Cry Out: “Double for All Your Sins!”

by Pastor Edwin Lehmann on December 15, 2023 in Isaiah 40:1-11

Advent 3 December 17, 2023

Text: Isaiah 40:1-2 (3-11) Historic Series 23:2419

Theme: Cry Out: “Double for All Your Sins!”

Stomping into the kitchen, he slammed the door after him. Was he upset! His father asked, “Son, what’s wrong?” Then he noticed a welt under his son’s eye, red and swelling rapidly. “Have you been n a fight?” “One of the bigger boys jumped me on my way home.” “But I’ll get him back. He got the better of me for now. But I’ll double what he did to me. I’ll give him two black eyes!”

“I’ll double what he did to me!” Those are words spoken in pain and anger. Revenge! Pay back! “I’ll double what he did to me!”

Some people think that’s what God meant when He said, “Proclaim to Jerusalem…that she will receive from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” Does God threaten people with a double dose of punishment for sin? What if He did pay us back double for all our wrongs against Him?

Thank goodness! In the mouth of God these words do not mean the same as that little boy’s outburst. Ironically, God means the exact opposite – not double revenge, but double blessing. He will not repay us for sin with two black eyes, not even with one black eye. He will forgive us twice over and make us whole again. In God’s world double for all your sins is a comforting promise of grace. God is no bully. Rather, He acts in opposite ways from us.

So it is that in excitement Isaiah bids us, “Go up on a high mountain where all can see and hear you. Cry out the Good News: Here is your gracious God. He gives you double for all your sins!”

I. It is a shout that comforts God’s people. And His people of old needed to hear it for Israel was in a sad, sad state of affairs. It was their own fault. Isaiah says it was a time of “hard service.”

“Hard service,” what does that mean? For you who remember the KJV word “Sabaoth” as in “Lord God of Sabaoth,” “hard service” comes from the same Hebrew word. Its basic meaning is “army,” then “military service,” then “warfare.” It pictures troubles in life that war against people’s souls, taking them captive in misery.

Imagine a war raging in our country. An enemy attacks and gains control. We lose everything – freedom, homes, economy, our way of life. The enemy establishes a government in which we have no say. Everything that we once cherished vanishes.

For a number of years the enemy leaves us be, except for taxing us heavily, so heavily that you lose everything you owned. A movement arises among us to rebel and cast off our oppressors. But the enemy attacks us more heavily than before. Bombs, missiles, drones rain down on our neighborhoods and transform homes into junk piles. Below the rubble lie the corpses of thousands upon thousands killed. The survivors are sent into captivity in a distant land – prisoners of war. Hunger, disease, poverty, and more overwhelm the once most prosperous nation on the face of the earth. What a sorrowful time of unbearable misery! That is “hard service.”

And that is exactly what happened to O.T. Israel when they turned from God. The powerful Babylonian armies swept over the land, pulled down Jerusalem’s walls, gutted Solomon’s temple, and left the once proud city a pile of smoking rubble. No longer was earthly Jerusalem the “golden city.” Those not killed in war were taken prisoners to a land far to the east. Israel lost everything. Captivity left them with no comfort, no happiness, and no hope for the future. How could this happen to God’s Chosen People?

It happened because they had turned from Him to their own ways. Sin became their way of life, rebellion against God, putting everything else in their lives ahead of Him. They even began to worship worthless idols. So, God sent them into “hard service” to discipline them. Great was their sorrow.

Sometimes I wonder if the way things are going in our land will bring about a similar thing. They once called us a Christian nation. Are we? And remember, we are a part of this nation too. Dare we divorce ourselves from the evidence of sin and blame others for our woes? “Hard service” is a terrible thing.

It began in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve fell to Satan’s treacherous blow. Captivity in sin enveloped us. We all see and feel its effects. The sainted Apostle Paul did and wrote, “When I want to do good, evil is present with me…I see a different law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me captive in sin. What a miserable wretch I am! Who will rescue me?” (Rom.7:21f).

