First Sunday Of Advent
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series IV
This pericope comes from the third section of Isaiah (chapters
56-66). It was written by an unknown author(s) in the period of
540-500 B.C. The Jews returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian
exile. The exiles find a pathetic situation: Jerusalem is
desolate and the temple has been burned to the ground. This
passage is a lament and a cry for God to come and help them. The
people are despondent and are impatient for God to come and do
something about their condition. They feel that God is angry with
them and he has hidden his face from them. He is accused of
causing them to sin. The people confess their sins and feel
confident that God will not reject them for he is the potter and
they are the clay.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 (C, L, RC); 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (E)
Lesson 2 comprises Paul's introduction to his letter: a
greeting and thanksgiving. He refers to their assets and
blessings: grace and possession of speech and knowledge in
Christ. The passage was probably chosen for this "second coming"
Sunday because Paul refers to the return as the day of Christ. As
the Christians wait for that final event, they will be sustained
by Christ's grace and will be guiltless for Christ's appearance.
They are reminded that God is faithful in his gifts and promises.
Gospel: Mark 13:33-37 (E, L, RC); Mark 13:24-37 (C)
In this brief lection, the word "watch" is used four times.
Twice Jesus says, "You do not know when the time will come." This
fact is the reason for being on the alert. The emphasis is laid
on Jesus' return as sudden and unexpected. There is no place here
for speculation when the time of the return will be. It is an
exhortation to be ready whenever he comes. Since no one knows the
time, it is necessary for the faithful to look for him every day.
The mood of Advent is not speculation but joyful anticipation of
the parousia.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 (C); Psalm 80 (E); Psalm 80:1-7 (L) --
"Stir up your might and come to save us!" (v. 26)
Prayer Of The Day
"Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Protect us by your
strength and save us from the threatening dangers of our sins,
for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one
God, now and forever."
Hymn Of The Day
"Fling Wide The Door, Unbar The Gate"
Theme Of The Day: The Second Coming
Gospel -- Watch for his unexpected coming again.
Lesson 1 -- Pray for his coming to save us from our sins.
Lesson 2 -- Wait for his coming.
The new church year begins with the second coming. It is the
one Sunday of the year which features the parousia as the main
subject. In light of the interest in the second coming,
17
the mainline, established churches would do well to consider this
doctrine of the church and the teaching of the New Testament. The
gospel calls upon us to be on the alert for the sudden,
unannounced coming of Christ. The world's cry for God to come to
his people is heard in Lesson 1. Paul refers to the parousia in
Lesson 2 by assuring his people that they have every spiritual
gift as they wait for Christ's return. The Psalmist calls upon
Yahweh to return to help and save his people. The Advent Hymn of
the Day is a prayer for Christ to come with his grace and
salvation. The Prayer of the Day petitions Christ to come and
save us from the dangers of our sins. Pericopes and Propers are
unanimous in wanting Christ to come again that the faithful may
have peace and salvation. It is a question, however, if the
church today is longing for the second Advent.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: Mark 13:24-37
1. Only (v. 32). Throughout church history, individuals and
sects claimed to know the exact time of Jesus' return. They seem
to know the precise day and hour. Have they not read this verse?
Jesus says here that no one -- no human, no angel, not even Jesus
-- knows the day of the parousia. Only God the Father knows and
that he does not reveal to anyone. Once and for all time this
verse should shut the mouths of those who claim superior
knowledge of Jesus. It is good for us that we do not know the
date of his return. It keeps us on our toes, for today may be the
day!
2. Watch (vv. 33-35, 37). In this brief lesson, the word
"watch" is used four times. It is the key word in the passage. To
watch implies that Jesus is surely returning to earth. For those
who do not believe this or who think he has already come in the
Spirit, it will have no meaning. It will be difficult to preach
on the lessons of Advent 1 if the preacher does not accept the
doctrine of the parousia. What does "watch" mean? It means to be
alert and awake. If one is occupied with worldly concerns or is
preoccupied with them, one will be unaware of the return.
