Services/Sermon in Rockford 24.12.2019

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. Let us unite our hearts in opening thanksgiving and prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, this evening we gather at this festive occasion celebrating the birth of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Father, you know the joy in our hearts that you fulfilled your promise on this first Christmas Eve that your only Son would be born into this world, the Son of you, God, and the Son of man, that Savior whom you promised to Adam and Eve there in the garden, who would live that perfect life, who would suffer the death on the cross there in Gethsemane for our sins, who would overcome death and hell to rise victorious on that first Easter morning and now sits there at your right hand, Father, awaiting that day, that second time when your Son will come again to this earth to judge all people.

Father, we pray that we would be acceptable unto you on that judgment day through the forgiveness of sins in your Son's name, in Jesus' name and blood. We feel our poorness and lacking. We thank you, Father, for your love and for your grace, for your care in our journey here on earth. We pray that one day our weak faith would change to sin and we would be there with you in heaven. This Christmas Eve we pray for those who are suffering in trials and difficulties in life. Comfort and uplift them. Amen.

We pray also for those who are feeling alone this evening, even perhaps in the midst of a large congregation, that loneliness there is felt. Comfort such a one, Father. Give them strength to journey as your child here on earth that one day their trials also would be healed, be ended, and the shores of glory would be attained.

Father, we pray for those on the outside of your kingdom. Grant unto them, Father, a seeking and searching heart. Here, especially at this time of Christmas, when we have remembered the birth of your dear Son in that lowly manger in Bethlehem. May it also cause those to seek and search for this treasure in this life, that forgiveness of their sins, that treasure of the Lord and Savior Jesus in their heart.

And so we enclose our prayer into that prayer which your Son has taught us. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

For our study this evening, I will read the Word of God, which is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Micah, that Old Testament prophet. From the fifth chapter, and I'll begin with the second verse through the fifth verse. And the words are in Jesus' name as follows:

"But thou, Bethlehem Ephrata, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel. And I will explain the words: for unto thee, thou shalt not be least among the princes of Judah; but thou shalt be ruler in Israel. Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."

And our fathers will again of the hymn by David Measefield and covet your guardian lower in the presence of a true name of God. We want them plenty. We're well. OK. All right. It is best to give names for each one in this book, but we need to kill everyone that we select for the Divine command. We will answer your names. And they shall abide, for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth. And this man shall be the peace when the Assyrian shall come into our land, and when he shall tread in our palaces. Then shall we raise against him seven shepherds and eight principal men. Amen.

First of all, before we begin to study this text from the Old Testament, which is set aside for this Christmas Eve service, I wish to first welcome all of you here this evening to our Christmas Eve service. Thank you. I see here this evening a very full church. I see here gathered many friends and relatives who have come here on this Christmas Eve to remember the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and especially to remember what he has done for us. That when we would leave from here we would be able, all of us, to leave with that feast of Christmas in our heart, that joy of a child of God, leaving from the services with the forgiveness of all of our sins, all of our doubts, all our worries, in Jesus' name and blood. Amen.

I also would like to bring greetings from the believers there in the Colorado congregation, where I served a week and a half ago at their Advent services. And many wish to remember you here in Rockford and in the southern Minnesota area, friends and relatives which they have here, and we carry one another in prayer. So often this was said in our departures, that remember us in your prayers. We need the prayers of God's children. We are weak travelers. But God hears those prayers. And through these prayers even, he helps one to be comforted and lifted in God's kingdom, and blesses those that have fought, and Hamilton has persisted not only for seven, but for millions. And they can take the lead in their long journey. And we all do have no expectations of them, but we hold on to that until they die. We ask God for a Stateside, and we ask God for love, and we grape our hands in his kingdom, and to that first bank, and to that first step. A blessing from God, a blessing formless—the grace of God, to toi desire, and joy of Christmas and what God has done for us in our lives.

And also then Sunday we had services in the morning and afternoon. It was such a beautiful way to prepare one's heart even for the coming of this Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It seems especially for me in the busyness of life life can come so close but yet God allows these moments in our life to pause around his word and to be comforted and uplifted and refreshed on the journey of faith and prepares our hearts for the celebration of Christmas in that way that God had intended—not the ways of the world of the outward space of celebration but rather you gather together and celebrate this fulfillment of the promise of the Savior who is our Lord and King.

