On the Way
Commentary
On the Way
by Ross Marrs
Whether biblical record speaks of the Advent as a future hope or as a declaration of something seen in the present, it is interesting to note that there is always a call to change in the meantime.
When I was a youngster attending revivals, I got the distinct impression that we sinners were wallowing on a low road in life. When we heard the good news and accepted Christ, we were suddenly zapped up to a new and higher road. There we were to be tempted no more and would sin no more. Our salvation assured, all that remained was to wait until Jesus comes again and takes us home to heaven.
Those who have this view of instant perfection and salvation need to scan the scriptures again. The biblical record is written primarily to the people of God, disciples of Christ. It is always clear that the cleanup job envisioned by Malachi takes some time. In his letters Paul is forever rebuking his readers for their failure to measure up and holding new challenges up before them.
The "day," more often mentioned in the Bible than most ever perceive, is depicted sometimes as a "day" in the future. However, it has the sound of the eternal present about it. The "day" is now. Anytime and all time is the time for salvation, and salvation is not so much a completed event as it is a process that is always underway in the life of the disciple.
The day is both here and out there.
We are on the way.
OUTLINE I
First Things First
Malachi 3:14
Introduction: Do some homework on the actual facts related to the return of the exiles from Babylon. Even though they and their prophets had looked forward to a wondrous return and restoration (see Isaiah 40), the facts turned out otherwise. Re-read Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi for a description of the situation. Things did not go well.
The Challenge: It is the contention of prophets such as Malachi that the people have-not been giving their best as evidence of their gratitude. They have been rebuilding their homes and neglecting the temple, re-establishing businesses and giving their religious life short shrift, keeping back the best of things and bringing the leftovers to God's altar.
The Judgment: Priest and people alike are guilty. They can expect things to get worse unless they change.
We may be a bit put off by the cultic shape of religion called for by these prophets, but they had firm grasp on a basic principle: As we sow, so we reap.
The Call: Turn: Change your ways. Measure up. Raise your sights, or ...
First things first!
When we do put first things first, it is then that we discover the presence of God in our lives.
Conclusion: Challenge the congregation to assess the level of their own devotion and stewardship. Ask whether we are a people who put first things first.
OUTLINE II
The Eternal Offer
Luke 3:1-6
Introduction: There are those who somehow imagine that the prophecy of Isaiah 40 did not come true in the time of Isaiah so it must be concluded that it was a word spoken for another time; i.e. the coming of Jesus soon. It seems that these see all prophecy as prediction. Therefore, if it didn't come true one time, it will come true at another.
Isaiah 40: Who said it didn't come true? The people did return, didn't they? One must refrain from taking poetry either literally or as factual imagery. Even poetry can only feebly grasp at the wonder of God's acting in our midst. And the poetry tells about what God will do, not about how the people will respond. It is the view of some prophets in Israel that all they dreamed did not happen, not because of God's failure, but because of the failure of the people.
Luke 3: So it happened again. God is always the same and always doing the same. Once again God makes the eternal offer. Once again, in Jesus, says Luke, he offers us his salvation. Whether that salvation is ours depends on our response.
Conclusion: Offer the good news. And offer a word of warning: Salvation comes only to those who will receive it and live up to its call. You can refuse.
OUTLINE III
News: Bad, Good and Best
Philippians 1:3-11
Introduction: Check out chapters 17-20 of Acts for Luke's background material regarding Paul's contact with Philippi. It is here he encounters Lydia. And it is here he gets into trouble with the authorities and is jailed. In Philippi he gets both good news and bad news.
The Bad News: Not only was there bad news in the town of Philippi, but in the church, too. Again scan the letter and you'll find good words spoken for the congregation.
It is clear that there are many good people in the congregation, or Paul would not have held them so valuable. Check out chapter 1 again.
The Best News: The entire letter is an upward call. They are, like us, in need of change, growth, and improvement. The good news never leaves us where we are. Our response is new life. The best news is that it is made possible by the gift of his spirit.
Conclusion: Some honest investigations of the congregational life is in order. Remembering that such congregational life is fragile, offer challenges like those in the Philippian letter.
