Announcing the New Reign of God

One of my earliest childhood memories is of spending time helping my Dad with various projects: working on the car, fixing things around the house, a wood-working project, you name it. At the time, however, I thought my Dad had a very quirky way of attacking the project. He would spend time thinking, measuring, gathering all his materials. Me, on the other hand, I just wanted to start cutting something. But Dad taught me to slow down at look at the entire project to understand what needed to be done, not just initially, but several steps later; in a word, PREPARATION. The net result was a completed task that usually went pretty well, and where we did not need to go back at correct something. I learned a valuable lesson: Preparation is the key!

One of my earliest childhood memories is of spending time helping my father widen the long path through the woods to the family summer cottage. It was so narrow that you could barely sneak a car through it. It had stumps along the way and a few low spots where the car would get stuck in wet conditions. My father took down trees, I carried a few branches, and the bulldozer and gravel trucks did the rest. Over a few years, that narrow, bumpy path that snaked through the woods turned into a smooth gravel driveway on which even a fire truck could drive!

Preparing the way of the Lord is Old Testament imagery from Isaiah that our Gospel in Matthew uses to describe the prophetic and baptismal ministry of John the Baptist (). John’s prophetic message was that the Lord was coming in grace and judgment, so it was time for the people of Judea and Galilee to prepare. Due to the sinful rebellion and idolatry of God’s people, it was almost as if God’s path to return to his people had become a dangerous wilderness! It was John’s purpose to get the people ready for that coming so that the Christ would not find a barren wilderness where his people were to be, but rather a people waiting in eager expectation for his arrival to deliver them from sin. John was there to get things ready for Christ’s to come and do His work.

Preparing the path of Christ—preparing the way of the Lord—is Old Testament imagery from Isaiah that our Gospel in Matthew uses to describe the prophetic and baptismal ministry of John the Baptist (). John’s prophetic message was that the Lord was coming in grace and judgment, so it was time for the people of Judea and Galilee to prepare. Due to the sinful rebellion and idolatry of God’s people, it was almost as if God’s path to return to his people had become a dangerous wilderness of rough terrain! It was John’s purpose to get the people ready for that coming so that the Christ would not find a barren wilderness where his people were to be, but rather a people waiting in eager expectation for his arrival to deliver them from sin. John was there to prepare Christ’s path.

If John the Baptist thought the spiritual condition of first-century Israel was challenging, imagine what he’d think if he were preaching in the spiritual wilderness of twenty-first-century United States. We have a whole menu of false religions, a huge segment of the population practices no religion, and a significant portion of Christian churches that deny central tenets of the faith, such as the First Article or the Creed. It is specifically because of these challenges that this account of John the Baptist continues to contain an important message for the Church today. As we look at this text again this Advent season we, the Church, continue John the Baptist’s important work in Advent:

If John the Baptist thought the spiritual condition of first-century Israel was challenging, imagine what he’d think if he were preaching in the spiritual wilderness of twenty-first-century United States. We have the whole menu of false religions from Islam to Mormons, a huge segment of the population practices no religion, and a significant portion of Christian churches deny central tenets of the faith such as justification by faith alone and the resurrection of the body. It is specifically because of these challenges that this account of John the Baptist continues to contain an important message for the Church. As we look at this text again this Advent season, we the Church continue John the Baptist’s important work in Advent:

PREPARE FOR CHRIST’S REIGN!

By Repenting, Confessing Your Sins!

This text focuses on three important aspects to preparing for Christ’s Reign that are still very applicable to our lives and the Church today. First, the central word in John the Baptist’s preaching that prepared Christ’s Reign was repent.

The people are dissatisfied with world conditions and Israel’s plight. They feel hopeless and long for deliverance.

This text focuses on three important aspects to preparing Christ’s path that are still very applicable to our lives and the Church today. First, the central word in John the Baptist’s preaching that prepared Christ’s path was repent. Just as Lent is a season of preparation and spiritual refreshment for Christians, so also is Advent. It is a time to quit kidding ourselves about how good and holy we’re becoming, honestly recognize our sins—in thought, word, and deed—and repent. John the Baptist did not sugarcoat his condemnation of sinners. As did the prophets of ancient Israel, he told people straight up the deep problem they were in without the grace of God. Repent does not mean just being contrite or sorry for our sins, but it also encompasses faith, believing in God’s grace to forgive sins for the sake of Christ’s saving work. Without the Holy Spirit working the miracle of faith, contrition for sin is a dead end. With his mention of the kingdom of the heavens, John is pointing his hearers to God’s gracious work in Jesus to bring God’s reign back to this sinful earth. Just as John called people of old to repent, Advent is a special time for us Christians to repent and call the unbelieving world to repent.

