Tag Archives: Advent 2

Coming Redemption – Sermon on Luke 21:25-36 for the Second Sunday of Advent

Luke 21:25–36

25 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

I love this text. That might sound strange because of all the heavy warnings in it. Our Lord is talking about His second Advent, His second coming, which will be marked by signs in the sun, moon, and stars. Distress of nations in perplexity. The roaring of the sea and waves. People fainting with fear and foreboding as the powers of the heavens are shaken. Then, Jesus says that all of us need to watch ourselves so those signs don’t get us weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness, and the cares of this life. And He urges us to pray that we may have strength to escape all the things that are going to take place.

Now, I don’t love this text because I’m sadistic. I love this text because in the middle of all those signs and warnings, your Savior says, “When these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” It is so comforting, and the thing that cranks up the volume on that comfort is the distressing things that surround it.

Comfort is for those who are in the midst of pain, peril, and distress. Imagine arriving at a big family reunion and you see your grandma surrounded by her kids, grandkids, nieces, and nephews. She’s talking, laughing, hugging people. She sees you, and her eyes light up. The first thing you say to her isn’t going to be, “Grandma, it’ll be ok,” because that would make her mind start racing wondering what’s happened, what went wrong, who got hurt. You don’t comfort someone who is already happy unless you are about to give them distressing news. Comfort is for the distressed.

That is why Jesus doesn’t sugarcoat the terrible signs that will coincide with His return. If He had, the fact that those signs point to your redemption drawing near wouldn’t be nearly as comforting. So, in the midst of the anarchy, theft, riots, hatred, wars, and natural disasters we see in our day, straighten up and raise your heads because it all points to your coming redemption. And it is coming.

Throughout the week as I was praying, studying the text, and preparing for this sermon, my plan for how I was going to preach it took a really abrupt turn. Jesus spoke these words to the disciples, so in the past, I’ve preached this text in such a way as to get you Christians to focus on v. 28, “When these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” I still want to do that, but this time I want to take that one step further and talk about what these verses have to say about evangelizing and sharing the Gospel with others.

 2 Cor. 1:4 says, “[The God of comfort] comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the [same] comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” The comfort Jesus gives in this text is for you, Christian. And that comfort is meant to be shared with everyone who is troubled by the cares of this life.

The Advent season is a good time to meditate on the fact that we are waiting for Jesus’ return in glory to judge the living and the dead. What do you do while you wait for things? A lot of the time, what we do when we wait has nothing to do with what we are waiting for. You sit in your car waiting for your kid to come out of school or practice and check your email, send that text message you’ve been avoiding, whatever. (By that way, that isn’t meant to be an indictment. Sometimes, that’s just being efficient with your time.) By the way, I’d suggest using that time of waiting in prayer for your kid. As we consider this text, it is good to ask yourself, “What can I do with my time while I wait for Jesus to return? While I am surrounded by all the evil of this world, what would God have me do?” Dear saints, look around you.

Jesus says that the nations will be in distress and perplexity, fainting with fear and foreboding because of these signs, and He warns against focusing on the cares of this life. How many people do you interact with that are caught up fretting and worrying about the cares of this life? How many of them would be comforted with the fact that all the evil that surrounds them points to Jesus’ return and the day of redemption for those who believe in Him? 

Jesus says that the day of His return will come upon all who dwell on the face of the earth, and for unbelievers, that day will come suddenly like a trap that snaps shut. In other words, the people around you who aren’t Christians either are seeing or will see these signs and rightly fear what is going on in the world. So, believer, use those signs to point others to the fact that Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and the Redeemer of all mankind, is coming back to gather His elect sheep to dwell with Him forever (Mt. 25:33-34).

