Sermon No. 6

O My, Didn't You Get A Letter?

It seems Saint Peter and Gabriel were balancing the books, and found that 90% of the human race is so corrupt, immoral and degenerate that something needs to be done.

Peter, alarmed at the state of the world, suggested that they recommend another global flood. Gabriel agreed, but said, "What about the 10% who are righteous? Why don't we send them each a letter warning them and giving them instructions for survival?" So they did.

The storyteller paused, and I asked, "What did the letter say?"

"O my," he answered, "didn't you get a letter?"

Just a fable, of course. But if it were true, would you have received a letter?

Actually, God did send a letter of warning -- and instructions for survival.

Our Gospel lesson today is quite explicit. "Be always on the watch." When you see the signs, lift up your heads. He is coming. Be on the watch . . . and pray.

An old minister had not shopped for a car for years. He called a dealer, "Have car prices gone up much in the past 20 years?"

The dealer paused, then asked, "Are you sitting down?"

"I'm kneeling," said the preacher!

One of Flannery O'Conner's characters says, "Any man with a good car don't need redemption." We all have good cars, and we do need redemption. And we need to kneel more. It is easy for us who "have it all" to get so caught up in the materialism of our time that we neglect kneeling, our prayer life.

Car prices have gone up! Be always on the watch . . . and pray!

Today is the first Sunday in Advent. Advent means "to come." The burden of our Advent scriptures is not to prepare for a glittering coming Christmas, but for a glorious coming Christ.

There's a new world coming. In the bayous of Louisiana there was a Black lady who reared more than a dozen children, most of them adopted or foster children. When a reporter asked why she had taken in so many unfortunate children, she answered, "I see a new world a'comin'."

There is a new world a'comin'. Be always on the watch . . . and pray.

In our Epistle, Paul counsels, "May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus Christ comes . . ."

I Thessalonians is probably the earliest book of the New Testament, the first one written! It is full of compassion and comfort. Paul and Silas had been thrown out of the city. The Christians had been persecuted. Some had died. Paul did not want the survivors to lose hope. "May the Lord make your love increase and overflow . . ."

Don't give up. Be always on the watch . . . and pray. Don't lose hope.

Jesus gave us some clues, some signs, and warned us to get ready. Watch for signs of the approaching fulfillment of the kingdom. Your salvation draws near. Be always on the watch . . . and pray.

Advent is the coming of Jesus, past, present and future. Jesus did come -- as a baby who lived as one of us. Jesus has come -- into the hearts and lives of those who have been "born again." Jesus will come again -- the glorious Second Coming.

In 1944 I dropped out of college to enter the ministry because we were in the midst of World War II and I didn't want to be going to school when Jesus came. I knew that war was Armageddon! I wanted to be in the front lines, warning people to be ready to meet Jesus.

Well, that war is over. We've had several more wars. Jesus has not come. On every side we see the signs for which we are to watch -- war, natural disasters, nation rising against nation, famine and starvation, violence of every kind, oppression, injustice, immorality . . . and on the part of Christians, apathy and complacency!

Apathy, complacency is indeed a significant danger for us Christians. We have waited so long. Many dates have been set by many students of prophecy. But he has not come. Our lives go on and on and on. Thousands of saints have died who expected to live until Jesus came, including the apostle Paul! So we tend to give up. "Jesus delays his coming."

What is he waiting for? Why doesn't Jesus come to finish this world's history and usher in his kingdom?

We ask, but God does not answer. He issues no press release, holds no press conference, sends no communique. He seems to have said, "You received a letter of warning, a book of instructions. Read the book. Study the instructions."

Paul and the Gospel writers wrote much about the Second Coming. Paul seems to suggest that Jesus is waiting for us to get ready. Repent. Become holy and blameless. When church members are all ready, Jesus will come.

But we are not "getting ready" that anyone can see . . . are we? I don't see much holiness in the Christian community, do you? I don't know many saints who are very saintly, who have reached Christian perfection, including you and me!

Matthew seems to tell us that as soon as the whole world is warned -- "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14) -- then Jesus will come.

