1 John 4:7-11 | December 27, 2020 | Day of St. John the Apostle

 Theme: John Provides a Record of…

1. The proof of Christ’s birth (Hope and Expectation)

2. The effect of Christ’s work (Evidence and Effect)

1 John 4:7-11 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

The idea of record keeping was a sub-theme within the Christmas story. We’re familiar with the way that Luke 2 began, Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered… One major geo-political event that led up to the birth of Christ was the Roman census – a tracking of the people within the empire.

God had his own records of importance in the Scriptures as well. Matthew 1 lists the complete genealogy from Abraham (the father of the Jewish nation) to Jesus. This was a vital resource for the Jewish believer. Luke 3 contains a genealogy that connects Jesus to the very beginning of life with Adam, the first man. Though we don’t often read through the genealogies around Christmas time, we cannot discount the value they provide as we witness a historical record of God’s plan of salvation throughout the ages.

Today, as we consider the input of the Apostle John on the life and work of Jesus, we see that he provides another record of sorts. It’s not a genealogical record, or a list of peoples within a nation. John’s record is more like Jesus’ birth certificate. John’s purpose is very simple – to verify that Jesus indeed was born into this world. Now, as we know, the life of Jesus is not that simple. There’s a lot connected to His birth, as John certainly indicates. But it all traces back to the birth in Bethlehem when Jesus took on human flesh. Without that singular moment, nothing else in the plan of salvation would have happened. John’s message attempts to remind us of that truth.

Now, a birth certificate is an important document. It verifies the birth. It can be used later in life to obtain other documents of importance. It’s essentially the first record of a person’s existence. But, it is also is quite simple – typically one piece of paper with an individual’s name, date and location of birth, and parents. However, imagine if a birth certificate also went on to state what that child would go on to do in life – what their passions and hobbies would be, what their occupation would be? Even more than that, what if that birth certificate also stated how that child would make you feel, what important memories you would have with them, and a detailed list of their major accomplishments in life? That would be something indeed.

And that’s somewhat like what John provides for us in the birth of Jesus. John not only wrote a Gospel record about the life of Jesus, he also provided three epistles about the meaning of Jesus’ work for believers. But everything John wrote came back to the birth of Christ – without that pivotal event, there was nothing. And so, John spends time showing us the evidence – essentially telling us what happened.

Listen to the opening words of John’s first letter: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life-- 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us-- 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

The theme is clear, John wants you to have a record of Christ’s coming into the world – he wants you to see as he saw.

One of the ways John got this point across was an emphasis on the manifestation of Christ. The idea of this word is to make known something that was concealed or hidden from sight. John uses it 6 times in this letter, including verse 9 of our text.

There’s a two-fold purpose in this approach by John. For Old Testament believers, the manifestation of the Savior was a critical element in their faith. They were waiting for God to fulfill His promises. As we see with the genealogies of the New Testament this waiting extended back to Adam and Eve as the first parents of all people, and also to Abraham as the father of the Jewish people. Without the manifestation of the Messiah, not just in thought but also in human form, there would be no substance to the Old Testament believer’s faith. The peoples’ expectation flowed from God’s promise – there would be a visible Savior who would tangibly make payment for the sins of the world.

When you understand this about the faith of Old Testament believers, you can go back to the Gospels and see deliberate attempts by Jesus to affirm that He was the manifested Messiah. For example, in Luke 10:24 Jesus stated, "for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it."

In other instances, Jesus would connect His physical presence with Old Testament prophecies. In Luke 4 Jesus read from Isaiah 61:1-2 and concluded by saying, “Today, this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” He was telling them, I am the revealed Savior from God. You are seeing it. You are hearing it. This is not something mysterious and concealed – God is making it known for all to witness.

But clearly, the visible and audible witness of Christ was only for a time – and a short time at that. Though many saw and heard directly, many, many more did not. John is also aware of this reality and so his message is also directed at New Testament believers like us. John wants us to be able to rely on his eyewitness testimony so that, as he writes, “you also may have fellowship with us.”

Today, more than ever, people want irrefutable evidence of the claims of Christianity. The birth of Jesus is not exempted from that discussion. Many modern eyes see Christmas as nothing more than fable or myth. Many modern ears hear the story as little more than traditional fairy tale – right up there with Santa and Rudolph. John sets the record straight – Jesus was manifest. God revealed His Son by natural birth, and I am giving you the record. Therefore, Christianity is not blind faith because it is based on evidence delivered to us through the Bible. 

