I will be preaching, then receiving a young adult for baptism, then marrying his mother to her new husband -- all in the course of an hour-long worship service.
Do you good preachers see any connections I might make to the wedding? I can certainly deal with the call to repentence for the baptism, but how to make it say "Christian marriage" and "Advent" as well.... I'm not yet sure. Any ideas appreciated.
Peace. Laurie <><
Laurie,
You are very brave, I would not have celebrated all the sacraments on the Lord's Day ... you have a lot to put on your plate.
As Advent is the beginning of the Church Year, so is their wedding day the beginning of a life long marriage. As Advent prepares us for the birth of the Christ-Child in our lives, so marriage prepares us for growth and love.
Just a few thoughts. Good luck on Sunday,
tom in ga
Just a few questions:
What is my wilderness? How would we define the wilderness in our world today?
How am I to prepare my way? What needs to change in our world to welcome the new born Savior?
Where do I begin? Do I simply listen to John the Forerunner, or do I follow his example. It seems to me that in his very being is the way I prepare -- through humility, letting go of my ego, surrendering the one who is to come.
What is this purification rite that John calls the Israelites to?
What is this baptism that one who is to come will bring with him (I prefer or perhaps interpret Mark to say instead of "Holy Spirit", "fire" ? Fire catches up the meaning that was in the Isaiah reading on Advent Sunday.
tom in ga
Well... you can't get much more timely can you? Facing an unknown future, nothing out there that I know of, is a lot like facing the wilderness.
Interesting, isn't it, how Mark changes Isaiah? Isaiah says, "A voice cries out, 'In the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord.'" But Mark changes the punctuation and we have here, "A voice cries out in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way of the Lord.'" Why do you suppose that is? And is there a difference?
Where is this wilderness? In our hearts, our futures? Isaiah says, "The people is grass," and that they have the constancy of the flowers. As I look forward to losing my pastorate because of the fiancial/economic inconstancy of the people, I can fully appreciate that. How to communicate this to the people without insulting them? Isaiah didn't have that to worry about ... and perhaps I don't have it to worry about either, but I do worry about it.
The Psalmist says, "The Lord will indeed grant prosperity...." But we are all standing around wondering why that prosperity hasn't been granted now -- why are we in this wilderness of faded grass where the church can't afford to pay its clergy?
I never really did preach the sermon that ought to have been preached (on Christ the King)... maybe I should have. I have no idea what to preach now!
Blessings, Eric in KS
Laurie,
I affirm Tom's idea of comparing beginnings, however, I would not try to turn the service into a service dedicated to the marriage, as we do when the marriage is on a day or during a time other than the regular morning worship.
I believe that historically, weddings were often celebrated during the regular morning worship. I don't believe the rest of the worship service was adjusted much, but that the marriage was incidental to the gathering of the congregation.
I once had the opportunity to recognize the fiftieth wedding anniversary of a couple during the Sunday morning worship service. Just after the confession of the Apostles' Creed (which follows the hymn after the message) I invited them forward and we reviewed the vows from the hymnal in use at the time when they were married. Maybe the marriage could be similar. If the couple wanted a service centered around the marriage rather than the 2nd Sunday of Advent, they could have chosen another time.
I'm sure you have explored with them their reasons for chosing the Sunday morning worship time for the time of their marriage. (Actually, one fewer messages to write on the part of the preacher! I could go for that!)
Michelle
Eric,
I see your dilemma.
Maybe it would help to put yourself in the place of the people of the congregation, to identify with them. Rather than accusing them of being grass, unwilling to part with their hard-earned money to support their priest adequately (which is tempting, but probably would not help them to grow), maybe you could confess that you feel like grass, flourishing for a while, then blown away (or carried away) on the wind, even though there is still so much to do.
But God will not fade away, God's word will remain for these people in some way, and God's word will continue to fire your calling, though it will carry you elsewhere.
This line would need more development, but it is the thought that came to me when I first read your posting.
I, too, have mused on the change in punctuation, maybe the Markan audience could not have identified with a way prepared in the wilderness, John, however, did come from the wilderness, so the change in punctuation would have made the passage make sense for them. On the other hand, the Hebrew scriptures were not initially punctuated, so maybe Mark was quoting the minority opinion!
Michelle
This John the Baptist fellow was really something...
wasn't he. He wasn't what I would call a friendly-
seeker preacher. From what little I know of John
the Baptist...he could really get under your skin.
Yet...John the Baptist was one of the preparers of
the Way for Jesus. He had great humility....he
certainly wasn't "full of himself"...only full of
God.
Just trying to imagine how he would fit into most
churches in today's world. I don't think he would
last long in any of them..He didn't have to be
"politically correct"...of course...it cost him his
head. Just some thougths
Circut Rider Jim in Ks.