Well, we certainly aren't making much progress in warning the world. Thousands are being born, and dying, who never know of the love and mercy and forgiveness of Jesus, much less the joy and peace of his life-style; certainly never experiencing the justice and freedom Jesus came to proclaim and establish.

So when will he come? I don't know!

That's the bad news. Now for the good news: It makes no difference whether or not we know when he will come! Jesus came as a baby "in the fullness of time." I believe he will come again "in the fullness of time." Not our time, but God's time!

When God in his wisdom and judgment decides all the universe has had time to see the results of evil, he will chime the clock of time. "Time shall be no more." The new heaven and the new earth will then become a reality.

It is interesting that when Jesus talked about prophecy and the Second Coming, he was always talking to his disciples, his followers, "the church," not to the crowds. Do you suppose maybe that should tell us something about our method of evangelism -- go about doing good, feed the hungry, clothe the needy, minister to the sick and those in prison, work for peace and justice. In other words, do the things Jesus did.

Jesus will come on a day when we do not expect him and at an hour we are not aware of. (Matthew 24:50) Be always on the watch . . . and pray. Don't lose hope.

In 1962 a vicious storm hit the east coast. About 40 people died in the wake of high winds and waves, the devastation of nature's anger. A similar weather pattern emerged on New Year's Eve of 1986. But this time the people were warned. They prepared. Altho USA Today called it "nature's triple whammy" there was not a single death. Be always on the watch . . . and pray. Be ready. Prepare to meet God.

They had been warned. They had prepared. They were were ready.

A traveler in rural Switzerland wandered onto a beautifully manicured garden. He spoke to the old caretaker, who showed him around and explained that the owner lived in another country. He only visited this home occasionally.

The traveler asked, "How long has it been since he visited?"

"12 years."

"You seem to be prepared as if he may come back again tomorrow."

"No," answered the caretaker, "I am prepared for him to come today!"

Be always on the watch . . . and pray.

A father arose at 2 am to give the baby her bottle. As he walked the floor he decided it would be a good time to pray. He prayed for the baby's future, and the baby's parents. He prayed for the church. He prayed for the victims of famine and floods and violence. He prayed, by name, for friends and loved ones. He was amazed how aware of God's presence he felt in the dark of night. Then he tho't, "If I can pray and feel so close to God in the darkness of this hour, why not at other times -- while I drive, dress, cut the grass, do the dishes?" It changed his prayer life . . . his whole life!

The lesson is clear: if we pray, we can stay alert. Be always on the watch . . . and pray. "Pray without ceasing." Something to think about . . .

Christians react to the message of the Second Coming in different ways. Many interpret the words of Jesus in a vague, obtuse sort of way. Maybe he meant to come into our hearts? Maybe he meant he would in time change the world?

Some people reduce Jesus to a merely subjective, friendly therapist. They go to church to get help to make it thru the week, or for a few hints for better living.

The Second Coming? Well, when the world finally realizes the futility of our present system of war and competition, perhaps we will learn to live at peace. Maybe the United Nations can accomplish this?

Then there are those who sit back and smugly await the destruction of the sinful world. They sort of enjoy the news of catastrophes and wars. They are the signs. That means our deliverance is near. The worse the news, the better!

What do real Christians do? How do legitimate Christians prepare for the Second Coming of the Christ? We must prepare, keep alert, "for we know not the hour."

Dear saints, we cannot fulfill the Great Commission by cowering in fear, by dropping out of involvement, nor by becoming obsessed with the signs of the end. Nor by becoming sensationalists, alarmists.

Perspective is vital, perspective within the parameters of a commitment to the Kingdom.

"Plan as tho you will live out your life; live as tho Jesus will come today."

Jesus is coming. With the wise men of old we follow the star of hope. With the shepherds of old we hear the angels sing Hallelujah. With the poor Jewish peasant couple of old we rejoice at the birth of the Redeemer.

Jesus came. Jesus has come. Jesus is coming again.

That is the basis for our hope. Be always on the watch . . . and pray. Together, we must be watching and praying, hoping. This first week of Advent we have lit the candle of Hope. A blessed hope. "We have this hope that burns within our hearts, hope in the coming of the Lord."

