The God of Second Chances

Announcements

We will be taking down all the Advent/Christmas decorations this afternoon at 1:30.

The UMW joint meeting scheduled for this Thursday has been canceled.

The Church Council will meet in the FMC next Sunday at 7:00 PM.

Opening Prayer

God of promise and light, open our eyes this morning, that we may see your light in the darkness. Open our hearts, that we may perceive your promises of justice and righteousness fulfilled in the babe of Bethlehem. May we, like the Magi, have a star to guide us on our journey quest to find the one who will truly set us free. May this time of worship bring us closer to you, that the good news of the birth of light and love will transform our lives. Amen.

Music

Pleasant Grove - “We Three Kings”

Bailey - “Made New,” “We Three Kings”

Recognition of 2021 Leadership

Dear friends,

you have been called by God and chosen by the people of God for leadership in the church. The ministry is a blessing and a serious responsibility.

It recognizes your special gifts and calls you to work among us and for us. In love we thank you for accepting your obligation and challenge you to offer you best to the Lord, to this people, and to our ministry in the world.

Live a life in Christ and make him known in your witness and your work.

Do you this day acknowledge yourself as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ?

I do.

Will you devote yourself to the service of God in the world?

I will.

Will you live that you enable this church to be a people of love and peace?

I will.

Will you do all in your power to be responsible to the task for which you have been chosen?

I will.

Let us pray.

Almighty God, pour out your blessings upon these your servants who have been given particular ministries in your church. Grant them grace to give themselves wholeheartedly in your service. Keep before them the example of our Lord, who did not think first of himself, but gave himself for us all.

Let them share his ministry and consecration, that they may enter into his joy. Guide them in their work. Reward their faithfulness with the knowledge that through them your purposes are accomplished; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Dear friends, rejoice that God provides laborers for the vineyards. Will you do all you can to assist and encourage them in the responsibilities to which they have been called, giving them your cooperation, your counsel, and your prayers.

We will.

Pastoral Prayer

Patient Lord, wait for us while we get nostalgic over the Manger Scene. Our hearts are warmed by the witness of the shepherds and the journey and adoration of the Magi. We want to stay right at that time and feel the glow of that love. But you call us to go from the manger, back to our fields, back to our schools, back to our homes, back to our work. You pour your transforming love into our lives and we are challenged to bring back to all those places the glad good news of hope and salvation. Remind us again of all the opportunities we are given to celebrate your love and power. Help us find joy in serving others. As we have brought the names of those near and dear to us before the throne of grace, asking for your healing mercies, help us remember that the love poured out in the Light of the Natal Star is still given for us this day. Give us grace and peace to reach out to all those in need. For we ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.

Music

Pleasant Grove - “Made New”

Bailey - “Prince of Heaven”

The God of Second Chances

Ephesians 3:1–12 ESV

1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

The God of Second Chances

Introduction

God is a God of second chances. None of us deserve it, but God is in the business of grace.

As we start this new year, we have an opportunity to start again and have a second chance at what God has in store for us.

Mike Howerton tells a story about how grace works. He recounts the time that he received a second ticket in two years for expired car tags. He went to the court and told the judge, “I throw myself on the mercy of the court!” Impressed by him—or perhaps, amused—the judge waived the penalty of his expired car tags. Like that judge, God waives the penalty for all those who throw themselves upon his mercy (Mike Howerton, Glorious Mess (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2012).

1. We have a second chance to grow in Christ. (vs. 1-6)

Ephesians 3:1–6 ESV

1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Ephesians 4:15 ESV

15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

At New Year’s, people make all sorts of resolutions: to lose weight, save more money, be more present for people, and so on. But do we think about faith resolutions? About strengthening our faith through grace in the coming year? Throughout Christian history, the church has practiced “means of grace” to grow in faithfulness and holiness, gifts given by God to help us grow in grace. Most notably these “means of grace” have included Scripture, prayer, and the sacraments/ordinances (Christina Fox, “Old Paths for a New Year,” The Gospel Coalition, December 30, 2019.

John Wesley writes, “By ‘means of grace’ I understand outward signs, words, or action ordained by God and appointed for this end: to be the ordinary channels by which He might convey to individuals either preventing, justifying, or sanctifying grace. I use this expression ‘means of grace’ because I know none better; and because it has been generally used in the Christian church for many ages” (John Wesley, “The Means of Grace,” The Essential Works of John Wesley [Uhrichsville, OH: Barbour Publishing, 2011], 191). 7. Wesley expands on the “means of grace,” continuing, “The chief of these means are prayer (whether in secret or with the congregation); searching the scriptures (which implies reading, hearing, and meditating on them); and receiving the Lord’s Supper: eating bread and drinking wine in remembrance of our Lord Jesus. And these we believe to be ordained of God as the ordinary channels of conveying His grace to the souls of individuals.” Yet he is also quick to caution that “all outward means whatever, if separated from the Spirit of God, cannot profit at all, cannot lead to any degree either to the knowledge or love of God” (John Wesley, “The Means of Grace,” 191–92).

