On New Years Day, 2025, I would like to share a sermon I delivered in 2012. Happy New Year, everyone.
Wake Up, Christians!
Romans 13:10-12
10Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.
An Urgent Appeal
11 Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light;
When we lived in Richmond, VA there was a radio show called “Earl Pitts, Uhmerican.” Earl began every rant with “you know what makes me sick, you know what makes me wanna throw up,” and then he would proceed to tell you. At the end of every segment Pitts said, “Wake Up, Uhmerica.”
Could it be that it is time for us to begin to say, “Wake up, Christians.” What I would like to share with you in these last couple of days in 2012 are these three things that I pulled directly from today’s Scripture:
- When given a choice, always choose love
- Wake Up to new possibilities
- Dress for a new day is coming
When I read the book of Romans, I feel like I am receiving a lesson on the history of Christianity. Paul recounts what life was like before Christ, and he instructs the converts that they are no longer under the law, but under grace. But grace does not free them to continue in their sin. As Paul says, God forbid. Rather, grace frees them to live in victory over their sin.
Our scripture today begins by telling us since love does no wrong to a neighbor, love is the fulfilling of the law. Amen and Amen. When the love of God begins to permeate our beings, then we will know we’ve moved beyond mere Christianity and into kingdom living.
Loving people who are like you is easy, but loving those who are different is not. Have you ever known someone who is just plain contentious? If you say black, they say white, if you say straight, they say crooked. What about people who clearly don’t love you? As disciples, how do we react?
1 John2: 5 But if anyone obeys his Word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in Him. 6 Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.
So the key to loving all people is obedience to God’s Word. Is it easy to love all people? No. But it is necessary. When we move into kingdom living, we are not made perfect but we are perfected in love. Our humanity is covered by Christ’s divinity, and because of Christ we are able to choose love.
Paul goes on to say that we are to understand the present time. During Paul’s time Christianity was facing very real obstacles. The Jewish Christians had reverted to a kind of hodgepodge of Christianity and Judaism. They would only accept Gentile Christians if they agreed to circumcision. So much for grace!
The Gentile Christians argued that God’s favor no longer fell upon the Jews so there was a real schism between the two groups. In reading the epistles, the early Church seemed to be in constant danger of eradication, if not from without then from within.
Today the problems Christians face may be different but they are no less threatening. Many people, even in North America, find the Church to be irrelevant. Christians are depicted as weak, using religion as a crutch. Some even go so far as to say God did not create us, but we created God so that we could have someone to blame when things go wrong.
We have lost many of our religious freedoms just in my lifetime. As a child, we read scripture, prayed and pledged allegiance to our flag at the beginning of every school day. In atheist countries such as China Christians are being imprisoned. In Muslim countries such as Iraq and Libya Christians are being martyred.
Paul says to wake up from sleep. What does that mean to us? We must stop playing church and be the church wherever we are. When we serve at a soup kitchen, do we perform such service as an obligation, or do we throw ourselves into what we are doing with a spirit of joy? When we see someone in need, do we hope someone else will stop and help so that we don’t have to, or do we give of ourselves, even if it is inconvenient?
Wake up, Christians, not to a new way of doing church but to a new way of being church.
How do you wake up in the morning? Do you have an internal alarm or do you need a physical alarm? Do you need someone to jostle you out of bed? Can you string a few words together to create a sentence or must you have a strong pot of coffee first to get your intellectual juices flowing.
If it is so hard to wake up physically, then how much more difficult is it to wake up spiritually? We don’t have an alarm clock to remind us that it is time to become alert, nor do we have the equivalent of spiritual coffee. So how do we wake up spiritually?
We must become disciplined in the word and in prayer in order to awaken to our responsibility and to grow the fruits of the spirit in our lives. Paul reminds us that when we accept the grace of God into our lives, we undergo a transformation. Where we once lived in the night, we now live in and reflect the light of Christ.
When the night is over, we take off our nightclothes and dress for the activities of the coming day. As disciples we are told to put on the whole armor of God. Ephesians 6 even lays out our clothing for us. We put on the helmet of salvation, we put on the breastplate of righteousness found only in Jesus, we gird our loins with the truth of the gospel, we pick up the shield of faith which can deflect slings and arrows from any direction, we are supplied with the sword of the Spirit, the living, breathing Word of God, and we go out with new shoes that leave footprints of peace wherever we go.
Should Jesus return during my lifetime, I want to be found sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, I want to be serving in my church, and I want to be helping the poor and the downtrodden.
A new year is upon us. We have a chance to start afresh, because that is what new years do, they enable us to leave our baggage in the previous year and begin with a new, fresh perspective.
Isaiah 60:1 says
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.”
Eph 5:8 says
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.
Eph 6:13 says
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
The night is nearly over, but the day is almost here. Perhaps we should begin greeting each other with “Wake up, Christians” and the response would be “We are Awake.” So how about it church? Wake up, Christians! We are Awake!
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Benediction:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace so that you may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Go in peace, and take the name of Jesus with you, and share Him with everyone you meet.