John was not just addressing people who wanted faith, he was addressing people who wanted evidence. In this way, John had in mind not only the Jewish believer – to whom religion would have been natural, but also the Greek skeptic – who saw the world through reason and logic. Those two categories continue to exist today in our culture, as some people find religion to be natural and others do not. John provides testimony to both. We see that most clearly in the first verse of his letter. That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—

This verse is very similar to the first verse in John’s Gospel: John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. By defining Jesus as the “Word” John is connecting with both groups of people. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises which God delivered by words. Jesus continues to be manifested through the Scriptures in our hearing and using of them. But John also wrote in Greek to a Greek culture. The word employed by John here was Logos, which is the basis of our English word logic. We might wonder why it is then translated as word.

It is true, on the one hand, that logos can mean individual words, it also has a deeper meaning referring to the substance (effect) of words. In this way, the logos was extremely important to Greek culture. Greek philosophers throughout the ages compared the idea of logos to the theoretical goal of their philosophical pursuits. They indulged in the activity of pursuing wisdom for the express purpose of finding the logos – the deeper meaning of life. And the path they walked in that pursuit was rhetoric – the use of words. John takes that meaning and attaches Christ to it – Jesus is the logos, not just the fulfillment of words, but the fulfillment of our lives. Jesus is the deeper meaning, the finish line of pursing wisdom. And the critical point of today’s lesson is that Jesus has been revealed by God as such. He is manifest for all by His birth.

This is truly an amazing lesson from John as it was given to him by the Holy Spirit. But, John adds one more miraculous truth – Jesus’ birth impacts our birth into God’s kingdom. Again, what a strange thing it would be if a child’s birth certificate also contained a record of their impact of your life. But this is also what John provides for us as he testifies about Christ’s incarnation. Just as it was with the word “manifest” in John’s letter, so we see this come out in the word “born,” which also occurs 6 times. In our text, John states in the opening verse (the effect on our lives), “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”

The message of Christmas is not just one of expectation, it is also one of effect. Because Jesus was born in Bethlehem (and went on to accomplish what He did) we have the effect of a rebirth in God’s kingdom by faith in Jesus. John connects this spiritual truth to the physical reality of Jesus’ birth. Therefore, Jesus is not the only One that John declares as manifest to the world. We are too. No longer in our fallen, sinful state, but as holy, redeemed, and cleansed children of God. Through Jesus, the world sees for the first time, what God intended us to be – the new self that is born by faith.

And so John concludes in the final chapter, giving us the final thought about our rebirth - 1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-- our faith.

God sets the record straight through John by giving us the birth certificate of Jesus. The gospel was built on expectation and now from it flows gracious effects in our lives. And in the same way, with expectation and effect, we wait for the God’s final promise to be fulfilled, that we would be born into eternity at His side in heaven. Amen.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 | December 20, 2020 | Advent 4

Theme: The Tale of Two Faiths

1.     Find God (His Word, His Will, His Plan) in Yourself

2.     Find Yourself (Your words, Your will, Your plan) in God

We’ve been studying the creation account in Genesis the last few weeks in Bible Class & Sunday School. There are many worthwhile details from that account that are important to meditate upon regularly and to study. But no matter how often I read Genesis, I am always amazed at the beginning of all things. The very first words (or word) in the Bible – “In the beginning.” What a simple statement but what profound implications come from it.

If there was a beginning, then there was a time when nothing existed, except God. From the moment those words are spoken, one must believe or reject that God is the author of everything – the first cause, the intelligent designer, the Creator – whatever you want to call it. The fact that there was a beginning to all things demands that someone had to be present to start it all off – to begin the beginning.

And from that moment, that first moment of all moments, mankind has wrestled with understanding, appreciating, and trusting God. Say what you want about faith – one thing we cannot change is that it is shrouded in deep mystery. We believers, who may at times think we know a lot about God, know very little indeed.