3. Time (v. 33). The Greek word used here is kairos, not
chronos. Chronos deals with the time of day. Kairos is a time of
opportunity. The time is ripe for things to happen. For
Christians, the parousia is an opportunity to see Christ, to be
gathered to him, to be vindicated, and to be taken to the
heavenly mansions. For the wicked, kairos is the time for
judgment.
4. Work (v. 34). The estate owner goes on a trip, maybe an
around-the-world tour. He is going to be gone for some time, but
his return is unknown. What are his employees to do while he is
gone? Each is to fulfill his assigned task. Are we then to sit in
idleness as we wait for Christ's return? Christ wants us to
continue in our jobs and wants to find us working when he
returns. If he comes tomorrow, today I will be planting a tree,
mending socks or preparing a sermon.
5. All (v. 37). Four disciples asked Jesus for an explanation
of the coming end of the world and his return. He makes it plain
that what he says about watching, waiting and praying is not only
for these four, but for all his followers. That includes each of
us living 20 centuries later. The true Christian lives constantly
on the alert status just as troops are alerted for an approaching
emergency.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 63:16b-17; 64:1-8
1. Err (v. 17). The Jews of the Old Testament saw God in
everything and the cause of everything. Though God wished to
deliver the Jews from Egypt, yet they saw that God hardened the
heart of Pharaoh. God seems to get the blame for everything. In
this passage, God is blamed even for their sins -- "Why dost thou
make us err ...?" We often blame others or our circumstances for
our wrong doing. Can we blame God for our sins? Is this not
giving God credit for too much?
2. Rend (v. 1). It is a dramatic word. It pictures Yahweh
above the clouds, behind the curtain of the atmosphere. The
writer calls upon God, the holy, transcendent God, to tear open
the veil and come to earth to help his people in distress and
despondency. It is a cry of desperation. Oh, if only we had such
a longing for Christ to come into our lives!
3. Polluted (v. 6). Here is substance for the doctrine of
man's total depravity. The whole human race is polluted by sin.
But the author goes beyond sin to humanity's goodness. Even good
works are considered as pollution. Our righteousness is as filthy
rags. In modern times there is a great concern over pollution.
Even the rain that now falls is "acid rain," destroying crops,
forests and lakes. The source of all pollution is sin. If even
people's goodness is pollution, it proves how desperate we are
for a Savior.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
1. Wait (v. 7). Paul apparently believed that Jesus' return
was not immediate. Christians are living between the times of the
first and second Advents. For some it is not easy to wait. We do
not have the patience to wait. Modern life is one wait after
another: waiting for a traffic light to change, for a salary
increase, for a woman to write out a check at a grocery checkout
counter, for the line to move in a cafeteria, for a salesperson
to take your order during the Christmas rush, to check in your
bag at the airport, and so forth. In many cases, as it is with
the parousia, it is either wait or do without.
2. End (v. 8). Can we last until the end? The end of the world
may be a long time off. Can we bear the pain of separation from
loved ones? Can we last through months and years of suffering as
American prisoners had to do during the Viet Nam War? The promise
is that Christ will sustain us with his presence and grace down
to the very end.
3. Faithful (v. 9). Paul assures us that God is faithful. That
is good to know when people are faithless. Whom can you count on
today? Whose word is reliable? We trust God, for he can be
trusted in his promises. You can believe he is faithful in his
promise to return, in his sustaining us during trouble, and in
his presenting us blameless to the Father.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
The Problems Of Preaching During Advent
1. The problem. How can we preach Advent themes while the
world is celebrating Christmas for the four weeks before
Christmas? Advent is the ignored season of the church year. For
most, the Advent period is the busiest time of the year: selling,
shopping, partying and decorating. Christmas is in the air. Many
churches, particularly nonliturgical ones which do not strictly
observe the church year, have accommodated the world with
candlelight services, carol sings and sermons on Christmas during
the four weeks before Christmas. Often the result is that when
Christmas comes, there is no Christmas service, or it is an
anticlimax with the people weary and tired of Christmas.