I am a pastor and I consider myself compassionate, but I am also coming here for insight into the biblical text. As a Bible student and a compassionate Christian I feel it is my duty to please ask that this week we stop trying to help Eric and focus on the text. We all love the man, but lets not get into it this week. There are plenty of chat rooms for that kind of stuff. Please respect the rest of us.
Bob in Fartsworth
A few years ago, I was tied up in a gridlock in Orlando, Florida. It was a Saturday in December and I was trying to get across one of the busiest intersections near, at that time, the largest Mall in the area. I was listening to a tape of Christmas hymns, trying to remember why I had decided to drive out in the first place. It was a mess.
In the middle of this mad house, some guy with long, wind-blown hair, a bull-horn and a cross, walked onto an island in the intersection and began shouting about repentance and calling all the people whore-mongers and vipers.
Everyone did their best to ignore this nut. I was thinking, "That is all the church needs. One more fanatic to make us all look like a bunch of crazies."
As the Christmas hymn played in the background, I looked around. There were a few heads stealing looks at the man with the bull horn. There were a few heads that were nodding. Like a flash, my thoughts turned toward John the Baptizer. Some people heard his message and were baptized. I am sure many more thought he was just some religious fanatic who didn't have a clue to what was going on.
Do any of us really have a clue?
Jerry in Jacksonville, Florida.
I just have to post to this as John the Baptizer was one gutsy dude. I always seem to want to be like him and say what is really in the scripture no sugar added but then who would listen. It comes just like not associating with others who are not believers, how would we ever share the news with them. My question is how honest are we when considering our jobs and the way people will look at us, (as lunatics, fanatics, etc.) For Eric, I really enjoy your postings and think that this is the week for honesty. I serve 3 churches and one is closing in January, (withered grass). Just think of the possibilities to share some meaning of the Spirit with everyone. thanks again WaynO
In the parish I serve, we use the Advent wreath, so this week's candle is the candle of peace. It is an excellent theme, which I can recommend to Eric and others in parishes struggling financially. This secular world of ours has convinced most people that happiness is measured in terms of 'stuff.' Money has become a new god for too many people.
I love Advent as it can be a call to return to our roots. We are awaiting the day we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, but reminded in many practical ways that we are mired in the harsh realities of this world. It would be easy to come into our churches each Sunday and shut out the world, by focussing on the theological calendar of events. Without bringing the world inside with us, we are disconnecting ourselves from that world and doing ourselves a great disservice.
John the Baptist served in a harsh world--a world of economic, military, and political oppression. Did he seem concerned with the economy? with the military occupation? with politics? It doesn't appear so. He was concerned with people's individual relationship with God. He called them to repentance -- to turn back to God. Perhaps we can take our cue from that lesson.
By honest self-examination (in so many areas), we can decide just how 'right' our relationship is with God, and with each other. The key, however, is to be honest. There is always a danger of finger-pointing, and whenever I'm tempted to do some in a sermon, I remind myself that when I point that finger, there are three others pointing back at me!
The wilderness for me is when I'm not properly connected with our Lord. I will wander rather aimlessly, not accomplish anything, and feel out of sync. I have no hope and I have no peace. When I return to the Lord, however, my direction returns as well; I am renewed with the excitement for the future, and I'm once again at peace. Sometimes I end up in the wilderness without recognizing it as such and need a wake up call.
Just some early week rambling thoughts.
Blessings,
Don in Ontario,Canada
Repentance is about which way we are traveling through our faith life. In sin we are moving away from God; when we repent, we turn around in order to be able to move towards God. It is then that we can see how God is coming to us, and what obstacles there may be that keep the path from being straight into our hearts. What are the roadblocks, false turns, ditches, speed bumps, and detours that we put in the way of the Lord?
Humility seems to be John's answer on how the way gets made straight (humble clothes, humble food, I am not worthy).
OLAS
John's ministry was one of preparation. We see that the preparation begins way before John (with Micah and Isaiah, who looked back to Moses, who looked back to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, etc.). John came at a time of expectation, which is why everyone went out to be baptized. Making straight the paths was calling the people who had strayed from God to repentance, as all the other Old Testament prophets did. The whole Old Testament is preparation for the coming of the one who would fulfill what was written in the law, psalms and prophets - Jesus Christ, who came to baptize with the Holy Spirit. The fact is actually that Jesus prepares the way for us - he has gone before us, and now his Spirit leads us on the paths of righteousness.
What do we preach? Preparation - but we stand in a different point in history, where we can see that God has made straight the paths. Now our preparation is to walk in the Spirit so that when he returns he might find us ready.