We have the "letter," the Bible, God's Word, his promise to come again. May we never lose hope.

Let us pray . . .



		O My, Didn't You Get A Letter?
		It seems Saint Peter and Gabriel were balancing the books, and found that 90% of the human race is so corrupt, immoral and degenerate that something needs to be done. Peter, alarmed at the state of the world, suggested that they recommend another global flood. Gabriel agreed, but said, "What about the 10% who are righteous? Why don't we send them each a letter warning them and giving them instructions for survival?" So they did. The storyteller paused, and I asked, "What did the letter say?" "O my," he answered, "didn't you get a letter?" Just a fable, of course. But if it were true, would you have received a letter? Actually, God did send a letter of warning -- and instructions for survival. Our Gospel lesson today is quite explicit. "Be always on the watch." When you see the signs, lift up your heads. He is coming. Be on the watch . . . and pray. An old minister had not shopped for a car for years. He called a dealer, "Have car prices gone up much in the past 20 years?" The dealer paused, then asked, "Are you sitting down?" "I'm kneeling," said the preacher! One of Flannery O'Conner's characters says, "Any man with a good car don't need redemption." We all have good cars, and we do need redemption. And we need to kneel more. It is easy for us who "have it all" to get so caught up in the materialism of our time that we neglect kneeling, our prayer life. Car prices have gone up! Be always on the watch . . . and pray! Today is the first Sunday in Advent. Advent means "to come." The burden of our Advent scriptures is not to prepare for a glittering coming Christmas, but for a glorious coming Christ. There's a new world coming. In the bayous of Louisiana there was a Black lady who reared more than a dozen children, most of them adopted or foster children. When a reporter asked why she had taken in so many unfortunate children, she answered, "I see a new world a'comin'." There is a new world a'comin'. Be always on the watch . . . and pray. In our Epistle, Paul counsels, "May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus Christ comes . . ." I Thessalonians is probably the earliest book of the New Testament, the first one written! It is full of compassion and comfort. Paul and Silas had been thrown out of the city. The Christians had been persecuted. Some had died. Paul did not want the survivors to lose hope. "May the Lord make your love increase and overflow . . ." Don't give up. Be always on the watch . . . and pray. Don't lose hope. Jesus gave us some clues, some signs, and warned us to get ready. Watch for signs of the approaching fulfillment of the kingdom. Your salvation draws near. Be always on the watch . . . and pray. Advent is the coming of Jesus, past, present and future. Jesus did come -- as a baby who lived as one of us. Jesus has come -- into the hearts and lives of those who have been "born again." Jesus will come again -- the glorious Second Coming. In 1944 I dropped out of college to enter the ministry because we were in the midst of World War II and I didn't want to be going to school when Jesus came. I knew that war was Armageddon! I wanted to be in the front lines, warning people to be ready to meet Jesus. Well, that war is over. We've had several more wars. Jesus has not come. On every side we see the signs for which we are to watch -- war, natural disasters, nation rising against nation, famine and starvation, violence of every kind, oppression, injustice, immorality . . . and on the part of Christians, apathy and complacency! Apathy, complacency is indeed a significant danger for us Christians. We have waited so long. Many dates have been set by many students of prophecy. But he has not come. Our lives go on and on and on. Thousands of saints have died who expected to live until Jesus came, including the apostle Paul! So we tend to give up. "Jesus delays his coming." What is he waiting for? Why doesn't Jesus come to finish this world's history and usher in his kingdom? We ask, but God does not answer. He issues no press release, holds no press conference, sends no communique. He seems to have said, "You received a letter of warning, a book of instructions. Read the book. Study the instructions." Paul and the Gospel writers wrote much about the Second Coming. Paul seems to suggest that Jesus is waiting for us to get ready. Repent. Become holy and blameless. When church members are all ready, Jesus will come. But we are not "getting ready" that anyone can see . . . are we? I don't see much holiness in the Christian community, do you? I don't know many saints who are very saintly, who have reached Christian perfection, including you and me! Matthew seems to tell us that as soon as the whole world is warned -- "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14) -- then Jesus will come. Well, we certainly aren't making much progress in warning