2. To preach or not to preach on Advent. That is the question
a preacher must answer. Shall he/she buck the world and restrain
the congregation from observing Christmas before it comes or take
the easy way out by letting the congregation have its way in
celebrating before Christmas? It is an uphill struggle. Is it
worth it? Suppose a preacher does not preach on Advent texts,
what difference would it make? If the lectionary were followed
the rest of the year, the people would not hear messages on the
second coming, the ministry of John the Baptist, and they would
not be led into a spiritual preparation for Christmas.
Consequently, Christmas would be only a secular holiday rather
than a spiritual festival. One purpose of Advent is to prepare
one's heart by repentance, reflection and prayer that Christmas
will mean a re-birth of Christ in the heart.
3. Preaching themes of Advent.
a. The people's longing for Christ to come. The mood and
message are expressed in the ancient hymn, "O Come, O Come
Emmanuel ... and ransom captive Israel." The people are in
darkness. Things are in bad shape. They experience the absence of
God. He has hidden his face. God is silent. In this state of
desolation and discouragement, the people cry out, long for,
watch and pray for God to come again in Christ to deliver them.
b. The theme of repentance. This is expressed in another
Advent hymn, "Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding." Advent is
looking toward Christmas. It is more than a celebration of
a past event. It is an existential experience of Christ's rebirth
in every heart. This calls for preparation which means
repentance. Christ cannot come into a closed or cluttered heart.
c. Anticipation with joy. Advent is a quiet, prayerful time,
but it also is a time of anticipation. Christ is coming.
Something great is going to happen. A miracle is about to take
place. And it is all good. That is why there is an element of
joy. It is expressed in the Advent hymns: "Joy To The World, The
Lord Is Come(ing)" and "Rejoice All Ye Believers."
THE RELEVANCE OF ADVENT 1 TO CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
Advent 1 deals with the parousia. It is a subject upon which
we need to preach for the following reasons:
1. Popular interest in the second coming. It is emphasized by
fundamentalists, charismatics and Pentecostals. Bumper stickers
say, "In case of rapture, this car will be unmanned." The
mainline churches need to say something on this subject.
2. Desperation over the world's condition. There are
insurmountable problems: ozone depletion, energy pollution,
nuclear waste, widespread hunger and poverty, Alexander
Solzhenitsyn expressed it: "The situation in the world is not
just dangerous, not just threatening; it is catastrophic."
3. The doctrine of the parousia needs to be presented. It is
an important and essential doctrine of the Christian faith. The
second coming reminds us that the final victory is God's, that
truth, righteousness and justice will be vindicated, and that
there will be an end to history, a settling of accounts.
Otherwise, history goes on indefinitely without meaning or
purpose.
4. Many people are "asleep" to the reality of the end and the
return of Christ. They are asleep in indifference, unconcern and
pre-occupation with selfish interests. The end may come upon them
unawares as the flood came in Noah's time and as fire fell upon
Sodom and Gomorrah.
THREE LESSONS
If You Want The Best Christmas
Need: On this first Sunday of Advent, the preacher has a
golden opportunity to enlist the congregation in a faithful
observance of Advent. This observance will be an antidote to the
commercialism of Christmas. Make Advent so attractive that people
will keep Advent and save Christmas celebration until Christmas.
Most do not know the meaning nor the purpose of Advent. The
preacher needs to show that a proper keeping of Advent will
result in a spiritual Christmas.
Outline: The time of Advent is --
a. A time of longing for God to come -- Lesson 1.
b. A time of waiting for Christ's return -- Lesson 2.
c. A time of watching for Christ's coming -- Gospel.
Gospel: Mark 13:24-37 (C); Mark 13:33-37 (E, L, RC)
1. Advent series on the gospels
Theme: Christ Is Coming Again
Advent 1 -- The second coming of Christ.
