Advent: Love Sermon Part 2

The question is not, “What kind of Savior did God send?” We know what kind. The kind who loves and brings light. The question is, “When people go looking for the Savior, what do they find?” Do they find the child born of love?

Because if the world finds a Savior that is of our making, they will be sorely disappointed. Unfortunately, I think people find a Savior of our own construction and not the true light. They find a Savior that we have twisted and turned into a cosmic policeman who comes and judges with the sword. They find a cruel, judgmental God instead of a loving, forgiving God. And so people think, “Why would I follow that sort of Savior? I’m clearly in the wrong place.” And you know what, they would be right. They are in the wrong place, because we have led them to the wrong place. Paul makes this amazing metaphor that puts us right into the Christmas story. He says the following in Philippians 2:14-16:
“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.”

Did you catch that? He calls us stars. Stars that are shining as we hold out the word of life. A star led the Magi to the newborn king. Stars guided sailors across the ocean. Stars are every bit a source of light as they are a guide. They are lights, beacons. And Paul tells us that when we live a certain way of life we become those stars. When we live without complaining about the state of affairs and work towards bettering the situation. When we don’t argue with one another about petty things that detract from movement of the kingdom. When we are blameless and pure, not hypocrites who complain about the evil in the world but contribute to it through our own sins. When we live in that sort of way then Paul says we become those beacons. We become like Christ as a source of light, life, and love.

As others learn of the hope, peace, joy, and love you have in your life in Christ, they will recognize their need for Him. Like the star that led the way of the Magi to the Savior, we lead people as well. We lead them to an encounter with the God of the Universe. Our job, as stars, is not to judge. Or job, as stars, is not to condemn and berate people. Our job, as stars, is to lead people to experience the Savior for themselves and find out just why he came to this earth. To find out what we already know – that Jesus came to this world for love.

Advent is a time of preparing our hearts, minds, and lives for the coming of the Savior. And I wonder today, how many of us are ready to receive him? Are you ready for this kind of Jesus?

When God offers grace and forgiveness for your past mistakes are you ready?
When God arrives to do a new and exciting work, are you ready?
When God challenges you to step up and do things that you don’t feel comfortable with and aren’t particularly talented in, are you ready?
When God challenges you to commit your time and resources for the ministry of the kingdom, are you ready?
When God challenges you to do more than complain, but work towards the betterment of this church, are you ready?
When God tells you to love your neighbor – including and especially your enemies, are you ready?
When God tells you to give to people as they have need – things like encouragement and acceptance – are you ready?

Are you ready for this kind of Jesus? This Jesus who tells us to let our light shine so brightly that it brings life and love. Are you ready?

Is the world ready? Is this world ready for a Jesus who doesn’t regulate morality with the sword but through love? I believe the answer is a resounding “Yes!!!!” The world is more than ready. Romans says that the creation has been groaning and crying out. The world is ready. But this isn’t the sort of Savior they are expecting. Most of the world when they hear of Savior they think of a political one. When they think of the message of Christianity they think of hypocritical bigots. So let’s give them what they don’t expect.
Let’s give them life – a new, full life that Jesus promises.
Let’s give them light – hope, joy and peace in this dark world.
Let’s give them love – the same sort of love that God extended to us and that we have already accepted.

And let’s give it to them not just at Christmas when it seems appropriate, but all through the year. It has been said: "The stars do not shout; they only shine." Any Christian, however obscure, can be a light to those around and thus attract and guide humanity to a loving encounter with the God of the Universe. Jesus says simply, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."