Three Appropriate Gifts For Jesus

                                 THREE APPROPRIATE GIFTS FOR JESUS

Geoffrey T. Bull, a British missionary to Tibet in 1949, was cold, exhausted, and hungry. He had been seized by Communists following their takeover of China. His captors drove him day and night across frozen mountains. Late one afternoon, he staggered into a small village where he was given an upstairs room, swept clean and warmed by a small charcoal heater.

After a meager supper, he was sent downstairs to feed the horses. It was frigid and dark. He clambered down the notched tree trunk to find himself in pitch blackness. His boots squished in the manure and straw on the floor, and the stinking smell of the animals was nauseating.

Geoffrey, cold, weary, lonely, and ill, begin to feel sorry for himself. "Then, as I continue to grope my way in the darkness," he later wrote, "it suddenly flashed into my mind. What's today? I thought for a moment. In traveling, the days had become a little muddled in my mind. Suddenly it came to me. It's Christmas Day. I stood suddenly still in that Oriental manger.

To think that my Savior was born in a place like this. To think that He came all the way from heaven to some wretched eastern stable, and what is more, to think that He came for me. I returned to the warm, clean room which I enjoyed even as a prisoner, bowed to thankfulness and worship."[1]Today is Christmas. Let us worship the God-incarnate Jesus Christ our Lord.

No Christmas nativity scene excludes the three colorfully dressed wise men with their camels and colorful gifts. But who are they? What were they searching for? How did they respond when they found what they were looking for? How does that impact us today?

I. Visitors from the East. The story begins with some Magi, translated as wise men from Eastern lands, coming to Jerusalem. The East of Jerusalem was the Parthian Empire, the area that, at one time, had been the kingdom of Babylon (250 BC).

The wise men were specialized in astrology, magic, and natural sciences. They existed in Babylon during King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:9). These wise men were not only three men on camels, as seen in Christmas nativity scenes. The designation of only three comes from the fact that only three gifts are recorded as having been given to the Christ Child. From historical information, a cavalry of formidable men on camels rode into Jerusalem.[2]

They went to the palace and asked Herod, "where is the newborn King of the Jews? We saw his star in the East and have come to worship him. The wise men came from a far country, traveling about 900 miles through rugged terrain to worship Christ, while the Jews, his kinsmen, would not take a step and go to the next town to welcome the newborn King.

Upon hearing what the wise men said, King Herod and everyone in Jerusalem were deeply disturbed. Why? Until then, King Herod thought he was appointed as the King of the Jews, and no successor had been born, but now the wise men were talking about a new king that had been born, and they saw his star when it appeared in the East.

Herod quickly summoned the leading priests and the religious leaders and inquired where the Messiah was supposed to be born. They pointed the King to two ancient prophecies, "And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel." (Micah 5:2, II Sam 5:2)

Without showing his nervousness, King Herod told the wise men, "Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too! Would he really worship Jesus, or was it a plot to kill him? The wise men went to Bethlehem, led by the same star that appeared to them in the East. The Star of Bethlehem is one of the greatest mysteries in astronomy and the Bible. How did it lead the Magi to Jesus?

The star-led journey ended at the house where the Christ child was. Throughout their search for the newborn King, God guided them through a star, for which they were filled with Joy. Upon entering the house, whom did they find? How did they respond, and what gifts did they offer? Matthew 2:11, "They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and Myrrh." Who would offer such gifts to a newborn baby?

You would take a crib or bundles of diapers when visiting a newborn, not gold, frankincense, and certainly not Myrrh used to embalm a dead body. But those were precisely the gifts the wise men presented to Jesus. At first glimpse, they look inappropriate, but if you take a closer look and see their significance, we will find them to be very appropriate gifts for Jesus. 

II. Three Appropriate Gifts For Jesus

By reading the text, we will know that a few days might have passed since Jesus was born. We usually see the wise men at the manger in the nativity scene, but we see them here in the house. Before looking into the gifts, the wise men offered, we observe their posture. They bowed down and worshiped the child and offered their gifts. Why is that so important?

For Matthew, the focus was less on who the wise men were. That's why we know very little of them in the story. Instead, he was interested that Gentiles came to worship the Jewish Messiah and the gifts they bore. Before we do anything or give anything to God, we must bow down and worship Him first. Let's look at the significance of the gifts.  