But into the midst of that struggle came our champion, Christ Jesus. At His birth, even 700 years before it in our text, God told His messenger to call out: “Comfort, comfort, my people. Speak to the heart of Jerusalem. Preach to her that her hard service is over, Her guilt for sin is paid in full, and she has received from the

LORD’s hand double for all her sins.” Double for all her sins!

The way God proclaimed this is meant to give us confidence (Hebrew perfects). It’s as though for O.T. Israel Christ had already been born, even as we celebrate that birth in just a week from today. For us it is an accomplished fact, and the same was true for OT Israel in God’s eyes. What He promises is done. Forgiveness, full atonement, eternal release lies in that manger – double blessing for all our sins. It is a shout that comforts all God’s people who look to Him in faith, no matter the age or the time in which they live. Not two black eyes, not even one in revenge, but a promise of full healing that lifts the soul to heaven and makes it whole again.

II. As shout that prepares God’s people to receive Him.

Double for all sin! How wonderful that sound is to all who have greatly sorrowed over it, not just for the consequences of sin – the hard service – but the sin itself. There is a difference.

Our young friend who endured the black eye was sorry that he had to receive it. So sorry was he that he cried, “When I get hold of him, I’ll give him two black eyes!” Sorry for his pain, but not for his role in the problem. That type of “sorrow” prompted revenge.

Revenge is not right for a child of God. “Do not think, ‘I will do to him as he has done to me. I’ll pay that man back for what he did” (Pv.24:29). “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Do not take revenge. ‘Vengeance is mine. I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Ro.12:17f).

Thinking of this instruction from God’s Word, the boy’s father said, “So, now you want to give him two black eyes. If you do, what do you think he would want to do to you?” “Probably hurt me worse,” the boy replied. “And so it would keep on going,” the father said. “Each time somebody will hurt the other one worse than before, and sin will consume both of you.” The boy understood and was truly sorry for his evil intent, not just because of the consequences he endured, but for the sin that lay at the door of his heart.

It is to both these feelings of sorrow that God addresses His words in our text as we await our coming Lord, “Prepare a way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level; the rugged places a plain – and the glory of the Lord will be revealed.”

The picture is that of a highway being built through the desert between the prisoners’ homeland and the land of their captivity. God, Israel’s Deliverer, was going to come to them over that highway to free them. But His getting to them would be hindered by the obstacles in the desert. They had to be broken down and filled in so that He could come to them quickly.

Our hearts in sin are such a desert, filled with obstacles like pride, greed, hatred, despair, concern for all kinds of worldly things while forgetting the one thing needed. John the Baptist was sent in his day to get the people ready for Christ coming to them by ridding themselves of such things in their lives. We call it repentance. And we must do the same. But where can we find the strength to do it?

The strength comes from the shout: “Double for all your sins.” Not double punishment, but double kindness, double blessing, divine grace that forgives. That motivates the Christian heart that receives Jesus at His birth in faith. The gifts of forgiveness and an eternal inheritance lie ahead. That’s God’s promise. Divine grace spurs us on to prepare our hearts in repentant faith to receive Him.

How different from the talk that we hear in our world in this moment of time. The world’s way is to wage war. Sometimes it’s necessary to defend ourselves, but not to pay back, to seek revenge, to give two black eyes for one. God’s way is that of forgiveness, changed hearts, and faith in Him. So astounding is God’s way that the prophet wants to run to the highest mountain and shout out: “Look, look. Here is your God! Here is your Savior! Here is the Shepherd that wants to provide, protect, and hold you in His arms! Go to Him. Be prepared to receive Him with joy when He comes.”

God grant us such a blessed Advent Season as He speaks to our hearts. He speaks like a lover to his beloved, with all tenderness and care to give us confidence in His gracious promise: “Double for All Your Sins.” God grant it to us in faith for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Zion Lutheran Church of Springfield

(A member congregation of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)

4717 S Farm Rd 135 (Golden Avenue)

Church phone: 417.887.0886 Pastor’s cell phone: 417.693.3244

www.zionluthchurch.com email: revelehmann@gmail.com

You can also find us on Facebook

The Third Sunday in Advent – Gaudate (“Rejoice”)

December 17, 2023

“Comfort, comfort, My people,” says your God. “Speak to (their) heart.” Isaiah 40:1

Welcome: The family of Zion welcomes you as we worship the Lord today. We encourage children to worship with us. However, if you need to leave with your child, there is a nursery room to the right as you exit the sanctuary. The rest rooms are located in the hallway between the sanctuary and the fellowship hall. Visitors, please sign our guest book to the right, just outside the sanctuary. We’re glad that you are here and pray that through our worship the Lord grants you peace.

