January 24, 2016 Sermon

Messiah Lutheran Church Podcasts

"Jesus is Our Hope"

You can easily see the glass of water here (point to it). No, it’s not a science experiment. But I am getting kind of thirsty. There are two ways that you can look at this glass – and you’ve probably heard the expression before – “Is the glass half empty? Or half full?”

The person who looks at life as a glass half-empty is the one who thinks to themselves about situations in life – “What’s the point? There is no hope. I might as well just quit.” This is the time of year when we hear the most negativity – from our friends, co-workers, spouses, maybe even you and me from time to time. It’s cold outside and all the green and life and vitality is covered up by snow. Christmas is past. We’ve put away all the decorations. We’ve said good-bye to the family and friends who were only in town for a visit. And to top it all off, you’ve probably just gotten the bill in the mail. January is kind a “blah” type of month; and certainly a time when we’re tempted to look at life as being a glass half-empty.

But the glass half-full is a mindset of positivity in spite of any and all circumstances we might find ourselves in. These are the friends, family, co-workers with a positive attitude in life that we want to surround ourselves with. No matter how bleak the situation is, the glass half-full looks at life and all the good that is coming out of every situation. There is hope!

Glass half-full describes the season of epiphany. It is the time where we see Jesus revealed as God’s Son. Jesus obeyed his parents perfectly. He was baptized. He performed his first miracle – changing water into wine. And he chooses his first disciples. Epiphany is an opportunity for us to rally around and follow Jesus in preparation for the season of Lent. Epiphany offers us hope.

This morning, we want to study our OT lesson and be reminded that with Jesus, there is hope! Jesus is our hope!