First Sunday Of Advent
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII Cycle C
Seasonal Theme
The joyful anticipation and preparation for the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem and into our hearts as well.
Theme For The Day
The anticipation of Jeremiah, Paul, and Jesus in the coming of the kingdom in our midst.
Old Testament Lesson
Jeremiah 33:14-16
A Righteous Branch
This is Jeremiah as messianic prophecy -- he is anticipating the chosen descendant of David to come and gain back the Judean Kingdom. When he does restore it, there will be justice again (see Isaiah 11:3-44). "Righteous branch" simply says it will be out of the lineage of David. The promise will be kept. You can look forward to it.
New Testament Lesson
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Paul's Prayers For The Thessalonians
Paul is writing to a congregation he started in Thessalonica. The city was built in 315 B.C. by Cassander and named for his wife. It became a great free city and is now named Salonika and has a population of 70,000. When Paul brought Christianity there it was a key day for its becoming a worldwide religion. From there Christianity spread east. You can read about Paul's time there in Acts 17:1-10.
Paul writes to the Thessalonians that he is praying for the following:
1. That they may increase in their love for each other.
2. That they (and Paul) might be blameless before God when Jesus returns.
3. That he might somehow return to see them again. Verse 13 can be used as a benediction or perhaps a prayer at the conclusion of the sermon.
The Gospel
Luke 21:25-36
Be Alert And Watch
The main emphasis of Advent comes through in this passage as Jesus admonishes the people to be "on the alert" and be "on guard." We must not live our Christian lives half asleep -- we must always be ready to appear in God's presence.
We also have the Second Coming of Jesus, the Christ. We know not when, what, or where. And, I would hold out, it could be our individual deaths. Or even more thrilling -- it may have already taken place in the resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit. In that case our alertness is to spot it now in our midst as it breaks out on occasion.
The fig tree is not so hard to explain. Just like there are signs that summer is coming when it begins to sprout, so we can observe certain signs that Jesus is coming (compare 12:56).
Verses 32 and 33 are not as easy. Jesus must have seen Israel of the Old Testament being fashioned anew in his ministry. A new law of Israel was being announced by him.
Preaching Possibilities
It does seem appropriate this Sunday to print in the worship bulletin or use the first part of the sermon to teach about this being the first Sunday in the church year and the significance of Advent. A little preview of the next four Sundays could be meaningful.
A. All three readings can be used this first Sunday of Advent and of the new church year under a theme of anticipation. I will develop that further in the Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves.
B. The New Testament Reading can stand alone with an approach of what Paul prayed for then and what Paul would pray for now in our congregation: love for each other and being ready anytime for the coming again of Jesus the Christ.
C. If you do not wish to stress the Advent season, you could simply preach on "the lesson of the fig tree," verses 29-33 in Luke. Just like a tree's future and the coming of summer can be predicted by its behavior, so our lifestyle can be predicted by little signs we give off in our daily living and even in our participation (or lack of it) in the life of our congregation.
What are the daily indications that God's kingdom is near? People are able to love their enemies and turn the other cheek? The unlovely are loved anyhow? Selfish people begin to share? The timid start to witness? The lonely find companionship? And so on.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
A. Begin with a brief introduction to Advent and the new church year (see An Introduction To The Advent Season).
B. Announce that the major theme of these four weeks is anticipation for the big advent of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem and into our hearts again.
C. Move to the three readings today and how they all anticipate.
1. Old Testament (Jeremiah) -- One in the lineage of the great King David to re-establish the Judean Kingdom in Jerusalem when there will be justice again.
2. New Testament -- Paul writes how he is anticipating visiting them again and seeing their love for each other. And how they might look forward to the coming of the Christ again and that they will be ready for such an event.
3. The Gospel -- Jesus tells the people to read the signs which point to his returning. They are to anticipate it and be alert and ready anytime.
D. Move to the parable of the fig tree in Luke 21:29-33 and explain what Jesus was teaching. We can read the signs now that the kingdom is near (here) and give some examples of them.
E. Move to witnessing what all this means to you and what you are anticipating this Advent season.
1. Signs of the presence of Christ with your congregation, like loving the unlovely.
2. A renewal of the awareness of God's presence in your daily life, which will be hectic and busy.
3. A new awareness of the joy that is ours as we prepare for the birth like a couple prepares for the birth of their child.
