The First Sunday of Advent
- For fear if not ready
- For joy if ready!
SERMON TEXT: Luke 21:25-36 (all readings from EHV)
“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, people fainting from fear and expectation of the things coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near.”
He told them a parable. “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. As soon as they are sprouting leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is actually near. So also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Amen I tell you: This generation will not pass away until all these things happen. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
“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. For it will come like a trap on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 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.”
Bible Readings
FIRST LESSON: Genesis 19:15–17, 23–29
When the dawn came, the angels urged Lot, “Get going! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, so that you will not be swept away by the guilt of the city.” But Lot was taking too much time, so the men grabbed his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, because of the LORD’s compassion for him. They led him out and placed him outside of the city. Then when they had taken them out, one of them said, “Run for your life! Don’t look behind you, and don’t stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, so that you are not swept away!”
The sun had risen over the land when Lot came to Zoar. Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire out of the sky from the LORD. He overthrew those cities, as well as all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and whatever grew in the soil.
But Lot’s wife, who was behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.
Abraham got up early in the morning and went to the place where he had stood before the LORD. He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and all the land of the plain. As he looked, he saw that the smoke from the land was going up like the smoke from a kiln.
And so when God destroyed the cities of the plain, God remembered Abraham and brought Lot out through the middle of the devastation, when he overthrew the cities where Lot had lived.
SECOND LESSON: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Indeed, how can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have before God on account of you? Night and day we are praying earnestly to see you in person and to supply what is lacking in your faith.
May God our Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord increase your love and make it overflow for each other and for all people, just as ours does for you, so that he may establish your hearts as blameless in holiness before our God and Father, when our Lord Jesus comes with all his saints.
VERSE OF THE DAY: Revelation 22:20
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
GOSPEL: Luke 19:15–17, 23–29 (EHV)
See Sermon Text
Is to make disciples for Jesus Christ by sharing the gospel in God’s Word and Sacraments. Following God’s direction and seeking His help, we will fulfill this mission by conducting the following activities: