JANUARY 2019 EDITION... HAPPY NEW YEAR... WONDERFUL WORDS OF LIFE...

By Dr. Keith J. Wise

I. INTRODUCTION: According to our calendar we are entering the year 2019.  Have you ever wondered how our modern calendar was established to mark out our days, months and years?  Historically, Julius Caesar under the Roman calendar revised that calendar in 46B.C.  His goal was to fit it to the time elapsing each year, which was exactly 365 days, 5 hour, 48 minutes, and 45.51 seconds.  Inasmuch as a year is approximately 365 1/4 days long, Caesar decreed the fractions should be taken care of by adding a day to the calendar every fourth year.  There was a slight error in his calculations and the calendar was ten days ahead of astronomical time. By A.D. 1582, Pope Gregory righted the mistake by advising the omission of "Leap Year" at the end of each century, except those divisible by 400.  Since then our present calendar has been known as the Gregorian Calendar.  

II. DIGGING DEEPER... EXTENDING THE CHRISTMAS MESSAGE...

The Christmas message is a message of hope for a world that is destined for death and destruction.  It speaks of hope and resurrection.  These have been the longings of the human heart since the fall of man.  Confusioningly, the methods and systems have been blurred by man's clouded reasoning, sin, and ignorant religiosity.  God in His infinite wisdom began a gradual and recorded systematic revelation to fulfill His promises to mankind.  This would be done at first by Patriarchs, then a  special people known as Israel, and finally the Son, the Messiah himself in Christ Jesus.  In short, LOVE CAME DOWN AT CHRISTMAS. How does the awe of Christmas continue in the ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ?

We have been looking at the Gospel of Matthew in retrospect to see just one recorded avenue of this divine methodology.  John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah, is preparing the way for a message and method that was prophesied that would change the world. If we read Matthew chapter 1:1-12, we see a challenging message for his hearers and ourselves as we prepare our hearts for the message of Christ.  In his context, John lives and preaches in the wilderness, wears clothing made of camel's hair, and eats locusts and wild honey.  Yet, and here is the contrast, he is popular: He draws "the people of Jerusalem and all Judea." Furthermore, he manages to attract members from the two major religious parties, the Pharisees and the Sadducees.   The people listen to John the Baptist and consequently, they are baptized by his baptism after they have confess their sins.  There is undoubtedly something in John's message that makes sense for them and meets their genuine religious need and expectation.

John's message is powerful but becomes more specific and incisive.  He denounces the dishonesty of the Pharisees and challenges their self-assurance and religious pride about salvation on the sole basis of their Abrahamic ancestry.  You would think this would have resulted in a reduction of his crowds.  On the contrary,  John will not alter and adjust his message for anyone since it comes direct from God.  His alternative is to prepare them for a greater capacity through the Word himself, revealed to man as a man as we identify as Jesus.  God's love is expanded as the fallow hearts of men are broken open and exposed in that will bring true redemption and life.  John the Baptist does not compromise on the demands for repentance, just as he does not compromise on the good news he has come to announce: "The kingdom of heaven has come near."  The good news proclaimed by Jesus will be no different, and his demands no less challenging.  We must remember, this is the beginnings of the GOOD NEWS!!!  Stay tune, there is more to come.

If we continue reading in Matthew 3:13-17, God is no less dramatic in his timing after the birth of the Christ than on that night the Shepherds heard and obeyed, and a year or so later when the Wise Men arrived at a house in Bethlehem.(Matt.2:11)

Now, John the Baptist has begun preaching repentance and is baptizing a baptism of repentance.  Surprisingly, out of the crowd walks a different personality who has never committed any sin and in John's eyes he is unfit to baptize.  Our Lord respondingly, in verse 15, will inform John that this is "to fulfill all righteousness." This was Jesus' personal choice, showing his great desire to identify with his own people and to faithfully observe God's covenant.  Jesus is the righteous one, the perfect Servant of God, willing to serve God's people as well.

