Sermon - 2019-12-08

As we continue in this season of Advent, we come to this Sunday longing for peace.  Our hope turns to peace. What has changed for you this week, that last week we were so worried about, that everything in our heart and mind was consumed, something that kept us up at night so that all of our time and energy may have been focused upon that?  Yet, now do we even remember what it is that consumed our thoughts from this past week? This past year? If only it were that simple, to have peace.  

In our lives, an event, a person, or a fear will keep us up and we are left wondering when shall our hope for calm, for justice, and for safety or security actually come to us?  What would be the event that would distract us, that would solve our issues or even better cause us to not have to worry again. What is it that will get you and all of humanity to realize that Peace is possible?

Now I realize that this sounds crazy.  I mean we have been fighting for thousands of years and wars have been fought from nation against nation. People have struggled with inner turmoil and longed for inner peace.  What answer do I have that people have been searching for but have never realized? What secret formula or product would I sell for $19.99 plus shipping and handling so that the world might have peace?  

Here it is today and I will give it to you for free because it was given to me for free.  A simple formula of Repentance and Forgiveness. Oh, is that all? That first part of the worship service where we tell God what it is we have done wrong, how messed up I am and the world around me, that part where I feel helpless because I can’t do it all myself?  Yes, That’s where it all begins.  

Realizing that it is not about you and when you try to do things alone, that you find yourself in over your head.  You find yourself overwhelmed by the challenges and obstacles that others have set against you or that you have set against yourself.  Now just doing this for yourself is helpful but it is more important who you are taking your burdens, challenges, and obstacles to for help.  When you come to God, you are coming to the Creator and Sustainer of all things. The one who understands and knows life is not easy. God is able to start to bring healing to the wounds that we see and the wounds we did not realize that were there. 

It is hereby first emptying yourself of your own burdens that you begin to then to make room for what God truly has in store for you. Then we are able to hear the words of Forgiveness.  Yes, the words spoke directly to you for you to understand and actually know what they are meant for you to hear and heal the brokenness of your own life. God forgives you, not because of what you have done, not because you shared all of your burdens but because when God looks at you, God sees Jesus Christ, His own son.  

Now I know that this all sounds crazy and seems a little weird when hearing it.  I mean it sounds so simple but when I look at the world, I do not see it working.  I know but then again, how much of the world is truly honest in their confession, how much of the world truly take to heart the Forgiveness, the very gift that is freely and fully given.  The sad reality is that the world comes to this simple process and says, Nope, too easy, I want there to be more for me to do, I want there to be more for others that they have to do. Yet it is in this complexity that we continue in the brokenness, heartache and distancing ourselves from God is coming to us.  

Confession and Forgiveness sound simple and yet we make it so complex.  Not for us, and we carry our burdens further in this world. Peace, a gift freely given to us yet one that we refuse to unwrap though it has our name on it.  

In this season of Advent, I pray that you would be able to take some time and really dwell upon the message, the words, and the gifts that you are given by God every single day and at long last, open them to share with the world around you.  Amen.