U p o n E n t e r i n g G o d’ s H o u s e

“Sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done marvelous things. His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him. Shout for joy to the LORD…. Sing for joy together before the LORD.” (Psalm 98).

W h a t T h i s S u n d a y i s A b o u t

Rejoice! The Savior Comes to Proclaim Divine Comfort. In the Bible, heat and the desert are often used to picture the oppressive nature of sin in our lives. It beats us down, wears us out, and in the end would consume us through God’s judgment on it. So it was that God sent John the Baptist into the desert to preach the desperate need for repentance.

But there was more. God promised to come to His people as they prepared with repentant hearts to receive Him. He would come to comfort them, end their hard times, and bestow on them forgiveness and double blessings. Divine deliverance was at hand. Sorrow and suffering would flee before Him, and rejoicing would return to them.

So it is that the message of the Third Sunday in Advent comes like a refreshing pool on a hot summer’s day to bring relief to God’s people. In the desert of sin there is joy to be found in the advent of the Savior.

To that end we pray: Hear our prayers, Lord Jesus Christ, and come with the good news of Your mighty deliverance. Drive the darkness from our hearts and fill us with Your light; for Your name’s sake. Amen.

– T h e W o r d o f G o d f o r T o d a y –

The Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 40:1-11

Through the Prophet Isaiah, God comforted His distressed people with the assurance that He will come to deliver His afflicted people from their time of hard captivity. Their time of tribulation would end; their sins were paid for. He would send a messenger to prepare His way for Him to come to His repentant people. And they would rejoice.

The Epistle Lesson: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

The King who is coming again has servants who faithfully prepare the people for His coming. They are to be faithful stewards of God’s mysteries, getting the people ready for His Second Advent. He will be the One to judge the work and intentions of one’s heart.

The Gospel Lesson: Matthew 11:2-10

While in prison John sent his disciples to Jesus that they might find out if He were the Messiah. Jesus reveals that John was the long-awaited Forerunner of the Christ and greatest of His messengers.

O u r P r a c t i c e o f H o l y C o m m u n i o n

Out of deep love for the truth of God’s Word and precious souls, we follow the practice of Close Communion in our congregation. This has been the practice of Christians for centuries and reflects the Bible’s teaching on unity of faith in the reception of the Supper (1 Cor.10:17). It does not judge a person’s heart but anticipates agreement in that which God says. Since we do not wish to put anyone in the position of declaring such agreement with us before study in the Word is possible, we ask that only those who are communicant members of this or another Wisconsin Synod or ELS congregation come to receive the Sacrament.

The Organist: Jane Rips

The Preacher: Pastor Edwin Lehmann

Point to Ponder: “God has chosen despised and frail human beings for the ministry of the Word that the divine power of the Word might become apparent – a power that is impossible to suppress, even in the weakest of persons. Moreover, if the mighty of the world were to preach the Gospel, people would be captivated more by the authority of the person preaching than by the Word itself.”

– Martin Luther on Man’s Weakness Makes God’s Power Stand Out from a sermon on Is.40

Outline of Our Worship

The Preparation

Advent Candle Lighting – Joy

The Entrance Hymn: #302

Order of Worship: The Service: Setting Two with Holy Communion: page 172-180

Hymn: #346

Prayer of the Day

The Ministry of the Word

Isaiah 40:1-11

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Gospel Acclamation: Advent pg.179

Matthew 11:2-11

Sermon Hymn: #312

Sermon: Isaiah 40:1-11 Cry Out: “Double for All Your Sins!”

