden Jr. was inaugurated as the 46th president of the United States.
 
Like it or not…
 
He now has authority.
 
Authority to issue executive orders.
Authority to veto legislation.
Authority to enter nuclear launch codes.
 
For some people this is exciting.
For others it isn’t.
 
Regardless…
There has been a change in Authority for the United States of America.
 
But this sermon series is not talking about that authority.
It isn’t talking about an authority that changes.
 
It’s not an authority that lasts for four, maybe eight years; but one that lasts forever.
Not an authority that governs only the within state lines; but one that governs the outer rims of our galaxy.
Not an authority that resides in an oval office; but one that resides in heaven.
 
Over the next weeks we will dig into God’s authority – specifically – in Jesus. But before we dig in, a prayer: O Lord, strengthen us by the truth. Your Word is the truth. Open our eyes to see what you want us to see; open our ears to hear what you want us to hear; and open our hearts to believe what you would have us believe. Amen.
 
I. The Story
 
Today’s lesson is from Mark 1:14-15.
 
After John was put in prison, Jesus went to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God. “The time is fulfilled,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near! Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mk. 1:14-15)
 
This is the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. He wasn’t yet very well known.
 
Prior to this, John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin, had a successful ministry. He had been preaching in the wilderness about God’s kingdom, calling people to repentance, and gathering crowds of people around him.
 
Which is what got him put in prison.
 
King Herod, the official authority for the Jewish people, had met John.
He had liked John.
But when Herod had his brother put to death because he wanted to sleep with his sister-in-law,
and John the Baptist called that an abuse of authority,
and also mentioned that he would have to mention to God’s authority for it...
 
Herod put him in prison.
To shut him up.
 
Suddenly, there were crowds of people who had been following John the Baptist without a leader, wondering when this kingdom of God that John had been talking about might come…
 
Then…
 
The kingdom of God came.
 
Walking.
Down the road.
In sandals.
 
As Jesus was going along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea, since they were fishermen. (v.16)
 
Jesus arrived on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. This 64-square-mile lake was a bustling commercial center for anglers. Delicious fish like the Tillapia Galillea, the Barbel carp and Kinneseret sardines (which taste delicious picked and on a sandwich) drew towns to crop up around the shores. There, fishermen built docks and made their way into the lake on a daily basis hoping to catch enough fish for their family to survive.
 
On this particular day, a longtime fisherman named Peter was on his dock. He sat on an overturned bucket as he worked to repair the portions of their linen fishing net that had been snagged on the rocks yesterday.
 
He slugged his coffee.
And spit it out.
 
Hey bro! I thought I told you to keep your coffee close to you!
 
His brother, Andrew, answered with a large rope of his shoulder: How do you know it’s mine?
 
It’s got cream in it. I’m Peter. I drink mine bold.
 
Andrew sighed as he set the rope into the boat.
 
Yours is in the boat. See it? You better get in and get it anyways so we can get out to sea. It’s been a rough couple of days, and we haven’t had much to sell to the merchants.
 
I know. It’s those bloody Romans. Their taxes take such a cut of our profits. It’s why I was up late at the local pub. I was trying to double my money in Blackjack.
 
Peter leaned in real close: And I think I will. I figured out a trick. Can you spot me a few dollars for tonight?
 
Andrew’s crunched his nose: You did stay out late. Your breath smells like an old Hebrew Light! Tell you what. I’ll spot you a couple hundred fish and I’ll spot you a couple dollars.
 
At that moment, their ears perked up.
They could hear someone approaching from the distance.
 
At first, Peter thought it might be one of the other fishermen come to make fun of him or maybe Hezekiah, their fishing companion from up the road come to borrow the pliers.
 
But this man was neither a fisherman.
Nor was he in need of pliers.
And he certainly didn’t dance around the point.
 
Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. (v.17)
 
Peter and Andrew looked up.
They knew this man.
 
A couple of months back Andrew had ventured out to listen to John the Baptist. Not that he normally did such things, but that he thought John might have the answers to get his life back on course. (Plus, he could check out the fishing in the Jordan River).
 
But on this particular day, he remembered seeing John and this stranger.
John had pointed at him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the World.” (John 1:29)
 
Andrew was familiar with lambs.
They all were.
Lambs were the sacrifice that their religion demanded to take away their sins.
 
And Andrew had plenty of sins.
 
Andrew ran to get his brother…
Could he be…
Might he be…
The Savior.
 
The one that his mom told him about when they were younger.
The one that would save them from their sins?
The one that would save them from this miserable life?
 
His brother humored him and met Jesus.
When Jesus saw him eye to eye, Jesus looked at him and said,
You’re Simon?
No more.
I will call you Peter.
You are a rock!
 
Peter had loved that.
A change in identity.
Maybe this Jesus could change his life.
And now was the chance to find out.
 
Peter looked at Andrew.
Andrew looked at him.
 
Immediately they left their nets and followed him. (v.18)
 
To be fair, they didn’t follow him very far before Jesus stopped near a rival fishing company.
 
If you could call it a rivalry.
 
This was Zebedee and Son’s fishery. Zebedee had been in the business his whole life. He had quite the operation. Not only did his sons work for him, but he had employees out with him casting nets and raking in fish.
 
His business was more well-known than Peter and Andrew’s.
It may be one of the reasons that Mark, the guy who wrote this, mentioned Zebedee in Scripture.
 
I imagine his fish were sold all over Galilee.
The little pickled sardines in a jar with his face plastered over it.
 
Currently, Zebedee was out in the boats with his sons and the servants.
They were more efficient than Peter and John having been at it all morning.
 
After all, when you’re a bigger business, you have bigger expectations from clients.
With bigger expectations, you need a bigger crew.
 
Zebedee knew that.
His sons knew that.
 
Jesus knew that.
 
He just had a different business in mind.
 
Immediately Jesus called them. They left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him. (v.20)
 
II. Authority Worth Following
 
Why?
 
Why does Peter leave his source of income?
Why does Andrew leave their gear?
Why do John and James leave their dad?
 
What made Jesus so an authority that was worth dropping everything they were doing to follow him?
 
(1) Jesus has Authority to Change YOUR IDENTITY
 
Because the sea’s the limit on the various ways that Peter had been identified prior to this:
 
Stinky.
Smelly.
Stupid.
Idiot fishermen.
 
Poor.
Drunkard.
Foul-mouthed sailor.
 
Sinner!
Pathetic.
Forever outside God’s kingdom.
 
That last one.
 
That’s hard.
 
Because when people treat you that way long enough.
You start to believe it.
 
Jesus has authority to change all that.
Because he’s God!
There’s no one more believable!
 
He actually knows your true identity.
He actually knows all your sin.
He actually knows all your guilt.
All your shame.
All your struggles.
 
And he took that identity on as His!
 
He died for you.
He rose for you.
He calls you forgiven.
And a part of his kingdom!
 
Your identity in Jesus is citizen of God’s kingdom!
 
Which was the whole change for Peter!
Rather than keep him out of his kingdom, Jesus invited him to be an active part of it.
Implying that he wanted him in his kingdom.
God wanted Peter.
 
Peter, the fishermen!
Peter, the non-scholar.
Peter, without a high school degree!
 
