Watch with Hope

Watch with hope

• • Tradition is not bad. It’s not unbiblical. We all have traditions. Things we do as families and things we do as the church. Our family has them, you have them. Meals, vacations, activities

• What traditions provide- 

• Identity and Belonging- individual and group identity, who we are and where we belong.
• It strengthens bonds and creates shared narratives and continuity across generations.
• Traditions offer a sense of predictability and structure, which can be especially comforting during times of uncertainty or change. The tradition becomes a guidepost ‘we do this’ 
• emotional grounding, feel connected to something enduring and meaningful.
• It reinforces social cohesion by creating shared experiences and collective participation.
• It conveys symbolic meaning and moral values in a way that words aren’t enough. 
• connect people to their heritage, values, and spiritual practices. larger than themselves.
• pass down cultural values, religious beliefs, and moral codes from one generation to the next.
• 2 Thess 2:15 hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.
• 1 Corinthians 11:2  keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.
• Martin Luther (1483–1546) “We do not reject tradition. We reprove those traditions which conflict with the Gospel, but we honor those traditions which are good and useful.”
• Richard Hooker (1554–1600)”Tradition without Scripture has no certainty; Scripture without tradition is not only uncertain, but often obscure. The two go hand in hand.”
• John Wesley 1703-1791 “Do not undervalue the work which God has wrought in the past. Let us not despise the tradition handed down by those who have gone before us, which has stood the test of time and is rooted in the Word of God.”
• Bonhoeffer (1906–1945)”The Church does not invent the faith; it receives it. Tradition is the conduit through which the gospel has been passed, a vital link in the chain of faithful witness.”

1. History of Advent

• • Etymology and Meaning 1. Derived from the Latin adventus meaning “coming” or “arrival.” 2. dual significance: – Preparation for Christ’s birth (first coming). Reflection on His second coming.
  • Early Observance 1. Began in the 4th and 5th centuries in the Western Church. 2. Initially a time of preparation for baptism (not Christmas). 3. Emphasized repentance, fasting, and prayer 
  • Medieval Standardization 1. Shifted focus to preparing for the Nativity. 2. Pope Gregory I (6th century) formalized the four-week structure. 3. Themes: – First part: Second coming of Christ. – Later part (from December 17): Focus on Christ’s birth.

• History of the Advent Wreath

• • Pre-Christian Roots 1. Germanic peoples used evergreen wreaths and candles in winter. 2. Symbols of hope for the return of sunlight.
  • Christian Adaptation 1. Popularized by Johann Hinrich Wichern (1839), a German Protestant pastor. – Created the first Advent wreath for his mission school. – Original design: A wooden circle with 20 small red candles (weekdays) and 4 large white candles (Sundays). 2. Simplified version emerged over time: – Four candles on an evergreen wreath.

• Symbolism of the Advent Wreath

• Components of the Wreath 1. Evergreens: Eternal life in Christ. 2. Circle: God’s unending love and eternal existence.
• The Four Candles 1. Represent the four weeks of Advent. 2.Weekly themes: – First Candle: Hope (Prophecy Candle). – Second Candle: Peace (Bethlehem Candle). – pink Candle: Joy (Shepherd’s Candle). – Fourth Candle: Love (Angel’s Candle).
• Optional Central Candle 1. Christ Candle (white): – Lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. – Represents Christ’s purity and light.
• Many Denominations have different ideas about the return of Christ- I’d like to give you quick overview of them- I don’t hold 100 to any of them, I just hold to the truth that he’s coming back
• Premillennialism- Christ returns before a literal thousand-year reign on earth. The Millennium is a physical, future kingdom where Christ rules. Dispensational Premillennialism includes a pre-tribulation rapture of believers. (we are waiting for it)
• Amillennialism The Millennium is symbolic of Christ’s current reign through His Church. No literal thousand years; the Church age continues until Christ’s return. Focuses on spiritual victory and final judgment at Christ’s second coming. (we are currently in it)
• Postmillennialism Christ returns after the Millennium, which is a golden age of Gospel success. The Millennium is not literal but represents a period of Christian influence and societal transformation. (we usher in the return through Gospel advancement)
• Key Differences: Premillennialism expects a future, literal reign after a period of decline. Amillennialism views the present age as Christ’s spiritual reign with struggles until the end. Postmillennialism anticipates church triumph leading to a golden age before Christ’s return.

Here’s what they all have in common:

1. a Focus on Christ’s Return-His future return to establish His eternal kingdom.

• Millennialism: All millennial views center on Christ’s return to fulfill God’s promises and bring history to its climax. Every Christian has some sort of idea about this truth- JC is coming back
• During Advent, believers reflect on the promise of Christ’s return, echoing the expectation within millennial perspectives. The HOW is not as important as the HE WILL
• This is a HUGE theme within Christmas and advent- if you don’t reflect- you’ll miss it. 

2. Themes of Expectation and Preparation

• Advent is A season of waiting and spiritual preparation, paralleling the anticipation of the Messiah’s arrival (both in His birth and second coming). (going on trip- you look forward)
• We await Christ’s imminent return to inaugurate the Millennium. We remember and LOOK
• and await His ultimate victory. We anticipate Gospel success transforming the world before His return. We emphasize vigilance, readiness, and hope.

