Morning Message Text: Isaiah 51: 1-7
Everlasting Salvation for Zion
1 “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn;
2 look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was only one man, and I blessed him and made him many.
3 The LORD will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.
4 “Listen to me, my people; hear me, my nation: Instruction will go out from me; my justice will become a light to the nations.
5 My righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way, and my arm will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look to me and wait in hope for my arm.
6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail.
7 “Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have taken my instruction to heart: Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals or be terrified by their insults.
Morning Message:
Today, this third Sunday of Advent, we remember the pure joy of who we are in Christ. Our devotional this week will take us deeper than the joy that lies on the surface to the joy of our creation; the joy of being formed by the loving hands of our God and Creator. (From your devotional) In Genesis 2, we meet God the sculptor, who fashions the first human from the dust of the earth. Isaiah 51 uses a similar metaphor. Rather than working in clay, however, God has hewn us from rock as a sculptor or stonemason. If you want to see righteousness, Isaiah tells, look back to what you’re made of, where you came from. Isaiah points us back to Abraham and Sarah and calls our mind even back to Eden, and thus to the time of our own creation and our Creator. Sometimes the joy of our lives is difficult to find. Personally, when I am struggling and low on Joy, I find it helpful to remember my meager beginnings. When I compare where I was with where I am, I can smile.
Isaiah is calling us to remember the deep truth of ourselves. Who we are and who we were, what God has done in our lives. He pulled us from the earth and animated us with holy breath. Maybe that image isn’t very real to you. How about this one: He formed you in your mother’s womb, God knew you before you were formed, and he has blessed every day of your life. It helps to remember that we are here by the grace of God and every day is a blessing from his holy hand. As Christians we should see our life after coming to Jesus as a journey. (From our devotional) The story of Moses and the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, for Paul in first Corinthians 10: 4, serves as a template for Christian living. Our baptism is like when they came through the Red Sea; our Communion together is like their manna in the desert and their drinking from the Rock. The Rock from which Moses brings forth water, Paul says, is Christ. The joy that we need to be reminded of today is the joy of salvation, the joy of the living water that flowed straight from our Savior into our hearts and saves us.
I know, all of that while joyful and reasons to be thankful still leaves you searching for things that will bring joy to your life. I read something this week that might help. Are you familiar with the word NOEL? Noel is a French term having to do with the Christmas season. It comes from the Latin word natalis, from which we also get our words native and nativity. Noels were French carols sung to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Let’s use NOEL as an acrostic to remind us of four obligations. We should do all four things all year, but Christmas gives us special opportunities to, say, give to the needy. That’s the N. Now before you drift off thinking how is this going to bring me joy, just open your heart and give God a chance to show you true joy. Much of the world lives in poverty. The United States has its share of people struggling with poverty—11.5 percent in 2022, and it is probably higher today. You can’t help everyone, but during this season if you reach out to help one or some you will find pure joy.
The O stands for, OPEN YOUR HOME. Think about this: When Jesus was born, there was no room for him in the inn, but later many people opened their homes to him. All through the scriptures we see people being hospitable to Jesus. Peter’s home became his headquarters for some time. Matthew welcomed him to his house, Mary and Martha, Simon the leper, the owner of the upper room where Jesus and his disciples celebrated the Last Supper. If you knew Jesus would visit your house, you’d prepare for him. Although he cannot now physically come, we’re able to serve him by inviting others needing help, encouragement, provisions, or just fellowship and friendship. Jesus always blessed the homes he entered—and he will bless your hospitality this season too. I know that this is not easy. In today’s society we seem to have lost the art of hospitality, but it can give you joy.
The E is my favorite. It stands for EXPRESS YOUR FAITH. Whenever you find yourself with someone, even a stranger, look around for anything that will help turn the topic gently toward the Lord. Is the person wearing a cross around her neck? Does the message on his t-shirt lend itself to conversation? Do they have a discouraged look on their face? Many people—not everyone, so be prepared! —will respond positively to a loving spiritual comment, especially at Christmas. Even a Christmas carol in the coffee shop can help you find a point of connection to discuss Christ. The problem is we are not looking. We are too tied up in our concerns for the things of Christmas that we have forgotten the reason for it. Do you want to feel pure Christmas joy? Tell someone about Jesus.
Last, but not least, the L. The L stands for Love and Laughter. Comedian Milton Berle said, “Laughter is an instant vacation.” Nothing can bring you more joy than to allow yourself to love people. It is so easy this time of year to get upset with everyone.
All the hustle and bustle can put our nerves on end. Let’s face it, family is wonderful, but too much wonderful family can cause us to wish for a shorter season. Love at Christmas time should be so easy, but it’s not. We need to be intentional about loving. We need to make our minds up to respond in love. Laughter is something that we need more of. The laughter of fun and fellowship. Especially at Christmas. The people in Psalm 126: 2 said, “We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” Charles Swindoll once said, “If God is God…then laughter fits life. What I have put before you today is more than a recipe for joy, it is a model for the Christian life and what God has created us to be and display with the life and breath that he has blessed us with.
In Christ’s Love and Peace,
Pastor Bob
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