It All Goes Back in the Box

16And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

18“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

20“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

21“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:16-21)

1. We are a people in a hurry

1. We suffer from a disease called “hurry” sickness. We are rushaholics

The Confession

1. If you have this disease, you are Polyphasic (multitasking)

1. I invite you to join the slow group

The Calamity

1. People often spend their life pursuing things that don’t really matter

1. So Jesus tells the story of a busy man with a lifetime opportunity

1. Then he dies.

1. Jesus summaries his life in one word: fool

1. He was so busy building his own kingdom he had no time for God

Two Corrections

1. One: Life will settle down; we’ll get time for the things that are important

1. Two: Someday enough will be enough

1. The way we become rich is to slow down and focus on Him

The Contest

1. After playing a game for a while, “it all goes back in the box.”

1. While we want to leave it out as a memorial to what we’ve accomplished,

    it is a reminder that it’s time to go home

1. We understand, “It all goes back in the box” means “game over; it is time to go

     home”

1. It means “It’s not really yours. It doesn’t belong to you.”

1. The man in Jesus’ story learned to play the game; he played it well.

1. But he forgot the game eventually ends

1. So...what is worth giving your life to?

The Casket

 “If life boils down to one significant thing, it is movement. To live is to keep moving. Unfortunately, this means that for the rest of our lives we will be looking for boxes. When you’re moving, your whole world is boxes; that is all you think of; boxes. Where are the boxes? You wander down the street, go in and out of stores, wondering “Are there any boxes here?” You could be at a funeral, everyone around you is mourning and crying and you are looking at the casket: “That’s a nice box.” Does anyone know where that guy got that box?” That is what death is. It is the last move of your life. The hearse is like the van, the pallbearers are your close friends; the only ones you can trust with a move that big. And that casket is that great box you have been looking for your whole life. (Jerry Seinfield)

1. All this rushing and accumulating is simply a form of denial

1. There is a simple two-word question we tend to avoid: “Then what?”

1. Jesus reminds us life passes quickly. And then, it all goes back in the box

1. If your soul was demanded of you today and God used a single word to summarize your life, what might it be? _______________

1. As you reflect on this past week, allow his gift to fill your heart

1. As you look forward to the New Year, remember the person in Jesus story

1. As you think about this story, remember the only thing that doesn't go back in the box is your soul!

Because of Bethlehem

15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (Luke 2:15-20)

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. (Hebrews 1:1-3)

A. Can we put our differences aside because of Bethlehem?

B. Christmas and Bethlehem put life into perspective

“Why do the nations conspire and people’s plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and rulers gather together against the Lord and against his anointed one...and the one enthroned in heaven laughs...” (Psalm 2:1-2, 4)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men...The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

C. God has a plan. He is working it out. He shared his plan with us on Christmas

A. Christmas - our celebration of an infant born in Bethlehem...

1....is about a light shining and giving hope to people living in darkness

“The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” (John 1:5)

2. ...is about sinners finding peace and forgiveness from a Savior and friend

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21)

3. ...is about receiving a God who is different than anyone imagined - a

remarkable gift in an unremarkable package - God in created flesh

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us...full of grace and truth.”

4. ...is about unlovely people being loved beyond their wildest expectations

“We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19)

5. ...is about people who fear punishment and are scared to death

“From the fullness of his grace, we have all received one blessing after another”

6. ...is about people who have given up trying to live by God’s rules being

reminded God didn't just make us, or think about us, but God is with us

“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17)

7. ...is a promise that His best is yet to come. When Christ was born, our hope

was born; his relentless love for us was exposed

“God uses all things to work for the good of those who love him.” (Romans 8:28)

B. This child born in Bethlehem changes everything - from human history

to our eternal destiny - if we follow the example of the shepherds

“Good News of great joy that is intended for all people, that Today, in the town of David (Bethlehem) a Savior has been born to you, he is the anointed one, the Messiah.”

1. The shepherds decided they had to go and see what God had done!

2. Then they interrupted their schedule, took a risk, and went

A. We need to accept Christmas, not only for information, but for transformation

1. I believe in miracles because I’ve embraced the miracle of Christmas

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life--the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us--that which we have seen and hear we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; ...with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ...”

2. If Bethlehem doesn't make a difference we’ve wasted our time

B. Because of Bethlehem...is your life any different? Has your presence in this

world made any difference?

1. Do you trust Jesus - the child laying in a manger - with your life and eternity?

2. Because of Bethlehem, today we can experience the Good News of Great Joy

Love Came Down

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

“O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie; above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by...”

A. We picture Bethlehem as a Hallmark Hamlet; it’s actually dirty and smelly

B. Bethlehem (lit, “house of meat” in Arabic or “house of bread” in Hebrew) was

where shepherds raised sheep for temple sacrifices

1. Shepherding was top on the rabbi’s list of most despised occupations

2. Shepherds were stereotyped as dishonest, thieving, disreputable people

3. Bethlehem was a village no one would visit unless it was home or the

law required it...

