St. Matthew Lutheran Church- Rocklin, California

When I was a coach, you could always pick out the kids who were certain they wanted to be there. Being certain gave them focus, energy, drive, and purpose. Have you ever been in that place where you are unsure of your direction or what you should be doing? …where doubts are eating away at you, sapping your focus, energy, drive, and purpose? Are you perhaps carrying some doubt with you right now about God and your life in Him? Christmas means that we can be rid of these doubts. And Christmas means that we can live like it.

Have you ever wished you had someone wise and understanding to whom you could pour out your heart and thoughts? One who would lovingly listen and then give you perfect wisdom for your life? Have you ever longed to have such perfect wisdom that you could lovingly speak into the life of another? Jesus is THE Wonderful Counselor…and He is here for you and for all for He is Emmanuel.

Do you know who named Jesus? It wasn’t Mary or Joseph. It was His Heavenly Father, God Himself. Tonight, we examine the name and the title that Jesus’ Heavenly Father gave to Him. It was no accident. And yes, it has great meaning for us.

We all long for things to be different, even as we hope to be difference makers. How about you? Jesus came to make a difference not just by what He did but through what He would do in each of us. Christmas is meant to make a difference both in you and through you. This is our focus today.

“One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do.” Can you relate to these words? They were sung by the band “Three Dog Night.” There are countless ways to experience loneliness – physically, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually. But at the root of all of them is the feeling that you are utterly alone. Christmas means it’s not true. It means that we are not ever alone. Today, God whispers this truth anew into our hearts.

A Clearing of the Eyes; A Matter of the Heart- Thanksgiving 2020 by St Matthew Rocklin

As with the Children of Israel, God has brought us to this point to go into a new land with a new Vision as we continue to walk with Jesus. The Children of Israel, with joy and thanksgiving, being miraculously led into the new land, proceeded to make sure they never forgot as they committed to the new mission before them. And so it is with us. With joy and thanksgiving, we are led into a new land of mission and ministry. What will be our pillars of remembrance as God invites each of us to “cross the Jordan” into this new land? …as He invites us to boldly and joyfully say, “Yes! I’m in!”

Traditionally, the last Sunday of the church year – which this year falls on November 22nd, is called “Christ the King Sunday.” So why are we taking a break from our series to celebrate it today? Today marks the first day after the elections. Your preferred candidate may not have won but one thing we know; Christ is still the king of all…and we are His!

Moses had led the Children of Israel to the brink of entering the Promised Land. But God had said He would not be able to enter it. However, God, in His grace, took Moses up on a high mountain and showed him the whole land. He saw the Vision but was not able to enter. Today, we see the Vision! And then God, in His grace, would invite us to enter.

I remember my first year of playing little league football. It was like “wandering in the wilderness.” I remember the flutter kicks until you thought your stomach would burst. I remember the running. I remember how I didn’t even know how to get into a stance. I remember even having to be shown how to put on my pads. And I remember a coach that was right there with me from running the sprints to checking my gear. “Wandering in the wilderness”…but through it I learned and grew. As we “wander through the wilderness” during our lives of ministry with Jesus, just like with His ancient people God is with us to grow us into all we were meant to be as we “enter into a new land.” This is what we look at today as the Spirit of Christ would invite each of us to say boldly an joyfully, “Yes! I’m in!”