Such is the reality set before us in God’s Word today, as we read from 1 Corinthians 1:26-31: For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." (ESV)

There are many stark differences in these words. Wise and foolish. Weak and strong. Noble and lowly. Man and God. But each difference comes back to one thing – things that are and things that are not. In terms of Genesis – things that God has begun and things that God has not begun. And there is an effect to these simple realities – “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

The mystery of Advent is that Jesus Christ, true and eternal God – chose to have a beginning. Paul writes, “Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” Just like the word “beginning” in Genesis pertains to the mystery of Creation, so the word “became” in 1 Corinthians pertains to the mystery of Advent. Jesus became these things. Jesus began these truths. This should not, indeed from a rational standpoint, cannot be said of God. God is. God exists. That’s the very essence of His revealed name, Yahweh. “I AM” God says. But Jesus “became” these things – wisdom for us, righteousness, sanctification, redemption – the pillars of the gospel truth of salvation. (explain each word a bit more) 

Here you see the value of Christmas to your faith. Without Jesus “becoming,” none of these things would be yours. Yes, Jesus would still be wise, holy, set apart, and capable of loving forgiveness. But if he never became Man for you – these things would not be for you. This is a testament of God’s unbounded love for the world – that He would “become” – something that in theory was impossible for God.

But we also consider what it means for our lives. When God does something for someone, there is an effect – a consequence. And as we consider our lives we must consider that effect. That God did this for us means that there is one more division in this text – a tale of two faiths. Just as wisdom and foolishness, rich and poor, noble and humble are all clear distinctions – so also is believer and unbeliever. And this last division dictates how we see ourselves in relation to Christ’s becoming for us. There are two beliefs:

    1.     Find God (His Word, His Will, His Plan) in Yourself

    2. Find Yourself (Your words, Your will, Your plan) in God

This is the singular division that exists as a result of Christ’s work. Yet, within it, there is an additional consequence. Whether we believe or do not believe in Christ has a role in shaping our lives, specifically in how we view ourselves. There are labels that we attach to ourselves – wise, foolish, rich, poor, noble, humble, believer, unbeliever. But just like Christ’s becoming – this is more than an academic exercise. These labels mean something, or at least they should.

What Christian out there would call themselves an unbeliever? No one. Yet the distinction of faith is not always as simple as the words – believer and unbeliever. It’s about more than just a label. The deeper question is how many Christians see the effect of that label, namely that they are to find themselves (their words, their will, their plans) in God? It’s easy to take upon oneself the label, it’s another matter to embrace the consequence that follows.

Paul speaks about that very difference in a unique way. How many of those who hold to the label of believer also understand that it means being poor, foolish, and lowly in the ways of the world? How many of us are willing to trust – literally to stake our eternities – on the belief that God has things under control? In other words, the belief that God can make something out of nothing. Everything we have in our faith comes from God alone – but far too often we live like we are the ones in control.

This was the essence of Paul’s discourse as he summarized by writing, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. The consequence of faith vs. unbelief can be witnessed in a person’s boast – in what they glory in.

This section is one of those ones in the Bible that defy human logic and reason. Why would God choose things that are foolish, poor, and weak? How can God make something out of nothing? To human nature, status and outward appearance are more important than anything else. Consider the example of the Pharisees and Sadducees from last week’s text. John the Baptist condemned their outward vanity because their hearts were filled with poison. This problem was not unique to the Pharisees and the Sadducees – it’s a human nature issue.

So, why would God make this logic-defying choice? Paul tells us – so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. This is the core of every sin. It all is a matter of glorifying oneself, rather than God. It’s wanting to take credit for God’s work, wanting to have our say above God’s Word, wanting to follow our own path over God’s will, and wanting to turn our object of worship into something of our own devising. In terms of identity – it is finding God in ourselves, rather than finding ourselves in God. And to put it simply – it is the difference between faith and unbelief.

This is the true division in this text, and within the world. Every person is either on one side or the other. And it’s as stark a difference as wise vs. foolish, powerful vs. weak, and noble vs. lowly.

But it’s also the very reason why Jesus “became” wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Every person desperately needs what Jesus alone can grant. And so, on Christmas Day, God brought to pass what previously did not exist – the divine Creator in human form – the perfect Redeemer for an imperfect people. The beginning of salvation. Jesus became man so that we could become holy – fit for eternal life by God’s side. As impossible a notion as it is that eternal God could become something in time, so also it is impossible that we can earn our salvation before God. That is why Jesus alone could do it, and He did.

The consequence of this faith vs. unbelief reality is that we find ourselves in Jesus. He leads our way. He is our truth. When we seek comfort, we trust in His power. When we are overcome with doubt, we return to His truth. When we are pressed down by our sins, we rejoice in His grace. When we face death, we triumph by the life He won for us. Truly, to the one who glories, let he or she glory in the Lord! Amen.

Matthew 3:1-12 | Advent 3 | December 13, 2020

 Theme: Unexpected (and underappreciated) Gifts from John

1.     1. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

2.    2.  “Bear fruits worthy of repentance.”