Yes, that Peter.
 
And God…
Wants you too.
 
But it’s more than that…
 
(2) Jesus’ Authority Changes Your Purpose
 
Jesus told these fishermen – “I want you to be fishers of people.”
 
It always makes me think of some fishing pole with a hook on it.
But instead of having a worm or a minnow or a little rubber frog on it.
 
It’d have some money.
Or an iPhone.
Or a baby Yoda plushie.
Or spoilers for the next episode of WandaVision.
 
But that’s not what Jesus means.
 
He wants these disciples to help him share the Gospel.
To help him tell others about God’s love
To help him tell others about Jesus’ saving work.
To help him “catch” others for his kingdom.
 
That’s your purpose too.
 
Your purpose is to fish.
For men.
And women.
And children, for that matter.
 
Because right now, people need Jesus
 
They are sad.
Confused.
Scared.
Nervous.
 
Jesus cures all of these.
 
I’ll tell you this – If I didn’t have Jesus in this pandemic, it’s quite likely I’d be lying face-down in a gutter somehow this morning.
 
But because of Jesus, I have hope.
And because of Jesus, you have hope.
 
And that’s hope that other need.
And he has given you a new PURPOSE.
 
III. WHAT NOW?
 
(1) Follow Jesus!
 
If you haven’t followed him before, Jesus is calling for you to do so right now.
If you have followed him, but you lapsed over 2020…He’s calling you to do it again.
 
It’s as if he’s on the banks of the Sea of “Insert your street name here” and calling:
 
Come.
Follow me.
I will give you a new identity.
I will give you purpose.
You will work with me and serve in my kingdom.
 
And when you hear that follow him!
Fulfill your purpose.
Share the Gospel!
 
And this changes how you live your life.
 
Your main purpose isn’t…
 
… to become a millionaire.
… to have an HGTV-like home.
…to get a million followers on Instagram.
…to get everybody else to be in the same political party as you.
 
Your purpose it to fish for people.
By sharing Jesus’ hope.
 
(2) Drop the nets!
 
Did you notice what Peter did once he heard Jesus’ call?
He dropped his nets and left them behind.
 
John and James, did you see what they did?
They left their dad and left them behind.
 
There was nothing more important than following Jesus.
 
The same is true for you too.
 
Sometimes nets get in the way.
It may be actual fishing.
 
But it could be work.
It could be money.
It could be social media.
It could….just about anything.
 
Now’s your chance.
Drop ‘em.
 
For example…
 
I’ve been seeing a lot of people go online and give their political thoughts lately.
I’m angry about this.
I’m angry about that.
I’m angry about this and that and if you aren’t; you can stop being my friend.
 
Political groups can be a kind of net.
We busy ourselves with trying to get everyone to think the same political thoughts we do.
 
Dudes….
That’s distracting.
 
Drop the political net.
Pick up the net of the Gospel.
 
What would it look like if we shared the Gospel as much as we shared our political thoughts?
Or if we shared the truth of our resurrected Savior as much as shared our conspiracy theories?
 
My guess?
When you drop more Gospel nets, you catch more fish for God’s kingdom.
 
Which is what you want to do.
Because you are a fisher of people.
 
There’s one more word I want to take a look at.
 
It’s the adverb that appears right before the disciples’ reactions to Jesus.
 
It doesn’t say, “Later…they followed Jesus.”
or, “Later that week…they followed Jesus.”
Or even “after they cleaned everything up…they followed Jesus.”
 
Nope.
It says:
 
IMMEDIATELY.
 
Immediately, Peter and Andrew follow Jesus.
Immediately, John and James follow Jesus.
 
Immediately, God is calling you.
Immediately…will you follow?
 
I pray that you do. Amen.

In first grade, my class learned about gardening. Our teacher helped us cut off the tops of single-serve milk cartons, fill them with dirt, and push a tiny tomato seed into the soil. We watered the seeds, opened the shades near the window, and placed our cartons on the windowsill.
 
Then, we waited for them to grow.
 
About a month went by and the tomato plants had sprouted.
They even had nice green leaves on them.
 
Our teacher said we should take them home.
 
But I wanted my hands free for throwing the football after school, so I just took my plant and stuffed it into my desk. I’d take it home the next day.
 
About three months later…
 
It was the end of the year and we were cleaning out our desks.
It was then that I discovered my plant.
 
It was no longer green.
It was no longer even a tomato plant.
Just…brown…deadness.
 
I had forgotten that an essential part of plant growth is sunlight.
And water.
And attention of any variety.
 
Without these essentials, the plant died.
 
Today is our last sermon in our REDO sermon series. Friends, if you want to increase your faith in God’s promises, grow your trust in his plans, and vibrantly trust in God’s love this year…
 
There is one thing that is essential for spiritual growth.
 
Before we discover it, a prayer: O Lord, strengthen us by the truth. Your Word is the truth. Open our eyes to see what you want us to see; open our ears to hear what you want us to hear; and open our hearts to believe what you would have us believe. Amen.
 
I. The Growth Essential
 
The lesson for today comes from the book of 2 Timothy. It is a letter written by a senior pastor to a much younger pastor named Timothy.
 
Timothy needed advice because pastoring hadn’t been as easy as he had thought. Recently he had dealt with:
 
The busy stress of day-to-day pastoring (2:3)
Financial hardship (2:5)
Pointless arguments among his church (2:14-20)
Temptations to lust (2:22)
The fear of jailtime for preaching Jesus (3:10-13)
 
Timothy was quickly learning that pastoring wasn’t just preaching, pats on the back, and potlucks.
 
It was hard.
Cause life is hard.
 
His mentor, Paul, wrote him a letter to encourage him. In chapter 3, he gets to his main piece of advice.
Continue in the things you have learned and about which you have become convinced. You know from whom you learned them and that from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures… (2 Tim 3:14)
 
Maybe Timothy expected something different.
 
Maybe he expected Paul to tell him about a really good podcast to listen to…
…or send him a copy of Seven Steps to Excellent Pastoring.
…or a link to the latest Apple product to download and make 1st century pastoring so much simpler.
 
Instead, Paul tells him to remain in what he has been convinced of from childhood.
 
And what was Pastor Timothy convinced of from childhood?
 
That Jesus died on a cross for our sins.
That Jesus came back to life.
That Jesus would bring him home to heaven.
That Jesus loved him. And….
 
That the Bible told him so.
 
TRUTH:
Continuing in GOD’S WORD is essential to spiritual growth.
 
This is still true today.
 
If you’re nervous about 2021…
If you’re feeling unsure about the pandemic…
If you’re rattled by recent events…
 
You don’t NEED some kind of exercise class.
You don’t NEED some kind of counselor.
You don’t NEED some kind of relaxation app.
 
Although all these things may be helpful.
 
You NEED God’s Word.
God’s Word is essential.
 
In fact, look at the verb in this sentence.
It says, “Continue in…” This gives you a hint of just how essential God’s Word is.
 
It doesn’t say, “Get into it for a minute.”
It does not mean, “Get into it on major holidays.”
It does not mean, “Get into it every third Sunday each for about an hour on your phone, while you’re totally distracted by all the notifications from Snapchat that keep popping up.”
 