Gold: It is easy to see why gold is an appropriate gift for Jesus Christ. Gold is a symbol of divinity and is mentioned throughout the Bible. The Ark of the Covenant was overlaid with Gold (Exodus 25:10-17). The gift of gold to the Christ child was symbolic of His divinity—God in the flesh. The wise men worshipped him, recognizing Jesus as God.

Gold is also the metal of kings. When gold was presented to Jesus, it acknowledged his right to rule. The wise men knew Jesus was the King of kings, so they bowed down. Isn't that what Isaiah prophesied about Jesus? "His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity." Isaiah 9:7 By offering gold to the baby Jesus, the wise men paved the way for the world to recognize the Kingship of Jesus, bow their knees, and confess with their mouths that He is Lord.

Frankincense: It was used in temple worship. It was mixed with the oil used to anoint the priests of Israel. It was part of the meal offerings of thanksgiving and praise to God. In presenting this gift, the wise men pointed to Christ as our great High Priest, whose whole life was acceptable and well-pleasing to his Father.

Myrrh: Myrrh was used for embalming. By any human measure, it would be odd, if not offensive, to present to the infant Christ a spice used for embalming. But it was not offensive, nor was it weird. It was a gift of faith. We do not know what the wise men may have known about Christ's ministry, but we know that the Old Testament foretold his suffering. At the time of dedication, Simeon told Mary, "A sword will pierce your very soul," implying Christ's death.

God gave Jesus as his love gift to humanity. Jesus, through his death and resurrection, offers the gift of salvation to all who believe in Him. On this Christmas Day, what gifts do you bring to Jesus? By faith, we, too, may present our gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh.

Let's begin with our Myrrh, by identifying in the death of Christ and by dying to our flesh. Let's consider ourselves dead to sin and being alive for Christ. When that happens, we bring our frankincense which is our life. We offer our lives to Jesus as a living sacrifice. Our frankincense can also be our good works, by which God is pleased (Hebrews 13:16). Finally, we honor and worship our King Jesus with our gold by living a life of purity. Amen!

 

 

  

 

 

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[1] Geoffrey T. Bull, When Iron Gates Yield (Chicago: Moody Press, n.d.), 158-159

[2] https://reasonsforhopejesus.com/who-were-the-three-wise-men/

God's Love Gift

                                                        GOD'S LOVE GIFT

As I was plugging away on the gym treadmill, this Liberty Mutual ad caught my attention. It was about people remembering commercials with nostalgia. A family opens gifts at Christmas. A mother asks, what did you get, Rayan? With glee in his eyes, he says, "It's customized home insurance from Liberty Mutual." She asks the other son what did you get Mike? He says, with a sad face, "A bike and kicks it." The mother laughs, saying nothing.

It made me think these days. We don't know what makes our kids happy during Christmas or other times. Are parents failing to teach their kids about contentment? If you grew up in this part of the world, you might remember Christmas with nostalgia. It is about giving and receiving gifts, but that is not how the rest of the world celebrates Christmas.

As Christmas Day approaches, our anxiety and anticipation increase. As gifts are piled up under the Christmas tree, you discreetly look through the pile to find out who got the biggest package and whether you have a gift. Suppose you find a box that says, "God's Love Gift, with your name on it. When it is time to open presents, how eager are you to open that gift?

During this Christmas season, God's love Gift is for everyone. No one should be disappointed. It is customized, and it has your name on it. You may or may not open it, So I am asking the youngest among us to come forward and open it for us and let's see what we will find there. On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we will observe how God unfolded His love gift to shepherds while watching their flock. Luke 2:8-20

I. Ancient Prophecies Fulfilled.

Last week we saw how John the Baptist came as a fulfillment of two prophecies of Isaiah and Malachi. Today we will look at the fulfillment of two other prophecies. In the O.T., God raised prophets to shepherd His people in Israel. Instead of caring for God's sheep, some prophets have destroyed and scattered the ones they were expected to care for.

Jeremiah prophesied in 586 B.C. how God would raise a righteous descendent from King David's line. Jeremiah 23: 4-6 "For the time is coming," says the Lord, "when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David's line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. And this will be his name: 'The Lord Is Our Righteousness. 'In that day, Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety."

Two hundred years later, around 800 B.C., a southern prophet Micah prophesied where and how this descendent of David would be born and what He would do. Micah 5:2-6, "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf.

The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies until the woman in labor gives birth…And he will stand to lead his flock with the Lord's strength, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. Then his people will live there undisturbed, for he will be highly honored around the world. And he will be the source of Peace."