C. A visit to Bethlehem reminds us how far God will go to meet our deepest need

D. Bethlehem becomes a testimony of God’s love for sinners

A. We could initiate the list with the innkeeper...

B. There was the overbooked and pre-occupied town

1. This is a default “no” rejection. This may be the most dangerous kind

2. How many say “no” to Jesus simply because they don’t have time or

space for him in their lives?

C. Herod’s rejection was overtly violent and blatantly brutal

“Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted because they were no more.” (Matthew 2:18)

D. Every rejection it is a tragic response and results in a catastrophic ending

A. The angels, Mary, the shepherds and magi recognized the one who lay in

the manger was the hope of the world

what God has done and continues to do in us and in his world

2. We need to recognize God’s love came down at Christmas in the birth of

Jesus. God was willing to sacrifice his Son to provide for a fallen world

B. The angels, Mary, the shepherds and magi “received” him with reverence

1. The angels sang a song of praise (Luke 2:14); Mary “pondered these

things in her heart” (2:19); the shepherds “hurried off to see the child”

(2:15); the magi “bowed and worshipped him” (Matthew 2:11)

2. Today, will you receive him with reverence and worship? And tomorrow?

C. Luke points out everything is suddenly different for the shepherds...

1. Before they were “just” shepherds; now they are shepherds with a mission;

now they have a message; now they are life changers

2. They were eager to reveal to others what they had seen

3. If shepherds can be witnesses for Jesus, anyone can be a witness to Jesus

A. Despite the probability of rejection, God himself came

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son...” (John 3:16)

1. The only reason anyone would leave heaven is because of love

2. In his incarnation, God says “I love you” “You don’t have to clean up

first, you don’t have to bring a gift, you don’t even have love me like

I love you...but you do need to come...”

“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about and when we have seen him to go and spread the word...”

B. Love came down at Christmas. “The Lord is come! Let earth receive her king”

The Jubilee of God

A. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem something incredible happened

“The one enthroned in heaven laughed...” (Psalm 2:4)

1. We’d expect God to be angry because he had to send his Son to pay for our sin

2. No one expects God to laugh, but that’s what the incarnation is all about - a

sign of God’s grace

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him nothing was made that was made. In him was life and the life was the light of men...And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1-5, 14)

B. God’s laughter is contagious: a sign he’s present, in control, and things are well

A. Jubilee is picture of what God’s Kingdom is designed to be (cf. Leviticus 25)

1. Sadly, we never read in Scripture that Israel celebrated a “Year of Jubilee”

2. Jubilee became a “dream” associated with the coming of the Messiah

3. Isaiah says: “You will know who Messiah is because he will bring Jubilee”

B. Isaiah identifies seven signs of Jubilee; i.e., of Messiah’s coming

1. The dead will come alive (i.e., be raised) (Isaiah 11:1-2)

2. The blind will see (Isaiah 29:18; 35:5)

3. The deaf will hear (Isaiah 29:18; 35:5)

4. The lame will walk (Isaiah 35:6, 61:1)

5. The lepers will be cleansed and healed (Isaiah 61:1)

6. The captives will be freed (Isaiah 61:1)

“I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you invited me in; I needed clothes and you clothed me; I was sick and you looked after me; I was in prison and you came to visit me...come take your inheritance, the kingdom [has been] prepared for you since the creation of the world.” (Matthew 25:35-36, 34)

C. This is the work of Messiah; these are the days of Jubilee

A. John the Baptizer was born to announce Messiah (Isaiah 40)

“I am not the Christ (Messiah), but am sent ahead of him. The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. The joy is mine and is now complete.” (John 3:27-30a)

B. In Matthew 11:1-6, John is in prison and loosing hope that Jesus is Messiah

1. The question is “Are you really the Messiah? Has Jubilee really come?

If it has, why doesn't it look like it or feel like it in my life?!”

2. Jesus responds by mentioning six of the seven signs of Messiah/Jubilee

a. He leaves one out. Which one? (“To provide freedom to the captives”)

b. John will pay the ultimate price...as will Jesus...as will all Jesus’ disciples

c. Following Jesus may start in Bethlehem, but it ultimately ends at Calvary

A. In Luke 4, Jesus returns to his hometown to read Scripture: Isaiah 61

1. When Jesus finishes, he says, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing”

2. Jesus just declared “the Year of Jubilee.” Only Messiah can do that!

B. We get to bring in the Kingdom; it’s already here but not yet complete

1. We are called to live like Jubilee is already here - it is because Jesus is here

2. Jesus invites us to partner with him to bring life, demand justice,

offer forgiveness and healing, and proclaim Good News

A. John 14:1 - “Jesus said, ‘Let not your heart be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.’”

B. Luke 2:10-11 - “I bring you Good News of great Joy for all people: a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”

