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<div><span style="font-size: small"><span style="color: black">Resources for Advent 2</span></span><span style="font-size: small"> </span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: small"><span style="color: black">Mark 1:1-8 - <strong>"Prepare the Way"</strong></span></span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: small"><span style="color: black">Mark 1:1-8 - <strong>"</strong></span><b>The Four Scents of Adventing<strong><span style="color: black">"</span></strong></b><span style="color: black"> by Leonard Sweet</span></span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: small"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small"><span style="color: black">Mark 1<font size="4"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif"> -</font></font> the sermon title "Prepare the Way"<font size="4"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif"> </font></font></span></span>
<div><span style="font-size: small"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small">His
name was John. People knew him locally as the Baptist. Some would say
of him that he was a religious eccentric. Others less kind would dismiss
him as being simply a flake. He definitely did not seem to be the kind
of “How to win friends and influence people” type of personality to
usher in the news of the Messiah’s coming. He just somehow doesn’t seem
to fit in with shepherds and wise men and the other characters that we
traditionally associate with the Christmas story. Yet, this was God’s
unlikely servant chosen to herald the spectacular events that would soon
follow. A most unlikely promotions man to be sure, but God’s man
nevertheless.<br>
<br>
>From the very beginning everything about John was unique. His mother
Elizabeth was related to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Elizabeth conceived
six months before Mary. But Mary happened to be a very young girl,
indeed almost a child. Most scholars put her probable age at thirteen.
It was not unusual for a girl in that day and time to be of childbearing
age at such a tender age. Indeed, it is not unheard of even in
contemporary America.<br>
<br>
Elizabeth, on the other hand, was a woman who was in the golden years of
her life. She had never given birth to a child. You would think of her
more in the category of great grandmother than mother. Yet, she and her
aging priest of a husband were the unlikely candidates. It’s not out of
the question today with recent advances in medicine, but beg the
grandmother’s here today, don’t take this as a word from the Lord!<br>
<br>
And then there was John himself. Being the same age as Jesus they grow
up together, played together, yet as they reached adulthood they were
different in so many ways. When John began his ministry he lived in the
desert solitude of Judea, a rugged desert wilderness. He fed on honey
and wild locust and dressed in garments of camel hair. He constantly
brooded over the scriptures, especially the prophetic ministry of
Elijah, after whom he modeled his own ministry.<br>
<br>
Nor was John a respecter of persons or rank. He had an intimidating
personality. For that reason the upper class folk rejected both he and
his message. You can read about that in Luke 7:29.<br>
<br>
Yet, John gathered a respectable following. He attracted many hearers
among the lower class, many of whom received baptism by his hands. John
even drew a group of disciples around him, which is significant for two
reasons. First, some of these disciples later became disciples of our
Lord. Secondly, a number of people began to think of John himself as
being the long expected Messiah. For that reason John’s gospel felt
obliged to specifically point out “There was a man sent from God whose
name was John, He came for testimony to bear witness to the light that
all might believe through him. He was not the light, but he came to bear
witness to the light.<br>
<br>
What drew people to John and his message? Well, John was far-fetched.
His austere life style was a compelling reason to listen to him and
perhaps his strange ways convinced some people to follow him. I think
many thought he was Elijah the prophet who returned. But there was more
to John than simply a bizarre strange life. John understood that God was
about to do something that would shake the foundations of the earth and
he needed to prepare the way for that event. He did this in basically
three ways…</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small">1. John lived a godly life.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small">2. John challenged the people’s sins.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small">3. John pointed the way to Christ.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"> </span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: small"><span style="color: black">The rest of this sermon following the outline above can be obtained by joining <a __removedlink__1682515399__href="http://www.sermons.com/signup" target="_blank">http://www.sermons.com/signup</a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small"><span style="color: black">_______________________</span></span>
<div><span style="font-size: small"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small"><span style="color: black">Mark 1 <font size="4"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">- </font></font>the sermon titled "The Four Scents of Adventing" by Leonard Sweet] </span></span>
<div><span style="font-size: small"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small">A
traditional accounting of the number of “senses” the human body
registers is five: sight, sound, touch, taste and smell. We now know
there are between 9 and 21 actual senses, depending on who’s counting.
But still there are five main ones, and two biggies in the five: sight
and sound. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small">Even
those of us with poor vision and tin ears still rely heavily on sight
and sound to get around. Taste and touch are less obviously used, but
absolutely necessary. Our sense of touch keeps us from absent-mindedly
leaning on a red hot burner or petting a puppy with the disposition of a
boxer. Sight, sound, touch, taste -- they are the four senses that give
us crucial information and safely connect us to our environment.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small">Of
all the senses, whether in the top 5 or all 21, the sense of smell
usually gets short shrift. Mostly we notice its presence when we wish we
didn’t have it. When we are cleaning out the diaper pail. Or giving the
skunk-adorned dog a bath. Or driving home the eighth-grade basketball
team.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small">For
most of us the first thought we have about our sense of smell is . . .
it stinks. Nasty odors tighten our stomachs and ruin our days. But our
sense of smell offers us a lot more than obnoxious odors. Olfactory
memories are among the most personal and poignant our brain can produce.
