Is That All There Is?

Written by Reverend Bill Ferguson, Pastor of Sherrill United Methodist Church, Sherrill, Arkansas on Monday, December 22, 2008 .

Scripture Reading ………………….. Luke 2: 8 – 20

Referring Scripture …………………. Micah 5:2

The Words of God for the people of God, thanks be to God!
 
“Is that All There Is?” That’s the title of a song sung by the late and popular singer Peggy Lee. The song relates the story of a young woman’s disappointments and her expectations along life’s journey. She questions the reason and significance of events in her life. For a secular society that doesn’t fully understand or appreciate the significance of the Christmas season, the phrase “Is that all there is?” just may be an appropriate expression for the unbeliever once the Christmas season has faded into memory.

For many of us, Christmas is over. We’ve made our New Year’s resolutions and we have either taken down our decorations or are waiting until New Year’s Day to put them away. The Nativity has been taken down and we’ve put Jesus back in the attic, where he will remain until next year. The department stores took down their holiday displays and decorations after the stores closed on Christmas Eve. Now they are running “After Christmas Specials” in the paper, on  radio and on TV. The joyful Christmas music that we heard while shopping has been replaced with contemporary sounds. Now we get back to business as usual. Simply put, “Santa has left the building.”

For many, the excitement of the Holiday season is over. Now comes the Holiday Letdown or what some might call “the after Christmas Blues.” This emotional letdown is a condition that many of us come to terms with every year. The rising tempo of the pre-Christmas festival builds with excitement until after the big day and then there’s quiet and lots of stuff to do and things to put away and diets to return to. Yes, after the excitement comes the quiet. We return to normal and pick up where we left off before the Holidays. Friends, it doesn’t have to be all there is.
        The night of Jesus’ birth was exciting for Mary and Joseph. This was their first child. There before their eyes was the Miracle Baby whose coming into the world had been announced by an angel. The shepherds too were excited by what they had seen and heard that glorious night.  Luke 2: 13 tells us; “Suddenly a multitude of the heavenly hosts appeared with the angel, praising God” and heralding the Messiah’s birth.

It wouldn’t be long before Mary and Joseph would face the ordinary tasks of caring for a new baby and all the accompanying responsibilities. This happens to all new parents (first the excitement and then the routine). After the excitement died down, the shepherds would be back on the hillside tending their sheep. All the elements were in place for an emotional letdown, which often follows an emotional high.

I don’t believe that they experienced any “after-Christmas blues,” however. Luke 2: 19 – 20 tells us that Mary didn’t forget all that happened, and the shepherds couldn’t easily forget what they had heard and seen. The angel’s message had proven true, and their lives were filled with hope and anticipation. The shepherds glorified God and shared the wonderful news with others. They had a life changing experience in Bethlehem on that wondrous night.

Friends, there’s no reason or need for an after-Christmas letdown. We have the full story. Jesus came to die for our sins, then conquered death for us by rising from the grave. We have more truth of the story  to ponder and more reason to glorify God than that young couple and the shepherds did on that first Christmas night.

Today’s scripture message is asking: What will you take with you from Christmas, when you return to school or work – some left over Christmas cookies, a turkey sandwich, a few gifts and some warm holiday memories, or something more? Like those shepherds long ago, you too can have a life changing experience.

Luke 2: 20 tells us that “The shepherds went back to work, glorifying and praising God for everything that they had heard and seen, which had happened just as they had been told.”  After hearing the announcement of Messiah’s birth, after visiting Bethlehem where they found the baby Jesus lying in the manger, after telling people the amazing things they had heard and seen about this child – after all this, the shepherds went back to the fields, and their daily routine. But they returned from that first Christmas with something new – their hearts were full of praise for what they had experienced. Their circumstances were the same, but they themselves were different – they had encountered Christ the Lord.

Today’s scripture message is asking: “Have you encountered Messiah this Christmas, perhaps, through his Word or a new appreciation of his coming? When someone asks, “How was your holiday?”, what will you say? Friends, with Jesus in your heart, you can go back to school or work with joy and a living witness to others – glorifying and praising God for everything you have heard and seen. As the words of an old hymn says: “Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing.”
 
Let Us Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, we praise Your Name. Thank You for Your wonderful gift. Guide us Father that everyday will be Christmas in our hearts all year long. In Your Son’s Name we pray. Amen.

