Children of Snakes

December 12, 2021 3rd Sunday of Advent Luke 3:7-18 Children of Snakes Year C Opening Song Welcome – Joy Sunday Call to Worship ( adapted from Zephaniah 3) 1. Gathered to worship God, we shout for joy! 2. (shout this out) REJOICE! 1. Why? Because when the day comes for true joy, we will have no more evil to fear. 2. When that time comes, God will exult with joy over us, renewing us in God’s own love. 1. When that time comes, God will gather us in, 2. restore our fortunes Everybody: and dance with shouts of joy! Opening Prayer (from Philippians and Luke) Mid-way through this Advent season, God, we do rejoice, anticipating the coming of the Christ! In the midst of preparations, we pause from our to-do lists, coming together to remember the foundation of our faith. In this worship hour, fill each of us – and all of us – with the joy of your presence. Reach into our minds, hearts and spirits. Inspire us to act out our faith each day. Bring us to repentance from our selfish ways, and inspire us to share with those in need of clothing, food, and honest relationships. AMEN Stewardship Moment When we’ve spent all this worship hour focused on joy, the serious challenge from John the Baptist seems out-of-line. Yet John comes in fulfillment of the prophet Isaiah’s demand that we “prepare the way of the Lord”! Many of us work, preparing for special events here at church, with our friends and family, in our neighborhood, at school and at our jobs. Food is purchased, invitations are sent, special music floods the air. But what of our inner preparation? We follow the people recorded in Luke’s Gospel, saying “what must we do?” John’s response becomes a steadfast reminder of the work we must do: 1) repent! (turn away from evil and toward God) 2) produce appropriate fruits in our lives 3) don’t rely on where we go to church, who is our minister, when we were baptized…but rely on caring for those in need (clothe those in need of clothing, feed the hungry) and being in right relationship with those we encounter. This is a great opportunity to respond. I invite you to dig deep, think clearly, and find ways you can offer significant gifts to support our _____________________ (whatever is your special Christmas offering) in addition to contributing to our general funds and year-end appeals. Let the feeling of expectancy fill you, as we look for the coming of the Christ, who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire! Prayer of Thanksgiving All things come from you, Giver of Life. These gifts and offerings are symbols of our lives, given as signs of our desire to give you thanks. Please accept them. Help us put these resources to use in our community, and in our congregation, even as you inspire us to be merciful and generous each day of our lives. AMEN Prayer of Confession It is getting more and more difficult, Lord, for us to keep our attention on the holy things. Our lives are caught up in the planning, parties, gifts, and other such things. We get side-tracked too easily and exhausted, we fall into restless sleep. The cries of those in need abound and we are overwhelmed by the need. Too often we turn a deaf ear because we feel we just can't meet all the needs that are presented to us. Heal our hearts and spirits, Lord. Help us understand that you do not ask us to heal everything but rather to find a simple way in which we might lighten someone else's burden, as you have lightened our lives. You have brought hope and peace to us. Now cause us to rejoice in the wondrous things that you have done. Teach us to use our gifts for the common good, and that in helping, we find great and abundant joy. In Jesus' Name, we pray. AMEN. Words of Assurance The messenger has been sent to you, proclaiming that there is One who is Coming who will heal and lead you. Know that this is a great gift from God, who has always and will always love you. AMEN. Passing of the Peace Scripture Luke 3:7-18 Common English Bible 7 Then John said to the crowds who came to be baptized by him, “You children of snakes! Who warned you to escape from the angry judgment that is coming soon? 8 Produce fruit that shows you have changed your hearts and lives. And don’t even think about saying to yourselves, Abraham is our father. I tell you that God is able to raise up Abraham’s children from these stones. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be chopped down and tossed into the fire.” 10 The crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” 11 He answered, “Whoever has two shirts must share with the one who has none, and whoever has food must do the same.” 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. They said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 He replied, “Collect no more than you are authorized to collect.” 14 Soldiers asked, “What about us? What should we do?” He answered, “Don’t cheat or harass anyone, and be satisfied with your pay.” Responses to John 15 The people were filled with expectation, and everyone wondered whether John might be the Christ. 16 John replied to them all, “I baptize you with water, but the one who is more powerful than me is coming. I’m not worthy to loosen the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 The shovel he uses to sift the wheat from the husks is in his hands. He will clean out his threshing area and bring the wheat into his barn. But he will burn the husks with a fire that can’t be put out.” 18 With many other words John appealed to them, proclaiming good news to the people. Sermon Children of Snakes Okay, I have to confess that it has taken me 26 years to understand the scriptures of Advent. I know that we always learn about John the Baptist, Mary the mother of Jesus and Jesus. But I never quite got the connection, until preaching on Zechariah last week. John and Jesus are cousins, both are special babies who were appreciated and loved. John was the prophet, and Jesus was the promised messiah. Jesus has a profound respect for the ministry of John the Baptist. In a lot of ways he felt that he had to continue his