Often times on this Christmas Eve service we read from the gospel text from the second chapter of Luke from the second through the 20th verses. And I think often times also this same text is read there in the homes of God's children when you gather together with your loved ones this evening. And I would just say that when you read that text pause and consider the joyous message of God. The joyous message. The joyous message. The joyous message there that the angels brought to those shepherds who were abiding in their field that night. Those weak shepherds, those who were looked down upon by the world as the lowliest of lowly people. To such a one God chose to reveal the birth of his son. In such a magnificent way the angels poured out of heaven. They brought those glad tidings.

Yes, the shepherds were fearful. As I don't know about you but I would also be fearful if the angels suddenly poured out of the heavens. Why? Because the angels were afraid. Why? Because we are such weak travelers. We fall into sin so easily. And when we see such events like that I'm sure it brings us even to those thoughts that is this now even for me the end of my life? What is happening? What is this great light and this loud noise coming from the heavens? But they brought that kind of a comforting message to those shepherds that night. Do not be afraid. Fear not for unto you is born this day in the City of David, the Savior.

Unto each one of us was born that first Christmas night there in the lowly manger in Bethlehem our Savior who made it possible for us to attain eternal life in heaven. To all that gather his blood drops into their heart and believe.

The prophet Micah lived about 700 years before the birth of Jesus. He lived in that time of Isaiah. And we know that prophet Isaiah foretold in great detail of the birth of Jesus. God gave him that kind of understanding. He revealed it to him. I don't know how specifically, but the Bible records of what Isaiah was given to him. And to see through faith that the baby Jesus would be born of the lineage of David. And that it would be there in Bethlehem. That it would be a lowly birth. But this would be the king of kings. His only beloved son. Whom would be born of a virgin. The virgin Mary.

This text speaks of three things that were going on at the time of the prophet Micah. There was warfare there at that time. The Assyrians were attacking Israel. They were attacking Judah. They were attacking the children of God. And also this text speaks of the Savior, our Lord and Savior Jesus, and his birth there in Bethlehem. Also of the virgin Mary. So we can see that Micah believed the same as Isaiah. That God revealed it to him as well. And we can see that in the text. It says, The birth of the Lord and Savior Jesus.

Think of it. It was 700 years or more before this birth took place. And yet, when Jesus was born, the people of that day were able to see that, Oh, it was exactly as it was revealed to these prophets of the old, the Old Testament. Even as Micah spoke here of Bethlehem and of Ephrathah, the lineage of David.

And then this text speaks preciously to us about peace. I'm sure those children of God at that time, they were battling that kind of warfare with the enemy. There, I'm sure, were many prayers for peace. We know that we do not want conflict in our life. We do not want to lose peace. And we know that even in the world, there are many today who pray for peace. And it is good to have temporal peace.

We live in that kind of peace, brothers and sisters, where those brave soldiers from the early wars, they gave their lives to defend our country. And the things which we have to do, and the things which it stands for, and one of those being this great treasure for us as children of God, is that we have the freedom to gather, to study and learn of God's word, to hold our services, to praise and thank God for all that He has done.

There isn't that kind of peace in all countries in this world, where believers can freely gather to praise and thank God. But we have that kind of peace here, where we are able this evening, without fear for our lives, to come and gather.

There is also that kind of hope for peace between brothers and sisters and friends and neighbors. That kind of peace where we are not quarreling with one another. Where we are not fighting over temporal matters or even spiritual matters. That kind of peace and freedom which we can say we have enjoyed in God's kingdom, especially in these last 40 or so years. Since the last major battles of heresy took place. There has been this time of peace and joy and freedom in God's kingdom. And God has richly blessed His kingdom.

There has been growth throughout many regions. This congregation here in Rockford even is one of those examples where there was at one time no congregation here. And tonight we see in our first Christmas Eve service a full sanctuary and church. And I am sure the same will be experienced at the second Christmas Eve service. Such a blessing we have been given, brothers and sisters. Beautiful blessings of children to our homes, our families, our loved ones. God has richly blessed His children.

And the most important peace is that we would have peace with God. What does that mean, dear loved ones? Peace with God. We can say simply this way. We have peace with God when He does not see our sins.