F. Move to a metaphor or story from below.
G. Frame your sermon by giving in reverse order the truths you have proclaimed today. Wish your people a happy new church year and Advent season.
Prayer For The Day
These four weeks of Advent, dear Holy Parent, help us to prepare for your coming again in Bethlehem and in our own congregation and hearts. Give to us a joyful anticipation which rises above the busyness of the season. And help us to live on the alert that we might recognize your kingdom and presence in our midst anytime. In Christ Jesus' name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
The Dow Chemical Company in Pittsburg, California, had a leak of chlorine gas when a gasket broke in a one-inch pipe. About 75 to 80 pounds of chlorine went into the air -- not enough for a serious health risk. Yet the company and county took no chances and set off the emergency alert system. Sirens blew and a computer called all of us residents who live nearby with instructions to "shelter in place." It means to stay indoors, tape cracks, close windows and doors. In about three hours the "all clear" was sounded.
Hasn't the time come to sound the alert in our spiritual lives? Perhaps we ought "shelter in place" in our churches and then go out into the world to serve.
David Brenner on the Tonight Show told about signs he never quite understood:
1. The International House of Pancakes on their door: "We have menus in Braille."
2. A New York restaurant was even better: "For bathrooms, use the stairs."
What signs with mixed messages do we give out to people who see us practice our discipleship?
Another sign -- this one at Broadlawns Hospital in Des Moines: "If you are pregnant, inform the technologist." What are the signs of the near kingdom?
At all the professional football games, behind the goalpost is a fan holding a banner which says, "John 3:16." I would someday like to sit next to that banner bearer with a sign saying, "and 17," for it is the wonderful news that Jesus is our savior, not our judge.
There is a beautiful scene in the television movie The Scarlet and the Black, when Monsignor O'Flaherty of the Holy See in Rome finally baptized General Kaplan of the German SS after World War II. After visiting the general every week for a long time, O'Flaherty baptized his former bitter enemy in 1959. Kaplan hated the monsignor because he had helped prisoners of war escape. Only our Christian faith can turn enemies into friends like this.
The joyful anticipation and preparation for the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem and into our hearts as well.
Theme For The Day
The anticipation of Jeremiah, Paul, and Jesus in the coming of the kingdom in our midst.
Old Testament Lesson
Jeremiah 33:14-16
A Righteous Branch
This is Jeremiah as messianic prophecy -- he is anticipating the chosen descendant of David to come and gain back the Judean Kingdom. When he does restore it, there will be justice again (see Isaiah 11:3-44). "Righteous branch" simply says it will be out of the lineage of David. The promise will be kept. You can look forward to it.
New Testament Lesson
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Paul's Prayers For The Thessalonians
Paul is writing to a congregation he started in Thessalonica. The city was built in 315 B.C. by Cassander and named for his wife. It became a great free city and is now named Salonika and has a population of 70,000. When Paul brought Christianity there it was a key day for its becoming a worldwide religion. From there Christianity spread east. You can read about Paul's time there in Acts 17:1-10.
Paul writes to the Thessalonians that he is praying for the following:
1. That they may increase in their love for each other.
2. That they (and Paul) might be blameless before God when Jesus returns.
3. That he might somehow return to see them again. Verse 13 can be used as a benediction or perhaps a prayer at the conclusion of the sermon.
The Gospel
Luke 21:25-36
Be Alert And Watch
The main emphasis of Advent comes through in this passage as Jesus admonishes the people to be "on the alert" and be "on guard." We must not live our Christian lives half asleep -- we must always be ready to appear in God's presence.
We also have the Second Coming of Jesus, the Christ. We know not when, what, or where. And, I would hold out, it could be our individual deaths. Or even more thrilling -- it may have already taken place in the resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit. In that case our alertness is to spot it now in our midst as it breaks out on occasion.
The fig tree is not so hard to explain. Just like there are signs that summer is coming when it begins to sprout, so we can observe certain signs that Jesus is coming (compare 12:56).
Verses 32 and 33 are not as easy. Jesus must have seen Israel of the Old Testament being fashioned anew in his ministry. A new law of Israel was being announced by him.
