Waiting First Sunday of Advent Pastor Lyle L. Wahl December 2, 2012 Introduction The countdown to Christmas begins on this first day of Advent, and so we are taking a break from our series in James until after Christmas. People have made or purchased Advent Calendars since the 19 th century. The calendars usually start on December 1. They often are made of paper, cardboard, or wood. They take the shape of nativity scenes, model houses, Christmas scenes, trains and sleighs. Each of the 24 doors opens to reveal a verse, chocolate, or other prizes. Advent Calendars took a quantum leap when Porsche Design introduced what they called The World s Most Exclusive Advent Calendar. Only five of the brushed aluminum, 1.65 meters or 5' 5" tall calendars were made. Behind each of the 24 lit windows is a Porsche Design surprise, including cuff links, pens and sunglasses dipped in 18-karat gold. Then there a couple of big surprises, such as certificates for a full Porsche Design kitchen worth about $200,000 and an even more expensive 8.5 meter or 24' 10" long motor yacht. The price? $1 M., plus tax. 1 That is far removed from the earliest Advent Calendars and has no real relationship to Advent. One of challenges of counting down to Christmas is waiting. Waiting can be a nervous, exciting roller coaster ride. Children often find it hard to wait. They ask, How many days until Christmas? as they eagerly wait to unwrap or, perhaps better, tear open their presents. Waiting also can be a boring, patience-testing ordeal. Waiting for someone to do something he promised to do a long time ago, waiting in a long line during Midnight Madness. When it comes to the Bible s teaching on waiting for Christ, the emphasis is not so much on the emotion or excitement as it is on expecting and being ready for His coming. Waiting is one of the challenges of Advent. Waiting, counting down to the day when we celebrate the birth of Christ in a special way. That s what we are going to look at today, waiting. We will look at it by working through three questions.
Waiting For What? The first question is What. What are we waiting for? What is Advent waiting about? Advent and Christmas are about the coming of Jesus the Savior, the One who could and did save us from our sins. Adam and Eve became sinners when they disobeyed God. That changed their nature. They not only sinned, they became sinners. Their children and their descendants, including us, were born with the same sinful nature. 2 We cannot change that nature by sincerity, sacrifice, devotion, good behavior or works. The apostle Paul tells us we are slaves to sin from birth. 3 So, everyone needs to be saved from sinfulness and sin and brought into life and fellowship with God. We need to be saved. We need a Savior. The first promise of God for a Savior is found in Genesis 3:15 in His judgment on Satan for tempting Adam and Eve. God said to Satan, who had used the body of a serpent for the temptation, I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel. In this first statement of judgment in the Bible there is also the first statement of hope for sinful people, the first rays of God s grace to sinful people. This was fulfilled at the cross. In His death Christ suffered the bruise on the heel, but also delivered the bruise on the head, the fatal blow of judgment on Satan, and victory for people seeking God. Satan thought he had won control of the human family. God the Sovereign said No! God the Sovereign said I will provide a way for them to return to me. I will provide a Savior. Moving forward through the Old Testament, we find God made many promises of the coming Savior through the prophets. Let s consider some highlights from two prophets. First, Isaiah. We can begin in chapter 9, as we read earlier. The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them (2). And, For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this (6-7). In chapters 52 and 53 he describes God s Servant, the Savior. 2
He would not come to save with a stately, majestic form in order that people would not be attracted to Him by external appearances (53:2). Indeed, as He suffered for us and our sins, he would be marred more than any man (52:14). Christ, God s Servant, bore our griefs, carried our sorrows, was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities (53:4-5). By His scourging we are healed (53:6). God the Father crushed Him, put Him to grief to be a burnt offering for us (53:10). Because Christ came as promised through Isaiah, we have salvation from our sins and life forever with God. Because He is coming again to rule, people will see what it is like to live under the gracious and holy rule of God on earth. The prophet Zechariah might not be as familiar to us. He wrote around 520 BC., encouraging the Israelites who had returned from captivity in Babylon to complete the work of rebuilding the Temple. There are more prophecies about Christ in his book than any other in the Old Testament except Isaiah. Zechariah speaks of God s servant the Branch in chapter 3 as Isaiah did. He gave us the shout of joy in chapter 9 that is often cited on Palm Sunday. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey (9). And chapter 13 opens with that gracious, wonderful promise of a fountain for cleansing from sin and impurity. The fountain available because Christ came, gave His life, shed His blood for sin on Calvary. What are we waiting for? To celebrate the fulfillment of God s many promises that the Savior would come. To celebrate the birth of Christ, the Messiah, the Savior. Waiting For How Long? Now let s look at the second question about waiting. How long do we have to wait? How long did people wait for God to fulfill His word? We can look at the calendar and count 23 more days until Christmas. That might not seem too long for most of us. It might seem not long enough for some who have more on their To-Do and Want-To-Do lists than they can cram into 23 days. But what about the bigger picture? The wait for the Savior in human history was very, very long. The clock began ticking, people began waiting, when God gave that first promise in Genesis 3:15. Adam and Eve 3
obviously did not live to see its fulfilment. We don t know how long ago Adam and Eve lived. We do know that many, many, many generations lived and died waiting for God to fulfill the promise. They like we could be saved by faith in God and His truth as He had revealed it, but they did not see, they could not look back to the fulfillment as we can. How long was the wait? Until Christ came. How could, why did the people of Israel keep waiting for so long? They waited because they had hope. God had promised. They trusted Him. God and His promises gave them hope. You may recall the mining accident in Chile a few years ago. People all around the world followed the situation of 33 miners trapped 2,300 feet below ground. It took 69 long, trying days for all the miners to be rescued safely, but people kept on waiting because they had hope. There was contact with the miners. Food and water were sent down to the men. The rescue plan was being carried out. Abraham lived over 2,000 years before Christ. Israel came from him. Over 2,000 years of waiting in hope for God to fulfill His promises of the Messiah. Chapter 11 in the New Testament book of Hebrews gives us many examples of Old Testament believers who had hope because of their faith in God and His promises. The writer tells us, Later he concludes, All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. (13) all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect. (39-40) The true, final, perfect object and fulfillment of faith is Jesus Christ, the Savior. When we look at the time when Jesus was born, Luke tells us about a man named Simeon. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would live to see the Lord s Christ, the Lord s Messiah. When Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus to the Temple, Luke records that Simeon took [Jesus] into his arms, and blessed God, and said, Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a Light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel. (2:28-32) He was waiting, he kept waiting until God fulfilled His promise. 4
Moving ahead to right after Christ s crucifixion, Joseph from Arimathea went to Pilate and asked permission to take Jesus body from the cross for burial. Luke describes Joseph as a good and righteous man who was waiting for the kingdom of God (22:50-51). Down through history, from Adam and Eve to the time Jesus came, people of faith were waiting. Never underestimate the faith of those fellow saints. Let their example inspire, encourage you to keep on trusting, to keep on waiting for God to fulfill all His promises to you, even when you wait and wait, day after day, year after year. Waiting For Us? Now we come to the third question what does waiting mean for us in this Advent season? The first, and very obvious part, is waiting to celebrate Christ s birth, His first coming to earth. The accounts in Matthew and Luke s Gospels are as beautiful and precious as they are familiar. In the fullness of time, at God s perfect time, all those promises began to be fulfilled. Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit. She submitted to and rejoiced in God s plan and grace to her, even though she could not comprehend it. Joseph listened to and obeyed God and did not abandon Mary, even though he could not understand all of this. Jesus was born in a shed or corral in Bethlehem, with a feeding trough as his first bed. An angel announced His birth, and a huge host of angels lit up the skies as they raised their voices in praising God. The shepherds came to see him and, some time later, magi from the east came and worshiped Him. God the Son, the true Light, came into the world to be the Savior, our Savior, the Savior of all who believe in Him. He gives us the right to become children of God by the will and grace of God. 4 Question: What are you waiting for, looking