Born The King 1

THE UNEXPECTED HOUR

Sunday Scripture Reading:

Matthew 24:36–44 NIV

36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 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; 39 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. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Introduction

For many of us, Advent was a time of perpetual watchfulness as children. We had Advent calendars with little windows or pockets that must be rushed to every day, to obtain the small treats that were inside. Each day was looked at with much scrutiny: “How many more days until Christmas? What if I miss it?” Everyone was monitored closely to see what came in and out of the house. Each night was met with increasing restlessness, not wanting to sleep or even close your eyes because—what if you miss it? What if you miss the magic? What if you miss the wonder? What if you miss Santa Claus on the rooftop or sneaking presents under your tree? You watch closely each and every day with wonder. While this story isn’t relatable for everyone, most of us can relate to a time we were anticipating something. A wedding day, the birth of a baby, retirement, a long-worked-for raise—whatever it might be, we know what it is like to watch in extreme anticipation, waiting. Our text today is about this type of waiting and watching, never losing focus on what we should have our eyes on: the return of Jesus. Many of us read this text with the baggage of fear, and there’s some validity to that because the preceding verses are a bit gloomy—to say the least. There is definitely a sign of caution here to not be distracted, to stay the course, but the message is not one of fear. It’s ultimately one of hope: that God keeps his promises, that Christ will return, and that if we stay the course, if we are watchful and ready, we will see this hope fulfilled.

something. A wedding day, the birth of a baby, retirement, a long-worked-for raise—whatever it might be, we know what it is like to watch in extreme anticipation, waiting. Our text today is about this type of waiting and watching, never losing focus on what we should

have our eyes on: the return of Jesus. Many of us read this text with the baggage of fear, and there’s some validity to that because the

preceding verses are a bit gloomy—to say the least. There is definitely a sign of caution here to not be distracted, to stay the course, but the message is not one of fear. It’s ultimately one of hope: that God keeps his promises, that Christ will return, and that if we stay the course, if we are watchful and ready, we will see this hope fulfilled.

Body

1. Focus on what we are called to. a. This text reveals a distractedness that can consume all of us. Instead of staying focused on Christ, sharing Christ, and living the life Christ has called us to, other things rush in to distract us. i. The Gospel of Matthew has an overarching theme of sharing the gospel with others. This theme is revealed in the Great Commission at the end of the book, .

ii. We also see this theme illustrated in the parable of the sheep and goats in 25:31–46, where we learn that the call of those following Christ is to a life lived in love and compassion for those around us.

iii. We have a call to join the mission of God in the world.

2. Losing Focus

a. The context for this passage reveals several parables that illustrate the distracted nature of humanity.

i. The parable of the ten bridesmaids.

ii. The parable of the talents. iii. The parable of the sheep and the goats.

b. We also see this distractedness in verses 37–39 of our text today, in the reference to the time of Noah.

i. The issue was not that the people were marrying, eating, and drinking. The issue was that they allowed those things to distract them from their coming destruction and, ultimately, the opportunity for hope and salvation.

ii. They were caught off guard because they forgot about God. iii. They were not paying attention to the signs around them that were pointing them toward salvation; instead, they were focused on other things.

c. We also are a distracted people.

i. While we may know that Christ is coming, we often allow other things to consume our time.

ii. We sometimes forget our call to compassion and love because of these distractions.

iii. This time of year, we can look at obvious distractions in our lives.

1. Busyness is a problem throughout the year, but this season can feel particularly busy.

2. Materialism is an issue especially as we near Christmastime. Shiny things are alluring, and we can sometimes view both getting and giving as a way to be fulfilled; yet both can serve as distractions.

3. Keeping up appearances—the way we, and our homes, look to others—can become a serious distraction in our lives.

4. Family can be a distraction, even though family is really good! Much like the people in Noah’s time weren’t wrong for getting married and celebrating, we aren’t wrong for spending time with family, but sometimes even good things like our family can become the focus of the season over Jesus.

iv. There are myriad things that distract us from looking for Christ in our lives and in the world around us.

3. Regaining Focus a. Advent is a season for regaining our focus.

i. While this might feel like an odd text for Advent, it is appropriate.

1. We are reminded to be mindful of the distractions in our life and remember the birth of Christ.

2. Each week we are called to look back to Christ’s birth and remember.

3. We are also reminded each week to look ahead to Christ’s return.

ii. Just like the anticipation we had as children, looking forward to Christmas day or another important day, we are reminded to look forward for Christ’s return.

1. What distractions do you need to remove from your life to regain focus on Christ?

2. What do you need to add to your life to regain focus on Christ?

b. Those of us who anticipate the return of Christ are hopeful.

i. We know that the hardships and trials we face now will be made right at Christ’s return.

ii. We are confident of the ways the already/not yet kingdom of God is at work.

1. When we are anticipate Christ’s return, we look for and see where the Holy Spirit is already at work in the world.

2. We partner with the work of the Holy Spirit in the world, in much the same way Noah partnered with God in building the ark.

iii. The fear in the text is never for those who trust in the Lord. It’s always for those who don’t.