Advent 2 -- Preparation for his coming.
Advent 3 -- The identity of the coming One.
Advent 4 -- How he is coming.
2. You'd better watch out! 13:33
Need: A popular song at Christmas is "You'd better watch out.
Santa Claus is coming to town." Sadly it is true that more are
looking for Santa to come at Christmas than for Jesus. Jesus
urges all to watch for his coming. To watch means to be awake and
alert.
Outline: You'd better watch out.
a. Christ is coming unexpectedly -- v. 33.
b. Christ is coming to judge.
c. Christ is coming with gifts of love.
3. If Jesus does not come now. 13:33-37
Need: Each year the church has proclaimed the second coming of
Jesus. After 2,000 years he has not yet come. It may be that he
may not come before our life tenure is ended. If the church cries
"wolf" too often, the cry may not be heard. Suppose he does not
come in this generation. How should a Christian live in the light
of the delay?
Outline: Even if Jesus never comes in our lifetimes --
a. Wait with patience -- v. 34.
b. Work faithfully -- v. 34.
c. Watch for his unexpected arrival -- v. 35.
4. The dos and don'ts of the second coming. 13:33-37
Need: The second coming is often abused. The doctrine falls
into the hands of either the fanatics or the unconcerned. The
congregation needs to realize that the second coming is not the
peculiar teaching of a sect but that it has been an integral part
of the church's creeds from the first century: "And he shall come
again to judge the living and the dead." Thus, there is a right
and a wrong way to handle this teaching.
Outline: Consider the dos and don'ts.
a. Don't speculate; do anticipate -- vv. 33, 35.
b. Don't sleep; do watch -- vv. 36, 37.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 64:1-9 (C, E); Isaiah 63:16b-17; 64:1-8 (L, RC)
1. Oh God, come! 64:1, 6, 7
Need: The returned exiles are in a desperate situation. Their
city and temple are destroyed. All is desolate. As a people
today, we are in deep trouble. We lack leadership to bring us out
of our malaise. Our morale is low. We experience moral
corruption, political confusion and dwindling natural resources.
Our affluent way of life is threatened. In our extremity we call
upon God to come to us.
Outline: Oh God, come -- "O that thou wouldst rend the heavens
and come down" (v. 1)
a. We need to see you -- "Thou has hid thy face" (v. 7).
b. We need forgiveness -- vv. 6, 7.
c. We need deliverance -- v. 7.
2. The potter and the pot. 64:8
Need: In this passage we see the victory of faith. The Jews
are in a desolate situation. They are overwhelmed with their
sins. They feel God has absented and hidden himself. "Yet" (v. 8)
they hold on to God and place themselves in his hands. He is
still their God and they are his people. In our times of personal
or national distress when we think God has forsaken us because of
our sins, we need to go back to our basic faith: God is the
potter and we are his pot.
Outline: When things are impossible, remember:
a. God is the potter -- creator (v. 8 -- "Thou art our potter").
b. We are the pot -- "We are the clay" (v. 8).
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 (C, L, RC); 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (E)
1. While you wait. 1:4-8
Need: While you wait for your car to be serviced, you can do
your grocery shopping. While you wait for the plane to arrive,
you can do some reading. It is a common experience to make the
maximum use of your time by doing something while you are
waiting. Paul spoke of Christians waiting for Jesus' return.
During this waiting time, God is blessing us.
Outline: While you wait for the second coming --
a. Christ enriches you in every way -- vv. 5, 7.
b. Christ keeps you guiltless for his coming -- v. 8.
c. Christ sustains you to the very end -- v. 8.
2. You can count on God. 1:4-9
Need: In a day when you cannot be sure on whom you can depend
and who will be faithful, it is good news that God is one you can
trust. He is worthy of our confidence. We can stake our lives on
him.
Outline: You can count on God --
a. To grant you grace -- v. 4.
b. To give you every spiritual gift -- v. 7.
c. To support you always -- v. 8.