Just as Lent is a season of preparation and spiritual refreshment for Christians, so also is Advent.

John’s person and message place him in the tradition of the Old Testament prophets and raise Messianic hopes of a new reign of God in the Davidic line.

It is a time to quit kidding ourselves about how good and holy we’re becoming, honestly recognize our sins—in thought, word, and deed—and repent.

We also respond to John’s message.

John the Baptist did not sugarcoat his condemnation of sinners. As did the prophets of ancient Israel, he told people straight up the deep problem they were in without the grace of God.

Repent does not mean just being contrite or sorry for our sins, but it also encompasses faith, believing in God’s grace to forgive sins for the sake of Christ’s saving work.

Without the Holy Spirit working the miracle of faith, contrition for sin is a dead end.

With his mention of the kingdom of heaven, John is pointing his hearers to God’s gracious work in Jesus to bring God’s reign back to this sinful earth.

Just as John called people of old to repent, Advent is a special time for us Christians to repent and call the unbelieving world to repent.

Three simple words that most people, including many Christians, find difficult to say are “I am sorry.”

We experience a general dissatisfaction with world conditions of “war clouds and econimic difficulities.”

John’s message about a new reign of God to solve our problems sounds exciting. A Walt Disney World church sounds pleasant and enjoyable.

When we sin against God or someone else, we would rather yell, argue, or justify our actions before we tell God or that person, “I am sorry.”

Evidence of repentance—worked by the Holy Spirit—seen in today’s Gospel reading, is when the people coming to John and being baptized confess their sins.

Advent is a time for us to be honest with God and one another by confessing our wrongs, our sin.

Some sins that are typical might be: talking about someone behind their back, not for the purpose of helping them, but for gossip—just for the purpose of spreading information around.

At other times we learn that our words or actions have harmed someone in some way—it could be physically, emotionally, or spiritually. If we go them at all, instead of saying:

Or, we learn that our words or actions have harmed someone in some way. If we go them at all, instead of saying

“I’m sorry my specific behavior—naming the behavior— was not what it should have been and as a result you were hurt. I am deeply sorry; please forgive me.”

we say,“If I did or said anything to upset you or hurt you I’m sorry.”

Do you see the difference? The first is honestly taking ownership of the wrong done. The second places the wrong into the realm of ambiguity; never really acknowledging, coming to terms with our sin and how we were wrong.

Confession of sin/Repentance is the rhythm of life for a Christian. Advent is a time to make sure that we are back in that rhythm of confessing our sins to God and one another.

By Living in Baptismal Grace!

The second aspect to preparing for Christ’s Reign that’s revealed in the Gospel is to live in your baptismal grace.

The second aspect to preparing Christ’s path that’s revealed in our Gospel is to live in your baptismal grace. Jews did many ritual washings seeking purity from their sins. For example, some of the remains uncovered at Qumran, near the region where John baptized, include mikvahs, or washing pools with steps where you could walk down into the water for ritual cleansing. John’s Baptism was different; it was a one-time washing that brought forgiveness. It was a one-time sharing of God’s forgiveness in a very tangible way. Just as people were plunged under the water, they were washed of their sin through Baptism. It was a Baptism that laid the foundation for the Christian Baptism you’ve received.

Jews did many ritual washings seeking purity from their sins.

For example, some of the remains uncovered at Qumran, near the region where John baptized, include mikvahs, or washing pools with steps where you could walk down into the water for ritual cleansing.

For example, some of the remains uncovered at Qumran, near the region where John baptized, include mikvahs, or washing pools with steps where you could walk down into the water for ritual cleansing.

John exposes our sin and summons us to the same kind of radical repentance that exposes our desire to reign over our own lives.

John’s Baptism was different; it was a one-time washing that brought forgiveness. It was a one-time sharing of God’s forgiveness in a very tangible way.