Preaching Possibilities
It does seem appropriate this Sunday to print in the worship bulletin or use the first part of the sermon to teach about this being the first Sunday in the church year and the significance of Advent. A little preview of the next four Sundays could be meaningful.
A. All three readings can be used this first Sunday of Advent and of the new church year under a theme of anticipation. I will develop that further in the Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves.
B. The New Testament Reading can stand alone with an approach of what Paul prayed for then and what Paul would pray for now in our congregation: love for each other and being ready anytime for the coming again of Jesus the Christ.
C. If you do not wish to stress the Advent season, you could simply preach on "the lesson of the fig tree," verses 29-33 in Luke. Just like a tree's future and the coming of summer can be predicted by its behavior, so our lifestyle can be predicted by little signs we give off in our daily living and even in our participation (or lack of it) in the life of our congregation.
What are the daily indications that God's kingdom is near? People are able to love their enemies and turn the other cheek? The unlovely are loved anyhow? Selfish people begin to share? The timid start to witness? The lonely find companionship? And so on.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
A. Begin with a brief introduction to Advent and the new church year (see An Introduction To The Advent Season).
B. Announce that the major theme of these four weeks is anticipation for the big advent of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem and into our hearts again.
C. Move to the three readings today and how they all anticipate.
1. Old Testament (Jeremiah) -- One in the lineage of the great King David to re-establish the Judean Kingdom in Jerusalem when there will be justice again.
2. New Testament -- Paul writes how he is anticipating visiting them again and seeing their love for each other. And how they might look forward to the coming of the Christ again and that they will be ready for such an event.
3. The Gospel -- Jesus tells the people to read the signs which point to his returning. They are to anticipate it and be alert and ready anytime.
D. Move to the parable of the fig tree in Luke 21:29-33 and explain what Jesus was teaching. We can read the signs now that the kingdom is near (here) and give some examples of them.
E. Move to witnessing what all this means to you and what you are anticipating this Advent season.
1. Signs of the presence of Christ with your congregation, like loving the unlovely.
2. A renewal of the awareness of God's presence in your daily life, which will be hectic and busy.
3. A new awareness of the joy that is ours as we prepare for the birth like a couple prepares for the birth of their child.
F. Move to a metaphor or story from below.
G. Frame your sermon by giving in reverse order the truths you have proclaimed today. Wish your people a happy new church year and Advent season.
Prayer For The Day
These four weeks of Advent, dear Holy Parent, help us to prepare for your coming again in Bethlehem and in our own congregation and hearts. Give to us a joyful anticipation which rises above the busyness of the season. And help us to live on the alert that we might recognize your kingdom and presence in our midst anytime. In Christ Jesus' name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
The Dow Chemical Company in Pittsburg, California, had a leak of chlorine gas when a gasket broke in a one-inch pipe. About 75 to 80 pounds of chlorine went into the air -- not enough for a serious health risk. Yet the company and county took no chances and set off the emergency alert system. Sirens blew and a computer called all of us residents who live nearby with instructions to "shelter in place." It means to stay indoors, tape cracks, close windows and doors. In about three hours the "all clear" was sounded.
Hasn't the time come to sound the alert in our spiritual lives? Perhaps we ought "shelter in place" in our churches and then go out into the world to serve.
David Brenner on the Tonight Show told about signs he never quite understood:
1. The International House of Pancakes on their door: "We have menus in Braille."
2. A New York restaurant was even better: "For bathrooms, use the stairs."
What signs with mixed messages do we give out to people who see us practice our discipleship?
Another sign -- this one at Broadlawns Hospital in Des Moines: "If you are pregnant, inform the technologist." What are the signs of the near kingdom?
At all the professional football games, behind the goalpost is a fan holding a banner which says, "John 3:16." I would someday like to sit next to that banner bearer with a sign saying, "and 17," for it is the wonderful news that Jesus is our savior, not our judge.
There is a beautiful scene in the television movie The Scarlet and the Black, when Monsignor O'Flaherty of the Holy See in Rome finally baptized General Kaplan of the German SS after World War II. After visiting the general every week for a long time, O'Flaherty baptized his former bitter enemy in 1959. Kaplan hated the monsignor because he had helped prisoners of war escape. Only our Christian faith can turn enemies into friends like this.