56-66). It was written by an unknown author(s) in the period of
540-500 B.C. The Jews returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian
exile. The exiles find a pathetic situation: Jerusalem is
desolate and the temple has been burned to the ground. This
passage is a lament and a cry for God to come and help them. The
people are despondent and are impatient for God to come and do
something about their condition. They feel that God is angry with
them and he has hidden his face from them. He is accused of
causing them to sin. The people confess their sins and feel
confident that God will not reject them for he is the potter and
they are the clay.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 (C, L, RC); 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (E)
Lesson 2 comprises Paul's introduction to his letter: a
greeting and thanksgiving. He refers to their assets and
blessings: grace and possession of speech and knowledge in
Christ. The passage was probably chosen for this "second coming"
Sunday because Paul refers to the return as the day of Christ. As
the Christians wait for that final event, they will be sustained
by Christ's grace and will be guiltless for Christ's appearance.
They are reminded that God is faithful in his gifts and promises.
Gospel: Mark 13:33-37 (E, L, RC); Mark 13:24-37 (C)
In this brief lection, the word "watch" is used four times.
Twice Jesus says, "You do not know when the time will come." This
fact is the reason for being on the alert. The emphasis is laid
on Jesus' return as sudden and unexpected. There is no place here
for speculation when the time of the return will be. It is an
exhortation to be ready whenever he comes. Since no one knows the
time, it is necessary for the faithful to look for him every day.
The mood of Advent is not speculation but joyful anticipation of
the parousia.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 (C); Psalm 80 (E); Psalm 80:1-7 (L) --
"Stir up your might and come to save us!" (v. 26)
Prayer Of The Day
"Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Protect us by your
strength and save us from the threatening dangers of our sins,
for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one
God, now and forever."
Hymn Of The Day
"Fling Wide The Door, Unbar The Gate"
Theme Of The Day: The Second Coming
Gospel -- Watch for his unexpected coming again.
Lesson 1 -- Pray for his coming to save us from our sins.
Lesson 2 -- Wait for his coming.
The new church year begins with the second coming. It is the
one Sunday of the year which features the parousia as the main
subject. In light of the interest in the second coming,
17
the mainline, established churches would do well to consider this
doctrine of the church and the teaching of the New Testament. The
gospel calls upon us to be on the alert for the sudden,
unannounced coming of Christ. The world's cry for God to come to
his people is heard in Lesson 1. Paul refers to the parousia in
Lesson 2 by assuring his people that they have every spiritual
gift as they wait for Christ's return. The Psalmist calls upon
Yahweh to return to help and save his people. The Advent Hymn of
the Day is a prayer for Christ to come with his grace and
salvation. The Prayer of the Day petitions Christ to come and
save us from the dangers of our sins. Pericopes and Propers are
unanimous in wanting Christ to come again that the faithful may
have peace and salvation. It is a question, however, if the
church today is longing for the second Advent.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: Mark 13:24-37
1. Only (v. 32). Throughout church history, individuals and
sects claimed to know the exact time of Jesus' return. They seem
to know the precise day and hour. Have they not read this verse?
Jesus says here that no one -- no human, no angel, not even Jesus
-- knows the day of the parousia. Only God the Father knows and
that he does not reveal to anyone. Once and for all time this
verse should shut the mouths of those who claim superior
knowledge of Jesus. It is good for us that we do not know the
date of his return. It keeps us on our toes, for today may be the
day!
2. Watch (vv. 33-35, 37). In this brief lesson, the word
"watch" is used four times. It is the key word in the passage. To
watch implies that Jesus is surely returning to earth. For those
who do not believe this or who think he has already come in the
Spirit, it will have no meaning. It will be difficult to preach
on the lessons of Advent 1 if the preacher does not accept the
doctrine of the parousia. What does "watch" mean? It means to be
alert and awake. If one is occupied with worldly concerns or is
preoccupied with them, one will be unaware of the return.