2. The Ephesian believers should accept by now that God has entrusted the gospel of God's grace to Paul on behalf of the Gentiles. Paul is using the word "grace" as a shorthand reference for God's gift of eternal right-standing through Christ, freely offered in the gospel, cf. Acts.20:24.

v3. Paul describes the gospel of grace as a "mystery" now revealed to him, cf.1Cor.2:1. It is a mystery in that the message of the gospel was once hidden, although now revealed.

v4. The substance of the mystery "of Christ" ("of Christ" in the sense of "revealed in the person and work of Christ") is something the Ephesians can understand because Paul has already touched on the subject in this letter.

v5. The Old Testament saints had an understanding of the mercy of God, but they had no insight into the extent of God's grace in and through the person and work of Christ. Only the apostles and New Testament prophets possess this insight.

v6. The secret truth, now revealed, concerns God's free and gracious acceptance of all who trust Christ. For Paul, the implication is worth underlining - Jew and Gentile share the promise together, Rom.8:17, Gal.3:6-29. Note that the NIV "this mystery is that ..." is not in the Greek and is misleading. The mystery is not "members together in one body", but "the unsearchable riches of Christ" (God's free grace in Christ), v8.

2. We have a second chance to serve our community. (vs. 7)

Ephesians 3:7 ESV

7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.

John 13:34–35 ESV

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

v7. Paul was appointed by God to minister this mystery to the Gentiles. Of this appointment Paul says it was an act of divine grace, an act of kindness.

v34. Jesus now gives his disciples a new commandment, cf. 1Jn.2:8. It is a "commandment" in the sense of being an important/emphatic word from the Master. It is "new", in that Christ's love is the measure of love, a Christ-like compassion, and it is new in that Christ's love for broken humanity is the ground of love, the means of love. Because of Christ's love for us (his death, resurrection and indwelling presence within) we are freed and impelled to love. "I have loved you in order that you may also love one another."

v35. Christ's indwelling presence within the individual believer and within the Christian community, impels us toward brotherly love - self-giving, sacrificial love. As Jesus was, so his disciples are, and this in the power of his indwelling love. Such is the distinguishing mark of a disciple.

3. We have a second chance to share Christ with our community. (vs. 8-12)

Ephesians 3:8–12 ESV

8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

John 20:21–22 ESV

21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

v8. Unworthy as Paul is, God entrusted him with the gospel, the mystery, "the boundless riches of Christ."

v9. Although the mystery was once hidden, God's intention was that all would inevitably understand his action-plan.

v10. The gospel of grace achieves the reconciliation of one people under God (the church) and serves as an object lesson far beyond this world. It displays a "variegated wisdom," including that "kept hidden" wisdom of the mystery, and does so to "principalities and powers in heavenly places." These powers are the spiritual powers that intersect with human existence, neither wholly good or wholly evil - guardian angels and Satan and his minions.

v11. This verse explains God's sovereign intent in the process of reconciliation, achieved through Christ.

v12. Paul further explains the content of the "manifold wisdom." God's purposes are accomplished through Christ's faithfulness ("faithfulness of him" rather than "faith in him") which believers appropriate in union with him.

v21. Jesus then commissions his disciples to mission, a mission defined by his own ministry. "Their mission proceeds from His", Leon Morris. As the Father sent Jesus into the world, in the same way Jesus sends his disciples into the world.

v22. Jesus then gives his disciples the means for mission - the indwelling presence and power of the Spirit of Christ, his very person with them to enable them. The outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost, as recorded by Luke, may represent the same event, Pentecost being the actual realization of the diverse empowering of the disciples for ministry.

Conclusion

We must allow the Holy Spirit to use these means to transform our hearts and lives as we go into the new year. “We are not transformed by our ability to read Scripture, or how well we listen to it preached, or how fervently we pray, or how faithfully we take communion. We are transformed by the Spirit’s use of these means, by God’s grace and for Christ’s glory” (Christina Fox, “Old Paths for a New Year”).

Wesley’s Covenant Service

Proclamation

Brothers and sisters in Christ, the Christian life is redeemed from sin and consecrated to God. Through baptism, we have entered into the new covenant of which Jesus Christ is the Mediator.

He sealed it with his own blood, that it might last forever.

On one side, God promises to give us new life in Christ, the Source and Perfecter of our faith. On the other side, we are pledged to live no more for ourselves bu only for Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave himself for us.

From time to time, we renew our covenant with God, especially when we reaffirm the Baptismal Covenant and gather at the Lord’s table.