The Nicene Creed pg.180

Our Response to the Word

Prayer of the Church: pg.182

The Offering

The Lord Blesses Us

Preparation for Holy Communion

Hymnal page 182-187

(Visitors: Please read the box on page 2 regarding Holy Communion)

Consecration and Distribution

Distribution Hymn: #320

Thanksgiving & Blessing

Hymnal: middle of page 187

Closing Hymn: #314

Silent Prayer

Lighting Candles at Advent

The lighting of candles in the Advent Wreath helps to symbolize the age before the first advent of Christ when the light of prophecy concerning the coming Messiah became brighter and brighter. Then suddenly He appeared saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

As we now await His second advent, the light of faith shines within each believer producing in ever increasing brightness the divine gifts of Love, Peace, Joy, and Hope that the Savior gives. Each gift is a fruit of the Spirit which God bestows upon the heart by way of faith in Jesus, the Savior.

The first candle in the wreath was called the candle of Love in order to symbolize the love of God that was revealed to fallen mankind during this season. The second candle was called the candle of Peace to symbolize the blessed relationship with God that we now enjoy through the Savior. The third candle that we light today has been called the candle of Joy to symbolize the effect that faith in the Savior has upon the one who trusts in Him.

The Third Candle: Joy

The faith-filled Christian knows that Jesus came the first time to save him from sin. He knows that in Christ is forgiveness and life. And he knows that Christ shall come again to take him to the mansions prepared above. All is cause for great joy.

The Christian also understands the fragile nature of his existence in this world. There will be times of trouble and great testing. He will weep in pain inflicted by bodily illness or emotional distress. He will suffer in the face of trials and tribulations for bearing the name of Christ. He will grieve at the death of loved ones. And he will cry in anguish for the sins that so easily beset him.

Yet, in all things we fix our eyes on the Lord Jesus, “who for the joy set before Him endured the cross and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). From there He will come again to call us to Himself forever. Then He will wipe away every tear from our eyes. “Surely, this is our God; we trusted in Him and he saved us. Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation” (Psalm 25:9). This is the joy born in us through faith in the Christ-child this most holy season.

Congregational Scripture Reading:

“In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me. I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn….You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy….and your joy will be complete.” (John 16:19-24)

Prayer (Pastor):

O Holy Spirit, keep our eyes upon the wonders of Christ and the joy that He brings to us through faith in Him. Then in the midst of the trials and difficulties of this life, we shall be filled with comfort and strength as we stand in anticipation of the complete joy that is yet to come. Hear us and grant our request for His name’s sake. Amen.

Third Sunday in Advent – Historic Series

Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 40:1-11 God Comforts His People.

¹ Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. ²Speak to the heart of Jerusalem and call out to her. Her warfare is over. Her guilt is fully paid for. She has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.

³A voice is calling out: In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord. In the wasteland make a level highway for our God. ⁴Every valley will be raised up, and every mountain and hill will be made low. The rugged ground will become level, and the rough places will become a plain. ⁵Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all flesh together will see it. Yes, the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
⁶A voice was saying, “Cry out!” And I said, “What shall I cry out?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like a wildflower in the countryside. ⁷Grass withers, flowers fade, when the breath of the Lord blows on them. Yes, the people are grass. ⁸Grass withers, flowers fade, but the Word of our God endures forever.

⁹Get up on a high mountain, O Zion, you herald of good news. Lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, you herald of good news. Lift it up! Do not be afraid! Say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” ¹⁰Look, God the Lord will come with strength, and his arm is ruling for him. Look, his reward is with him. The result of his work is in front of him.

¹¹Like a shepherd he will care for his flock. With his arm he will gather the lambs. He will lift them up on his lap. He will gently lead the nursing mothers.

Epistle Lesson: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 The Lord Will Reveal the Heart’s Intentions.

¹This is the way a person should think of us: as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries. ²In this connection, moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. ³But it is a trivial matter to me if I am evaluated by you or by a day in a human court. Why, I do not even evaluate myself. ⁴I do not in fact know of anything against myself, but I am not justified by this; rather, the one who evaluates me is the Lord. ⁵Therefore judge nothing ahead of time, until the Lord comes. He will bring to light whatever is hidden in darkness and also reveal the intentions of hearts. Then there will be praise for each person from God.

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 11:2-11 John, More than a Prophet, Is Not the Christ.