This baptism is as dramatic as any event we can read in the four Gospels.  The significance of the episode, though, it is delivered by a heavenly vision--- the opening of the heavens and the descent of the Spirit of God---and by a "voice from heaven."  The baptism of Jesus, in a sense, turns to a anointment scene: Hereafter, the Spirit of God will rest upon Jesus and lead him in his public ministry.  If we accept Jesus as God we see in this scene the three in one of the trinity in one place and at one time acknowledged. 

Ironically, Jesus came to the Jordan River as one among the crowd, and he now gets out of its waters as the Beloved Son of God, the true Servant in whom God is well pleased.  All of these contrasts are for us to see and affirm in our hearts and believe in "the only begotten of the Father."

III. NUGGETS OF NOURISHMENT... A New Year's Message...(Sermon Outline)

     Title: New Clothes Befitting the Christian-

     Text: Colossians 3:8-17

     Introduction: In a number of churches in Chennai, India, the Christian women in a this vast city, prepared all year to present their children's clothing and publically illustrate their hope for the new year.  These clothes are ceremonially taken off and given to the poor of the community and especially families of orphans without parents.  Interestingly, the Apostle Paul in the book of Colossians gives a similar picture of putting "on" and "off" clothing as qualities of the Christian life.

      A. To Live the Christian Life...We must put off the old garments of the old man. (vs. 8)

      B. To Live the Christian Life... We must put on the new man with better garments. (vs. 10)

      C. To Live the Christian Life we ask, "What do these garments look like?"

             Compassion, Kindness, Humility, Gentleness, Patience-(vs.10) 

       D. To Live the Christian Life...We do so by "bolstering"  these qualities as we put them on. (vs. 13-17)

Conclusion: As Christians, we are to be sensitive to the changes God is bringing to our lives as we seek His daily strength.  These "encouragements" tell us to not respond in our flesh, but now we respond in the spirit.  Our new garments are now bond together in Love. Here are some lyrics to a chorus we use to sing...

(BIND US TOGETHER)- "Bind us together, Lord, bind us together with chords that can not be broken.  Bind us together Lord, bind us together Lord bind us together in love."

IV. QUOTES AND OBSERVATIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR AHEAD...

                                          The Clock Continues to Tick

My grandmother once had an old clock that seemed to constantly continued to tick on the wall.  The hands moved.  Second, minutes, hours, days, weeks, and months faded away into eternity.  The sun rises and the sun sets.  The season come and the season go.  The earth, the home of man, circles the sun and overhead in the heavens the stars look down.

     And man with his more powerful telescopes search the heavens as more and more stars become visible. Behold, the vastness of outer space lay out before us. Man has landed on the Moon and we send probes to Mars.  We feel we are pretty brilliant and self aware.  On the earth, man walks on this globe and investigates the seas and continues to learn, analyze and reach certain conclusions.  But still as one learned scientist has said, "...the more we learn the more we learn we don't know and the questions continue to grow." Without God we are particles of animated dust. Is this our plight and portion?  I think not, we are made in the image of God prepared for greater purposes than we can imagine.

     From roaming the universe our thoughts come back again to the old clock ticking on the wall, and the wisdom of the ages whispers to us that weight on the scales of life's experiences. All the arts, sciences, and the 'ologies are outweighed by far through a kindly smile, a kindly word, a kindly handclasp, or a kindly wish.  Therefore, as time is the stuff of which life consist, may the giver of life give us no more and no less than all the joy and happiness we need for a new year. And as we not only strive for a purpose driven life, but we also seek a meaning driven life in the short time we have in love and sharing in those seconds, minutes, hours, and days. 

V. QUOTES WITH MEANING...

1. Henry Halsey Starrett- "The greatest of all arts is the art of losing ourselves in the service of others."

2. Wordsworth- "The best portion of a good man's life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love."

3. Unknown: "The most utterly lost of all days, is that in which you have not laughed."

4. Translated from Latin: "Spare moments are the gold dust of time.  Of all the portions of our life, the spare moments are the most fruitful in good or evil."