Let me try an analogy on you. And this analogy comes with a warning. All the signs Jesus mentions point you to your redemption. So these signs should cause you to get excited in anticipation of your Savior’s return. But for those who don’t have faith, these signs will cause fear and foreboding. This analogy is meant to encourage you to use that fear and foreboding as a tool to point people to the coming redemption. Here’s the analogy:

Imagine you are on a ship in the middle of the ocean that has struck an iceberg and is sinking. The bow of the ship is already under water. There are fires because the stoves in the kitchen have tipped over. People are running around screaming. The ship and all the passengers are in complete chaos. But you’ve heard the captain on the radio talking with another ship that is coming to rescue every passenger on board. You can even see it off on the horizon. You know it’s coming full speed to save everyone onboard, but you also know that it’s going to be a while before it arrives at your location. Others on your ship either can’t see it, or, if they do see it, they’re convinced that it isn’t coming to rescue them. What would you be doing?

Well, you would do everything you could to encourage everyone, “Just hang on. Our rescue is on its way! They’re coming. Stay calm. Act reasonably.” You’d be helping people into the lifeboats. You’d break things that would float that people could use after your ship sinks to the bottom of the ocean. Everything you do and say would be driven and motivated by the fact that your rescue is soon to come.

Dear saints, that’s your calling as a Christian. Encouraging people to persevere because the rescue ship is on the way with Jesus, the Savior, at the helm. When someone is weighed down by the cares of this life – whether it’s things they see on the news; problems with their health, family, or job; natural disasters; whatever – all of that is an opportunity to confess your hope and confidence that Jesus is returning, and your redemption is drawing near.

The cares of this life are certainly real and ominous, but they completely pale in comparison to the redemption that is coming and drawing near. The ship of this world is sinking below the waves, and the more you encourage others and point them to Christ, the more firmly you will believe it. And the more firmly you believe it, the more you will tell others too.

Dear saints, in the midst of the evil of this broken world, straighten up. Raise your heads. Your redemption is coming and drawing near. Amen.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

The Trap that Liberates – Sermon on Luke 21:25-36 for the Second Sunday of Advent

Luke 21:25-36

25 [Jesus says,] “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Dear saints, it is Advent, so we consider and prepare for the coming of Jesus. Advent prepares to remember and celebrate His first coming in our flesh to die, rise again, and save us from our sin. In Advent, we also recognize that Christ regularly comes to us as we gather together around His Word and Sacrament. But we also prepare for Jesus’ second coming in power and glory to judge the living and the dead. That is the focus today.

Jesus came once, and He is coming again. This does take faith, but Christ’s return does is not difficult to believe. Jesus has already come once to pay for your sins and redeem you. So, there is no doubt that He’s going to come back to retrieve you.

Imagine if someone went to Rydell’s, requested the most expensive car on the lot, and paid for it in cash. (I looked and, right now, it’s a ’22 Cadillac Escalade that costs $112,000.) If that buyer told the dealer, “Hold on to it for me. I’ll be back to pick it up.” If he is delayed a few days, a week, even a month, the employees would know; he’s coming back. He paid for it, so he’ll be back to get it. Well, your Savior, Jesus has ransomed you from this dark and fallen world. He purchased you not with silver or gold, but with His holy and precious blood (1 Pet. 1:18-19). There is no doubt: He will come back to claim you as His own.

Now, of all the passages of Scripture describing Christ’s return, this one might be the most encouraging and reassuring – even with all those horrific signs. It is comforting because it puts perspective on all the evil that surrounds you. The signs Jesus mentions – the powers of the heavens and the entire world being shaken, the distress of nations and perplexity at the roaring of the sea and waves – all those, according to Jesus, are signs for you to straighten up. In other words, while the world and all creation crumbles around you, you are to raise up your heads because your redemption is drawing near.

But you do need to watch yourselves. Don’t be consumed by the signs and get weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness, and the cares of this life. That day will come upon many like a trap that snaps shut and kills its prey. So, be very aware of how you are reacting to the things you see even now.

All the things going on in the world – the politicization of absolutely everything, pandemic, violence, division, descension, natural disasters, economic difficulties, and even the sorrows we endure in this world – all these things are signs that this world can not and will not endure. So, watch yourself now and consider what those things do to you. Jesus doesn’t want you running around in a panic like Chicken Little now, and He doesn’t want you falling into a trap then. All of these signs point, not to your destruction, but to your redemption. You’ve heard me use this illustration before, but it is too good to not regularly use, and it can be easy to forget this.

