Sunday December 6, 2020
Our scriptures this week we find in, Isaiah 9:1-7 and 40:1-11, and our message this week I’ve titled “True Peace and Comfort “.
Isaiah 9:1-7
To Us a Child is Born
(1) Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future, he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan-
(2) The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
(3) You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.
(4) For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
(5) Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
(6) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
(7) Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
Isaiah 40:1-11
Comfort for God’s People
(1) Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
(2) Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord ‘s hand double for all her sins.
(3) A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.
(4) Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.
(5) And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
(6) A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
(7) The grass withers and the flowers fall because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass.
(8) The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”
(9) You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!”
(10) See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.
(11) He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
This being the second Sunday of Advent we light the candle of peace. And if we’re going to realize how,” Love Came Down at Christmas”, which is our theme this advent season. We need to open the gift of,” True Peace and Comfort”.
I think today, our country is in dire need of,” True Peace and Comfort”. We live in a country divided and almost polarized, by political beliefs, and views, on how to handle this current pandemic. We turn on the news and hear about latest scandal or conspiracy, and long for peace and comfort, not only in our country but also in our personal lives.
We are restless, torn apart by anxieties and fears, tense and nervous with each new day. Many are frightened by every call or unexpected encounter with another person. In our world today there are far too many people who have lived contrary to the word of God. Many have sought to play God with their life and live by their own rules. They, by their own choice, have refused to open the gift of,” True Peace and Comfort “.
Isn’t it strange that we are tempted to look for peace every place but where it is found? Some people seek the psychiatrist’s couch, others try medicine. Other’s lustful pursuits, or emotional flings. Or we get involved with the latest cause, hoping that will give them peace. They feel the weight of the world is on our shoulders.
As a visual reminder for the source of true peace, we can see it on regular display along New York City’s Fifth Avenue. At the entrance of the RCA building there’s a large statue of Atlas struggling to keep the world on his shoulders. On the other side of Fifth Avenue is Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. Behind the high altar of this church is a small statue of Jesus effortlessly holding the whole world in one hand. Peace is hard to come by when we strive to balance the world on our own shoulders, but when we heed God‘s invitation to give him our concerns, as Peter reminds us,” Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”(1Peter 5:7) ,we can find true peace and comfort. Because the weight of our world becomes effortless for the Prince of Peace.
Today, we will never achieve true peace, or find comfort within ourselves until we place our lives in God’s hands, listen to His voice and live according to His will and laws. Like the Hebrew’s in Isaiah day, in the land of Naphtali, who suffered greatly, in need of peace and comfort. We today, who live “in the future” have been given the honor of the one to come to, “Galilee of the Gentiles”. We to, once again need to hear, Isaiah prophesies of one to come. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”(Isaiah 9:6-7) God’s true peace, and comfort comes to us as His gift, when we seek to listen for His voice and live in harmony with him.
Jesus told His disciples and us in John 14:1,”Do not let your hearts be troubled trust in God trust also in me.” He told us this so that we might find comfort. Then in John 14:6, Jesus tells us that he is the,” one to come” by stating;“ I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” Then He tells us how we can know true peace and find comfort by saying;” All this I have spoken while still with you. But the counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”(John 14:25-27)
Jesus is the, ”Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
So today, if we are to find peace and comfort, we once again need to hear the words of Jesus the “Wonderful Counselor”, Isaiah spoke for;
(1) “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
(2) Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord ‘s hand double for all her sins.”(Isaiah 40:1,2)
God has forgiven their sins and has reclaimed them as His own people. What good news that was for them and what good news for all those who seek to be God’s people today.
I’m reminded of a story about a man who worked for the Post Office. This man’s job was to process all the mail that had illegible addresses.
One day, a letter came to his desk addressed in shaky handwriting to God. He thought he should open it to see what it was about. He opened it and read these words:
Dear God, I am a 93-year-old widow, living on an exceedingly small pension. Yesterday someone stole my purse. It had $100 in it, which was all the money I had until my next pension check. Next Sunday is Christmas, and I had invited two of my friends over for dinner. Without that money, I have nothing to buy food with. I have no family to turn to, and you are my only hope. Can you please help me? Sincerely, Edna
The postal worker was touched. He showed the letter to his fellow workers. Each of them dug into their wallets and came up with a few dollars. By the time he made the rounds, he had collected $96, which he put into an envelope and sent to the woman. The rest of the day, all of the workers felt a warm glow for the kind thing they had done.
Christmas came and went. A few days later another letter came from the old lady addressed to God. All of the workers gathered around while the letter was opened. It read: “Dear God, how can I ever thank you enough for what you did for me? Because of your gift of love, I was able to fix a glorious dinner for my friends. We had a nice day, and I told my friends of your wonderful gift. By the way, there was $4 missing. I think it must have been those thieves at the Post Office. Sincerely, Edna.”
