Foundry Community Church
Epiphany Sunday - Year A
- Of The Father's Love Begotten (Divinum Mysterium)
Psalm 147:12–20NIRV
Ephesians 1:3–14NIRV
- To God Be The Glory
John 1:1–18NIRV
- John 1:1–13, Ephesians 1:3–10, Jeremiah 31:7–14Have you ever heard the adage, “Never judge a book by its’ cover?”Once, when I was probably 16 or 17 years old, I was working my first job selling shoes. A co-worker and I on a VERY slow sales day were changing over the displays on the ladies’ side of the store. A guy walks in behind us and my co-worker made a quiet statement about the guy’s dirty, sloppy dress and had me go wait on him.Frankly, the guy looked like he may have been homeless. He was kinda dirty and desheveled. Certainly, not your textbook “Big Fish.”He told me he was looking for some shoes to wear to a wedding, so I helped him find a shoe he was interested in and went back to get his size. My co-worker came back and chided me for “wasting my time” and made some “bum of the day” comments and I got the shoes and some other options, colors, styles etc… the care accessories, some socks. you know, the expected “great customer service” we were expected to give to everyone.In the end, the guy bought over $500 worth of product from me that day shoes, accessories, socks, he bought all of it. - and paid cash.Two weeks later, my District Manager came into the store on a day I was working and told me that I had achieved a “perfect customer satisfaction survey score” on a mystery shopper interaction. Turns out, my “bum” was a “mystery shopper” and fortunately, didn’t hear any of my co-workers comments. But, he did in his survey describe his whole experience with me from what he was wearing to what he bought.From then on, I always tried to do the same, always thinking, this may be the “whale of a sale” in disguise, or another “mystery shopper.” I tried to see every interaction as “more than it appeared,” because you really never know.God is kinda like that too. He looks at us in our dirty, disheveled appearances, and sees something more. Something much more. His desire is to find out what is really underneath all of that dirt and grime and see the true beauty of His Divine Nature that is buried.1. Foundation of Our IdentityOur Gospel Reading today in John 1, tells us “the beginning of it all.” It reminds us that He was the Omnipotent Creator that put all things into being, and set them in order.
John 1:1–5 ESV 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.Remember the Genesis account: In the Beginning… All through that narrative, “God said, and it was…” He was and is, “the Word.” Further, “the Word,” was with and WAS God!John 1:1–5 ESV 2 He was in the beginning with God.Further, to clarify who “the Word” was, our reading tells us that “He was in the beginning ‘with’ God.” One, yet separate being. It’s kinda like the other day, Cierra noted that my youngest son, Caleb and I have very distinctive likeness. Ironically, we have similar physical features that are undeniable, but also we have a lot of similar interests. Our personalities, sense of humor, very similar. One person told me that they met Caleb and there was not any doubt about “whose son he was…”John 1:1–5 ESV 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.During the creation account, God said, and it was, and it was good. He created us, by kneeling down in the dust and breathing life into us and saying, “Behold! It is VERY good!”That kind of reminds me of the prophetic vision in Ezekiel about the valley of dry bones. From dust we come, to dust we go, and yet with His breath, WE LIVE!John 1:1–5 ESV 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.He is the “Word,” He is “Life,” He is the “light of men,” and He is GOD!John 1:1–5 ESV 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.This light illuminates ALL darkness - shines in every corner of the cells of our hearts, bringing out everything that tries to lurk in the darkness - the contraband of our lives, that which seeks to destroy and hinder the destiny of God’s creative work by His Word.We were created for a purpose, God wishes to reveal our purpose once again. God wishes to shine Himself, the Light of Life upon the deepest recesses of our lives to reveal our true identity in Christ. He wants us to know His Love for us, to move us past our struggles, our stumbles, our failures to demonstrate our true worth and dignity in the eyes of Almighty God2. Chosen as God's ChildrenThis next part of the Gospel is one of my favorites in all of the Gospel narratives. Right from the beginning of John’s Gospel, he lets us know what the real purpose of the “rest of the story” is leading to. He doesn’t bait us along like the insurance guy in the commercial with the fishing rod, keeping the prize just out of reach… “Almost got it…”John 1:6–13 ESV 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.John had a purpose - a specific purpose for his existence. Maybe, each of us has a purpose…John 1:6–13 ESV 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.So,here is the very light of life, coming into the world. -And many did not know, or receive Him.How tragic.John 1:6–13 ESV 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,“…the right to become children of God.” Not a privilege that needs to be earned, and can be lost, but a God-given, Divine right to become children of God.John 1:6–13 ESV 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.Not because we earned it, or even chose it. God chose it for us. IT IS HIS WILL! I don’t need to pray prayers that say, “If it is the will of God…” We have God-given rights as HIS children to His blessings! His Divine Nature, His Presence in our Lives…Healing, Forgiveness, Deliverance, Provision, Miracles, Safety, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Goodness, Meekness, Temperance, Faith…All gifts given to us as “our birthright” as “children of God.”3. Blessed Beyond MeasureAs children, those who walk in right relationship with the Father enjoy the