But First...

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In the last 50 years technology has advanced at rates that previously were incomprehensible

We could talk about advances that have revolutionized medicine and how things that were once incurable and deadly are eliminated with a pill or injection

Travel too has been influenced and we now move about faster and in greater luxury than ever before

Perhaps one of the greatest changes though has been in communication

With satellites orbiting high above our planet we can speak face to face with someone on the other side of the world with a crystal clear picture and no delay whatsoever

Which of course has led to the advent of the modern day smart phone

With capabilities such as talk, text, video streaming/taping, and apps that can do almost any and every thing that you can imagine

With our phones we can play games, connect to social media, read our Bible, track our physical activity or eating and sleeping habits, play music, measure stuff, calculate stuff, tweet stuff and record stuff

And if we’re not sure what to do we can, with the push of the home button, connect to Siri, Google, or one of many other helpers that can tell us anything and everything we want to know, or didn’t want to know

But with many of these advancements come new challenges that the world has never dealt with before

Street racing laws had to be written because even the most basic car is able to go well beyond the highest of speed limits

It is said that there is more computing power in that tiny smart phone you have than in all of the computers that were used to put man on the moon 50 years ago this next year

And what does mankind do with all this great computing power at his fingertips? Do we go around devising ways to end poverty? Or Find new ways of ending the terrible diseases that still exist?

Nope we watch videos of cute puppies and catch “Pokemon” that aren’t really there and perhaps even worst of all, we take selfies

That’s right we use up millions of terabytes everyday taking pictures of ourselves and posting them the internet

This is me with my , “Venti Iced SkinnyHazelnut Macchiato, Sugar Free Syrup, Extra Shot, Light Ice, No Whip

This is me at the hockey game, this is me at my friends wedding, this is me at a famous landmark, this is me with a famous person

Now I know that those that I am preaching to this morning are not exactly what one would call a selfie crowd but there’s no denying that it is a huge world-wide trend

In fact a couple of years ago there was even a hit song written by a band called the Chainsmokers titled “But First Let Me take a Selfie”

Perhaps you have heard someone use this phrase before, well now you know where it came from

Urban dictionary gives the following definition for this term “But first let me take a selfie,” “It is said right before one takes a selfie; usually taken before one is going to do something - probably something important and/or productive”

When the boss says, ‘You need to get back to work” and you reply, ‘Okay but first let me take a selfie.’ Or the fireman says, ‘You have to get out of here this building is on fire.’ and you say, ‘Okay but first let me take a selfie.’ or the doctor says, ‘Okay it’s time for this baby to be born. You need to give me a big push now.’ And you say, (wait for it)’Okay but first let me take a selfie.’

The selfie is perhaps the greatest definer of our current world because it symbolizes two main things, Focusing all attention on one’s self, and procrastinating on major and important things

Now we may not be a part of the selfie generation but we can still be infected by the disease which it epitomizes, putting off the important things for the sake of the trivial

To demonstrate exactly what I mean and in light of the Christmas season that is now upon us, I want to take a look at the first Christmas and contrast those who completely missed it with those who did not and how those lessons can be applied to us in regards to the soon return of the Christ that we celebrate at Christmas

The reason behind this message is because I believe that we can get so wrapped up in the trivial celebration of His first coming that we are not concerned with the bigger issue at hand which is of course His return

In other words, ‘Get ready for the soon return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.’ Okay but first let me hang some tinsel and buy some presents and make sure that everyone is saying “Merry Christmas” and not “Happy holidays”

So let’s take a look at 3 characteristics that were shared by those who were ready for the birthday of the Messiah that were also absent in all of those who completely missed it

The first thing that we notice about the initial appearance of Jesus is that it was those people who were watching for it that did not miss it, and those people who were NOT watching for it, did missed it

Allow me to illustrate this for you with one of the more well known Christmas stories which shows us both sides of this

It’s found in Matthew’s Gospel chapter 2

Luke 2:25–38 NIV

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Let’s read the first 3 verses,

