The Shepherd’s Voice

Readings for Sunday, November 29^th
Jer 33:14–16
Psalm 25:1-10
1 Thes 3:9–13
Lk 21:25–36

Download The Shepherd’s Voice – Sermon Video (.mp4)

In Those Days – The Shepherd’s Voice from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Vimeo.

“In those days” – this term or a similar phrase appears in scripture about 613 times.

Some of the many memorable ways this phrase appears in scripture are:

• In those days before the flood they were eating and drinking – Matt 24:19
• In those days there was no king in Israel – Judges 17:6
• In those days; The word of the Lord was rare & Samuel ministered to the Lord under Eli – 1 Sam 3:1
• In those days the Lord began to trim off parts of Israel. – 2 Kings 10:32
• In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety – Jer 33:16
• In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming – Matt 3:1
• In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee & was baptized by John in Jordan. – Mark 1:9
• In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country. – Lk 1:39
• In those days a decree went out from Empr Augustus that all the world should be registered. – Lk 2:1
• In those days I will pour out my Spirit; and both men and women shall prophesy. – Acts 2:18
• In those days people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will flee them. – Rev 9:6

Where do you find yourself in this cycle of life? Are you still eating and drinking like many before the flood? Remember it wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.

During the period of the judges there was no king in Israel. The Word of the Lord was rare, but Samuel still served the Lord under Eli. Is this a time in your life when the word of the Lord is rare or do you serve the Lord with gladness. Advent is a time for reflection and preparation.

Sometimes our God, the Lord of life trims us much like a rose bush. Typically, in order for flowers to bloom with bright and luminous buds and peddles the bushes need to be trimmed. God did that with Israel, God does that in our lives as well.

We have roses in our backyard. One year Wendy, when she was still in grade school she wanted roses for her birthday. We bought her at least a dozen plants. Each year I trim them 2 – 3 times in order for the roses to bloom with great flowers. How might God be trimming you right now so you can flower in God’s kingdom?

When we think back to those days, the early days of recorded civilization God’s people were given many opportunities to grow and prosper, however they often failed. God trimmed them in order for that the promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob be fulfilled.

In this same cycle of life we bloom, but fade, we have had many opportunities to hear God’s voice, but we wilt, we fail to live into the promise God has for us in this life. Could this be a season of pruning or trimming for you?

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness proclaiming the good news of repentance. In our reading from Jeremiah 33:14, it said. “The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.”

John the Baptist was part of that prophetic utterance. John the Baptist was someone who gave voice to the coming of Christ. John humbly proclaimed “I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal”

Is there a John the Baptist in your life today, someone proclaiming the good news of Christ to you? Or are you being a John the Baptist to someone else at this time? Are you able to share your faith story with someone so they can be inspired, changed, renewed?

Jesus, in our Gospel text today said, “There will be signs (in those days) in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” (Luke 21:25-26) What signs might you be seeing that help turn you heart to Christ during the season of anticipation?

(In those days) When these things happen, Jesus said, “stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Might our redemption be drawing near?

This first week in Advent we lit our first candle on the Advent wreath. It’s the prophecy candle, the candle of promise and hope, not only for us, but for all humanity.

Jeremiah said, “In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.”

Advent is a time when we see this prophecy unfold. It’s a time when we start anticipating the coming of the righteous Branch, the Messiah, the Yeshua Ha’Mashiach of our world.

In those days Mary set out with haste to a Judean town in the hill country. Mary was filled with anticipation, with expectation, with exhilaration.

When mothers are with child, changes occur. I remember when Sharon was pregnant; things became very different very quickly. Pregnant with twins our lives changed dramatically.

Mary visits Elizabeth in the house of Zechariah. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”

When have you been filled with God’s Spirit? Is there something going own in your life right now for which you are being blessed? I would encourage you to use the Advent devotional we gave you this morning. Allow God to speak to your heart as you prepare yourself for Christ’s coming.

In those days – we say this on Christmas Eve, In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. (Luke 2:1) We look forward with great anticipation to the birth of a savior. There will be much to do between now and then.

Did you participate in the “black Friday” event this week? Are you preparing yourself for the holiday season? Are you looking for that very special gift for your mate? Many of us prepare by buying gifts, by making cookies, by baking, sometimes by making gifts. But, how are we preparing our hearts for the birth of Christ?

With Christ comes new life. In those days I will pour out my Spirit; and both men and women shall prophesy. (Acts 2:18) What does it mean to be prophetic? (Eph 4:11) This is one of the gifts of the Spirit. Some people think of this as being able to see the future, but being prophetic has a deeper meaning. It means speaking out when you see injustice.

In those days both men and woman will prophesy. We are in those days. As people of faith we must speak out on behalf of the underprivileged, the unloved, those who are treated unjustly. God has made this a responsibility of all Christians. How is God at work in your life right now? Will you speak out for someone this week as part of your prophetic response to a troubled world?

Finally, in those days people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will flee them. Some people don’t like to think about death.

In fact, they say, I don’t mind dying. I just don’t want to be there when it happens. How about you? We have been talking about a cycle of life. As people of faith we have a long history, a history that goes back to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

In those days people will seek death but will not find it. This is an apocalyptic statement, a statement about end times. Could life really become this bad?

When we use the term in those days it covers not only the past, but also the future as well. God has been at work, is at work and will be at work long into the future.

Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” This Sunday begins a new church year, a time of anticipation and hope for all.

God has demonstrated faithfulness in keeping his covenant with us, his people. History has shown us, God is faithful.

What will our response be today, this week, this month as we see God pour out his Spirit on us?

Jesus told the disciples to “Be on guard…. Be alert at all times“, praying that they would have strength to stand before the Son of man. God wants us to be on guard, be alert, praying for God’s kingdom to come.

Life has a cycle, our church year has a cycle, will you allow Christ to be your light as we move through Advent the beginning of this cycle. Christ came to overwhelm the darkness of this world. Together, let Christ be our light today.

Amen

Podcast (audio_feed): Play in new window | Download