Sermon by Michael R. Martin
First United Methodist Church of Saranac Lake, NY
Calendar
We begin a new church year. November 30 is the first Sunday in the liturgical year and lectionary cycle B of the Christian calendar.
November 30 is also United Methodist Student Day, with a special offering designated.
December 1 (Monday) is World AIDS Day.
Revised Common Lectionary Readings for the First Sunday of Advent, Year B (November 30, 2008) (Purple or Blue)
- Isaiah 64:1-9: The prophet calls for God to appear decisively, to "tear open the heavens" so the nations would tremble. He also confesses the need for such decisive intervention -- the utter sinfulness of humanity, even of those who are part of God's covenant. Finally, he changes metaphors -- from earthly catastrophe to remaking pots, begging God to be merciful when God comes.
- Isaiah 64: God's appearance is so intense that it is like a consuming fire that burns everything in its path. If we are so impure, how can we be saved? Only by God's mercy. God is the Potter, We are the Clay
- Psalm 80: 1-7, 17-19 (UMH 801). The people cry out for restoration from the midst of exile. "Restore us, Lord God of hosts. Shine the light of your countenance upon us, that we may be saved!"
- Psalm 80 [Theme:] A prayer for revival and restoration after experiencing destruction. God is our only hope for salvation. Life Application Study Bible.
- 1 Corinthians 1:3-9: In the midst of offering a greeting to the Christians in Corinth, Paul points to the end -- the coming Day of the Lord -- to call them to continue to grow and be faithful in using their spiritual gifts.
- 1 Corinthians – Paul gives thanks to God
- Mark 13:24-37: Jesus' description of the end and his clear instruction always to be on watch for signs of it.
- Mark 13:24 – Jesus tells about his return
Isaiah 64:1-9 (NLT)
1 Oh, that you would burst from the heavens and come down! How the mountains would quake in your presence!1 Corinthians 1:3-9 (NLT)
2 As fire causes wood to burn and water to boil, your coming would make the nations tremble. Then your enemies would learn the reason for your fame!
3 When you came down long ago, you did awesome deeds beyond our highest expectations. And oh, how the mountains quaked!
4 For since the world began, no ear has heard, and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!
5 You welcome those who gladly do good, who follow godly ways. But you have been very angry with us, for we are not godly. We are constant sinners; how can people like us be saved?
6 We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.
7 Yet no one calls on your name or pleads with you for mercy. Therefore, you have turned away from us and turned us over to our sins.
8 And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.
9 Don’t be so angry with us, Lord. Please don’t remember our sins forever. Look at us, we pray, and see that we are all your people.
3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.Mark 13:24-37 (NLT)
Paul Gives Thanks to God
4 I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. 5 Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge. 6 This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true. 7 Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. 9 God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
24 “At that time, after the anguish of those days,
the sun will be darkened,
the moon will give no light,
25 the stars will fall from the sky,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
26 Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.
28 “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. 29 In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that his return is very near, right at the door. 30 I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
32 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. 33 And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!
34 “The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. 35 You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. 36 Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. 37 I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!”~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The entire thirteenth chapter of Mark tells us how to live while we wait for Christ's return: (1) We are not to be misled by confusing claims or speculative interpretations of what will happen (Mark 13:5,6). (2) We should not be afraid to tell people about Christ, despite what they might say or do to us (Mark 13:9-11). (3) We must stand firm by faith and not be surprised by persecutions (Mark 13:13). (4) We must be morally alert, obedient to the commands for living found in God's Word. This chapter was not given to promote discussions on prophetic timetables, but to stimulate right living for God in a world where he is largely ignored.
Life Application Study Bible.
Mark: These verses refer to the Second Coming of Christ.
• It was a common belief that the appearance of God would disturb nature (verses 24-25). This was seen in an incident in Exodus, where the appearance of God was accompanied by thunder or fire on the mountain and great fear.
• Verse 30, which says that this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place, was particularly disturbing to members of the early church who expected the Second Coming of Christ to take place during their lifetime.
• Verses 32-37 remind us all to remain alert and vigilant because no one knows the exact day or time when Christ will come again.
(Mark 13:37) Watch (gregoreuo): to keep awake, to stay alert, to be watchful and sleepless, to be vigilant. It also includes the idea of being motivated, that is, of desiring, of holding and keeping one's attention (mind) upon a thing. Watching also has the idea of being alert at the right time. It is at night that one really needs to stay awake and watch for the thief (cp. 1 Thes. 5:4-9).
