Sermon prepared by the Holy Spirit

& Pastor Andrew T. Okai

First Sunday in Advent

November 27, 2016

Sermon text: Matthew 24:36–44

Sermon theme: Celebrating Advent in Advent

 

Introduction

Grace, Mercy, and peace...

 

We have once again entered into the season of Advent... the four weeks leading into the week of Christmas... It is indeed an exciting season because just about now the Christmas trees are being put up, lights and decorations,

gifts are beginning to get wrapped, as Christmas songs are being played.

 

All of this is done in expectancy of the celebration of Christmas... this is what the season of Advent is all about—the preparation of the arrival of the baby Jesus...

 

As this season is only a commemoration of what took place over 2,000 years ago, we as the church, have to be reminded during this preparation that we are to be preparing for the eminent return of our Lord—Israel waited for the birth of a savior, but are waiting for the coming of a savior king...

 

If there is one thing we ought to know about our God by now, it would be his track record on fulfilling his promises...

• He did send the flood during the day of Noah as he promised
• He gave Father Abraham the land of Canaanas he promised
• He delivered Israel from the hands of pharaoh as he promised
• He brought them into the promised land as he promised
• He lead them into captivity after they rebelled as he promised
• The seed of a woman was born and crushed Satan’s head as he promised
• He died, was buried, was raised from the dead and ascended in Heaven as he promised
• He sent us the Holy Spirit as he promised
• And we know that we will be coming back on clouds as he promised...

 

So today as we deal with this subject of expectancy, I would like us to consider the importance of making the return of Christ a part of every hourly schedule we make...

• Student—between your classes and breaks
• Employer—between your hiring and firing/the opening and closing of business
• Employee—between your going to and coming from work/ your work hours and breaks...

 

So from our gospel text this morning let’s see some of the evens that would follow his coming...

 

The knowing of his coming

Matthew 24:36 But about the day or the hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

This text first suggests to us that there is a definite day and hour fixed for this great appearing (So it is scheduled)

When we are making plans, we are not worried about what the rest of the world is doing... God the Father has his schedule set and when it happens it’s going to disrupt the entire world’s schedule... (A mandatory invitation)

 

Matthew 24:37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

 

Some of the events in the days of Noah... Tell me if it sounds familiar...

 

Matthew 24:38–39 for in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming on the Son of man.

First thing we see in this text is a normal ordinary day...(schedules are being met...)

Second thing is the phrase “Noah entered the ark”—Noah and his family were being saved... (We have an ark that the world knows nothing about)

Third thing we see is that the phrase “until the flood came” (In Noah’s days, the cloud brought forth rain, in our days it bring forth our Lord, Jesus Christ...

 

The separation at his coming

Matthew 24:40-41 two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

This text suggests the greatest separation ever in the history of mankind... a worldwide ripple effect—at work—at school—and at home...

 

This is why I titled this sermon celebrating Advent in Advent...

 

In conclusion, we, the church, are asked by our Lord in verse 42 to keep watch... that means living in daily expectation of physical death or his return...

Verse 44: be ready (Don’t let it come as a surprise)