The Time Is Near. Look Up!
by Pastor Edwin Lehmann on December 6, 2024 in Luke 21:25-36
Lighting Candles at Advent
What is the meaning of the Advent wreath, and what do the candles signify?
The evergreen in the wreath represents life. It represents our Savior and the life that we have in Him, for His coming brings the hope of salvation and eternal life to all who believe.
The four colored candles in the wreath represent the four Sundays in Advent. Three of them are violet, symbolizing repentance and preparation, since our sin made it necessary for Christ to enter our world. The candle for the third Sunday is rose to remind us that in the midst of our time of repentance there is cause for joy because the Savior has come for us. At the celebration of Jesus’ birth, a white candle is placed in the middle.
Except for the third candle, which is sometimes called Gaudete (Latin – Rejoice), no specific names have been assigned to each candle in the wreath. But over the years several designations arose. Some name them the candles Prophecy, Bethlehem, Shepherd, and Angel. Others refer to them as the candles of Love, Peace, Joy, and Hope.
On this Second Sunday in Advent we add the lighting of the second candle to the first lit last week. They signify:
- Candle of Prophecy (violet)
As the first candle on the wreath, my light is the first to pierce the darkness. I represent the light of the holy prophets who spoke in times past with news of a coming Savior. Theirs was the first ray of hope to all men lost in the darkness of their sins.
- Bethlehem Candle (also called Redeemer Candle – violet)
As the second candle on the wreath, my light symbolizes the coming on earth of Jesus, the Son of God, born of the
Virgin Mary in Bethlehem. He is “the Light of the world” who will come again soon to take all who believe in Him to heaven.
The Second Sunday in Advent December 8, 2024
Text: Luke 21:25-28(-36) Historic Pericope Series 24:2476
Theme: “The Time Is Near. Look Up!”
“Almost no one looks up anymore.” That was the title of a “sermon” preached years ago by, of all things, a cartoon in a daily newspaper. It showed a crowd of people walking along a busy downtown street. Each person had his head slanted at an angle downward; eyes fastened on the sidewalk. Today all would be staring at their cell phones. At the bottom of the cartoon appeared the surprisingly eloquent caption: “Almost no one looks up anymore.”
Is it true? Are we so crowded in by steel and concrete, gadgets and high-tech paraphernalia, so preoccupied by the things of life in this world that we are in danger of losing the capacity to look up, to lift our heads in anticipation of Christ’s return?
I remember a Sunday school teacher once telling her students, “God puts people into this world so that they can get ready for heaven.” If that is true, that God puts us into this world so that we can get ready for heaven, why don’t we see people getting ready? Why aren’t we all rising up daily, standing erect, searching the heavens, eagerly anticipating Christ’s return? “Lord, teach us to number our days aright that we may gain hearts of wisdom” (Ps.90:12).
Surely, it is wise to regard our present lives as a preparation for the life that is to come. And we have every reason to stand alert for the signs of the end are all around us – have been for years. They make it clear that The Time Is Near. The Christ, who came once at His birth, will return in a cloud with power and great glory, and all will stand before Him. Are we ready for His coming?
(I. Look up…not in fear)
There is plenty of reason to ready ourselves daily, for Christ has given us specific signs that precede His coming. They announce His nearness to all mankind: “signs in the sun, moon, and stars…on earth nations in anguish and perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the surging of waves…men fainting from fear and expectation of things coming on the world for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”
Many believe that they can remain calm about this because they think that these are extreme signs that are still to come just before that great Day descends. And so they continue in life as they have always been, going about their business unconcerned, thinking that time is still on their side. But they are wrong. All of these signs have already occurred.
Haven’t the sun and moon often been eclipsed in darkness, even during this past year? Haven’t remarkable occurrences appeared in the heavenly bodies: exploding stars, asteroids, comets, and meteors speeding towards earth? Haven’t people most recently languished in doubt and fear in the face of the world at war again? Haven’t hurricanes and the seas writhed turbulently and destroyed livelihoods in the past few months? Haven’t the powers of earth, sea, and heaven been shaken? So many fearful signs all around us, urging us to wake up and pay attention. There is no doubt. All the signs which are to precede Christ’s second coming have appeared, just as they appeared in ages past. “Pay attention!” is Jesus’ word on it.
The unbelieving world does not regard these events as signs, only as natural occurrences that are explained away through science. But believers know that God created all. He not only created all things, but He created the powers that be: eclipses, roaring of the sea, surging of the wave, and all heavenly appearances. He created them as signs of His power and the approaching Day. Science may dismiss them and His control, but The Time Is unmistakably Near.
It comes “like a thief in the night,” “like a lightning bolt flashing across the sky.” Here He says, “It will come like a trap on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.” …Like a trap on all of us.