forward to in this season? Yes, the sights and sounds, the decorations and delights, the gatherings and gifts can have their place. But if that is what you are really waiting for, I need to tell you that you are missing the point, you are missing the purpose of Advent and Christmas. Check your priorities and purpose for this season. Let me suggest that you don t count down but count up to Christmas this year. Each day focus on one aspect, one truth of God s promises of the Savior, His birth, life, death and resurrection and what these truths give and mean to you. You could start with the prophecies from Isaiah and Zechariah that are listed on the sermon outline sheet. Start with one today and then add another one each day. If your memory is like mine, you might want to right them down. Keep on adding up, counting up the beautiful truths until you have counted up to Christmas, to celebrating Christ s birth. A special word to parents: teach your children, show your children about waiting in these weeks leading up to Christmas, waiting to celebrate Jesus birth and also for His coming again. 5
In addition to waiting to celebrate Christ s first coming, Advent is a time of waiting for, anticipating His second coming. While we should always be anticipating Christ s return, praying with the Apostle John, Come, Lord Jesus, 5 this season is a great time to sharpen that anticipation. There are different views of the Bible s teaching about Christ s return, but the Bible makes it clear He is coming again. Jesus promised He would return. John 14 records Jesus saying, Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. (1-3) In the first chapter of Acts Luke records Jesus ascending back to heaven. His disciples were squinting up into the sky even after He was out of sight. Then two angels came and told them, Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven. (11) The apostle Paul tells us, For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep [i.e., died]. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. 6 Paul told Timothy that a reward, a crown of righteousness will be given to believers who love Christ s appearing, who are waiting for, looking for it. 7 Here is where the But come in. Yes, Yes, some say, But the church has been waiting for almost 2,000 years and Christ still hasn t returned! Others think, That s doctrine for pastors and teachers. It really isn t important or practical for me today. Turn in your Bible to 1 John chapter 2. Verse 28, Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His 6
coming. 29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him. Christ is coming again. He could come at any time. So abide in Him stay in touch with Him, draw your strength, priorities and goals from Him, obey Him. Why? So you will not be ashamed, but glad when He comes. Now look ahead to verse 2 in chapter 3. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. Having our hope set on, being focused on, expecting Christ s return will lead us to do our part in living pure and holy lives. Now that s practical! We will want Him to find us doing our best, growing in being like Him, not giving ourselves to the things and way of this world. Because we know, as the apostle Peter wrote, the day of the Lord will come like a thief it will come unexpectedly, quickly. 8 Advent is a time to wait, to sharpen our focus, deepen our commitment to pray Come, Lord Jesus and to be holy, godly people now, and always as we live, serve and wait. 9 Conclusion. Advent is a time of waiting. We are all waiting, looking for, hoping for something. My prayer is that we all will be waiting, looking for, hoping for a God-honoring, joy-filled celebration of Christ s birth and a life-transforming anticipation of His return. You may know C.S. Lewis words, Aim at Heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither. 10 Let me do a take off on that: Aim at waiting for the celebration of Christ s birth this season and you will get true delight in all the other aspects of Christmas thrown in. Aim at any of the other aspects of Christmas and you get neither. Talk with God about this now. Thank Him for His love that drew salvation s plan and power that fulfilled the plan. Thank Him that by His will and grace you are His child through faith in Jesus Christ. Make a commitment to count up to Christmas as you keep praying Come, Lord Jesus. 7
1 The World s Most Exclusive Advent Calendar. <http://press.porsche-design.com/index.php?id= 150&L=1&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=209&cHash=ecb68117c81b9308f5695a08d5cf97c6>. 20 September 2010. Accessed 20 November 2012. 2 e.g., Romans 5:12, 15-19; Ephesians 2:3. 3 e.g., Romans 6:6, 17-20. 4 John 1:9-13; Ephesians 2:8-10. 5 Revelation 22:20. 6 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18. 7 2 Timothy 4:8. 8 2 Peter 3:10. 9 2 Peter 3:11-13. 10 C.S. Lewis. Mere Christianity. New York: HarperSanFranciso, 2001, page 134. 2012 Lyle L. Wahl Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. 8