S. in CA
With all the powers of that day, all the influences upon their lives the people were looking for something new. They were looking for something that would guide them in a new direction and as I see it, that direction was to follow what their heart was telling them all along "to get right with God."
I find it intresting that the people went out to John in the wilderness and not vice versa. I think the reason they went to him was because they heard truth in his words. John's baptism made them feel clean on the outside. A Holy Spirit baptism would soon cleanse their hearts.
I see John as a story teller. His rough appearance was a story in it's self. For us to have such detail of his dress and eating habits tells me that someone was examining John's way of life.
John was what they were expecting in a prophet. Someone who had spent years in the desert (desert father) in communion with God. John in my eyes was down to earth a common sense sort of guy. He would explain repentance by telling you a simple story anyone could see was to the point and favored the right way to live.
There are times I preach and try to soften the blow for the congregation. But the times when I just hold to the truth and let the chips fall where they may I get a rush of Spirit power within me. Generally those sermons have the greatest impact and the people appreciate what they have heard. (not all but most)
I think I'll wrap my message around "the Johns" we have heard in our life. Have we listened? Why did we turn away? Do we rationalize or seek truth and act on it? Maybe we all need to go out in the wilderness, on a quest so to speak, and filter the beliefs we have through a strainer (hmm intresting word) to get to the truth. KB in ks.
Laurie, I really like what you are trying to do. Some of the comments were on new beginnings. I believe the Gospel indicates a new gospel or good news that was announced the people. It seems to me that you have an opportunity to preach a New Beginnings sermon. I also have a Baptism this Sunday. It will be my Grandson. And, I certainly desire to use the theme of New Beginnings. I also liked a few of the comments on wilderness. I'm wondering if it's best to define wilderness for people and tell them what I deem as wilderness, or is it better for them to search inwardly and find their wilderness. I'll probably do that by story either personal or someone else, and let the connections begin. The good news, of course, is that in Advent, Jesus is coming and our proclamation is to people who wander in wilderness. Blessings on your work.
Lynn in Omaha
I think S. in CA has a good applicable point. Are we not, as Christians, called to be a bit like John the Baptist, calling others to repent & prepare their hearts. John prepared the way for Jesus, Jesus prepared the way for us, we prepare the way for him again for his 2nd advent... I'm thinking in terms of how Isa 40 & the 1 Peter text for this week reflect on that.
Rabbi in IL
KB in ks makes a good point: I'm certain there have been prophets who've preached to me that I've either dismissed as crackpots or not noticed at all. I wonder how we tell the difference?
That is, how do we discern the crackpots from the true prohets? Real life experience: I was asked to do a community Bible study, and I accepted the invitation enthusiastically. Once I started to scratch the surface and got in contact with a woman who was to be instrumental in this, I decided not to lead the Bible study. While we were talking on the phone, she said that God told her to tell me to base the Bible study on getting saved because people who attend the study might think they're saved but aren't. She told me she commits to memory (a famous preacher on the radio). Having listened to him, I have heard some genuinely good stuff, but I disagree with him on the salvation/baptism issue. My point is, I disagree with what the woman was trying to do - manipulative pastoral care, and soteriological differences. However, how do I really know she wasn't John? The waters (nice metaphor, huh?) are muddier than we think - except for the conviction of my own heart, I don't know that God DIDN'T tell her to tell me to make sure everyone was saved "correctly." (must do the 4 steps, make verbal confession, must be baptized by immersion). After all, I'm as confidently in disagreement with her stance as she is with her stance. (the fact that she's the one with the idea and is telling me to execute it is the first red flag)
Another real life example: Several years back, in the mid-80's, a woman in my Sunday school class got laughed at (and I was one of the laughers) for saying, "How do we know that God DIDn't tell Oral Roberts he'd call him home if he raised this money?" Now I'm thinking, she's right - I don't believe God said that to Roberts, but I can't prove or even know beyond the shadow of a doubt.
I like KB's idea of the message centering on listening to the "Johns" in our life - and how we discern truth from someone else's agenda.
Sally in GA (sorry for the long post - I love "muddy waters" conundrums)
Oh, BTW:
Sharing personal stuff is fine by me. I pray for the person whenever I read a burden. I do, however, think we rush to help folks in ways in which they aren't asking for help. We can bear each others' burdens (heaven knows, I've unburdened here, myself) without solving their problems for them.
That said, I'm going to ask for prayer for my friend who has 4 brain tumors. Just prayer, no medical advice. :o)
God bless you all!
