The Message for Nov 13, 2016
Luke 21: 5-19
He’s coming… Be Cautious, Be Prepared, Be Assured
Rob Miller, Pastor
Our topic this morning can be seen an obstacle or an opportunity. It’s something that can frighten people. It can cause people to do weird things. Some people try to predict it. Other people will be caught off guard when it finally happens. We are talking about the second coming of Christ.
He’s coming… so be cautious, be prepared, be assured.
Our faith is based on the belief that Jesus will come again. And yet, no one really knows when. Even Jesus says in Mark’s Gospel, “But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13:32)
Even Jesus doesn’t know when he’s coming again. That’s because he doesn’t need to know. He’s not worried that he doesn’t know. If Jesus doesn’t know and he isn’t worried then we shouldn’t be either! Listen to how Luke puts it in our assigned gospel reading for today…
Luke 21:5-19
WOW… There is a lot going on in this text. We say that he’s coming… So we need to be cautious, prepared, and rest assured.
I wonder how many people really don’t give much thought about or really care about Jesus coming again. It’s probably not on most people’s radar.
Consider this cute story:
The devil was planning to destroy the world. So he called his team together and asked for their advice. Anger spoke up and said that he would set brother against brother and sister against sister. Lust said that he would replace love and turn people into yearning beasts. Greed advocated a passion for turning lose all the covetous cravings of the soul.
Gluttony, Envy, and Jealousy each took their turn and made their suggestions to the devil. Each little devil presented a plan for destroying the world.
The devil was not satisfied though. Finally the last one came and said, “I will tell people about God and what God wants them to do. I will encourage them to follow the plans and purposes of God.”
The devil was aghast at such talk but then the little devil went on to say, “However, I will also tell them there is no hurry. They should just wait until tomorrow. Don’t start anything until things are more favorable.”
The devil laughed and said, “You are the one I choose to go to earth and destroy it. You shall be called – Procrastination.”
Procrastination - the act of delaying or postponing something…
Why put off till tomorrow… what you should have done yesterday… do it today… This is day one of the rest of your life. So what are you going to do with it today?
Someday Jesus will come again, will you be ready for him or will he pass you by? Jesus says a lot of weird life-changing things will happen before he comes again. We are living in some weird life-changing times.
In verse 8 – we are told - there will be false messiahs who claim to be our savior – don’t follow them… don’t even listen to them…
In verse 9 – we’re told - there will be wars and destruction all around the world but that is not the end… there is more to come…
In verse 10 – we read - nation will be against nation and so too will kingdoms be against kingdoms…
In Verse 11 – there will be earthquakes and starvation and massive sickness…
But before all that happens we read in verse 12 – Christians will be persecuted and tortured and thrown in prison all because of Jesus…
In essence Jesus is saying that when you see these things happen be cautious, be prepared, be assured. Don’t get caught up in all the hype – Jesus says. Instead live by faith share your faith and don’t worry about what you are going to say -- be open to the words that the spirit will give you at that time. Share the good news that God is still in charge.
When all these weird things happen in the world we are to remain faithful… God is in charge and Jesus is king. There is no other.
I was at the dentist this past week to get an old filling replaced. The dentist and I were talking about how weird the world is right now. Then he asked me if I ever speak politically from the pulpit. “No!” I said. “The pulpit is not the place to speak political. The pulpit is the place to speak about the good news of Jesus.” “Good!” He said… “I’m glad to hear that…”
We certainly find ourselves living in some weird and life-changing times…
I do a lot of reading and from time to time I read a blog by Carey Nieuwhof. Carey is a pastor, author, blogger, and is committed to helping churches be the church in this ever-changing world of ours. Carey writes:
There’s no doubt something fundamental is changing before our eyes. Unquestionably, things will never quite be the same again. If anything, this recent election has confused Christians as to how to respond. Often, the suggested responses are political. I’d like to take a different approach.
Me too… Carey offers four suggestions for churches to keep in mind as we enter this new world of ours.
- Regardless of your political views, see this as a season of opportunity.
Carey says - Some people see the defeat of their presidential candidate as a defeat for the Gospel. Others see the election of a candidate as a validation of the Gospel.
