Sermon: The Voice of Purpose and Direction

The Voice of Purpose and Direction
Psalm 29; Matthew 3: 13-17
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
January 12, 2020

Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name;
worship the Lord in holy splendor.

The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the Lord, over mighty waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
and Sirion like a young wild ox.

The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl,
and strips the forest bare;
and in his temple all say, ‘Glory!’

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
the Lord sits enthroned as king for ever.
May the Lord give strength to his people!
May the Lord bless his people with peace! - Psalm 29

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’

But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he consented.

And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’ - Matthew 3: 13-17

I keep the picture on my desk so that I will remember. The year was 2006. Doug and I are standing with our daughters at the front of the church sanctuary with our pastor, Dr. Tom Kort. All five of us had big smiles.

Doug and I were new members of the Presbyterian Church – two years in. It was Baptism day for our oldest daughter Devon, who was just five years old. She had been asking questions about baptism and said, “I want Jesus in my heart.” We were so excited for this new beginning in her young life.

We met with the pastor and presiding elder before the worship service to go over the details of the Sacrament. Devon looked at me and asked ever so shyly, “Will Dr. Kort hold me in his arms and carry me down the aisle like he does with the babies?” It was a precious question. She had been paying attention to the baptisms of babies. That image of the pastor holding the baby during the Sacrament and then walking the child down the church aisle for all to behold had captivated her.

Our pastor smiled and said, “Well Devon, you are a little bit bigger than the babies that I baptize. But I will hold your hand and I will walk beside you down the aisle to introduce you as the newest baptized member of God’s family.”

Dr. Kort’s voice was rather reassuring that he would guide this beloved child of God with purpose and direction.

The Gospel according to Matthew lifts up the day of Jesus’ baptism so that we will remember. John the Baptist was chosen by God to prepare the way of the coming of the Lord. John was baptizing with the water of repentance for the reason that Jesus Christ might be revealed to Israel (John 1:30).

But on this fateful day as John’s cousin Jesus approached, John was shaking in his camel hair vest. John was not worthy enough to carry Jesus’ sandals. Who was he to baptize the lamb of God, the One who takes away the sin of the world? (Matthew 3:11; John 1:29). John felt he and Jesus should switch places because Jesus is the One who baptizes with Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11).

And yet is was Jesus’ voice that assured John of God’s purposes and direction. John was to baptize Jesus to fulfill all righteousness in accord with God’s will (Matthew 3:15).

You see God delighted in his only Son, his chosen servant to bring God’s plan of salvation. In baptism God put his Spirit upon Jesus to establish justice in all the earth (Isaiah 42:4). Through the person and work of Jesus Christ, God gave the people of God a new covenant to restore us to right relationships, to open the eyes of the blind by God’s amazing grace, to set the prisoners free for those who sit in darkness, to bring forth new things proclaiming God’s glory (Isaiah 42: 6-9).

As Jesus rose up from the waters of Baptism, he was anointed for ministry with God’s purpose and direction. The Maker of heaven and earth proclaimed his excitement for this new beginning with the words, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). What a precious moment that creates a new identity for every follower of Jesus Christ.

Baptism connects us as a chosen family; not only in the local church but more so in the church universal. By water and Holy Spirit, we are claimed in God’s love that will never let us go. We die to sin and rise up as a new creation in Jesus Christ. We are adopted into God’s great family of faith. We are called to continue Christ’s ministry of love, reconciliation, justice, and peace. And yet our common calling is not solely about belonging and believing. It is about being transformed by the grace of God. It is about being the hands and feet of Christ to join God in transforming the world.

Today we will reaffirm our baptisms as a congregation to remember it is the Lord’s voice that gives our lives purpose and direction.

You may remember when I was called to be your next pastor in August of 2015. The Sunday I was to be installed I invited this church to remember our baptisms to mark a new beginning in ministry. As you know it is not just the minister who does ministry, but it is all of us working together.

Today we are recommitting ourselves to give ourselves fully to follow Jesus. This act of faith is to mark our preparation for a year of discerning the Lord’s purposes and direction for our church.

The Spirit is inviting each of us to give ourselves fully to prayer, to discern God’s mission, and to plan godly goals. We will be praying for God to open our eyes and notice what God is doing in our community. We will be praying for God to reveal what God’s mission is in the surrounding community and what our church’s unique role is within it. We will also be prayerfully planning godly goals to reach towards – that includes discerning together how God is calling us to use our beautiful acreage for God’s purposes.

