December 29, 2019 - Hebrews 2:10-18 - Jesus our 'Pioneer'

Jesus was veiled in human flesh in order to come into this world and be our guide to salvation, our bridge, our 'pioneer'... "the pioneer of our salvation."

Take a listen to the sermon from this past Sunday.  It was my last sermon of the year and it will be several weeks before I return from our trip overseas so it will be the longest stretch I've gone since coming to Woodlawn without preaching.  The sermon was well praised and I encourage you to take a moment to listen... you just might gain a new appreciation for the coming of the Christ Child and His fate and place in the history of humanity.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In His Glory,
Roy

Hebrews 2:10-18 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
10 It was fitting that God,[a] for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father.[b] For this reason Jesus[c] is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,[d] 12 saying,

“I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,[e]
    in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.”

13 And again,
“I will put my trust in him.”

And again, 
“Here am I and the children whom God has given me.”

14 Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. 16 For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters[f] in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Footnotes:
a) Hebrews 2:10 Gk he
b) Hebrews 2:11 Gk are all of one
c) Hebrews 2:11 Gk he
d) Hebrews 2:11 Gk brothers
e) Hebrews 2:12 Gk brothers
f) Hebrews 2:17 Gk brothers


Hark The Herald Angels Sing!
[Verse 1]
Hark! the herald angels sing:
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic hosts proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! the herald angels sing:
"Glory to the newborn King!"

[Verse 2]
Christ by highest Heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! the herald angels sing:
"Glory to the newborn King!"

[Verse 3]
Hail the Heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! the herald angels sing:

"Glory to the newborn King!"

Does Jesus Care? | Frank E. Graeff
1. Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?

2. Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?

3. Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief there is no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long?

4. Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks—
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

Refrain:
Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,

I know my Savior cares.

Arxēgós (from arxḗ, "the first" and ágō, "to lead") – properly, the first in a long procession; a file-leader who pioneers the way for many others to follow. (arxēgós) does not strictly mean "author," but rather "a person who is originator or founder of a movement and continues as the leader – i.e. 'pioneer leader, founding leader' "  

Martin Luther:
The mystery of the humanity of Christ,
that He sunk Himself into our flesh,
is beyond all human understanding.

The Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 22, 2019 - Lighting the Candle of Love

In the sermon given on Sunday, December 22, 2019, I took a bit of a different approach and consideration on the 'Love' of Christ.  This was a sermon that received a great deal of positive accolades afterward. It was a sermon that brought the love of God into our modern circumstances... well, at least it attempted to.

Please take a listen and God bless you... also...

Be a blessing to someone today!

In His Love,
Roy

Matthew 1:18-25 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Birth of Jesus the Messiah
18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
23 “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
    and they shall name him Emmanuel,”
which means, “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

John 3:16-17 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
17 “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Second Sunday of Advent - December 8, 2019 - Lighting the Candle of Peace

This was the sermon delivered on the 2nd Sunday of Advent, December 8, 2019.  On that day we celebrated the lighting of the Candle of Peace.

I pray that this message of God's Peace finds you at peace in what is far, far, far too often a World that is anything but peaceful.  If we focus on Christ and His 'peace' we can know peace even when the world seems to be falling apart all around us.

Be a blessing to someone today!  (Share the peace of Christ with them)

In Christ,
Roy

Isaiah 11:1-10 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Peaceful Kingdom
11 A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,
    and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
2 The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
    the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
    the spirit of counsel and might,
    the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
3 His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.

He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
    or decide by what his ears hear;
4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
    and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
    and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
5 Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist,
    and faithfulness the belt around his loins.

6 The wolf shall live with the lamb,
    the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
    and a little child shall lead them.
7 The cow and the bear shall graze,
    their young shall lie down together;
    and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
    and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
9 They will not hurt or destroy
    on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
    as the waters cover the sea.

Return of the Remnant of Israel and Judah

10 On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.


Luke 2:8-14 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,[a] the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,[b] praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”[c]

Footnotes:
a)Luke 2:11 Or the Christ
b) Luke 2:13 Gk army
c) Luke 2:14 Other ancient authorities read peace, goodwill among people


Psalm 72:1-8 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Prayer for Guidance and Support for the King
Of Solomon.
1 Give the king your justice, O God,
    and your righteousness to a king’s son.
2 May he judge your people with righteousness,
    and your poor with justice.
3 May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,
    and the hills, in righteousness.
4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
    give deliverance to the needy,
    and crush the oppressor.