John’s Baptism was different; it was a one-time washing that brought forgiveness. It was a one-time sharing of God’s forgiveness in a very tangible way.

Just as people were plunged under the water, they were washed of their sin through Baptism. It was a Baptism that laid the foundation for the Christian Baptism you’ve received.

We continue to prepare the way for Christ in this Advent season as we live in and treasure our baptismal grace. John the Baptist said, “He who is coming after me is mightier than I. . . . He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (v 11). As amazing as John the Baptist was with his preaching and Baptism, you have received the very preaching and Baptism of Jesus. When you were baptized, you received the Holy Spirit, who united you with all the saving work of Christ: his entire obedient life, his death as a payment for sin, and his resurrection victory! Therefore, an important aspect of preparing Christ’s path is simply living in this baptismal grace, claiming and treasuring it, living in its power and peace. Advent is a time to get back to the spiritual basics, and Baptism is one of those spiritual foundations in our lives.

Just as people were plunged under the water, they were washed of their sin through Baptism. It was a Baptism that laid the foundation for the Christian Baptism you’ve received.

We continue to prepare the way for Christ in this Advent season as we live in and treasure our baptismal grace.

We continue to prepare the way for Christ in this Advent season as we live in and treasure our baptismal grace.

John the Baptist said, “He who is coming after me is mightier than I. . . . He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (v 11).

As amazing as John the Baptist was with his preaching and Baptism, you have received something far superior: the very preaching and Baptism of Jesus.

When you were baptized, you received the Holy Spirit, who united you with all the saving work of Christ:

His entire obedient life,

His death as a payment for sin,

His resurrection victory!

Therefore, an important aspect of preparing for Christ’s Reign is simply living in this baptismal grace, claiming and treasuring it, living in its power and peace. Advent is a time to get back to the spiritual basics, and Baptism is one of those spiritual foundations in our lives.

A practice that many Christians have embraced over the centuries is making the sign of the cross upon themselves. This is a practice that has been going on long before the Roman Catholic Church came along. It is a very Christian thing it to do, reminding ourselves that we are baptized! Mark with the cross of Christ and sealed by the Holy Spirit, as a deposit guaranteeing your inheritance to come!

By Bearing the Fruit of Repentance!

Our Gospel reveals a third aspect to preparing Christ’s path. John says, “Bear the fruit of repentance!” (v 8).

This command sounds rather challenging. John even goes on with a strong word of judgment: “Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (v 10).

Our Gospel reveals a third aspect to preparing Christ’s path. John says, “Bear the fruit of repentance!” (v 8). This command sounds rather challenging. John even goes on with a strong word of judgment: “Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (v 10). If we are sinners, then how can poor trees like us produce good fruit? The Holy Spirit works repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, so it is not us who will produce good fruit, but the Holy Spirit whom we have received abundantly in Baptism when we were united with Christ. The fruit we cannot produce by nature—such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control—the Holy Spirit can and will produce in and through us. We prepare Christ’s path by bearing the fruit of faith for the world to see, fruit miraculously produced not by us, but by the Holy Spirit. (Give specific situations in which these fruits may be evidenced.)

If we are sinners, then how can poor trees like us produce good fruit?

John’s message points to the Messiah who died and rose again for the world’s sin, and our hearts are rekindled through Word and Sacrament in the Advent season to embrace Christ’s new reign in our hearts and lives.

The Holy Spirit works repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, so it is not us who will produce good fruit, but the Holy Spirit whom we have received abundantly in Baptism when we were united with Christ.

A sinful nature cannot produce fruit—such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control—the Holy Spirit can and will produce in and through us.

We prepare for Christ’s Reign by bearing the fruit of faith for the world to see, fruit miraculously produced not by us, but by the Holy Spirit.

For Example: A few minutes ago I described what genuine repentance looks like. The fruit of this repentance is a change of behavior, worked by the Holy Spirit. If I have been called on the carpet for a foul-mouth, the fruit of repentance—worked by the Holy Spirit—would be a mouth that now gives praise instead.

Or, Once we confessing our sins, fruit borne by the Holy Spirit would be ABIDING in this faith. That is, living in this faith and not simply paying lip-service to it. Jesus put it like this:

John 15:2 NASB95

2 “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.