We will begin this process of discernment in February as a whole church. First, we will gather for an enrichment weekend on a Saturday and Sunday in February. Secondly, we will engage in a 10 week- all church study and discussion in small groups as Lent begins at the end of February. Third, we will harvest the ideas shared in the small groups to map out God’s purposes, direction and mission. The session and I will continue to communicate the process and dates as we finalize them. We will be working with my colleague in ministry, The Rev. Dr. David Brown. His voice will reassure us of God’s purposes and direction in this year of discernment and visioning.

It will take all of us to discern the voice of God, the ministry of Jesus Christ, and the nudges of the Spirit for our chosen family. This is an exciting time of ministry and yet I know that a year of intentional discernment may make us a bit nervous too. And that is ok.

I would be remiss if I did not say that this church is no stranger to the visioning process. Van Wyck Presbyterian has long been a forward thinking church who has done the work of vision and discernment. It is a strength of this congregation.

May we listen for God’s reassuring voice hovering over the baptismal waters. The Lord goes ahead of us to give blessings and strength to his people.

In the name of God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.

Sermon: Word of Intention (John 1: 1-18)

Word of Intention
John 1: 1-18
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
January 5, 2020
Epiphany Sunday


In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” ’) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known. - John 1: 1-18

It has been said, “A day without intention is a day wasted.” Without intention, our actions have no gainful impact. You and I know all too well that our intentions and actions so easily become misaligned. As a new year begins, many of us feel the need to make a few small repairs to our hearts and minds.

God’s greatest desire is that our intentions and actions will be aligned with his. The Gospel of John proclaims God’s divine intentions and actions. In the beginning “the Word,” the personal wisdom and power of God, held the intent to enter our human experience. God’s intentions were to reveal that God is not distant, but chose to know humanity’s “joy, pain, suffering, and loss” [1]. The eternal nature of God became flesh to show all creation and humanity the Lord’s unconditional and unparalleled love.

The Gospel of John tells us that the Word is the person and work of Jesus Christ. My commentary says, “Light and life are the two ways the Word expresses itself in the world” [2]. In Jesus Christ, God’s intentions act to shine light into the darkness and to bring life from nothingness and even death.

When our lives are touched by Jesus Christ, then we receive God’s power and purpose. From his fullness we receive grace upon grace.

Today we celebrate Epiphany. The twelfth day of Christmas draws near on Monday January 6, therefore, we affirm our faith in God’s self-revelation in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son. According to the Gospel of Matthew, the star guided the magi to discover the Christ Child.

But the Gospel of John wants us to focus upon another layer of the story. The light and love of God’s intentions in Jesus Christ are at work to speak a new revelation of truth into our lives.

The mysterious and creative light and love of God go ahead of us to make all things new. Instead of making a New Year’s resolution, Epiphany offers a spiritual practice of prayerful reflection in this new year with a star word (a word of intention). This spiritual practice has been occurring in the Presbyterian Church for about 30 years.

Star words work like this: Every person in worship will have the opportunity to receive a paper star. Each star has a different word written on it. You do not get to pick the word that you prefer, rather the star word chooses you. The word on your star may be God’s way of revealing a new truth about the light and love of Christ. The spiritual reflection of a star word holds the hope of realigning our intentions and actions with God’s.

The word of intention that chose me last year was “Respect.” I have to be honest – the word disappointed me. I felt that I was already respectful to others; what could I learn from that word, “respect”?

Using Scripture as my guide, I considered how I respect my parents, my spouse and those in authority. As many of us shared insights into the meanings of one another’s star words, three people told me that they interpreted the word “respect” as “respecting myself.” And your insight and interpretation did something to me.

If we are to love God with all our being and love our neighbor as ourselves, then yes- that means I must love and respect myself too. Self-resect made me really consider how I perceive my self-worth. Therefore, I began to set some personal boundaries of self-respect and also set expectations of how I want to be respected. My word of intention has been both humbling and empowering.

A disciple among us shared her star word revelation: My word was “judgement”. As I thought about that word and the different ways that we use judgment in our lives, I reflected on what kind of judgment is used in everyday situations. My prayer has been for better judgment in my decisions. I have also been thinking about judgment in regard to other people and other situations. How have I judged others? It has made me look more closely at how I view the world. To be able to look into someone’s eyes and look beyond what is on the surface has been a revelation for me.

Another disciple shared her star word reflection: My word was "encourage" and I thought it was too easy. I enjoy encouraging people, but this year I've gained a whole new appreciation for the word. What has really stayed on my mind has been the kind of encouragement my church family has given me during a difficult year. A year of disappointment, sadness, and health issues have been offset by sweet words, hugs, delightful visits to our home, and much, much love. But our church family is like that! Encouraging others is just something we do naturally!

When we engage a word of intention as a spiritual discipline, we are inviting God’s Spirit to reflect the character of Jesus Christ through you and me in a new and life-giving way.