Let's see how these two prophecies converged in the foothills of Palestine. It was like any other cold winter night in the mountains of Palestine. A group of shepherds was grazing their flock in an open field under a starlight sky. Suddenly, an angel appeared, and the whole place was lit up with the glory of God. The shepherds were frightened to death.

The angel said, "don't be afraid." I brought Good News that will bring great Joy to all people. Today, in the town of Bethlehem, where David was born, a Savior, the Messiah, the Lord, has been born." The Messiah was not born in a palace, unlike the earthly kings but in a stable. His birth announcement bypassed the kingly and priestly community but was first revealed to a shepherding community. One day this king will shepherd all of God's people. His birth is God's love gift for humanity. This good news will bring great joy to all people. How so?

The Greek word translated as Joy was intensified by its prefix "megas," from which we get the English word, Mega. This great joy is not human-based happiness that comes and goes. Instead, it is true and lasting Joy that comes from God and no one else. As a fulfillment of this prophecy, later on, Jesus invited his disciples to ask, "You haven't done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy." John 16:24.

II. God's Love Gift

Let's see how God wrapped his love gift and sent it to the world and what it contains. His love gift was wrapped in a tiny baby boy as angels announced to the shepherds. Luke 2:12, "And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger." God's love gift to this world is His Son, the savior, the Messiah, and the Lord.

In ancient times babies Babies were snugly wrapped in long strips of cloth, giving them warmth, protection of extremities, and a sense of security in their newborn existence. God sent him as a helpless babe to be loved and cared for by the warmth of his mother.

The combination of a newborn baby's wrappings and the use of the manger for a crib would be a distinctive "sign." They also imply that despite the seeming rejection of Jerusalem due to her sins, in (Ezekiel 16:1-5), the baby in the manger became the special object of his mother's love and care. This sign might have reminded people that God has not abandoned them and would look favorably upon His people by restoring their fortunes and the rest of the world.

After delivering this wonderful news, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven in praising and singing how this God's love gift will be shared in the world. As a result of giving this gift, God will get all the glory, and there will be Peace on earth for those with whom God is pleased. That is the good news we all desperately need to hear. There is so much war and violence going on in the world. Oh, God! Please let there be Peace in the world.

III. Sharing God's Love Gift with others.

            How would you have responded suddenly in the middle of the night if a bunch of angels showed up in your room and said, "Today a savior is born, and this is how you would recognize him? You might have shouted at the angels for disturbing your Peace and would go back to sleep. You might have been frightened thinking that you had a nightmare.

It was not how the shepherds reacted to the angel's news. Apart from being frightened, we don't see any skepticism about the angels or what they have heard. They believed the message and hurried to the village to find out firsthand what had been told by the angel.

After seeing everything exactly as the angel said, the shepherds returned to their flocks glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. They also told everyone what they had witnessed and the message about this child, God's love gift.

What can we learn from this classic Christmas story? First, God wrapped all His love in His Son and sent Him to the world as a tiny baby. Second, God used His heavenly army to convey this good news to the uneducated shepherds, possibly considered social outcasts.

Thirdly, the shepherds did not stop at just believing the angels' word but went and verified it themselves. Fourthly, they did not keep that good news to themselves but became the first evangelists and shared God's love gift, the good news, with everyone. 

On this Christmas day, search for God's love gift, Jesus, by faith as you open gifts. He came into this world as a helpless baby but didn't remain that way and grew up to be a man. He was full of grace and truth. During his ministry, he claimed to be the Good Shepherd who would love, care and be ready to die while protecting his sheep. As the scriptures foretold, He offered himself as a perfect sacrificial lamb on the cross to restore us to the Father. That is the good news of great joy for everyone, which must be believed and shared with everyone. Amen!

 

 

 

 

 

Prepare The Way

PREPARE THE WAY!

Our life is full of preparation. From a young age, we prepare ourselves by studying and working hard to have a comfortable and satisfying life. When we spend so much time preparing for a temporary life that one day ends up in a grave, how much time are we spending preparing our souls that will live forever in eternity?  

Preparing themselves and their people for eternity has been the call of the prophets of the past. They urged people to turn away from their sins and return home to God. Some listened to their pleas, changed their ways, enjoyed God's blessings, and ensured an eternal place with God. Many others stubbornly rejected such promptings and faced severe consequences. At the end of the age, they may enter a Godless and pain-filled eternity. What would you choose today?

The prophet Isaiah prophesied in the sixth century BC. Looking ahead to Judah's return from Babylonian exile in Chapter 40:1-5 we read about a messenger who would prepare the way for the Lord and how God would restore the Jewish people to their homeland of Judah.