Conclusion

Advent is the new year in the church. New years are often a time for resolutions and for thinking of ways we want to improve. We don’t always think of Advent as a season of reflection and renewal, but what if we shifted our thinking? What if we found a way to reduce distractions, to simplify things, and to focus on remembering the coming of Christ and anticipating his return? How might we be transformed by that, and how might the world be transformed by our faithful witness of watching and waiting with hope?

Intro

Anticipation for Christmas as a child. JCPenney Catalogs were the way we knew it was Christmas time! Lists were made and gifts/food was hoped for. Commercials and life lessons during Christmas movies and episodes. Salvation army at Wal-Mart and in malls. Lights up and trees in windows. We start early and linger in Christmas. Christmas is a great holiday, but it lacks in hope.

Christmas is NOT Advent

Christmas is a holiday (One of my favorites!), many great traditions

At Christmas we all encourage others to continue their kindness and hope and love all year round. I have news for you, it is an election year, we have already failed our hope, love, and kindness based on our Christmas holiday.

Christmas is NOT the same thing as Advent. Advent is the only place you will find REAL and LASTING hope.

Christmas is a holiday that bases its hope on good-will, gift giving, caring for the poor, and family closeness. Christmas (while well intentioned and good), is often built on a cracking foundation.

Busyness:

If the devil can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy. You’ll spend all your time manufacturing good-will and hope that you’ll be left empty and stressed. You’ll have built something, instead of allowing something to be built in you.

1. Busyness is a problem throughout the year, but this season can feel particularly busy.

Spending time with others and being active during Christmas is not a sin, and not a bad thing. But losing sight of our time and how we are investing it, or hanging our hope on our schedule and getting all the Christmasing in, is a dangerous way to live.

Materialism:

Not only our desire for things and finding fulfillment in them. But also as a perceived means of salvation and redemption. We give gifts as a way of deceiving ourselves into believing we are meeting a Godly standard and are doing a righteous deed.

We invest our time in caring for the poor, destitute, and packing shoe boxes to make sure we are providing things for others and checking a Christian box.

Giving is good, and certainly those of us who have are commanded to give. Christmas grants many an opportunity they wouldn’t normally have taken advantage of. But to neglect the constant responsibility to care for each other because we satisfy our guilt during Christmas shows us what areas we need to allow God to work on moving forward.

Keeping up appearances:

Family:

For some, thinking and spending time around family is the opposite of hopeful! There is so much brokenness there we just assume stay away altogether. Someone needs to bring the true hope there, so don’t neglect the opportunity to be with family. Not everyone has a family they can spend time with. There are people you know who have no one.

For others, their hope is in their family. And when family disappears or fails us we lose our hope. If they are gone all hope is lost. What will we do when they pass away? What will happen if there is a broken relationship there?

We need the hope of Advent during Christmas.

English Standard Version Chapter 53

Who has believed what he has heard from us?

And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

2  For he grew up before him like a young plant,

and like a root out of dry ground;

he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,

and no beauty that we should desire him.

3  He was despised and rejected by men,

a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;

and as one from whom men hide their faces

he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4  Surely he has borne our griefs

and carried our sorrows;

yet we esteemed him stricken,

smitten by God, and afflicted.

5  But he was pierced for our transgressions;

he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

and with his wounds we are healed.

6  All we like sheep have gone astray;

we have turned—every one—to his own way;

and the LORD has laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

7  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,

yet he opened not his mouth;

like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,

and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,

so he opened not his mouth.

8  By oppression and judgment he was taken away;

and as for his generation, who considered

that he was cut off out of the land of the living,

stricken for the transgression of my people?

9  And they made his grave with the wicked

and with a rich man in his death,

although he had done no violence,

and there was no deceit in his mouth.

10  Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him;

he has put him to grief;

when his soul makes an offering for guilt,

he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;

the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

11  Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;

by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,

make many to be accounted righteous,

and he shall bear their iniquities.

12  Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,

and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,

because he poured out his soul to death

and was numbered with the transgressors;

yet he bore the sin of many,

and makes intercession for the transgressors.

Luke 2:

Luke 2:25–35 NIV

25 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. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 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, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” 33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 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, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

English Standard Version Chapter 2

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29  “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,

according to your word;

30  for my eyes have seen your salvation

31  that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

32  a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

The perception of the coming Messiah was Christmas.

Meeting a standard, saving the physical world and making Israel Great Again.

But what we celebrate in Advent is so much more.

God came to us. To bear ALL our sin and brokenness. He was not a God who came to parade around for a season and then call it a day. This was a God who walked in grief and bore pain and paid the price over His lifetime here to be a equal part in our suffering and to set us free from the sin that keeps us all year round.

He is the hope for redemption.

He is who we need.

Hope in Christmas is found in focus on Advent. Jesus didn’t come to pet lambs, he came to be slaughtered as one. The kind of redemption Jesus bought for us is the kind of hope the world expresses cravings for during this Holiday season.

When we see our hope all year round, Advent becomes so much more potent for us and those around us.

I’ll end with my favorite poem from Henry Longfellow:

I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along The unbroken song Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Till ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, A chant sublime Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Then from each black, accursed mouth The cannon thundered in the South, And with the sound The carols drowned Of peace on earth, good-will to men! It was as if an earthquake rent The hearth-stones of a continent, And made forlorn The households born Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And in despair I bowed my head; "There is no peace on earth," I said; "For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!" Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men."