How does that happen? First of all, we have to ask ourselves, are we sinners? Are we sinners? I think we would all agree that as the Bible says, we have this inherited portion. When Adam and Eve fell into the garden into sin, there in the garden, that sin came upon all people. We are born with this corrupt portion.

As much as we want to do the right things, and we know that many want to do the right things, yet are we successful when we think about it? Have we done the things that we wanted to do, those good things? Or have we experienced that we have done those things that we wished we wouldn't do? Perhaps those words that we have said to our family members or neighbors or friends. Perhaps it was the actions that we took.

But Jesus goes even further than words and actions. He says even our thoughts. He says it in such a way that if we have been angry with our neighbor, we have already committed murder in our heart. So we find and we experience that sin attaches on the way in the journey. And that sin bothers our conscience. Why did we do that? And how can we care for the people we love? Or those offenses that have come?

Our flesh, I think, probably is pretty similar in many ways that I think of my own portion. First, I would want to try to do something of myself to make matters better. Perhaps I would want to say something nice. Perhaps I would like to just be a better believer and attend church and study God's word and try to please God in these ways.

And certainly we can say that God is pleased when we gather together to worship God and to worship Him and to praise Him and to thank Him. But the Bible also teaches in that way that these kind of works, these things that we do, they don't save. They don't make one acceptable to God.

We know this from the example that Jesus had with the rich man who came to Jesus. And he had a very important example. He had a very important and good question. He said, what must I do to attain eternal life? We know the discussion that Jesus had with this man. This young man who said that he had kept the commandments from his youth.

And when we hear such a statement, we have to say, wow, is that so? That is it possible that one would have kept all the commandments, speaking of the Mosaic law, the Ten Commandments, that one would have kept them from youth? Jesus could see the self-righteousness in this man, in his heart. And He gave him a simple instruction: to go and to sell all that he had.

Of course, trying to understand Jesus' instruction with the mind left this man troubled. For he had many possessions. And he was attached even, we could say, to those possessions that he couldn't sell. But Jesus was not talking about those earthen possessions. He was talking about that self-righteousness, that good that he saw in himself. And he was instructing in that way that to humble your heart.

Consider your matters. Is it really so that you have been such a successful and strong traveler? It's difficult for us to be humble. Difficult for us to admit our failings. I've read sometimes in some of the books on life that one of the greatest hurdles in life is for someone to overcome their pride, to humble themselves, to admit that they are wrong.

I think when conflict has come between two people, we can see that there is a conflict between two people. And we can see where the greatest difficulty is for one to overcome their pride, to admit, I'm wrong. I think perhaps husbands and wives have experienced this. God has joined you together as one there at that wedding service there at the altar. And when difficulty has come in the marriage, the first things that come to our flesh is to think that I am right and my spouse is wrong. They have done something wrong. Perhaps it has hurt me.

And perhaps even in some of these situations there might even be a thread of truth. But when we stop and consider the real questions, have we ourselves been so perfect? What might have we done or what might have we said that has set up this situation?

And so we find that from our own flesh, it is so often easier to try to take care of our neighbor, to correct them where they are wrong. But what Jesus teaches is that we would take care of our own matters. This is where we find true peace with God. When our own sins are forgiven and washed away in this sea of mercy, drowned in the sea of grace, that's where we can find true peace.

And so in the midst of this warfare here in the land of Judah, we can see that God has given a trial for that purpose to cause the people to consider their own matters. It is so easy to begin to take faith for granted. It is so easy to become even habitual in attending church and church functions.

Perhaps for some it has even become such a situation that it is more for social activity than for pausing in our daily lives to hear what God has to say unto us. It is nice that we have this fellowship. We have friends. We have escorts on the way in the journey. We have a fellowship in God's kingdom unlike fellowship found in the world.

So many, many of those friends that I have had in my work life can only find fun and fellowship at parties. And often times they needed stronger drinks to open themselves up to visiting and to laughing. But the children of God, those living in God's kingdom, have experienced a much greater joy.

We have been able to have fellowship one with another. We have been able to laugh. We have been able to share our joys, our sorrows. We don't need any outside influence. And we are able to leave from our gatherings refreshed and uplifted.

And so while we can enjoy this kind of fellowship, let us not forget that when we come to the hearing of God's word, to come with that prayer in our heart that God would hear our prayers. What are your difficulties, your battles, your worries? What are you wondering about that is a stumbling block even to your journey of faith?