Well, the folks at the Post Office tried to help. Helping people is what life is all about, isn’t it? Just as Isaiah records for us, God’s voice in hopes that we will listen to him and find “True Peace and Comfort”.
Isaiah also lets us hear the voice of Jesus as the “Mighty God”, as he foretells of John the Baptist.
“A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”(Isaiah 40:3-5 and Luke 3:4-6)
Our God is a “Mighty God”, who hears all and wants you in His will.
I was told a story of an elderly grandfather who was very wealthy. Because he was going deaf, he decided to buy a hearing aid. Two weeks later he stopped at the store where he had bought it and told the manager he could now pick up conversation quite easily, even in the next room. “Your relatives must be happy to know that you can hear so much better,” beamed the delighted proprietor.
“Oh, I haven’t told them yet,” the man chuckled. “I’ve just been sitting around listening—and you know what? I’ve changed my will twice!”
God is not like a dear old grandfather who hears only when we speak clearly and directly to him. He always hears us. And his attitude toward us is not changed by what he hears, because we stand before him by grace. But if God were like that grandfather—and if his attitude toward us were changeable—how would your conversations of the past week have affected his attitude toward you. Think about it! Our God is a “Mighty God”, an “Everlasting Father”.
As we continue in chapter 40, we hear the voice of Jesus as the “Everlasting Father “in verses 6-8; “A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
The grass withers and the flowers fall because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”(Isaiah 40:6-8)
Peter reminded us also in,(2Peter3:8-9):” But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.”
All too often were like a man who asked God, “What does a billion dollars mean to you who are all powerful?”
“Hardly a penny.” God said.
Then the man asked God , “And what are a thousand centuries to you?” God answered, “Hardly a second!!”
Thinking he had God backed into a corner, the man then said, “Then if that’s the case, O, Lord give me a penny !!”
God replied, “Sure, just give me a minute.”
“True Peace and Comfort “, don’t come from getting all you want today. But by knowing we serve an, ”Everlasting God”, who will provide all our needs eternally.
Then last but not least we hear the voice of Jesus as the,” Prince of Peace”. So that we may have,” True Peace and Comfort “.(Isaiah 40:9-11)” You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.”
His ”recompense”, His gift, His grace, His gift of Peace accompanies Him. Only if we allow him to tend us, to gather us together and allow Him to carry and lead us for the Glory of God who offers, ”True Peace and Comfort”.
This second Sunday of Advent light the candle of Peace in your life and believe that God’s” Love came Down at Christmas “!
In His Service,
Pastor Joe
Listen To Audio: Sermon 20201206
Listen To Audio: Service 12062020
Announcements
Pastor Joe is available at the church every Thursday from 2 to 4p.m. If you wish to speak with him, his contact numbers are: 570-465-7303 or his cell 570-267-4570 or church 570-967-2075
The Loose change (coins & bills) offering today goes to the local mission. IF YOU ARE AWARE THAT SOMEONE IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY OR LOCAL COMMUNITY IS HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH BASIC NEEDS ( HEATING, FOOD, MEDICATIONS , ETC. ) PLEASE CONTACT A SESSION MEMBER OR PASTOR JOE TO FURTHER EVALUATE THE NEED.
Sunday School begins at 8:30. All are welcome.
Thursday Dec. 10, 11:00 a.m. Ladies Christmas luncheon, catered by Kendra and Dave Darrow. Don’t forget to bring your Secret Sister gift.
Worship Team - Bring cookies on December 10th to be packed for the 13th.
The Worship Services for the Advent Season have been planned. A Christmas Eve Service will take place at 7pm. Ushers will be used to escort people to a pew. They will try to keep families together. People will wear a mask as they enter the Church and go to a pew. Pews will be marked off as to where to sit for social distancing. When the pews are full people will be escorted to the community building where they can watch the Christmas Eve Service on the TV. Mask will be worn and social distancing will take place while in the community building. Those who wish to stay in the parking lot can do so and listen to the service on 89.5 FM radio. The candle lighting will take place by the congregation. Candles will be available for those in the community building. People will be asked to hold something in back of the candle flame as they blow it out. It could be their hand, the hymnal or a bulletin. They could also use their fingers to distinguish the flame. Ushers will escort people from the Church when the service is over. Candles will be collected as they leave.
Winter Months - Session discussed the procedures the congregation will follow during the winter months. People will enter and leave the Church by the front door. Mask must be worn as they enter and go to a pew. Mask must be worn when they leave the Church. Pastor Joe will stand near the pulpit when the service is finished to speak to people before they leave. He will not stand by the front door. Session is asking that people do not congregate in the vestibule or loiter for a long time in the sanctuary when they leave. Hand sanitizer will be located by the front door for people to use.
If you are in the parking lot, PLEASE TUNE YOUR RADIO TO 89.5 FM TO HEAR THE MORNING SERVICE.
Please check your mailbox in the vestibule
