Sermon -- 1st Sunday of Advent (November 28, 2021)

LUKE 21:25-36

THE LORD WILL COME.  KEEP WATCH.

In the name + of Jesus.

     Every generation makes the same assessment: “I can’t imagine the world getting any worse than it already is.”  Previous generations said it, and they all had their reasons—depression, plague, dust bowl, World War, atomic bombs, and so on.  Add to that the continual warnings about pollution, global climate change, increased wildfires, and intense weather.  You can debate what is the cause of these things or the sanity of the proposed solutions, but the increase in the destructive elements on earth seems to be true.  I don’t know if the world is actually getting worse, or if the 24-hour news cycle makes us more aware of what has always been a mess.  In either case, the world is a place filled with many evils, and it all gives us a lot to pray about.

     Jesus has told you about these things in advance; so you should not be surprised by them.  Bothered by them?  Sure.  We are grieved by much of what we witness going on.  Who wouldn’t be?  But do not get the idea that the decline and the decay of the world mean that God has lost control.  His forewarning is proof that he is in control.  He told you these things would happen.  But Jesus also gives you this instruction: Keep watch.  The world will pass away, but the Lord will come again, so keep watch.

     The big question then is this: What are you watching?  What are you paying attention to?  The magicians Penn and Teller gave an instruction course on how to do sleight of hand tricks.  As Penn was juggling three balls, he commented, “This is not juggling; this is distraction.”  He gets you to focus on Penn, the juggler, and not on Teller, the trickster.  Many of the people and events we pay attention to are often distractions.  Granted, they have some degree of importance, but you notice that Christians do not gather to break down issues with economics, with the environment, with terrorism, with law and order, with racism, and so on.  Politicians will play on these when it is convenient to score points with them.  These are not useless, but neither do they save anyone; and they take our attention away from the word of the Lord which actually does save.  Everything else will pass away.  If you become distracted by worldly matters, you will pass away with them.  Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Luke 21:33).  That is your only hope, but it is a sure hope.  The Lord will come.  Keep watch.

     In St. Luke’s gospel, Jesus depicts the entire creation beginning to unravel.  “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world.  For the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Luke 21:25-26).  This kind of warning is unnerving for anyone.  This goes beyond concern for the economy, for the environment, or for ecosystems.  This is the entire created order falling apart.  And if it does, where can we go?

     If everything you love and care about is worldly, there can be no more terrifying news that hearing that the world will fall apart.  Action films and sci-fi films often depict natural disasters that threaten to wipe out entire cities, nations, and even the whole world.  The happy ending is that some people manage to find a way to limit the damage or to escape the carnage.  On the one hand, it demonstrates a strong desire for people to live even through suffering.  On the other hand, it also shows people want to save this world or their life in it.  So, if losing the world is the greatest threat, Jesus’ words of warning are terrible news, indeed.

     But dear friends in Christ, these words are not bad news for you.  You have already known the bad news which is the reason for the end of the world and the judgment of mankind.  The bad news is that this world fell under judgment almost as soon as God had created it.  “Sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned” (Romans 5:12).  Because of sin, we continue to be influenced and led astray by our wallet, our stomach, our groin, and our ego.  Even though Christ has redeemed us, we are still drawn back to our sins.  If we do not remove them from our lives, they will take root in us and ensnare us all over again.  Therefore, keep watch of that!  It is because of sin that judgment is coming upon the world.  The Lord will come; keep watch.

     Of course, sin and death affected more than just mankind.  Everything fell under the curse of sin.  The Bible reminds us, “The creation was subjected to futility” (Romans 8:20).  The destructive forces of nature are nothing new.  We do not need to be alarmed if they grow more frequent and more intense because Jesus told us what to make of these things: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.  As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near.  So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near” (Luke 21:29-31).  Those who do not listen to Jesus will panic at these things.  You do not need to.  On the contrary, you can actually regard these things as good news.  For, Jesus told you: “When these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28).  The Lord will come.  Keep watch!

     Jesus blesses you with sweet comfort and assurance.  He tells you that your redemption is drawing near.  One the one hand, Jesus has already taken care of your redemption.  He has redeemed you a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won you from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver, but with his holy, precious blood and with his innocent sufferings and death.  Jesus’ redemption means that your sins have been pardoned; the debt has been paid.  Jesus’ redemption means that death has received its wages; the Son of God was given into death for you.  But death could not hold him in.  Jesus lives and reigns, and now death submits to him.  Jesus’ redemption means that the devil cannot hold your sins against you.  The Accuser must be silent; for Jesus lives to decree forgiveness of your sins.  Your redemption was accomplished by Jesus’ death and resurrection.

     But a further redemption is coming.  The Lord does not treat us as our sins deserve, but we still have sins we contend with.  We still have a sinful world which produces frustration, pain, loss, sorrow, violence, and death.  Oh, how we long to be free of these things!  Keep watch!  The Lord will come with your final redemption.  The corrupted world will be made new.  And you will be renewed to live without sin.  You will not be pestered by temptations or disappointed that you have failed to live the life you want to.  You will never have reason to be ashamed of your behavior or regret a word spoken in anger.  You will be perfected in glory and delivered to a world perfected in glory.  The Lord will come again, and you will bid Farewell to a world and a life that is full of sorrow, pain, rejection, stress, and death.

     The Lord will come.  Keep watch.  And make sure that you are keeping watch on the right things.  Jesus let you know that the natural disturbances are coming.  You don’t need to worry about those.  But he tells you what you do need to pay attention to: “Watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.  For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth.  But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:34-36)

     The Lord will come; keep watch so that you do not get distracted or deceived by worldly concerns or fears.  Jesus noted that many people deal with their worries, fears, and stress by intoxication.  Not knowing how to deal with the problems that overwhelm them, they try to find an escape through a drunken stupor.  Of course, mind-altering substances do not take any problems away.  They prevent you from actually addressing the problem.

     Jesus tells you how to address the worries, fears, and stress you have.  He tells you to call upon him in prayer and to pay attention to his words.  Your salvation will not be altered by tidal waves, by biological warfare, or by cosmic disturbances.  Your place in the kingdom of God is not changed by stress or hardship.  You are a child of God even with depression, dementia, or a mental disorder.  You don’t need to worry about these things.  Let God worry about them; he is in control anyway.  What will threaten your faith is if you stop paying attention to the word of the Lord.  Your salvation can be lost if you give yourself over to the sins you find so attractive.  So, keep watch against these things.

     Satan wants to make every sin look good and good for you.  Satan might even promise you the world.  But even if he does remember: “Heaven and earth will pass away” (Luke 21:33).  Everything that sin promises you ends up in death.  But if you are listening to the word of the Lord, you will not be deceived by the devil’s cunning arguments.  The Lord is your refuge in times of trial and tribulation and death.  For, Jesus lives and reigns over all things.  If you are in his care, you are truly safe.  So, keep watch.  The Lord will come.

     “But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36).  The fact is that all people will have to stand before the Son of Man.  If it is your practice to flee to Jesus Christ now, you will rejoice to see him when he comes again in glory.  You will lift up your head in joy to see the Savior who has rescued you from all divine wrath and punishment.  The Lord will come.  Keep watch for him.

     I can’t imagine the world getting any worse than it already is.  Maybe it will.  Who knows?  But the kingdom of God is in great shape.  Jesus lives and reigns and works all things for your eternal good.  He assures you, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Luke 21:33).  So keep watch.  Be vigilant.  And finally, rejoice.  Your redemption is drawing nigh.  The Lord will come.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.