This morning we will come forward to the Lord’s Table to receive the bread of life and the cup of salvation. The gifts of God symbolize the life and love that Jesus Christ gives to us from manger to grave and in his saving death and resurrection.

These gifts are given to light the way forward with the fullness of God’s grace. The bread and the cup strengthen and nurture our faith as we begin a new leg of this spiritual journey together as Christ’s disciples.

As we taste the goodness of God, let God’s word of intention choose you. There is a new revelation of truth that Christ desires to speak into our lives.

Just imagine how the Word of God’s wisdom and power might dwell in us and empower us to be more Christ-like!

In the name of God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.

Sources Referenced:

[1] New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary: Volume VIII, Luke, John (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2015), p. 445.
[2] New Interpreter’s Bible: Volume VIII, p. 445.

Advent Series: Fear Not - Rise Above (3/4)

Fear Not: Rise Above (3/4)
Matthew 1: 18-25
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
December 15, 2019
Third Sunday of Advent

This Advent we are sitting in four stories from the Gospels of Luke and Matthew where an angel of the Lord makes a divine visit to proclaim, “Fear Not!” And we are uncovering the layers of these holy encounters with Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds to be encouraged that yes, God is indeed with us and listening. God’s Word will light the way for us to rediscover and celebrate the hope, peace, joy, and love that Jesus’ birth brings.

Today we listen to the story of Joseph’s encounter with the angel in Matthew 1: 18-25.

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.

But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet [Isaiah]:

‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel’,
which means, ‘God is with us.’

When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

Joseph was the son of Jacob and a descent from the line of King David. King David’s father Jesse was from Bethlehem (Matthew 1: 16; 1 Samuel 16:1). Joseph was a carpenter (Matthew 13:55). He was hardworking, honest, and a righteous man following the Law of Moses (Matthew 1:19).

Joseph was living right in the eyes of God and in the eyes of others. He was focusing on a bright future with his fiancée’ Mary, a young teenage woman from Nazareth. Their engagement was an arranged marriage according to Jewish custom. The earliest age to marry for a young woman was age 12 and for a young man was age 13. So, Joseph and Mary were most likely quite young.

Betrothal was not like our modern-day engagement where you could just walk away with a case of cold feet. Betrothal was a legally binding contract with consequences. The father of the groom would have paid money or an in-kind service to the father of the bride.

The news of Mary’s unexpected pregnancy completely dimmed the light in of Joseph’s eyes. This man felt a dark shadow of shame cover him. Joseph feared his reputation and Mary’s would be tainted in the eyes of their families, friends, and the community.

While Joseph kept the letter of the law, he was not willing to make an example of Mary. The legal consequences were dire for such a scandal; Mary could be stoned to death by the men of the city for bringing disgrace upon her father’s house and upon Joseph (Deuteronomy 22: 23-27).

The only way out of this mess was to divorce her. And yet the angel appeared to reframe Joseph’s state of mind and strengthen him: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-21).

The angel’s words shined God’s light into the darkness of Joseph’s shame. The angel freed Joseph from the fear being unworthy of God’s favor and judged by others. God’s message empowered Joseph to rise above his fears for God’s purposes to be accomplished through him.

One of the challenges of being human is our struggle with shame. We all are prone to carrying it around with us. Shame creates obstacles to moving forward in lives when our circumstances make us feel defeated. Shame weaves lies of a false narrative within us saying that we are unworthy. Shame causes us to fear the judgment of others; but the worst critic stares at us in the mirror. Shame completely steals our joy.

Brené Brown is a shame researcher. She has written a number of books and given talks on TED (Technology Entertainment and Design). She says:

If we want to be able to move through difficult disappointments, the hurt feelings, and the heartbreaks that are inevitable in a fully lived life, we can’t equate defeat with being unworthy of love, belonging, and joy [1].

We have to talk about shame. Shame is the swampland of the soul. Shame and guilt are different. Guilt says, “I’m sorry – I did a bad thing.” Shame says, “I’m sorry – I am a bad thing.”

Shame plays two big tapes. The first is “You are not good enough.” If you get through that one, it plays, “Who do you think you are?”

For women, shame is this web of unobtainable, conflicting, competing expectations about who we're supposed to be. And it's a straight-jacket.

For men, shame is not a bunch of competing, conflicting expectations. Shame is one, do not be perceived as what? Weak.

If you put shame in a Petri dish, it needs three things to grow exponentially: secrecy, silence, and judgment. If you put the same amount in a Patri dish and douse it with empathy, it cannot survive.

The Angel broke the shame cycle for Joseph. And God’s message can break the shame cycle in us too. Whatever might be stealing your joy today, I want for you to know that you are worthy of love, belonging, and joy because you are a beloved child of God.

