In January, we typically devote a couple Sundays to celebrating Epiphany. According to Merriam Webster, Epiphany means “a moment in which you suddenly see or understand something in a new or very clear way”. As believers, God has granted us such a moment and many subsequent moments where our insight on eternal things becomes all too real. We have sensed the insurmountable burden of our sins and yet know with confidence, the relief and freedom which Jesus brings. This is truly good news; and it needs to be shared. He redeemed us by his blood. We are now free for an eternity of celebrating God’s love and kindness to us and to the world.
But then there is the problem of HOW to share? Who really wants to hear this message? What is the baggage through which we must wade in order to share the good news of Jesus? SHaring our faith is meant to be a joy but Satan offers us many hurdles and obstacles for sharing. He wants the world to remain trapped in blindness and the darkness of sin.
One former atheist shared his feelings about the Christian faith in this way: he believed that if he became a believer, his life of fun would turn to a life of drudgery and boredom. He truly did not see [and could not see] that the gift of faith would turn his life upside down for the good. Yet he grudgingly told his non-believing friends that on this particular day he was going to be baptized into the Christian faith. When his body submitted to the waters of Baptism and his heart was touched by the Spirit of the Living God, he found an unbelievable newness and freshness and brilliant hope for his life. He could not believe the astounding difference.
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13-14)
iNstead of drudgery he found amazing peace. Instead of burdensome laws and rules he found that God’s system of living gave him freedom from guilt and the ability to conquer the strange, drowning desires of his flesh. He even found himself willing to say “no” to a profoundly beautiful young woman whom he had adored for months and years. She found out that he was a Christian; she noticed that he was different and asked him why. He shared with her his newfound faith in Jesus CHrist.
At that point she offered herself to him fully. He told her that he did not desire her in that way anymore because of his faith in Jesus. The Blood of Jesus not only forgave his sin but offered him a newfound way to live. “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). His desire was for the new life that Christ had won for him.
But the World does not yet know of God’s love and forgiveness in Christ Jesus. The world has been left without an epiphany - many do not yet know of this tremendous gift. That is why this series is placed here, just after our celebration of Jesus embarking on His earth-bound trek to save humanity. The manger helps us to see the Christ child, born for us. The shepherds relay the message from the angels - “A Savior has been born for you: He is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2).
Embark with me on a journey to share the faith that we have. You might be astounded at how you already do share your faith AND how you can grow in sharing your faith in Jesus. You have, you possess the most amazing, life-giving gift of all time: Jesus and faith in Jesus. Let us grow in that faith and share it with everyone we meet.
Please pray for this series and for each member of our two churches so that, collectively, we all grow in sharing the faith that we have in our Lord and Savior Jesus!
Blessings to you all.
Pastor Al
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