the world. Thousands are being born, and dying, who never know of the love and mercy and forgiveness of Jesus, much less the joy and peace of his life-style; certainly never experiencing the justice and freedom Jesus came to proclaim and establish. So when will he come? I don't know! That's the bad news. Now for the good news: It makes no difference whether or not we know when he will come! Jesus came as a baby "in the fullness of time." I believe he will come again "in the fullness of time." Not our time, but God's time! When God in his wisdom and judgment decides all the universe has had time to see the results of evil, he will chime the clock of time. "Time shall be no more." The new heaven and the new earth will then become a reality. It is interesting that when Jesus talked about prophecy and the Second Coming, he was always talking to his disciples, his followers, "the church," not to the crowds. Do you suppose maybe that should tell us something about our method of evangelism -- go about doing good, feed the hungry, clothe the needy, minister to the sick and those in prison, work for peace and justice. In other words, do the things Jesus did. Jesus will come on a day when we do not expect him and at an hour we are not aware of. (Matthew 24:50) Be always on the watch . . . and pray. Don't lose hope. In 1962 a vicious storm hit the east coast. About 40 people died in the wake of high winds and waves, the devastation of nature's anger. A similar weather pattern emerged on New Year's Eve of 1986. But this time the people were warned. They prepared. Altho USA Today called it "nature's triple whammy" there was not a single death. Be always on the watch . . . and pray. Be ready. Prepare to meet God. They had been warned. They had prepared. They were were ready. A traveler in rural Switzerland wandered onto a beautifully manicured garden. He spoke to the old caretaker, who showed him around and explained that the owner lived in another country. He only visited this home occasionally. The traveler asked, "How long has it been since he visited?" "12 years." "You seem to be prepared as if he may come back again tomorrow." "No," answered the caretaker, "I am prepared for him to come today!" Be always on the watch . . . and pray. A father arose at 2 am to give the baby her bottle. As he walked the floor he decided it would be a good time to pray. He prayed for the baby's future, and the baby's parents. He prayed for the church. He prayed for the victims of famine and floods and violence. He prayed, by name, for friends and loved ones. He was amazed how aware of God's presence he felt in the dark of night. Then he tho't, "If I can pray and feel so close to God in the darkness of this hour, why not at other times -- while I drive, dress, cut the grass, do the dishes?" It changed his prayer life . . . his whole life! The lesson is clear: if we pray, we can stay alert. Be always on the watch . . . and pray. "Pray without ceasing." Something to think about . . . Christians react to the message of the Second Coming in different ways. Many interpret the words of Jesus in a vague, obtuse sort of way. Maybe he meant to come into our hearts? Maybe he meant he would in time change the world? Some people reduce Jesus to a merely subjective, friendly therapist. They go to church to get help to make it thru the week, or for a few hints for better living. The Second Coming? Well, when the world finally realizes the futility of our present system of war and competition, perhaps we will learn to live at peace. Maybe the United Nations can accomplish this? Then there are those who sit back and smugly await the destruction of the sinful world. They sort of enjoy the news of catastrophes and wars. They are the signs. That means our deliverance is near. The worse the news, the better! What do real Christians do? How do legitimate Christians prepare for the Second Coming of the Christ? We must prepare, keep alert, "for we know not the hour." Dear saints, we cannot fulfill the Great Commission by cowering in fear, by dropping out of involvement, nor by becoming obsessed with the signs of the end. Nor by becoming sensationalists, alarmists. Perspective is vital, perspective within the parameters of a commitment to the Kingdom. "Plan as tho you will live out your life; live as tho Jesus will come today." Jesus is coming. With the wise men of old we follow the star of hope. With the shepherds of old we hear the angels sing Hallelujah. With the poor Jewish peasant couple of old we rejoice at the birth of the Redeemer. Jesus came. Jesus has come. Jesus is coming again. That is the basis for our hope. Be always on the watch . . . and pray. Together, we must be watching and praying, hoping. This first week of Advent we have lit the candle of Hope. A blessed hope. "We have this hope that burns within our hearts, hope in the coming of the Lord." We have the "letter," the Bible, God's Word, his promise to come again. May we never lose hope. Let us pray . . .