Humanity was created in God’s image and everything that God created was called good. However when humanity reached beyond the boundaries of God’s will, the condition of sin entered the world and shame is what we have all hidden from ever since then.

The Maker of heaven and earth would do anything to remove the shadow of shame that burdens us. In fact, God did.

Our Creator came down from heaven’s throne to put on the thin skin of humanity. In Christ, God fully experienced our brokenness, disappointments, guilt, and shame. God chose to look upon us with compassion and empathy by sending his Son to save us from the judgment that we deserve.

Therefore we look to Jesus Christ, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and he has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).

As we enter into the third week of Advent, let the light of God’s compassionate love shine into the shadows of shame. According to the Christmas story - secrecy, silence, and judgment do not have the last word. God always has the last word. God alone is the One who is re-writing the end of our stories.

And when we realize that it is only God’s perception of us that matters, then THAT, my friends is joy.

Joy is never putting on a fake smile and being of good superficial cheer.

Joy is having a deeper awareness of God’s grace.

Do not fear. May the joy of the Lord be your strength to rise above as we anticipate Christ’s birth (Nehemiah 8:10).

Glory be to God our Maker, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.

Sources Referenced:

[1] Brené Brown, “Daring Greatly” (New York: Penguin Random House, 2012), p. 67.

Advent Series: Fear Not - Trust God (1/4)

Fear Not: Trust God (1/4)
Luke 1: 5-25
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
December 1, 2019
First Sunday of Advent

The Chrismon tree is up with all the ornaments. The lights are shining. Some of you already have your homes decorated inside and out. The children are excited about the count down to Christmas. It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

But I have to be honest. I am not ready to celebrate. My heart is heavy for so many who feel like they are walking in darkness. Many of us are navigating through uncertainty, grief, and deep questions for God. This is not an easy time of year.

The season of Advent gives us permission to be honest. This first Sunday of Advent reminds us that it is not time to celebrate just yet. These four weeks that lead to Christmas meet us in the darkness of humanity to shine the light of God’s promises into our lives. Advent meets us at this crossroads of searching for hope. Many of us need to know that God is with us and that God is still listening.

This Advent we will be sitting in four stories from the Gospels of Luke and Matthew where an angel of the Lord makes a divine visit to proclaim, “Fear Not!” And we will be uncovering the layers of these holy encounters with Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds to be encouraged that yes, God is indeed with us and listening. God’s Word will light the way for us to rediscover and celebrate the hope, peace, joy, and love that Jesus’ birth brings.

Listen to the story of Zechariah's encounter with the angel in Luke 1: 5-25:

In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.

Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense-offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside.

Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him.

But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’

Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.’

The angel replied, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.’

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. When his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, ‘This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.’

Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth were a faithful couple and both descendants of priestly families. The integrity of their faith reminded the hearers of Luke’s Gospel of Abraham and Sarah and their faithfulness to God as told in Genesis.

Zechariah was blessed to be in the most holy place of the Jerusalem temple. He was among a group of priests that served in the temple once or twice a year. On this given day, Zechariah was chosen to enter the sanctuary and offer incense on the altar. It was a privilege that occurred once in a lifetime.

My commentary said the priests would always conclude this ritual with the priestly benediction from Numbers 6: 24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord make his countenance to shine upon you and give you peace.”

But Luke implies that Zachariah did not feel blessed. Elizabeth was barren. Zechariah had been praying and praying for God to act and work through this impossible obstacle. This couple was losing hope in God’s ability to give them a son to carry on the family lineage. Zechariah was getting weary as he and Elizabeth were getting on in years.

In ancient times barrenness was not only a dark shadow of disgrace to a couple. Barrenness also threatened the fulfillment of God’s covenant to Israel.

As Zechariah went through the motions of offering the incense, a divine messenger - an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared. “Fear not, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear a son, and you will name him John… before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God… He will make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:13, 15-17).

What a divine encounter of hope. The angel affirmed that God was listening deeply to Zachariah’s prayers. Not only would this priestly couple be blessed by God’s faithfulness, but God’s chosen people would be blessed as this anointed child John would prepare the way for the coming of Jesus Christ.

When Zechariah responded to the angel with a question of disbelief, I do not think Zechariah had expected God to answer his prayer.

No matter how big your faith and mine might be, we are all vulnerable to seasons of spiritual dryness. Have you ever felt like your faith is just going through the motions?

Maybe you feel like Zechariah and you are asking the Lord, “God are you here? Lord, are you listening?” When life is not the way we expected and we are being tossed by the waves of uncertainty, grief, and big questions, the light of hope within us can grow dim.

Sharyl is a minister and colleague in ministry. This past week has been a hard one.

She found herself going through the motions to make it through. It was her mom’s birthday. And Sharyl and her sister Kim had a ritual of getting Chinese food to honor their mother. But there was no time to hold that ritual this week. Sharyl thought, “I wish I had time to run out at least for soup today. My mother loved wonton soup. She always said ten wontons were just the perfect amount of generosity.”

Suddenly a man walked into the church. He had been attending the Griefshare group which the church hosted. In his hand was a child’s sock that he found left behind in the church parking lot. Sharyl and the man began talking.

During the conversation, the man shared that his wife had died around Thanksgiving. And Sharyl shared it was also the anniversary of her own mother’s death.

The man shared he was making his wife’s cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving and Sharyl replied that her mother always had wonton soup, but that was not something she was going to make.

The man then smiled saying, “It’s funny you mention wonton soup. I have three quarts in my car. I ordered the soup because I needed the containers for the cranberry sauce. I guess this soup is for you. So what are we going to put your soup in?”

This man came into Sharyl’s life like an angel. This holy encounter gave Sharyl a message of hope that God was indeed with her and God is still listening. They both experienced a gift of God’s grace.

On any given day there are angels among us whom God places in our lives to proclaim a message of good news. The compassionate actions and words of children, women, and men empower us to trust in God’s faithfulness.

They come alongside us in our times of need to shine a light of hope into the darkness. When we feel like we are just going through the motions, God’s hope empowers us to keep taking the next right step in God’s faithfulness.

The Lord once said to our spiritual ancestors and still says to us today, “Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

God’s victory to deliver us comes from a place of vulnerability. Ever since God breathed life into all creation and humanity, God has been with us and is deeply aware of our brokenness. God’s love for us is unparalleled. And God reveals such love in an expected and messy way. God became vulnerable, taking on human form as a baby to be one of us.

And once again we are waiting for God’s hope to be born among us and restore our faith in God’s steadfast love and faithful presence. Sometimes the only prayer any of us might have is, Lord, bless this mess.

Listen to your life this week. Look for God’s angels who may be divinely appointed to bring you a message of hope.

Pay attention to life happening around you this week. The Spirit just may be nudging YOU to be an angel and prepare another to receive the promise of the Lord’s hope. God’s promises are trustworthy and true. The Lord God is our rock and refuge.

As we enter into this first week of Advent, do not fear the uncertainty, grief, or deep questions. Do not fear your own vulnerability. Trust God.

In the name of God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.

Sources Referenced:

The Advent Sermon Series theme “Fear Not” is adapted from Get Lit Worship Resources

New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary Volume VIII: Luke and John (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2015), pp. 33-37.

Advent Series: Fear Not: Say "Yes" to God (2/4)

Fear Not: Say “Yes” to God (2/4)
Luke 1: 26-38, 46-55
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
December 8, 2019
Second Sunday of Advent

This Advent we are sitting in four stories from the Gospels of Luke and Matthew where an angel of the Lord makes a divine visit to proclaim, “Fear Not!” And we are uncovering the layers of these holy encounters with Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds to be encouraged that yes, God is indeed with us and listening. God’s Word will light the way for us to rediscover and celebrate the hope, peace, joy, and love that Jesus’ birth brings.

Today we listen to the story of Mary’s encounter with the Angel Gabriel in Luke 1: 26-38, 46-55.

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.’

But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’

The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’

Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.
Mary’s Song of Praise

And Mary said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

Mary was living her best life. She was a young teenager and betrothed to Joseph. Mary was technically legally married to Joseph, although she lived in her father’s house. She was counting down to the big day to officially tie the knot and begin their life together.

Mary’s encounter with Gabriel was a complete interruption. The angel’s presence brought Mary great distress. Her heart went back and forth with a mix of emotions. Her mind was trying to make sense of Gabriel’s words: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name his Jesus (Yahweh saves). He will be great, the Son of the Most High.”

God was calling Mary to do a hard thing: to carry and deliver the Son of God.

Do you know who was relying on Mary’s answer?

The lowly were waiting for Mary to say “yes” so that God’s hand would lift them up and overthrow those who abused human authority at the lowly’s expense.

The hungry were waiting for Mary to say “yes” so that God would fill them with good things and to send the rich away empty.

Israel was waiting for Mary to say “yes” so that God would make good on the covenants to Abraham and David (Genesis 17: 4-8; 2 Samuel 7: 12-17).

All of these were waiting for Mary to say “Yes” to God in order for God’s plan of salvation to be fulfilled (Luke 1: 52-54).

Can you imagine if Mary had said, “Oh Lord, I cannot do that. You are asking too much of me!” Mary did not know how God would work it all out. Nor did Mary know that this holy child would be destined to pierce her own soul and cause her family pain; she would one day watch her son bear God’s unconditional love on the cross (Luke 2:35).

