Reflections on "Bringing Good News to the World" Isaiah 61: 1-4; Luke 1: 39-55

Some weeks, the sermon just flows with less work; other weeks, the more I work, the more difficult the sermon writing seems to get.  This sermon happened to fall into the latter category.  The more I worked with the text, the harder the sermon got.  I was still adjusting it moments before the Chapel service, and then readjusted it between services, and would like to have a shot at readjusting it again!  Although, I think I would throw it out and start over again.

Perhaps the stumbling block related to the realization that both texts were less cheery and more challenging.  Sometimes I get a bit self-conscious about using Advent hymns and preaching prophetic texts in December.  Whatever the cause, I had about the worst case of sermon struggles that I've had in a long time.

“Bringing Good News” December 11, 2011; FPC, Troy; ^3rd Advent;Isaiah 61: 1-4; 8-11; Luke 1: 39-55

Introduction: If I had titled my sermon after I was done preparing it, the title would have changed to something like, “Be careful what you ask for!”

Move 1: The Israelites to whom Isaiah prophesies are not where they want to be or who they want to be.

a. They find themselves in Babylonian exile.

1. Taken from their homeland.
2. Living as strangers in a foreign land.
3. Treated as far less than equals.
4. Looking at their relationship with God and noting the many ways they have sinned and turned away from God.
5. They look at where they are, they look at their lives, and they long for something more.

b. Enter the prophet Isaiah.

1. A messenger bringing them good news.

1. Common phrase from this section of Isaiah
2. A recognition that the Israelites desperately need some good news.

c. The good news brings them life giving hope..
1. The messenger arrives with good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-heated, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;

2. An offer of redemption for the people of Israel who want something different.

500. But be careful what you ask for.
     1. as the messenger will explain a few verses later, the good news for the Israelites also reflects the new way of life to which God is calling them.
     2. The good news of freedom and release and comfort comes from the God who desires those things from the Israelites as well.
     2. God brings good news to the Israelites and a chance for new life, but God also demands that they change their ways.
     3. that they live the good news.

Move 2: Generations later the people of God are still not where they want to be.

a. God sends the messenger.

1. More than a messenger, the Son of God is on his way.
2. A baby to be born to Mary.
3. A sweet, angelic baby; no crying he makes.

b. But listen to how Mary describes the child she will bear.

1. Mary does not look like the rough, John the Baptist.
2. The words she speaks may be set to music as admired as a mother's beautiful comment on the baby in her womb.
3. But she describes her baby in terms of the demands he will make.
4. His mercy is for those who fear him
   from generation to generation.
   He has shown strength with his rm;
   he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
   He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
   and lifted up the lowly;
   he has filled the hungry with good things,
   and sent the rich away empty.
   He has helped his servant Israel,
   in remembrance of his mercy,
   according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
   to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’
5. Mary's poetic words bring the same message as John the Baptist – “repent!”
6. again, the link between the good news God sends God's people and the call to change their live.
7. The good news is that God is coming in Christ to bring them to a new place in life; the challenge is the God expects them to be changed.

Move 3: We are not who we want to be and where we want to be.

a. One of the truths I have learned about the Christmas season is that at times it can be difficult.

1. For some of us, we struggle to feel any joy at this time of year. We hear the call to be joyous, but we cannot move beyond the fact that we are not who we want to be and the world is not what we want it to be.
2. For many of us, we celebrate and feel the joy, but every once in a while we get this sense that things are not quite how they should be – maybe you sing about the Prince of Peace and wonder why are world is still at war; or you find yourself at a family gathering and wonder why you still have broken relationships.
3. WE can join with the Israelites who were not where they wanted to be, who need to hear good news.
   4. We have this sense that the Christ-child is indeed the good news we so desperately need.

5. So we welcome the baby born to Mary as our life-giving hope.
6. But with that life-giving hope comes the call to change our lives. To be people who free the oppressed and comfort those who mourn.
7. It is not enough to receive the good news; we must live the good news and share it with others.
   b. Rev. Fred Shuttleworth died in October; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Shuttlesworth
   1. African-American minister;
   2. Civil rights leader in Birmingham.
   3. Worked with Martin Luther King, Jr.
   4. Peaceful demonstrations, but fiery.
   5. Often paired with MLK, Jr.
   6. Antagonized Bull Connor police chief of Birmingham
   7. Some have said that his antagonistic relationship with the police chief was part of the reason the police chief gave the order to turn the dogs on the marchers and spray the fire hoses.
   8. Many historians pinpoint that as a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement.
   9 As photos of snarling dogs attacking marchers and powerful streams of water knocking people down (Rev. Shuttleworth suffered injuries from the water), it caused the nation to stop and say, “This is not who we want to be.”
   10. To get where they wanted, they had to free the prisoners of segregation.
   Advent is a time when we are invited to assess our lives – to examine who we are and where our world is and contemplate who we want to be.
   Be careful what you ask for – the Christ-child comes to bring us good news; but he will grow into the one who calls out to us, “Follow me!”

Conclusion: Caroling; Caring Bridge; Family member crying as we sang and hugged me and she said, “You'll never know how much this meant to us.”

People not where they want to be. Hearing the words of hope sung and discovering the one who brings them good news.

Hear the Good news. Christ comes to show you the way to that new place you desire. Hear the challenge – Christ calls us to follow.

I consulted Prof.  Elna K. Solvang sermon notes this week in my sermon preparation.  http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?lect_date=12/11/2011