“Its Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”
written by Reverend Bill Ferguson    
 
New Testament Scripture Reading: ……………… Luke 2: 1 – 20,             Matthew 1: 18 – 25 & Matthew 2: 1 – 12
 
        “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmases, everywhere you go,” That’s how an old song, sung by Bing Crosby, began. Christmas decorations in store windows or the shopping malls and Christmas music, playing over the intercom system, help to set the mood. Yes, it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas.  Come to think of it, it was beginning to look a lot like Christmas the week before Halloween in some of the stores.

        It seems to happen earlier each year. Stores put up Christmas decorations. Newspapers and Television ads announce “The perfect Christmas gift.” TV stations advertise, “Get more Christmas for less” and “Save on Christmas this year.” Toy commercials punctuate television shows. It’s all so commercial – so materialistic. I have to ask isn’t there something down deep that we are missing? Where is Baby Jesus?

         When I was younger, I thought that this time of the year was when people think about God and good will toward mankind more than they do at any other time. I still believe that is the feeling we should have. Yet, recent news startle and awaken us to a reality that reveals a hurting society. Mixed in between the commercials, decorations and music we know that all is not well.  Tragic, headlines call out; “Another suicide Bomb in Iraq” & “Wal-Mart Employee Trampled to Death.”  And there are other stories too: a drunken husband shooting his wife on Thanksgiving Day. What was his excuse? He said she nagged too much.  Then there’s the story about someone’s Daddy shooting another Daddy in an argument over a Toy. I understand it was the last one in stock.  Tragic and never-ending stories dot the newspapers and it happens every year – heart breaking news mixed with the sounds of joy. I won’t stay here because to dwell on this subject is too depressing.

        On the surface there is a lot of tinsel and holly but beneath it all there is great hurt. If believers are not careful, we can get caught up in the secular spirit of Xmas. Notice that I said “Xmas.” That’s what you get when you take Christ out of Christmas. Christmas has been covered up by humanistic secular commercialism for so long that perhaps we need a refresher on what the season is really about – as the old saying goes; “Jesus is the reason for the season.” It is evident that this world needs a Savior. Friend, there is good news. There is one.

        Believers set this time aside each year to celebrate the birth of the Savior of all humankind. We recognize this holiday as the fulfillment of the promised Messiah who was Jesus of Nazareth.

        The cheerful “Merry Christmas” greeting sometimes gives the impression that everybody is glad that Jesus came to our world. But that isn’t true today and it never was.

        The news of Jesus’ birth evoked a mixed reaction. We know from Matthew 2: 10 – 11 that the Magi (who arrived about  three years after his birth) joyfully welcomed and worshiped the Messiah. Luke 2: 8 – 20 records the reaction of amazement and wonder by the shepherds and the shock and awe presented to them by the angels. But king Herod and his court was so troubled and worried when he heard about it that he tried to find the baby Jesus and kill him. Most people, however, were unaware of the significance of what had happened.

        Today, multitudes honor Jesus and rejoice in their salvation. But many others hate him. And just like Herod in those long ago days, they want to take his name out of the season. You’ve heard it. For fear of offending someone they say; “Happy Holidays” not “Merry Christmas.” They grumble about the singing of Christmas carols in malls and schools and the display of nativity scenes in public places. Others are apathetic. Oh, they go along with the celebration of the season and they may join in singing Christmas carols, but they never ask who Jesus is or why he came to our world. They don’t think of their need for a Savior or a need to believe on him and receive him as their Savior.

        Today’s Christmas message is asking: Are you among the indifferent? Friend, to ignore Jesus and his claim is to reject him. Christmas demands a decision about the Messiah. The choice is yours. The choice we make has eternal consequences or rewards.

        Although millions celebrate Jesus’ birthday, there are many who seem to be unaware of its real significance. Think about it. The baby born in Bethlehem was born to die. For the Christian, Jesus is the Passover lamb found in Exodus 12

        We know from Luke 2:15-16 that when Jesus was born, shepherds came to honor him. We know from Matthew 2:8-12 that three years later wise men from the East and brought him gifts. These people had no idea what Jesus  would eventually accomplish as an adult. But they were right in doing what they did, because Jesus’ birth was the most remarkable event in human history.