blessings associated as the children of God.For example, the other day, my son Caleb told me that he wanted to buy a mitre saw. So, Michelle, Cierra and I were in Hays the other day. Went into Harbor Frieght with Cierra and I saw a friend of mine that used to work for me at the facility and now works at that store. Surprise!Anyway, we talked for a bit and I wanted a few things, so I grabbed those and told Cierra that I wanted to look at the clearance isle because sometimes they have some really good deals back there.Well, long story short, I found a brand new saw that they had mistakenly put together as a display, but already had one so they marked it down and it hadn’t sold, so they marked it down again while I was there and I had a 15% off coupon that they honored and Caleb got a saw for about half price. Well, boom! His birthday is the tenth, so Happy Birthday Son! We are blessed as God’s children when we choose to honor Him!I like how Paul said it to the Ephesians in chapter 1…Ephesians 1:3–10 ESV 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, not just some of them or even most of them, EVERY ONE of them!Ephesians 1:3–10 ESV 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In loveOK, so yes, He chose us, but we need to walk holy and blameless…Ephesians 1:3–10 ESV 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,He knew from foundations of the world that He was going to adopt us as His children. He knew we would fail, but He set it into the DNA of His Creation for redemption through adoption! God’s purposes through Jesus - His will…Ephesians 1:3–10 ESV 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.He blesses, we praise His glorious grace!Ephesians 1:3–10 ESV 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,Redemption through Christ, forgiveness and riches through grace!Ephesians 1:3–10 ESV 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insightLavished. Wisdom. Insight. We are truly blessed by our Father!Ephesians 1:3–10 ESV 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in ChristEver been really confused by God’s plans? Yeah, me too. But He makes known His mystery of His will, His purpose set forth in Christ… REDEMPTION!Ephesians 1:3–10 ESV 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.Think about this…United with God, all things in Heaven and the things on earth…4. Restoration and Joy in ChristThey called Jeremiah the weeping prophet and yeah, sometimes his writings -especially in Lamentations, Jeremiah really did weep and cry out to God over His people. But, listent to this prophetic utterance in Jeremiah 31…Jeremiah 31:7–14 ESV 7 For thus says the Lord: “Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘O Lord, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’ 8 Behold, I will bring them from the north country and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, the pregnant woman and she who is in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here.Not much to weep about there!Jeremiah 31:7–14 ESV 9 With weeping they shall come, and with pleas for mercy I will lead them back, I will make them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble, for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.God’s people will be weeping, not in sorrow, but in repentance before God realizing God’s mercy.Jeremiah 31:7–14 ESV 10 “Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.’We have heard similar words before… “Freely you have recieved, freely give…” God’s people have received God’s mercy, now declare that same mercy to those who need to hear it as well!Jeremiah 31:7–14 ESV 11 For the Lord has ransomed Jacob and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. 12 They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall be like a watered garden, and they shall languish no more.Even though we ran off like the prodigal son, God has shown us mercy and grace and that is something worth signing about!Jeremiah 31:7–14 ESV 13 Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.Well, I’m not young anymore! Not gonna be dancing… Well, ok, don’t break a hip, but rejoice, “...be merry!” God is redeeming people right in front of your eyes. That should cause you to be “merry,” but too many times, it doesn’t look like we thought it should, didn’t happen as fast as it should, or maybe we, like Jonah want the judgement of God to fall on that person or persons… Careful, you might be seafood and barfed up on the shore…Jeremiah 31:7–14 ESV 14 I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, declares the Lord.”But those who choose the way of the Lord, those who enjoy the rights of being the children of God, those have opportunity to FEAST with abundance and satisfied with goodness!WE have the promise of restoration. We have the very purpose of God through Christ to be redeemed ~ even though we have fallen short so many times, God still purposes to redeem you to himself.God’s redemptive work demonstrates His overwhelming purpose of restoration of relationship with His people.Are you grieving? Let God turn that mourning into gladness! Are you tired and weary? Let our Heavenly Father fill you with the ability to run without growing weary, and walking without fainting! Embrace His promises! The circumstances we face today, may seem real, but the truth of God’s Word, His promises…That, is truth revealed… God in us, revealed in us… the Hope of Glory! John 1:1–5NIRV
John 1:1–5NIRV
John 1:1–5NIRV
John 1:1–5NIRV
John 1:1–5NIRV
John 1:6–13NIRV
John 1:6–13NIRV
John 1:6–13NIRV
John 1:6–13NIRV
Ephesians 1:3–10NIRV
Ephesians 1:3–10NIRV
Ephesians 1:3–10NIRV
Ephesians 1:3–10NIRV
Ephesians 1:3–10NIRV
Ephesians 1:3–10NIRV
Ephesians 1:3–10NIRV
Ephesians 1:3–10NIRV
Jeremiah 31:7–14NIRV
Jeremiah 31:7–14NIRV
Jeremiah 31:7–14NIRV
Jeremiah 31:7–14NIRV
Jeremiah 31:7–14NIRV
Jeremiah 31:7–14NIRV
- MYSTERION
- Doxology
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- Now Unto Him
Foundry Community Church
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