Advent 1 (3)

Luke 21:25–36 (NIV84): 25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” 29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 34 “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. 35 For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 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.”

The Holy Bible: New International Version (Lk 21:25–36). (1984). Zondervan.

Today marks the beginning of the Advent season of the church year. The word “Advent” is from the Latin “adventus” and means the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. In Church practice it is the four Sundays before Christmas as we focus on the Second Coming of Jesus on the Last Day, His coming into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, the start of His public ministry, and his birth in Bethlehem. Today is a transitional Sunday as the Second Coming of Jesus overlaps with our recent focus on End Times.

A profound teaching of Jesus found especially in his later discourses are his predictions of what would happen after his death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. Jesus taught that although he would return to his Father in heaven, he would not remain there, but that on an unknown yet certain day in the future, he would return in all of his glory. Peter would have learned these teachings of Jesus and decades later he would write about it.

2 Peter 3:1–13 (NIV84): 3Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. 2 I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. 3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

The Holy Bible: New International Version (2 Pe 3:1–13). (1984). Zondervan.

We also have the teachings of Jesus himself intended to prepare us for this worldwide, final event in this world’s history. Luke 21:34–36 (NIV84): 34 “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. 35 For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 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.”

The Holy Bible: New International Version (Lk 21:34–36). (1984). Zondervan.

In these teachings we have certain truths presented to us.

Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead.

On that day, the world as we know it will be destroyed and replaced with a new heavens and a new earth.

No one will escape. This event will affect everyone who will ever live — even those who have already died.

On this day we will be judged.

God wants us to be found ready for this day and holy and blameless through repentance and trusting in Jesus as our Savior during our lifetime. There is no second chance.

As we probably all learned when we played “Hide and Go Seek” after counting long enough for everyone to hide. “Ready or not. Here I come.”

And Jesus will come whether the world is ready or not. Whether people still believe in the teachings of Jesus or they have become scoffers like those at the time of St. Peter only several decades after Jesus resurrection . Whether a person is a Christian, a devout follower of some other world religion, a skeptic, or has not faith in a divine being or not. Ready or Not. Jesus is going to Come.

[Point out that even if Jesus does not return in or lifetime, our death is when Jesus comes for us and we need to be ready.]

This will be a key event in our lives. As we heard several weeks ago, the last big thing. When we observe key events in our lives, it is important to prepare for them. It is also important to be reminded that those events are approaching. [cite examples]. Our Gospel lesson today emphasizes some of those reminders. Events (some recurring) that should remind us of Jesus’ Second Coming.

“Signs in the sun, moon, and stars.” The ancients were more aware of the night sky than we might be. But they did have the science to know when this seemingly abnormal events would occur. All of a sudden, there would be an eclipse of the sun or the moon (like we had in the past two weeks) They may have been sitting outside at night enjoying a full moon which it began to get dark and perhaps seem to disappear. Or they would see a meteor shower and think the stars were falling. Or they would observe a comet which hadn’t been there and then was in the night sky for several days or weeks and then leave and not come back. We recognize this a natural events, but for them it may have been disturbing. Jesus uses these recurring signs as reminders of his future return.

Nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the seas. Major storms can have an unnerving effect on those impacted by them. Today we can forecast major storms as to when they will happen, their duration, and even their extent. We learn of snowstorms and blizzards that are coming and how much snowfall we can anticipate and how hard the wind will blow and how long the event will last. Even so, large storms can cause anguish and perplexity. A more modern weather related concern is “global warming” and how it may affect the planet and appeals to reduce our carbon footprint to lessen it perceived effects.

Elsewhere Jesus gives other signs of the times which are disconcerting. Wars, rumors of wars, strife among family members, earthquakes, persecution etc.

How do such events and the warnings of future events affect us?

Luke 21:34–36 (NIV84): 34 “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. 35 For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 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.”

The Holy Bible: New International Version (Lk 21:34–36). (1984). Zondervan.

Jesus teaches about the two extremes.

Hearts weighed down with anguish and anxiety and the feeble attempts to avoid it by dissipation [define] and drunkeness. We could also include the use of drugs and pursuing self-destructive behavior.

Why do people use drugs? Our psychology teacher ask our class this once and we thought about it . His answer was simple. They make you feel good! There is a reason it is called a high. Apparently, the use of certain drugs creates feelings of euphoria and pleasure beyond our normal experience. They can help forget the present and bring temporary relief and escapism from reality. They also make you unprepared.

One common drug that people use is alcohol. But one of man problems with alcohol is that is impairs your ability to be ready for what is to come. This is legislated in regard to operating motor vehicles. Many an injury has occured and life lost because the driver impaired by alcohol was not ready for what his/her vehicle encountered.

The consequences of these actions are described by Jesus as distracting people so that when he returns, that day will close on them like a trap. We know the illustration. We may have an invasion of mice in our homes. So we set out a trap with some bait on it, The mouse is attracted to the bait, grabs it, and “SNAP”, the trap is sprung and it meets it demise.

Jesus is not returning in order to trap people. He is coming to bring about our final redemption [define]. Although he does not tell us exactly on what day this will (Maybe so that we don’t slack off until the night before), he does teach us of the certainty of it and gives us repetitive signs so that we can always be ready.

Our reaction to this news is to be the following:

“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.”

St. Peter applied it in this way: 2 Peter 3:11–14 (NIV84): 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

1 Corinthians 1:7–9 (NIV): 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

The New International Version (1 Co 1:7–9). (2011). Zondervan.

Philippians 1:9–11 (NIV): 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

The New International Version (Php 1:9–11). (2011). Zondervan.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–24 (NIV): 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil. 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

The teaching about Jesus second coming on the last day has been around for almost 2000 years. Predictions of the end of the world date to well before that in certain Old Testament prophecies.

Some people have ignored it.

Others have scoffed at it.

Jesus teaches us to long for it “lift up your heads because your redemption is drawing near.”

It is intended to give us hope.

How to prepare for it has seen different reactions.

Non reaction. “Everything goes on like it has since the beginning of creation” . . . and will not change is the intimation.

Some have gone overboard and given all their possessions to a strong “Jesus is coming soon” false teacher.

Jesus and his apostles teach us to prepared by living godly, sanctified lives and to work while it is day before the night comes and no one can work — to be ready by making every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with him.