Imagine that you are in a castle at night, and suddenly all the guards and soldiers start running to the walls of the castle. They suit up in their armor; grab their swords, battle axes, bows, and arrows; and take their positions on the wall because, outside the castle walls, an army is marching to attack the castle. The boots of the attacking army stop, and you hear the shouts of captains telling the troops to load the catapults and start banging away at the castle gate with the battering ram. Then you hear it. BOOM! The battering ram hits the castle doors, and the walls shake. BOOM! A rock launched from a catapult hits its target. Windows break, glass comes crashing to the floor, and dust falls from the ceiling. Again, and again, and again. BOOM!

Normally, you would be terrified in a situation like that. But not now. Not now because you are in the prison of that castle and are being held captive. The commander who is leading the attack on the castle is Jesus coming to save you. Knowing that, every crash, every clang, every shout of battle, every wall that crumbles around you means that your release and rescue is getting closer and closer. You see the morning sunlight breaking on the horizon, and you know that the day of your redemption is dawning.

Jesus says, “Your redemption is drawing near.” Now, you might be thinking, “Wait a minute! I thought Jesus already brought redemption.” As long as we’ve been Christians, we have been taught that Jesus has redeemed us – bought and freed us from sin, death, and the power of the devil with His holy and precious blood and with His innocent sufferings and death. 1 Peter 1:18-19 says that Christ is the Lamb without blemish or spot who has redeemed us. Hebrews 9:12 says that Jesus entered once into the Holy Place by means of His own blood and secured for us an eternal redemption. Jesus said so Himself on the cross, “It is finished”(Jn. 19:30). Christ has made full satisfaction for all your sins. So, why does Jesus, when He is talking about the end of the world, why does He talk about your redemption drawing near as though it is something in the future?

Christ does it to encourage, comfort, and teach you that in His second coming, everything that He has already accomplished for you in His first coming will be fully yours when He returns. It is yours now by faith, and it will be yours by experience when He returns. Yes, your redemption is complete. There is nothing, absolutely nothing, left to be done. Jesus has purchased you. The transaction is complete. You belong to Him. And all the signs that Jesus mentions here are like tracking updates for a package you are waiting for, and the goods will be delivered soon.

Dear saints, this fallen, sinful world is walking straight into a trap that will devour them and be their end. But not you. For you, Christian, you who have been redeemed by Christ, Jesus’ return is no trap. It is your great hope and expectation. It is your liberation. It is the day of your deliverance and eternal freedom.

We don’t like it when the world seems to be coming apart at the seams. Our fear probably lies in the fact that this world is all we have experienced and known. So, when we see it falling apart at an alarming rate, we get anxious. Repent. This world is not all there is.

This world is ending. Good riddance. Every sign pointing to the end of this world is a sign of your rescue. Those signs are pointing you to the return of your Deliverer, your King, your Savior. Come quickly, Lord Jesus (Rev. 22:20). Amen.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Signs to Stand – Sermon on Luke 21:25-36 for the Second Sunday of Advent

Listen here.

Luke 21:25-36

25 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Imagine being in a castle at night. Everything is quiet until suddenly all the guards and soldiers start running to the fortified walls. They take their battle positions because an army marching to attack. The boots of the advancing army stop tramping, and you hear the shouts of commanders telling the troops to load the catapults and advance with the battering ram. Then you hear it. BOOM! The battering ram hits the castle doors, and the walls shake. BOOM! A rock launched from a catapult hits its target and a couple of windows break and dust falls from the ceiling. Again and again and again BOOM!

Normally, you would be terrified in a situation like that. But not now. Now, you stand with confidence and hope because you are being held captive in the prison of that castle, and the general storming the castle is Jesus coming to save you.

Knowing that, every crash, every clang, every shout of battle, every wall that crumbles around you means that your release is closer. And you know that a new day is dawning, and it is the day of your deliverance.