cousin’s ministry. Advent is about prophecy – the fortelling of God’s presence. So our scriptures are more about John the Baptist then they are about Jesus. You Must Get Past John William Willimon, Chaplain at Duke University, says that John the Baptist reminds us of boundaries we must respect and gates we must pass through. At Duke, Willimon reminds the students, "If you are going to graduate, you must first get past the English Department. If you are going to practice law, you must pass the bar. If you want to get to medical school you must survive Organic Chemistry." Likewise, "If you want to get to the joy of Bethlehem in the presence of Jesus, you must get past John the Baptist in the desert." The word from John is "repent," which means "about-face" or turning 180 degrees. Richard A. Wing, Deep Joy for a Shallow World, CSS Publishing Company During advent, we see images of angels, stars, and even the manger everywhere. But you will never go into a store and see a display about John the Baptist. You will get all kinds of Christmas cards this season, but I can guarantee you that you will not get one with John the Baptist on it. There are many symbols of the prophecy foretold. But John message is not one that very many people really want to hear. In our scripture – when John gets older he is determined to go throughout the countryside telling people that the messiah was coming. He doesn’t do that by complimenting people. He calls them snakes in the grass. He talks to the leaders and the government officials telling them that the way they treat people is not right, and they need to do something different. He calls them into the wilderness and tells them it is time to get their lives together. Even John is surprised when they listen to him and ask what they must do to get right with God. John message is not just that God is coming, but that we all need to repent before God gets here. Taking Sin Seriously In John Steinbeck's story "The Wayward Bus" a dilapidated old bus takes a cross-country shortcut on its journey to Los Angeles, and gets stuck in the mud. While the drivers go for assistance, the passengers take refuge in a cave. It is a curious company of people and it is obvious that the author is attempting to get across the point that these people are lost spiritually as well as literally. As they enter into this cave, the author calls the readers’ attention to the fact that as they enter they must pass a word that has been scrawled with paint over the entrance. The word is repent. Although Steinbeck calls that to the reader’s attention it is interesting that none of the passengers pay any attention to it whatsoever. All too often this is our story. Yet, John the Baptist calls upon us to take our sinning seriously. Why? Because God does? Staff, www.Sermons.com Today, we are a lot like the crowd listening to John. We are nice people, we are Christians, we go to church, we do the right thing, we try at least. But no matter we are, we all get comfortable with our faith. After a while, we get comfortable with life. And we stop thinking about how are actions affect others. And the truth be told, our actions start to resemble more the world, then what is in the bible. Our actions become self serving and we just are not paying attention. Until John the Baptist reminds us that it is time to repent. That is why people were willing to travel 18 miles into the wilderness to listen to JB. They had just gotten to comfortable with life and had forgot their faith. They didn’t even mind when JB called them snakes in the grass. JB’s message is told every year – because we too need to be reminded that it is time to repent. There are people out there who are waiting to be reminded to get focused. Even today, people out there are still seeking the truth. They are searching for a word from God. They look forward to Christmas to hear from the church. We are good at telling them about the angels, the stars, but we don’t say anything about John the Baptist, the prophecy, the repentance. We too are searching for something different. In a lot of ways we too are facing the wilderness. I would say that the pandemic has been a wilderness experience for us all. We too have to be reminded to prepare ourselves for a big change in life. John reminds us that God does not have special people, and that even though we have the best of intentions, that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. The people who need to be reminded of what it means to be the followers of God asks the question – what must I do to repent. It seems like common sense – But John says to repent. We have to be reminded that following jesus in not a priveliedge, but a never ending journey. John the Baptist was concerned about the politicians, the supervisors, those in charge. He wanted them to make good decisions and to hold god accountable in our decisions. Many of them asked what must they do to be saved – and the answer was simple – do what is right. Scripture says don’t take more that what you deserve, leave some for others, don’t make a profit off of others, and don’t threaten others, be satisfied with what you have. Christian Hope Had Changed His Life Some years ago a military airplane crashed at Sonderstrom Air Force Base in Greenland. Twenty-two people were killed. The runway and the nearby fields were strewn with bodies. It was a tragic and horrible moment. There was only one chaplain on the base at the time… and the entire burden was laid on him to bring comfort and the Word of Christ to a shocked community staggered by the horrendous accident. But there was little time to mourn that day. The grisly task of gathering up and identifying the bodies needed to be done. And so, the chaplain, along with a young lieutenant who had been assigned the duties of a mortuary officer and a group of volunteers went about the awful business of picking up the mutilated bodies and trying to identify the dead, so that their families and loved ones back home could be notified. It was a heart-breaking and exhausting task, but it had to be