Sermon Synopsis for January 4, 2009

“The Welcoming Face of God” Isaiah 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12

January 6 is King’s Day (Epiphany) in much of the Christian world.
On the night of Jan 5th children leave out hay or carrots for the camels, and their shoes for the magi to fill. Giving gifts and a big family dinner mark the end of the Christmas season.

Today we consider the Magi / Wise Men / Kings (whatever you want to call them)

They are known as the most famous trio to attend a baby shower. They brought great gifts.

You know what would have happened if it had been three wise WOMEN instead of men, don’t you? They would have asked for directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, and brought disposable diapers (practical items) as gifts!

The story of the Wise Men helps me understand …
What kind of Christian I should be,
What kind of church I want to be part of

WHAT DOES GOD WANT HIS PEOPLE TO DO?
It all started with Israel – more specifically – with the first family of Israel – Abraham & Sarah

Genesis 12 – God calls Abraham (12:1) “The Lord said to Abram, ‘leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.’”

God Promised many things (vv.2-3)
“I will make you a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

God wants to use his people to bless all people on the earth.

Bless = receiving material or spiritual gifts (Easton’s Bible Dictionary)

We bless others when we share – material things & spiritual things
As a missionary I found that both of these go hand in hand.
It’s difficult to share the gospel to people who are preoccupied with physical needs - empty stomachs, sick family members, no employment, etc.

Social ministry and Spiritual Ministry go hand in hand

ISRAEL’S PROBLEM (AND SOMETIMES OURS)
One of Israel’s problems …
Exclusiveness (from Fear of outsiders & lack of trust in God)

Israel was God’s chosen people!
What can happen when you realize that you are something special?

1. Attitude that you are better than anyone else (most of us have never had that thought) – can lead to exclusiveness. (PRIDE = what comes before a fall)

Israel often held on to their special qualification to exclude others
It brought fear of other nations

2. Attitude that you are special – can lead to using that “specialness” to benefit everyone around you.

A CALL TO REPENTENCE
Many of the prophets called Israel back to reclaim their “specialness” and use it to bless others.

Isaiah 2:2-4 “Many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, … he will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths. … Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”

Isaiah 56:7 “My house will be a house of prayer for all nations” (Jesus quotes in Mark 11:17 when clearing the temple) [not just for Israel, but for all nations] Paul – you (as individuals and as a church) are God’s temple – we need to be “a house of prayer for all nations.” Inviting, welcoming, people to come to be drawn near to God.

Isaiah 60:3 “Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.”

WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM
Jesus (the light of the world) attracted Wise Men (pagans & foreigners) to him.

Jesus said (John 12:32), “When I am lifted up …(I) will draw all men to myself.”

The cross brings everyone to Jesus / “that none should perish, but all have eternal life”

We have the light of Christ in us … what do we do with it?

HOW DO YOU ATTRACT PEOPLE TO GOD?

I talked with the children about stars

The star we see is from its light
Light travels at 186,000 miles per second.
Light from the sun takes 8 minutes to get here.
Light from the nearest star takes about 4 years to reach us.

This tells us that God was planning Christmas for a long time.

There are simple observations we can make about light and darkness.
When you look at the sky, you see the lights (the darkness is background)

When it’s dark – we can’t see what we’re doing.
When there is a light – we can do things

On the back porch in the summer – did you ever notice that the bugs are attracted to the light?
Bug scientists tell us that most bugs randomly fly all around in the darkness.
When there is a light at night, the bugs are attracted to it.

Like bugs attracted to a light – the light of the star attracted the Wise Men to Jesus.

Light – attracts and permits us to do things.
Some rhetorical questions (the answer is NO):
Do Farmers milk in the dark?
Do schools teach in the dark?
Can you read in the dark?
Can you shop in the dark?
No, everything stops until there is ‘light’

Darkness causes confusion and shuts down our meaningful activity.

Jesus said (John 12:46), “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”

Jesus is a light – so that we may be attracted to God. When we have Jesus in our hearts (in our lives) God wants us to be lights (Mt. 5:14 “You are the light of the world”) so others can see their way to God.

Jesus is the light of the world
Our question: How can we use that light to attract others to see God?

Do we use fighting and threats? (Remember: honey attracts more flies than vinegar)
(Parents, did you ever try to force your kids to do something? It will work … for a while.)

METHODS OF EVANGELISM

During the Crusades / Spanish Inquisition – eliminate the non Christians and you will live in a Christian world. (not effective)

Spanish conquest of Latin America – soldiers with swords drawn stand behind missionary priests who ask the natives, “Do you want to be a Christian?” (you get a positive answer, but it’s not effective)

Mennonite Colonies in Bolivia (and other countries) – create an exclusive environment and you will live in a Christian world, evangelism is by procreation. (keeps Christianity in the family)

MCC and Modern Missionaries – mix social and spiritual ministry, be the social and spiritual light of God in a dark world


LIGHT ATTRACTS
The Wise Men were attracted to God by the light. We don’t know what happened to them, but I suspect it changed their lives forever.

When people look at us, they should see the WELCOMING FACE OF GOD who lives in us, looking back at them.

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Mt. 19:13-14)

Jesus also said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Mt 11:28)

The Jesus who lives in us (the light of the world) – “What does he say these days?”

What kind of Christian do you want to be?
What kind of church do you want to be part of?

We need to be creative, like our God, who prepared a star, for not much else than to attract a few wise men to come to Jesus.

Here’s a challenge for this New Year – let those who live in darkness, see the welcoming light of God reflected in our lives.