But with what Gabriel did reveal to Mary - the angel reassured her that as crazy as all of this might sound, nothing will be impossible for God (Luke 1:37).

Mary overcame her fear by placing her trust in God’s faithfulness. Faith gave Mary the courage to say “Yes!” to God. And God’s faithfulness provided Mary with all she needed to serve the Lord and bring about God’s purposes.

Mary’s willingness not only brought her a sense of peace. Mary’s boldness continues to bless all of creation and humanity with the promised peace that only Jesus Christ has the power to bring into our hurting world.

God called our spiritual ancestors to do hard things to bring about God’s purposes.

God called Moses to deliver God’s people from Egypt and yet Moses felt unqualified (Exodus 3: 10-11).

God called Isaiah to prophesy to God’s people and show them the way forward into God’s will and yet Isaiah felt unworthy (Isaiah 6:5).

God called Jonah to share the good news with the people of Nineveh, his enemy, and yet Jonah ran in the opposite direction (Jonah 1).

God calls you and I to do hard things for the Lord too. It may not be as daunting as what God called our biblical ancestors to do! But when God calls us out of our comfort zones it is scary, nonetheless.

Jesus Christ calls us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves; to forgive others – not just once but throughout our lifetime; to love our enemies and pray for them; and to pray for God’s will.

Jesus Christ calls us to feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and visit the imprisoned (Matthew 25: 35-36).

Christ calls us to make disciples of all nations and teach them all that he commanded (Matthew 28:19-20).

Christ calls us to do all things according to God’s rule of love. And we are promised that the work of the Spirit will always guide us daily into Christ’s truth and God’s will (John 16:13-14).

What is the hardest thing God has ever asked you to do? As God showed you the next right steps who was blessed by your willingness to say yes to God?

What might God’s Spirit or an angel in disguise be nudging you to do now?

Our first thoughts just may be, “Oh Lord, I cannot do that! You are asking too much of me!”

In some ways, that response is gospel truth. Whatever God is asking of us– it is true that none of us can accomplish God’s purposes on our own. And it is true that on any given day it will seem that God is indeed asking too much of us.

Jesus Christ is our example of what human faithfulness looks like to God. Christ fully relied on God with every obedient step he took from the cradle to the grave. And Christ gave his all for us as God was reconciling the world to himself.

The cost of discipleship is great, my friends. It costs something of us because it cost Jesus Christ everything.

The good news is that NOTHING is impossible with God. The God of peace will make you and I complete in everything good so that we may do his will (Hebrews 13:21). God’s grace and power are perfected in our limitations and weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Do not fear having your life interrupted by God’s plans. Do not fear the hard thing God is calling you to do.

I have to be honest; no matter what hard thing God has called me to do, I have never had a sense of peace until I have said “Yes” to God.

So say “Yes” to God because the Spirit will provide everything you need to share the peace of Christ.

Say “Yes” to God because someone else is relying on your “yes.”

In the name of God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.

Sources Referenced:

The “Fear Not” Advent Theme Sermon Series and Worship Planning used with permission from Get Lit Worship Resources.

Sermon: What Is God Up To? (Psalm 121; Isaiah 65: 17-25)

What Is God Up To?
Psalm 121; Isaiah 65: 17-25
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
November 17, 2019

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
He who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time on and for evermore. - Psalm 121

For I am about to create new heavens
and a new earth;
the former things shall not be remembered
or come to mind.
But be glad and rejoice for ever
in what I am creating;
for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy,
and its people as a delight.
I will rejoice in Jerusalem,
and delight in my people;
no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it,
or the cry of distress.
No more shall there be in it
an infant that lives but a few days,
or an old person who does not live out a lifetime;
for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth,
and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed.
They shall build houses and inhabit them;
they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
They shall not build and another inhabit;
they shall not plant and another eat;
for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be,
and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
They shall not labour in vain,
or bear children for calamity;
for they shall be offspring blessed by the Lord—
and their descendants as well.
Before they call I will answer,
while they are yet speaking I will hear.
The wolf and the lamb shall feed together,
the lion shall eat straw like the ox;
but the serpent—its food shall be dust!
They shall not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain,

says the Lord. - Isaiah 65: 17-25

Church, where does our hope come from?

Our hope comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 121:2). We all need this reminder when the difficulties of life rise up, creating obstacles in our ability to see a way forward.

The prophet Isaiah was bringing a word of hope to God’s people. After being held in Babylonian captivity for seventy years, the people of God had been released to come back home to Judah (Southern Israel){Jeremiah 29:10). But coming home was not all they had hoped for. You see, God had promised this new exodus would be more glorious than their exodus from Egypt. God would be doing a new thing and the people would be able to see it (Isaiah 43:10).

