SPECIAL DAYS: Second Sunday in Advent

December 7, Lesson: Matthew 11:25-30

Sermon Title: Side by Side

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INTRODUCTION:

  1. Saturday I officiated at the wedding of Jaynie Speilmann and Colin Sweeney is Milwaukee.

    1. I used several illustrations in the wedding homily.

      1. J. Allan Peterson writes that marriage is an empty box.

There is nothing in it. Marriage was never intended to do anything for anybody. People are expected to do something for marriage. Love, romance, consideration, generosity aren't marriage, they are in people and people put them into the marriage box.

      1. A quote by Martha Bolton, quoted in Marriage Partnership, Spring 2001, 12.

Marriage isn't an amusement park that you exit as soon as the fun comes to a stop. It's a relationship you believe in enough to stick around until the fun returns.

      1. The old song, Side by Side

Though it may not be the reason that Harry Woods wrote this song, the song contains the thought of Martha Bolton.

I sang the song to the Bride and the Groom and gathered Guests. We had a great time and I received a enthusiastic round of applause.

SIDE BY SIDE (Words and Music by Harry Woods (1925) Sung by Kay Starr and Paul Anka

See that sun in the morning,
Peeking over the hill?
I'll bet you're sure it always has and sure it always will.
That's how I feel about someone,
How somebody feels about me.
We're sure we love each other
That's the way we'll always be.

Oh, we ain't got a barrel of money,
Maybe we're ragged and funny
But we'll travel along
Singing a song Side by side.

Don't know what's comin' tomorrow
Maybe it's trouble and sorrow
But we'll travel the road
Sharing our load Side by side.

Through all kinds of weather
What if the sky should fall?
Just as long as we're together,
It doesn't matter at all.

When they've all had their quarrels and parted
We'll be the same as we started
Just a-traveling along
Singing a song Side by side.

We're all hunting for something
Some thing we don't know what
'Cause none of us are satisfied with things we know we've got.
We all forget about moonlight,
As soon as we've given our vow
But we'd all be so happy if we'd start and sing right now:

Oh, we ain't got a barrel of money,
Maybe we're ragged and funny
But we'll travel along
Singing a song Side by side.

Don't know what's comin' tomorrow
Maybe it's trouble and sorrow
But we'll travel the road
Sharing our load Side by side.

    1. I believe that there is a way in which all of these illustrations have something to say about our relationship to Christmas.

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MAIN BODY:

  1. The lesson, Matthew 11:25-30 (NRSVA), comes to us in three parts.

    1. An preface in verses 25-27

25At that time Jesus said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; 26yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

    1. The invitation in verses 28-29a

28"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart,

    1. The results in verses 29b-30

29byou will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

  1. Let us see how the parts may fit into the illustrations.

    1. J. Allan Peterson writes that marriage is an empty box.

There is nothing in it. Marriage was never intended to do anything for anybody. People are expected to do something for marriage. Love, romance, consideration, generosity aren't marriage, they are in people and people put them into the marriage box.

      1. For many people Christmas is an empty box.

        1. The box is empty for the "wise" and the "intelligent."

        2. It is not that God has hidden information from anyone.

        3. It is that they cannot see.

        4. They lack faith

        5. There is no meaning.

        6. There is no purpose.

        7. No one knows the Father or the Son.

      2. For "infants" the box is not empty.

        1. The box contains valid and necessary information.

        2. Faith enables sight and understanding

        3. Infants realize that what they need they cannot provide.

        4. Jesus brings knowledge of the Father

        5. Jesus demonstrates benefits of relationship.

    1. Martha Bolton writes that "Marriage isn't an amusement park that you exit as soon as the fun comes to a stop. It's a relationship you believe in enough to stick around until the fun returns." (1)

      1. For many people Christmas is an amusement park.

        1. I have observed people at an amusement park.

        2. It is not amusing.

        3. There is so little real enjoyment.

      2. For all who recognize it Christmas contains an invitation.

        1. Come unto me.

        2. The invitation is extended especially to those who work in the amusement park.

        3. We live in the greatest amusement park that humankind has ever seen.

        4. It is the world.

        5. The invitation is especially given to those who labor and are heavy-laden.

      3. You and I are invited to find rest.

        1. Sinners, wearied in the ways of iniquity, are also invited to come to this Christ, and find speedy relief.

        2. Individuals who are feeling or expressing remorse for one's misdeeds or sins, who are burdened with the guilt of their crimes, may come to this Sacrifice, and find instant pardon.

