Shine with the Light of the World
by Pastor Edwin Lehmann on January 3, 2025 in Isaiah 60:1-6
The Sunday Before Epiphany January 5, 2025
Text: Isaiah 60:1-6 Historic Series 25:2481
Theme: Arise! Shine! for Christ Has Come.
You stand on a mountaintop outside of Jerusalem, the Prophet Isaiah at your side. From such a height you can see the whole land, north to south, east to west. It is night. Darkness covers the world. As you peer into its blackness, a bright light pierces the heavens and shines over the whole earth. It seems to arise from a stable in the little town of Bethlehem and radiates with a glorious light never seen before by the eye of man. The light spreads outward and glows ever brighter, slowly chasing the darkness from the earth wherever it spreads. Isaiah taps you on the shoulder and cries, “Look! Rise up! Shine with joy. The Light is here!” Shine for others to see it.
As you watch, the glow of the light expands. It catches movement taking place on earth. A flow of people moves out of darkness into the light. At first it looks like just a trickle, but soon it turns into a streaming crowd, and the crowd becomes a rushing torrent. People are hurrying and scurrying from all directions, drawn to the light. Some walk, some arrive on ships, others by camel across the desert. They stream towards the light, anxious to fall under its influence for the darkness binds and blinds them. But where there is light, there is sight and joy, hope and life.
This light is Christ. “In Him is life, and that life is the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (Jn.1:4). Christ is “the Light of the world. Whoever follows Him will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (Jn.8:12f). When Christ comes there is light, life, and happiness. And you, O Christian, Arise! Shine! for Christ Has Come. Let His light emanate from you to those still caught in the darkness of sin and unbelief.
I. Shine…with the joy of the Gospel that is within you.
Over the past few days there has been so little joy in our land. I never thought last Sunday that the words spoken then would come true within just a few days, driving happiness from the hearts of many people and replacing it with dark sadness.
In last Sunday’s account of the baby Jesus’ flight into Egypt to escape being killed by King Herod, we began by saying: “No Christmas is without its share of tragedies. It would seem to us that Christmas with its joys and merriment, and days of heartbreak and sorrow just do not belong together at this time of the year. A few hours of happy celebration, then it’s back to living in a world with its worries, uncertainties, and dark tragedies.
“That happy occasion of the Savior’s birth was followed by the tragic event of the children in Bethlehem murdered by Herod. To avoid it, the new-born King of kings fled to Egypt to escape the hatred of an evil king. That was a bad world into which the Christ-child came to live, a world steeped in sin and hatred of the Son of God – a world where babies died, and adults wept in painful loss.” And within three short days of saying that last Sunday, terrorism erupted in our country, taking out the joy and merriment that people had at Christmas, and replacing it with dark sorrow, heartbreak, and grief, plunging many into disbelief, despair, and anger.
As Christians we say that God is in control. Well, if God is in control, then why do dark events continue to arise, and people suffer so much? The problems of this world often overwhelm us. In the midst of it, God seems so far away to many. Is He even there?
But as Christians we can’t permit the outward conditions of sin and unbelief that we see and the mutterings of the prophets of doom cause us to go about our lives with eyes downcast in anxiety, despair, and grief for God is doing something. In fact, He has already done it. Listen to the words of the prophet again, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. Look, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness the peoples. But the LORD rises upon you and His glory will be seen over you…Lift up your eyes all around and see” (ESV).
What do our eyes see? Wars, crime, terrorism, disease, hatred, foolishness, backbiting and more! How depressing. “Darkness covers the earth and thick darkness the people” because man sins.
However, it is not sin’s blackness to which the prophet directs our attention. It is to sin’s remedy that He points – the light of God’s salvation that rises above sin and shines over us in our lives.
We have a Savior who has been born to overcome sin’s eternally black condition in our lives. Through Him and by faith in Him we are reconciled to God and all our sins are paid for, even as the apostle later affirms: “God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their sins against them…God made Him who did not sin, to become sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2Co.5:19f). That is great news!
Through Him and by faith in Him believers are destined to eternal life apart from the darkness of this fallen world. They are comforted by communion with Him now, and one day will enjoy it eternally above. Paradise has again been opened, not here in an oft-times dark world of sin, but there in the presence of God where sin and its consequences are removed forever. All because a Savior Has Come for us. He is the “Light” we see in a dark world, shining with the joy of the Gospel promises.
And we in the present, who are drawn to it in faith, the apostle encourages, “Therefore, do not lose heart…for our inner self is being renewed daily…and is producing an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond any comparison. We are not focusing on what is seen, but on what is not seen. For the things that are seen are temporary, but the things that are not seen are eternal” (2Co.4:16ff).
So, dear Christian friend, Arise! Shine, for Christ Has Come. Shine in this dark world with the joy of the Gospel that is in you.
II. Shine so that others may see it. So many others are still enveloped in the night of unbelief and heathendom. The world is filled with non-believers and millions of others who worship false gods. Of the seven+ billion people who inhabit the earth, how many are without the light of the true Gospel?