God brought people back to their land. The temple was rebuilt, and sacrifices were offered, but the priests were careless. The people doubted God and were intermarrying outside Israel. The initial enthusiasm that marked the Jew's return to Jerusalem was gone. They were discouraged. There was a drought, and the crops were bad. They expected a golden age of prosperity, but it had not dawned. Did God not care? Malachi answered these doubts:

God is still on the throne! Look what He did to Edom. God deals with sin. Pay your tithes, obey Him, and see how He will bless you. The Messiah is coming! He will destroy the wicked and give victory to the righteous. But before that, the prophet Elijah must come.

Malachi 4:5-6 "Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. 6 His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers." Has Elijah ever come before the dreadful day of the Lord?

Four hundred years after that prophecy, we read about John the Baptist showing up in the Judean wilderness with a message, Matthew 3:2, "Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near." (Or has come or coming soon).

On this second Sunday of Advent, we will greatly benefit if only we pay attention to the voice shouting in the desert places of our lives saying, "Prepare the Way for the Lord's coming! Clear the road for him." Let us see what it takes to Prepare the Way for The Lord in our hearts.

I. Giving up our sinful ways

John the Baptist's birth was unusual. Both his parents were well passed in age, and his mother, Elizabeth, was beyond childbearing age when she conceived him. The political condition was volatile under the rule of King Herod's two sons Antipas and his brother Philip. There was no spiritual revelation from heaven for four centuries. John was a cousin of Jesus.

He wore clothes made of camel hair; a leather belt tied around his waist. He symbolizes the ancient prophet Elijah. He ate locusts and honey for food., the meal of the poor. What a strange man he was, we might think, but he brought a straightforward message to people.

He fulfilled the prophecies of Isaiah and Malachi. He called the Jews and Gentiles alike to repent and give up their sinful ways. He preached to the people authoritatively using the familiar words of Isaiah 40 :3, "Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God!" or "straighten up." John tells them to change. Only then will they be ready to receive what the Messiah would offer them. Humans' sin prohibits them from entering the presence of God.

For that reason, God established a whole set of animal sacrifices and offerings for the forgiveness of sins and purity rituals for cleansing people's impurity in the Old Testament. Yet people continue to commit sins, not receiving what God had promised them. Listening to John's direct message, many confessed their sins and were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

How does John's message speak to us today? We all have sinned and need forgiveness. "If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." (I John 1:8-9). Preparing the way for the Lord in your life begins with you repenting your sins, however gruesome they might be. Once you confess your sins and seek His forgiveness, give up your sinful ways by worshipping God. How do we do that practically?

2. Living a life that is pleasing to God

            What pleases God? Is it our family heritage, nationality, wealth, success, and education? That was what many Pharisees and Sadducees that came to John thought. They declared proudly, "we are the descendants of Abraham. John had a few harsh words for them.

He called them, "you brood of snakes." Don't say you are sons of Abraham but prove your repentance and turning to God by how you live. Repentance and turning to God were just the beginning, and then they were to cultivate a life that was pleasing to God.

In Luke 3:7-14, John gave them some practical ways by which they can prove their genuine repentance. By sharing their clothes and food resources with the poor and living a corruption-free life. They were not to extort money and make false accusations of others but to live a contented life. If John were to be here today, he might have some choice words for us.

He might say you don't say you are a Baptist or a member of Hope Church but show your repentance by living a God-pleasing life. As they say, the proof is in the pudding. The evidence of our repentance is in the way we conduct our life. If you say you have repented of your sins, do those closest to you see a change in your life? If not, your repentance is not genuine.

You say, Lord, I am sorry for my anger. If you keep on having anger outbursts, your repentance is questionable. In the words of John the Baptist, you are not producing fruit in keeping with repentance. (NIV). How can we cultivate and produce the fruit of repentance?

3. Producing fruit in keeping with repentance.  

Vs. 11, "I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I'm not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."

. For years the Jews had used baptism in ritual cleansing ceremonies of Gentile proselytes. John baptized Jews and Gentiles as they both required cleansing. It was a symbolic representation of changing one's mind and going in a new direction to meet the Messiah.

John prepared the way for Christ by calling people to acknowledge their sin and their need for salvation. Through repentance and baptism, he prepared people to receive the Savior and all He would offer them through the Holy Spirit to produce the fruit of repentance.

