Sunday Service December 23, 2018

This Advent season experience the power of a promise of God. Hope in the person Jesus. Together. Let's see what God has in store.

Will this morning? We complete our our fourth and final Sunday in this Advent series called a thrill of Hope and it is certainly been my hope that the journey over the last 4 weeks have brought us to the place in which we can experience the arrival of Hope. The year was 1870 and Methodist in Indiana are having their annual conference and they were gathered together in the college that they were asked to where they were having their gathering at one point. The president of the college said, I think this is a great time that we live in and then I'm excited about all the things that are going to take place and and and the presiding Bishop. That was there said what what what what why are you so excited? What do you see as as something in the future and the college president said I believe that we're living in a time and which were going to see all kinds of inventions take place. And I think he'll even be a time when men will fly with the birds. And the bishop cut him off. He got mad. He said that's heresy, sir. The Bible says it's light is reserved for the angels will have no such talk here. At the annual conference was over the bishop whose last name was right went home to his two small Sons Orville and Wilbur. And of course, you know, they would grow up to change their father's opinion. You probably remember that about the Wright brothers that when they got older they had a bicycle shop and was the bicycle shop that it's funded all of the the experimental flights and they repeatedly were trying to get this airplane to fly in and finally on December 17th 1903 on the sand dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. They did what no one else had ever done. They flew under the power of an engine elated. They sent her a text didn't send text. What do they send telegram? Thank you. Set by the time second service. I'm worn out, so they send a telegram right away. And the telegram said was to their sister Catherine says Catherine. That's what it said. We have actually flown 120 ft will be home for Christmas. The sister was so excited. She ran down the street. She shoved the telegram this scoop of the century. She shoved it into the hands of the newspaper editor of the local city paper and he looked at it and he just kind of smiled for a little bit and said well won't it be nice to have the boys home for Christmas? And the next day buried on page 16 underneath the obituaries. This was the headline quote local bicycle Merchants to spend holidays at home in quote. Can you believe one of those one of the most major events in all of the 20th century? And the editor completely missed it, even though it was right there under his nose.

I think because it would seem so unlikely. the Christmas event is about the unlikely. I'd invite you to look at the Gospel of Luke this morning Luke chapter 1 starting at verse 39 and what you stand for the reference of the Gospel this morning Luke chapter 1 beginning at verse 39 At that time Mary got ready and hurry to a town in the Hill Country of Judea where she entered Zacharias home and greeted Elizabeth. I want Elizabeth heard of Mary's greeting the baby leaped in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit in a loud voice. She exclaimed blessed. Are you among women and blessed is the child? You will bear the why am I so favor that the mother of my Lord would come to me as soon as the sound of your greeting reach my ears the baby in my womb left for Joy blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promise to her and Mary said, My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant from now on all generations will call me blessed for the mighty one has done great things for me. Holy is his name is Mercy extends to those who fear Him from generation to generation. He has performed Mighty Deeds for this harm. He is scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He's brought down rulers from their Thrones, but he is lifted The Humble he is filled the Hungry with good things, but he has sent the ritual AMC. He's helped Israel remembering the merciful to Abraham in the descendants forever just as he promised our ancestors. And then Luke gives us just this little note. He says Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. This is the word of God given for the people of God. We were Scott bond together by saying thanks be to God you can be seated.

The Old Testament Book of Micah we have read that Bethlehem would be the birthplace of the Messiah and now we hear that an angel has visited Mary and said that she is going to be the mother of the Messiah. Christmas in my mind is an unlikely holiday. We celebrate the unlikely unconditional love and grace Of The God Who created all things and yet the mystery of this unlikely holiday. Is it it began in an unlikely place? Let's face. It Bethlehem was was one of the most unlikely places for the Messiah to be born nobody. But God would have chosen this small out-of-the-way town on the outskirts of of the political and religious capital of Israel. Sure Joshua and jeroboam Jesse and his son David who would be king. They were all born in Bethlehem. And that's great company great lineage the whole concept of leadership and salvation coming out of Bethlehem was already there but but still and sure it's named after one of the sons of Joseph Joseph remind us to Joseph is the one who whose brothers sold him off and is to be a slave and and and in life with the Hopeless and then he rose as sparrows right hand man, and he saves his whole family. He saved the whole future Nation because of a famine Ensure being born in Bethlehem allowed the prophecy of being born out of the stump of Jesse to be realized and fulfilled and sure ephrathah. One of the ancient names for Bethlehem is is one of the ancient resting places for the Ark of the Covenant upon its return and so it reminds us that the entirety of of the law and the prophets are fulfilled through this one called the son of God. Ensure Bethlehem literally means House of Bread and reminds us when Jesus said I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

And you look at all of that. And we can see all of that in the benefit of hindsight. But the folks in that day would have asked shouldn't a king the Son of God shouldn't he be born in someplace bigger or better or more politically or religiously correct wouldn't Jerusalem at the temple be a better place the symbolism of royalty and priesthood and whatnot. Wouldn't that be more meaningful?

