Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Why did Jesus come?

During Advent we prepare ourselves for His coming.

We recognize He came … but we must consider why He came in order to truly appreciate His coming.

Why did Jesus come … and to what degree are we here for the same purpose?

This Advent we are recognizing that Jesus came to serve … and that we are here for the same reason.

How is it we serve?

How is it we are supposed to serve?

Are we serving one another well?

Are we known to our community as contributors and givers?

Is there a distinct ministry of service the Lord is opening up for us?

To serve is to make ourselves available to others for their betterment.

Last week we considered the forgiveness of Jesus as extended to us and as we are called to extend to others and to ourselves.

Another piece of Christ’s service is what I will call “serving without deserving”.

He extends mercy and justice.

He reaches even to those who deserve no such thing.

* In no way are we able to earn or deserve Christ’s place in our lives.

Today, as we look through scripture, we will see a continued call to and example of being just and merciful.

Mercy Over Sacrifice - , ,

We often minimize the OT when it comes to Christian living, but it has much for us.

We often judge the OT for being only about rules, laws, and animal sacrifice.

But it is very clear these are a means to an end.

We are called to mercy over ritual and relationship over duty.

We are called to love, mercy, justice, and kindness.

Please consider these texts with me … , ,

Many of us have some form of legalism in our history, and we have worked hard to put that mindset “to death” (along with our old nature).

God is not just about rules, and we know that - but it is easy for us to fall into “boxes” … ways and styles that we like and prefer because they do not stretch our comfort zone.

If we are not careful, we begin following God in a habitual way rather than a relational way.

We are called to holiness and obedience, but not as robots.

Our holiness and obedience flows out of personally walking with God; they are motivated by who we are in Christ.

Is there a “box” we are in right now that must be relinquished in order to serve?

Many Christians have fallen into a wrong mindset.

In my understanding of scripture, God has clearly called us to be part of a local church / a group of believers with which we serve and share our lives … and yet many live their faith very individually, claiming to have been hurt by the church or claiming they can live out their faith by themselves.

Others of us attend church but do so sporatically and even jumping from church to church … or we attend one church but do not truly engage relationally with the people there (coming and going quickly, avoiding volunteering, keeping distance between us and others so nothing more is required of us).

These describe boxes much like legalism … where we live out our faith in a very prescribed way.

But, we are called to mercy over sacrifice.

We are called to serve not to be served.

Self-checkout lines have become part of many large stores; these are a good example of what we are talking about here.

I have minimized the times I use a self-checkout because I realized that I was using them in order to avoid people / to just do my own thing.

This is the opposite of what God has called us to.

Too often we come to church so we can “give to” or appease God / so we can feel good about ourselves … thus keeping our faith to ourselves without having to actually interact with Him or one another.

But, we are actually called to live in community / to interact with each other / to serve one another / to get to know each other and to live life alongside each other.

Our faith in God is not about self-service but about outward service … service which causes our lives to intersect with one another.

These OT passages are clear.

God is not pleased when we merely go through the motions of worship.

shows God bringing His people to trial because they are so distanced from Him; they bring Him stuff (offerings) and yet are completely disconnected from Him.

They seek His blessing but are completely missing the way into God’s blessing.

It is not about what you do for God but about how you engage with God.

Serving is not duty but rather an overflow of His presence in our lives.

It is not an item on a checklist but rather a natural response to the ways He has served us.

Is there something we are doing to appease God rather than to serve Him?

What is our true motivation in coming to service, in volunteering within the church?

Have these in any way become habit or ritual more so than an expression of His reality in our lives?

Let us personally and deeply connect our lives to God’s; let us serve one another in mercy and humility.

Continued Openness to All Who Come - , ,

This idea of mercy is always somewhat mind-blowing to me … to give what is not deserved.

Mercy is extending compassion, forgiveness, blessing when it would be more appropriate to punish or judge or push away.

God has not only extended mercy to each of us but also calls us to extend it to others.

Throughout scripture (even in the OT … as we have just seen) we are called to be merciful.

With the advent of Jesus / through the life of Jesus on earth, we see His mercy demonstrated time and time again.

He was merciful; He was “full of mercy”.

There was room in His life for everyone who came.

For the woman who had been bleeding and in faith touched His cloak in the crowd for healing; He not only took time for her but healed her.

For the children whom the disciples pushed away but Jesus invited closer.

For the Pharisees who had God so wrong.

For the criminal on the cross who expressed repentance.

For Peter who denied Him publicly three times.

There was room in His life for everyone who came.

He demonstrated an openness to everyone.

We tend to judge one by their sins; so those with sin in their lives which is publicly known experience a great amount of rejection.

Jesus was the opposite … deeply valuing anyone who came, calling them out of sin but offering them salvation just the same.

Again we have three passages that express this … a prophecy of Jesus and then the words of Jesus.

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When you think of mercy, who do you think of?

Who has demonstrated mercy for you?

On a general level, we picture someone like Mother Theresa; she was known for her service to the untouchables and outcasts of society.

I think of groups like Compassion Canada or Samaritan’s Purse who reach out to help countries, communities, and individuals who can do nothing in return … providing clean water and bathrooms, building into families and children and churches.

I think of my youth pastors, Sunday School teachers, college deans and professors, and many whom I have had opportunity to do church and life alongside.

Children also are often better at seeing past the differences and issues that adults struggle to see past.

With the coming of Jesus, He provides a clear example of merciful living.

A life that is open to all - young and old, disciple and persecutor, Pharisee and follower, sinner and saved.

Jesus exemplifies merciful living - what are examples from His life?

How do you see mercy and justice in His life?

He healed (extending health and forgiveness), He received the “sinners” rejected by the Pharisees (never overlooking their sin but always valuing the person), feeding those who did not bring their own food, being patient with His disciples when they should have known better, meeting faith with forgiveness.

Jesus lived a life continually open to all who came.

How do people find us?

When people meet me, do they find me receptive and welcoming?

When people experience NCC on some level, do they find us welcoming or closed?

I read an article recently that I have been sharing around a little.

It is a short and to the point kind of article.

It is looking at how we as churches can over-program ourselves … which generally means the majority of our energy is spent on maintenance rather than ministry.

It reduces our focus to five key ministries … kids (and families), worship, groups, missions, and (the one I’m drawing attention) first impressions - the ministry of first impressions / guest services.

I have rarely seen first impressions as a ministry of the church but it totally makes sense for us to see it that way.

For us, this is having coffee on, our ushers and kiosk.

What are some steps we can each take to help newcomers feel welcome and appreciated?

Talk to them; don’t just look at them.

Invite them to come sit with you … making room in your row by moving to the middle.

Introduce yourself to them and invite them to join you at a coffee table.

Leave room especially in the back row and along the aisle for latecomers so it is easy for them to find a seat.

Prepare lunch in such a fashion you can easily invite them to join you.

Are we open?