Taking Up The Mantle

Folks, Jesus is not dependent on us for anything! …He gives us the great privilege of being able to be called by HIS name ….he blesses us and allows us to work for HIS kingdom!

My friends, …at this time of year …it is not all about ….baby Jesus, ….but Lord Jesus!

We sing songs about Santa Clause comin’ to town …but we must remember that Advent is not preparing us for Santa Claus, the fat jolly man who brings presents to nice girls and boys …whose greatest punishment for being bad is to give you a lump of coal.

Rather it is the Lord Jesus who is returning! ….He’s the real one who knows who is naughty or nice!

The coals the Lord Jesus brings are lit coals. These coals can be the coals which purged the lips of Isaiah, …the coals of …repentance and transformation.

…Or they can be the coals of brimstone …that are never quenched …for those who have not repented.

It is a season for the church to consider its ways and prepare for the return of the Lord …in our lives!

…Can you truly say in your heart right now, without any reservation or contemplation: “Come Lord Jesus”?

My friends, during this Advent season …we who believe the message of Jesus Christ …who became Incarnate in human flesh, …truly human, …but also truly divine, ……we have a message to bring to the world!

It is time for us to take up the mantle of John the Baptizer! …time for us to stand up and realize that God has called and commissioned us …HIS CHURCH …in this world today …and We must bring the straight message about Jesus to the lost people all around us!

Just a couple of weeks ago, Christie and I bought a new car …well, not a new car, but a new-to-us car. While we were considering what we wanted in our next vehicle, we first needed one that would carry all 6 of us! …that led us to some pretty nice vehicles …with pretty nice price tags. …in our considerations, though, we were adamant that we were going to find something that we could afford, …regardless of the kind of vehicle we could have qualified for. In the end, we chose one that would not stress our budget …one that allows us to continue to give to the work of God around the world, and here in Carteret County too.

We as the church need to spend less time trying to keep up with those Joneses in the world, and pay attention to the ways that God puts opportunities in our faces to serve Him and help alleviate hunger, suffering, and oppression; the very captivity of people …ALL made in the image of God!

Isaiah 40:3-5

3 A voice cries out:

“In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD,

make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

4 Every valley shall be lifted up,

and every mountain and hill be made low;

the uneven ground shall become level,

and the rough places a plain.

5 Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,

and all people shall see it together,

for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

Making the path straight for Jesus does not require a single bull dozer and not even one tree to be cut. Making the path straight for Jesus is spending time with someone so they can see our faith. Loving someone enough to tell them the truth about Jesus, even at the risk of damaging our “friendship”. I put friendship in quotation marks because a friend whom you cannot be honest with is really not a friend at all. …but even if they push you away …the words you speak to them …in love and honesty …will ring in their ears …calling them to a place of decision. …they will ask themselves over and over ….am I going to prepare for the coming of the Lord?