First Week of Advent Sermon 28th November 2021

First Week of Advent Sermon 28th November 2021 (draft)

 Dear People of God,

Today is the week of Advent, Advent is the start of the Christian year. The word ''Advent'' comes from the Latin word ''Adventus" which means ''coming'' or ''arrival'. Advent is a time for preparation and expectation of the Second coming of Jesus. The priests will be using ''Blue'' Color symbolizing ''Hope'', as Jesus said ''they will see the Son of Man, coming in a cloud with power and great glory''

Our theme for today is ''Waiting with hope for the branch of David''

i would like to divide the theme into 3 parts, 1.WATCH 2.WAIT 3.WONDER

In our Christian life Watching and waiting are two important qualities. Jesus said to this disciples ''Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation'' Matthew 26;41

There are many bible verses about waiting, Psalm 27;14 "Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord, for the Lord is a God of Justice, Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.''

Watching and waiting are part and parcel of our Christian journey. During this season of advent we are watching and waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. When we explore our readings it speaks about coming. 

The 1st reading Jeremiah 33:14-16 says, 

''14 “The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah.15 “‘In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land.16 In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it[a] will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.’ 

This biblical verse speaks about the coming of a child, coming of a savior, coming of an Emmanuel. The 1st coming of God is a coming of weakness, God comes in a night as a baby not as a rich powerful baby but as a weak, powerless baby. He needed help from his mother and father. Jesus came among his people as their own son. The 1st coming was a powerless coming. 

According to the Gospel reading Luke 21:25-36, Jesus speaks of his Second coming, This Second coming is very powerful and fearful, '' There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

The 1st coming was very weak and powerless but the second coming will be powerful, as Jesus says ''At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.'

My dear brothers, sisters and parents we will have to prepare ourselves for the second coming. 

Second coming of Jesus is a very important topic to discuss and ponder. Our lives should be a pleasing sacrifice to the Lord, The judgement day is a very serious thing, we should be ready. We are waiting to God by the way we should prepare ourselves for God's return.

Jesus says, ''Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” 

We are coming closer to another year end, Jesus says watch and pray. Dear friends during this time we have to examine ourselves, 

How is my Life? 

How is my Attitudes?

How is my Prayer life?

Am i truly connected to God?

Am I helping others who are in need?

We have to examine ourselves while watching the signs of time. 

In this season of advent, we should focus ourselves for the coming of Christ. 

FOCUS is important - I would like to share a story with you all, there was once a 100m sprinter called Leroy Burrel, he was faster than anyone. Presently we call Usian Bolt as the fastest person on the planet, during the 90's Leroy was the fastest person. He was ready for a world championship race. He is on the start line and looking around, he knows he is the best. The referee blew the whistle, Burell burst out of the block and he was leading coming up to the finishing line. And as he comes towards the finishing line he panics and he wonders where everyone else is?

So he looked sideways and as he looked sideways 3 runners ran past him and he finished 4th. His focus missed and he became the 4th, he missed his world championship because of losing his focus.    

Dear friends in Christ,

Keep your eyes fixed in Jesus 

Keep your eyes focus in Jesus 

Watch, Wait, For the wonder Jesus Christ, 

May God bless you all Have a meaningful advent.