Matthew 2:1–3 NIV

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

In spite of the fact that they lived at least several hundred miles away from the holy land, and in spite of the fact that we have every reason to believe that these men were not Jewish in any way shape or form, and in spite of the fact that it would appear that there was nothing in this for them, the Magi did not miss out on the appearance of the Messiah because they were actively watching for it

On the other hand you have Herod who was sitting on the Jewish throne, who had all the resources he could ever want at his fingertips and who lived only a short distance from where the miracle of the incarnation took place and yet he missed it because he wasn’t watching and so the first thing he hear’s of it is from the Magi after what a lot of Bible scholars believe could be up to two years later

Even more sad than that is how “all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law” who could recite from memory the prophecies concerning this event also missed it because they were too busy with the trivial matters of the day to watch for the promised Son of God

But an even greater travesty than that are the number of people today who consider themselves followers of Jesus and yet are not watching for His triumphant return in glory because, like Herod and his advisors, they are too caught up in the trivial matters of life

Let’s look at a few different times when Jesus addressed this, the first one is in beginning at verse 35

Luke 12:35-38

Luke 12:35–38 NIV

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak.

The word “watching” in this passage comes from the Greek word “gregoreo” and it means so much more than to just look at something

The Reverse Interlinear for New Testament Word Studies defines it as, “to be awake, watchful, attentive, vigilant, circumspect”

As a professional driver with more defensive driving certificates than I care to recall I am keenly aware of something that I witness all the time, especially on the motorcycle

I use the term watching loosely because while I am glued to the screen vigilantly trying to keep up with all that is happening, I will often look over at her and see her texting her boyfriend on her cell phone

And that is that a lot of drivers who think that they are “watching” the road are looking but they’re really not seeing

That’s one of the main reasons that we see so many accidents on our roads because people are watching but not being attentive and vigilant, they are not being circumspect about what they are seeing and allowing that information to influence their driving decisions

Too many Christians are “watching” for the return of Christ the same way, they’re “looking” but not “watching”

We need to pay attention to what it is we are seeing and interpret that information with what we know from the Word of God to make it make sense

Jesus warns that such inattentiveness may lead many to miss out on His return because they are not ready at any moment for that glorious event to happen

Let’s flip back a couple of books to Matthew’s gospel the 24th chapter beginning at verse 36 and we’ll see why it is so important to remain watchful

Matthew 24:36-

Matthew 24:36–42 NIV

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

The people of Noah’s day were warned of the impending judgement of God and not only did they ignore it they ignored the indicators that it was near

Now let’s back to Luke and I’ll show you what it is we are supposed to watching

We’ll look at but you can also find this teaching of Jesus in and

Luke 21:5–8 NIV

Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?” He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.

Luke 21:7-8

Luke 21:5-

Luke 21:7–8 NIV

“Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?” He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.

First watch out that you are not being deceived,

Be vigilant in your theology, compare what you hear and read with what the Bible really says, don’t take someone’s word for just because they are a supposedexpert

Millions have allowed themselves to be deceived because they were not watching and those numbers are only going to get worse as the time of His reappearing draws closer

Jesus then goes on to give the disciples a long list of things that are going to proceed His return, a watch list if you will

Things like wars and rumours of wars, earthquakes, famines, pestilence, and many other natural disasters

There would be great persecution of His followers and Jerusalem itself will be the center of a great battle

Then He says;

Luke

Luke 21:28 NIV

When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Then in order to drive this point home,

Luke 21:29–36 NIV

He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Luke 21:29-

He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

Watch that the anxieties and pressures of this life don’t keep you from realizing what is truly important

When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

Now I trust that this won’t come as a shock to anyone here and unlike Herod you won’t be shocked by this, but all of these signs that Jesus told us to watch out for are present in our day

The stage is set and everything is in place for Christ to return

Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

“I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

Let’s not get weighed down by the trivial things so that we are not ready for this major event but let’s remain ever watchful so that when He knocks we are prepared to answer the door without delay

Well as you can see I don’t have time this morning to go on with the other 2 characteristics present in those who didn’t miss Christ’s first coming and that must also be found in those who are determined to be ready for His return so we will pause the message right here and we will pick it up again and two weeks with part 2

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

Let’s pray

“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”