On this second Sunday of the advent, the voice in the wilderness still calls us to repent our sins, change our ways and turn to God. As we heed that voice, repent our sins, and turn our lives over to God, He will forgive our sins and cause the desert places of our lives to bloom.

But as John exhorted, repentance is only the beginning of a new life with Christ. Once we are forgiven, we are called to produce fruit in keeping with our repentance. On our own, we cannot bear the fruit of repentance and live a God-pleasing life. That is why John said the one who would come after him was much greater. He is the Messiah who would baptize every repentant soul with Holy Spirit's fire. We need both the power and the fire of the Holy Spirit.

 The Holy Spirit's fire will burn up all the rubbish and stubborn sinful habits in our lives. The power of the Holy Spirit would soften our hearts and cultivate the beautiful fruit of repentance. Paul equates that to the fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. As the Holy Spirit enables us, we can become loving, joy-filled, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled people. God, please help us all to produce the fruit of repentance.

 

 

Hope Has A Name

                                                  HOPE HAS A NAME

Among various seasons of the year, Advent is one of my favorite seasons. The five weeks leading up to Christmas stir varied emotions of joy and anticipation while bringing back several beautiful childhood memories of celebrating Christmas with my family in India. Advent has become more meaningful for me since coming to the USA. What does Advent mean to you?

In recent years there has been a renewed interest and rediscovering of the beautiful tradition of Advent, which began in the 5^th century among many Christian denominations. Karl Barth, the Swiss theologian, exclaimed, "What other time or season can or will the Church ever have but that of Advent!"?[1] This explains its significance and locates us correctly in relation to the first and the second coming of Christ. It reminds us of the past of God's initiatives toward the world in Christ (Christmas) and prepares us for the future of God's coming victory in Christ (the Second coming). It challenges us to live a sacrificial life of love for God and people.

In a sense, the Christian community lives out Advent all the Time. It can well be called the time Between the first and the second coming of Christ in glory to judge the world. The Book of Isaiah contains several compelling and hopeful prophecies pointing to Jesus. At the time of Isaiah's prophecy in Isaiah 9:1-7, Israel went through a dark period of hopelessness. The nation was at war, and people were living in terror. Amid such circumstances, the prophet's words might have brought encouragement and hope to a disillusioned community. 

We live in a world of uncertainty. At our Thanksgiving meal, we were asked to share what we were grateful for and what we wanted God to do for us in 2023. A nine-year-old girl said, "I am thankful to be alive, and I want God to keep me alive." During this Advent, as we ponder the timeless themes, may we find Peace, Joy, Hope, and Comfort in God.

In life, we all go through disappointments, and they are unavoidable. But it is not always easy to deal with them, even if our setbacks are minimal. What causes disappointment? We are disappointed when what we have hoped for does not happen. Our hearts are filled with sadness, anger, frustration, and anxiety. King Solomon observed this phenomenon long ago and said, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life." Prov 13:12.

Before we go further, what is Hope? Hope is an optimistic state of mind based on an expectation of positive outcomes concerning events and circumstances in one's life or the world. It is a feeling of expectation and desire for a sure thing to happen. The scripture defines Hope as an expectation, a longing for something good to happen with an expectation of obtaining it.

We place our Hope on people or the natural forces and resources in the world, but at times it is misplaced because people cannot consistently deliver what we expect of them to do. In contrast, Biblical Hope is rooted in God. Ephesians 3:20, "Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." This verse speaks of God's ability to provide. Will God consistently deliver according to our expectations? How will we respond when God does not answer our prayers?  

I. The providential names of God.

            From the time Abraham was called out of his own country to follow God and go to a foreign land, He saw God's power firsthand. Subsequently, the Israelites have repeatedly seen God fulfilling His promises to them. They named God based on how He worked in their lives.

Here was how Israelites exclaimed about God's trustworthiness. God saw the misery of an Egyptian maid Hagar, beside a spring of water in the wilderness. After that experience, Hagar called God. El Roi means "The God who sees me." (Gen 16:14). After seeing God's provision to spare his son Isaac, Abraham called God Jehovah Jireh, the Lord will provide (Gen 22:14).

God cured the bitter water in the wilderness so that Israelites could drink and live, so they named Him Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord who heals. (Ex15:26). Then we have a humble shepherd, David, after becoming a great king of Israel called God, Jehovah-Rohi, "The Lord is my Shepherd." (Ps 23:1-3). In each of these incidents, people named God based on how He was involved in their lives. Our faith will be strengthened when we meditate on the names of God.