3. Time (v. 33). The Greek word used here is kairos, not
chronos. Chronos deals with the time of day. Kairos is a time of
opportunity. The time is ripe for things to happen. For
Christians, the parousia is an opportunity to see Christ, to be
gathered to him, to be vindicated, and to be taken to the
heavenly mansions. For the wicked, kairos is the time for
judgment.
4. Work (v. 34). The estate owner goes on a trip, maybe an
around-the-world tour. He is going to be gone for some time, but
his return is unknown. What are his employees to do while he is
gone? Each is to fulfill his assigned task. Are we then to sit in
idleness as we wait for Christ's return? Christ wants us to
continue in our jobs and wants to find us working when he
returns. If he comes tomorrow, today I will be planting a tree,
mending socks or preparing a sermon.
5. All (v. 37). Four disciples asked Jesus for an explanation
of the coming end of the world and his return. He makes it plain
that what he says about watching, waiting and praying is not only
for these four, but for all his followers. That includes each of
us living 20 centuries later. The true Christian lives constantly
on the alert status just as troops are alerted for an approaching
emergency.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 63:16b-17; 64:1-8
1. Err (v. 17). The Jews of the Old Testament saw God in
everything and the cause of everything. Though God wished to
deliver the Jews from Egypt, yet they saw that God hardened the
heart of Pharaoh. God seems to get the blame for everything. In
this passage, God is blamed even for their sins -- "Why dost thou
make us err ...?" We often blame others or our circumstances for
our wrong doing. Can we blame God for our sins? Is this not
giving God credit for too much?
2. Rend (v. 1). It is a dramatic word. It pictures Yahweh
above the clouds, behind the curtain of the atmosphere. The
writer calls upon God, the holy, transcendent God, to tear open
the veil and come to earth to help his people in distress and
despondency. It is a cry of desperation. Oh, if only we had such
a longing for Christ to come into our lives!
3. Polluted (v. 6). Here is substance for the doctrine of
man's total depravity. The whole human race is polluted by sin.
But the author goes beyond sin to humanity's goodness. Even good
works are considered as pollution. Our righteousness is as filthy
rags. In modern times there is a great concern over pollution.
Even the rain that now falls is "acid rain," destroying crops,
forests and lakes. The source of all pollution is sin. If even
people's goodness is pollution, it proves how desperate we are
for a Savior.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
1. Wait (v. 7). Paul apparently believed that Jesus' return
was not immediate. Christians are living between the times of the
first and second Advents. For some it is not easy to wait. We do
not have the patience to wait. Modern life is one wait after
another: waiting for a traffic light to change, for a salary
increase, for a woman to write out a check at a grocery checkout
counter, for the line to move in a cafeteria, for a salesperson
to take your order during the Christmas rush, to check in your
bag at the airport, and so forth. In many cases, as it is with
the parousia, it is either wait or do without.
2. End (v. 8). Can we last until the end? The end of the world
may be a long time off. Can we bear the pain of separation from
loved ones? Can we last through months and years of suffering as
American prisoners had to do during the Viet Nam War? The promise
is that Christ will sustain us with his presence and grace down
to the very end.
3. Faithful (v. 9). Paul assures us that God is faithful. That
is good to know when people are faithless. Whom can you count on
today? Whose word is reliable? We trust God, for he can be
trusted in his promises. You can believe he is faithful in his
promise to return, in his sustaining us during trouble, and in
his presenting us blameless to the Father.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
The Problems Of Preaching During Advent
1. The problem. How can we preach Advent themes while the
world is celebrating Christmas for the four weeks before
Christmas? Advent is the ignored season of the church year. For
most, the Advent period is the busiest time of the year: selling,
shopping, partying and decorating. Christmas is in the air. Many
churches, particularly nonliturgical ones which do not strictly
observe the church year, have accommodated the world with
candlelight services, carol sings and sermons on Christmas during
the four weeks before Christmas. Often the result is that when
Christmas comes, there is no Christmas service, or it is an
anticlimax with the people weary and tired of Christmas.