3.     3. “He (Jesus) is mightier than I”

Sermon Text: Matthew 3:1-12 (NKJV)

1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:

"The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.’"

4 And John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him 6  and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, 9 and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 10 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." 

Did you make a Christmas gift list this year? I usually don’t but I did this year. Typically, when I’m asked to compile a list, I struggle to think of anything to put down. All throughout the year I see things every now and then that I would like, but they’re not so easy to recall when asked to. For those of us that do make lists, I’m sure it would be somewhat comical to look back on them after several years. Trends and wants come and go. Needs come and go. Just a year or two ago, every kid on the block wanted a fidget spinner. I’m guessing that most would be disappointed this year to unwrap one. 

Listen to what one article compiled as the top toy gifts from each decade of the 20^th century.

·       1910s – Teddy Bear

·       1920s – Yo Yo

·       1930s – Shirley Temple doll

·       1940s – Slinky

·       1950s – Mr. Potato Head

·       1960s – G.I. Joe

·       1970s – Star Wars action figures

·       1980s – Cabbage Patch kids

·       1990s – Beanie Babies and Tickle Me Elmo

·       2000s – Nintendo Wii 

Depending on the generation you grew up in, one or several of these toys probably strikes an emotional chord in your heart. Maybe you begged mom and dad for one at some point. Maybe you heard the begging at a different point. The thing about it is, very few of these toys have staying power. Yes, Star Wars is bigger today than ever, but only because newer movies have come out. If that ever ends, it too will fade in relevance. Every toy, every gift in fact, has its time to shine. 

Imagine a kid today unwrapping a Yo-Yo or a Slinky. Not bad gifts in their own right, but chances are kids would be quite disappointed. Sadly, when a gift fades from the popular limelight, it induces less joy, even if in reality it is still a solid gift. 

If there was an example in the Bible of bucking the trends of popularity it would certainly be John the Baptist. Matthew tells us in our text that John wore Camel’s hair, lived in the wilderness, and dined on honeycomb and locusts. One wonders why John chose this lifestyle. He was different. He certainly wasn’t trendy. But His message and his work were indeed impactful. Matthew also tells us that “Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to John.” There was something about John that went above and beyond the current popularity of the day. 

In terms of gift-giving, John was the unexpected and underappreciated gift that ultimately proved valuable. You’ve received gifts like that before, haven’t you? Maybe you were upset and disappointed that you didn’t get what was on your list, the most popular gift of the year – whatever it was. But you realized later on it was better that you didn’t get what you wanted, that what you received was more valuable. That was John in a nutshell. Many tried to shut him down, and eventually John would be killed for his faith. But, John’s message was eternal, because it focused on Someone who was greater. 

Today, in this summary text from Matthew, the Holy Spirit gives us three unexpected, and in many cases underappreciated, gifts from John the Baptist. They come to us in the way that God’s revelation always comes, through words. The first gift is John’s first message, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”   

Very little of John’s ministry is preserved for us in the Bible. We knew he had a career of ministering in the wilderness. He clearly made an impact on the people, as he had a following of disciples and some even wondered if John was the Messiah. But, given the effort John put into his work, we have almost nothing of it in the Bible. What we do have is telling. The first public message we hear from John is verse 2: “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” We might brush past this verse as the meaningless ramblings of a desert preacher, but it actually is the greatest gift John gives. This is the most treasured thought of this section. First, because John imparts the hope we have of freedom from sin. But second, because through these words we see past John to Jesus.

Where does Jesus come in? Well, this very statement was also the first public message that He delivered. You need only to page over to chapter 4 of Matthew in your Bibles and in verse 17 you’ll see that Jesus spoke the exact same thing when He began His public ministry. If both the Messiah, and the Forerunner, began their ministries with this thought, then we clearly want to take it to heart in our lives.

Repent has a negative connotation in our culture. But God defines the words He uses, not the culture. Repentance in the Biblical sense is based on the good news of salvation in Jesus. It means that we not only turn away from sin, but also that we trust that God has forgiven us by His mercy. Whenever God calls people to repent, we should consider that a message of hope. This is why repentance naturally flows into the kingdom of God. It is the tool that God lovingly gives us to offload the burdens of sin upon Jesus and to stand righteous and ready to become a member of God’s family. Both John and Jesus started with repentance, because that’s how faith starts, and that is the essence of life with God.

The second unexpected gift from John was a message about the results of repentance. We may not categorize these words as a “gift” because they sting. John said to the Pharisees and Sadducees, “Bear fruits worthy of repentance.”