In a little book one of my favorite little books called dear God children's letters to God little boy named Jim wrote this he says your God. Was there anything special about Bethlehem or did you just figure that was a good place to start a franchise?

It's an unlikely place. And yet we have a God who never seems to always do what we expect. As we read it, we study scripture. We find a god uses the most unlikely people in the most unlikely places it to accomplish the most unlikely things. Why does he do that? I think the main reason is simple so that we the unlikely recipients can experience the fullness of God's grace and mercy and love and that we'd be a people who give thanks to God and not ourselves. If that only use The Talented then we would say people were were accomplished things through their talent. If. Only use the gifted we play loud are accomplishing it through their gift God, isn't it always interested in finding the most gifted or talented what God is looking for is the willing. As unlikely as they may be and Bethlehem was an unlikely place. Second the mystery of Christmas is wrapped up in a set of unlikely parents as well. We don't forget the both Mary and Joseph were descendants of King David. But even that being said they were a long way down The Descendant mine they were far from royalty. So why were they chosen? What was the god? Honestly, I don't know the answer to that. You might as well ask. Why did God choose Chad Wilkes to preach some of you've been asking that question for like twenty one years along the way? Or why did God reach out and touch your life or why did God choose to give you the vocation that that you have or is it possible to fully know the answer but I don't know fully why God chose Joseph and perhaps it was simply because they were descendants of David or maybe because Mary who was young probably no more no more than 16 at that age. She was full of enthusiasm in life and faith in my ability to to adjust and adapt what she would need greatly especially as they would go and flee to Egypt. And Joseph, why was Joseph chosen? Maybe it's because he was a carpenter. That was one of the more honorable trades of the time a carpenter was educated a carpenter Delta not just with wood with stone and said it was good job security there. They wouldn't be the wealthiest, but they certainly wouldn't be the poorest of the poor. Mary and Joseph those seem like unlikely parents for the Son of God the savior of the world. but maybe Maybe they were chosen. Because they were willing. Mary and Joseph show us that communication takes two partners. The Lord needs us to listen. God can send a message what happens with what we do with the message becomes important whether we received the message and then if we go to the next step of actually obeying the message cuz I think God is sending all kinds of messages all the time and and we get some of them. But the question becomes what do we do with it? Do we obey? do we Act On what we know we should do. Mary and Joseph may have been unlikely parents. But they listened. And they obeyed. In the passage tells us about the unlikely purpose of this newborn, baby. Who would have thought that this little baby filled with so much future would actually hold the future in his hand and then his heart. And no one could have conceived a savior would come in such that help with infant. No one expected God to break into people's lives and Flesh and Blood. No one expected God to bring us to our knees for The Power of Love rather than the power of Might. No one expected us to go with joy instead of quaking fear when the god of the universe shows up. No one expected this innocent baby to be born. And then willingly give up his life so that we might be born again. It was an unlikely purpose. But that's why he came. The reason the price came as was not to entertain and not even fully to teach her to feed her to heal. He came to Deliver us from sin and death and so that we might know who the character of this God of love is and that we might have a life that is abundant. Not just a life eternal but a life in the here and now that our life might be changed by the power of God at work today. I think the most amazing thing about Christmas is it it's given to an unlikely people. the perfect gift of God given to the imperfect Vlad selfish the undeserving the people in your mind who you think they certainly don't deserve. God's gift is given for them. I don't know if you've noticed. We are not always perfect people. Take a look.

Humphreys good job, everybody. Let's take a few minutes. Good job is two totally different things. Starvin to take a snack break already ate a whole bag of cheese puffs 50 minutes ago Jam. I just not really a live nativity with stuffed animals. Look everyone we make do. With what we've got. This is our last performance of The Nativity and we have been entrusted with ketchup.

remind Do you know what irritates me the money?

Sorry about that. Bob. Tried to find hypoallergenic a but the men at the feed store just left at me. in the bag

not the same thing Bob. hazelnut

definitely hazelnut plastic Barney

Let's play married and nobody would believe that. Whatever happened to making do with what you got Marty.

Buy one get one free.

I was just going to try. Stewart

Locate you. So tiny and peaceful and perfect a lot like baby Jesus. He deserves so much more. But this was God's plan. I gave him a mommy to take care of him. He chose Shepherds to tell everyone wise men came and visited him even gave him an Earthly Daddy. A lot of imperfect people, but God always makes do with what he's got.

Perfect little baby grew up and save the song. showed us what real love looks like I love that cost him everything.

I just adore him.