The picture is that of a hunter craftily concealing the snare by which he will catch the animal. He avoids any noise that betrays how close he is. As the animal wanders without care through the forest, the hunter suddenly bursts from hiding, triggers the snare, captures the unsuspecting prey, binds it, and carries it away to receive the sharp stab of death at the point of a knife, then to be processed. “That Day will come like a trap on all who dwell on the face of the earth.”
Such a picture ought to strike a measure of fear in my sinful heart. As the Prophet Malachi asked, “Who can endure the day of His coming? Who can stand when He appears?” (Mal.3:2).
The Time Is Near. Look Up!…yet not in fear, for we do not live only in the terror of our sin, but by faith we live in the forgiveness and newness of life that Christ won for us. He came at His birth to restore us to God. He returned to heaven to plead our case before Him: “Father, forgive them. I died for them.” We don’t just live in the fear of sin, but by faith we live in redemption, lovingly forgiven.
God’s redeeming love in Christ is the key. Through it the Apostle John writes, “We have confidence before God if our hearts should condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts…He showed His love for us. He sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sin…so that we might have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are just like Jesus. There is no fear in love, but complete love drives out fear” (1Jn.3:20f;4:9f,16f).
There is no more perfect love than God’s. If through Him and by faith in Him we are set free from the bondage of sin, death, and hell, then we are free, free of fear though the world should shake and quake around us with the signs. As Malachi wrote, “But for you who fear (reverence) my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in His wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from their stalls after a long, hard winter (Mal.4:2). The Time of release Is Near. Look Up!…But Not in Fear! Instead…
II. …Look Up in confident faith and prayer, holding to His Word. Jesus said, “Watch or else your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and the worries of this life, and that day may come on you suddenly…Stay alert all the time, praying that you may be able to escape all these things that are going to happen and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
He warns against having “hearts weighed down” by the things and worries of life. That almost sounds like Jesus is speaking directly to us who live in the 21st century, as indeed He speaks to people in every century. But could He, in His omniscience, have looked ahead in time to our days and seen how things are among us today?
What a strange mixture of euphoria, fear, and complacency seem to fill peoples’ hearts this year, especially after last month’s elections. Is it possible that in this, and then with all the frenzy and busyness that goes into our holiday seasons, we become guilty of allowing the distractions and anxieties of life overwhelm us to the harm of our souls? Remember the cartoon: “Hardly anyone looks up anymore”?
Satan is such an expert in tempting us to take our eyes off the Savior and casting them down to the things of earth. He wants us to neglect preparing for Christ to come to us. So it is that Christ urgently encourages, “Watch! I am coming soon. Pray! so that you may escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” Could He make things any clearer than that? We need to be ready. We need to Look Up and watch.
Some have taken these words so literally that they quit doing everything and sat by idly waiting for Him. But watching is not a matter of dropping everything and staring at the sky. Watching is a matter of the heart holding to God’s Word, knowing that it shall not pass away without its promises fulfilled. Where there is a person with confident faith, praying, and holding to His Word, there is a person who eagerly longs for Jesus to come to him in time and eternity. That’s a person who Looks Up, recognizing that The Time Is Near.
Are you so Looking Up this Advent Season for His coming – not just at His birth, but for His return for us? Advent is a time of eager anticipation, knowing that the Lord Jesus is on His way to us again as the Babe of Bethlehem and as the Christ of Calvary. He bears gifts with Him for us – gifts of eternal life that He freely presents “to all who long for His appearing.” It will be the second time that His followers have looked up to see Him.
The first time they looked up was at His ascension, when He rose from earth to the place from which He had come. As He ascended, He lifted His hands in blessing over them. Perhaps one of the last impressions they had of Him were of those nail prints in His hands and feet, proof of His redeeming love for them.
And we, who live centuries later, are told in the Scriptures that as they saw Him go, those who are alive at His coming will see Him return. As they Look Up on that last day, they will see the nail prints in His hands. Those hands of atoning love signify the start and the end of our redemption. And all who believe will have no fear in their hearts, only joy, anticipation, and expectation of what it to come
God grant that we ever remain in the wounds of Christ and daily Look Up because our final redemption is near. God grant it in our lives of faith for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Zion Lutheran Church of Springfield
(A member congregation of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)
4717 S Farm Rd 135 (Golden Avenue)
Church phone: 417.887.0886 Pastor’s cell phone: 417.693.3244
www.zionluthchurch.com email: revelehmann@gmail.com
You can also find us on Facebook
The Second Sunday in Advent – December 8, 2024
“Stand up and lift up your heads because your redemption is near!” Luke 21:28
Welcome: The family of Zion welcomes you as we worship the Lord today. We encourage children to worship with us. However, if you need to leave with your child, there is a nursery room to the right as you exit the sanctuary. The rest rooms are located in the hallway between the sanctuary and the fellowship hall. Visitors, please sign our guest book to the right, just outside the sanctuary. We’re glad that you are here and pray that through our worship the Lord grants you peace.