That is precisely how Jesus wants us to consider the signs He mentions at the beginning of the text. Normally, those signs might make you want to crawl under a table for cover, but Jesus says that should not be our reaction. We should not fear. Every sign of the world coming to an end should give you hope, Christian, because it is an indication that Jesus is coming soon. Yes, that seems counter-intuitive, but remember Christ commands us, “When these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because (pay attention and notice the word Jesus uses here) your redemption is drawing near. Your redemption is drawing near.”

You might be thinking, “Now, wait a minute! I thought Jesus already brought redemption.” As long as we’ve been Christians, we have been taught that Jesus has redeemed us, bought and freed us from sin, death, and the power of the devil with His holy and precious blood and with His innocent sufferings and death. 1 Pet. 1:18-19 says that Christ is the Lamb without blemish or spot who has redeemed us. The book of Hebrews 9:[12] says that Jesus entered once into the Holy Place by means of His own blood and secured for us an eternal redemption. Redemption is done. Nothing is left to do. It’s completed. Jesus said so Himself on the cross, “It is finished” (Jn. 19:30). Christ has made full satisfaction for all our sins. So, why does Jesus, when He is talking about the end of the world, why does He talk about our redemption being something in the future by saying, “Your redemption is drawing near”?

Christ does so to comfort and teach you that in His second coming, everything that He has already accomplished for you in His first coming will be fully yours. Yes, your redemption is complete. There is nothing, absolutely nothing, left to be done. Now, you are simply waiting in this veil of sorrow and tears for the result and goal of that redemption.

All of this means, dear saints, that when we celebrate Christmas now, we are not just celebrating something that happened in the past. Christmas has deeply meaningful and joyful implications on both our present and our future. The Good News of Christ’s birth which has happened is also Good News of what will happen. We can’t rightly worship the Christ child in the manger without talking about the end and eternity.

The best way to celebrate Christmas is to do what Jesus says, lift up your heads because your redemption drawing near. And the best reaction to all the fearful signs that Jesus mentions at the beginning of this lesson – signs in the sun, moon, and stars; distress of nations; roaring of the sea and waves; people fainting with fear and foreboding; even when the powers of the heavens are shaken – when you see these things, you should not, should not, be afraid. Instead, you are to straighten up and raise your heads because your redemption is drawing near. Amen?

But, then in v. 34, Jesus gives another sign of His return. Jesus says, “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you like a trap.” Those are the signs that should concern us.

Now, I can hear you saying, “Pastor, there aren’t any signs there. None of that is anything compared to the signs Jesus mentions first.” Well, I think the devil has played his old trick on all of us. Satan has whispered in our ears, “Did God really say you should not be afraid?” The devil wants us to be concerned about all the stuff at the beginning of this text even though Jesus says we should not be concerned. And Satan wants us to be unconcerned about what Jesus says here in v. 34 though Jesus says we should be. Don’t fall for the trap.

The sign that Jesus mentions here is that most people won’t be taking things seriously. 1 Thess. 5:2-3 echoes this warning, “For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them… and they will not escape.” 

Let’s briefly go through these things that Jesus warns can weigh down our hearts. First, ‘dissipation.’ In the Greek, this means consuming to excess in a crazy way. This probably doesn’t mean getting drunk because that is what Jesus mentions next. Instead, ‘dissipation’ means overly consuming anything that can be used to excess. And, in that excess, you are oblivious of what is going on around you. Gluttony would be included in this, but it can be anything – anything that would distract us and weigh us down. It could be news, politics, social media, entertainment, amusement, even sports. We can get ourselves so wrapped up in these things that we get weighed down. Watch yourselves so you aren’t weighed down with dissipation.

Second, Jesus mentions drunkenness. You can get drunk on alcohol but also on all sorts of other substances. And all of that is on the rise during this pandemic. Watch yourselves so you aren’t weighed down with that either.

