St. Paul’s Sermon 2004

The First Sunday in Advent - November 28, 2004

Lessons: Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44

“A Day Like Today”

Introduction:

That morning I was just stepping out of the shower like any other morning. The radio said something was happening in New York. I turned on the TV just in time to see the second plane crash into the tower.

I remember a day in November. It was just a regular day fifth grade day, except we had a substitute teacher, and suddenly Mr. Esselman, our principal, stuck his head in the room. He said our teacher, sick at home, had just called the office to tell them to turn the radio on. He said that President Kennedy had just been shot. It’s etched very clearly in my memory. I can remember who spoke next and I can tell you who said what. Today I’m sure could step into that room and walk to within three feet of the spot I sat that day.

I remember my parent’s story about their shock as they were driving to visit my grandparents on a normal Sunday, when they heard Pearl Harbor had been bombed.

Each of those days were just regular days. If it weren’t for that one instant, they would have remained unremarkable days that would have passed from memory; but in one instant the world changed.

I) We Live In End Times

I have spent my adult life hearing about Jesus’ return. When I was a young man we all read Hal Lindsey’s Late Great Planet Earth. Lindsey worked his way through Scripture, looking at the prophesies of when Jesus would return. Since then I’ve read many other accounts. Maybe you’ve read the Left Behind series, which have sold millions.

As we look at all these, various authors will disagree about minor points, but most authors sketch out how the re-establishment of Israel is the key event that triggers the return of Christ. That happened in 1948. The Bible says that the generation who witness that event will not pass away before he returns. I think this is an accurate reading of Scripture, if indeed we are interpreting correctly that the parable of the ‘sprouting of the fig tree’ refers to the reestablishment of Israel. And, if the secular state of Israel as we see it today is that act of sprouting. I think it is, as this is the first time since 950 BC that Jewish folks have held the same territory as the reign of King David. Further, the state is called Israel, not Judah, as it was from the time of the divided kingdom until the Roman days.

I think there is one major mistake in all of these books. They all list some sequence of events that leads to Jesus’ return. That sequence includes things like the re-building of the temple; the rising great armies; the visible rising of the reign of the Beast and several other things. They say all these things must happen first, before Jesus can return.

II) He Can’t Come Back Until...?

However, Jesus says that his return will be a surprise. If we think that Jesus can’t come back until he completes somebody’s sequence, we’re simply wrong. Israel exists. We buy and sell with tiny electronic things we hold in our hands or numbers we can memorize in our heads. Do we really need a visible mark or an implanted chip? Governments can fall or rise almost instantly. And there have already been three temples, because Herod’s temple was in most respects a whole new temple.

In other words, if we think we’ve got to see a lot more things happen before Jesus could return for his church, we’re being deceived. Listen to Jesus’ words: "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. If Jesus didn’t even know the day, does some modern writer? It is going to be a surprise. [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; It was just a normal day- people were doing the normal things people do. They were busy with life, even busy with new beginnings- and suddenly it all ended.

[42] "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. This isn’t scary- this is our great hope. He will come. Time will end. But it will be a surprise. You sure he can’t come today? Don’t be foolish! You think he can’t return because he doesn’t fit somebody’s timetable? That’s like the Muslim authorities thinking they’re going to keep the Messiah from returning by bricking up the Eastern Gate, the Messiah’s Gate, so he can’t come into Jerusalem, as the Bible says he will. A few stones can easily be removed. It almost happened twice in the 20^th Century. A quick earthquake on the fault that runs through the area would do the trick as well. Jesus can return any time he wishes, timetables or no.

[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. Could be before this sermon ends. Could be this afternoon. Could be 10,000 years from now. That’s not important. What is important is that we live our life constantly informed by that fact. We live with each moment as people living on borrowed time. We’ve got our tasks to do. The Master is at the door; we want to be found at our tasks when he returns.

I am saddened and amazed, that after 50 years of knowing that the day is very, very near, it’s as if we hear this word and the church answers, “So?” Do we react to this by any changing of our priorities? Do we react to these words by having a sense of urgency to share Jesus with our neighbors? Do we tell people to be ready? Do we talk about Jesus return? What is wrong with us?

III) Being At Our Tasks When He Returns

On the other hand, it’s sad to misinterpret this teaching. A couple weeks ago we heard Paul’s words of scolding for those in Thessalonika who had quit their jobs and went up on the side of the mountain to wait for Jesus to return. I sadly look back on several kids in my high school youth group who heard all these teachings about Jesus’ return, and decided it was silly for them to go to college. They said that Jesus was returning soon, and so why bother to get more training?

Back then, as I read my Bible I got the distinct impression that we were called to invest our talents and give the Master a good return for the talents he had given us. I also read in my Bible that we were to be about the work he had called us to, not shirking our duties and skipping the training that was needed to be fully equipped. Several times I’ve had conversations with some of those folks, who struggled aimlessly for many years, some going back to school later, all with great regret that they had misapplied Scripture, only to find that they were not equipped to fully live a life invested for their Savior.

Even if Jesus were to come back in a week, if God is calling you to be a student, your job is study. If Jesus were to return the day after you graduated, you would have invested yourself and done what God called you to.

We have a task to train for; a task to accomplish. One of the conditions for Christ’s return is that all nations, or literally, all “people groups” will have heard the Gospel. What exactly fulfills that, we don’t exactly know, but our job is to get the Gospel to all peoples. Now, as the peoples of the world spread to little pockets of cultures all over the globe, it will be harder and harder to judge when reaching all “people groups” is fulfilled, in human terms.

Our job isn’t to keep score or figure out timetables. Our job is to get committed, get trained and get going! If Jesus comes back in the midst of the training or in the midst of the work, fine. If he comes back when we’re old, fine. If Jesus decides to come back in 500 years, fine. We will have been faithful in our time, and that’s all that matters.

But do not misunderstand. God’s Word promised that Jesus would come the first time. Over 1800 years God revealed his will in the unfolding of history, from Abraham to Jesus. But Jesus did come.

And God’s Word promises that Jesus will return again. He will surprise us. It could be this afternoon or as you come out of the shower tomorrow. Your whole world could change. Or, for you, like Harry Krieg, he could return for you tonight. And like for Harry, for you this is joyful news. Invitation, Amen.

November 28, 2004–Advent 1

Isaiah 2:1-5

This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:

[2] In the last days

the mountain of the LORD'S temple will be established as chief among the mountains;

it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.

[3] Many peoples will come and say,

"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob.

He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths."

The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

[4] He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples.

They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.

Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

[5] Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD.

Romans 13:11-14

And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. [12] The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. [13] Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. [14] Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Matthew 24:36-44

"No one knows about that day or hour, 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.