POETIC TIME PIECES FOR A NEW YEAR...  JUST FOR TODAY...

JUST FOR TODAY... I will exercise my soul in three ways:

         I will do somebody a good deed, and not get found out.

         I will do something I did not want to do...just for the exercise.

         And today, if my feelings are hurt, I will not let anyone know but learn.

JUST FOR TODAY... I will look as well as I can, talk pleasingly, be courteous, limit my criticism, and try not to improve anyone except myself without being self centered.

JUST FOR TODAY... I will have a proactive strategy; I may not follow it exactly but I will have one.  Thereby I will be saved from two pests: hurry and indecision.

JUST FOR TODAY... I will have a quiet time by myself for meditation. The best book I have found to prime and refresh my mind and spirit will be the Wisdom Literature of the Hebrew Scriptures. (excerpts from Psalms, Proverbs etc.) In this quiet time I will be refreshed by looking at my life and reflecting on the good gifts I have received in people, employment and life in general.

JUST FOR TODAY... I will not be afraid; I will cultivate courage and faith in the future because I have a God who goes before me. He allows me to see the beauty in the lives of people around me. I will sow good things in my environment so that as I sow I know I will also reap.  As scripture teaches, "...be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good."

                                    

    

     

        

       

   

DECEMBER EDITION... 2018...  by Dr. Keith J. Wise

INTRODUCTION: The month of December has in our memory always been associated with Christmas.  But as one considers the descriptions of the Middle East and especially the area of Israel, it was probably either late in summer or early fall when the angels appear to the shepherds.  We can't help but be overwhelmed by the vast preparation that God the Father made for Christ the Son to arrive and complete the plan of redemption for the world.  His coming was foretold, announced and almost hurmously revealed as we look more closely at the notice made to the Priest Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth in Luke chapter one.  John the Baptist who would latter say that he would proclaim "...make straight the way of the Lord," was the symbol of prophet Elijah.

John the Baptist's coming was nearly as miraculous as that of Jesus as we compare his received announcement of having a child in old age and that of Mary, a virgin, receiving her visitation as a young virgin women.  These events of John the Baptist and Jesus our savior can teach us a number of important lessons.

A. John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus.  How may we prepare the way so Jesus the Christ can reach others through us?

B. John the Baptist warned some of his listeners to produce fruit in keeping with repentance.  What is this fruit and how do we produce it?

C. Some of John's Jewish audience mistakenly trusted in their blood relationship with Abraham to save them.  Do we ever trust in other devices to save us rather than simple obedience to Christ in his sacrificial death, burial and resurrection?

D. John the Baptist used agricultural illustrations to give meaning to great spiritual lessons.  He noted the picture of the  Lord separating the wheat from the chaff?  How do we make sure we are wheat and not chaff?  

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION: LUKE 1: 5-45 FOR STUDY. (See below)

II. DIGGING DEEPER... "A census of the entire Roman world."

God has always used earthly circumstances to direct his heavenly will and purposes.  If we read Luke 2:1-3 Caesar Augustus having consolidated the Mediterranean basin after years of civil war, was determined to unite his empire beyond simple military conquest.  To to this a census was ordered to determine his population and access.  The archaeology now confirms this and many other census' were taken over the years of what has become known as the Pax Romana.  

Skeptics tend to confuse the ancient calendars with modern ones and sometimes forget to compare apples and oranges.  The scriptural notation is 'This was the first census while Quirinius was governor of Syria'(Luke 2:2).  We know from Roman archives that in fact, Sentius Saturninus was governor of Syria at the time of the census in 4B.C. when Jesus was born.  So how do we reconcile this contradiction?  

Renowned archaeologist, Sir William Ramsey, discovered that while Sentius Saturninus was governor of Syria at the time of the census in 4B.C.(the majority of scholarship place Jesus' birth between 6-4 B.C.),  Quirinius controlled the armies and directed the foreign policy of Syria.  There are numerous examples from Roman History of such an arrangement.  Quirinius was the senior of the two officials.  Thus, both of these statements are true at the same time and not contradictory. Luke makes reference to the already recognized arrangement.

