Sermon: Epiphany (OT)
4 January AD 2012
Sermon Theme: Rise and Shine
Summary: The brightness of the Epiphany star dims beneath Christ’s light shining into a sin-darkened world. He not only shows us the way to salvation, He is the very essence of forgiveness and new life.
The star’s light led the Wise Men to Bethlehem that they might present their gifts to the King of the Jews. Christ’s light leads us into His presence that He might lavish His gifts on us.
We Gentiles are grafted into the chosen people by faith in Jesus Christ. The promises of the new Jerusalem celebrating in eternal daylight belong to us. The shadow of sin was swallowed up by the deeper darkness at Golgatha and then burned away by the brightness of the Resurrection.
That light now shines upon us and in us through the forgiveness of sins. It also shines from us as we follow our Lord and love our neighbors. Christ calls us to “rise and shine,” to be His light even as the Devil attempts to retain his dark hold on Creation. Christians are heirs to the Epiphany star, leading others to the Church, the Word, and the Lord.
Text: Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.
Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord. Isaiah 60:1-6
Scripture quoted from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Audio: Click to hear the MP3 of Rise and Shine, preached for the saints of God at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Ernestville, Missouri.
Other Readings: Psalm 72:1-11 (12-15); Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12
Technorati Tags: Epiphany | Three Year Lectionary | 3 Year Lectionary | Series B | Jesus | Jesus Christ | Christ | star | light | wise Men | Magi | gifts | Gentiles | Law | Law and Gospel | Gospel | 4 January 2012 | January 4, 2012 | Lutheranism | Lutheran | Church | Christian | Christianity | Christian Church | Isaiah 60 | sermon | text | theme | topic | Rise and Shine | audio | mp3 | Pastor Snyder | Pastor Walter Snyder | Walter Snyder | Ask the Pastor | Happenings
Sermon Theme: Rise and Shine
Summary: The brightness of the Epiphany star dims beneath Christ’s light shining into a sin-darkened world. He not only shows us the way to salvation, He is the very essence of forgiveness and new life.The star’s light led the Wise Men to Bethlehem that they might present their gifts to the King of the Jews. Christ’s light leads us into His presence that He might lavish His gifts on us.
We Gentiles are grafted into the chosen people by faith in Jesus Christ. The promises of the new Jerusalem celebrating in eternal daylight belong to us. The shadow of sin was swallowed up by the deeper darkness at Golgatha and then burned away by the brightness of the Resurrection.
That light now shines upon us and in us through the forgiveness of sins. It also shines from us as we follow our Lord and love our neighbors. Christ calls us to “rise and shine,” to be His light even as the Devil attempts to retain his dark hold on Creation. Christians are heirs to the Epiphany star, leading others to the Church, the Word, and the Lord.
Text: Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.
Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord. Isaiah 60:1-6
Scripture quoted from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Audio: Click to hear the MP3 of Rise and Shine, preached for the saints of God at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Ernestville, Missouri.
Other Readings: Psalm 72:1-11 (12-15); Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12
Technorati Tags: Epiphany | Three Year Lectionary | 3 Year Lectionary | Series B | Jesus | Jesus Christ | Christ | star | light | wise Men | Magi | gifts | Gentiles | Law | Law and Gospel | Gospel | 4 January 2012 | January 4, 2012 | Lutheranism | Lutheran | Church | Christian | Christianity | Christian Church | Isaiah 60 | sermon | text | theme | topic | Rise and Shine | audio | mp3 | Pastor Snyder | Pastor Walter Snyder | Walter Snyder | Ask the Pastor | Happenings
posted by Xrysostom | 22:44
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