Today, however, we meet, as the generations before us have met, to renew the covenant that binds us to God. Let us make this covenant of God our own.

INVITATION

Commit yourselves to Christ as his servants. Give yourselves to him, that you may belong to him. Christ has many services to be done. Some are more easy and honorable, others more difficult and disgraceful. Some are suitable to our inclinations and interests, others are contrary to both.

In some we may please Christ and please ourselves. But then there are other works where we cannot please Christ except by denying ourselves.

It is necessary, therefore, that we consider what it means to be a servant of Christ.

Let us, there fore go to Christ, and pray:

Let me be your servant, under your command. I will no longer be my own. I will give up myself to your will in all things.

Be satisfied that Christ shall give you your place and work.

Lord, make me what you will. I put myself fully into your hands: put me to doing, put me to suffering, let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you, let me be full, let me be empty, let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and with a willing heart give all to your pleasure and disposal.

Christ will be the Savior of none but his servants. He is the source of all salvation to those who obey. Christ will have no servants except by consent; Christ will not accept anything except full consent to all that he requires. Christ will be all in all, or he will be nothing.

Confirm this by a holy covenant.

To make this covenant a reality in your life, listen to this admonitions:

First, set apart some time, more than once, to be spent alone before the Lord; in seeking earnestly God’s special assistance and gracious acceptance of you; in carefully thinking through all the conditions of the covenant; in searching your hearts whether you have already freely given your life to Christ.

Consider what your sins are. Consider the laws of Christ, how holy, strict, and spiritual they are, and whether you, after having carefully considered them, are willing to choose them all.

Be sure you are clear in these matters, see that you do not lie to God.

Second, be serious and in a spirit of holy awe and reverence.

Third, claim God’s covenant, rely upon God’s promise of giving grace and strength, so you can keep your promise. Trust not your own strength and power.

Fourth resolve to be faithful. You have given to the Lord your hearts, you have opened your mouths to the Lord, and you have dedicated yourself to God. With God’s power, never go back.

And last, be then prepared to renew your covenant with the Lord. Fall down to your knees, lift your hands toward heaven, open your hearts to the Lord, as we pray:

COVENANT PRAYER

O righteous God, for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, see me as I fall down before you. Forgive my unfaithfulness in not having done your will, for you have promised mercy to me if I turn to you with my whole heart.

God requires that you shall put away all your idols.

I here from the bottom of my heart renounce them all, covenanting with you that no known sin shall be allowed in my life. Against your will, I have turned my love toward the world. In your power, I will watch all temptations that will lead me away from you. for my own righteousness is riddled with sin, unable to stand before you.

Through Christ, God has offered to be your God again if you would let him.

Before all heaven and earth, I here acknowledge you as my Lord and God. I take you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for my portion, and vow to give up myself, body and soul, as your servant, to serve you in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life.

God has given the Lord Jesus Christ as the only way and means of coming to God.

Jesus, I do here on bended knees accept Christ as the only new and living Way, and sincerely join myself in a covenant with him. O blessed Jesus, I come to you, hungry, sinful, miserable, blind, and naked, unworthy even to wash the feet of your servants.

I do here, with all my power, accept you as my Lord and Head. I renounce my own worthiness, and vow that you are the Lord, my righteousness. I renounce my own wisdom, and take you for my only guide. I renounce my own will, and take your will as my law.

Christ has told you that you must suffer with him.

I do here covenant with you, O Christ, to take my lot with you as it may fall. Through your grace I promise that neither life nor death shall part me from you.

God has given holy laws as the rule of your life.

I do here willingly put my neck under your yoke, to carry your burden. All your laws are holy, just, and good. I therefore take them as the rule for my words, thoughts, and actions, promising that I will strive to order my whole life according to your direction, and not allow myself to neglect anything I know to be my duty.

The Almighty God searches and knows your heart.

O God, you know that I make this covenant with you today without guile or reservation. If any falsehood should be in it, guide me and help me set it aright. And now, glory be to yo, O God the Father, whom I from this day forward shall look upon as my God and Father.

Glory be to you, O God the Son, who have loved me and washed me from my sins in your own blood, and now is my Savior and Redeemer.

Glory be to you, O God the Holy Spirit, who by your almighty power have turned my heart from sin to God.

O mighty God, the Lord Omnipotent, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you have now become my Covenant Friend.

And I, through your infinite grace, have become your covenant servant. So be it.

And let the covenant I have made on earth be ratified in heaven.

Amen.

Closing Song

Pleasant Grove - “Amazing Grace”

Bailey - “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”

Benediction

The Light of the Star, the light of God’s love, shines before you as you leave this place. Go in peace, go in joy, go in love to meet God’s people in the world and greet them with the good news of salvation. AMEN.