Isaiah prophesied when Assyria threatened the people of Judah. Isaiah tried to reassure the king of Judah Ahaz, asking only to have faith in God, but Ahaz refused. Later, in 701 B.C., during Hezekiah's reign, Assyria ravaged the Judean countryside, and Jerusalem itself almost fell. During such tumultuous times, Isaiah preached a message of Hope for a repentant Judah.

II. Assurances of Hope in God. (Isaiah 9:1-5)

The first five verses in Isaiah chapter nine offer five essential guarantees of Hope in God, for Judah, and for all those who put their Hope in God. First, the times of darkness and despair will not go on forever. Like the people of Judah, you might go through a dark period. Be encouraged, dark days will not last forever, and there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Secondly, people who walk in darkness will see a great light. A light will shine for those who live in a land where death casts its shadow. God becomes the light for those who walk in darkness (sin) and brings life and healing to those experiencing physical and spiritual death.

Thirdly, God will increase resources and enlarge the impact of those who hope in Him. Fourthly, God will break the bondage of sin and set His people free by removing those who oppress them. Fifthly, God will put all wars to an end by finally destroying Satan, the arch-enemy of God's people, which will happen at the end of the age. These promises of Hope are for us today. When faced with doubt or discouragement, put your Hope in God. He will meet your every need. How will God fulfill these promises to those who hope in Him?

III. HOPE HAS A NAME? (Isaiah 9:6-7)

The prophet Isaiah gave them a sign and a name. Vs. 6-7, "For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders." All answers to the despair of the people of Judah were found in a son who would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Who was this son who became Judah's Hope?

Does this Hope have a name? Discovering that is the ongoing theme of Advent. Fast forward to the New Testament Era to find out the name of our Hope. In the Christmas story, we will read these encouraging words of the angel Gabriel to the virgin Mary. "You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus." Luke 1:31. The English name Jesus comes from the unique Hebrew name for God Yeshua, which means salvation.

Hope has a name, and that is Jesus, Yeshua. Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to the temple to dedicate him. Simeon, who had been waiting for the Prophet Isaiah's fulfillment, held Jesus and said, "I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!" Luke 2:31-32

Jesus declared himself the Hope of the whole world, referring to Isaiah's prophecy. "I will put my Spirit upon Him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations… and his name will be the hope of all the world." Matthew 12:21.." On this first Sunday of Advent, Isaiah's prophesied Son, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace is our Hope.

Are you carrying a heavy load of care and guilt? Are you feeling lonely, discouraged, and having seasonal depression? Whatever you may be going through, look to Jesus, the Son of God, the Messiah, and you will be saved. Let me close with this prayer, "God, the source of Hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident Hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

 

  

  

 

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[1] Karl Barth, Church Dogmatics IV3.1(Edinburgh. & T. Clark, 1961), 322

How Will They Hear?

                                                         HOW WILL THEY HEAR?

Sixty-Six years ago, five young American Missionaries Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Peter Fleming, and Roger Youderian—were attacked and speared by a group of Huaorani warriors. The news of their deaths was broadcast worldwide, and Life magazine covered the event with a photo essay. As a little boy growing up in Portland, Oregon, Jim Elliot listened carefully as visiting, missionaries talked about life on faraway mission fields. He asked them questions and dreamed about being a missionary himself someday. It saddened him that many people in other countries died without knowing about God.

Following the call of the Lord, Jim and Elisabeth, his wife, traveled into the Ecuadorian jungle. On January 8, 1956, while attempting to contact the people of the Auca/Waodani tribe, Jim and four other missionaries were speared to death, slain by those they came to minister to. You can learn more about this story in the film, "Beyond the Gates of Splendor."

In a pamphlet on "Who is calling? McQuilkin notes, "No generation in two thousand years of Church history has produced the task force necessary to reach the World. Is this because God has not called adequate numbers? Or is it because someone is not listening? With the need so vast and laborers so few, why do we not go? Is someone not listening?[1] 

All those five young missionaries listened and obeyed the call of God. After their death, many criticized them, saying that they wasted their lives. But was it a waste? As Jim Elliot famously noted, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

The following year, the two widows, Elizabeth and Marjorie, walked uninvited into the murderers' village to live with the tribe that killed their husbands, eventually winning them to Christ. The lives of those five missionaries challenged many people into Missions.