Continue means repeated…
It means repetitive….
It means often…
 
It means being repeatedly, repetitively, and often in God’s Word.
 
Because…
If you don’t stay in God’s Word…
 
Well…
 
I was talking to a guy not that long ago that had been feeling pretty anxious.
 
I listened before pastorally reminding him that God was still in control.
That God still loved him.
That God would work all things for good.
 
He calmed down.
 
We made a plan to get into God’s Word to battle these anxieties.
 
About a month later, we met again. Same problem. I talked him down with God’s Word again.
 
Then, I asked, “Have you been able to spend time in God’s Word?”
He said, “Pastor, I can’t. I don’t have time.”
I wanted to say, “Shall we just schedule your next nervous breakdown appointment then?”
 
If you aren’t continuing in God’s Word, you cannot expect spiritual growth.
If you aren’t continuing in God’s Word, you can only expect spiritual regression.
If you aren’t continuing in God’s Word, the only thing that will grow is fear, anxiety, and insecurity.
 
God’s Word is essential for spiritual growth.
 
II. The Essential part of the Essential
 
Why?
 
Why is Paul asserting that God’s Word is so essential?
He goes on to describe a variety of essentials that God’s Word provides.
 
But first, he starts with the Essential essential:
The Holy Scriptures…are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (v.15)
 
This is what Jesus was talking about in our Gospel reading.
The Pharisees stood around him and were clamoring:
 
The Scriptures are essential! You can’t do work on a Saturday!
The Scriptures are essential! Your disciples can’t eat with unwashed hands.
The Scriptures are essential! You must give 10% of your dill spices to God.
The Scriptures are essential! What gives you the right to tell everyone that YOU are so important, Jesus?
 
And Jesus listened.
And Jesus agreed.
And Jesus said:
You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you have eternal life. These are the Scripture that testify about me. (John 5:39)
 
In other words
 
Yes.
The Scriptures are essential.
Because I am essential.
And I am the CONTENT of Scripture.
 
TRUTH:
God’s Word connects us to the ESSENTIAL SAVIOR.
 
It’s like how water is essential to water polo.
If there’s no water, there’s no water polo.
Only polo.
 
Or like how castle is essential to sand castle.
If there’s no castle, there’s just sand.
Everywhere.
 
Jesus is essential to salvation.
Without Jesus, there is no salvation.
 
And God’s Word is essential to Jesus.
Because without God’s Word, we wouldn’t know Jesus.
And we don’t have salvation.
 
So yes, Jesus saves you.
But in that God’s Word tells you about Jesus?
 
God’s Word saves you too.
 
Making it essential.
 
III. Essential for Growth
 
But there’s more essential benefits to time in God’s Word. Check out these rapid-fire blessings of God’s Word in verses 16 and 17: All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, and for training in righteousness…
 
(1) Knowledge
 
Because there’s no greater teacher than God.
He’s been around longer than anyone else.
He knows more than anyone else.
He knows more about you than anyone else.
 
God can’t wait to teach you.
 
Picture it like you are signed into your Google classroom room. It’s after school hours. God’s video screen pops up with a little caption under his picture that says, “Mr. God.” He unmutes himself. He says, “Any questions? I’d love to help.”
 
That’s what it’s like with God’s Word.
God is ready to give you his undivided attention and answers.
 
God, I owe a lot of money on my taxes. Should I lie about them?
God says, “An honest witness does not deceive.” (Proverbs 3:5)
 
I like this person. Should I sleep with them?
God says, “The Marriage bed must remain pure.” (Hebrews 13:4)
 
I have a neighbor who has these little statues that he gives money to. Should I worship other gods too?
God says: “You shall have no other gods.” (Exodus 20:3)
And, “An idol is nothing.” (1 Corinthians 12:3)
And finally, “There is no God beside me.” (Deuteronomy 4:25)
 
This Bible is the place God gives you knowledge and instruction.
 
Therefore, it is essential.
 
(2) Rebukes
 
This is the one on the list that doesn’t sound very nice.
Who wants to be rebuked?
 
Hopefully, the answer is everyone.
Because rebukes are so important.
 
If your physical trainer tells you that you need to not stick your knees out in front of you when you squat, you might not like to hear that. It could even feel embarrassing.
 
But if you don’t get rebuked….
 
…Your muscles won’t get worked like they should, and you’ll lose maximum growth.
…You joints will get stressed improperly leading to all kinds of soreness later.
…your muscles fibers twitch too fast causing your tendons to snap and serious injury to occur.
 
It’s the same thing with God’s Word.
It contains rebukes.
They may be hard to hear.
But they are vitally important for growth.
 
In fact, could you do me this favor?
When you read a part of God’s Word and what it says makes you upset.
 
Can you stop assuming that God must be wrong?
Or that God’s Word must be wrong?
Maybe first, as sinful, imperfect humans, we should consider that we might be wrong?
 
Take a breath.
Bask in God’s love.
Listen to a God who loves us so much that he rebukes us.
 
(3) Restoration
 
The Bible was originally written in Greek. The word translated in this verse as “correction” in our English bibles is epanerthosin. It a word that’s was used in Greek writings about construction. It literally means “correction of the building” or “restoration.”
 
Epanerthosin occurs when you caulk the cracks in the foundation.
Epanerthosin occurs when you nail the siding back in place.
Epanerthosin occurs when you scrape, prime, and repaint the master bedroom.
 
Sometimes our thoughts need restoration.
 
God. I feel so unvaluable.
2 Peter 2:9 says, “You are chosen, royal, a person belonging to me.”
 
God, I feel so alone.
Matthew 28:21 says, “Surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.”
 
God, I don’t see how anything I’m going through will ever work for my good.
Romans 8:28 says, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.”
 
And with each of those loving words.
God taps his hammer.
God applies some caulk.
God restores your foundation of faith.
 
(4) Spiritual Proficiency
 
The fourth and final use of God’s Word is “training in righteousness.” It’s different from the other uses because this is the only one that is preemptive.
 
Rather than looking to restore what’s already broken.
Or rebuking what already happened.
Or gaining knowledge about the eternal truths of the past.
 
We are training in righteousness for battles that are coming up.
 
Did you know that’s what you’re doing when you read God’s Word?
You are training for battle!
 
You are training for battle against the devil.
You are training for battle against this sinful world.
You are training for battle against your own sinful flesh.
 
That might sound intimidating.
But perhaps it’s helpful to know, the one teaching you in the Bible?
 
He’s a black belt in righteousness.
He is the spiritual equivalent of a sensei in Karate, Jujitsu, aikido, judo, apkido, kung fu, capoeira, and crav magra all rolled into one.
 
Don’t be afraid.
God is the one training you in his Word.
 
IV. Results
 
And look very carefully at the end result of all this time in God’s Word. Verse 17 concludes the sentence this way: so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
 
Thoroughly.
Equipped.
For every good work.
 
Is there anything else that is that big of a catch all?
 
God’s Word equips you for when you’re feeling down.
God’s Word equips you for your family members gets COVID.
God’s Word equips you for when work is stressful.
God’s Word prepares you for when your finances are slim.
God’s Word prepares you for when temptations come.
 
Whatever may come in 2021…
God’s Word is what you need.
It’s essential.
 
