John the Baptist breaks four hundred years of prophetic silence to prepare the way for Jesus. He best prepares us for Jesus by calling us to repent (Metanoia) and to prove that repentance by bearing its fruit. But to bear good fruit, we need to go deeper to the root of our sin and self focus. This sermon by Ed Anton helps us to do just that.

Lex Campaldini preaches a sermon on Luke 2 that considers the persevering faithfulness of both Simeon and Anna as Jesus is presented at the temple. This proves to be a timely lesson for us during the holidays as we want what we want NOW, and what we want is often very individualistic. Simeon and Anna, by contrast, waited and waited and ... wait for it ... waited for the redemption of all God's people. They did not persevere for their individual wants or needs. Instead they remained steadfast in prayer for a selfless common good. 

Luke's account of the birth of Jesus begins with an edict from the greatest of all Roman emperors, Augustus Caesar. A decree issued from his lips in Rome moves pawns across the board even in the backwaters of Palestine. But who is the real pawn here? Augustus is merely a tool in the hands of Sovereign God. The Kingdom arrives to disrupt Empire. Jesus arrives to expose the futility of searching for peace without surrender to true Sovereign.  

As God introduces John the Baptist, the crowds of worshipers wonder "What will this child be?" He will be no less than the greatest of all God's prophets! He will Break the Silence and Pierce the Darkness to bring hope to the hurting and forgiveness to the repentant. 

A sermon by Ed Anton of Hampton Roads Church on the beginning of the Gospel of Luke.