done. The people worked in shocked silence well into the night until they almost dropped from fatigue. When every last remnant of death had been picked up, they each went silently to their individual rooms. That night, after midnight, there was a knock on the chaplain’s door. Outside stood the young lieutenant, the Mortuary Officer. He said nothing. He just stood there and wept. After some moments, the young lieutenant spoke through his tears and he said to the chaplain, “As we were picking up the bodies today, I realized something. I realized that the only other people out there with us were the people who go to church here. I have always been an unbeliever, and I used to ridicule these same people who were out there with us. Yet they are the only persons who would, or perhaps could, do what we had to do today. It must have been their Christian spirit that could help them see beyond the horror to the hope.” That tragic day turned around the life of that young lieutenant. As he had admitted, he had never been religious, had seldom gone to church except for weddings and funerals, but from that time on he was a new man. Christ was born in his heart. From that time forward, he took an active part in the Christian ministry of that base. Then he did an unheard thing – he extended his tour of duty in Greenland for an extra year. He was the first person in the history of that base to do that. He did it because he wanted to be able to tell others the story of how the power of the Christian Hope had changed his life. If you want to give your loved ones a great Christmas present this year, give them the gift of Christian Hope. On page after page of the New Testament we find it: the Good News that God will win, that nothing can defeat Him; that ultimately God and goodness will have the victory and that when we put our hope in Him, nothing, not even death, can separate us from His watch care and His love and His triumph. Once each year, Christmas comes along to renew our hope and to remind us that the darkness of this world cannot overcome the light of the world. James W. Moore, Sermons.com Hope, Joy, Love and Peace – they all live together. Finally I leave you with a version of chapter 13 of Corinthians for the Christmas season….. 1 CORINTHIANS 13 – - A CHRISTMAS VERSION - By an unknown author If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love, I’m just another decorator. If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love, I’m just another cook. If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love, it profits me nothing. If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point. Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens. Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure. Hope, love, peace, joy all live together. This is the week of joy. Our joy comes in the presence of a messiah who will bring light to a dark life so that we all can live a better life. And it all starts with us – who are preparing for a messiah – by watching our actions and knowing that they make a difference in the world. In the midst of a pandemic word – may we all find joy. Not a giddy feeling, but a joy deeply connected to the reality of the world. Joy in the presence of God In this third week of advent, that is our focus on joy. Joy is not the absence of trouble, it is the presence of God in our lives. And more importantly the presence of god in our actions. And the realization that even for the most seasoned Christian, that there is a difference in what we do , when with god, then without God. We must never forget that we were made in the image of God, and not in the image of humans. Who we are should reflect God. Joy is what we are chosen for to serve god, and joy is what we have to give to others. The joy of being a child of god. Let us pray….. Pastoral Prayer "It's the most wonderful time of the year" - the music swirls toward our ears from countless speakers in stores, on the radio, on TV. But we aren't so sure about that. We have been so wrapped up in preparation for the "wonderful season" we can't seem to find the joy. So many people are in need. We have friends and family members who are suffering from illnesses, loss, alienation. We want them to be happy, but we can't make that happen. We bring the names to you, Lord, for your healing mercy and rest in the assurance of your loving presence with them. That is a comfort to us. But we also stand in need of your healing restoration. We are feeling depleted, discouraged, and exhausted. Slow us down, Lord. Help us to feel the joy of your love from the "inside out" and in every direction! Remind us that your gift of love is freely given to us so that we may be healed and be a blessing to someone else. Touch our hearts and spirits, so that your joy may spring from our lips and our lives. For we ask it in Jesus' Name. AMEN. Song What Child Is This UMH 219 Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook Dear Lord, Through the darkness, I look for your wisdom. I want my heart to be open to you. But sometimes in these days, it seems that so many things come between us. Help me to be awake and aware of the radiance you bring to my life. Help me to be grateful each day for the blessings of family and friends. Let me be a peacemaker in my own life, and in the world. Let me pray especially for this difficult world and those who are so in need of an end to violence. My heart begs for this as my Advent prayer today. Community Time Benediction God has indeed made us Glad; for God will send us a Savior who will teach us how to live joyfully, peacefully, hopefully. Rejoice people of God, for such is God's great love for us. Children’s Sermon Week 3: Joy Light the pink or rose colored candle in the Advent Wreath. Christmas is a joyful time for most children as it should be. The Bible talks a lot about joy and how Jesus being born was a joyful occasion. Talk to the children about how Christmas is a time of great joy. Ask them what makes them joyful at Christmas. There are other things that cause people to be joyful like the birth