John 15:4 NASB95

4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.

John 15:6 NASB95

6 “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.

John the Baptist must have been overwhelmed with his task—so much to do to prepare Galilee and Judea for Christ’s coming.

We may feel overwhelmed with our mission. So much to do to prepare our community and society for Christ’s return on the Last Day.

But it all starts within each of us by repenting and confessing our sins, living in our baptismal grace, and bearing the fruit of repentance worked by the Holy Spirit.

The path to our hearts is then wide open. We, in turn, want others to experience the undeserved love of God in Christ that we already have in these holy days of Advent.

As John the Baptist announces the new reign of God, we respond calling others to repent and confess their sins, to be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit, and to bear the fruit of repentance the Holy Spirit produces.

Prepare for Christ’s Reign—in your heart and then announce it to the hearts of others.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

As John the Baptist announces the new reign of God, we respond with more than superficial interest. Led to repentance, we find ourselves transformed by the Holy Spirit to announce God’s new reign in Christ to others.

Children’s Message

Gather the children near the baptismal font. Good morning, kids! Any idea why we’re over here instead of in our usual place? Receive responses.

In the Gospel reading this morning we heard about the ministry of John the Baptist. What was John the Baptist doing out in the wilderness before Jesus began his preaching? Wait for answers like “preaching” and especially “baptizing.” Yes, one of the things that John the Baptist did was baptize people. John didn’t have a baptismal font like this one for his baptizing, so where did he baptize the people who were coming out to him? Listen to various answers, especially “in the river.” Yes, that’s right. He baptized people, including Jesus, in the Jordan River.

John didn’t have a baptismal font like this one for his baptizing, so where did he baptize the people who were coming out to him? Listen to various answers, especially “in the river.”

Yes, that’s right. He baptized people, including Jesus, in the Jordan River.

One of the things that the Bible says those people who were baptized did was to confess their sins. We all sin, right? We all do things God doesn’t want us to do. Like what? Receive responses, examples of sins. That’s right. We sometimes don’t obey Mom and Dad. Maybe we’re not as nice to our brothers and sisters and friends as we should be. We all sin. So can anybody tell me what it means to “confess” our sins? Listen to the various answers, especially “to tell God we’re sorry for the things we do wrong.” Yes, some very important words for our relationship with God and with others are simply, “I’m sorry. Please forgive me.” Can you repeat those words with me? Say slowly . . . “I am sorry. Please forgive me.”

One of the things that the Bible says those people who were baptized did was to confess their sins. We all sin, right? We all do things God doesn’t want us to do. Like what? Receive responses, examples of sins. That’s right. We sometimes don’t obey Mom and Dad. Maybe we’re not as nice to our brothers and sisters and friends as we should be. We all sin. So can anybody tell me what it means to “confess” our sins? Listen to the various answers, especially “to tell God we’re sorry for the things we do wrong.” Yes, some very important words for our relationship with God and with others are simply, “I’m sorry. Please forgive me.” Can you repeat those words with me? Say slowly . . . “I am sorry. Please forgive me.”

We all sin, right? We all do things God doesn’t want us to do. Like what? Receive responses, examples of sins. That’s right. We sometimes don’t obey Mom and Dad. Maybe we’re not as nice to our brothers and sisters and friends as we should be. We all sin.

So can anybody tell me what it means to “confess” our sins? Listen to the various answers, especially “to tell God we’re sorry for the things we do wrong.” Yes, some very important words for our relationship with God and with others are simply, “I’m sorry. Please forgive me.” Can you repeat those words with me? Say slowly . . . “I am sorry. Please forgive me.”

Because you were made God’s child when you were baptized, you confess your wrongs each day to God and one another. And God forgives. God forgives us because Jesus died on the cross for those sins. When Jesus died on the cross, he took all our sins on himself; he took them off us. So as we confess our sins, we know God is forgiving them. God forgives, and so do your Christian family and friends. Confessing our sins and forgiving one another is what we do as people of God—always because Jesus forgives us.

Because you were made God’s child when you were baptized, you confess your wrongs each day to God and one another. And God forgives. God forgives us because Jesus died on the cross for those sins. When Jesus died on the cross, he took all our sins on himself; he took them off us. So as we confess our sins, we know God is forgiving them. God forgives, and so do your Christian family and friends. Confessing our sins and forgiving one another is what we do as people of God—always because Jesus forgives us.