It is Not a Silent Night

A. Israel was longing for a word of peace-centered encouragement

1. They had been through a major battle and lost

“Assyrians came down like the wolf on the fold, and his cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold; and the sheen of their spears was like stars on the sea, when the blue wave rolls nightly on deep Galilee” (Lord Byron)

2. There had been no comfort among the Israelites; no peace in their lives

3. A new king promised the Israelites they could “go home” to Jerusalem

B. They had been waiting for the “consolation” of Israel

1. The hope was that God would come and set everything right in the world

2. As word spread, hope was renewed - even though the reality was yet to come

THE MESSAGE

A. This text is God’s instruction to the prophet Isaiah

2. Those who speak God’s word to God’s people are to say, “Comfort!”

“Your rod and your staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4)

“As one whom his mother comforts, so I,” said God, “will comfort you.”

a. “Comfort” isn’t about “peace and quiet”; it’s not about being comfortable

“He will come to build and destroy; he will destroy the heavens and the earth - subverting everything and everyone to judgment...” (Peter 3:10,13)

“He will come to separate and to gather. As a farmer separates the wheat from the chaff, Christ will winnow his harvest - burning the chaff with fire and gathering his wheat into barns” (Matthew 3:12)

b. “Comfort” (lit. “with strength”) is a word of strength and encouragement;

an intimate word; a reminder that whatever grievous punishments

they’ve endured, they’re in the past

B. No matter how severely the Lord has dealt with you, be comforted:

his grace, forgiveness, and restoration will bring you home

A. Few people realized the event that took place in Bethlehem

B. Now we can clearly see Jesus’ completed work

1. Our world is out of joint

2. The warfare the prophet talks about, is it ever really finished?

C. That’s precisely the kind of world Jesus entered, to set everything right

1. He came to be one of us so that he could take up residence in us

2. He represents a peace - comfort - that reminds us, God has not forgotten us!

a. Now he stands with us in this messy world as our crucified and risen Lord

b. Nothing has changed. Everything has changed. All because of this child.

c. There are no silent nights; but if we acknowledge Jesus, we can

have a peaceful one

3. “Comfort to you!” because in Jesus your forgiveness is assured,

your victory guaranteed, and your peace eternal

D. Don't wait: open your heart and receive what God promised. Make

sure this is for you!

The Ultimate Quest

A BALANCED LIFESTYLE

A. People are searching for balance

B. This raises some significant concerns

1. It encourages us to think of “spiritual” as a separate entity

2. It offers little help or encouragement to those in crisis

3. It provides little sense of urgency worthy of human devotion

“This is the true joy of life, being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; being a force of nature instead of a selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.” (George Bernard Shaw)

4. It lacks any sacrifice, self-denial and surrender

A. The ultimate quest is for a fully devoted heart

A fully devoted heart is “to love...the right thing...to the right degree...in the right way...with the right kind of love” (St. Augustine)

B. How is a fallen heart transformed into a fully-devoted heart?

1. Answer: Over a lifetime

2. Answer: By rearranging our life around what we want and need

3. Answer: By making it the ultimate quest of our life

A. Our spiritual journey is profoundly shaped by our deepest desires

1. Our desires shape us. We get what we desire

2. What is it you want most of all? What is your pearl?

“Life is shaped by the end you live for. You are made in the image of what you desire.” (Thomas Merton)

3. Our desires are God-given and we’ve distorted them...

4. Transformation is about recovering, redeeming and restoring them

B. We don’t spend much time focusing on our deepest desires...

2. We believe our desires have been tarnished by sin and are unredeemable

3. We’re consumed by superficial desires and confuse them with deepest desire

C. Knowing our deepest desire starts with our surface desires and then we

begin to dig...

“...where our treasure is, there our hearts will also be.” (Matt. 6:21)

1. Our core needs – love, security, Truth, Life, fulfillment – are all God-given and are designed to lead us to him

2. Nothing of this world can satisfy our deepest desire

A. Why not simply call it sin?

“Every idolatrous desire—i.e., everything that we love and desire more than God—tends ultimately to diminish our humanity and damage our soul” (David Benner)

1. Calling it a distorted desire reminds us that it is God given

B. What can we do to correct these distortions?

1. Answer: we cannot do anything; grace is a gift

2. Answer: We can pray and ask God to reorder our life...

“Examine me and know my heart, probe me and know my thoughts” (Psalm 139:23)

a. In prayer, God reveals us to ourselves

b. In prayer, we discover our deepest desire is for God alone

c. In prayer, we ask God to give us our hearts desire

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)

“If you, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask!” (Matthew 7:9-11)

3. Answer: we can re-order our life so Jesus can do what needs to be done

C. Two questions:

1. First, what is your deepest desire?

2. Second, are you willing to rearrange your life for what your heart most

desperately wants and most deeply desires?