And God really wants you to know that.
 
Do you know why?
 
Because according to our Essential Savior.
You are essential.
To him.
 
Amen.

Every year people like to make New Year’s resolutions.
But I noticed on social media that the New Year’s resolutions going into 2021 were a bit downgraded.
 
For example:
 
One person on Twitter listed their resolution as:
“Walk to the other side of the room.”
 
Another said they wanted to:
“Cut screen time from 12 hours a day to 11 hours a day.”
 
Another’s goal was to:
“Eat a vegetable.”
 
And my personal favorite resolution for 2021:
“Shower”
 
People made more serious resolutions, too. Most were based on wanting to improve their physical, mental, or emotional health.
 
But you know what I didn’t find on Twitter?
I never found a resolution that said, “Stop sinning.”
 
Or some kind of variant:
 
Like…
 
Stop looking at porn.
Stop being racist.
Stop yelling at my kids.
Stop lying.
 
“Extinguishing sin” doesn’t usually make it onto New Year’s lists.
Yet the reality is that there is nothing that can more easily derails God’s plan for you in 2021 than sin.
 
Our goal today is find motivation from God’s Word to make battling sin a top priority in 2021.
 
Before we begin, a prayer: O Lord, strengthen us by the truth. Your Word is the truth. Open our eyes to see what you want us to see; open our ears to hear what you want us to hear; and open our hearts to believe what you would have us believe. Amen.
 
I. What Sin says to Jesus
 
The lesson for today comes from Romans 6. The book of Romans is an excellent source of teaching. It’s similar to our Starting Point series. It’s a great summary of Biblical truth.
 
Chapters 1 & 2 teach about the plague of sin on all humanity.
The first half of chapter 3 teaches our deep need for a Savior
The second half of chapter 3 teaches that the world has a Savior in Jesus.
Chapter 4 & 5 teach the free forgiveness that is ours by faith in Jesus
 
Chapter 6 contains a shift in thought. It poses a rhetorical question that just about any sinful person has asked when hearing about the free forgiveness of Jesus.
 
What shall we say then? Shall we keep on sinning so that grace may increase? (Romans 6:1)
Imagine you did some Christmas shopping on Etsy. You bought $100 in crocheted Baby Yoda coffee koozies from your friend Sally. Now you get the bill.
 
But you don’t have the money.
 
So, you write an email explaining that you lost work during the pandemic, you don’t have the money, and could you have an extension to pay off the bill without interest.
 
And the unthinkable happens.
 
Your friend Sally says, ‘It’s ok. I’ll cancel. Keep the Koozies. You don’t owe me anything.”
 
How many of you would respond to that incredible gracious email with another email that says,
“Awesome! Then, can I order another 20 more koozies? If you want give me those for free too, I’ll write a really good review on your website.”
 
You wouldn’t.
That’s not the appropriate response.
 
We can’t do the same thing with sin. Reread the rhetorical question and listen to Paul’s non-rhetorical answer: Shall we keep on sinning so that grace may increase? Absolutely not! (v.2a)
 
Another way of answering this might be:
 
Certainly not!
Or definitely not!
Or positively not!
 
Or even…NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!!!!
 
TRUTH:
Sin is an UNGODLY response to God’s grace.
 
It’s not thankfulness.
It’s not godly.
It’s selfishness and ungodliness.
It’s telling the one who unselfishly gave up his life on the cross, “Hmm…Thanks Jesus. But uh…can I add on a few more sins? I know it’ll probably hurt you, but I really like the way this sin feels on me.”
 
But the problem is deeper than that…
 
II. Sin’s Dangerous Path
 
Check out the next reason Paul gives for fighting against sin:
We died to sin. How can we go on living in it any longer? (v.2)
 
Have you ever been talking on your phone and it beeps? It’s telling you that it’s about to die. You need to plug the phone in or else you won’t be able to finish the conversation about the new Bachelor.
 
Or have you ever been on your laptop and suddenly the screen grows dim? It’s your computers way of conserving energy because it’s about to die and when it does, you’ll be unable to finish writing your blogpost about how awesome Doordash is.
 
Or you’re watching a squirrel play out on your lawn. It’s entertaining to watch it run back and forth – find a nut – open a nut – chew on a nut. Until the squirrel runs out into oncoming traffic and…you aren’t able to watch Mr. Squirrel anymore.
 
Death always means the end of something.
Sin always leads to death.
 
So…
 
TRUTH:
Sin always leads to THE END of something
 
Sin is the reason that physical death is a part of this world.
 
Sin is the reason your lungs end their breathing.
Sin is the reason your heart ends its beating.
Sin is the reason your brain neurons end their firing.
 
But sin can cause end of something long before your physical body ends…
 
Drinking too much means THE END of your chances of being a good parent.
Cheating on your spouse means THE END to your marriage.
Gossiping about your friends means DEATH to your friendships.
Being grouchy around everyone else at work means THE END of others wanting to be around you.
Being lazy at your job means THE END of your employment.
Posting racist comments means THE END of people’s good perception of you.
Staying away from God’s Word means THE END of your faith.
Bragging to everyone about how awesome you are at following Jesus means THE END of your chance of encouraging them to follow Jesus.
 
Sin is responsible for so much death.
Based on the law of culpability…
If we keep sinning, that makes us responsible too.
 
III. The Baptism Effect
 
But here’s the thing about Jesus.
He hates death.
 
He hates that sin causes death.
He hates that our sins means our death.
He underwent death to put to death our death-causing sin.
He underwent death to put to death our death causer, sin.
He underwent death to put to death…Death.
 
Or do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? (v.3)
 
This changes at least one Trivia questions.
 
Because…
Do you guys know how many people died on Mount Calvary with Jesus?
 
You might be thinking two?
A criminal to his right.
A criminal to his left.
 
But that’s incorrect.
 
There’s one guy to his left.
And one guy to his right.
 
But you forgot about the one who died on the same cross as Jesus.
 
YOU.
 
This is deep theology. Scripture isn’t talking about your physical body. Obviously, you are alive and well.
 
Scripture is talking about your sinful identity.
Your sinful identity died in Christ.
 
Your identity as “jerk”? It’s dead. No more.
Your identity as “easy?” Dead. Long gone.
Your identity as “addict?” It’s dead. Bled out there on the cross.
 
You are convict no more.
You are racist no more.
You are vengeful no more.
You are bitter no more.
You are lazy no more.
 
You are sinner no more.
 
Because…
 
TRUTH:
Your SINFUL IDENTITY died in Christ.
 
I suppose this is strange to think of, but Paul is really saying that baptism is a funeral.
 
Maybe we need to start treating baptisms differently.
 
Maybe we should cover the font with a black shroud.
Maybe we should add black flowers to the altar.
Maybe we should provide packages of tissues for all the crying that will happen as a result of the impending death.
 
But then again…
 
The one who’s dying, no one is going to miss!
No one will miss their sinful identity.
No one misses the one responsible for our own impending death.
 
Maybe we should treat baptism more like a celebration.
More confetti.
More party music.
Maybe even a pinata!
 
This is more of a Wicked Witch of the East situation.
Ding dong the Witch is dead?
Ding dong our sinful identity is dead!
 
