Great Expectations

As you all know, the last Presidential election was one of the most interesting and controversial elections in our lifetime—and I’d bet this next election cycle will be more interesting than the last. You all know the slogan from the last election, “Make America Great Again.” The thought was that the United States was once an industrial, economic, and military powerhouse respected by its allies and feared by its enemies but has now fallen and lost its way. It needs a leader to bring it back to its former glory.

In first-century Israel, many Jews had a similar expectation. They were expecting God through his Messiah to restore Israel to its former glory as in the days of kings David and Solomon or at least of the Maccabees. Some were even hoping the Messiah would usher in the Last Day when all things would be restored. God, they all felt, needed to make Israel great again.

Reading the story of Israel in the Old Testament, there’s a common theme that appears again and again: God does not always act in ways people expect. When God delivered Israel from slavery, he chose Moses not while he was prince in Egypt but when he was reduced to working as shepherd. When God delivered Israel from the Midianites, he chose Gideon, the least important member of the least important family of his tribe. When God delivered Israel from their enemy Goliath, it was not by an armed warrior, but by David, a shepherd with a sling. And when God spoke to his prophet Elijah at Mount Horeb, it was not in the wind, an earthquake, or a fire, but in a still small voice. Finally, when God would bring ultimate deliverance to his people—and to all people—it would be in a way that many were not readily expecting.

Reading the story of Israel in the Old Testament, there’s a common theme that appears again and again: God does not always act in ways people expect. When God delivered Israel from slavery, he chose Moses not while he was prince in Egypt but when he was reduced to working as shepherd. When God delivered Israel from the Midianites, he chose Gideon, the least important member of the least important family of his tribe. When God delivered Israel from their enemy Goliath, it was not by an armed warrior, but by David, a shepherd boy with a sling-shot. And when God spoke to his prophet Elijah at Mount Horeb, it was not in the wind, an earthquake, or a fire, but in a still small voice. Finally, when God would bring ultimate deliverance to his people—and to all people—it would be in a way that many were not readily expecting. You see,

4. Many in Israel expected God to act in certain ways.

CONFUSION OVER JESUS’ MISSION

MANY EXPECT GOD TO ACT IN CERTAIN WAYS

Many in Israel expected God to act in certain ways.

The people of Israel expected God’s reign to come in a way that was irresistible.

Many in Jesus’ day had the wrong ideas

Some, like the Zealots, expected deliverance from Roman occupation and a return to Israel of political independence.

(1) Some, like the Zealots, expected deliverance from Roman occupation and a return to Israel of political independence.

About Jesus’ Messianic ministry;

About John’s prophetic ministry.

(2) Some, like the Essenes, expected a final eschatological judgment in which all sinners, both inside and outside Israel, would be condemned and the righteous glorified.

Some, like the Essenes, expected a final eschatological judgment in which all sinners, both inside and outside Israel, would be condemned and the righteous glorified.

Generally, it was expected that when the Messiah did come, God would restore Israel to its former glory.

Even John appeared not to be sure.

(3) Generally, it was expected that when the Messiah did come, God would restore Israel to its former glory.

Many today misunderstand the coming of Christ and thus the very essence of Christmas as well.

John the Baptist foretold judgment by which the one coming after him would cut down the fruitless trees and separate the wheat from the chaff.

b. John the Baptist foretold judgment by which the one coming after him would cut down the fruitless trees and separate the wheat from the chaff.

They have their own ideas and misconceptions without ever hearing Jesus’ own words.

IN JESUS, GOD ACTED IN AN UNEXPECTED WAY

3. In Jesus, God acted in a way that was unexpected.

They hear Jesus’ words but stumble on the call to humbly confess that we ALL are the “poor in spirit.”

Jesus’ proclamation of the Good News and his call to repentance could be resisted.

(1) On the one hand, the demons and the forces of nature did obey Jesus’ word and command.

On the one hand, the demons and the forces of nature did obey Jesus’ word and command.

CLARIFICATION OF JESUS’ TRUE MESSIANIC MISSION.

Yet many people rejected his words and did not believe.

His life and “works” bear witness to His grace and power over life and death.

(2) Yet many people rejected his words and did not believe.

(3) The parable of the sower explains this: Though Jesus’ words have power to create faith and new life, hearers can reject it and not believe.

His mission is to “evangelize” the poor, to bring the Good News of forgiveness and life.

The parable of the sower explains this: Though Jesus’ words have power to create faith and new life, hearers can reject it and not believe.

Rather than being irresistible, the reign of heaven would actually suffer violence.

His kingdom is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy; He is the prophetic Word made sure.

b.Rather than being irresistible, the reign of heaven would actually suffer violence.

