Blessed to be a Blessing

• First Sunday after Christmas.
with Colossians 3:12-17  and  Luke 2:25-35

www.FirstChurchBville.com    @FirstUMCBville   @kerrfunk

This sermon (along with the entire worship service) was broadcast on Facebook Live 12/30/18 https://www.facebook.com/FUMCWV/

 • Turn to someone and say You are holy. Say You are beloved.
I love you and there is nothing you can do about it.
I like that saying, and I’m honored when other people associate me with it.

How do you feel with it? Do you believe it?
What if you said it to yourself every morning?
How would that affect your life?

• Suppose I made an unannounced visit to your home. After church today.
How would you feel about that? Any anxiety? Rain check? Why?

• For better or worse we are probably at least a little concerned with our image, with what we’re known for, with how we are perceived by others.

• You are an emissary. An apostle, a representative.  You are a special agent. 

Do you believe it? How you appear, how you carry yourself matters.

• Paul (author of Colossians) says it matters how you behave especially in public.
Clothe yourself with Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience. Love.
 Compare: Indifference, rudeness, egotism, brashness, impatience. Disdain.

Christ came as light, and sends emissaries into the world as light-bearers.

We are blessed to be a blessing.

Purpose of incarnation: salvation, reconciliation.

What’s the best form of advertising? Word of Mouth. Represent attractively.

Here’s what we want people to see when they see you:
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience. LOVE.

• Practice it, rehearse it.

• Hymn 254 We Three Kings

Please make plans to come to
- the Epiphany Game Night (Thursday night, 6:30pm)
(bring a game and a snack, and a gift for a newborn or family)

- the Epiphany Breakfast (Saturday morning, 8:30am)
(bring a friend, and a gift for a newborn or family)

- the Covenant Renewal service, Sunday Jan 6, 11am.

- the Bishop’s address to the Laity, Sunday afternoon, Jan 6, 3pm-6pm
Forrest Burdette UMC

Colossians 3:12-17 (CEB)         

¹² Therefore, as God’s choice, holy and loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. ¹³ Be tolerant with each other and, if someone has a complaint against anyone, forgive each other. As the Lord forgave you, so also forgive each other. ¹⁴ And over all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. ¹⁵ The peace of Christ must control your hearts—a peace into which you were called in one body. And be thankful people. ¹⁶ The word of Christ must live in you richly. Teach and warn each other with all wisdom by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ Whatever you do, whether in speech or action, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus and give thanks to God the Father through him. ò

Luke 2:25-35 (CEB)         

²⁵ A man named Simeon was in Jerusalem. He was righteous and devout. He eagerly anticipated the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. ²⁶ The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he wouldn’t die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. ²⁷ Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple area. Meanwhile, Jesus’ parents brought the child to the temple so that they could do what was customary under the Law. ²⁸ Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God. He said,

²⁹ “Now, master, let your servant go in peace according to your word, ³⁰ because my eyes have seen your salvation.
³¹ You prepared this salvation in the presence of all peoples.
³² It’s a light for revelation to the Gentiles
    and a glory for your people Israel.”

³³ His father and mother were amazed by what was said about him. ³⁴ Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “This boy is assigned to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that generates opposition ³⁵ so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your innermost being too.” ò