John shows that he knows the Pharisees and Sadducees well. On the surface, it seems that John’s message is filled with hatred. One imagines a scene of two competing influences vying for the peoples’ attention. On the one hand you have the established religious elite, and the other hand you have the upstart preacher. To the untrained eye, John comes across as vindictive. But these words were indeed a gift, not because the hearers wanted them, but because they needed them.

No better or more loving message could have been given the Pharisees and Sadducees. John knew this because he knew what was in their hearts. That’s why he knew what their immediate reaction was going to be. Notice the connection between what the Pharisees and Sadducees claimed, and what they really believed. John says, “Do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’” John knew that these religious leaders staked their faith in God on their lineage as true Jewish descendants of Abraham. They believed that their bloodline was more necessary for salvation than the blood of a Savior shed for their sins. But by trusting in this vain idolatry, John states exactly what they really were – a brood of vipers, or in other words, offspring of the serpent.

The imagery is intense. The viper, of all the species of snakes, seems beautiful and exotic on the outside, yet it is the deadliest inside. Likewise, the Pharisees and Sadducees adorned themselves on the outside with rich, ornamental clothing and customs, but in their hearts they had no true faith in God. On a different occasion, Jesus compared them with whitewashed tombs, which are decorated in beauty on the outside, but contain death and decay on the inside.

This was hypocrisy at its core. You couldn’t find a greater contrast between John and the Pharisees and Sadducees, both in appearance in belief. The Pharisees and the Sadducees would never stoop to wearing camel’s hair and eating locusts, but they also would never humble themselves by repenting of their sins. Their religious acts were hollow and self-centered. They only cared about what other people thought, to maintain their status in society, not about what God thought. Indeed, they came to John even to be baptized by him. They wanted to be accepted into the movement that was growing, but not because they actually desired to follow the true God, or to accept the teachings about Jesus that John delivered.    

Both of these unexpected gifts from John are still desperately needed in our time, and especially in our hearts. They may not be on our gift list, but we need them just as much as the Pharisees and Sadducees. Growing up in a Christian lineage will not save us from the wrath to come over our sins anymore than the Pharisee’s and Sadducee’s claim as Abraham’s children saved them. Repentance is the nourishment each sinner needs. When that repentance finds its confidence and hope in Jesus, souls are enlivened with the gospel to bear fruit to the glory of God.

John marks the difference maker in verse 11. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Repentance is a gift from God because it is the way we receive salvation in Jesus. Without repentance, all signs of religious virtue and piety are hypocritical.

John’s words are not only unexpected, but also underappreciated – especially by our generation. We live at a time of hyper-sensitivity when it comes to right vs. wrong. But, far too often, the attitude behind these activities mirrors the religious elite of Jesus’ day – they look good outwardly but they are filled with deceit and poison inwardly. Such is the result of any virtue that becomes detached from Christ and His Word. It ultimately is a dangerous idol leading one away from God.

This hyper-sensitivity plays out today as people boast of their virtue to others. There is a constant struggle to be shown more pious, more kind, more compassionate, more empathic, more wise, and more moral than the rest of the average population. There is great shaming and criticism given to those who do not reflect the proper virtue of the societal elite today – the loud voices on social media, in newspapers and television, on college campuses, and even many churches.

But if you look closely enough at these movements and the attitudes and beliefs behind them, you’ll see a spiritual shallowness. The virtues striven for are not from God, but from this generation of humanity. There is no humility or repentance, only pride and lust for power. It’s not about bringing people closer to Jesus as their Savior, but shaping the world to conform to popular belief by mob force. It’s a religion of the self, and though it is prevalent today, it is not new.

This was the same spiritual fog that John scattered when he came as such a unique Forerunner of the Savior. Both he and Jesus preached with an intensity of conviction and compassion based on the central truth of God’s Word. They did this for the express purpose of shattering this self-centered framework. It was unexpected and underappreciated back then, as it is today. But, what a gift from God above! These words from John, delivered to us by the Holy Spirit, are the exact nourishment our souls need to be assured of salvation in Jesus Christ alone – not for being lifted up on a pedestal above others. They protect us from the vain dream of human ambition and from trying to recreate heaven on earth according to our terms. They may not be the gift we want, by they absolutely are what we need to be in heaven with God.

Treasure this gift this Advent season. That you may be sustained in repentance through Jesus, that you may bear real spiritual fruits, and that you may have confidence and assurance as a redeemed and forgiven child of God. Amen.