     A. BACK TO GOD'S PREPARATION: Earlier we discussed the experience of Zacharias and Elisabeth in regards to John the Baptist.  Zacharias was a priest (Luke 1:5) in Jerusalem, and Josephus tells us there were more than twenty thousand priests living in Judea "in the days of Herod the king."  These priest were a mixed lot by the time we get to the New Testament record. Any number were like those whom Malachi denounced as degrading the Temple services of the day(Mal.2:1ff.).  On the other hand, we are told after the resurrection that "a great number of the priests were obedient to the faith." (Acts 6:7)  As we can see on several occasions in scripture, God raises up good people in the worst of times.

We are thus introduced to the priest Zacharias. He had been careful to observe the law regarding the marriage of priests (Lev. 21:7ff.).  He had married the devout daughter of a priest.  She was a descendant of Aaron.  She was named Elisabeth after the wife of Aaron.(Luke 1:5, Exodus 6:23). Their home was an example of domestic harmony.  Their personal lives were beyond reproach.  Everything they did brought glory to their Creator.  Yet they were childless.

As Zacharias was performing the ritual before the Holy of Holies of burning incense, suddenly there stood before him was no mortal man, but and angel of the Lord (Luke 1:11).  He was on the "right side of the altar."  This would place him between the altar and the golden candlestick.  On the left side of the altar was the Table of Shewbread (Ex.40:22).  The angel identified himself as Gabriel.(Luke 1:19).

In the presence of the supernatural, Zacharias "feared and trembled" (Luke 1:12).  The angel used the lovely phrase which was to become almost the theme song of the gospels, "Fear not."  Then he informed Zacharias that his prayer was heard.  Did I miss something...what prayer?  As we read on we know he and Elisabeth had prayed for children, but instead of responding to the angel in faith he produced a grinding excuse of pathetic dimensions.  He said, "I am an old man, and my wife is well stricken in years" (Luke 1:18).  He expressed almost a reluctant hopelessness attending this experience. Had he forgotten about Abraham and Sara?

The offering of incense was symbolic of prayer (Revelation 5:8, Malachi 1:11).  The people worshipping in the courts of the Temple were praying while the sweet-smelling smoke was rising from the altar within.  The leader chanted the age-old prayer, "May the God of mercy enter the sanctuary, and be pleased to accept the sacrifice of His people."  The response of the congregation was, "Blessed be the name of the glory of the Kingdom of God forever."

When the priest re-entered the courtyard from the Holy Place, he dismissed the people with the traditional Benediction.  "The Lord bless thee and keep thee; the Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace" (Numbers 6:24ff. KJV)

On this occasion, the people grew restive waiting for Zacharias.  It was not merely that they wanted his blessing so that they could go home.  It was contrary to all precedent for a priest to prolong his stay in the Holy Place.  They did not know what kept him (Luke 1:21).

When he finally appeared before the assembly, he was unable to pronounce the Benediction.  He stood before them silent.  He had to dismiss them with signs.  They went away understanding that "he had seen a vision" (Luke 1:22).

Zacharias returned to his wife in the Judean hills.  The name of the city is not mentioned.  Several oral traditions exist concerning the days and weeks before the "visitation of Mary" to the house of Elisabeth. (Luke 1:39-55)  In due time, John the Baptist was born.  On the occasion of his circumcision, the speech of his father Zacharias was restored.  "Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit," and sang the glorious song known as the Benedictus (Luke 1:67ff).

In a footnote of interest, the biblical record now has Zacharias fading from the scene. However, several of the early Church Fathers, including Origen, identify him with the Zacharias who is mentioned in Matthew 23:35.  They further allege that this brutal murder was the work of Herod.  If that is so, then Herod the Great murdered Zacharias, and Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, murdered John the Baptist, son of Zacharias. (Matthew 14:1ff.).