3. A Hope for Fulfillment

• Advent Celebrates the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about Christ’s first coming and looks forward to the final fulfillment of His kingdom in His second coming.
• Forward to Christ’s physical reign and triumph over evil.- This world will pass away. 
• Its the spiritual reality of Christ’s kingdom now, and culminating in His final judgment.
• Advent reminds believers that Christ’s return is certain
• Are you living in the certainty of Christs return? Or is Christmas just presents and food?

5. Practical Implications

• Calls us to prepare our hearts for Christ’s return through repentance, worship, and expectation.
• live with hope and readiness as we await the culmination of history in Christ.

• Watch- look at the signs of the times

• Matthew 24:42-44 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
• As we lean into this Christmas season, it’s a great time of year to remind ourselves of our masters imminent return. It’s a sure promise that we can rest assured, he will come
• When I was a kid, people used to pop in- no more pop ins. I think now, people don’t keep their houses as kept up bc people rarely pop in. back in the day- all the time. Better plan- be ready
• Matthew 25:1-13 (Parable of the Ten Virgins)
• Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
• How could you know? How? You can’t. don’t ever believe someone who says they know. They are LYING. 
• Here’s what you can do Luke 12:35-40 Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching.
• Mark 13:37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!
• Keep watch my friend. Keep watch. You never know. Your car only gets broken into when you leave your purse in it. The fire only happens when you don’t have insurance. The power only goes out when you didn’t have a generator. Jesus only comes back when you’re not ready. 
• 1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.
• What this means is when everyone else around you is faltering in their belief, you don’t
• Christianity is on the decline in America. There are less Christians now than there were 5 years ago and 20 years ago. We’re growing, but American Christianity is dying
• It is going to be harder to be a Christian as the world progresses farther away from God
• Don’t rest just because you think that Trump got in that you’re good. He’s no Christian
• You must decide how you will watch, how you will raise your kids, how you will make a living for your family. Don’t become complacent. Watch. Live with a daily expectation. Don’t falter. 
• I’m not saying this- but as an example- bible says 1 Thessalonians 5:3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. (it can seem all good and then it comes suddenly)
• Watch the signs of the times. Wars and rumors of wars. Don’t worry. Keep watching
• I’m not letting up! Merry Christmas and cookies and all that, but my king is returning when I least expect it, so can’t take a day off

2. Wait- Stay ready

• • I like the phrase, ‘if you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready’. The time to plan for the attack is BEFORE the bombs start dropping now WHEN they start dropping. 
  • Years ago- power went out. Ran out of food, no means to cook, no candles, ran out of matches. 
  • Never again. Of course, now, never had another event like that, but we’re ready
  • Its no fun to buy $1000 dollars of shelf stable food you probably will never eat, but I know I have 3 months of food to feed my family. 
  • And so as Christians, we Just keep being a Christian. Keep worshipping, serving, giving. We live like christ is coming back right now. Some people give up and walk away- don’t be that person
  • Rom 13:11-12 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
  • That is just as much true now as it is today. Now is not the time for complacency. 

• One of the worst things that humans do is lack the discipline to plan for future needs. 

• Your house will need a roof. Your car will need repairs. You may lose your job. You can get sick. 
• But people spend all their money on frivolous things, and go on vacations instead of saving
• And then what happens? Calamity happens like it always does and you’re SUNK bc you lacked discipline and the exercise of delayed gratification and now you’re drowning
• Spiritual life no different. Not maintaining a relationship with God and his church, not removing the sin in your life, not building relationships, not watching and waiting. THEN- HELLLLP
• ‘wait, if I knew when I would be sick, I wouldn’t have lied about being sick for sick days’
• ‘if I knew I was going to lose my job I wouldn’t have spent all my money’
• If I knew that Jesus was coming back RIGHT NOW I would have lived differently
• The only option is to live like Jesus is coming back every day. You cant let up about it. 
• 1 Thes 5:6-8 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.
• We just stay ready. In season and out of season. 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
• We must stay ready! Christmas is a time to reignite the flames of expectancy. Not just fun. 

3. Wonder- Keep hope alive- don’t give up

• I embrace the mystery and wonder of christs imminent return. I don’t need to see it in my lifetime to be true. I hope to see it, but I may see it from the grave than the stage
• If it comes in my childrens or grandchildrens lives, so be it. Not up to me. 
• 1 Pet 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
• But I know I need to keep hope alive. I need to stay watchful in my prayers. 
• I love Christmas bc it gives me an eternal hope of a future arrival of my king. In the same way that the christ child came upon the shepherds, christ will return in glory upon this eargth. 
• Rev 3:3 I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
• I don’t know the hour. I’m going to light the candles, eat the cookies and wait expectantly. 
• Im gonna look at the lights and remember the light of the world, sing the songs and wonder
• Revelation 16:15 Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.
• Dong let him find you naked this Christmas. Watch and wait.