Hope Has Arrived and hope ought to change everything. It's gift-wrapped in the most Exquisite paper imaginable. a bundle of swaddling clothes this gift that was left for each of us under a tree. Call the cross. About 2,000 years ago. By him whose birthday we celebrate in this season. This gift is been offered to everyone even the most imperfect even the most unlikely even the most undeserving. Some have left their packages unclaimed. Others have graciously accepted the gift and and carry it around where they're at word wherever they go, but it but unfortunately there there's a whole group of people who carry this gift around and have never unwrapped it fully discovering the Splendor of God's grace in love. The packages are all alike. They each have a scroll addressed with your name individually on it. And it is written. I love you.

Thank God. And although it seems like such an unlikely gift born in an unlikely place to unlikely parents for such an unlikely purpose. It really is the work of God given for unlikely people. It all you have to do is to reach out and accept that gift for which God has for you, which he is always had for you. Don't leave it under the tree. It's right under your nose. Don't be like the newspaper editor. With the Wright brothers and miss it. God is offering an Incredible Gift. He wants a relationship with you or he wants a deeper relationship with you. No matter how long you have journeyed and relationship with God. He wants a deeper relationship with you. He didn't create you to walk alone. But he longs to walk alongside of you. And in order to take his gift in your hands there there is something you must do you you've got to lay down to the lordship of your own life. You got to lay down that you thinking that you've got it figured out and that you're the one in charge and that you've got all the plans and you know how it's done and you know, it's right. He's got to lay that down and turn it over to him.

Can I encourage you don't let a Christmas go by without accepting this gift because hope has arrived and hope should change everything. Or maybe you have accepted this gift of Salvation. You've asked him to forgive your sins and the bad job. You've done it running your own life, and you got this package and you carry it around, but but it's still wrapped in Pretty Paper. Oh, I mean you still get credit for accepting at you. You still get the internal benefit but but by not unwrapping all that God has in mind for you you're missing out on the joy and the freedom that God intends for you to have in your life today. I have this this picture that there are but there are tons of of Christians who are just carrying around this package and I'm concerned that they don't realize that there's more to this calling of God in your life than just picking up the package and stepping over the line of Salvation God's plan is so much bigger than that. He has so much more in mind for you. He wants to set you free. He wants to bring you incredible joy that you can have in spite of any circumstance in your life. He wants to set you apart. He wants to sanctify your life. He wants to grow you into the person that he's created you to be cuz he's got incredible potential in mind for you. He designed that in you from the very beginning. You see this gift of God is far more than a get-out-of-jail card free. It is abundant life. It is the life of relationship. It changes relationships not this way, but it changes relationships this way. Don't let the Christmas season go by. without tearing open more of this gift and giving yourself over to becoming the person that God has created you to be it may be in this coming here. For each one of us here. We might open ourselves more to the possibilities of God in our life. at any other time no matter how long or how short we've been on a journey. We might recognize that God has more for us and he has more in mind for us. He is the god who didn't step back and just watch either got it or open the heavens and said here. Let me show you. How much I love? And you might think that you're unworthy or unlikely.

For a candidate for God's work. Let me assure you. And if I could name? Your individual names I would.

God is in the business. Of using people just like you.

Hope Has Arrived and hope should change everything.

What will you do with this season?

What will you do with this gift?

Will you pick it up and be thankful for it again here at Christmas and then set it down and be reminded next year when I say the same thing. Will you let the barriers fall around your heart in your ears?

You decide to say God no matter where I'm at on this journey. I know you're calling me to a deeper place.

I want to discover all of the joy you have in mind for me.

Hope Has Arrived and hope changes everything.

What will you choose to do? With this help would you stand?

Father we give you. Thanks today for this amazing gift of Grace that we talked about especially at this time of year. You are the God who doesn't just sit back and watch but you are the god Emmanuel and that you are you come to be with us and not only need to come to be with us individually. You come to be with us in community with one another and that we grow together and and are stretch together as we worship together and hang together and served together and end and be who you've called us to be together. and so Lord in this season we recognized You probably have way more hope in us than we have in our self. Help us. To understand the hope you have any to us. Help us to accept the gift of of your grace through salvation, but God help us not to just stop there. Help us to be a people who discover day after day moment after moment. And you're calling us in creating Us in shaping us to be people that are far better than we could be on our own. You're placing us with a group of people to Journey with it that helped shape us and mold us so that we are better together.

Lourdes hope that is come. May it not just be something seasonal.

But maybe it changed the trajectory of the coming year.

Because we take a step forward and who you called us to be.

Oh Lord. Thank you for the hope that we have.

Thank you that we come together tomorrow night's and we like the Christ Candle and we're reminded of your presents. Thank you for the gift of Christmas. Thank you for the gift of life. Thank you for the gift of Hope. In Jesus name we pray. amen May you go in his hope Lord bless you. See you tomorrow night 7.