“Opening Ourselves To Real Life”
Opening Ourselves to ‘Christ’-mas
Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12
(quotes taken from the NKJV unless noted)
Wakelee Church ~ December 5, 2004
Theme: As Christians we offer a hope greater than our present circumstances or those of others this Christmas.
Introduction – “Hope during hopeless times…”
For those who may be wondering why Karie sang the song she just did, it was at my request.
During this Christmas season it is so easy to get wrapped up in the gift-giving and tree-decorating that we often forget that the same hope we celebrate in the birth of the Christ-child, is the same hope that alludes many people during this time of year.
For some, the real life of the Thanksgiving and Christmas season is anything but candy canes and gifts under the tree…for some, their real life has taken all the hope out of this holiday.
We know the list don’t we? Some may feel the loss of loved ones. Some may have been downsized from a company they expected to retire from. Some, even in the midst of an abundant corn crop, are still facing the facts that the farm must be sold. Some, might feel the anxiety of expectations instead of the joy of the season.
For some, their real life situation has found them in hopeless times. But there is hope…
There’s hope in the good news message…
Hope in the act of repentance…
And there is hope when we turn to one who created hope in the first place.
John Maxwell in his book entitled, Think on These Things answered the question, “What does hope do for humankind?” by saying…
“Hope shines brightest when the hour is darkest.
Hope motivates when discouragement comes.
Hope energizes when the body is tired.
Hope sweetens while bitterness bites.
Hope sings when all melodies are gone.
Hope believes when evidence is eliminated.
Hope listens for answers when no one is talking.
Hope climbs over obstacles when no one is helping.
Hope endures hardship when no one is caring.
Hope smiles confidently when no one is laughing.
Hope reaches for answers when no one is asking.
Hope presses toward victory when no one is encouraging.
Hope dares to give when no one is sharing.
Hope brings the victory when no one is winning.”
When we open ourselves to the real lives of others, as well as ourselves…we then have the opportunity to offer hope in even the most hopeless situations.
I – Hope comes through the Good News story…
“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” – Romans 15:4 [example – the Gentiles (i.e. US!)]
II – John the Baptist knew that repentance was the key to everlasting hope…but it had to be offered.
“Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.” – Matthew 3:5-6
A number of years ago a couple traveled to the offices of an Adoption Society in England to receive a baby. They had been on the waiting list along time.
They had been interviewed and carefully scrutinized. Now at last their dreams were to be fulfilled. But their day of happiness was another’s pain.
Arriving at the offices of the Society they were led up a flight of stairs to a waiting room. After a few minutes they heard someone else climbing the stairs. It was the young student mother whose baby was to be adopted. She was met by the lady responsible for the adoption arrangements and taken into another room.
Our friends heard a muffled conversation and a few minutes later footsteps on the stairs as the young mother left. They heard her convulsive sobbing until the front door of the office was closed. Then, there was silence.
The lady in charge then conducted them next door. In a little crib was a six week old baby boy. On a chair beside it was a brown paper bag containing a change of clothes and two letters. One of these, addressed to the new parents, thanked them for providing a home for her baby and acknowledged that under the terms of the adoption each would never know the other’s identity. Then the young mother added one request. Would they allow her little son to read the other letter on his eighteenth birthday? She assured them that she had not included any information about her identity. The couple entrusted that letter to a lawyer and one day the young man will read the message which his mother wrote on the day when with breaking heart, she parted with him.
I wonder what she wrote? If we had to condense all we feel about life and love into a few precious words what would we say? I believe we would have no time for trivia. We would not be concerned about economics, politics, the weather, the size of house or the type of car. We would want to dwell on what life was all about and what things were absolutely essential.
John in the desert was in the great tradition of the Hebrew prophets. He was aware that time was running out. In his burning message he had no time for peripheral matters. He was not playing Trivial Pursuit nor was he prepared to splash about in the shallows. Soon the sword of Herod’s guard would flash and his tongue would lie silent in the grave.
Superficial people came out from Jerusalem to see him. They were intrigued by this strange phenomenon of a wild man preaching repentance. They were fascinated by frivolous things such as his dress, his diet and his fierce declamatory oratory. They wanted to interview him and then tell all their friends about their remarkable experience. "Who are you?" they asked. His answer was curt: "I am not the Christ." "Are you Elijah?" "No!"
"Then who are you?" they persisted. They had their doubts about who he was but his message to their ears was clear: Repent.
John’s message called people to repentance. One of the towering marks of this age is the absence of guilt. Not many people would deny that fact. Some are pleased that guilt has been dethroned; others see it as a bad sign. The absence of guilt in today’s society makes it very difficult to talk about repentance. For if there is no feeling of guilt, then the need for repentance is greatly minimized, if not altogether eliminated.
But true repentance produces hope.
For many, the word repentance is a word that belongs to yesterday. It is equated with sackcloth and ashes and mourners benches. Some see repentance as something that we do only if we get caught. But repentance is far more than simply blurting out "I’m Sorry" if we get caught cheating on the IRS or our wife. Nor is repentance merely turning over a new leaf.
Repentance is like putting a clean page in the typewriter. It’s like taking a dirty sheet and
making it as clean as clean could be…It’s a great feeling of freshness and opportunity.
John was offering repentance because he knew that the HOPE of Christ was coming…Repentance leads to hope.
III – True hope to offset life’s reality comes from God and God alone…
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13
We need to share this hope, found in God alone, with others.
Avery D. Miller, noted author and speaker once said that, “Hope is patiently waiting expectantly for the intangible to become reality.”
Conclusion–Questions to ponder this second week of Advent
As Christians we offer a hope greater than our present circumstances or those of others this Christmas…
What’s holding you back from having hope in your Christmas?
What’s one thing you could do to share Christ’s hope, based on repentance, with another?
Who’s the author of your hope this Advent season?
The prophet Isaiah understood this hope when he wrote in the 9th chapter, 2nd – 7th verses…(read)
Closing Hymn - #206 – I Want to Walk As A Child of the Light
Benediction
As we leave this place,
May we open ourselves to our God.
May we open ourselves to our Reality.
May we open ourselves to Others.
May we open ourselves to the True Joy, found in Jesus Christ our Lord.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…Amen.