I. The Biblical understanding of Missions.

Is Missions a ministry of Hope Church, where we hear our missionaries' reports and enjoy an International Potluck lunch once a year? In one-way, Missions should be a priority ministry in every Church. How do we define Missions? Though the word Missions specifically does not exist in the Bible, the concept runs through the pages of the entire scriptures.

Mis­sio Dei is a Latin the­o­log­i­cal term that means " The Mis­sion of God or the sending of God.". It refers to the work of the Church as be­ing part of God's work. Beginning with Abraham, God has called individuals to Go out and bring the rebellious back to God.

Genesis 12:1-3, "The Lord had said to Abram, "Leave your native country, your relatives, and your Father's family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you." If Abraham did not obey the call of God, we wouldn't be here today.

Here is God's Mission for the nation of Israel. Isaiah 49:6 "He says, "You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth." We have the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20,

"I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

If a missionary is someone sent by God to go to another group of people to tell them about God, then we all are missionaries. John 17:18, "Just as you sent me into the World, I am sending them into the World." Do you need more evidence to know that you are a Missionary?

Missions begin in God's heart, sustained and provided by God, and culminate in God when Revelation 7:9-10. After this, I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar,"Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!" happens.

Until then, every Church and every follower of Christ are called to be involved in Missions. The Apostle Paul carried a tremendous burden for His fellow Jews. His longing and prayer were that the People of Israel be saved. Is there someone in your family or circle of friends not yet saved? Do you want them to get saved? Start praying for them earnestly.

II. How Will They Hear?

Here is how people can get saved, very simple yet complicated. It is simple because all people have to do is call on the Lord's name, and they will be saved. That calling involves confessing that Jesus is the Lord and believing that God raised him from the dead.

Romans 10:14-15, "But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news! How will people hear without someone preaching the good news to them?

A typical modern-day missionary is sent out either by a church or a mission agency to another country to preach the Good News of the Gospel to the unreached. Even today, many, in obedience to the call of God, travel to hostile nations in the 10/40 window to preach the Good News. Hope Church supports some missions and missionaries in that region. Yet you do not have to travel to other countries to preach. You can reach the World from where you are.  

God is bringing people from dangerous countries to the Gospel "(Myanmar, China, Eritrea, Iran, Nigeria, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, India, Russia, Syria, and Vietnam) to the USA. We have a huge mission field right in our backyard. How are we reaching them?

God might call some of you to leave your place and go and reach a specific group of people in another location. When you sense that call, please obey His voice. All of us can be involved in Missions through our generous giving to support those preaching the Gospel in hostile nations. We continue to pray for persecuted Christians around the World.

We also ask God to send workers into His harvest field. Maybe you will become the answer to your own prayers. When that happens, rejoice. God is counting on you to be His messenger of the Good News. We are a small church, yet we support several missions and missionaries. We hope to take on even more missionaries through your generous giving.

Acts 17:30-31 "God overlooked people's ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. For he has set a day for judging the World with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead."

In closing, Christian missions are obeying Christ, sharing Christ, and relying on Christ. God sends missionaries through the support of the Church to the unreached. Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost. Now He left that task to the Church and His followers. As Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father but by Him. Let us point people to Jesus to experience God's forgiveness and enter His Family. We have a Mission to do, which is to complete the unfinished task of Jesus. Let us get busy. 

 

 

 

 

 

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[1] Excepted from the pamphlet “Who is Calling? An Exploration of the Missionary Call by Robert McQuilkin

Generosity

                                                                 GENEROSITY

John Wesley (1703-1791) knew plenty about economic uncertainty. In his day, Britain experienced rapid urbanization and the beginnings of industrialization. This caused rural economies to collapse and created numerous problems in city centers: overcrowding, disease, crime, unemployment, debt, substance abuse, and even insanity (London established its first asylum in 1781). Meanwhile, a small upper class spent large sums to distance itself, literally and figuratively, from the growing problems. This top five percent of the population controlled nearly one-third of the national income.

Wesley, from lower-middle-class stock himself, consorted mostly with people who worked hard, owned little, and could never be sure of their financial future. But he preached so widely and became so well known that his income eventually reached 1,400 pounds per year, equivalent to more than $160,000 today. Still, he lived simply but comfortably on 30 pounds while giving the rest away. He donated nearly all the 30,000 pounds he earned in his lifetime. He once wrote, "If I leave behind ten pounds, you and all mankind (can) bear witness against me that I have lived and died a thief and a robber."[1] What unmatched Generosity!

