[The following is a manuscript of my sermon delivered on Sunday morning, the 26th of November, 2017. Our annual Congregational meeting followed the service. Look for the video on our Vimeo channel: http://vimeo.com/pilgrimreformedchurch.]
Next Sunday is actually the first Sunday in Advent, but since we will be enjoying our Hanging of the Greens service that morning, I thought I would recognize the advent of Advent today.
In its basic terms, advent means the arrival or coming of a notable person, event, or thing. The Christian season of Advent recognizes the coming of our Savior Jesus into this world, anticipating the celebration of His birth at Christmas. But there is also a second coming of Jesus we anxiously await.
Listen and follow along as I read first from the Gospel account of the Apostle Luke, chapter 2, verses 1 through 7, and then from the Revelation of Jesus as given to His Apostle John, chapter 19, verses 11 through 16, from the New King James Version of our Holy Bible…
In its basic terms, advent means the arrival or coming of a notable person, event, or thing. The Christian season of Advent recognizes the coming of our Savior Jesus into this world, anticipating the celebration of His birth at Christmas. But there is also a second coming of Jesus we anxiously await.
Listen and follow along as I read first from the Gospel account of the Apostle Luke, chapter 2, verses 1 through 7, and then from the Revelation of Jesus as given to His Apostle John, chapter 19, verses 11 through 16, from the New King James Version of our Holy Bible…
2:1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
19:11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS ANDLORD OF LORDS.
--Luke 2:1-7; Revelation 19:11-16 (NKJV)
Let us pray… Father God, for so long You promised the world a Savior, a Messiah to deliver us from our sinful ways. But then, when You sent Your own Son to be with us as one of us, we did not believe. Even though He fulfilled every prophesy spoken of the Messiah, we rejected Him. Forgive us, please Father, for not seeing the truth, for not receiving the gift You gave us all at Christmas time. Help us who now believe in Jesus to share His Gospel story every chance we get. Speak to us now, Father, and guide us that we might better serve You in this task. In the blessed name of Your Son Jesus we pray. Amen.
If you enjoyed your Thanksgiving feast a little too much, then perhaps you can appreciate these tell-tale signs that you ate too much for Thanksgiving:
Ah, but the holidays are made for overeating, right? Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts are famous for overindulgence. We gather together with family and friends and food – the 3 F’s. And we often regret eating so much the next day. Sometimes even later that afternoon, as we nap in front of the TV set with the football game blaring away. Yes, that’s what the holidays seem made for, according to the world.
But those of us who follow Jesus as our Master should pause in the midst of all the celebrations to give thanks to our God for His many blessings over our lives. And we should look ahead with excited anticipation toward what is to come. For what is coming is Jesus, God’s own Son.
We will all too soon be celebrating the first coming of Jesus with our annual observance of Christmas. That’s what the season of Advent is all about. As the Apostle Luke noted, the Son of God came to mankind as one of us. He entered this world just like us – as a helpless baby born of woman. His birth and the circumstances surrounding it were foretold over 400 years before the event, most notably by the prophet Isaiah. In chapter 7 verse 14 of his book of prophesy, Isaiah tells us…
Isaiah also spoke for God in foretelling the rest of the story of Jesus, what would happen to Him later in life, and after His return to the Father. He spoke to us of the Good Servant, and how He would be treated, ultimately taking our punishment upon Himself so that we could be washed clean of our sin and able to stand once again before God. Isaiah accurately described Jesus and the many roles He would fill, such as found in chapter 9 verse 6 of his prophesy…
Unto us a Son is given of God, and the government will be upon His shoulder. Pay close attention to the tenses of those verbs: “is given” and “will be”. Jesus came once, as a baby, a Child, born to woman as the one true Son of God. But the gift of God, made flesh in Jesus, continues to be given, to as many as who will accept Him! Every time some lost soul accepts Jesus as the Son of God and their personal Savior and Master, He is given to them, the gift of salvation is given to them!
But did Jesus govern the world when He came that first time? Does He govern it now, even with each new giving of Himself? No, not really. Satan has been given temporary rule over this world. But Isaiah tells us the government will be upon His shoulders! Someday, when He returns, Jesus will rule this world and all this is in it!
And that brings us to the second time that Jesus will physically come to this earth, and the second half of our scripture reading this morning. Luke beautifully recorded the first time Jesus came to this world. John tells us vividly of the second, in the Book of Revelation which Jesus instructed him to write after revealing to him the things that must happen. Jesus will come to fulfill the rest of Isaiah’s prophesy.
On His person and on His robe will be emblazoned the titles “King of kings” and “Lord of lords”. And this time He will come looking like the Messiah the Jewish people expected all along. This time He will come to conquer, and to judge. He will bring along the armies of heaven, but they will be mostly for show. Because Jesus will dispatch all the foes of God simply by speaking the word of God.
The world will be judged, and all within it. All will be judged, including we who believe. But we will be saved, and spared a horrible fate, for we have been washed clean by the blood of Jesus, the spotless Lamb, slain as a sacrifice once for all time in propitiation for our sins. Those who rejected Jesus will suffer greatly. The wicked will be crushed under the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of our Almighty God!
Believers will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Non-believers will be forever separated from God, and from His mercy. This is the second advent of Jesus, which we await.
So let’s enjoy this Advent season as we prepare to celebrate Christmas and all the gifts and meals and yes, even the football games. But let’s not forget the true meaning, both of Advent and of Christmas. Jesus came once, to offer the world salvation. He is coming again, to judge the world.
Prepare for the observed anniversary of His first coming by decorating our homes and trees. Prepare for His second coming by cleaning our hearts of sinful ways. For He is coming again, and it may be soon.