5 May he live[a] while the sun endures,
    and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
6 May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
    like showers that water the earth.
7 In his days may righteousness flourish
    and peace abound, until the moon is no more.

8 May he have dominion from sea to sea,
    and from the River to the ends of the earth.

Footnotes:
a) Psalm 72:5 Gk: Heb may they fear you


Romans 15:4-13 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6 so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Gospel for Jews and Gentiles Alike
7 Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

“Therefore I will confess[a] you among the Gentiles,
    and sing praises to your name”;

10 and again he says,

“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people”;

11 and again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
    and let all the peoples praise him”;

12 and again Isaiah says,

“The root of Jesse shall come,
    the one who rises to rule the Gentiles;
in him the Gentiles shall hope.”

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Footnotes:
a) Romans 15:9 Or thank

Art by Jon Crane

Thursday Night Worship, December 13, 2018, Preparing for the 3rd Sunday of Advent - Joy

Last Thursday night we looked at the closing verses of the letter written to the church in Philippi by the Apostle Paul (most likely while in prison in Rome).  Philippians is a letter filled with 'Joy' and it is a fitting letter to discuss on the third Sunday of Advent the Sunday upon which we light the 'Joy' candle.

Last week we discussed 'Peace' and how one can have peace even in the face of chaos and discord, having 'Joy' in the midst of troubles is perhaps a tougher concept to grasp than the idea that we can have 'Peace' amidst troubles... but in fact, we can have joy in our hearts no matter what we face as long as we hold God in our heart.  Paul and his letter to those early Christians in Philippi is a testimony to this phenomenon.

As long as we believe that Christ is our Lord and Savior, we can be joy-filled even when life's troubles rain down upon us without cease.  We can do this because we know that whatever we face here it is temporary, we live to prepare ourselves for our eternal home, our home with God.  Live a life of 'Joy' just as Paul lived in order to be a witness to others, just as Paul was a witness to so many generations of Christ-followers.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In His Joy!
Roy 

Philippians 4 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
1 1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters,[a] whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion,[b] help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

4 Rejoice[c] in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.[d] 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, beloved,[e] whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about[f] these things. 9 Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

10 I rejoice[g] in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it.[h] 11 Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress.

15 You Philippians indeed know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you alone. 16 For even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs more than once. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that accumulates to your account. 18 I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The friends[i] who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of the emperor’s household.

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.[j]

Footnotes:
a) Philippians 4:1 Gk my brothers
b) Philippians 4:3 Or loyal Syzygus
c) Philippians 4:4 Or Farewell
d) Philippians 4:4 Or Farewell
e) Philippians 4:8 Gk brothers
f) Philippians 4:8 Gk take account of
g) Philippians 4:10 Gk I rejoiced
h) Philippians 4:10 Gk lacks to show it
i) Philippians 4:21 Gk brothers

j) Philippians 4:23 Other ancient authorities add Amen

Christmas Service and the Fourth Sunday of Advent

Once again, I apologize for not getting the videos of the sermons up on a perfectly timely manner.  I've attached three videos this week, the first is of Creath performing for us here at Woodlawn Christian on Christmas morning, the second is the video of my sermon from Christmas morning, and the third is the final sermon in Advent given on December 18th.

We are closing fast on the final day of 2016, and we look ahead to what the new year has in store for us with a good deal of excitement and anticipation.  2017 has such great potential and it's honestly up to us to make sure and to allow it to live up to it's fullest.  Let us be prayerfully engaged with not only our Church, and our community, but to also be fully engaged with our own lives.  Let us seek to find ways to improve ourselves, no matter if that may be taking a class of some form, starting an exercise program, improving our diets, resolving to read more books, or just resolving to read the Bible each day.  The greatest investment we have is ourselves and the more valuable we can make ourselves the more valuable our involvement can be in our Church, our community, our world, and our families lives.

I love the simple saying "do something today that your future self will thank you for".  It's a simple saying but a wonderful one none-the-less, make yourself just a tiny bit better today than you were yesterday... and remember to... be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,

Pastor Roy

Creath Karlen, playing "Coventry Carol" at Woodlawn Christian on Christmas Morning.

Sermon given by Pastor Roy Karlen, Christmas Morning 2016, The Prologue of John.

Sermon given on December 18th, 2016.  The Fourth Sunday of Advent "Love".