For the past several months, we have been feeling the pains of economic inflation, especially at the Gas pump. People are worried about whether they can afford a decent Thanksgiving Lunch this year. These financial hardships are not new; they have always been there. Yet we have incredible examples of people who were generous despite difficulties.

Last week we learned from the Macedonian Churches how eager they were to give toward the needs of the struggling saints in Jerusalem. Today we will see what motivated their giving and learn more about Generosity and its significance in the life of a Christian.

I. The Contagious Generosity.

The word contagious is often used for spreading disease. It could be used (of an emotion, feeling, or attitude) likely to spread to and affect others. For instance, we say, "Her enthusiasm is contagious." In this case, the Generosity of the Corinthian believers was contagious. How so?

Vs. 1-2, I really do not need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem. For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving."

Here Paul was boasting about the offering the Corinthian believers took up for God's people in Jerusalem. We read about it in I Cor 16, how they were to collect a particular portion of each one's earnings and set it aside on the first day of each week. Corinth was a major city in Achaia, the southern region of the Greek Peninsular, whereas Macedonia was in the northern province of Greece. The Generosity of the Corinthians stirred the Macedonians.

Paul wanted to ensure that the Corinthians lived up to his boasting, so he sent out some believers to prepare the promised gift. He wanted that gift to be willing, not a grudgingly given gift. He uses an agricultural metaphor to teach them several principles of Generosity.

II. Generosity begets Generosity. (Vs. 6-9)

Paul wanted the Corinthian believers to remember a farming principle. A farmer knows if he plants only a few seeds, he will only get a small crop. But if he sows generously, he will get a generous crop. The same principle works when it comes to giving toward the needs of the poor and needy. First, each one must decide in our hearts how much to give. Once that decision is made, then give it cheerfully, not grudgingly. Because "God loves a person who gives cheerfully." In other words, put a smiley face when giving, may they be tithes or offerings.

Why should we give cheerfully? Several scriptures suggest that Joy is associated with giving. In the OT, we read that people wholeheartedly and willingly brought their offerings. Here is when King David appealed to the nation of Israel regarding gifts for building God's temple.

First, David himself said, "because of my devotion to the Temple of my God, I am giving all of my own private treasures of gold and silver to help in the construction." Then he challenged the people to follow his example. One by one, people responded generously in bringing offerings to the LORD. It was said, "the people rejoiced over the offerings, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD, and King David was filled with Joy." I Chron 29.

Do you see how joyful people were in their giving? We give joyfully because we love God and recognize that all we have comes from Him. Listen to King David's Prayer: Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything.

Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion, people are made great and given strength. "O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name! 14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us! I Chronicles 29:11-14

There is nothing we have that is our own. James 1:17, "Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow." The same unchanging God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, out of His love. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross. Hebrews 12:2

Paul reminded the Corinthians why Jesus joyfully gave up his life. II Cor 8:9, "You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes, he became poor so that by his poverty, he could make you rich." Just ponder on this verse!

If you are a follower of Christ, one sense you are a millionaire! Christ has blessed you with every spiritual blessing. In Christ, we have an inheritance. In Christ, all our needs are met. All these and more we have received freely. Therefore, we are to give freely and generously.

III. The Ministry of Generosity.

            The apostle Paul reminded the Corinthian believers about the ministry of Generosity. Jesus and the Corinthian disciples have shown us how to be generous through their example. One reason why God wants us to be generous is that the poor would be helped.

The Lord has many promises in the Bible for those who give generously to the poor. Here are just a few: If you give to the poor, it is like making a loan to God (Prov 19:17). If you give, you will increase (Prov 11:24). "Honor God with Everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, and your wine vats will brim over." Prov 3:9-10

You might be wondering; I do not have anything to give, do not worry; God will provide you with resources and produce a great harvest of Generosity. II Cor 9:11, "Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous." What are the benefits of our Generosity? First, they will thank God when we give to the people of God who are in need.

Secondly, our Generosity will prove that we are saved and obedient to God. Thirdly, the poor saints who are helped by our generous giving will pray for us with deep affection. Whether we have this spiritual gift of giving or not, we all can be generous with our money, time, and other resources. Like in the Corinthian Church, I see several generous people at Hope Church.

You honor God with your tithes and offerings. You give your time and use your practical skills to serve God in various ministries of Hope Church. In closing, God provides the seed to sow and bread for food. The more we sow, the more we will reap. Let us give cheerfully, not grudgingly. Generosity is an expression of our love and thanksgiving to God.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[1] Elesha Coffman, editor, Christian History Newsletter (11-30-01)