U p o n E n t e r i n g G o d’ s H o u s e
“Lift up your heads, you gates. Lift yourselves up, you ancient doors, and the King of Glory will come in. Who is this king of glory? The LORD strong and mighty – the Lord of Armies – He is the King of Glory. (Psalm 24).
W h a t T h i s S u n d a y i s A b o u t
Lift Your Heads in Anticipation. Your King Comes. For centuries the Christian Church has ushered in the Advent Season with the singing of the hymn: “Lift Up Your Heads, You Mighty Gates.” What is meant by these words?
The psalmist first spoke these words. He may have pictured in his mind the gigantic doors or gates in the wall that encircled Jerusalem. “Be alert!” he cried. “Get ready to open for the King!” Years later we can picture Jesus riding through those “doors” on Palm Sunday.
Today we should think of them as the doors of our hearts, opening to receive in faith our Advent King, recalling His birth, remembering His promise to come for us again, and rejoicing that He comes to us even today, daily through Word and Sacrament.
To that end we pray: “Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the way for Your only begotten Son. By His coming give us strength in our conflicts and enable us to serve You as one people with clean hands and pure hearts, through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
– T h e W o r d o f G o d f o r T o d a y –
The Old Testament Lesson: Malachi 4:1-6
The great and dreadful Day of the Lord is coming. In it the evil doer will be judged. But before that day comes, The Sun of Righteousness shall arrive with healing for His people. His Forerunner will prepare the way before Him.
The Epistle Lesson: Romans 15:4-13
As we wait and longingly look forward to Christ’s appearance in His Second Coming, we might grow weary and discouraged. But the Scriptures were written to maintain hope in the hearts of waiting believers, believing Jews and Gentiles alike. These Scriptures were written for our learning and for the uniting of all God’s people in Him.
The Gospel Lesson: Luke 21:25-36
The Lord speaks to His people to cheer and encourage the faithful. Terrifying things will continue to come upon the earth. But when you see the signs of the end all around, lift your heads in expectation and hope. Always be on the watch as you wait for the Lord’s final Advent.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Organist: Jane Rips. The Preacher: Pastor Edwin Lehmann
Point to Ponder: “Who can lift up his head in the face of such terrible wrath and judgment? If the whole world is filled with fear at that day and lets fall its head and countenance out of terror and anxiety, how shall we look up and lift up our hearts? How shall we manifest any joy in and longing for these signs?
“In answer I would say that all this is spoken only to those who are really Christians and not to heathen…. True Christians are so afflicted with all manner of temptations and persecutions that in this life they are miserable. Therefore, they wait and long and pray for redemption from sin and all evil, as we also pray in the Lord’s Prayer: ‘Thy Kingdom come,’ and ‘Deliver us from evil.’
“If we are true Christians, we will earnestly and heartily join in this prayer. If we do not so pray, we are not yet true Christians.”
— Martin Luther on The Comfort Christians Have When These Signs Appear – Luke 21:25ff
Outline of Our Worship
The Preparation
Advent Candle Lighting: The Bethlehem Candle
The Entrance Hymn: #302
Order of Worship: The Service: Setting One page 154-160
Prayer of the Day
The Ministry of the Word
Malachi 4:1-6
Psalm 24
Romans 15:4-13
Gospel Acclamation: Advent pg.161
Luke 21:25-36
Hymn: #304
Sermon: Luke 21:25-36 The Time Draws Near. Look Up!
Hymn: #942 – Create in Me…
The Apostles’ Creed pg.163
Our Response to the Word
Prayer of the Church: pg.164
The Offering
The Lord Blesses Us
The Closing Prayer and Blessing Hymnal page 171
Closing Hymn: #360
Silent Prayer
Second Sunday in Advent – Historic Series
Old Testament Lesson: Malachi 4:1-6 – The Day of the Lord Comes
1Look! The day is coming, burning like a blast furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble. The day that is coming will set them on fire, says the Lord of Armies, a day that will not leave behind a root or branch for them. 2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness will rise, and there will be healing in its wings. You will go out and jump around like calves from the stall. 3 You will trample the wicked. They will surely be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I take action, says the Lord of Armies.
4 Remember the law of my servant Moses, which I commanded to him at Horeb to serve as statutes and judgments over all Israel.
5 Look! I am going to send Elijah the prophet to you before the great and fearful day of the Lord comes! 6 He will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with complete destruction.