John the Baptist, though he was the messenger proclaimed by the prophets Isaiah and Malachi, was in prison and would finally be executed.

(1) John the Baptist, though he was the messenger proclaimed by the prophets Isaiah and Malachi, was in prison and would finally be executed.

CONFESSION THAT JESUS IS OUR COMING ONE.

We, too, misunderstand and perhaps expect the wrongs things of our coming King.

Jesus himself would be rejected and crucified.

(2) Jesus himself would be rejected and crucified.

Thus, sinfully “poor in spirit,” we, too, receive the Good News that Christ, a Savior, is born.

(3) And Jesus warns his disciples that they, too, can expect persecution for the sake of the Gospel.

Thus, sinfully “poor in spirit,” we, too, receive the Good News that Christ, a Savior, is born.

And Jesus warns his disciples that they, too, can expect persecution for the sake of the Gospel.

(4) As Jesus says, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force (v 12).

The message of the kingdom of God continues to come to us whenever we confess our spiritual poverty and hear again and again the daily message of forgiveness and life in Christ.

As Jesus says, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force (v 12).

Thus, we live in “great expectations” — now in Advent, as we prepare for the true joy of Christmas’ daily in confession and forgiveness; and finally, when our coming One comes again.

The judgment foretold by John will come, but it has been delayed.

(5) The judgment foretold by John will come, but it has been delayed.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS TODAY

2. What are our expectations today?

We might sometimes find ourselves with expectations that differ, and might find it surprising that God is acting in an way we do not expect.

(1) If Jesus is the Christ, why hasn’t he restored all things?

If Jesus is the Christ, why hasn’t he restored all things?

If Jesus is the Christ, why do his followers continue to suffer persecution in this age?

(2) If Jesus is the Christ, why do his followers continue to suffer persecution in this age?

All of us continue to deal with the effects of sin—blindness, disease, separation, death—and may not experience healing this side of eternity.

b. All of us continue to deal with the effects of sin—blindness, disease, separation, death—and may not experience healing this side of eternity.

THERE IS GRACE IN HOW GOD ACTED—EVEN IF UNEXPECTED— IN THE HUMBLE SERVICE OF HIS SON

1. Yet there is wonderful grace in how God acted, even if unexpectedly, in the humble service of his Son.

Jesus came to save us from sin and its effects.

Our main problem is sin and rebellion against God.

(1) Israel’s main problem was their sin and rebellion against God.

The miracles Jesus performed—blind receiving sight, lame walking, lepers being cleansed, deaf hearing, the dead being raised, and the poor being evangelized—show that Jesus came to undo sin and its effects (v 5).

(2) The miracles Jesus performed—blind receiving sight, lame walking, lepers being cleansed, deaf hearing, the dead being raised, and the poor being evangelized—show that Jesus came to undo sin and its effects (v 5).

Perhaps this should have been expected by the people, for in this Jesus fulfilled many of God’s promises made through the prophet Isaiah.

(3) Perhaps this should have been expected by the people, for in this Jesus fulfilled many of God’s promises made through the prophet Isaiah.

Ultimately, Jesus’ death would serve as a ransom for many ().

(4) Ultimately, Jesus’ death would serve as a ransom for many ().

(5) That God would save Israel and all people through Jesus’ humble service, suffering, and death is perhaps most unexpected . . . yet also most wonderful.

That God would save through Jesus’ humble service, suffering, and death is perhaps most unexpected . . . yet also most wonderful.

b. For those to whom God’s reign in Jesus comes, there is now forgiveness, new life, and salvation.

For those to whom God’s reign in Jesus comes, there is now forgiveness, new life, and salvation.

There are many accounts in the NT were people were saved by the works of Jesus the Christ.

(1) Many in Israel were saved by the works of Jesus the Christ.

The Gospel continues to call us to faith and new life in Jesus.

(2) The Gospel continues to call us to faith and new life in Jesus.

(3) Those who believe in Jesus are blessed (v 6), and the least person in the kingdom of heaven is great because we experience God’s saving grace now in Jesus Christ our Lord (v 11).

Those who believe in Jesus are blessed (v 6), and the least person in the kingdom of heaven is great because we experience God’s saving grace now in Jesus Christ our Lord (v 11).

Jesus will return to restore all things on the Last Day.

c. Jesus will return to restore all things on the Last Day.

(1) On that day, the judgment foretold by John will fully come to pass.

On that Day, the judgment foretold by John will fully come to pass.

On that Day, God’s people will experience full restoration where the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, and the dead rise to eternal life.

(2) On that day, God’s people will experience full restoration where the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, and the dead rise to eternal life.

It’s comforting to see how Jesus proves himself faithful to his prophet John while John is in prison. Jesus encourages John by directing him to the works of salvation, healing, and restoration he’s performed.