"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong" (1 Cor. 16:13).Matthew 26:41 (NLT)
"Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober" (1 Thes. 5:6).
"But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry" (2 Tim. 4:5).
"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer" (1 Peter 4:7).
41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”What is Advent?
Mark 13:33-34 (NLT)
33 And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert! 34 “The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return.
Mark 13:36 (NLT)
36 Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning.
(Wikipedia)Advent (from the Latin word adventus, meaning "coming") is a season of the Christian church, the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus, in other words, the period immediately before Christmas. It is the beginning of the Western Christian year and commences on Advent Sunday.
Latin adventus is the translation of the Greek word parousia, commonly used in reference to the Second Coming. Christians believe that the season of Advent serves a dual reminder of the original waiting that was done by the Hebrews for the birth of their Messiah as well as the waiting that Christians today endure as they await the second coming of Christ.
The theme of readings and teachings during Advent is often to prepare for the Second Coming while commemorating the First Coming of Christ at Christmas. With the view of directing the thoughts of Christians to the first coming of Jesus Christ as Saviour, and to his second coming as Judge, special lessons are prescribed for each of the four Sundays in Advent.
Advent was formerly penitential, hence the traditional alter color is Purple as in Lent, but there is a growing interest in and acceptance of the color blue as an alternative. The United Methodist Book of Worship of 1992 identifies purple or blue as appropriate colors for Advent (224, 226, 238). The genesis of the introduction of blue into the liturgical colors comes from continued reflection on the calendar of the Christian year, particularly on the season of Advent. Here is how the reasoning goes: Advent is a season of preparation that anticipates both Bethlehem and the consummation of history in the second coming of Jesus Christ. Since this anticipation is characterized by hope -- in contrast to the repentance characteristic of Lent -- the color for the season should not be purple, with its mood of solemnity and somberness, but blue with its hopefulness. Admittedly, there is a some subjectivity in linking colors with certain moods.
An appropriate epistle for any Advent Sunday is Romans 13:11-14 (NLT)
11 This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. 13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.The first Sunday of Advent is November 30 this year, and we move into Year B of the lectionary. During this year of the three-year lectionary cycle, we will read through Mark's gospel, engage the stories of David's family, and spend considerable time in the epistles of Ephesians, Hebrews, and James.
But during Advent in particular, we focus on endings to come that bring the hope of new beginnings. And during Year B, since we are working with a gospel that has no stories about the birth of Jesus, the focus on endings is perhaps the most insistent, and in December in North America, perhaps the most difficult to manage against the "Christmas" practices and expectations of culture and many a congregation alike.
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The Second Coming
The biblical doctrine of the end times (called eschatology, from Greek eschata, “last things”) refers to the time and events of the consummation of God’s redemptive activity. Holy Bible, New American Standard.
It involves the “last” or “latter days” (e.g., Isaiah 2:2), the Day of the Lord (e.g., Amos 5:18-19; 1 Thessalonians 5:2), the “age to come” (e.g., Ephesians 1:21; Hebrews 6:5), the “last days” (e.g., 2 Timothy 3:1), the “last time” (Jude 18), and the “last hour” (1 John 2:18). Holy Bible, New American Standard.
The Second Coming of Christ (a phrase not found in the Bible) is expressed by the apostles in the following special terms: (1) "Παρουσία, Parousía" (parousía), a word fairly common in Greek, with the meaning "presence" (2 Cor. 10:10; Phil. 2:12). More especially it may mean "presence after absence," "arrival" (but not "return," unless this is given by the context),The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
Repeated Promises Of Coming
Both the Old and New Testaments are filled with promises of the Second Coming of Christ. There are 1,845 references to it in the Old Testament, and a total of seventeen Old Testament books give it prominence.
Of the 260 chapters in the entire New Testament, there are 318 references to the Second Coming, or one out of 30 verses. Twenty-three of the 27 New Testament books refer to this great event. The four missing books include three which are single-chapter letters written to individual persons on a particular subject, and the fourth is Galatians which does imply Christ's coming again.
For every prophecy on the First Coming of Christ, there are 8 on Christ's Second Coming.
Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations: Signs of the Times.
