This morning – Fourth of the Sermon series 'John the Baptist - No Greater Prophet'
Theme: 'A Great Danger' (Matthew 11: 2-11)
Third Sunday of Advent
15 December 2013
¯ THIS MORNING'S MUSIC OF PRAISE:
7 (v 1, 2), 904, (alt), 739, 364.
FIRST BIBLE READING:
Isaiah 35: 1–10; 'God himself will come to save us'
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of
Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.
Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, 'Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God.
He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you'.
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of
jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God's people; no traveller, not even fools,
shall go astray.
No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall
return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
SECOND BIBLE READING:
James 5: 7-10; 'Do not lose heart '
Be patient, then, my brothers and sisters, until the Lord comes. See how patient a farmer is as he waits for his land to produce precious crops.
He waits patiently for the autumn and spring rains. You also must be patient. Keep your hopes high, for the day of the Lord's coming is near.
Do not complain against one another, so that God will not judge you. The Judge is near, ready to appear.
My brothers and sisters, remember the prophets who spoke in the name of he Lord. Take them as examples of patient endurance under suffering.
GOSPEL READING:
Hear the Gospel of the Lord as it is written in Matthew 11: 2-11 'Jesus and John the Baptist'
When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent is disciples to ask him, 'Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?'
Jesus replied, 'Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are
raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the one who does not fall away on account of me'.
As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: 'What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see?
A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
This is the one about whom it is written:
"I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you".
I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet those who are least in the kingdom of heaven are greater
than he'.
NOTES ON THE READINGS:
ISAIAH 35: 1-10:
After describing in the previous chapter devastations and punishments inflicted by the Lord God, Isaiah in this prophecy now outlines a glorious and joyous return of God' s people to Jerusalem. In a poetic way he contrasts the journey through the desert to the privations of the first Exodus. The desert will bloom with verdant flowers and trees, people will be physically healed, and the dangers of wild animals will be absent. The Lord will bring his cleansed and redeemed people over a highway in holiness, eagerly approaching his temple with singing. Christ's miraculous final coming will further complete the perfect joy and peaceful prosperity of God's people in the Father's house forever.
JAMES 5: 7-10:
Just as the farmer cannot hasten the germination, growth, ripening and harvesting of his seed, nor control the timing of the rains, so with the final harvest of God's people.
Patient waiting for the coming of the Lord always means painstaking patience and undeviating constancy in applying the principles of love to one another.
MATTHEW 11:2-11:
Whatever John' s motives in sending his disciples to Jesus to ask whether or not he was the Messiah, Jesus' answer was both definite and illuminating. Jesus pointed the Baptist to the signs of messiahship. The miracles mentioned in his answer parallel the list which Isaiah connected with the return of God's people from sin and separation to the everlasting joy of God's presence. Herein the Baptist and his disciples would be able to find the answer to their question. Jesus further goes on to affirm John's stalwart and brave greatness in the Kingdom by citing Isaiah's prophecy concerning John's preparation for the coming work of the Messiah.
Bible readings for Sunday 22nd December:
Isaiah 7: 10 -16, Romans 1: 1 - 7, Matthew 1: 18 - 25
Announcements:
1. This week in the Lord's Service - 15th - 22nd Dec:
This morning - Sunday School led by Claire Menzel.
(Sunday School resumes February 2014).
Tuesday - 2.30 pm to 4.00 pm - fellowship worship service with Holy Communion. Afternoon tea to follow. All welcome to come along!
Tuesday - 6.30 pm -Church Council.
Saturday - 10.00 am - 11.00 am - 'Sing - along' time for those who wish to learn songs for the Sunday.
Saturday - 11.00 am to 12 noon - Choir practice.
Next Sunday - 9.30 am - Public Divine service - (With Holy Communion) - Sermon series continues- 'John the Baptist - No Greater Prophet' -
Theme: 'A Great Model' (John 3: 22-30, Luke 7: 28).
2. Christmas Services:
Worship services at 'Our Redeemer' are as follows:
Christmas Eve (24thDec) - 7.30 pm - (Non H.C.)
Christmas Day (25thDec) - 9.30 am - (With H.C.)
Sunday 29th December - 9.30 am - (Non H.C).
3. 'A Hearing Heart' (Resource) :
An LCA publication 'A Hearing Heart' - The art of hermeneutics by Rev Dr Greg Lockwood, an overview of the basic understanding of divine and
human aspects of Holy Scripture and as a useful resource leading up to the issue of women's ordination in the church, is being made available to
members.
The cost of the booklet is $5.00. Members are encouraged to read through this and a list has been made available in the front foyer for members
to place their names if they wish to obtain a copy.
Three copies of the booklet are also available to borrow from our church library.
4. LSF National Retreat - Jan 2014:
A further reminder of the LSF national camp for young adults which will take place at Tandara Camp, Hall's Gap from 20th - 24th January, 2014.
Please see notice board near kitchen.
Coming up for your diary:
Tuesday 31st December - 7.30 pm - Greater Geelong combined New Year's Eve worship service
with Holy Communion at 'Our Redeemer'. Members are invited to bring a plate of food to share.
Friday 31st January - 9.30 am - Worship Team.
Sunday 16th February - (after worship) - A.G.M.