Like us, although they do not know Him or believe in Him, they have one God in heaven who wants to be their Father through the Savior He sent. Without knowing or believing it, they too have been reconciled with God. Through Christ’s coming all their sins have been paid for. They could be destined for communion and eternal life with God. Paradise is opened. But they know none of this and believe none of it because no one has proclaimed it to them. In vain they ask, “What is truth?” for the darkness still overwhelms them.
So it is that God’s prophet challenges us: Shine so that others may see it. Shine with the joy of the Gospel in your life.
In a world…
– full of problems and difficulties;
– a world that knows no lasting happiness on its own;
– a world that experiences so much sadness and weeping;
– a world where we daily come face to face with sickness, pain,
heartache and death;
…it is just for such a world that the Light of Christ is so needed. Shine with the joy of the Gospel within you so that other may see.
We have a Savior who came for us to dispel the darkness of sin. He is ever strong to save, no matter the circumstances. And He is already touching the lives of many through His people, the Church. “Look up,” the prophet bids. “They are coming to you. Nations shall come to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawn.”
So, Arise, dear Christian friend. Shine with the joy of the gospel that is in you. Shine so that others may see it. And as they come and, by God’s grace, walk in the light of Christ who Has Come for us, “your heart will race with excitement and burst with joy.” God grant it in our lives of 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 Sunday Before Epiphany January 5, 2025
“Arise, shine, your light has come, and the glory of the LORD is dawning upon you.” Is.60:1
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
“Endow the King with Your justice, O God, the royal Son with Your righteousness….He will endure as long as the sun….He will be like showers watering the earth….All kings will bow down to Him and all nations will serve Him….May the whole earth be filled with His glory.” (Psalm 72).
W h a t T h i s S u n d a y i s A b o u t
Revealed as Savior of the World. One of the most significant events that took place in the months following Jesus’ birth was the coming of the Magi, Wise Men from the East. Their coming was foretold in Old Testament writings and was an important fulfillment of God’s promise to draw the Gentiles into His Kingdom. God shows no favoritism – Jesus is the Savior of Jew and Gentile alike. He was revealed as the Savior of the world.
As we watch these ancient “kings” bow down in worship before the Christ-child, we join them in worship. Thankful to be counted among the Gentile believers, we offer Him gifts of our hearts, hands, and lips.
To that end we pray: Lord God, by the leading of a star You once made known to the nations Your one and only Son. Guide us, also, who know Him now by faith, to come at last to the perfect joy of Your heavenly glory; for Jesus’ sake we pray. 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 60:1-6
Isaiah foretells the coming of the Savior in terms of light that is showered upon the earth. It breaks over His Church as the Lord invites His people to see its extent. Even Gentile kings will see the light and come, bearing gifts, to praise the Lord.
The Epistle Lesson: Ephesians 3:2-12
Paul declares to the Ephesians the call he received form the Lord to be the apostle to the Gentiles. Through the one Church, the “unsearchable riches of Christ” are to be declared to all nations.
The Gospel Lesson: Matthew 2:1-12
Through the appearance of a special star and by a word of prophecy from the Scriptures, God led Magi from the east to the house in Bethlehem where the Christ Child was. Upon finding Him the Wise Men bowed in worship before Him, offering Him their best gifts.
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: “”‘Arise! Shine, for Your Light has come, and the glory of the LORD is dawning upon you.’ How appropriate that each year we hear this Old Testament challenge while our hearts and homes are still basking in the afterglow of Christmas!
Our Light has indeed come….the Light from heaven, God’s own Son come down to earth. What are we to do now that we have seen the Light? ‘Arise, shine,’ says the prophet. We are to spread the light…arise from our lethargy, our inactivity, our indifference, and hold high the light of our salvation…..,for the Lord is come! To that end we pray, Lord, grant us Epiphany grace to share Your light with others.” — Herman Gockel on “Arise…Shine!”
Outline of Our Worship
The Preparation
Opening Thoughts on the Service
The Entrance Hymn: #347
Order of Worship: The Service: Setting One with Holy Communion: page 154-160
Prayer of the Day
The Ministry of the Word
Isaiah 60:1-6
Ephesians 3:2-12
Gospel Acclamation: Epiphany pg.161
Matthew 2:1-12
Sermon Hymn: #376
Sermon: Isaiah 60:1-6 Shine with the Light of the World
The Nicene Creed pg.162
Our Response to the Word
Prayer of the Church: pg.164
The Offering
The Lord Blesses Us
Preparation for Holy Communion Hymnal page 165-169
(Visitors: Please read the box above regarding Holy Communion)
Consecration and Distribution
Distribution Hymn: #372 & 320
Thanksgiving & Blessing Hymnal page 170
Closing Hymn: #370 st.1-2
Silent Prayer
The Epiphany of Our Lord – Historic Series
Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 60:1-6 – A New Day Dawns for Zion
1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord is dawning upon you.
2Look, darkness covers the earth, and deep darkness covers the peoples, but the Lord will dawn upon you, and his glory will be seen over you.
