Lectionary for Advent 3
Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known God’s deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. Isaiah 12:4
Collect. O God, the fountain of all life and joy, renew us by the power of your Holy Spirit, that we may joyfully run in the way of your commandments and carry to all, the good news of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reading. Isaiah 12:2-6 This is a great passage to commit to memory for it holds some wonderful promises along with great assurance. There are many times in life when what is needed is someone greater who is there for you and this passage reminds us that at all times God is there. “I will trust and not be afraid” is a great confidence builder for it is linked to the God who brings salvation. Every believer can face life with confidence for God is a continuing presence. However these words should alert us to the fact that there will be times when our faith is tested and we are in danger. There will be times when perhaps we would rather look for more tangible support that our faith in God. Yet it is as we face life’s issues trusting in God, no matter what those issues might be that we find our faith strengthened and our confidence growing so that with the writer we can say, I draw my water from the well of salvation with joy. Joy comes when we realise that God will bring the best outcomes for us, no matter what our experiences might be. As we continue to celebrate the season of Advent we remember that Jesus is continually working on our behalf. Paul’s letter to the Romans reminds us that, “It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us”. Romans 8:34
With the coming of our Lord also comes the understanding of the nature of God for Jesus was the true reflection of God and reveals to us God’s nature. (John 14:9) It is because of this knowledge that we can indeed trust these words from Isaiah’s prophecy. God is our salvation now and will continue to be our salvation on into the future. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the LORD GOD is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2
Prayer. Almighty God, you are the great protector of your people throughout all of history. None of your promises have failed and your word and your truth have prevailed. Grant us the confidence to trust in you no matter what we see or hear of the world’s news. May our hearts not feel afraid nor let us put our trust in anything less than your word and your presence. By your protective power keep us faithful till the end. Lord though you are a very present help in times of trouble, yet Lord we confess that we often feel alone and anxious about the future. Forgive us Lord that we so easily turn away from your truth and your guidance and follow our own schemes and designs. Forgive us that we fail to trust you and yet expect you to rescue us when all else fails. Help us to turn to you first and to find patience and strength to wait on you as you supply the answers which are best for us and all others. Lord give to us the wisdom and insight to see you at work and be faithful to follow as you direct. This we ask through Jesus our Saviour. Amen
Reading. Luke 3:7-18. If we were to write a sermon drawn from this passage we might easily title it. “The Pitfalls of Privilege!” The Jews had known for centuries that they were a privileged people but this knowledge had lead to complacency. They were blessed in order to be a blessing to other peoples but instead had become insular and condescending. The prophets had consistently warned the people that failure to obey God would lead to national disaster. It was a disaster that by the time of John had come to fruition. Once more they were held captive to a conquering army. Given that situation, John’s message is both a warning and also a message of hope. The people longed for God to intervene on their behalf as they looked for relief from enemy occupation. By now they understood that the occupation was the result of their failure to obey God. In John’s message are words which lead to restoration and healing. John uses strong words to shatter the tradition that as children of Abraham they had fulfilled all that God required. Tradition alone could not change the situation the only reliable remedy to rescue the people from judgment is God himself. As Isaiah had prophesied, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength’. (Isaiah 30:15) In other words they had to stop relying on their privileged position and turn back to God and hear again what God wanted them to be and to do. John goes on to remind his hearers that this new reliance on God is demonstrated by a change of life style as well as a change of heart. John’s preaching had one aim, not to scare or to challenge but to point to the true saviour Jesus Christ: The one who was to come: The longed for Messiah. He is the embodiment of God’s rescue and this makes John’s message a message of Good News for it gives people a way forward and a future. John’s message is not simply an observation from long ago; it is as relevant today as it has ever been. Only reliance on God and what he has done through Jesus Christ will truly sustain us.
Prayer. Give thanks to God, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the nations, proclaim that his name is exalted: O God the fountain of all life and joy, renew us by the power of your Holy Spirit, that we may joyfully run in the way of your commandments and carry to all the good news of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever and ever. Amen (Uniting in Worship)
Collect. Save us, coming God, from relying on our goodness; but as we trust in your word, and turn from sin, may the fire of the Spirit blaze among us; in Christ’s name. Amen.
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