God forgives us because Jesus died on the cross for those sins. When Jesus died on the cross, he took all our sins on himself; he took them off us.

So as we confess our sins, we know God is forgiving them. God forgives, and so do your Christian family and friends. Confessing our sins and forgiving one another is what we do as people of God—always because Jesus forgives us.

These are words God wants each of us to say: “I am sorry. Please forgive me.” Say them with me one more time: I am sorry. Please forgive me.

Let’s fold our hands as I pray: Dear Father, thank you for making us your children in Baptism. Help us to tell you and others that we are sorry for our mistakes. Thank you for your forgiveness through Jesus. Amen.

Prayer of the Church

Prayer of the Church

Second Sunday in Advent

8 December 2019

In the wilderness we cry to You, O Lord, to visit Your people with Your grace and give ear to our prayers as You have promised.

Brief silence

O Lord, the silence was once broken by the voice of the John the Baptist preparing Your way. Give us courage to speak Christ to our community and to teach those still in darkness and death about Jesus’ gift of light and life. Keep the devil from tempting us from being ashamed of the Gospel or intimidated by fears of what others may think. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Lord, as You raised up blessed John, the forerunner of Christ, so raise up for us pastors who will preach Your Word and serve us with Your Sacraments. Give to us faithful church workers who will work among us for Your grace and glory. Bless those in college and seminary preparing for church work, and help young people hear and discern Your call. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Lord, the crowds who heard the preaching of John came in repentance and faith. Lead us to hear and heed the call to repentance in our day, that we may rejoice in the forgiveness of our sins and seek to live as the holy people You have made us to be by faith and Baptism into Christ. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Lord, the rulers of the world stood condemned by John. Give us the will and courage to stand for what is good and right and true. Give to us honest leaders of integrity who will hear Your Word and govern with equity, preserving order and pursuing justice on behalf of all people. Protect and defend those least able to care for themselves, especially those in the womb and those with frail mind or body. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Lord, You give peace to Your people through the gift of absolution. Bring Your people to know and enjoy the blessed gift of confession and absolution, that reconciled to You they may learn to be instruments of reconciliation and peace on earth. Deliver Your Church from conflict and division, and lead us to live in harmony to confess Christ by our lives and works. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Lord, John spoke the promise of healing to the broken and wounded. Give to all afflicted in body or mind the riches of Your grace, healing according to Your will, and grace to carry them through the day of their trouble. We pray especially for those struggling with cancer: Jana Clutter; Karen Prenzlow; Matt Young; Barb Lynch; Linda Bateman; Holly Weiland; Darsie Hartzell; for Ed Ray as he recovers from his stroke; Don Dixon who fractured his shoulder, Tim Mueller who tore is rotator cuff, Jerry Eslinger who broke is arm; Jeff Warhol as he undergo’s back surgery; and for those we name aloud at this time . . . Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, maker of heaven and earth, giver of life and God of comfort, deal graciously with all those who mourn—especially Kathy Likar, David, Ashley and the entire Likar family, and Kathy Shervey as she mourns the death of her Dad— that casting every care upon You they may know the consolation of Your love. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer

O Lord, Your people shed tears of sorrow and loss in the face of death. Give to us such confidence in the resurrection of Christ and our resurrection through Christ, that we will be comforted in our grief and the dying will be given peace at the last, until in the day of Christ’s coming, we are reunited with those who have gone before. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Lord, by Your gracious favor we have been given a place at the table of Your Son to eat His body and drink His blood as His Word promises. Keep us, lest our sins prevent us from knowing with clear conscience the full joy the blessings of this communion. Speed the day when all earthly divisions will be overcome and all Your people believe as one and commune together before Your throne of grace. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Lord, we were once aliens and strangers to Your grace and purpose. As once Your Son gave welcome to many, so teach us to give welcome to all people in His name. Open our hearts to be people of love, and open our mouths to speak with bold witness Your saving words and works as the prophet St. John once proclaimed the Word of the Lord. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Lord, grant to us all things needful and keep from us all things harmful to us and to our salvation, that we may with confidence in Your will give “amen” to our prayers and live in contentment and peace with Your good answer; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.