III. NUGGETS OF NOURISHMENT... "When Jesus Came..."Angels" (Sermon)

Text: Luke 2:13-15

Introduction: The Bible has much to say about Angels.  In this episode of the Angel announcements to the Shepherds, we see a distinction between "An Angel of the Lord" and a "multitude of the heavenly hosts."  (vs. 9 and verse 13)  At first glance we do notice that dramatic difference in English.  However, in the Old Testament "the angel of the Lord" appears several times and in several special places. He appeared to Hagar (Gen.16:7ff.); to Moses at Horeb (Ex.3:2); to David at the threshing-floor of Araunah (I Chron. 21:6ff.); to Balaam (Num. 22:22); to Gideon to lead Israel to victory (Judges 6:11ff.); to the mother of Samson (Judges 13:3ff.) to answer Hezekiah's prayer for deliverance from the hand of Sennacherib(II Kings 19:35); finally to Zechariah the father of John the Baptist (1:10-11ff.).  If you think about the Christmas story and the announcement of the Angel to the Shepherds, it is anything but a "Silent Night" as a popular hymn so sentimentally like to refrain.

I. It was not silent in Bethlehem- (Luke 2:7) The hope of the ages was born. The Jewish view of Shalom, encompassed the community.  There would have people outside the door, even if Mary and Joseph were alone.  

II. It was not silent in the Judean hills- (Luke 2:8-12, 16-20) The news and command of the angle suddenly "changed the plans of the shepherds."  They were going to see "this thing which had come to pass."

III. It was not silent in the realms of Heaven- (Luke 2:13,14) Joining the Angel of the Lord was "a multitude or company of heavenly host praising God and saying, 'glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of whom his favor rests." 

IV. It could not have been silent in Hell- (Genesis 3:13-15)- The promise made in the beginning with the fall of man was now coming to bear it's eternal fruit.  The "seed of women" was born and would "crush" the serpent's head.  The enemy knew his time was short. The "Lord Immanuel" was born.  The promise of peace by the prince of peace was coming to fruition.  We now so sing adoringly "...Oh, come to us, abide with us our Lord Immanuel."

Conclusion:

IV QUOTES AND QUIPS FOR CHRISTMAS....

OH COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL...  The origin of the world's most widely known Christmas carol was hidden as a mystery until the early decades of the 20th century.  From the discovery of a manuscript by an English vicar, it now appears that the words were composed and set to music by a John Francis Wade in 1744. 

It is truly an international carol.  Wade, an Englishman living in France, wrote the words in Latin.  It was later known as the Portuguese Hymn.  This may be because it was early used in the chapel of the Portuguese London embassy.

The song has been translated into 120 languages.  Although more than forty English translations have been made, the best known today was done by Frederick Oakeley in 1852.  The majestic melody captured the imagination of Americans, and has seen service as a tune in other than Christmas settings. Sung to the words of "How Firm a Foundation," it was a favorite of such national leaders as Theodore Roosevelt and Robert E. Lee.

Word-pictures are painted so clearly by the song that children dearly enjoy singing it.  Many learned the Latin words, too, which begin "Adeste fideles..." as this melody expresses the triumphant message of the incarnation. 

JUST THINKING... (A Quote by Daniel Webster)-  "If we work upon marble, it will perish.  If we work upon brass, time will efface it.  If we rear temples, they will crumble into dust. But if we work upon man's immortal souls, if we imbue them with high principles, with the just fear of God and love of their fellow men, we engrave them on those tablets something which no time can efface, and which will brighten and brighten through all eternity."

A PERSONAL NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR AND PUBLISHER...

As we end the year of 2018 and look to 2019 I want to thank everyone who reads and appreciates my efforts of enriching your lives.  Ministers who use the sermons and quotes, scholars who "fact check" me, thank you.  For the common, yet splendid reader who just appreciates positive and meaningful enrichment.