I don’t see it either way. Instead… what if… what if we see this as a great opportunity for us to show our unchurched friends and our unchurched neighbors how the church culture is different from the political culture?
That’s why I am willing to talk about this sensitive subject with you here this morning. It’s on all pf our hearts and minds - is it not? Now… I am not promoting a political agenda. I am promoting Jesus’ agenda.
I love how Carey puts it -- Our salvation doesn’t come from a political party - it comes from a cross. Can I have an - Amen?
He continues… Political solutions are always partial anyway. They can never heal the soul. That’s the work of Jesus and his church. How true!
We have an incredible opportunity to be the church and promote a different agenda. That brings us to Carey’s second suggestion…
- Be the church
It’s a great time for us to be the church. In our Lutheran tribe we are not associated with any particular political party. Some church tribes are – we are not. That’s why you will not hear me promoting a political agenda when I preach. You will hear me promoting a Jesus agenda. That’s what it means for us to be the church.
Jesus’ agenda is our agenda. We have no other agenda. That means being the church then is a personal thing. You don’t go to church… you are the church wherever you go.
Consider this: the church is not something you attend or something you agree with, it’s something you are. You bring it home, you bring it to work, you bring it to your friends, you bring it to your neighbors. You are the church wherever you go -- which means you bring the faith, hope, and love that is ours in Christ Jesus with you wherever you go.
Carey says - Authentic, grace-filled, hope-bearing, truthful people is what our country needs right now more than ever. Can I have another – Amen? Can the church deliver? You bet we can. That brings us to Carey’s third suggestion.
- Foster a genuine friendship with someone who is completely different than you
That’s what the church looks like. That’s what makes the church unique. We respect our differences. I am amazed at what I learn from people who are different than me. I not only learn about them - I learn about myself. And sometimes I don’t like what I learn about myself. And I have to deal with it. And I grow and mature as I do.
We humans like to surround ourselves with people who look, and sound, and believe exactly like we do. And if they don’t – we dismiss them. And that’s too bad…
What if... what if you developed three genuine friendships with people who are different than you -- someone of a different color, different socio-economic status, different belief system, different marital status, or even different sexual orientation…
Recently I met someone who fits all those characteristics. And I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to learn and grow during our time together this past year…
If you think that’s scandalous consider this. Jesus spent a lot of time doing exactly that… Hanging out with people who were different. Why? Because his agenda was about saving the world, not about saving himself. That brings us to Carey’s fourth suggestion…
- Start confessing and stop blaming
It’s easy for us to be negative and blame someone, anyone, especially politicians for the mess we find ourselves in. We create a bigger problem when we assign blame instead of assume responsibility.
Carey says… Confession bridges the gap between blame and responsibility.
What do you need to confess today? Who have you hurt? Who do you hate? Who have you mistreated? What if… what if you apologized to them today… Don’t wait till tomorrow. Do it today.
On the other hand -- who do you need to forgive today? Who hurt you who mistreated you that you need to forgive? You will be a much happier person… tomorrow… if you can forgive today.
We say that our children are watching the politicians and learning from them. News flash - our children are watching us more closely than they’re watching any politician. So let’s watch what we say and do so that we reflect Jesus’ agenda. Let’s take our personal sins seriously. And let’s do something about them before it’s too late.
We are forgiven sinners. Let’s live like it… Why? because he’s coming and no one knows when. It might even be today.
Closing story
A father and his boy of 8 and girl of 10 all good swimmers went for a swim one summer day off the New Jersey seashore. When some distance from shore, they became separated and the father realized that they were being carried out to sea by the tide. He called to the girl: “Mary, your brother and I are going for help. If you get tired, turn on your back. You can float all day on your back. I’ll come back for you.”
Before long, there were half a dozen boats searching for the little girl. Four hours later, they found her far from shore. She was calmly swimming on her back and not frightened at all. She simply stated, “Daddy said he would come for me and that I could float all day, so I swam and floated on my back because I knew he would come.”
He’s coming… Jesus is coming for you and for me so be cautious, be ready, be assured. Amen.