Sermon- Columbus Day 2020
- Tomorrow we celebrate Columbus Day. I know that we have so many different ideas
for how America was founded, but in the history of Columbus we see something very
unique.
- Christopher had devised a plan to sail west from Spain to Asia. The trade route by
land was riddled with perils, & armies. Which meant it was almost impossible to make
it by land. Christopher assured everyone that the circumference of the world was
smaller than what they believed. He could definitely make across the ocean to Asia.
- When King Ferdinand agreed to the voyage, to bring a long story short. Christopher
had the full intention of making it to Asia. Instead, he found lands that they didn’t
know existed. From the Caribbean islands to North & South America.
- It was through his voyages, that the age of exploration really kicked off, & has
brought about the world that we know today.
- So, tomorrow we celebrate this.
- Now think about what this day in history harkens back to.
- The day Jesus was conceived. This was the Day redemption began.
- Mary & Joseph had set out to have Jesus circumcised, but in this journey God’s
Salvation is revealed once again.
Luke 2:21-33
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
- Jesus was prophesied, proclaimed, & known, but His great hope of restoration &
redemption was forgotten throughout His life. Leading, all the way up until after His
Ascension.
- After The the promise of the Father was given to us (the Holy Spirit). Then the
church, bride of Christ, took off.
- It’s very much like growing in a new land.
- Think about our growth, & let’s pray.
Prayer
- In order for us to be redeemed, something had to happen.
- That something was Jesus.
- The mindset of people, both Jews & Gentiles alike. Was to somehow be good
enough, or pure enough, to merit eternity.
Romans 9:31-33
31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
- Salvation is right there. Just like the new lands for Columbus was right there, but no
one had went for it.
- Columbus had the mission to make an easier way for trades.
- His idea didn’t work, but God’s idea was fully realized.
- Every person around this world is guilty of sin.
- There’s only one solution to sin.
- Listen to verse 32 again,
Luke 2:32
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
- Jesus is being received, & brought to all peoples across this globe.
- America was revealed, & now one of the greatest countries on earth.
- There’s many different forms, & ways being used that present Christ, but at His
revelation, or at just seeing Him. Simeon knew This is the promise, the savior, the
Christ.
- Listen again to verses 26-29.
Luke 2:26-29
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
- The Holy Spirit prepared Simeon’s heart, & at the moment he saw Jesus. Simeon
knew, this is the Anointed One of promise.
Q- Did you notice that no one had to convince Simeon that this was the Messiah?
- The hearts of man are ready to receive this salvation.
Isaiah 52:10
10 The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
- The Spirit has prepared us.
Q- What Do you think tells us we need to change, we need something, something is
missing?
- That’s The Spirit, & He’s leading us to that moment that we see Jesus. Then our
heart is going to leap, because we’re going to say within ourselves, this is the
Anointed One of Promise!
Q- Do you remember John’s response to Jesus still in the womb?
Luke 1:41
41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
- Imagine the response of Columbus as he drew close to America. I know that in his
heart he thought he had done it. He had made it to Asia, but what he had done was,
he found this great land.
- As someone may walk into, or scroll through our church service, they might not
realize or feel what they’ve found, but they have found the greatest thing in
eternity.
- Within this service is found the Anointed One, the Messiah, The Savior Jesus
Christ.
- In finding Him, a great new life is ahead of them.
Q- Think with me, Why is that?
- It’s because a new life has begun.
2 Corinthians 5:17-20
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
- As it was after Columbus, trade & growth in America has changed & grown.
- In Christ Jesus, we have changed. We are growing. Now we are taking part in His
revelation, because people are seeing the promise within us.The Promise that they
already know in their heart. They’re just waiting to see it.
- As I close, This is why we want so badly to reach out to others. We want them to
see this great land of hope, & Promise we possess.
- Let’s go out & present what we have to the world as we sing Saved Saved.
prayer
