"Our God Reigns"

25 December 2008

U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris

Fortress Chapel

F.O.B. Sykes

Tall-afar, Iraq

BIG IDEA: The birth of Jesus is a good news story which strikes a chord, with all of us, that “Our God reigns”.

REFERENCES: Christmas Sunday Morning; (JPV) Joy, Peace, and Victory; Isaiah 52:7-10 (ESV) How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, Your God reigns; Psalm 103:1 (KJV) Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, (bless) his holy name; Luke 1:46 (ESV) And Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; Isaiah 7:14 (KJV) the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son; John 4:7 (GNB) “Give me a drink of water.” Luke 10:25-36 (Good Samaritan Parable told by Jesus);

I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: Isaiah 52:7-10 (ESV)

II. READ THE PERICOPE: Isaiah 52:7-10 (ESV)

III. READ THE TEXT: Isaiah 52:7 (ESV) How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns”.

IV. PURPOSE: To motivate the hearers to affirm to others that the birth of Jesus is a good news story that strikes a chord, with all of us, that “Our God reigns”.

V. SERMONIC THEME: “Our God reigns”

VI. INTRODUCTION: Merry Christmas to all of our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Civilians in Iraq. For we are all aware of the fact that on this day – Thursday, 25 December 2008, people of all ages, genders, faith and ethnicities are commenmorating and celebrating the birthday of Jesus Christ – the son of the Virgin Mary … and God our creator.

This day, we called Christmas, is truly unique in and of itself. As Christians, Christmas is one of our most important High Holy Days – the other being Resurrection Sunday (or Easter).

And although it’s Jesus birthday, it’s our tradition to give and exchange gifts on this day. But, as our JAG Officer – Captain Katrina Johnson – pointed out to the Senior Leaders of the 504th BfSB on yesterday, ….

military members have a $10.00 limit on how much they can spend on their superiors. In other words, there is a limit on how much can be given.

******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******

Move 1: Now, in preparation for today, I came across a rare passage (in the Bible) where our Savior is no longer a baby - …

a. …but is a young man; and He (Jesus) is requesting someone to GIVE HIM something.

b. For don’t you remember the Story where Jesus left Judea to go to Galilee in order to avoid a conflict with the Pharisees regarding baptism?

c. Yet, between Judea and Galilee was Samaria.

d. And it was there that Jesus met the Woman at the Well?

e. Jesus says to the woman (in John 4:7 (GNB) “Give me a drink of water.”

******* Take 5 Beats *******

Move 2: The woman replied, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan – so, how can you ask me for a drink?”

a. In other words, Jews will not use the same cups and bowls that Samaritans use.

b. For you see, Samaritans were inter-racial decscendants of the imported Gentiles and poor Jews left in Palestine from the Assyrian (722 B.C.) and the Babylonian (586 B.C.) conquests.

c. These two group inter- married and produced the Samaritans.

d. They were hated by the Jews and despised by the Gentiles.

e. Because they were considered half-breeds, and Jews hated them for religious reason …

f. … because the Samaritans refused to worship in Jerusalem, preferring instead their own temple on Mount Gerizim.

******* TAKE 5 BEATS ******

MOVE 3: The Samaritans only recognized the First 5 Books of the Moses as canonical, …

a. … while the Jews included the Prophets and Writings in their Canon of inspired Scriptures.

b. Therefore, Jesus countered her statement by saying …

c. … – If you only knew what God gives and who it is asking you for a drink, you would ask him … and he would give you life-giving water.

d. My brothers and sisters … Jesus showed the Woman at the well unbelieverable love and kindness in that day in time …

e. It was love that had never been seen before (Tell the Story).

f. It was akin to the narrative called the Good Samaritan Parable that he told in Luke 10:25-36.

g. Jesus … shares the Good News with the Woman at the Well ….

h. And, so it is shared with us today …

******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******