But if you think you aren’t really in danger when it comes to either of those, Jesus gives you a wake-up call. The third thing, Jesus mentions is the ‘cares’ or ‘anxieties of this life.’ The root of the word Jesus uses there is the same root for our word ‘biology.’ It means anything pertaining to life. In other words, it’s expansive and means all sorts of things. That’s your mortgage or rent. Your job, your business, and your homework. It’s the cleaning you have to do. It could even be the Christmas shopping you have to do. Literally, the cares of this life are anything you might be anxious about.

One of the worst cares of this life right now is COVID – but not the virus itself. Instead, it’s having your heart weighed down by fear of the virus. I’ve been noticing a tendency to an unhealthy fear. In fact, it seems like there are some who enjoy and prefer living in fear and don’t want to hear any good news or hopeful outlook that might challenge their reasons for being fearful. It seems like some have an attitude that the best good work today is a certain level of fear of the virus and the worst sin is not sharing that fear. Now, don’t misunderstand me. None of this is to say you shouldn’t be careful when it comes to COVID. By all means, be careful and care for others. But don’t let your heart get weighed down. Then, on the other hand, there are those who might wrongly think that any precautions or regulations are a government conspiracy to control us. That attitude can just as easily lead you to be weighed down by the cares of this life too. Don’t let your heart get weighed down.

I sincerely hope and pray that, whatever your attitude is regarding the virus, you examine yourself to see if you are being weighed down by the cares of this life. This is not my warning. This is Jesus’ warning. I’m just applying it to a specific care of this life.

When these things weigh down your heart and make you numb to the return of your Redeemer, things are not right. Don’t let it be that one of the signs of Jesus’ return is your own weighed down, unsuspecting heart. Don’t be lulled to sleep. The day of Christ’s return could come upon you like a trap. Stay awake. Be watchful in prayer so that you may have the strength to escape all the things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man. Don’t imagine that you cannot fall and be unprepared for Christ’s return. 

In 1 Cor. 10[:6-13], Paul reminds us of God’s people in the wilderness. They were eating and drinking and going about their life. Then, they grumbled against God for their lack of food, so God sent the serpents to destroy them. Then Paul brings the warning, “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” If you think that you can stand on your own, you are in the greatest danger of being weighed down and falling. Repent.

The day will come when everyone will take Jesus’ return seriously. May it be that we take it seriously now, before He comes and not after.

But don’t be confused about what Jesus is saying here. Take your Lord’s warning seriously, but then remember with joy that your redemption is drawing near. The signs that Jesus speaks about are the signs that you should stand firm in your faith. Because the God who has promised that you are completely justified, righteous, and innocent because of the blood of Jesus, that God is faithful. Heaven and earth will pass away, but God’s promises to you will not ever pass away.

You are a sinner who has a Redeemer who has died for you. He is coming to rescue from the dungeon of this world.

This world is ending. Good riddance. Every sign pointing to the end of this world is a sign of your rescue. All of them are signs pointing you to the return of your Deliverer, your King, your Savior. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Filled with Joy & Peace – Sermon on Romans 15:4-13 for the Second Sunday of Advent

Listen here.

Romans 15:4-13

4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
and sing to your name.”

10 And again it is said,

“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”

11 And again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and let all the peoples extol him.”

12 And again Isaiah says,

“The root of Jesse will come,
even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;
in him will the Gentiles hope.”

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Romans 15_13 - Joy Peace and HopeOur texts today seem to have conflicting messages. This text from Romans 15 has a lot to say about endurance, encouragement, hope, harmony, joy, and peace. It’s nice. But in our Gospel lesson, when Jesus talks about the day of His return, He speaks of signs in the sun and moon and stars. He mentions the distress of nations in perplexity, the roaring of the sea and waves, and people fainting with fear and foreboding because of what is coming on the world. Our Lord declares that the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Come on, Jesus. We don’t like that imagery, and it doesn’t fill us with joy or peace or hope. We don’t like to hear about the world coming apart at the seams. But then, we turn on the news or scroll through our social media accounts and see evidence of creation collapsing and society crumbling, and we get anxious. Our fear of the end of the world probably lies in the fact that this world is all we have experienced and known. Repent and remember this world is not all there is.