2. To preach or not to preach on Advent. That is the question
a preacher must answer. Shall he/she buck the world and restrain
the congregation from observing Christmas before it comes or take
the easy way out by letting the congregation have its way in
celebrating before Christmas? It is an uphill struggle. Is it
worth it? Suppose a preacher does not preach on Advent texts,
what difference would it make? If the lectionary were followed
the rest of the year, the people would not hear messages on the
second coming, the ministry of John the Baptist, and they would
not be led into a spiritual preparation for Christmas.
Consequently, Christmas would be only a secular holiday rather
than a spiritual festival. One purpose of Advent is to prepare
one's heart by repentance, reflection and prayer that Christmas
will mean a re-birth of Christ in the heart.
3. Preaching themes of Advent.
a. The people's longing for Christ to come. The mood and
message are expressed in the ancient hymn, "O Come, O Come
Emmanuel ... and ransom captive Israel." The people are in
darkness. Things are in bad shape. They experience the absence of
God. He has hidden his face. God is silent. In this state of
desolation and discouragement, the people cry out, long for,
watch and pray for God to come again in Christ to deliver them.
b. The theme of repentance. This is expressed in another
Advent hymn, "Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding." Advent is
looking toward Christmas. It is more than a celebration of
a past event. It is an existential experience of Christ's rebirth
in every heart. This calls for preparation which means
repentance. Christ cannot come into a closed or cluttered heart.
c. Anticipation with joy. Advent is a quiet, prayerful time,
but it also is a time of anticipation. Christ is coming.
Something great is going to happen. A miracle is about to take
place. And it is all good. That is why there is an element of
joy. It is expressed in the Advent hymns: "Joy To The World, The
Lord Is Come(ing)" and "Rejoice All Ye Believers."
THE RELEVANCE OF ADVENT 1 TO CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
Advent 1 deals with the parousia. It is a subject upon which
we need to preach for the following reasons:
1. Popular interest in the second coming. It is emphasized by
fundamentalists, charismatics and Pentecostals. Bumper stickers
say, "In case of rapture, this car will be unmanned." The
mainline churches need to say something on this subject.
2. Desperation over the world's condition. There are
insurmountable problems: ozone depletion, energy pollution,
nuclear waste, widespread hunger and poverty, Alexander
Solzhenitsyn expressed it: "The situation in the world is not
just dangerous, not just threatening; it is catastrophic."
3. The doctrine of the parousia needs to be presented. It is
an important and essential doctrine of the Christian faith. The
second coming reminds us that the final victory is God's, that
truth, righteousness and justice will be vindicated, and that
there will be an end to history, a settling of accounts.
Otherwise, history goes on indefinitely without meaning or
purpose.
4. Many people are "asleep" to the reality of the end and the
return of Christ. They are asleep in indifference, unconcern and
pre-occupation with selfish interests. The end may come upon them
unawares as the flood came in Noah's time and as fire fell upon
Sodom and Gomorrah.
THREE LESSONS
If You Want The Best Christmas
Need: On this first Sunday of Advent, the preacher has a
golden opportunity to enlist the congregation in a faithful
observance of Advent. This observance will be an antidote to the
commercialism of Christmas. Make Advent so attractive that people
will keep Advent and save Christmas celebration until Christmas.
Most do not know the meaning nor the purpose of Advent. The
preacher needs to show that a proper keeping of Advent will
result in a spiritual Christmas.
Outline: The time of Advent is --
a. A time of longing for God to come -- Lesson 1.
b. A time of waiting for Christ's return -- Lesson 2.
c. A time of watching for Christ's coming -- Gospel.
Gospel: Mark 13:24-37 (C); Mark 13:33-37 (E, L, RC)
1. Advent series on the gospels
Theme: Christ Is Coming Again
Advent 1 -- The second coming of Christ.