        3. Believers, sorely tempted, and oppressed by the remains of the tempted mind, may come to this sacrifice, that cleanses from all unrighteousness; and, purifies from all sin, and powerfully comforted in every temptation, they shall find uninterrupted rest in this complete Savior.

        4. Rest is re-creation

        5. All are invited to come, and all are promised rest.

        6. If few find rest from sin and second-rate affections, it is because few come to Christ to receive it.

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    1. Then there is the song Side by Side.

    Sing the song and invite the congregation to sing with you. It is great fun and very meaningful.

    SIDE BY SIDE (Words and Music by Harry Woods (1925) Sung by Kay Starr and Paul Anka

    See that sun in the morning,
    Peeking over the hill?
    I'll bet you're sure it always has and sure it always will.
    That's how I feel about someone,
    How somebody feels about me.
    We're sure we love each other
    That's the way we'll always be.

    Oh, we ain't got a barrel of money,
    Maybe we're ragged and funny
    But we'll travel along
    Singing a song Side by side.

    Don't know what's comin' tomorrow
    Maybe it's trouble and sorrow
    But we'll travel the road
    Sharing our load Side by side.

    Through all kinds of weather
    What if the sky should fall?
    Just as long as we're together,
    It doesn't matter at all.

    When they've all had their quarrels and parted
    We'll be the same as we started
    Just a-traveling along
    Singing a song Side by side.

    We're all hunting for something
    Some thing we don't know what
    'Cause none of us are satisfied with things we know we've got.
    We all forget about moonlight,
    As soon as we've given our vow
    But we'd all be so happy if we'd start and sing right now:

    Oh, we ain't got a barrel of money,
    Maybe we're ragged and funny
    But we'll travel along
    Singing a song Side by side.

    Don't know what's comin' tomorrow
    Maybe it's trouble and sorrow
    But we'll travel the road
    Sharing our load Side by side.

    1. We have the preface; we have an invitation; now we have the results.

      1. Come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden

      2. I will give you rest.

    2. Take my yoke upon you.

      1. My yoke is easy.

      2. My burden s light.

    3. The burden of sin is a heavy and loathsome burden.

      1. There is relief.

      2. There is escape.

    4. We take upon us the yoke of Jesus Christ.

      1. It is a willingness to live out his teachings.

      2. It is a determination to put his teachings into practice.

      3. We do not do this alone.

      4. We share the load.

      5. We draw strength and sustenance from the partner of our souls.

      6. We delight to do his will and find it restful

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    CONCLUSION

    1. Scott Levy, a pastor in the Midwest, was preaching for a pastor friend one Sunday morning. He went early to the church to see what it was like and get the feel of the atmosphere. (2)

    As he was walking down a long hallway, his sermon notes in one hand and his pulpit robe draped over the other arm, he came upon a large room used as a nursery for preschoolers. Glancing in, he saw a little boy who looked about four years old, sitting all by himself.

    The little boy said, 'Hi, my name's Tommy, and I'm all alone in this big room.'

    Scott, who had done a lot of counseling, decided to use his non-directive counseling technique on the little boy.

    He answered back, 'You feel all alone in that room?'

    'I don't just feel it,' said the little boy. 'I know I am all alone!'

    Trying to reassure the boy, Scott replied confidently, 'Don't you worry now. I'm sure that before too long somebody will come to be with you.'

    With wistful eyes, little Tommy looked up at him and said, 'Why not you?'

    1. The Germans also have folk songs about The Christmas Tree, such as the Fairest Tree, in which Christians are told (3)

    O let him in! 'tis not a dream;
    Your heart shall be his garden,
    Wherein shall grow a tree most fair,
    Protected by his tender care,
    And yielding peace and pardon,
    And yielding peace and pardon, and pardon.

    1. Why not let him in? Amen!

1. A quote by Martha Bolton, quoted in Marriage Partnership, Spring 2001, 12.

2. As told by James W. Moore, Can You Remember to Forget? (Nashville: Abingdon, 1991), 69-70.

3. Quoted in Herbert H. Wernecke, Christmas Songs and Their Stories (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1957), 29.

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