And in its place?
Something new…
 
We were therefore buried with him by this baptism into his death, so that just as he was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too would also walk in a new life. For if we have been united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be united with him in the likeness of his resurrection. (v.4-5)
 
Again…
If you’re united with Jesus in his death.
You are also united with him in his resurrection.
 
And when Jesus rose, he had a new identity:
 
He was no longer the dead Lord, but the resurrected one.
He was no longer the one who will save us, but the one who did save us.
He was no longer the one can conquer death, but the one who did.
 
Jesus had a new identity.
Because you are connected to him,
You have a new identity you too.
 
TRUTH:
You have a NEW Identity in Jesus.
 
You are no longer felon, but forgiven.
You are no longer angry, but at peace.
You are no longer impure, but pure.
You are no longer faithless, but faithful.
You are no longer sinner, but sin fighter.
 
And this new identity comes with some new power.
 
We know that our old self was crucified with him, to make our sinful body powerless, so that we would not continue to serve sin. For the person who has died has been declared free from sin. (v.6-7)
 
It’s just like the game of Mario Bros. Have you played it? You start out as regular old Mario with the ability to jump, wear plumber overalls, and stomp tiny walking mushrooms.
 
But if you touch a fire flower, your power source changes.
You don’t have to just jump on the Goombas.
Now you can throw a fireball at that.
 
Because of Jesus, you have been changed.
You are no longer SINFUL you, but SAVED.
 
TRUTH:
You have a NEW POWER in Jesus.
 
This power is to fight sin.
This power is to do what’s right.
This power is to follow your Lord and Savior in 2021 and beyond.
 
And it’s a very powerful power.
Because it comes directly from a very powerful God.
 
Have you ever heard about Jesus’ baptism?
It was unlike any other baptism.
 
Number one, Jesus didn’t need to be baptized to connect with himself and wash away his sins.
He was sinless.
 
But he needed for an entirely different reason.
 
As John the Baptist completed pouring water on Jesus’ head, the skies opened up.
A brilliant light shine.
A dove came out of that light and hovered over Jesus’ head.
A voice spoke and said, “This is my son, whom I love.”
 
That’s power.
Power to rip open the sky.
Power to speak with a booming voice.
Power to be Triune – three person – one being.
 
That’s the power you have on your side.
That’s the power that works with you to defeat your sin.
That’s the power that works with you in 2021.
Amen.

Back in 4th grade, one of my favorite recess games was Kickball. It’s similar to baseball only instead of hitting a small white ball with a bat, you kick a big red ball with your foot.
 
On our playground, the most impressive kickball feat was for someone to kick a “roof ball.” In this instance, a ball would be kicked so high and so long that it went to the roof of our 2-story school building.
 
During one particular game of kickball, I was feeling a bit cocky.
 
I decided to point to the roof to signal my impending “roofball.”
I was calling my shot.
 
My teammates started chanting my name.
The pitcher pitched ball.
I ran forward and…
 
Dribbled a bunt to the first baseman for an easy out.
 
I remember almost immediately asking for a REDO.
That is…
 
Another try.
A second chance.
A do over.
 
Because I wasn’t ready.
Or something.
 
Do you wish you could REDO 2020?
Maybe you weren’t ready for what 2020 threw to us.
 
2021 is a great chance for a REDO.
And even more so, because in Jesus we get countless REDOs.
 
Our goal? To learn from Scripture, to grow in faith, to make the most of the REDO God has afforded us.
 
Before we begin, a prayer: O Lord, strengthen us by the truth. Your Word is the truth. Open our eyes to see what you want us to see; open our ears to hear what you want us to hear; and open our hearts to believe what you would have us believe. Amen.
 
I. The Philippian Redo
 
The lesson we are looking at is found in Philippians. Philippians is a letter written by a pastor named Paul to a congregation that lived in Philippi. This congregation had been going through a rough year.
For starters, they had been dealing with persecutions to their church. (Philippians 1:27-28) The Roman government had begun cracking down on Christianity.
 
It meant soldiers would interrupt their church meetings to tell them to stop.
It meant they had to be sneaky about whom they told they were a believer.
It meant that they probably lost some of their membership to jail.
 
In addition, the group had been dealing with racism. The majority of the congregation was Greek. They had been told by a segment of Jewish believers that God would never fully love them unless they started practicing Jewish custom. Even then – it might not be the full kind of love that God has for Jewish people. (3:1-3)
 
Finally, the anxiety from the threat of arrest and the stress caused by these racist statements led the church group to be bitter with one another.
 
To attack one another.
To bad mouth one another.
And they didn’t even have Facebook.
 
Pastor Paul writes them a letter because he wants to give them a REDO. This redo won’t change the challenges they were facing, but it was an opportunity to change how they were responding to these challenges.
Same thing for us.
 
If you want your REDO not to result in the same, old traps you fell into last year, listen to Paul’s Holy Spirit inspired words.
 
“Whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.” (v.7)
With this statement, Paul is acknowledging they had lost quite a few things this past year:
 
They’d lost a sense of security.
They’d lost members to jailtime.
Probably they lost income and jobs and friendships.
 
Paul says, “I feel you. I’ve lost things too.”
 
But now.
Years later.
 
Paul no longer has those things.
But he doesn’t want them.
 
In fact, he doesn’t consider them to be gains at all.
But a loss.
 
He explains why, “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord for whose sake I have lost all things. (v.8b)
Paul used to be a bigwig in the Jewish faith.
He used to be a Pharisee. The Pharisees were big wig, impressive members of Jewish society.
 
When Paul was a Pharisees, he had gained a lot!
 
A higher income.
A more impressive position.
Friends in high place.
A good reputation.
Safety.
Political clout.
A career path.
 
But now Paul has a different perspective about them.
 
Notice that last sentence.
 
Paul had been a Pharisee with all the Pharisaical perks!
But the Pharisees were against Jesus.
 
So…
When Paul started following Jesus, he lost it all.
 
He lost income.
He lost his position.
He lost friends in high places.
He lost the good reputation.
He lost safety.
He lost political standing.
He lost a career path.
 
But notice Paul’s perspective.
Those things were no longer gains to him.
 
In fact…
I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him (v.)
Christmas creates a lot of garbage, doesn’t it?
 
Torn up wrapping paper.
Crinkled gift bags.
Plastic packaging for new toys.
Burnt cookies.
The little bit of eggnog that got left out overnight.
 
Whatever it is you consider garbage, you have no problem throwing it into the garbage can, having it hauled off to the dump and never seeing it again.
 
Paul says that is how he feels about what he’s lost.
Because what he’s lost never will compare to what he’s gained.
 
Jesus.
TRUTH:
There is no greater GAIN than Jesus.
 
Think about what you’ve lost this year.
If you’ve got Jesus, you’ll still come out ahead.
Because nothing is more valuable than Jesus.
 
Jesus is greater than crowd noise at a football game.
Jesus is greater than skin that isn’t dried out due to hand sanitizer.
Jesus is greater than hugs, kisses and even – high fives!
 
Jesus is greater than a 40 hour a week job.
Jesus is greater than a booming economy.
Jesus is greater than a bulging bank account.
 
