Advent 2000 -1- Hope in Uncertain Times

Reading: Luke 21:25-36

When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. Luke 21:28 (NIV)

I.     Watch the Signs

       A.    Yes, Jesus tells us to Look for them

               1.    Not just an exercise for fanatics (29-31)

                       a.    Haven’t we all seen the one who finally found the “key” to all this.

                       b.    But we must still look for the signs.

               2.    But look for–don’t invent them!

                       a.    Not every disaster is a sign!

                       b.    God puts the signs up so we’ll see.

                       c.    We just have to pay attention!

       B.    They seem to point to Disaster

               1.    This way to Vancouver?

                       a.    From Burlington to Alger follow the signs on I-5 that point to Vancouver

                       b.    The sign, by itself doesn’t tell the whole story.

               2.    These signs don’t look that good.

                       a.    They look like they point to the end

                       b.    The ocean and sky, out of control!

                       c.    Signs in the sun, moon & stars?!

               3.    A sign points beyond itself

                       a.    A sign never points to itself

                       b.    These signs point where? To Jesus!

       C.    They point to Jesus

               1.    Don’t prepare for disaster, but for Him!

                       a.    A year ago, we were all a little or a lot worried about Y2K.

                       b.    We met Y2K with games, worship & prayer here, trusting God.

               2.    Not a time for fear

                       a.    People will be in a panic (26)

                       b.    Lit. they’ll stop breathing from fear.

                       c.    Don’t get caught in that current!

               3.    The signs tell us to “bend up!”(v.28)

                       a.    Instead of being bent double with fear or with genuine oppression.

                       b.    Stand up, lit. “bend up” or unbend

                       c.    Straighten up after being bent low

II.    Be strong enough to Run Away

       A.    Be careful to stay Light hearted

               1.    Don’t let your hearts be heavy (v.34)

                       a.    Weighted down, so we can’t move

                       b.    Heavy like eyelids when tired

                       c.    Stay light, stay alert.

               2.    Dissipation/Carousing and drunkenness

                       a.    I had to look up “dissipation” too: be dissipated, lack of restraint.

                       b.    Partying, disorientation, hangover

                       c.    Don’t get caught by the idea “If it’s gonna end, let’s at least have fun.”

               3.    The disorientation & confusion...of life?

                       a.    Another poss. trans.: disorientation, confusion & anxiety of daily life.

                       b.    Just daily living can have it’s mind-altering effects–esp. in our day!

                       c.    Both?

       B.    Don’t be captive to the Obvious

               1.    The anxieties of life

                       a.    One of the “thorns” in Lk 8:14

                       b.    Jesus says Martha is anxious about many things – but one is needed.

               2.    The anxieties of Daily Living

                       a.    This is the day to day stuff.

                       b.    Martha was worried and distracted

                       c.    Don’t worry about the necessities of daily living!

               3.    We have to rise above the obvious

                       a.    Get the big picture too!

                       b.    The tyranny of the urgent

                       c.    Don’t forget to Trust God

       C.    Pray for the Victory of escape

               1.    An interesting use of words:

                       a.    Be victorious in running away!?

                       b.    Yes! We may not escape unless we ask for God’s help.

               2.    Traps & barbed hooks are everywhere

                       a.    Life is filled with land-mines of temptation

                       b.    Satan knows how to hook us.

                       c.    Our sinful nature wants to sin

               3.    Are we ever strong enough to resist?

                       a.    We’re not as strong as we think.

                       b.    Some of the temptations, some of the time. Not all, all the time.

                       c.    If we can’t resist, run away.

III.   Run to the Arms of Jesus

       A.    He came in Uncertain times

               1.    Jesus was born into precarious times

                       a.    Despair, violence, and compromise were present among God’s people.

                       b.    The news of the angels is of great joy because things were bad.

               2.    The signs seemed to point down.

                       a.    The idol worshipers had won!

                       b.    No one though God’s people were about to regain their freedom

                       c.    Where was God in all this!

               3.    Jesus turned the signs upside down!

                       a.    Our hope is born in Him

                       b.    He enters history to turn it upward

                       c.    He’s here to change us inside & out

       B.    He’ll be back in Time for us

               1.    Things are going to look bad–real bad.

                       a.    The universe is falling apart! (25-26)

                       b.    People will faint from fear!

                       c.    This ain’t no “B” movie, either!

               2.    When it is, be alert & pray for strength

                       a.    Stay awake, on guard, at the ready

                       b.    Don’t let your eyes/heart get heavy

                       c.    Pray to be able to escape the traps

               3.    When reality hits us hard, “bend up!”

                       a.    Don’t be bent over with it’s weight!

                       b.    Don’t be bent over with worry

                       c.    Straighten up! He’s coming!

       C.    When it looks Hopeless, run to Him

               1.    Run from the traps to Jesus.

                       a.    Run until you get to Him

                       b.    When you get to Him, stop.

               2.    He comes with Hope in his hands!

                       a.    “Bend up” and hold your head high

                       b.    He offers us all real, lasting hope.

                       c.    Want some?

The Bottom Line:

(HoR: Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus R#168)