That prayer that would God open His word. And that prayer that would God open my ears and my heart to hear and to believe. Because we do not want to leave from the hearing of God's word without peace and joy in our hearts. We come here to be comforted. We come here to be uplifted. We don't want to doubt. We don't want to wonder, am I walking on that narrow way that leads to eternal life? That if my life would end this day, would I be acceptable to God through His Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? Amen.

And so Micah here is also warning the people as they had begun to stray away from living faith. These were the chosen ones, the children of God. But in battling that threefold enemy, their flesh, the world, and the enemy of souls, they had begun to drift away from God's kingdom. Begun to follow falsehoods. Begun to follow false idols. Begun to take their faith for granted.

And God allowed this kind of trial where the Assyrian armies came to attack. And Micah gave this kind of a warning as God revealed to him that within 100 years, even here, Jerusalem, will be overtaken by the Assyrians. Israel had already been defeated. And now Judah was under attack.

And he reminds them in this important way as they prayed for peace and safety, that to remember the most important peace to pray for, the peace with God. If the enemy comes in attack, even takes our life, it would be a victory for a child of God. The journey's staff could be laid down. There would be no more trials or sorrows or tears.

And so, he speaks of this destruction of Jerusalem in the short term. But then he speaks of a much more greater matter, the promise of the birth of the Lord and Savior Jesus in the years to come, which we know now was over 700 years later.

It's a good example for us today, brothers and sisters, and all of us gathered here at services this evening, and even those who perhaps might be listening, over the internet interconnections. It was good to pause and to consider when God promised to Adam and Eve the Savior, we can see how the prophets of old, they kept prophesying of the birth of Jesus as God revealed it, reminding the people to believe on that promise, that yes, Jesus is coming. He will be born into this world. It will be there in Bethlehem.

In that small, small town in Bethlehem. Not in the great towns where the kings lived or in the palaces, but in Bethlehem. It would be of the lineage of David. When he speaks of Ephrata here, that is speaking of the lineage of David. We know that David was a stem of Jesse, his father. And we know that Jesse was of this family of Ephrata. And so this was that prediction.

And we know why Joseph and Mary were there in Bethlehem on that first Christmas Eve. Because they were of the lineage of David. And there, born in that lowly stable, God kept his promise. Jesus was born in such a lowly and simple way that all could approach him. That everyone, no matter what kind of matters they have fallen into, whatever sins they have committed, whatever wrongdoing they have done to their neighbor, they could approach this lowly Savior, Jesus.

When he came even into Jerusalem the last time, he did not come as a king in chariots with mounted horses and armies and bugles, but he came on that young donkey. Very lowly, humble way. And the people, through the palm branches, on the way, in their coats, and they praised Hosanna. They praised God that now the Savior is there before their eyes.

Micah, then he continues, when he talks of peace. And we could read one more portion from John, considering Jesus, and that he was the Son of God, and is the Son of God, and sits there on the right hand of God, awaiting this second coming. This time that we live.

He spoke of those Old Testament believers who awaited for the birth of Jesus. And now we are awaiting that second coming of Jesus. The second advent time we live in.

Brothers and sisters and loved ones gathered here, just as the Old Testament believers believed by faith that God would fulfill his promise when Jesus would be born. He also teaches and instructs us today that one day Jesus will come a second time. We are living that time. We are waiting for Jesus to come again.

The world will be destroyed in that fire. But a new home will be prepared for all those who believe. That new home in heaven where we will be as those angels praising and thanking God.

And then to those who have not believed that this will happen, that one day Jesus will come again to judge. When he has not known one through the shedding of his own blood drops to wash away their sins. He will say, depart from me, you worker of iniquity.

We do not want to hear that message. And so John writes about the Savior Jesus. He says that in the beginning was the Word in that first chapter, in the first verse. And the Word was with God and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him and without him was not anything made that was made.

In him was life and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not. Speaking here of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

And John the Baptist was that one who came to foretell that Jesus was now starting his ministry. And he came as a witness to bear witness of the light. And it's capitalized here in this King James Version. Not talking about the temporal sun or the lights here in our building. But speaking of Jesus.

That all men through him might believe. Believe on the Lord and Savior Jesus. He was in the world and the world was made of him. And the world knew him not. He came unto his own and his own received him not. But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them that believeth on his name.

