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He is Coming Like it Or Not - 4 December 2022
Part 2 of The Visitor Series
When John the Baptist challenged the people with the coming of the Messiah, he called them to repent. That is, he called them to turn away from their comfortable life. He called them to make a change. This may mean that you have to do something outside your comfort zone. If you have to repent from a wrongdoing – if that has been holding you back from God – do so; if you have to take a bold step that you may have been afraid to take, try that. For some, it may be getting up in front of people to light a candle, or reading, or even doing the children’s story. For others, it may be welcoming someone into our lives who we have been afraid to face. It may be going on a mission trip even though you are not sure right now how you can help. You trust that if God has called you to something, God can use you. Being with God requires a bold step. Preparing the way for God requires us to take a bold step.
The motto of the United Church of Christ is this: “Whoever you are, and wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.” We know all too well that people in the days before Jesus would not welcome everyone; sometimes there is just no room, and sometimes someone may turn out to be a robber. We have the same barriers today, and they are legitimate barriers. But can we welcome one another into the space that is our hearts and our church? When we meet someone, can we make them feel loved? Regardless of where they or we are on controversial issues, in politics, on LGBTQ, we are called to love our neighbor. We do not have to affirm the belief of our neighbor, but we should accept them and create a welcoming space. As Paul encouraged us in Romans 15: “May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Rom. 15:5-7). Acceptance makes someone feel loved. Forgiveness makes someone feel loved. Encouragement makes someone feel loved. They all make someone feel welcome. How can we be more accepting, more forgiving, and more encouraging to not only prepare the way for God in our own lives, but prepare the way for God in another’s life?
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By Bryan NiebanckPart 2 of The Visitor Series
When John the Baptist challenged the people with the coming of the Messiah, he called them to repent. That is, he called them to turn away from their comfortable life. He called them to make a change. This may mean that you have to do something outside your comfort zone. If you have to repent from a wrongdoing – if that has been holding you back from God – do so; if you have to take a bold step that you may have been afraid to take, try that. For some, it may be getting up in front of people to light a candle, or reading, or even doing the children’s story. For others, it may be welcoming someone into our lives who we have been afraid to face. It may be going on a mission trip even though you are not sure right now how you can help. You trust that if God has called you to something, God can use you. Being with God requires a bold step. Preparing the way for God requires us to take a bold step.
The motto of the United Church of Christ is this: “Whoever you are, and wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.” We know all too well that people in the days before Jesus would not welcome everyone; sometimes there is just no room, and sometimes someone may turn out to be a robber. We have the same barriers today, and they are legitimate barriers. But can we welcome one another into the space that is our hearts and our church? When we meet someone, can we make them feel loved? Regardless of where they or we are on controversial issues, in politics, on LGBTQ, we are called to love our neighbor. We do not have to affirm the belief of our neighbor, but we should accept them and create a welcoming space. As Paul encouraged us in Romans 15: “May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Rom. 15:5-7). Acceptance makes someone feel loved. Forgiveness makes someone feel loved. Encouragement makes someone feel loved. They all make someone feel welcome. How can we be more accepting, more forgiving, and more encouraging to not only prepare the way for God in our own lives, but prepare the way for God in another’s life?