In the blessed name of Jesus Christ, our Master and our Savior. Amen.
Let us pray… Father God, You sent Your own Son to live among us, to teach us Your Truth, to take our punishment and to die on our behalf so that we might not suffer eternal death. Thank You, Father, for so beautiful a gift. Thank You for Your great love and mercy. Help us, please Father, to prepare our hearts for the second coming of Jesus, even as we celebrate His first coming at His birth. Forgive us when we get all wrapped up with worldly commercialism and forget the true meaning of the season. Help us remember Your promise to the world.
Please hear us now, Father, as we silently speak to You straight from our hearts, thanking You for Your many blessings, repenting of our disobedience, seeking Your forgiveness…
Lord Jesus, You came to us just as the prophets foretold, sharing God’s love with a weary world. And some sweet day You will come again, this time to judge the world You tried to save. Help us, Lord Jesus, to look past the bright decorations and see the truth. Help us to prepare for Your second coming even as we celebrate the first.
This we pray in Your glorious name, Lord Jesus Christ, our Master and our Savior, the one true Son of God, in whom we place all our hope, all our trust, all our faith. Amen.
If you enjoyed your Thanksgiving feast a little too much, then perhaps you can appreciate these tell-tale signs that you ate too much for Thanksgiving:
- The doctor tells you your weight would be perfect for a person 17 feet tall.
- You are responsible for a slight but measurable shift in the earth's axis.
- Paramedics bring in the Jaws of Life to pry you out of the Lazy-Boy recliner.
- The potatoes you used set off another famine in Ireland.
- You receive a Sumo Wrestler application in your e-mail.
- You set off 3 earthquake seismographs on your morning jog Friday.
- Pricking your finger for cholesterol screening only yielded gravy.
- You consider gluttony your patriotic duty.
- Representatives from the Butterball Hall of Fame called twice.
Ah, but the holidays are made for overeating, right? Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts are famous for overindulgence. We gather together with family and friends and food – the 3 F’s. And we often regret eating so much the next day. Sometimes even later that afternoon, as we nap in front of the TV set with the football game blaring away. Yes, that’s what the holidays seem made for, according to the world.
But those of us who follow Jesus as our Master should pause in the midst of all the celebrations to give thanks to our God for His many blessings over our lives. And we should look ahead with excited anticipation toward what is to come. For what is coming is Jesus, God’s own Son.
We will all too soon be celebrating the first coming of Jesus with our annual observance of Christmas. That’s what the season of Advent is all about. As the Apostle Luke noted, the Son of God came to mankind as one of us. He entered this world just like us – as a helpless baby born of woman. His birth and the circumstances surrounding it were foretold over 400 years before the event, most notably by the prophet Isaiah. In chapter 7 verse 14 of his book of prophesy, Isaiah tells us…
14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
--Isaiah 7:14 (NKJV)
6 For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
--Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)
But did Jesus govern the world when He came that first time? Does He govern it now, even with each new giving of Himself? No, not really. Satan has been given temporary rule over this world. But Isaiah tells us the government will be upon His shoulders! Someday, when He returns, Jesus will rule this world and all this is in it!
And that brings us to the second time that Jesus will physically come to this earth, and the second half of our scripture reading this morning. Luke beautifully recorded the first time Jesus came to this world. John tells us vividly of the second, in the Book of Revelation which Jesus instructed him to write after revealing to him the things that must happen. Jesus will come to fulfill the rest of Isaiah’s prophesy.
On His person and on His robe will be emblazoned the titles “King of kings” and “Lord of lords”. And this time He will come looking like the Messiah the Jewish people expected all along. This time He will come to conquer, and to judge. He will bring along the armies of heaven, but they will be mostly for show. Because Jesus will dispatch all the foes of God simply by speaking the word of God.
The world will be judged, and all within it. All will be judged, including we who believe. But we will be saved, and spared a horrible fate, for we have been washed clean by the blood of Jesus, the spotless Lamb, slain as a sacrifice once for all time in propitiation for our sins. Those who rejected Jesus will suffer greatly. The wicked will be crushed under the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of our Almighty God!
Believers will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Non-believers will be forever separated from God, and from His mercy. This is the second advent of Jesus, which we await.
So let’s enjoy this Advent season as we prepare to celebrate Christmas and all the gifts and meals and yes, even the football games. But let’s not forget the true meaning, both of Advent and of Christmas. Jesus came once, to offer the world salvation. He is coming again, to judge the world.
Prepare for the observed anniversary of His first coming by decorating our homes and trees. Prepare for His second coming by cleaning our hearts of sinful ways. For He is coming again, and it may be soon.
In the blessed name of Jesus Christ, our Master and our Savior. Amen.
Let us pray… Father God, You sent Your own Son to live among us, to teach us Your Truth, to take our punishment and to die on our behalf so that we might not suffer eternal death. Thank You, Father, for so beautiful a gift. Thank You for Your great love and mercy. Help us, please Father, to prepare our hearts for the second coming of Jesus, even as we celebrate His first coming at His birth. Forgive us when we get all wrapped up with worldly commercialism and forget the true meaning of the season. Help us remember Your promise to the world.
Please hear us now, Father, as we silently speak to You straight from our hearts, thanking You for Your many blessings, repenting of our disobedience, seeking Your forgiveness…
Lord Jesus, You came to us just as the prophets foretold, sharing God’s love with a weary world. And some sweet day You will come again, this time to judge the world You tried to save. Help us, Lord Jesus, to look past the bright decorations and see the truth. Help us to prepare for Your second coming even as we celebrate the first.
This we pray in Your glorious name, Lord Jesus Christ, our Master and our Savior, the one true Son of God, in whom we place all our hope, all our trust, all our faith. Amen.
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