Slow Down, Pay Attention
Notes
Transcript
Well… Here we are, the first day of Advent. This year we are going to survey the four gospel accounts of Christ’s birth…
We will begin today with the gospel of Mark.
Mark is considered the first gospel to be written… and — I don’t know if you noticed, but — it’s the shortest!
Do you know what Mark has to say about Jesus’s birth?!
Nothing! Nada… zilch… No angels… No shepherds… No Mary and Joseph… No Inn with no room… No stable… No Wise Men from the East… absolutely nothing!
Mark doesn’t mention anything that we might expect to hear mentioned in the Christmas story…
In fact, the first time we see Jesus in Mark’s gospel, He’s an adult!
So, why even look at Mark’s gospel in an advent series?
Because, while it doesn’t have a lot to do with Jesus’s birth, Mark’s gospel has A LOT to say about Advent.
You see… Advent is about anticipation… It’s about preparation… It’s about looking forward to the return of Christ, while at the same time remembering and celebrating that first Advent when He was born into this world!
Advent is an amazing celebration of both the “has come, and yet to come!”
And here’s the best part… Last week we talked about “Unity,” and the power of the UNITED Church — This season brings unity… Think about it!
Advent is the season where the Church unites universally — all around the world — with traditions and liturgy that have one goal in mind — To refocus and renew our passion and desire and prepare us for the return of Christ.
Christ came into this world 2,000 years ago when He was born, and Jesus will return to establish His Kingdom permanently, Amen?
We can gain some wisdom from Mark’s gospel for the time we live in… Amen?
That’s why we are looking at it today…
The title of our message is “Slow Down, Pay Attention!” It’s kind of ironic isn’t it?
Especially this time of year… you see… it’s easy to get caught up in all the busyness of the season… It’s easy to get caught up in the lights… the shopping… the commercialism… this season brings…
Think about it… How many of you feel like you are ready for Christmas?
How many of you feel like you have it all together? Like there’s plenty of time? You’ve got plenty of rest? Like there’s nothing “needing” your attention, cause its all done… you’re ready?
What? No one?
So… What does Mark’s gospel have to do with all of this?
I’m glad you asked....
Have you ever noticed how fast paced Mark’s gospel is? It’s almost like he just can’t wait to get to the action!
I mean, 41 times in 16 chapters, Mark uses the word immediately. That’s 3 times as much as the other 3 gospels combined!
I get the feeling Mark was excited about what he was going to talk about, and he can’t wait to tell us!
Look at Mark 1:1-8.
1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way;
3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’ ”
4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
7 He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.
8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
How many of you like a good action movie?
I do. Two of my favorites are the Bourne series and Mission Impossible....
The action grabs you from the very start, and before you know it you are immersed in the story!
That is exactly what Mark does here.
In the opening verses, Mark reminds us of Isaiah’s prophecy of one who is…
3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’ ”
And gives us the answer as to who that is…
4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Right from the start Mark wants to grab our attention… by introducing this messenger in the wilderness, BUT…
Can I tell you this?
He also wants us to “slow down,” and “pay attention” to what this messenger has to say — because his message is a life changing message of repentance and grace.
We need to stop and hear that message. And not just for the sake of salvation!
You see, there is a lesson in Mark’s gospel for us — for Christ’s Church!
Let me ask you this — Have you ever found yourself at an event — maybe a child’s play, or a graduation ceremony, even a major production — and found yourself flipping ahead in the program to see what’s coming next?
I have. I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve sat through one of my kids school programs (band, choir, graduation, etc…) And found myself flipping through the program, looking at what’s next — how much longer actually…
I realized something about those times… I wasn’t present in the moment.
My concern for what comes next, for what will happen next, for how much longer it will be, caused me to miss the moment… I needed to slow down, to take time to be present in the moment , in order to enjoy it.
Has that ever happened to you?
We live in a “fast food” world… It is a fast-paced, instant gratification culture that causes life to constantly pass us by… If we aren’t careful, even as Christians, we can get so caught up in the busyness and constant demands for quick action, that we “miss the moment” right in front of us.
If we aren’t careful in our spiritual walks, we will become so caught up in our own artificial world — which we think is so important — that we will miss the mysteries of faith and being present in the moments of faith that allow us to see the Kingdom of God come.
You see… it is those moments that are so important! It is those moments, when we experience the Kingdom of God, that help us grow spiritually!
If we allow ourselves to be distracted by the busyness of the world around us, we miss them!
That’s why God tells us in this busy world to:
10 “Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.”