3Nations will walk to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
4Look up. Look all around and see! All of them have been gathered. They are coming to you. Your sons will come from far away, and people will carry your daughters on their side.
5Then you will look and be radiant. Your heart will race with excitement and burst with joy. For great riches from the sea will be delivered to you. The wealth of the nations will come to you.
6Caravans of camels will cover your land, young camels from Midian and Ephah. All those from Sheba will come. They will carry gold and incense, and they will announce the good news of the praise of the Lord.
Epistle Lesson: Ephesians 3:2-12 – The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed
2Surely you have heard of the administration of God’s grace given to me for you, 3namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation (as I have already written briefly). 4When you read this, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. 5This mystery was not made known to people in past generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets. 6This mystery is that in Christ Jesus the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and people who also share in the promise through the gospel.
7I became a servant of this gospel, in keeping with the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power. 8To me—even though I am the very least of all the saints—was given this grace: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ 9and to enlighten everyone about the administration of this mystery. In past ages this mystery remained hidden in God, who created all things. 10He did this so that, through the church, the multifaceted wisdom of God in the heavenly places might now be made known to the rulers and authorities. 11This was done according to the eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12In him we can freely approach God with confidence through faith in him.
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 2:1-12 – The Visit of the Wise Men
1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, when Herod was king, Wise Men from the east came to Jerusalem. They asked, 2“Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3When King Herod heard this, he was alarmed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4He gathered together all the people’s chief priests and experts in the law. He asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, because this was written through the prophet:
6You, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are certainly not least among the rulers of Judah:
because out of you will come a ruler, who will shepherd my people, Israel.”
7Then Herod secretly summoned the Wise Men and found out from them exactly when the star had appeared. 8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report to me, so that I may also go and worship him.”
9After listening to the king, they went on their way. Then the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them, until it stood still over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with overwhelming joy. 11After they went into the house and saw the child with Mary, his mother, they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12Since they had been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another route.
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) copyright © 2019 The Wartburg Project.
Calendar & Announcements for Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
| Today
Jan.5 |
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| 9:00 am
Divine Worship Service with Holy Communion online -Facebook 10:15 am Fellowship & Bible Study
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Day of Epiphany |
9:00 am
Divine Worship Service online -Facebook 10:15 am Fellowship & Bible Study
Epiphany 1 |
A Brief Bible Study on God’s Word for Today
The season of Epiphany (Greek word for “appearance”) recalls how Jesus proved Himself to be the Son of God and the Savior of all people. The Festival of the Epiphany of Our Lord is celebrated on January 6, the twelfth day of Christmas, and is often called the Gentile Christmas. In the lessons, God makes it abundantly clear that His salvation is not only for His chosen Old Testament people but also for the Gentiles (non-Jews). Jesus is revealed as Savior of the world!
The Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 60:1-6 (answers are found on the back side)
- To whom is the Lord speaking in these verses?
- From where will people come to fill up the New Testament Christian church?
Those We Remember In Our Prayers: Greg Miller; William & Laurie Moon; Libya, (Jodi Milam’s granddaughter); Barbara Long; Liz Lisenby; Pastor Roger Neumann from Oskaloosa, IA; Dee Bruck, following knee surgery.
Offering Envelopes for the new year are available in the mailboxes in the narthex. If for some reason you did not receive a set, please see Jim Wiese.
Divine Call Sent At the last call meeting, Pastor Kurt Uhlenbrauck was selected to whom our ninth call was sent. He is 62 years old and presently serves St. Jacob Lutheran Church, Grass Lake, MI. He and wife Karen have 2 adult children. Please keep them in your prayers as he prayerfully considers the call. More information may be found in the hallway.
Thank You very much for your kind holiday greetings and gifts by which you have remembered our family again this Christmas. Your words of Christmas greetings and expressions of thoughtfulness and care throughout the year are greatly appreciated. May the Lord bless you and your families with a rich measure of His grace in the days that lie ahead. A blessed New Year to you in Christ! – Pastor, Elizabeth and family.
Looking Ahead
Friday, January 17 – Serving supper at the Ronald McDonald House
Annual Congregational Meeting – (to be announced)
Outreach Efforts: Situational Awareness & Firearm Training (to be announced)
Pastor will be teaching in China with New Life Academy at the end of January into February
The Week in Review
Last Sunday Worship: 22; Bible Study: 15; Offerings: $1,381; New Year’s Eve: Worship 13; Offerings: $340.
Next Sunday’s Lessons:
Epiphany 1: Ecclesiastes 12:1-7; Romans 12:1-5; Luke 2:41-52 (Historic Pericope Series)
Answers to Today’s Old Testament Lesson Brief Study:
- The Lord is speaking to the New Testament Christian Church, which has Jesus as its head. Jesus once said that He is the Light of the world (Jn 8:12). He also said that Christians are the light of the world (Mt 5:14). When the prophet announces that “nations will come to your light,” he is speaking of Christ and the Christian Church in the New Testament era, when people throughout the world would come to faith in Jesus.
- From all nations, both Jews and Gentiles. (vv 3-4)
This week I am praying for……
