Sermon – The First Sunday of Advent - November 27, 2011 The Rev. R. Allan McCaslin
Readings: Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18; I Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37
From Isaiah, “When we did not expect (it), (God) came.” I speak to you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Predicting when our Lord will return and what will happen on that day has become a billion-dollar industry that, for many Christians, has sown more doubt and confusion, more worry and stress, more family and church divisions and outright ignoring the needs of others, over whether or not we will be left behind. If you doubt what I am saying, take an hour to watch any of the “Christian” television broadcasts on your local cable network. There you are most likely to hear one of two messages, perhaps even both: either a prosperity gospel that sees faith as a means to own a multi-million dollar home and the best cars in the neighborhood while everyone around you –especially the “non-believer” - goes hungry, or get ready because Jesus is coming back and everyone that ever treated you badly is going to get theirs. Everything is either about riches or revenge. Rather than, looking outward into our communities, these broadcasts urge us to focus inward for the sole betterment of ourselves. And friends, that is not the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In this morning’s reading from Mark’s Gospel, our Lord speaks very clearly about his return. It can be summed up in two words: “Keep awake.” But contrary to what many Christians think, when our Lord says “Keep awake” he is not talking about gazing at the heavens, looking for signs and wonders, or predicting when Jesus will return, nor is he speaking about revenge. Our Lord says, “Keep awake” as in knowing who you are, who you are called to be and then, with vigilance, keep to the tasks at hand. Using the image of servants and master, our Lord reminds us that we have a job to do while he is away. Our job, our task, is to be God’s people: to let our lives demonstrate God’s unconditional and transforming love; to witness to the reconciliation and mercy possible with God; and to be Christ’s continuing light in this world.
Jesus tells us (vs. 33) that the day and time of his return is known to no one and therefore, do not expect any warning. He says that when you see these signs know that he is already at the gate – he is already here. Thus, Christians live in a state of constant readiness. The servants know their tasks. They know what they have to do and they do it fully expecting that their master will return at any moment. Jesus says do not be concerned about when he will return. Doing the will of God (Mark 3:35) has nothing to do with the timing of God’s judgment but, doing the will of God has everything to do with living the Gospel. The question that the master will ask upon his return is not did you see the signs, but rather, have you been faithful to your call as a Christian, as a disciple of Jesus Christ? That is the only question.
Readings: Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18; I Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37
From Isaiah, “When we did not expect (it), (God) came.” I speak to you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Predicting when our Lord will return and what will happen on that day has become a billion-dollar industry that, for many Christians, has sown more doubt and confusion, more worry and stress, more family and church divisions and outright ignoring the needs of others, over whether or not we will be left behind. If you doubt what I am saying, take an hour to watch any of the “Christian” television broadcasts on your local cable network. There you are most likely to hear one of two messages, perhaps even both: either a prosperity gospel that sees faith as a means to own a multi-million dollar home and the best cars in the neighborhood while everyone around you –especially the “non-believer” - goes hungry, or get ready because Jesus is coming back and everyone that ever treated you badly is going to get theirs. Everything is either about riches or revenge. Rather than, looking outward into our communities, these broadcasts urge us to focus inward for the sole betterment of ourselves. And friends, that is not the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In this morning’s reading from Mark’s Gospel, our Lord speaks very clearly about his return. It can be summed up in two words: “Keep awake.” But contrary to what many Christians think, when our Lord says “Keep awake” he is not talking about gazing at the heavens, looking for signs and wonders, or predicting when Jesus will return, nor is he speaking about revenge. Our Lord says, “Keep awake” as in knowing who you are, who you are called to be and then, with vigilance, keep to the tasks at hand. Using the image of servants and master, our Lord reminds us that we have a job to do while he is away. Our job, our task, is to be God’s people: to let our lives demonstrate God’s unconditional and transforming love; to witness to the reconciliation and mercy possible with God; and to be Christ’s continuing light in this world.
Jesus tells us (vs. 33) that the day and time of his return is known to no one and therefore, do not expect any warning. He says that when you see these signs know that he is already at the gate – he is already here. Thus, Christians live in a state of constant readiness. The servants know their tasks. They know what they have to do and they do it fully expecting that their master will return at any moment. Jesus says do not be concerned about when he will return. Doing the will of God (Mark 3:35) has nothing to do with the timing of God’s judgment but, doing the will of God has everything to do with living the Gospel. The question that the master will ask upon his return is not did you see the signs, but rather, have you been faithful to your call as a Christian, as a disciple of Jesus Christ? That is the only question.
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