²While John was in prison, he heard about the things Christ was doing. He sent two of his disciples ³to ask him, “Are you the Coming One or should we wait for someone else?”

⁴Jesus answered them, “Go, report to John what you hear and see: ⁵The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the gospel is preached to the poor. ⁶Blessed is the one who does not take offense at me.”

⁷As these two were leaving, Jesus began to talk to the crowds about John. “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? ⁸What did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? No, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. ⁹So what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you! And he is much more than a prophet. ¹⁰This is the one about whom it is written, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you. ¹¹Amen I tell you: Among those born of women there has not appeared anyone greater than John the Baptist. Yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Calendar & Announcements for Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church

Today

Dec.17

Monday

Dec.18

Tuesday

Dec.19

Wednesday

Dec.20

Thursday

Dec.21

Friday

Dec.22

Sat.

Dec.23

Next Sun.

Dec.24

9:00 am

Divine Worship Service

with Holy Communion online -Facebook

10:15 am

Fellowship & Christmas Brunch

Advent 3

11 am

Midweek Bible Class

9:00 am

Divine Worship Service

online – Facebook

10:15 am

Fellowship & Bible Study

6 pm

Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship

Advent 4

A Brief Bible Study on God’s Word for Today

God doesn’t leave us to flounder on our own in this world but prepares us for the final great event—Jesus’ return at the end. He sends his messengers to point out the reality of sin so that we don’t drift into complacency. But then He sends his good news of salvation in Christ and connects us with him in baptism. What a change that creates in our focus for living!

The Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 40:1-11 (the answers are found on the back side)

How will the people receive “double” for all their sins?
Who is the “voice of one calling in the desert to prepare a way for the Lord?”

Those We Remember In Our Prayers: Greg Miller; William & Laurie Moon; Pauline Jaeger; Kirsten Jaster (Laurie Moon’s sister); Greg Pierson (Long’s son-in-law); Libya, (Jodi Milam’s granddaughter)r; Barbara Long; Kathy Workentine; Robbie Woessner, undergoing radiation; Liz & Roger Lisenby; Lois Wiese.

Stained Glass Windows Installed Two new stained-glass windows are being installed in the narthex and the nursery. Both windows are on the wall near the front entrance. Take the time after worship to see them. The one near the door is Jesus’ invitation to come to Him and be fed with the Bread of Life. The one in the nursery portrays the Good Shepherd holding a lamb. Much of the cost was covered by memorials.

Call Returned If you have not yet heard, Pastor Daniel Frey in Lee’s Summit, MO, has returned the call extended to him as pastor at Zion and Peace. We will wait until the holiday season is over before assembling for another call meeting. At this time, we think the next call meeting will be held on Thursday, January 11^th, 6 pm at Peace. We will let you know more as we draw closer to that time.

Forward in Christ’s issue for December is here. There are plenty of copies for family and friends in the narthex.

Upcoming Services and Events

Sunday, December 17 – Zion’s annual Christmas brunch after worship; stay and join in the fellowship

Sunday, December 24 – 9 am our regular Sunday morning worship; 6 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

(9 pm – Children’s & Candlelight Service at Peace LC, Marshfield)

Sunday, December 31 – With New Year’s Eve being a Sunday this year, we will not hold a New Year’s Eve service that night.

The Week in Review

Last Sunday Worship: 31; Bible Study: 14; Midweek Bible Class: 5; Offerings: $4,707.

Next Sunday’s Lessons:

Advent 4: Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Philippians 4:4-7; John 1:19-28 (Historic Pericope Series)

Answers to Today’s Old Testament Lesson Brief Study:

God was not going to punish them twice as hard as they deserved. Instead they would receive “double” grace—much more blessing than could be expected. This is not something that can be earned, but what is inherited by his free grace—a full forgiveness that is not deserved.
The Bible makes it clear (Mt 3:3, Mk 1:3 and Lk 3:4) that this is pointing ahead to the person of John the Baptist. He was the voice who preached stern and pointed law to the people to prepare their hearts with repentance. And he was the one who preached the sweet gospel as he pointed to the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” This is the good news we are also to shout out to people—a word that will outlast worldly “experts.”