Jesus is greater than the freedom not to wear masks.
Jesus is greater than being able to gather in groups of 20.
Jesus is greater than free samples at Whole Foods!
 
Jesus is greater than your family.
Jesus is greater than your friends.
Jesus is greater than anything lost in 2020.
 
Why do I say that so confidently?
Why does Paul say that so confidently?
 
Two reasons:
 
TRUTH:
In Jesus you gain RIGHTEOUSNESS.
 
Because when sinful people get hit by challenges, they tend to respond sinfully.
2020 had lots of challenge and people responded in lots of sinful ways.
 
Maybe that was you:
 
Shouting matches with your spouse because of the close quarters.
Losing it on your kids because they can’t figure out online school.
Four letter names to acquaintances on Facebook because they have a different opinion than you.
 
Racist comments.
Suicidal thoughts.
Developing a new addiction to porn, alcohol, or telling everybody how awesome you are!
 
Planning to stay connected to God and his Word and his church.
But ultimately, staying more connected to spoilers for the Mandalorian.
 
Reflecting on all of this at the end of the year can make you feel really guilty.
It can be overwhelming.
As if you’re wearing it.
 
But in Jesus, you aren’t wearing your guilt.
In Jesus, you wear something else.
 
…not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. (v.9b)
 
Do you see that?
God knew about all the unrighteous things we would do in 2020.
He knew about hem and he took care of them way back in 35.
 
He lived for you.
He died for you.
He rose for you.
 
Then, he gave you his righteousness as a covering.
And God’s good at sewing together righteous clothing.
 
It’s not like the pair of pants that was only like fifteen dollars. Seemed like a steal. But when you wore them a couple of times, washed, them and put them back on you noticed…
 
There’s some fading on the knee.
A hole is forming!
 
God’s righteous clothing is much better.
There’s no hole in the righteousness in which God covers you.
 
This means:
God sees you as pure because he only sees Jesus’ purity.
God sees you as forgiven because he sees none of your 2020 sin.
God sees you as his because you are.
 
This leads to a second reason there is no greater gain than Jesus:
 
TRUTH:
In Jesus you gain ETERNAL LIFE.
 
According to CDC.gov, the COVID vaccine is going to be helpful. It helps your body create an antibody response to the virus and gives it immunity that is needed to come in contact with the virus, not get sick, and not spread it to others.
 
Granted --Scientists are still unclear how long the immunity may lasts. As more people have it and they are able to study its long-term effects, they will be able to learn more, produce a better vaccine and any booster shots.
 
But there is one thing that Scientists do know.
 
The vaccine only works on people who are alive.
It doesn’t raise the dead.
 
But Jesus does.
 
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. (v.10-11)
 
There is nothing that you lost in 2020 that can raise the dead.
Only Jesus can raise the dead.
And he didn’t go anywhere.
 
If you’ve got Jesus, you’ve got everything.
 
II. What Now?
 
1) Reconsider your Losses
 
Remember all those losses that Paul underwent?
He now considered them gains.
 
He lost his position in the Pharsees; but he gained a position in God’s kingdom.
He lost money; but he gained eternal riches.
He lost fame, but he gained a God who knew his name.
Did you undergo a loss in 2020?
Rethink it.
 
In Jesus, there isn’t loss.
For example, I was talking toto someone a while back. They told me that they had recently lost they job. They had lost their income. They had lost the plans they had for providing a nice vacation for their family in 2020.
 
I said, “I’m sorry.”
They said, “Why? This is one of the best things to ever happen to me!
 
“I’ve gained more time with my family .
“I’ve gained more time with my God.
“I’ve gained a stronger faith.
“I’ve gained more time to share that stronger faith with my kids and provide them something that lasts a lot longer than a week at Disney.”
 
That’s what Paul is talking about.
Reconsider your losses.
Praise God for the gains among the losses.
 
2) Forget What’s Behind
Because if you are in a race you don’t do very well by turning around and running backwards. In fact, you will probably make the “worst of” on ESPN’s Sportscenter.
 
It’s the same thing in life. Paul says this, “I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” (v.13)
The start of a new year presents us with the unique opportunity to START OVER.
 
But you won’t do that very well if you dwell in the past.
 
Make this conscious, God-inspired decision right now.
 
Don’t dwell on the past.
Don’t dwell on the woulda, coulda, shoulda’s.
 
Instead, look ahead.
In fact, here’s your final what now.
 
3) Strive Ahead
 
Do you know where Paul was when he wrote these words?
 
Prison.
 
But he didn’t sit around in prison lamenting about what he LOST.
He spent time in prison excited about what he GAINED.
 
A great chance to be in quiet prayer with God.
Awesome opportunities to share Jesus with his cellmates.
The time needed to write down a God inspired piece of God’s Word that will bless people two thousand years in the future.
 
Good choice Paul.
 
He finishes:
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (v.14)
Look forward.
 
What opportunities to you have this year?
What chance do you have to share Jesus?
What unique things about your situation here in 2021 might God work through to bring people into his kingdom?
 
It’s the same thing here at church.
 
Because things have changed a lot here thanks to the pandemic.
 
Online presence has increased.
Group studies have moved online.
We do communion differently.
We spent our evangelism funding differently.
 
At some point, some of might turn back to the way we did it previously.
But some of it? Won’t.
 
Understand this --
Our goal as a church is not to get things back to the way things were.
Our goal as a church is to share Jesus in the way things are.
 
Again --
Our goal as a church is not to get things back to the way things were.
Our goal as a church is to share Jesus in the way things are.
 
And the way things are?
Is an incredible blessing.
 
I’m excited for 2021.
I hope you are too.
May God bless us in this REDO. Amen.

Introduction

It’s almost over. The year 2020. Many people have been waiting for this year to be over. It seems they will heave a sigh of relief rather than celebrate on New Year’s Eve. Indeed this past year has been filled with tragedy and death, from a pandemic, from racial injustice and reactions to it, from super storms and fires. And yet what changes when we flip the calendar page? (Does anyone do that anymore?) When 2021 comes, the Covid-19 virus will still be around, storms and fires will still come, angry, vindictive, and violent people will still attack. And we all will still have a sinful nature which can and will act out.

So what are we waiting for? Are we waiting for the right thing? What should we be waiting for? The men in our two texts give us direction in what we should be looking for. So let’s see what they were anticipating and what we can wait for that is truly certain and good.

Are We Waiting for the Right Thing?

I. Two Men Waiting for Salvation

Today we hear about two men in two very different times and situations. Jeremiah, almost certainly the writer of the book of Lamentations, was in or near Jerusalem after the Babylonians had destroyed the city, including the temple, and taken most people into exile, over 500 years before Jesus was born. Simeon was in Jerusalem, in the courts of the temple rebuilt twice since that destruction. Jeremiah concludes, “It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Simeon “was waiting for the consolation of Israel” and from his lips we hear, “You [Lord] may now dismiss your servant in peace.  For my eyes have seen your salvation.” Jeremiah and Simeon were waiting for salvation.