Matthew 24:27-31 (NLT)
27 For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes. 28 Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near. 29 “Immediately after the anguish of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 30 And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.Revelation 22:7 (NLT)
7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.”Revelation 22:12-13 (NLT)
12 “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”Purpose of Second Coming
Matthew 16:27 (NLT)
27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.Matthew 25:31 (NLT)
31 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne.1 Corinthians 4:5 (NLT)
5 So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.Preparation for Second Coming
Matthew 24:44 (NLT) (readiness)
44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.Luke 12:35-36 (NLT)
35 “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks.1 Corinthians 1:7 (NLT)
7 Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.1 Corinthians 4:5 (NLT)
5 So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NLT)
23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.Titus 2:12-13 (NLT)
12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.1 Peter 1:13 (NLT)
13 So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.1 John 2:28 (NLT) Living as Children of God
28 And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.Why Hasn’t Christ Returned?
Matthew 24:36 (NLT)
36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.2 Peter 3:8-9 (NLT)
8 But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.Biblical Details about the Second Coming Of Christ
- We do not know when Jesus will return (Matthew 24:36)
- Christ’s return will be unmistakable (Mark 13:26-27)
- Christ’s return will be joyous for those who are ready (Luke 12:35-40)
- The Second Coming will be a time of judgment on unbelievers (John 12:37-50)
- At Christ’s second coming we will be with him forever (John 14:1-3)
- The promise of Christ’s return (Acts 1:10-11)
- Believers will be resurrected and given glorious bodies (1 Corinthians 15:51-57)
- Christ’s return will be visible and glorious (1 Thessalonians 4:16)
- At Christ’s return, Christians who are dead and alive will rise to meet him (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
- Continue to serve God as you await the Second Coming (1 Peter 4:7-8)
- Patiently await Christ’s return (2 Peter 3:8-13)
- Jesus is coming soon (Revelation 22:20-21)
- Christ will return visibly, with a loud command.
- There will be an unmistakable cry from an angel.
- There will be a trumpet fanfare such as has never been heard.
- Believers in Christ who are dead will rise up from their graves.
- Believers who are alive will be caught up in the clouds to meet Christ.
- While Christians have often disagreed about what events will lead up to the return of Christ, there has been less disagreement about what will happen once Christ does return.
What Does This Mean to Us, Today?
- Matthew 24:3 (NLT) How Should We Live
3 Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?”
- We must be preparing ourselves so we will be ready for the second coming of Jesus.
- We should be aware of the signs of the Second Coming, but realize that these signs are easily misread.
- We are to continue to do the important work that needs to be completed before Jesus returns. (discipleship)
- We can be sure that Jesus' return will be universally unmistakable.
- We keep working, realizing that we don't know exactly when Jesus will return.
- We remain prepared, realizing that each day is the possible day of Jesus' return.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:6 (NLT)
6 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received from us.
- We are to keep busy because neither Jesus' delay nor his imminent arrival should be an excuse for idleness.
- John 12:48 (NLT) What Will Happen
48 But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken.
- Jesus' second coming will have a different purpose than his first coming. The purpose of Jesus' first mission on earth was not to judge people, but to show them the way to find salvation and eternal life. When he comes again, one of his main purposes will be to judge people for how they lived on earth.
- John 14:2 (NIV)
2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
- At Jesus' second coming, we will be with him forever.
- 1 Corinthians 1:7 (NLT)
7 Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- At Jesus' second coming, we will fully experience the reality of our salvation.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (NLT)
13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.
- Jesus' second coming will include the resurrection of believers who have died.
- Jesus' second coming will signal victory.
Just recently, my wife and I went out to a restaurant to attend a surprise 50th birthday party of a good friend. We arrived early, since my vehicle is quite distinctive and we wanted to be able to park it somewhere out of sight. As we waited, more and more people arrived and we all waited, talking excitedly in small groupd scattered around the room. The appointed hour of my friend's arrival came and went. Folks began to get antsy after about 15 minutes, and still no birthday boy. Well, he finally arrived, only about 25 minutes late and a good time was had by all.
But that got me to thinking. What if it had taken an hour, two hours, three hours, a day, for my friend to arrive. How many would still be waiting? And if anyone was still waiting after a day, a week, a month, how EXCITED would they still be about the anticipated arrival. I suspect it would take far less than a day for everyone to drift away and get on with their lives.
That is what it is like waiting for Jesus. We've been told he is coming. It could be soon. Two thousand years later, how excited are YOU?
Michael R. Martin – November 20, 2008
First UMC of Saranac Lake, 8:30AM
Michael R. Martin – November 20, 2008
First UMC of Saranac Lake, 8:30AM