Sally
Michelle, Eric, & all others interested in the Hebrew/Greek of Isa 1:3 --
While there isn't punctuation in the originals, there are textual indicators that a quote begins in a certain place. Our English texts have got it pretty much right in this case. The Masoretic Text (Hebrew) has the quote beginning with "In the desert, prepare..." The New Testament quotes the LXX (Septuagint; Grk tr of O.T. done around 70 B.C., if I recall correctlyn due to the Hellenizing of the culture,) as it often does, since it was sort of the NIV of its day and since the LXX's variations tend to better lend themselves to Messianic interpretaions. In this case, the indicator in the LXX is that the quote should begin with "Prepare the way..." rather than "In the desert."
Why the change? Partly because the LXX translators didn't do a very hot job with anything beyond the Torah (because a] they didn't deem it as of much importance as--and sometimes of less canonical value than--the Torah; and b] they had lost touch with the original Hebrew language and vocabulary, to the extent that much of the LXX is more of a paraphrase than a translation.) However, one may also certainly see the hand of God here, that in his foreknowledge of the nature & location of John the Baptizer's ministry, permitted this mild textual variant.
Probably for the Isa text, you want to consider what "wilderness" meant to the Jews. A lot of their history comes out of the barrenness of the desert there. That's where you meet God. It's also where you were when God seemed to have abandoned you.
Okay, sorry about the long and extravagant explanation, but I'm a Biblical language prof on the side, as well as a preacher.
Rabbi in IL
This year I'm focusing on the three "ghosts" (or the "spirits?") of Christmas - past, present & future, keeping in mind Dicken's "A Christmas Carol." The texts seem to lend themselves to this, with the three "comings" of Christ. Last week started with the Ghost of Christmas Future - I compared the frightening ghost of Christmas Future with the Spirit of last week's text, where, among the frightening realities we face, there is the promise of Christ's presence.
This week it is the Ghost of Christmas Past, with John tying into the prophetic voice, calling the people out to the wilderness experience and to their roots, turning away from a hedonistic existence, back to what was seen, among Jews, as an age of purity, when they were refined in the wilderness and prepared to receive the promise. sdfI'm still early in preparation, but intend to talk about our "repentance" as well, our need for a new path that is grounded in the promise espoused by the prophets and which comes to fulfillment in Christ.
Thanks for all your contributions. I haven't been on for a while - a really tough year, but God has been faithful. Thanks for your wonderful insights!
Gary in New Bern, NC
I may title my sermon "The Beginning of the Good News" and talk about how this good news starts with repentance and forgiveness. Repentance lays the groundwork for forgiveness. But forgiveness is the point, the reason we can move on to good news. (Does this apply to your church, Eric?)
DGinNYC
Dear Friends, the electrons on the web and in my head are buzzing. I have just one warning to those using "Johns" in reference to those who are or might be prophets. Just remember "Johns" in a lot of people's minds are a hooker's customer. Sorry. I was a prison chaplain for almost 6 years before the budget ran out and that is the way my mind thinks.
Mike in NC
Dear Friends, one other thought then I am hitting the sack. To Sally in GA, you were saying something about Ginsu knives? For the past two days I have had the idea of an "infomercial" during the sermon. I am going to have the phone ring in the middle of the sermon. My Bishop will be on the other end informing me that the budget for the conference is stressed. In order to supliment the budget without raising apportionments all clergy are ordered to have a paid commercial. The packet will be under the pulpit for this week. It will my "Advent Infomercial" and will it will play off the commercials that just seem to keep on adding more. In the end it will be...free. At least to us. Tomarrow is suppose to be nasty so I will be parked in front of my computer working up the script. If anyone is interested, I will put a link to the rough draft here Thursday. Mike in NC.
According to Barclay, the desert that John lived in was a very strange looking place (not the flat desert that I am familiar with from my days in West texas) It is a limestone desert and there are many strange formations. The ground is uneven and rough, and the formations cast frightening shadows. To me, it sounds like a nightmarish place, a place best avoided by anyone with any sense at all.But it is the place where prophets come from (I think it's in Stephen King's The Stand, where one of the characters talks about the Old testament prophets and wonders if there were those who went mad in the desert and never came back)John is dressed as Elijah was, and remember that the Jews believe(d) that Elijah has to come back before the Messiah.
On the baptism- when a Gentile converted to Judaism, he had to be circumcised, and had to be purified by water before he was recognized as a Jew.
What is different about John is that he said the the Jews also have to undergo this purification.
I need HELP finding a quote from Flannery O'Connor, the great Southern writer. When she was asked why she used such grotesque characters and situations in her writing, she said something like "When the ears have grown dull, only a trumpet will do" but I don't remember the exact quotation (and yes, I am that particular about quotations- at least when I can find them :-)It may be in Tom Long's book of sermons "Shepherds and Bathrobes" which was originally entitled "When SOmething is About to Happen"
It's good to be back with you all
Revgilmer in Texarkana