Salvation is one of those words we Christians use a lot. Others may not understand what we mean, and we ourselves may not stop to consider what it all includes. In its basic sense it is “the act of saving or protecting from harm, risk, loss, destruction, etc.” Waiting for salvation means recognizing that you are facing harm and destruction, and implies that you can’t get out of it yourself. Jeremiah, while a believer himself, lamented how Jerusalem had been destroyed because most of its people refused to listen to God, who was calling them to repentance. They were offered, many times, the opportunity to turn away from their evil and be saved from the coming destruction, but they would not. Now they were languishing in exile hundreds of miles away. Simeon, also a devout believer, was looking for salvation, which implies he recognized his situation of being less than holy and separated from God because of his sins. Like all people, he faced destruction, which he couldn’t avoid on his own. So he waited for salvation because he knew he was facing destruction by a holy God without it.

What about Us?

As we wait for the end of 2020, are we waiting for salvation because we recognize our lost condition? Why do we fear getting sick with Covid and dying from it or fear being caught in a flood or hurricane and dying? We know we can’t face our holy Maker in our present condition. Some will try to claim there is no God to give answer to, but only a fool says that. Our conscience tells us otherwise, the universe tells us otherwise.

The best way to face the new year is with a repentant heart, a heart that recognizes we have sinned, but a heart that waits quietly for God’s salvation.

II. Two Men Seeing Salvation

Unlike Jeremiah and Simeon, we don’t have to wait like they did; we can look up and clearly see how God’s salvation has come. We celebrate how that story began at Christmas. Now we just look up. What is that in the front of our church? Even our children know, that is a cross. It is in fact a place of death, the place where God’s Savior died for us, to save us. The cross stands there as an instrument of execution, like a guillotine or a gallows, and an execution did take place there, but it is empty, it is done. The God man who died there has come back to life. Sin has been paid for. Death has been overcome. These are the main problems, the overriding malady, of the human race.

Even while Jeremiah was lamenting over the rubble and desolation of Jerusalem, he knew that God had plans to bring his people back to this city in 70 years and rebuild it and rebuild the temple. He waited for that, he knew for certain it was going to happen, even though he never got to see it. It was a picture of the salvation Jesus would bring. And we know it happened that way, just as God had said. Just as the people of Judah were held in hostage by the Babylonians, the human race is held hostage by sin, death, and the devil. Even as the people were finally saved from that exile to return to their home country, the human race has been saved from sin, death and, the evil. And even not all of the people of Judah chose to return to Palestine, not all people turn away from sin to the forgiveness God has for them.

Simeon looked ahead to the crucifixion of Jesus, which would take place some thirty years after he spoke these words in the temple. He knew there would be people who would stumble because of Jesus, reject him, execute him. Others would believe him and follow him and be saved. It would be a sorrowful time for his mother, but as one who believed in him, she would accept it. In her own special song, she had rejoiced in God her Savior, who carried out his saving act for us through sacrificing his Son on this cross. Simeon probably did not know all the exact details of how this would be carried out, but he quietly waited for God’s salvation, and was ready to depart just having seen the baby who would grow up and carry out this salvation.

What about Us?

While we can look back and see how this salvation was carried out, we still do wait for the culmination of God’s salvation, when Jesus returns to raise us from the dead and take us to heaven to live with him there in total joy and blisss. No more pandemics, no more floods and hurricanes, no more devastating fires, no more murders or robberies, no more evil people. Yes, we ourselves will be stripped our sinful nature and confirmed in holiness.

So we can go into 2021 quietly waiting for the culmination of our salvation. We can go through much suffering on our way. But that doesn’t mean we ignore this world and its problems. God has work for us to do here. Jeremiah faced much suffering. He was ridiculed and mocked for predicting that Jerusalem would be destroyed. His preaching of repentance fell on mostly deaf ears. He was thrown in a cistern to die, and rescued from it to sit in prison until the king of Babylon came to destroy Jerusalem. His life was spared, but he had to witness the destruction of his city and temple and see its desolation. He had work to do. He continued to call people to repentance, to faith, to waiting for God’s salvation. As in Elijah’s, when there were still 7000 believers though God’s cause looked lost, there were certainly some who listened to Jeremiah, but for the most part he didn’t know them. And in any case, God has long since carried him off to heaven where he enjoys the salvation he waited for.
In the new year we will continue to face restrictions and economic problems because of the novel corona virus, there will be more storms and fires, there will murders and evil all around. We will face the death of loved ones. We ourselves may face death this year. But if we are waiting for God’s salvation, we will welcome it, though it is terrible to go through.

In the meantime, we will carry out the work God has placed before us. We may have a family to provide for or care for. There are young to be taught, things to be made for this life, business to conduct so this life can go on smoothly.

But especially there is the need to focus on waiting for God’s salvation, the need to remind ourselves that we are sinners, to bask in the news that Jesus was born, lived a perfect life for us, paid the price for our sins, conquered death so that it is no longer fearful for us. And as we get refreshed in our faith, we will be like Jeremiah and Simeon, telling others about God’s salvation, even when it means suffering and opposition. Others need this news in our present world, though many will reject it.

CONCLUSION

But it is good to remember that a large part of our life as believers in Jesus is waiting, quietly waiting for his salvation. This doesn’t mean doing nothing. Knowing that faith comes from hearing the word of Jesus, in the new year we drink in God’s through which God saves us, coming together when we can to hear it, sitting at home hearing it, letting it work in our hearts, waiting for it change and strengthen our hearts, waiting for it to change our attitude and lives. Then we will put that change to work in our lives because God saves and changes us, seeking ways to do good and tell others of Jesus and his word. We continue to live in a sin-ravaged world, and we will continue to face suffering and persecution. But we have joy and peace in our hearts, knowing our sins are forgiven, our guilt is removed, and we are eternally part of God’s holy family. Wait patiently for the culmination of his salvation when he comes to take us home. We repeat Jeremiah’s words, “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Amen.

There was a dad who was reading his daughter the Christmas story before bedtime. He got to the part where the angels talk to the shepherds and decided to test her knowledge:
 
And the angels said to them, “Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you, you will find a powerful, well-trained soldier…”
 
She interrupted, “No dad. That isn’t right.”
 
Ok. How about…You will find a democratically elected president?
 
Ummm…No.
 
A motivational speaker?
A movie star?
A time-travelling cyborg?
 
None of those, Dad.
 
“Then, tell me,” he said, “How does it go?”
 
She smiled and continued, “Today, in the city of David you will find a baby.”
 
The Christmas story sounded strange to the girl.
And she called her dad out on it.
 
But…
 
What about this year’s Christmas?
Is this how the story is supposed to go?
 
A half empty church.
Unable to visit family.
No parties to attend.
No hugs.
No kisses.
Barely any gifts.
 
It doesn’t seem like this is how Christmas is supposed to go.
Instead, Christmas 2020 seems strange.
 
I. STRANGE Events
 
But should it feel strange?
 
Let’s revisit the night of Jesus’ birth. Scripture says, “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world…And everyone went to their own town to register. (v.1-3)
 
In the Ancient world, censuses were important. They helped the government learn how much food the people would need, how big of an army they needed to protect their people, how dense to make the population spots on a map and…
 
Most importantly…
 
…how much money they needed in taxes.
 
In the ever-expanding Roman world, censuses are recorded as happening every five years. That’s not strange.
 
What is strange is paying taxes and being forced to register for a census that was demanded by a government you hadn’t elected.
 
