Luke 21:25-36, December 1st 2024.
Also 1 Thess 3:9-13.
Prayer: Lord, as we consider written words of Scripture, Take us through spoken words, to the Living Word, Our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
In the coming months we are going to explore and listen afresh to the words of Jesus in our gospel passages. Also our All Ages will have a brief message, to allow time for the kid’s talk…
Today. Advent Sunday. Jesus words, to his disciples, during Holy Week. He speaks about the Son of Man – himself – coming to judge and transform and renew the world.
4 brief points.
- Terrible. (v25-27) – Slide
We learn how terrifying the circumstances will be before the Lord’s return.
‘’Signs in the sun, moon, stars… nations in anguish… people fainting from terror.’’
Not happy times at all. What leads to his return, will be everything that would terrify and stress out a heart or mind. Consider, on the Day of Resurrection, the soldiers saw an angel and then fell down as dead. How much greater the fear when Christ will return… anguish, terror…
A person may have rejected Christ. Yet they will tremble when business, money, the important and seemingly secure things of this world become worthless or like dust.
What will they do when the same Jesus whom they rejected / neglected, shall appear in the clouds?
- Confidence (v28) – Slide
‘’When these things begin to take place, stand up, lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’’
The signs of his return, may be terrifying to many; yet Jesus says, they do not need to terrify us.
They are to fill us with confidence, joy.
The signs remind us that our liberation from sin, the flesh, the devil approaches.
That we shall soon say farewell to sickness, addictions, sorrow, death, evil and temptation.
While the one who rejects Christ loses all – remember our Lord’s words: for God so loved the world that everyone who believes in him shall not perish but receive eternal life.
He who shall believe shall enter into his or her eternal reward. The person who trusted Christ, their hope will be exchanged for joyful certainty and the possession of all God had promised.
As followers of Christ, we can look forward to his return and that can be a strength in trials and temptations.
In the Rings of Power, which is part of the Lord of the Rings universe, as a girl Galadriel is talking with her elder brother Finrod. They chat about her boat that was sunk by a boy with a rock:
Do you know why a ship floats and a stone cannot? Because the stone sees only downward. The darkness of the water is vast and irresistible. The ship feels the darkness, as well, striving moment by moment to master her and pull her under. But the ship has a secret. For, unlike the stone, her gaze is not downward but up. Fixed upon the light that guides her, whispering of grander things than darkness ever knew.’’
Paul who said: since you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above where Christ is seated.’’
- Signs (v29-31) – slide
Look at the fig tree.
Outside our front window we have a tree – I have forgotten what it is, ask Jolanda – I am not very green or garden minded… so many times as I done the washing up I have looked at it, and you see the sign of the times. Leaves falling, autumn; barren, winter; buds – spring…
The disciples like many Jews believed that when his return would mean universal peace beforehand. The Lord tells us and them that the signs that precede his return would be confusion, terror, distress… Jesus encourages the believers – as they seen the sign, like you see the signs of spring or summer on tress, they will know the Lord’s return is near. They do not know the exact day, but they know it is very close.
A friend took this photo. He wrote after he took it:
‘’Hope. The arrival of snowdrops, the first flowers to bloom at the end of winter and the start of spring, herald that the harshness of winter will soon be over and the warmth of spring soon be here.’’
Look for the signs. We observe public events. We study the word.
Are there signs in our day?
- He will do it! (v33) – slide
The Lord speaks with certainty that what he has said will happen. Did he see times when the world or even the church would say ‘’the world has gone on for years and will do so’’ and forget his promised return? He tells them – heaven and earth will pass away but his words, they will not pass away.
Someone said: ‘’if God has said it, he will certainly bring it to pass.’’ (JC Ryle, Luke’s Gospel, Luke 21).
Whether it seems probably, or possibly or likely should not trouble us. When we think about it – that Jesus should return to judge is not as unlikely as God becoming man among us, or Christ suffering on a cross for our sins…
If he came the first time – then how much more we can believe he will come a second time?
If he came to be nailed to an old rugged cross, how much more can we expect him to come in glory with all the holy ones?
Yoda said ‘’Try not. Do or do not. There is no try.’’
Our Lord Jesus said – he will do it, there is no try, his words will never pass away.
Conclusion – slide
Luke 21. These verses remind us again, this season of Advent refreshes us, that the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus is one of the leading truths of our Christian faith.
We finish with a quote from JC Ryle, Anglican Bishop in the c19th.
‘’Let the Christ in whom we believe be not only the Christ who suffered on Calvary, but also the Christ who is coming again in person to judge and renew the earth!’’
Ryle, J. C.. Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke: A Commentary (Updated Edition) (p. 431). Aneko Press. Kindle Edition.
Shall we pray.
‘’Almighty God,
Purify our hearts and mind
That when your Son Jesus Christ comes again as Judge and Saviour
We may be ready to receive him,
Who is our Lord and our God.
Amen.’’