Jesus tells us about all these distressing things so that when they happen, we can be filled with all joy and peace so that we abound in hope in the midst of it all. Similar to when a patient has been physically suffering for months while the doctors only scratch their heads, once the doctors can give a diagnosis there is a sense of relief even if it is a devastating diagnosis. Jesus, the God of hope, has diagnosed the situation and tells us exactly what is going on.

Jesus told us that it would happen so when we see it we wouldn’t be afraid. Dear saints, we don’t need to be worried when we see the world collapsing. It’s like Jesus is saying, “When it looks like everything is falling apart, when all creation seems to be disintegrating, it is. It is, but don’t worry about it because nothing bad is going to happen to you. Instead, be glad because all of it means that your redemption is drawing near.”

Christ warns us so we can straighten up, raise our heads, and stand before Him when He returns. These words of Christ are exactly what we need to endure and be encouraged so that we have hope and strive to live in harmony with one another.

I’ve used this picture before, but I think it is so helpful. Imagine you are in a castle at night, and suddenly all the guards and soldiers start running to their battle stations because an army is marching to attack the fortress. The boots of that attacking force stop tramping, and you hear the shouts of commanders telling the troops to load the catapults and start banging the gates with the battering ram.Castle Besieged The castle doors and the walls are shaking. Boulders are hurled against the fortress. Windows are shattering and dust is falling from the ceiling. The floor you are standing on is rocked by the sounds of battle all around you.

Normally, you would be terrified in that situation. But not now. Not now because you are a captive in the prison of that castle. And the commander leading the invading army is Jesus coming to rescue you and all your prison mates, all your brothers and sisters in Christ. Knowing that, every crash, every clang, every shout of battle, and every wall that crumbles around you means that your release is that much closer. And as the morning sunlight peeks through the cracks of the walls, you and your fellow prisoners all know that a new day is dawning, and it is the day of your deliverance.

This world is often a beautiful place full of the good gifts of God. But remember that this world is broken and incomplete. This world is fallen and there is so much wrong with where we are. And much of what is broken, incomplete, fallen, and wrong is your own doing and my own doing. And all of this has been going on so long that you get used to it. You and I get used to sin, and we start to think that it is normal. Like a pig farmer who doesn’t notice the stink of the barn, the stench of our sin starts to not bother us anymore. Repent, but don’t despair.

The Jesus who will come again in glory has come already to bring the beginning of hope. His words and works and deeds were written for our instruction. In the Scriptures we learn that when Jesus ministered in this fallen world what was broken was made whole. What was sick was cured. Romans 15_4 What was written peace joy hope.jpgWhat was defiled was made holy. What was dead was raised. Where there were sinners, Christ brought forgiveness. And all of that was just the beginning. All of this was written to give us encouragement to endure in the hope that the healing Christ brought to the broken of this world would be ushered into the entire creation – into the new creation.

The God of hope encourages you. He wants you to endure. And He wants you to have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you that hope because it is certain and true. The sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings (Mal. 4:2). Straighten up. Raise your heads because your redemption draws near. May that same God, Jesus, the God of hope, fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that you abound in hope. Amen.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

The Oven, the Stubble, and the Sun – Sermon on Luke 21:25-36 for the Second Sunday in Advent

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Luke 21:25-36

25 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Christ's Return in Glory28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

29And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

A couple of years ago, we had some trouble with the oven in our home. For some reason, it would suddenly go into self-cleaning mode while something was being cooked. Apparently, self-cleaning mode brings your oven’s heat to somewhere between 750-1,000°F. Banana bread does not like temperatures that high. Also, apparently, my family’s lungs did not like the banana bread’s response to temperatures that high. The worst part was how long it took to extract the smoking loaf from the oven. Even after the power was cut, the oven door remained locked and the bread kept smoking until the temperature fell to whatever Whirlpool deems safe. I stood next to the oven waiting so that as soon as I heard the lock release, I could open the door and take the glowing loaf outside to finish smoldering.