Caesar Augustus didn’t win the pools.
He simply took over.
He was #NotTheirCaesar.
And this census was forced on them without their asking.
 
(Kinda like a pandemic…and all the rules and regulations that go with it.)
 
This census was a not voluntary. You had to partake of it. There was no way that any average Joe…
Or rather…
Average Joseph…
 
Could avoid the government mandate.
 
Strange.
 
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth…to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. (v.4)
 
That’s about an 80-mile journey, if the family took the shorter and more strenuous route directly through the desert land of Samaria. If they took the easier walking route along the Jordan River Valley, it was longer.
 
And Mary was about 8 months pregnant.
 
I did my research.
I talked to some pregnant ladies.
Going on an 80-mile trip while pregnant isn’t preferable.
 
And there weren’t cars back then.
In fact, tradition usually places pregnant Mary on a donkey while Joseph walked alongside it.
 
But…
Scripture never actually mentions a donkey.
It’s possible pregnant Mary had to walk that whole way.
 
Strange.
 
Speaking of pregnancy…
 
He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. (V.5)
 
Pledged to be married.
Do you see that part?
They had not been intimate together.
 
Meaning Joseph had no part in producing that child.
This was long before science and test tubes and miracles of modern fertility clinics.
 
But it’s still more amazing.
Because even those clinics need two parts to create life.
 
This baby in Mary’s tummy?
Needed only one part.
God’s power.
 
And suddenly she was showing.
And suddenly people were talking.
And suddenly Aunt May was giving them both the cold shoulder.
 
There’s no family togetherness.
They were outcasts.
 
Strange.
 
While they were there…there was no guest room available for them. (v.6-7)
 
Joseph frantically rapping at the doors.
Knocking at the Super 8.
The Radisson.
The Motel 6 – They didn’t even leave the light on!
 
None of them have space.
And he’s running out of time.
 
Finally, some guy shows him to a pile of hay out near his animals.
 
And Mary lays down while she’s sweating and breathing heavy.
While Joseph is frantically fluffing the hay, wiping away the donkey slobber from the feeding trough and waving his hands in the air to get the nauseating smell of the animals out.
 
And there’s no midwife.
And there’s no family.
And there’s no epidural.
 
There’s pain.
And fear.
And darkness.
 
And then…
 
…The time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger… (v.6)
 
In the midst of the unwanted mandate, at the end of a strenuous journey, separate from their families, alone in a barn…
 
A baby.
A son.
The Savior.
 
II. More STRANGE
 
But that’s not all that’s strange about this Christmas.
 
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. (v.8)
 
In Ancient society, shepherding is a lowly job.
It produces a lowly income.
It is looked as lowly in society.
 
These guys are probably not wearing the finest fashion.
They probably don’t smell the best.
They were probably sitting around a fire, eating some beans and gambling for the file bite with a pair of dice.
 
Suddenly…
 
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
 
What a strange visitor!
 
And his face is gleaming
And brilliant.
And can’t look straight at him so you cover your face and squint your eyes, incredible!
 
And they are terrified.
 
They probably thought he was coming to tell them bad news.
 
An increase in taxes.
More Roman occupation.
A pack of wolves on its way.
 
Or worse.
 
God was mad at them.
God could see they were cheating at dice.
God was about to fry them for all their sins.
 
Something they knew was right.
They’d done wrong.
They deserved justice.
God’s wrath!
 
But the message is actually much stranger than that.
 
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. (v.10-11)
 
A Savior – as in God wants to save you from all your sin, all your guilt, all your shame.
The Christ – as in God has been prophesying this for millennia. It’s always been the plan.
The Lord – as in master, ruler, Chief. The baby is God himself.
 
His plan would fail.
He’s God.
He never fails.
 
And if that message told to lowly shepherds isn’t strange enough, suddenly: Music!
 
It’s not coming from Alexa either: Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (v.14)
 
Friends, do you get it?
 
That first “Christmas” was not the Christmas celebration we consider normal.
It wasn’t filled with peace among people, togetherness and joy.
But an unwanted mandate, strenuous work, loneliness, stress, and pain .
 
But the strange events only amplify strange glory of Jesus’ arrival.
 
God had come.
God was born.
God was going to bring peace.
 
And as strange as this year it has amplified the glory of this message:
 
God has come.
God was born.
God lived.
God died.
God rose.
God defeated your sin.
God defeated your guilt.
God defeated your shame.
 
God has brought peace
For you.
With God.
 
Even during 2020.
 
Because of your Savior, you are forgiven.
 
III. STRANGE Response
 
This strange truth produced strange responses among the people part of that first Christmas.
I pray it produces the same strange responses in us.
 
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (v.15)
 
The one thing shepherds are supposed to do?
Watch the sheep.
 
And as soon as the angels leave, what do these shepherds do?
Stop watching the sheep.
 
I suppose they could have brought the sheep with them
But verse 16 says, they “Hurried off to find Mary and Joseph.”
That implies it was fast.
Since it might be hard to “hurry off” when you’re chasing your sheep, I doubt they brought them.
 
Nothing was more important to the shepherds than seeing their Savior.
 
1) Hurry to see your Savior.
 
There is still nothing more important.
 
Not a certain gift.
Not a paycheck.
Not a type of Christmas cookie.
 
Not time with a relative.
Not wearing a mask.
Not getting a vaccine.
 
The most eternally important thing for you to do this Christmas (and always) is see your Savior.
 
Whether it’s in person.
Or online.
 
With friends.
On your own.
 
Go; see your Savior.
Because there you see your salvation.
 
But when they shepherds had seen Jesus, they had more to do:
they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child. (v.16)
 
Who cares if we need to get back to our flocks…
Who cares if the beans are getting cold…
Who cares if we are getting cold...
 
We need to tell others about the Savior.
Because they need this good news too.
 
2) Hurry to tell about your Savior.
 
If you’re watching this online, can you share this with a friend who needs to hear this?
If you’re here in person, can you text a friend a line or two from Luke 2 tonight?
If you’ve got plans to open gifts, eat a meal, and shove 7 candy canes in your mouth tonight, can you first tell your family about Jesus?
 
Maybe read Luke 2.
 
Reading Luke 2 rather than watching a Netflix special?
 
That might seem strange to our world.
But there’s nothing more eternally important.
 
One more thing.
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (v.19)
 
Honestly, this seems odd.
She had such a weird day.
 
A strenuous journey.
Disapproving looks from others.
Inability to find a room.
Camping out in a barn.
Pain without a midwife.
The smells of the cows.
The birth of her boy.
And strangers busting in telling her that he was the Savior!
 
Honestly, it seems like the kind of events that you might try to forget with a couple of spiked Egg Nogs.
 
Not Mary.
 
Mary treasured them.
 
Strange as they were.
She treasured these things.
Because God worked his plan through them.
 
3) Treasure this Christmas.
 
2020 is unlike any other.
Your Christmas is unlike any other.
 
But in the Strange sadness of this year…
The strange glory of God is amplified.
 
God has come.
You are loved.
 
God is working his plans.
And he is working in your life…
 
Right here.
Right now.
 
May this strange Christmas draw you closer to his strange glory.
 
Amen.