Advent 2 -- Preparation for his coming.
Advent 3 -- The identity of the coming One.
Advent 4 -- How he is coming.
2. You'd better watch out! 13:33
Need: A popular song at Christmas is "You'd better watch out.
Santa Claus is coming to town." Sadly it is true that more are
looking for Santa to come at Christmas than for Jesus. Jesus
urges all to watch for his coming. To watch means to be awake and
alert.
Outline: You'd better watch out.
a. Christ is coming unexpectedly -- v. 33.
b. Christ is coming to judge.
c. Christ is coming with gifts of love.
3. If Jesus does not come now. 13:33-37
Need: Each year the church has proclaimed the second coming of
Jesus. After 2,000 years he has not yet come. It may be that he
may not come before our life tenure is ended. If the church cries
"wolf" too often, the cry may not be heard. Suppose he does not
come in this generation. How should a Christian live in the light
of the delay?
Outline: Even if Jesus never comes in our lifetimes --
a. Wait with patience -- v. 34.
b. Work faithfully -- v. 34.
c. Watch for his unexpected arrival -- v. 35.
4. The dos and don'ts of the second coming. 13:33-37
Need: The second coming is often abused. The doctrine falls
into the hands of either the fanatics or the unconcerned. The
congregation needs to realize that the second coming is not the
peculiar teaching of a sect but that it has been an integral part
of the church's creeds from the first century: "And he shall come
again to judge the living and the dead." Thus, there is a right
and a wrong way to handle this teaching.
Outline: Consider the dos and don'ts.
a. Don't speculate; do anticipate -- vv. 33, 35.
b. Don't sleep; do watch -- vv. 36, 37.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 64:1-9 (C, E); Isaiah 63:16b-17; 64:1-8 (L, RC)
1. Oh God, come! 64:1, 6, 7
Need: The returned exiles are in a desperate situation. Their
city and temple are destroyed. All is desolate. As a people
today, we are in deep trouble. We lack leadership to bring us out
of our malaise. Our morale is low. We experience moral
corruption, political confusion and dwindling natural resources.
Our affluent way of life is threatened. In our extremity we call
upon God to come to us.
Outline: Oh God, come -- "O that thou wouldst rend the heavens
and come down" (v. 1)
a. We need to see you -- "Thou has hid thy face" (v. 7).
b. We need forgiveness -- vv. 6, 7.
c. We need deliverance -- v. 7.
2. The potter and the pot. 64:8
Need: In this passage we see the victory of faith. The Jews
are in a desolate situation. They are overwhelmed with their
sins. They feel God has absented and hidden himself. "Yet" (v. 8)
they hold on to God and place themselves in his hands. He is
still their God and they are his people. In our times of personal
or national distress when we think God has forsaken us because of
our sins, we need to go back to our basic faith: God is the
potter and we are his pot.
Outline: When things are impossible, remember:
a. God is the potter -- creator (v. 8 -- "Thou art our potter").
b. We are the pot -- "We are the clay" (v. 8).
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 (C, L, RC); 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (E)
1. While you wait. 1:4-8
Need: While you wait for your car to be serviced, you can do
your grocery shopping. While you wait for the plane to arrive,
you can do some reading. It is a common experience to make the
maximum use of your time by doing something while you are
waiting. Paul spoke of Christians waiting for Jesus' return.
During this waiting time, God is blessing us.
Outline: While you wait for the second coming --
a. Christ enriches you in every way -- vv. 5, 7.
b. Christ keeps you guiltless for his coming -- v. 8.
c. Christ sustains you to the very end -- v. 8.
2. You can count on God. 1:4-9
Need: In a day when you cannot be sure on whom you can depend
and who will be faithful, it is good news that God is one you can
trust. He is worthy of our confidence. We can stake our lives on
him.
Outline: You can count on God --
a. To grant you grace -- v. 4.
b. To give you every spiritual gift -- v. 7.
c. To support you always -- v. 8.