of a baby. At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of a baby. But this baby was different than any other child. Jesus is the son of God, and He came to Earth to be our saviour. Because of this, He has brought joy to the world. You may want to have the children sing the song Joy To The World. Bible Story: For week three of advent, read Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 2:1-20. Tell the story of the visitors after Jesus was born. First talk about the angels who appeared to the shepherds and told them that a baby was born that would bring joy to the world. The shepherds went to see baby Jesus and were filled with joy. Some time later wise men arrived from the East. They had followed a star to Bethlehem and wanted to worship the new born king of kings. They were filled when great joy when the found Jesus and gave him gifts. Additional Illiustrations Blessed Are They Who Find Christmas… Blessed are they who find Christmas in the age-old story of a babe born in Bethlehem. To them a little child will always mean hope and promise to a troubled world. Blessed are they who find Christmas in the Christmas star. Their lives may ever reflect its beauty and light. Blessed are they who find Christmas in the joy of giving lovingly to others. They shall share the gladness and joy of the shepherds and wise men of old. Blessed are they who find Christmas in the fragrant greens, the cheerful holly and soft flicker of candles. To them shall come bright memories of love and happiness. Blessed are they who find Christmas in the happy music of Christmas time. They shall have a song of joy ever singing in their hearts. Blessed are they who find Christmas in the message of the Prince of Peace. They will ever strive to help him bring peace on earth, goodwill to men (author unknown). James T. Garrett, God’s Gift, CSS Publishing Company But here is a practical application. May our politicians will make decisions about guns that will prevent all of these shootings. But in the midst of tradgey, Mister rogers said that his mother always said look for the helpers, those who know that change come first with them. Change in the world comes with you and your repentence. Be one of those helpers….but I have even more faith in you. The brood of vipers And even John was surprised at the response that he got. Normal people in his life, people who disrespected him, who ignored him, who knowingly did what was wrong. There were many people who wanted to turn their lives around. Who wanted to live a life in relationship with God. You brood of snakes, how can you have to nerve to be saved. James Eckard makes an ethical decisions In the 70’s the Eckard drugstores were the biggest chain in the country. Eckard was not a Christian, but he had a Christian friend. He had no intention of living a Christian life, until one day he listened to his friend. He came to understand what God expected of him – he came to learn truly what was ethical behavior. And he realized that his drugstores were buying into the glamorous lifestyle of do what you want. People could come into the store and at the front counter buy penthouse and play boy magazines. He sold so many magazines that he was making 3 million dollars a year. But after he has stood by the waters and been cleanses by god - he decided that it was not right to sell the magazines. I love god enough to give up three million dollars. But it didn’t stop there – he called all of the other drugstores and convinced them to stop selling the magazines also. You cant go to the drugstore chains to buy inappropriate magazines anymore. That was the power of one man’s repentance. Through his repentance, doing what was right before god was more important than making money. In this advent season, John reminds us that the first step to preparing our hearts for salvation, is to stand on the waters of repentence, and to see our glory shining as God intended. In order for us to get to the joy of the season. We have to stand before God and take an honest toll of ourselves. Our sins, our vulnerabilities, our weaknesses. And turn them truly over to God. When we subject ourselves to god’s judgment, we also have to subject ourselves to God’s mercy. God’s strength to give us a better life. A heart changed by God is a heart that brings forth fruit. How does god need to change your heart- sometimes we don’t realize until we see our selves in the reflection of the waters of repentance. What does it mean to live in a way that is truly pleasing to God? You have to pass through repentance to get to salvation William Willimon, Chaplain at IDuke University, says that John the Baptist reminds us of boundaries we must respect and gates we must pass through. At Duke, Willimon reminds the students, "If you are going to graduate, you must first get past the English Department. If you are going to practice law, you must pass the bar. If you want to get to medical school you must survive Organic Chemistry." Likewise, "If you want to get to the joy of Bethlehem in the presence of Jesus, you must get past John the Baptist in the desert." The word from John is "repent," which means "about-face" or turning 180 degrees. Time to Act Once the eminent philosopher John Dewey found his son in the bathroom. The floor was flooded and he was mopping furiously trying to contain the water in that room, keeping the damage to a minimum. The professor began thinking, trying to understand the deeper ramifications of the situation. After a few moments, the son said, "Dad, this is not the time to philosophize. It is time to mop!" Baptism is our statement that we are ready to stop philosophizing and ready to start mopping. Zig Ziglar reminds us that the largest locomotive in the world can be held in its tracks while standing still simply by placing a single one-inch block of wood in front of each of the eight drive wheels. The same locomotive moving at 100 miles per hour can crash through a wall of steel reinforced concrete five feet thick, but it must be moving first. King Duncan, Collected Sermons, www.sermons.com