12-12-21 “Bear Fruits of Joy!”

Click here for Sunday worship material

December 12th, 2021.

Luke 3:7-18

“Bear Fruits of Joy!”

I want to start with something funny. I learned this story from an internet site. Three men died in a car accident on Christmas Eve. They all found themselves at the Pearly Gates waiting to enter heaven. Upon entering, they must present something relating to, or associated with Christmas. The first man searched his pocket and found some mistletoe, so he was allowed in. The second man showed a cracker, so he was also allowed in. The third man pulled out a pair of stockings. Confused at this last gesture, God asked him, “How do these represent Christmas?” He answered, “They’re Carol’s.”

It is a joke, but hearing this joke, I wonder if we are ready for God, for Christmas, and for the coming of Jesus.  A few years ago, I got a Christmas cactus. As you may know, the Christmas cactus begins flowering during the Advent season, and around Christmas Day, it comes in full bloom. It encourages everyone who sees it to cheer up and feel joyous. I wonder how the cactus knows it is the Christmas season. The Christmas cactus reminds me that it is the season to prepare for Jesus.

It’s the third Sunday of Advent. We lit the third Advent candle today, hoping Jesus brings us joy. But, I wonder if we give joy to God and if we bear fruits of joy for God. One of my favorite scripture is Philippians. The Letter of Philippians was written by Apostle Paul while in prison. He was persecuted and imprisoned because of Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, he says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near” (Philippians 4:4-5). While he was imprisoned because of Jesus Christ the Lord, he recommended that the people “rejoice in the Lord.” How was he able to do so? If we have a God-centered mind, we may rejoice in all circumstances. If we trust in God, who will handle everything in our lives, we may not worry about our livelihood, but rejoice in the Lord always. The Apostle Paul says, “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). If we indeed trust in God, we may pray in thanksgiving, and live in joy in all circumstances. Do you know what the opposite meaning of “faith” is? It is “worry.” The reason we worry, is because we do not have faith in God. Trust in God, turn all your worries over to God, and always rejoice in the Lord.

In today’s scripture, John the Baptist says to the people who want to be baptized, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves; we have Abraham as our ancestor; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham” (Luke 3:7b-8). Jewish people thought that they were the chosen people because they were descendants of Abraham. But, John the Baptist emphasizes that all humans became sinners since Adam and Eve were tempted by the serpent in the Garden of Eden. God chose Abraham only by God’s grace because God is almighty. God can make the descendants of Abraham from stones. John the Baptist may say to us today.  If we, Christians think of Christian’s privilege like the Jewish thought of their privilege, it is a big misunderstanding of God’s will. It is true that we are the chosen people. But, it is not because of our ability. It is only by God’s grace. Therefore, we should be humble and gentle on God’s work. We may get a sense of what is God’s work from today’s scripture.

When John the Baptist says, “every tree that does not bear fruits is cut down and throw into the fire” (John 3:9).  People ask him, “What should we do?” John the Baptist says, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none, and whoever has food must do likewise” (3:11). The work of God is to share what we have already with those who have none. In other words, bearing fruits of joy is to share what we received from God with those who have not received it yet. John the Baptist says to the tax collector, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” And, he says to soldiers, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation.” For the leaders, to bear fruits is to do justice and walk with God humbly. It is God’s work at their position. We can practice God’s work in everyday life. Jesus’ greatest commandment is to love God and love our neighbors. If we practice loving God and loving one another, people may know that we are Christians by our acts. In other words, if we share ours with one another, we may know joy in the Lord. There is a saying, “if you share joy, your joy will double; if you share your sadness, your sadness will be cut in half.” Therefore, we do share our joys and concerns during service. Let us practice God’s work in everyday life.

We can find an example of a joyful work of God from the story of the Samarian woman. You may know about the woman of Samaria at the wall (John 4:4:1-34). When Jesus and his disciples came to the city of Samaria, they were tired out by their journey and wanted to take a rest nearby Jacob’s well. His disciples went into the city to get some food, and Jesus was sitting near the well. A woman came to the well to get water, and Jesus asked her for water. At the time, Jewish men never talked with Samarians. The woman was surprised at Jesus’ asking her. However, she finally realized he is the Messiah. She believed in Jesus the Messiah and went into the city to spread the good news, leaving her jar at the well, saying, “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” Her shouting must have been full of joy. When the disciples returned, they told Jesus, “Rabbi, eat something.” But, Jesus said to them, “I have food to eat that you don’t know about.” The disciples talked to each other, “Who gave him food?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work.” Jesus was very tired from his journey, but he saved a woman. Jesus cheered up again without food because he got joy from the work of God. The work of God should make us cheer up with joy, not make us burn out. But, we know that we sometimes feel a burden in God’s work and feel tired, and it causes miscommunication, frustration, and anger.

Furthermore, it leads us to hurt one another. So, if you feel a burden, please pause there, and take a break and pray. If we really want to bring peace and harmony, help the family and the church with gentleness. Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near” (Philippians 4:4-5).  If we focus on God’s will, we should be gentle. But if we focus on our goals or ourselves, we may fuss about it. We should rejoice in God’s ministry because “rejoicing” in the Lord is God’s will. The Apostle Paul says, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

In this advent season, we may learn to rejoice in the Lord. Joy isn’t joy until we express it. Let us express joyfully in the Lord. Let us share the good news and bear fruits joyfully in this season. Perhaps, Christmas season is the most joyous season of the year. May this Christmas be the most Merry Christmas to all of you! Thanks be to God. Amen.