Jesus’ Works of Salvation Show That He Is the Promised Christ, the Coming One.

All this encourages us today as we, the people of God, experience the salvation of God in Jesus Christ even as we also long for the restoration of all things that is yet to come. In the Epistle today, James encourages us to be patient as we await Jesus’ return. As we consider the works of Christ, we have cause for such patience as we wait for God to fulfill all his promises and to restore all things. He has promised this, and so this is the Great Expectation.

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

In first-century Israel, many Jews had a similar expectation. They were expecting God through his Messiah to restore Israel to its former glory as in the days of kings David and Solomon or at least of the Maccabees. Some were even hoping the Messiah would usher in the Last Day when all things would be restored. God, they all felt, needed to make Israel great again.

Yet when God acted in Jesus, he did something many did not expect. Jesus came preaching the Gospel, forgiving sins and calling sinners to new life. He came cleansing lepers, casting out demons, healing the blind, and raising the dead (). Israel’s problem was not merely their loss of former political independence and glory, but their sin and rebellion against God. These Jesus the Christ overcame. Jesus came to make Israel whole again. Those who believed experienced not only physical healing, but restoration in their relationship with the God of Israel.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

God Surprises!

Summary: Jesus brought salvation to us in ways people did not expect.

Summary: Jesus brought salvation to us in ways people did not expect.

Visuals: if available, a picture of Po from the film, Kung Fu Panda; a slingshot; a cross

Have any of you seen the movie Kung Fu Panda? Well, if you have, you know it tells the story of a clumsy, fat panda who finds out he’s supposed to be a hero called “the Dragon Warrior.” The Dragon Warrior is supposed to defeat the evil villain. This villain is a leopard who is dangerous, strong, and undefeatable. Well, hardly anyone believes that this fat Panda actually is the Dragon Warrior. And hardly anyone thinks that he can beat the leopard in a fight. After all, he’s nothing but a big, fat panda. It’s totally unexpected that he would be a hero. But does anyone know what happens in the end? Await responses. That’s right. He end up beating the evil leopard when no one else could. What happened in this movie was surprising. It was what no one expected.

Summary: Jesus brought salvation to us in ways people did not expect.

Do you know God has often acted in ways people find surprising? When God needed a hero to defeat the giant named Goliath, God raised up a shepherd boy named David who then beat Goliath with a slingshot. Most people were not expecting this. Later, God made this shepherd boy king of Israel.

Rev. David I. Lewis II, STM, professor Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri

The Gospels tell us about how God’s Son, Jesus, came to Israel. God promised he would send a person to save his people. This man would be a great-, great-, lots of times great-grandson of King David. This Savior would be called the Christ. And Jesus is this Savior. Yet a surprising thing happened. Many people were expecting the Christ to come as a king and defeat Israel’s enemies. They were expecting the Christ to judge the people who sinned against God. But Jesus instead came as a servant. Jesus forgave sinners and called them to be his disciples. Not only this, but Jesus used his power to heal blind and sick people. Jesus even raised a twelve-year-old girl from the dead. This should have shown people that Jesus was the Savior, but many people didn’t believe in him. Point to the cross. Finally, most surprising of all, Jesus would die on the cross and then rise from the dead.

Have any of you seen the movie Kung Fu Panda? Well, if you have, you know it tells the story of a clumsy, fat panda who finds out he’s supposed to be a hero called “the Dragon Warrior.” The Dragon Warrior is supposed to defeat the evil villain. This villain is a leopard who is dangerous, strong, and undefeatable. Well, hardly anyone believes that this fat Panda actually is the Dragon Warrior. And hardly anyone thinks that he can beat the leopard in a fight. After all, he’s nothing but a big, fat panda. It’s totally unexpected that he would be a hero. But does anyone know what happens in the end? Await responses. That’s right. He end up beating the evil leopard when no one else could. What happened in this movie was surprising. It was what no one expected.

Do you think it’s surprising that God’s Son would become a servant to save us? Do you think it’s surprising that God’s Son would even die for us? Well, that may be surprising, but here’s something that’s not a surprise: God keeps his promises! So I can tell you today that because of what Jesus did, you are God’s children. May his love be with you today and always!

Do you know God has often acted in ways people find surprising? When God needed a hero to defeat the giant named Goliath, God raised up a shepherd boy named David who then beat Goliath with a slingshot. Most people were not expecting this. Later, God made this shepherd boy king of Israel.

