Something Is About To Happen

Something Is About To Happen

Focusing Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9

1 Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you! 2 As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you!

3 For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you.

4 Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

5 You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways. But when we continued to sin against them you were angry. How then can we be saved? 6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. 7 No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us and made us waste away because of our sins.

8 Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. 9 Do not be angry beyond measure, O LORD; do not remember our sins forever. Oh, look upon us, we pray, for we are all your people.

NIV

Sermon Text: Mark 13:24-37

24 "But in those days, following that distress, "’the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’

26 "At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

28 "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

32 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

35 "Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back-whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ’Watch!’"

NIV

As we enter this year’s advent season, I’m sure each of us are preparing for the many festivities and celebrations that come this time of year. I trust that your Thanksgiving was as joyful as it was grateful. I’m sure your thoughts are turning toward Christmas and decorations – presents and carols. This morning we will also begin our focus on the reason for the season as we Rediscover Christmas.

Our text is an unusual one for advent, but one wrought with hope.

Context: Jesus is giving His Olivet discourse just before He goes to the cross. He is laying out for the listener the signs that mark the end of the age and the promise of His return in power and glory.

I. Hear the message – He is coming

a. Mary and Joseph were told of His coming

i. Mt. 1:20&21 – Joseph is told that Mary will give birth to Jesus and he will save his people from their sins

ii. Lk. 1:26-35 – Mary is told that she will bring forth the Son of God

b. The shepherds in the field were told of His coming

i. Lk. 2:8-15 – The shepherds are told by a host of angels that they will find the promise of God fulfilled in a manger in Bethlehem

c. The Magi from the east were told of His coming

i. The kings from the east followed the light of a bright star all the way to the manger that held the King of kings and the Lord of lords.