I was amazed at how our normal oven was able to turn what was supposed to be tasty goodness into a block of inedible, charred ash. But God speaks of another oven that will be more intense than anything we can imagine in our Old Testament text (Mal. 4:1-6). God speaks there about the day of judgment. Listen again to the first verse: “Behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.” Now, that’s one hot oven.

Too often, it seems as though the wicked are strong, powerful, and unmovable. Too often, we think the wicked will always prosper and be better off than we poor, little Christians are. Malachi here says that our perception is that the evildoers are like strong trees with deep roots and large branches. But the burning oven of that day will incinerate them so that there will be neither root or branch left. Instead, the evil will prove to be nothing more than stubble that will burn up quickly. For those who refuse to repent, the Last Day will mean their utter destruction because the oven of God’s wrath will burn the stubble of the wicked.

As Jesus talks about this same day in our Gospel text, He doesn’t use the picture of a burning oven, but He uses similar pictures of calamity. Signs in the sun and moon and stars. Distress of nations in perplexity. Roaring of the sea and waves. People fainting with fear and foreboding because of what is coming on the world as the powers of the heavens are shaken.

We don’t like that imagery. We don’t like it when the world seems to be coming apart at the seams. Our fear probably lies in the fact that this world is all we have experienced and known. So, when we see it falling apart at an alarming rate, we get anxious. Repent. This world is not all there is.

Dear saints, we don’t need to be worried when we see the world collapsing. Jesus told us that it would happen. He gave us these signs so we would know what is actually going on. Jesus warned us so that we wouldn’t be afraid. It’s like Jesus is saying, “When it looks like everything is falling apart, when all creation seems to be disintegrating, it is. But don’t worry about it. Nothing bad is going to happen to you. Instead, be glad because all of it means that your redemption is drawing near.”

When you see signs in the sun, moon, and stars; when you see the nations in distress and perplexity; when you see the roaring of the sea and waves, people fainting with fear and foreboding; when you feel the oven heating up and see the stubble burning, remember what the Scriptures say. You are safe in the nail-scarred hands of your Savior, Jesus.

Again, as God promised in Malachi, “For you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out leaping like calves from the stall.”

So, the pictures we have, so far, of Christ’s return are an oven burning up the stubble of the wicked. But for you Christian, the picture is that the sun is rising and a new day of joy and everlasting peace is dawning. Imagine it this way:

You are in a castle at night, but suddenly all the guards and soldiers start running to the walls of the castle. They take their positions there because outside the castle walls is an army marching to attack the castle. The boots of that attacking army stop tramping, and you hear the shouts of commanders telling the troops to load the catapults and start banging away with the battering ram. Then you hear it. BOOM! The battering ram hits the castle doors and the walls shake. BOOM! A rock launched from a catapult hits its target and a couple of windows break and dust falls from the ceiling. Again and again and again BOOM!

Christ Returns in Power and GloryNormally, you would be terrified in a situation like that. But not now. Not now because you are in the prison of that castle being held captive. And the commander who is leading the army that is storming the castle is Jesus coming to save you.

Knowing that, every crash, every clang, every shout of battle, every wall that crumbles around you means that your release is closer. And you know that a new day is dawning, and it is the day of your deliverance.

Dear saints, I said it a couple of weeks ago, and I’ll say it again. This world is ending. Good riddance. Every sign pointing to the end of this world – no matter how fearful or painful it may be – is a sign of your rescue. All of them are signs pointing you to the return of your Deliverer, your King, your Savior.

The oven is heating up. The stubble is smoldering. But, dear saints, lift up your heads. The Sun is rising. A new, eternal dawn is breaking forth on the horizon. And your redemption draws near. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Near – Sermon for the Second Sunday in Advent on Luke 21:25-36

Listen here.