Mary Pondered these Things in her Heart
(NIV) 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 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.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Tonight is Christmas Eve, 2024. I have watched Home Alone for the umpteenth time, and I am reading the account of Jesus’ birth for more than the umpteenth time. I partook of Holy Communion on Sunday morning, repeating the liturgy to myself that I spoke so many times. I listened to Rev. Mark Evans’ sermon, “From the Cradle to the Cross,” where he made the very salient point that without the cradle we could not have had the Cross.
On Sunday night we returned for a Candlelight Service, where we celebrated the first Advent of Jesus, and the service concluded with lighting individual candles. My bonus child, Shawna, accompanied us and it was so good to worship with her again.
I think of the part of the Scripture that reads, “they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” What did Mary consider that night so long ago? Just a young teenager, had she been given any insight into what was to come?
Pondering means to reflect, meditate or ruminate. Did Mary pray for supernatural knowledge or wisdom, or was she content to rest in God? Could I be as faithful as she? Could you?
May we, as we celebrate another Christmas, remain faithful to the calling of Jesus Christ, recognizing Him as God made flesh as we share His light with a world that is in darkness.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Our Security is in God
(NIV) Psalm 16
1 Keep me safe, my God,
for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing.”
3 I say of the holy people who are in the land,
“They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”
4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.
I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
or take up their names on my lips.
5 LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup;
you make my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.
7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I keep my eyes always on the LORD.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
nor will you let your
faithful one see decay.
11 You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Don’t you love the Psalms? Part of my daily reading includes the Psalms, and when someone is grieving or dealing with chronic pain or disease, I always point them to the Psalms. Why? Because David experienced everything we have or could ever experience, and he recorded his defeats and triumphs, his joy and his sorrow, in that marvelous book.
In Psalm 16, David is running from Saul and at this point he believes his death is imminent. David, whose harp playing had once soothed Saul when he was overcome by depression and anger, has now become the object of Saul’s jealousy. Yet David knows, believes and understands that his hope is in God.
When we place our hope in God, our circumstances may not be altered, but the way we react to our circumstances will inevitably change. No one embraces life altering disease or injury, particularly if we have led active, healthy lives. But life happens and when we can turn our focus on God, claiming Him as our portion as David did, then we, too, can have the security of our faith.
May we, like David, seek after God regardless of our circumstances, praising Him through pain, resting in Him through hardship.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Be Comforted
Psalm 86
6Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; and listen to the cry of my supplications.
7In the day of my trouble I will call on You, for You will answer me.
8There is none like unto You among the gods, O Lord, neither are their works like unto Yours.
9All nations whom You have made shall come and fall down before You, O Lord; and they shall glorify Your name.
10For You are great and work wonders! You alone are God.
Isaiah 40:4
Every valley shall be lifted and filled up, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the crooked and uneven shall be made straight and level, and the rough places a plain.
5And the glory (majesty and splendor) of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.
Isaiah 40: 28-31
(NIV) 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Today, on December 21, I recall the “Longest Night” services I have held through the years. Designed to offer hope to those who have suffered loss and are grieving during the Christmas season, these services provide a time of reflection and meditation, a safe space where those in pain can slow down amid the rush of holiday preparations and just breathe.
Anyone experiencing loss can benefit from a few scriptures of hope. When someone asks why something so terrible happens, there are no easy answers. All I know for sure is that God is a loving God. How can I say that when there is so much hurt in the world? Because when you “read the red,” the very words of Jesus, you see both the nature and the intent of God. God is our father, and we are His children. There is nothing else we need to know.
Have faith, you who are hurting and in despair. God is ready to pour out His grace upon you like cool, refreshing waters—just ask. Will the hurt go away because you have asked for grace? No, but over time it will lessen. Lean on God, on the Scriptures, spend time in prayer, and above all allow your families and friends to give you the support you need and the support they so want to give.
May those in pain find peace.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit Amen.
Advent Comfort and Joy
Isaiah 9(NRSV) 1 But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2 The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.
3 You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.
4 For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors
and all the garments rolled in blood
shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
“O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, o tidings of comfort and joy.“
Have you thought much about what Advent is supposed to do in our lives? It is a time of preparation, a time where we can turn away from despair and turn toward hope, a time to say no to chaos and to embrace peace, a time to put away our sorrow and become overwhelmed by joy.
Don’t we all need joy today?
Advent comfort and joy comes when we focus on God’s great presence. Matthew 28:20 “Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Advent is the celebration of God’s being with us! Matthew 1:23 reads, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” But it is one thing to hear the words God is with us, and another for us to invite him to be with us, for us to know he is with us. To incorporate that knowledge into our daily living brings joy.
Be encouraged this Advent! Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world! You are not alone! You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. You can “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.” You can be strong in the lord and be of good courage. With Jesus, you have a mighty conqueror in your life! The joy of the Lord truly is your strength.
God rest ye merry gentlemen, (Men, women, boys and girls, receive joy today in God’s power, presence, unfailing love, and rest)
Let nothing you dismay (Don’t let anything get you down, do not listen to anything that disagrees with God’s Word)
Remember Christ our savior was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan’s power (Satan’s power begins with our thoughts (2 Cor. 10:5, taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ) when we had gone astray, O
tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