The Gospels tell us about how God’s Son, Jesus, came to Israel. God promised he would send a person to save his people. This man would be a great-, great-, lots of times great-grandson of King David. This Savior would be called the Christ. And Jesus is this Savior. Yet a surprising thing happened. Many people were expecting the Christ to come as a king and defeat Israel’s enemies. They were expecting the Christ to judge the people who sinned against God. But Jesus instead came as a servant. Jesus forgave sinners and called them to be his disciples. Not only this, but Jesus used his power to heal blind and sick people. Jesus even raised a twelve-year-old girl from the dead. This should have shown people that Jesus was the Savior, but many people didn’t believe in him. Point to the cross. Finally, most surprising of all, Jesus would die on the cross and then rise from the dead.

Prayer of the Church

The Gospels tell us about how God’s Son, Jesus, came to Israel. God promised he would send a person to save his people. This man would be a great-, great-, lots of times great-grandson of King David. This Savior would be called the Christ. And Jesus is this Savior. Yet a surprising thing happened. Many people were expecting the Christ to come as a king and defeat Israel’s enemies. They were expecting the Christ to judge the people who sinned against God. But Jesus instead came as a servant. Jesus forgave sinners and called them to be his disciples. Not only this, but Jesus used his power to heal blind and sick people. Jesus even raised a twelve-year-old girl from the dead. This should have shown people that Jesus was the Savior, but many people didn’t believe in him. Hold up cross. Finally, most surprising of all, Jesus would die on the cross and then rise from the dead.

Do you think it’s surprising that God’s Son would become a servant to save us? Do you think it’s surprising that God’s Son would even die for us? Well, that may be surprising, but here’s something that’s not a surprise: God keeps his promises! So I can tell you today that because of what Jesus did, you are God’s children. May his love be with you today and always!

Third Sunday in Advent

15 December 2019

Let us pray for the Lord’s mercy upon all of us and upon all people as they have need.

Brief silence

Heavenly Father, we pray for joy in the Lord, that we may be sustained in the time of waiting for Your will and purpose to unfold in these latter days, for patience under trials, and for hope that endures the changes and chances of this mortal life, LIYM

Lord Jesus, we pray for hearts that trust in You at all times; for courage to confront our doubts and fears with Your Word of Truth; and for strength to fulfill our vocations of worship, witness, prayer and works of mercy: LIYM.

We also pray for those who speak God’s Word to us by the power of Your Spirit; and for those who serve in the various assisting offices within the church. We also pray for those preparing for full-time church work, and for all the places where God’s people are taught and learn the faith: LIYM.

We cry out to You for our bold confession of Christ in a world unfriendly to the Gospel, for compassion and kindness in words and works that we may not distract from the Gospel or become impediments to its proclamation, and for those on mission fields far and near—especially for Pastor Robert Wallace, Pastor David Spotts, and Michael Rokenbrodt: LIYM.

We look to You, O Lord, to provide for this world and those entrusted with positions of leadership in government, for the service men and women who defend us against the enemies of our nation, and for those who enact and enforce the laws which protect us: LIYM.

For the joy of work, for thankful hearts to rejoice in the fruits of our labors, for ways God has enabled us to provide for our families and those in our care, for those seeking employment and seeking better jobs, and for our care for those less fortunate and those in need, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

Father, You are our only help in time of need, so we ask you this day to visit and come to the aid of those members of our family who are suffering with various illnesses. Most especially, Karen Prenzlow, Holly Whiland; Matt Young, Linda Bateman; _______________, and those whom we name aloud at this time. Assure them of Your mercy, comfort them with the awareness of Your goodness, preserve them from the temptations of the evil one, and give them patience in their tribulation. If it please You, restore them to health, or give them grace to accept this affliction, knowing that you are walking with them through this time: LIYM.

For the dying, that they may receive care; for the grieving, that they may be comforted; for those who care for the dying and those who mourn [especially ___________], let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

We also pray for those in prison and those who serve them with the Word of God—for those who face persecution for the sake of Christ, and for the martyrs and their families who remain steadfast in the face of violence and terror: LIYM.

We give you thanks for the joyful hearts, for peace in the world and peace in our lives, for the faith You give us to receive the most precious food of all in the communion of Christ’s body and blood, and for the nourishment of our lives in Christ through this Holy Sacrament. We give you thanks especially for the young ladies who will receive this most precious gift for the first time: Avory, Ellie, and Adrianna: LIYM.

For thankful hearts, that we may remember those who persevered in time of trial and now rest in Christ from all their labors; for humility, that we may learn from their example and so be faithful in our own day; and for the Lord to hasten the day when Christ shall come again in His glory, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

O blessed Lord, we are not worthy of Your grace and favor, and yet You continue to lavish upon us the riches of Your mercy. Hear the prayers of Your people who cry to You on behalf of themselves and all those in need. Grant to us the sufficient grace to supply all that we need for this body and this life, until that day when Christ comes again to bring us into Your eternal presence to praise Your goodness forevermore; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.