So we see that Jesus came to fulfill the promise to those chosen ones, to those Israelite nations. And yet when Jesus came the people had fallen away from God. They had fallen away from those prophecies of Isaiah and Micah. They had gone into the world. They had gone some into the ditches on the left and some in the ditches on the right. They battled against Jesus.

When Jesus appeared to the scribes and the Pharisees they were offended by him. He clearly spoke his word. He clearly spoke to those sinners. And there were many who believed. And there were many who were offended.

The word of God is like that two-edged sword yet today. It either heals or it offends. But it is the word of God.

And here John writes then how when the chosen generation rejected the Lord and Savior the way was opened unto us the Gentile nations that we might be able to see and understand through faith that Jesus is the Lord and Savior. This is the way that leads to eternal life in heaven.

And Jesus gave that power to his own, to the children in God's kingdom to preach the gospel. We have that authority to forgive sins in Jesus' name and blood. And God gives that power. And our sins are washed away when we believe them forgiven in Jesus' name and blood.

So simply it is. We do not have to do any kind of great work. We do not have to be so knowledgeable to come into living faith. But it is a simple message. Even as that thief on the cross experienced there on that Good Friday there at the end of his life.

There he could see Jesus hanging with him and he said to the other thief, he said, this man, speaking of Jesus, has done no wrong. He could see that Jesus didn't deserve to die on the cross. He hadn't done anything wrong. In fact, he had lived a perfect life.

He could see his own sinfulness. He said, you and I, we deserve to be here. He turned to Jesus and he said, remember me, when thou art in heaven. And Jesus assured him. Jesus saw into his heart. He saw that he felt his own sinfulness and poorness. And he gave that kind of a beautiful message to that thief. He said, thou shall be with me in paradise.

His sins were forgiven. He believed in Jesus. It was that simple. And this is then what brings that kind of peace into our hearts when our sins are forgiven.

Jesus said that peace I give you, not as the world gives, but that peace which God gives. It comes from heaven. And when our sins are forgiven in Jesus' name and blood, we are able to believe that message of the gospel in our hearts and in our lives. It brings peace. True peace. The true peace of Christmas.

We see our neighbors and our friends as our escorts in faith. Our loved ones. Those ones that can preach the gospel to wash away our sins in Jesus' name and blood. These are the fruits of the Spirit when one believes. First that love, then that peace, then that joy.

There's a peace that the world cannot understand. It is a peace that cannot be understood until our sins are truly forgiven and we truly believe.

So, even now as the prophet Micah wanted to remind the people to put sin away and to keep that peace of God as the greatest treasure in their heart, no matter what the trial, no matter what the difficulty.

Again, yet today is that same message sent out to all who are hearing and would choose and want to believe. Let it uplift your heart even now as you find yourself. Believe all of your sins and all your doubts forgiven in Jesus' name and precious atonement blood.

And if there would be one who has come this evening here, perhaps is listening there online, who is seeking and searching for God's kingdom and to find this baby Jesus in the manger, even unto you, dear listener, I would say believe your unbelief and all your sins forgiven in Jesus' name and precious atoning blood. Be of good faith. Be of good comfort and good cheer.

This Christmas Eve, have that true peace of Christmas in your heart. And I also want to believe my sins and my doubts forgiven. Can you preach also this gospel to me? I promise to believe with you, dear brothers and sisters.

Unto you this day is born the day of the Lord our Savior. This is the message of Christmas. We do not need to live in our sins and our difficulties, but we can believe all forgiven in Jesus' name and blood.

And may God bless your journey to heaven, dear travelers, that one day, even though faith may be very weak, that's fine. God does not require great faith, but little faith, that faith which will bring you to the shores of glory one day.

May God richly bless your Christmas here this year. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Let us quieten our hearts in thanksgiving and prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you that you have brought us once again to the hearing of your precious word. May this word find a fertile ground in our hearts, and may that seed bear abundant fruit unto you, Father, to your honor and glory.

And we pray that you may bless this day with the most precious and most precious of all the things that you have given us. And may we join our thoughts into that closing benediction.

The Lord bless us and keep us. The Lord make his face shine upon us and be gracious unto us. The Lord lift up his countenance upon us and give us peace. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, Amen.