However, Isaiah reveals what the people saw from their human point of view – they saw grief, death, and economic injustice. They felt their labor was in vain. As the people were rebuilding Jerusalem, which the Hebrew translates as “Foundation of Peace,” there was no peace or joy - only difficulty, strife, and uncertainty. As a way of coping, God’s people were falling back into old Babylonian habits of pagan worship. Isaiah speaks strongly about this as the 65th chapter begins. God’s heart was broken and God’s judgment against the people was justified.

In a time of despair and uncertainty, Isaiah was God’s mouthpiece. God promised to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. God promised to transform Jerusalem, the city of God, as a joy, and its people a delight. The people’s mourning will turn into rejoicing; economic injustices will be reversed among the people. And God’s kingdom of peace and harmony will become the people’s new reality. The prophet’s words were showing the people a way forward. Isaiah was reaffirming God’s faithfulness to create new life and bring about God’s glory.

One day when the glory comes, it will be ours. For many Christians, that “one day” is believed to be when we meet our Maker face to face. Our ultimate hope is that one day we will truly be at home with God to behold the eternal promise of peace and harmony. The Lord will wipe away every tear from our eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away, as Revelation 21: 3-4 proclaims.

God’s eternal promises are realized through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But God’s promises are not just what we put our future hope in. God’s eternal promises have holy implications for our lives today.

In our world today there is so much that is happening that breaks God’s heart. It is overwhelming to read the local, national, and global news where murder, racial hatred, and injustices of all kinds are alive and well. Our prayer lists continue to get longer with every new diagnosis of cancer among family and friends. There are many days that I wish I could keep our children in a bubble from harm’s way.

On days like these when you and I might lose all hope in humanity it is imperative to remember God never has and never will give up on us. The Lord is our keeper (Psalm 121:5). Gods’ Word connects us to the eternal promises that God is with us and God still controls all of human history. God promises to continue doing a new thing among us that brings new life from death, pain, and injustice. Therefore, as God’s people we must prayerfully ask “What is God up to?”

If the Maker of heaven and earth is at work to create a kingdom of peace and harmony among us, then our God will not just wave a divine hand to do it all alone. You and I were created to live in relationship with God and one another. God humbled himself to become one of us in the person of Jesus Christ. Because of Jesus Christ’s work on the cross, God Almighty invites you and I to co-create God’s kingdom of peace and harmony on earth today as it is in heaven.

God desires to open our spiritual eyes to see what is breaking God’s heart in our community, nation, and world. God uniquely calls each of us to come alongside another to bring godly encouragement, hope, and new life.

One of my colleagues in ministry is Rev. Emily Sutton. She pastors the good congregation of Bethel United Methodist Church in Rock Hill. Bethel is a small congregation of about 30-40 who gather weekly in worship. They are also known for serving as a Men’s Shelter every evening at 6pm.

In 2009 Bethel partnered with Salvation Army, the United Way of York County, and the city of Rock Hill. The church began serving as a permanent warming center during the winter months for homeless men in Rock Hill.

Last year, one of the men who found shelter at Bethel asked why the church couldn’t become a year round shelter. It wasn’t long after this man asked such a poignant question that he became seriously ill and died. The only family this man knew were the guests and volunteers of Bethel Men’s Shelter. The church held a memorial service for him and vowed never again would someone come through the shelter doors without God’s family to call home.

Since April of 2019, Bethel Men’s Shelter committed to opening its doors 365 nights a year to be a safe place for homeless men to find shelter and home. The congregation knew they could not enter this endeavor alone. Therefore, Bethel invites individuals, youth groups, and churches to prepare and serve dinner in Christian fellowship with the men they host. God has certainly been up to something at Bethel United Methodist Church. God is making a way forward for hospitality and open hearts to bring about rejoicing and new life to all who enter through the Shelter’s doors.

During the season of Advent, our church will have the opportunity to collect needed clothing and hygiene items for our Bethel brothers. And we will see who feels led to helping us prepare and serve a meal there in the new year.

I think about our youth today and I know they long to have a sense of belonging and acceptance. Far too many youth experience loneliness and disconnection. Another demographic within the body of Christ is equally vulnerable to feeling lonely and disconnected – our homebound members.

Keeping this in mind, I want to harness the collective energy of our youth. This afternoon when our youth gather at the church, we will be making cards to send to our homebound members. I pray that what our youth create will bring joy and new life to our homebound members, helping them to feel remembered, connected, and loved by the larger body of Christ.

This week I encourage each of us to make time to sit in God’s Word. Engage in the holy listening for our shared human story and God’s promises of hope. As we place God’s Word side by side with the news of the day, let us not lose hope in humanity. History has shown what each of us is capable of and God has not given up on us yet! God will never give up on us no matter how far we stray from God’s will and God’s ways. Thanks be to God.

Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23).

Prayerfully ask what God is up to. And then wait for God’s Spirit to direct your heart and hands to co-create a foundation of peace and harmony with our amazing God.

In the name of God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.

Sermon: Sharing in the Gospel (Philippians 1: 2-6; 1 Cor 15: 57-58)

Sharing in the Gospel
1 Corinthians 15: 57-58; Philippians 1: 2-6
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
November 10, 2019
Stewardship Commitment Sunday

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. -1 Corinthians 15: 57-58 (NIV)

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. - Philippians 1: 2-6 (NRSV)

If you read Paul’s New Testament letters to all the churches he planted, you will see he holds a special affection towards the Philippians. The church in Philippi, Greece was the first church that Paul planted on European soil during his second missionary journey.

The Philippians were very near and dear to Paul’s heart, bringing him great joy. The women and men had struggled beside Paul in the work of the gospel (Philippians 4:3). Therefore, in his letter Paul gave thanks for all God was doing among the Philippians. And Paul gave thanks to the Philippians for sharing in the gospel with him. The Philippians gave themselves fully to the work of the Lord with their prayers, worship, efforts, and financial gifts (Philippians 4:15-16). Paul and the church partnered with God; they were sharing in the gospel to spread the good news.

My commentary on Philippians says this: “The Philippians’ readiness to share in the work of the gospel is not seen as “a good work” for which they are responsible, but one God began in them and one that Paul is confident will be brought to completion by the day of Jesus Christ (verse 5)” [1].

It is God’s faithfulness that was at work within the Philippians and Paul and is now at work within us. God’s faithfulness makes it possible for us to share in the gospel. The gospel is that the triune God creates, redeems, sustains, rules, and transforms all things and all people [2].

Jesus Christ’s victory through his saving death and resurrection gives us the gift of faith. As this precious gift impacts our lives, God’s work begins in us. Holy Spirit kindles within us a love for God’s dear name and moves our hearts and minds in gratitude to respond to God’s amazing grace.

Like the partnership that Paul shared with the Philippians, you and I are called to partner with God and share in the gospel. Our common calling is to participate and contribute to making the love of God known. God’s love unites us in worship, prayer, spiritual fellowship, service, and giving.

One of our disciples shared with me this week:

I enjoy being a part of the committees on which I serve. It is always good to see our church enjoy times of Christian fellowship together, having fun at one of our seasonal events or a meal that has been planned for them.

I feel very blessed to be a part of our Mission Team when we provide assistance to those less fortunate, knowing they are so grateful to be remembered and reminded of God's love. Our church’s care and love for them gives me a feeling of gratitude to have helped in some way.

I recently read in Galatians 6:10: Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters.

I give thanks to God for the intimate bond that unites Van Wyck Presbyterian Church as the body of Christ. What I love more than anything about this church is that you all know our strength comes from our relationships with God and one another. Each of you inspire me with your commitment to pray for one another, to pray for God’s guidance, and to do good to everyone. I give thanks for the good work the Lord began in this church 135 years ago. God’s faithfulness continues to bless this body of Christ to be a blessing to others.

Last Sunday I shared with you that the session and I have been prayerfully considering where God is leading us in this new year of 2020. We want to continue flourishing in God’s grace. Therefore, our vision for the upcoming year is to “Give Ourselves Fully.”

In this new year God is leading us to give ourselves fully to prayer, to God’s mission, and to godly goals. We will be praying for God to open our eyes and notice what God is doing in our community. We will be praying for God to reveal what God’s mission is in Van Wyck and Lancaster County and what our church’s unique role is within it. We will also be prayerfully planning godly goals to reach towards – that includes discerning together how God is calling us to use our beautiful acreage for God’s purposes.

As we return our pledge cards today, we are making a promise to partner with God and with one another to share in the gospel. God has already given us the victory in Jesus Christ. God has already blessed us with the abundance of God’s grace. And God is presenting you and me an opportunity to respond to the good work that the Lord began in you and in me.

Jesus Christ desires to harness our collective energy, imagination, and resources for the sake of accomplishing God’s mission in our community and world. In order to live into God’s vision in 2020, the Lord is calling each and every one of us to prayerfully participate and contribute to make God’s love our goal.

Will you join me in giving yourselves fully to the work of the Lord in this new year? Will you?

I pray that gratitude will continue to guide you and me to share in the gospel.

In the name of God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.

Sources Referenced:

[1] New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary Volume X (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2015), p. 118.
[2] The Book of Order, The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Part II (Louisville: The Office of the General Assembly, 2019), p. 1, F-1.01