Even now… as we enter into this season of Advent, we can easily miss the amazing opportunities to engage in our faith journey, and to be challenged in our walks with a fresh perspective… all because we are too busy.
Are you truly ready for Christmas? Are you truly ready for Advent? Are you truly ready for God to once again — or for some of us, maybe for the first time — to break into your lives… to renew us… to revitalize us?
Or… Are you too busy in your own self-made world — looking ahead, eager for the end?
You see… Even if we know we aren’t ready for Advent, we would probably quickly turn to the Gospels of Matthew and Luke to find the scenes of shepherds, angels, and mangers that we find comforting this time of year…
You see, That’s our Christmas “comfort zone.”
But… Mark challenges us to not only look back at what Christ has done, but also to renew a right spirit within us today, and for tomorrow.
Advent is about getting ready for our returning Messiah… Advent is about changing our behaviour, and gaining the right perspective on life…
“Advent is about CURRENT forgiveness, and CURRENT repentance.” — Capt. Michael Sjogren, Salvation Army)
It’s about the “right now”… What Christ is doing in our lives “right now!”
If we are too caught up in yesterday… or too caught up in the busyness of tomorrow, we miss the “right now.”
Consider Peter for a minute…
When Jesus met him on the sea shore that day, He was very specific with him.
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
16 A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
You see… Jesus wasn’t just restoring Peter… He wasn’t just telling him to care for the Church… Jesus met Peter on that sea shore because He needed Peter to “slow down” and “pay attention” to the RIGHT NOW!
Jesus has a purpose for His followers, amen?
If we do not “Slow Down, and Pay Attention,” we will miss His message to us.
Mark starts his gospel with John the Baptist… All four gospels include the story of John the Baptist, but… Mark’s is unique…
Mark is the only one who uses the word “prepare” by quoting Isaiah and Malachi together in one thought....
2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way;
The first time we see the word “prepare” it is the Greek word meaning — “constructing or creating, equipping something.”
The NT uses the same term to describe building the Tabernacle and Noah’s Ark.
Hebrews 9 and 1 Peter 3 use the same word in talking about us as “human vessels” of God’s love and compassion — His Grace.
In other words, Mark is telling us — his readers — that part of the message being given is for us!
We should make ourselves ready to be sent out as vessels through which God’s love can enter into this crazy, busy, demanding world.
The second sense of the word “Prepare”… Carries the sense of “preparing for a big event.”
3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’ ”
In the Ancient Times, whenever a king was going to travel, and group of workers would be sent out before them to “prepare the road” for the king… They would smooth out the bumps, straighten the path, and do everything they could to make the king’s travel more comfortable, easy, and safe… To ensure that he would arrive at his destination.
That is what we are called to do.
We are called to make the way straight for Christ to enter our lives, and the lives of those around us.
Mark is challenging us to change our hearts and lives… to make ourselves ready to fully receive Jesus today, so that we are ready for His return.
He is calling us to live with transformed hearts and lives… with a “sold out” desire to follow Jesus… to willingly suffer in His Name… but with a hope for the glorious future that He has promised.
This is what Paul meant when he told us:
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Mark is telling us to (1) make ourselves ready as vessels to receive Christ, and (2) to participate in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.
Because that is what allows His Grace and His Love to flow into the world around us…
And… that is the same message Christ gave us…
Look at Mark 14:15
15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”
Jesus uses the same word “prepare” here, and it is during the “passover meal” that Jesus commands us to live “sacramentally” in His command to “Do this in remembrance of me.”
Living sacramentally is central to the Advent season, as we consider how we are to live NOW, while anticipating what is to come.
If we are going to do that, then we must “slow down, and pay attention” to our walk right now.
Our walk… our faith journey… the Christian Walk… is about “Being Holy because He is Holy.” It is a life that is focused on spiritual maturity in our faith journey…
25 Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.
26 Keep straight the path of your feet, and all your ways will be sure.
27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.
It is easy for us to get distracted, to veer off one way or another… The only way we will keep on the path of Holiness is to “slow down” and keep our eyes on Christ.
12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,
13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.
14 Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
We need to slow down and be present in our current situations.
It would be easy for us to just sit back and let this season fly by… to just “get through it”… even to convince ourselves that that is ok…
After all… We’re busy enough, right? Our faith is strong, right? We all celebrate Christ, right?
But, Christ wants to do more with us… He wants more for us…
So, let’s slow down and pay attention…
This week is about finding the peace of Christ — a peace that surpasses all understanding — in our lives…
The only way we will find it, is if we slow down and allow the Incarnate One be the amazing Saviour that He is!