Luke 21:25-36

25 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Imagine that you are in a large, fortified castle that is being attacked. The ground shakes and the walls creak. You hear the shouts of soldiers. Captains holler as they command their troops to band together and be steady. Swords are clashing, arrows whizzing. You feel and hear the deep boom of a battering ram repeatedly pounding the gates as dust and pebbles fall from the massive bricks of stone all around youCastle Besieged

Normally, you wouldn’t want to be anywhere near all that calamity, wreckage, and ruin. But imagine that all of this is happening while you are in the dungeon, and the king who is attacking the castle is your father coming to rescue you. So, when those gates fall and his soldiers breach the walls, you will be freed. You might still be scared when the fighting rages near you because the danger is real, but you know that the castle falling is your hope.

That is why Jesus gave us these words. Jesus tells you about the end of this world so that when all these fearful things take place, you know what is happening. The castle of this world is falling, but its fall is your rescue and deliverance.

Too often, we think that this world is all there is because this world is all we know. And when what we know starts to shake and crumble, we get worried when its end appears near.

When we see hurricanes hitting the South and California burning, when we turn on the news or open Facebook and learn about another mass shooting or the continued nuclear saber-rattling of dictators, as we hear about celebrities and politicians being accused of terrible conduct, or as we watch our society decaying because we can’t even talk to each other, we think the world is coming to an end. Well, it is.

It is, but Jesus has told us it would. Jesus said that there would be signs in creation – in the sun, moon, and stars. Jesus said there would be distress in the nations. Jesus said people would be fainting with fear and foreboding of what is coming on the world. We are seeing with our own eyes all of this taking place. But remember that we live in the dungeon of the castle of this fallen, sinful world, and Jesus, our Savior, is coming again to rescue and free us.

Christ Returns in Power and GloryRemember also that this world is not all that there is. There is more. There is still the eternal wedding feast of the Lamb in His kingdom. That is why Jesus tells us to not be afraid when these things draw near. He says, “When these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

All the troubles of this world are signs that Jesus is coming to rescue us. These signs that bring fear to the world are already near you, and they are only going to get nearer and nearer. And for the world all these signs leave them no other option than to despair.

But for you, Christian, these signs are signs that your deliverance is drawing near, that you are about to be rescued. If the signs still cause you to worry and fear, look to God’s Word because even though heaven and earth pass away, God’s Word will never pass away.

Remember, the Word became flesh for you and for your salvation, full of grace and truth (Jn. 1:14). God’s Word to you is that He is a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding is steadfast love and faithfulness (Ex. 34:6).

After Adam and Eve fell into sin, they didn’t want to be near each other in their natural, created state, so they covered themselves in leaves. Then, when God showed up, they didn’t want to be near Him either, so they hid. But what did God say? He asked, “Where are you?” (Gen. 3:9).

It was not God’s wrath that caused Adam and Eve to hide; it was their sin. Their sin had so clouded their minds that they thought their sin had changed who God was. Sadly, we think that too. Of course, God knew where Adam and Eve were. God who created everything in mercy and had given them everything in mercy had come to them In His mercy.

God came to Adam and Eve to give them the promise of the Seed who would crush the serpent’s head. God had come to mercifully point Adam and Eve to Jesus, the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world (1 Pet. 1:19-20). God came to show them that because of His mercy, He would accept the death of another to cover their sin.

But Adam and Eve thought He was coming to destroy them.

To be sure, sin has changed us. Because of our sin, death entered into the world. Because of our sin, this creation will perish. But God has fixed it because His love and mercy for you endures forever. He has come and paid the price. He has laid down His life for you. And He is coming again for you.

cropped-jesus-lamb-slain-silver-goldSo, the castle of this world crumbles, but your redemption draws near. Though the earth gives way, though the mountains tremble and are moved into the heart of the sea (Ps. 46:2-3), according to His promise you are waiting for the new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells (2 Pet. 3:13).

The end is drawing near. Twilight is falling upon this world of sin. But for you believer, there is a new dawn. “The sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings” (Mic. 4:2). Jesus, your Redeemer, is near, and He comes to save you so you can be with Him forever and ever.

So, straighten up. Raise your heads. Your redemption is drawing near. Amen.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.