A THRILL OF HOPE: ANTICIPATION OF HOPE

Sermon Notes, December 2, 2018

Rev. Garry McGlinchy

Pastor Garry began the Advent season with his first sermon in the series A Thrill of HOPE: Anticipation of HOPE.  The scripture basis was Luke 21:25-36, where Jesus himself is talking about his second coming.  He used the fig tree as an example; when the trees are beginning to bud, we know spring is coming.  When the fig tree gets its leaves it’s a sign summer is coming.  The fig tree symbolizes that the Prince of Peace, the Hope of the world, the Joy of the world, the Messiah is coming!

The signs of the times herald the coming of the Messiah.  The signs of the times herald justice and redemption.  The signs of the times are often discussed with fear. We look at the second coming of Jesus with a bit of fear.  We see impending doom when we see signs of the coming of the Lord.   That’s natural— Jesus speaks in the language of the Old Testament of the Day of the Lord.  Joel 2:1-2, Amos 5:18-20 and Zechariah 1:14-15 all speak of impending doom. natural disasters, wars, all are signs of the coming of the Day of the Lord.  The Day of the Lord is a time when the enemies of God will be punished, a day of judgment for those who stand in opposition to God. 

But the Day of the Lord is also referenced in the language of mercy, and of blessing for God’s people.  We read in Isaiah 4:2-6, Joel 3:9-21, Amos 9:11-15 and Zechariah 14:6-9 about the blessings that will be bestowed on the children of God on the Day of the Lord.

The Day of the Lord Justice is not a day that those who are just and righteous should fear.  It is a day that should be embraced. Justice is only scary to those who have acted in unjust ways.  The themes of the Old Testament texts seem to be about justice.  We approach these texts with fear, but fear is not meant to be the way of existence for the people of God.  Redemption is about hope, not fear.  Jesus’ words are about redemption, not condemnation.  They are meant to bring us hope and joy and to uplift us.

The signs are not meant to bring destruction, but restoration and renewal.  Verse 28 of Luke 21 says to lift up your heads, because our redemption is drawing near.  This is good news!  Redemption is coming!

Advent is about the coming of the Christ, the HOPE of redemption.   He came in an unexpected way.  He came in as a baby, but they were expecting a mighty warrior to free them from foreign oppression.  He didn’t come to destroy empires politically.  Instead He sought to build God’s Kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven, with love and mercy.  He came to do that, through us, in His way.

Justice doesn’t mean annihilation for revenge.  Justice means making things right.

In all the busyness of the Christmas season, it is easy to miss the now-ness of the Messiah.  Fear signs have been going on since the beginning of recorded history.  So has redemption.  Restoration and renewal is happening right now.  Summer is coming.  Look for glimpses—you’ll see the signs that Jesus is coming.  We look to his second coming in hope.  We look forward to all things being made new even as they are being made new now.

Be people of hope.  Share hope.  See, feel, and share hope.