Epistle Lesson: Romans 15:4-13 – Filled with Hope, Joy, and Peace
4 Indeed, whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that, through patient endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we would have hope. 5 And may God, the source of patient endurance and encouragement, grant that you agree with one another in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one mind, in one voice, you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 For this reason, accept one another as Christ also accepted you to the glory of God. 8 For I am saying that Christ became a servant of those who are circumcised for the sake of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs. 9 He also did this so that the Gentiles would glorify God for his mercy, as it is written:
For this reason, I will praise you among the Gentiles, and I will sing to your name.
10 And again it says: Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.
11 And again: Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples give him praise.
12 And again Isaiah says: There will be a Root of Jesse, and he is the one who will rise up to rule the Gentiles; on him the Gentiles will place their hope.
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with complete joy and peace as you continue to believe, so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Gospel Lesson: Luke 21:25-36 – Lift Up Your Heads; Redemption Is Near
25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And on the earth nations will be in anguish, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the surging waves, 26 people fainting from fear and expectation of the things coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 But when these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near.”
29 He told them a parable. “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 As soon as they are sprouting leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is actually near. 31 So also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Amen I tell you: This generation will not pass away until all these things happen. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
34 “Watch yourselves or else your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and the worries of this life, and that day may come on you suddenly. 35 For it will come like a trap on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Stay alert all the time, praying that you may be able to escape all these things that are going to happen and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) © 2019
Calendar & Announcements for Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Today
Dec.8 |
Mon.
Dec.9 |
Tues.
Dec.10 |
Wed.
Dec.11 |
Thurs.
Dec.12 |
Fri.
Dec.13 |
Sat.
Dec.7 |
Next Sun.
Dec.14 |
9:00 am
Divine Worship Service online -Facebook 10:15 am Fellowship & Bible Study
Advent 2 |
6 pm
Call Meeting at Zion
|
Pastor & Elizabeth will be attending a wedding in Nebraska – They return on Friday. | 9:00 am
Divine Worship Service with Holy Communion online -Facebook 10:15 am Fellowship & Bible Study Advent 3 |
A Brief Bible Study on God’s Word for Today
In their writings and their ministries, the prophets who came before Christ, like Isaiah, Malachi, and John the Baptist, fix our attention on the need for preparation. The Lord is coming. Such preparation means repentance—recognizing how our sins have offended God and trusting in the forgiveness He gives us in Christ Jesus. Only the Savior brings the certainty of hope and peace to our troubled hearts as we wait for His second appearing.
The Epistle Lesson: Romans 15:4-13 (the answers are found on the back side)
- When Paul wrote this letter what “Scriptures” did the Christians in Rome have?
- What is the connection between the hope and peace that Jesus gives and accepting one another (v. 7)?
Those We Remember In Our Prayers: Greg Miller; William & Laurie Moon; Libya, (Jodi Milam’s granddaughter); Barbara Long; Norine Richardson; Liz Lisenby; Pastor Roger Neumann from Oskaloosa, IA.
Thank You to all who were able to stay after Bible class last Sunday and decorate the church for Advent and Christmas.
Next Call Meeting Presently, the next Call Meeting is planned for this coming Wednesday evening, December 11, at 6 pm in the fellowship hall at Zion.
The Next Issues of Meditations daily devotions and the Forward in Christ for December will be found in the narthex. There are plenty of copies that you can share with family, friends, and acquaintances.
What’s Coming Up in the Next Months In thinking of ways to reach out into the community around church and in order to foster our own fellowship at church, the planning committee has been brainstorming on possible activities. Some ideas will need further explanation as we seek to reach out, but we hope to sponsor situational awareness and firearm safety seminars in February, setting doorhangers and letter out to the area towards the end of January; a women’s Bible study follow-up on the book of Esther in April; and a meal at the Ronald McDonald House when it can be scheduled. Such activities are more in the character of pre-evangelism efforts to try and make connections with others in our area with whom we might be able to share the gospel. We also have an idea for gift-giving in the week just before Christmas that we hope to share with you after the worship service today. We are sorry that we did not explain that better following last week’s worship service.
Upcoming Services and Events
Wednesday, December 11, 6 pm – Call Meeting
Tuesday, December 17, 6 pm – Elders, Trustees, Church Council Monthly Meeting
The Week in Review
Last Sunday Worship: 28; Bible Study: 17; Offerings: $1,776.
Next Sunday’s Lessons:
Advent 3: Isaiah 40:1-8; 1 Corinthians 4:1-5; Matthew 11:2-10 (Historic Pericope Series)
Answers to Today’s Epistle Lesson Brief Study:
- Roman believers had only the Old Testament. Think how much more we have today with the entire Bible!
- Since Christ has accepted us and made us part of His family through faith, we have peace with God. How could we not
accept one another when our God has been so accepting of us?
This week I am praying for……