Living With Expectant Hope

“Stay Awake: Living with Expectant Hope”

Mark 13:24-37

Imagine it’s a dark and stormy night. Rain is pounding against your windows, and thunder rolls in the distance. You’ve just settled into a deep sleep when there’s a loud knock at the door. Startled you sit up, heart pounding, who could be banging on the door at this hour? You scramble to the door as panic sets in. You’re unprepared for who it might be—the house is a mess, you’re in your pajamas, and you have no idea what to expect.

As you stand at that door, unprepared and uncertain, you realize the feeling is more than just about a late-night knock. It’s a mirror of how life can catch us off guard when we’re spiritually unready. And the words of Jesus in Mark 13 come alive: 'Be on guard! Stay awake!' Advent asks us to confront the question—are we truly prepared for His return?"

Advent is a season of preparation and waiting, not just for the celebration of Christmas but for the return of Christ. In our scripture today, Jesus calls us to wake up, watch, and work as we live with expectant hope.

Point 1: Wake Up to the Signs (Mar 13 Verses 24-27) “At that time, after the anguish of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory. And he will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.

Jesus paints a vivid picture of dramatic cosmic upheaval:

The sun will be darkened.

The moon won’t give its light.

Stars will fall from the sky, and the heavens will be shaken.

This isn’t meant to terrify us but to wake us up! Jesus is saying, “Pay attention—God’s plan is unfolding!” His return will be unmistakable: the Son of Man will come with great power and glory, gathering His people from every corner of the earth.

But here’s the challenge: in today’s world, we’re surrounded by distractions that dull our spiritual senses. It’s easy to miss God’s presence and activity in our lives. Advent is our wake-up call, reminding us to tune in because signs are everywhere—some subtle, some dramatic.

Think about something remarkable: the Northern Lights visible here in Mississippi! We experienced this phenomenon twice this year—in May and October. Until 2003, there were no recorded instances of this happening here in over two centuries. Some say it’s due to weather patterns or advanced camera technology, but as believers, we know who’s ultimately in control.

When we see wars, rumors of wars, lawlessness, and moral decline; when we hear of parents harming their children or vice versa, the question isn’t whether these are random occurrences or “scientific deductions.” It’s: are we paying attention to the spiritual reality behind it all?

We must remember, Satan is the author of confusion. He wants to distract us and deceive us, so that we dismiss the signs of God’s movement. Don’t fall into that trap. Wake up! Advent calls us to shake off complacency, open our eyes, and tune our hearts to God’s presence in the world—and in us.

Imagine this: You’re driving on a long trip at night. The road is dark, your eyes are heavy, and the hum of the tires lulls you into a daze. You begin to drift, ever so slightly, until suddenly—you hit a rumble strip. The loud, vibrating jolt startles you awake, and in that moment, you realize how close you were to danger.

The rumble strip isn’t there to punish you; it’s there to save you. It’s a second chance to get back on track and refocus on the road ahead.

In the same way, God places spiritual “rumble strips” in our lives. These are moments that jolt us out of complacency and remind us of His presence—moments when He calls us to repentance, moments when He renews our faith, or reminds us of His promises.

Maybe it’s a Bible verse that suddenly speaks directly to your situation, or a sermon that stirs your heart. Maybe it’s a life event that makes you stop and evaluate where you’re headed. Whatever it is, these rumble strips are God’s way of saying, “Wake up! You’re drifting. Refocus and stay on the path I’ve set for you.”

Point 2: Watch with Expectancy (Verses 28-31) “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that his return is very near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.