        How amazing, God in human form. God in the flesh. The Creator of the universe visiting this world. Friends, never hesitate to celebrate this baby at Christmas. Let us marvel together at his incarnation and let us stand in awe of the tiny baby who had created his worshipers. Then let us stand back in wonder, for the story gets even better. This baby grew into manhood, lived a perfect life, and willingly died for our sins. Friends, we can not look at the manager without seeing the cross.

        Have you accepted God’s gift of Salvation? If not, I invite you to do so today. If you do, I promise you that this will be the most meaningful Christmas you have ever had.  Then you can truly say; “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.” 
 
Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, we praise your name. Thank you for the most perfect Christmas Gift ever.
In Your Son’s name we pray. Amen.
         We invite you to worship with us at Sherrill United Methodist Church 118 West Main Street, Sherrill, Arkansas.  We are located on highway 15 North just 15 miles from Pine Bluff and 11 miles from England. Worship begins at 9:30 A.M. and Sunday School begins at 10:30 A.M.

Tools of the Carpenter
by Reverend Bill Ferguson, Pastor
Sherrill United Methodist Church
It will be helpful to you  if you read the scriptures before reading the message below.
Lesson Scripture:    
 
Hebrew Bible    Amos 7: 1 – 9
Referring Scripture:  
New Testament  Matthew 7: 24 – 27

        While meditating over today’s scripture, thoughts of the tools of a carpenter came drifting into my mind,  along with memories of my childhood. I’ll try and explain.
        Some of the most important tools for a builder are the plumb line, the level, and the square. But  most importantly is the foundation. When I was a young boy, our neighborhood theater often showed “Spanky and Our Gang.” Many of us remember them as the “Little Rascals.” In the fifties they were  shown on television. Some of us remember Betty Flower’s Saturday show; “Betty’s Little Rascals.” I still remember some of the members of “Our Gang.” There was Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Darla, their mascot “Peatie,” and of course Spanky. But one of the things that impressed me most was their Club House.
        All the kids in the neighborhood thought it would be neat to have a club house like the Little Rascals, so we got together for the project. We used some concrete blocks (piers) for our   foundation. We were able to get the wooden floor fairly level, but we had trouble making the sideboards fit. When we finished our club house, it  looked like something out of a Snuff Smith cartoon. We asked Mr. Jackson, our neighborhood “Mr. Fix it,” the reason our club house leaned. He said we hadn’t used a plumb line. “What’s a plumb line?”, We asked. We were told
that carpenters use a plumb line to make sure walls are square with the floor. It is a string with a weight on it that hangs straight down to guide the builder when he puts up a wall.
        It’s important that walls be built square to the floor. We’ve all seen, at one time or other, walls or buildings that have toppled over. More than likely, they were not built “on the plumb.” When a wall leans, eventually time and gravity pushes it over.
        Here I see a parallel in life with the story of the club house. We can equate building a club house with life, and time and gravity with compromising God’s laws and sin.
        In the book of Amos 7:1-9, our God  warns the prophet in a vision about a swarm of locusts and a great fire. These visions foretold the destruction of the northern kingdom of Israel. After Amos prayed, the Lord agreed to delay his judgement. Amos was given another vision of a straight wall with the Lord standing by it with a plumb line in his hand.
        God was telling Amos that he was checking the Israelites against his  plumb line to see if they had measured up and they hadn’t. God’s plumb line can only represent one thing; God’s divine standards. God had given them all that they needed to build their individual lives, their religion, and their nation. Not only was there a compromising of justice and righteousness but their worship was shallow and all show, not The Heart Attitude that God desires. The Bible tells us that Israel was given another chance but eventually their sinful compromising of God’s standards brought about their fall.
        Friends, God has set a plumb line in our midst today. It’s the Word of God (called the Bible) with its principles and
Commands. When we follow God’s directives, our lives will be on the square with his desires. The standard of excellence by which God (who is the Master Builder), measures us is the example set for us by his Son Jesus the Messiah. The foundation that we should build our lives on in this same Jesus. An old hymn says it more directly and eloquently; “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” Today’s message is asking: Have you come to realize that by holding on to the same old ways you cannot really change for the better? Do you desire to change? Do you want God’s divine standards to be the plumb line that governs you life? Do you want to build your life on the foundation of Jesus the Messiah? I invite you to welcome Christ Jesus into your life and make a commitment to the Master Builder.
 
        Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, I praise Your Name. I repent of my sins and welcome Your Son into my life. In the name of Jesus the Messiah. Amen.