Not just those sweat socks that send you back to your junior high
locker room. Not just that foul stench that lets you know the milk has
gone bad. There are a thousand other smells filed away in our minds and
hearts and souls that trigger deep responses. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small">Cooking
show chefs are always bemoaning the fact that there is no such thing as
“smell-o-vision.” All restaurants that advertize on tv would agree.
“Foodies” know that the single most attractive, addictive sense is that
of smell. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small">We
just finished getting rid of the Thanksgiving leftovers and, by the
time we’ve made turkey sandwiches, turkey casserole, and turkey soup, we
realize this thing is just an overgrown chicken. So why do we bother
with it? </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small">It’s
the smell. Turkeys have to cook for a long time. They torture us with
their smell for hours on end. Same thing goes with good barbecue. Or a
big old pot roast. The smell entices and entrances over hours of
cooking. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="font-size: small"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small">There are distinctive aromas that are attached to Advent…</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small">For the rest of this sermon by Leonard Sweet click here: </span><span style="font-size: 12pt"><a target="_blank" __removedlink__1682515399__href="http://mail.churchmail.com/lists/lt.php?id=Kk8FAgEFCwBaDEkCAQVKDAtXUVw%3D"><span style="font-size: small"><font color="#0000ff">http://www.sermons.com/signup</font></span></a></span><span style="font-size: small"> or call 1-800-777-7731 to join.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small">____________________________</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small">A Friend and a Savior</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small">William
Saroyan has a delightful story that he tells of the poor, little orphan
boy standing amidst a long line of men and women queued up in the front
of a movie house. A friend passed and asked: "Why are you standing
here? You haven't got the fifty cents admission charge."<br>
<br>
"I'm not going to the movies," the boy replied.<br>
<br>
"Then why are you standing in line?" asked the friend.<br>
<br>
"I'm standing in line," answered the boy, "because I'm lonely, and I
like people." Christ came into this lonely world as a friend as well as a
Savior. Why can't you and I enter someone's loneliness this Christmas?<br>
<br>
King Duncan,<a __removedlink__1682515399__href="http://www.Sermons.com" target="_blank">www.Sermons.com</a><br>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small">A John the Baptist Christmas Card</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small">I
love receiving Christmas cards. I especially like Christmas cards with
good Christian artwork on the cover. The lion with the lamb; the three
wise men and the message, “Wise Men Still Seek Him;” the Madonna and
child; or the star piercing the darkness over stable and manger; all are
beautiful depictions of the Christmas story. Again, I am positive that
as a group we have all perused thousands of Christmas cards like these.
Yet I do not recall ever receiving one with John the Baptist preaching
in the desert. Do you? I can picture it in my mind: a card front marred
by the dead, barren wilderness of Judea out by the Jordan River, with
this animated, prophetic figure as the focal point. But I have never
read one that even closely resembles such a scene. Have you?</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small">John
the Baptist is totally inappropriate for the way we celebrate
Christmas. Christmas is about the birth of Jesus as Matthew and Luke
report that holy night many years ago. Mary, Joseph, angels, manger,
shepherds, wise men; a child is born unto us. Glory to God in the
highest! That is what Christmas is all about. Jesus is the reason for
the season. So we honor sweet, little Jesus boy, get warm fuzzies, and
hug our family members. What does John the Baptist have do with
Christmas?</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small">For
Mark, everything. Instead of Bethlehem and choirs of angels, he begins
the story of Jesus’ coming with a prophet blaring and baptizing in the
wilderness of Judea. In so doing, he adds a new figure to the good news
about the incarnation and coming of the Christ. It is John the Baptist.
Throughout the centuries the church has recognized Mark’s unique
contribution through its observance of Advent in preparation for the
celebration of Christmas.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small">Darrick Acre, A Way Made Ready</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small">Humble Beginnings</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small">I
am told that in Minnesota you can step across the headwaters of the
Mississippi River. It is no more than a tiny stream. It is amazing to me
that a river so mighty can begin in such an inconspicuous way. <br>
<br>
Perhaps we have a similar experience as we read the first chapter to the
Gospel of Mark. The message of Christ has raised up nations and brought
them low, launched and defeated armies, started large social movements
and destroyed others. Think of all that has been done in the name of
Jesus Christ and how inconspicuously the Gospel begins according to
Mark. Here we find none of the thunderous poetry used by John to
describe the pre-existent Christ. We dream no dreams and no angels visit
with us. Caesar Augustus and Herod seem pretty far away. No excuse here
for Christmas trees or mob-ridden malls or long hours putting together
services of lessons and carols--thank God! All Mark offers to us is John
the Baptist, Martha Stewart's worst nightmare, smelling like a camel
and calling people to change their ways.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small">Samuel Massey, You’ve Got to be Kidding!<font size="4"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif"><br>
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