4th Sunday of Advent, Morning Worship
Sermon Series: Boundless
Sermon: Boundless Hope
Accompanying Scripture: Hebrews 10:5-10
Boundless Hope
Sometimes reading scripture is difficult and this scripture passage from Hebrews might say to you that what the Jews are doing today is wrong or no longer needed. I don’t see it that way. I don’t see God just abolishing one thing in order to introduce something new.
Worship within the Jewish faith was prescribed. It was important. There were laws around it. Unfortunately, the people got wrapped up in other issues, just the same as we do today. Often the Prophets said that God was no longer happy with the worship that they were engaging in because they were so wrapped up in the “things” of the day. They were wrapped up in the culture and not really worshiping God. Micah came along and said the Lord requires that you “do good, love God, and walk humbly with your lord.” All too often they didn’t.
We’re just as guilty. And every now and then, God says I’m doing something new, and just as the Old Testament is still an important part of who we are, the New Testament, the New Covenant, comes along. A child is born to inaugurate. A child that comes to say there’s a new way of worshiping God. Except it’s not really a new way it’s just a new approach to worshiping God the way God wants us to worship. It’s a life of loving God. It’s a life of living for God of being in the world and not of the world.
It was so challenging during those days when Rome was in charge. It was hard to be Jewish, living under the thumb of the Roman Empire. The Romans built their Fortress next to the temple and had complete control over the chief priests. The chief priest was forced to go to the Antonia Fortress to get his robes and his arraignment for the high holy holidays.
Living under this oppression caused them to do their best to keep peace. They believed that if they followed the law carefully, God would approve. They became religious elites. They became authoritarian and the people couldn’t live up to that high standard set, not by God, but by the Pharisees, etc.
Along comes a child, and he shows us a different way of being. He shows us a different way of living. He says the law is now written in your heart: love God, love your neighbor, and love all of your neighbors. But most of all, love God as yourself, and this is what makes the difference.
Why was Jesus born? He came to show us a new way of being, a new way of worshiping, a new way of taking care of God’s people. This morning that hope, that boundless hope, is what we look to.
Why was Jesus born? That’s the good news. This child brings great hope to Earth by showing us an alternative way of being with God.
The good news is a man who came to Earth knowing that the sacrifice would be ultimate because you and I are worth it.
All Glory and Honor be to God.
Amen.