First Sunday In Advent
Mark 13:24-37
Illustrations
There's a story about a little boy who lived in a small country town
where there had never been a circus. He knew about circuses from his
school books, but never had he seen a real, live circus. And then one
day there was a poster on the side of a building announcing that a
circus was coming' to his town. Well, he knew right there and then that
he must see that circus, so he began to save up for it, and he started
counting the days. On the last night before the great event, he was too
excited to sleep. He was up before daylight to get all his chores
finished and be down on the main street by nine o'clock. Shortly after
nine, the great circus parade came down the street. He saw lions and
tigers, beautiful horses, tremendous elephants, jugglers, clowns,
acrobats, and the circus band. His eyes were wide with excitement, his
feet couldn't stop jumping up and down, and he couldn't stop shouting.
When the parade finally ended, the little boy stepped out of the
crowd,handed his money to the last man in the parade, and went back
home. He thought to himself that the circus was just about the greatest
thing he had ever seen. Not till years later did he discover that he
still had never seen a circus, he had only watched the parade and gone
home.
We need to know what to watch for.
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"Lost hope is the undertaker's best friend."
Unknown
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In 1952 Samuel Beckett, a playwright, wrote a play about two men
Estragon and Vladimir who were walking down the road toward some
destination. Decide to stop and wait. Wait/hope for better things. Wait
for Mr. Godot--a man who will come and turn things in their favor. One
man insists: "If we are patient, he will come!" Wait and wait ... He
never comes. Play ends.
The play is "Waiting for Godot";
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Hope
When you think all is lost, remember: the Father is still on his
thrown, the Holy Spirit is still in the business of saving souls, and
Jesus is coming again.
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There are no hopeless situations; there are only people who have grown
hopeless about them."
Clare Boothe Luce
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What Does Hope Do For Mankind?
Hope shines brightest when the hour is darkest. Hope motivates when
discouragement comes. Hope energizes when the body is tired. Hope
sweetens while bitterness bites. Hope sings when all melodies are gone.
Hope believes when evidence is eliminated. Hope listens for answers
when no one is talking. Hope climbs over obstacles when no one is
helping. Hope endures hardship when no on is caring. Hope smiles
confidently when no one is laughing. Hope reaches for answers when no
one is asking. Hope presses toward victory when no one is encouraging.
Hope dares to give when no one is sharing. Hope brings the victory when
no one is winning. - John Maxwell from Think on These Things.
Contributor: David DeWitt
http://www.sermoncentral.com/sercentral/sermon.asp?SermonID=32180>http://www.sermoncentral.com/sercentral/sermon.asp?SermonID=32180
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A Chinese fortune cookie had both news and bad news:
The good news: You are going to haven."
The bad news: "You are going tonight."
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Two persons stepped briskly along the same city street in the early
days of the Advent season. One saw only a blur of forms hurrying by,
heard only dull, indistinguishable background sounds, felt nothing
except an uncomfortable bite of cold on his face.
The second person walked along the street at the same time, but caught
a very different vision This one saw bright young faces, rosy. checked
from the chill, and older faces etched with the marvelous lines of the
years. This one heard laughter, the warm tones of friends in
conversation, and, in the distance, the floating strains of "O Holy
Night" being played over a loudspeaker. The cold air seemed to give a
hint of things that are fresh and new.
At length the two street travelers reached their destinations. When the
first got inside he yanked off his coat and said, "Thank God I'm in out
of that mess!"
The other said, "Thank you God, for showing me just now so much
freshness and joy!"
It's Advent.
And In our text Jesus offers the perfect word for the start of this
season "Watch!"
It is possible to pass through this season with our eyes to the ground
and our spirits tucked inward.
It will be far better, though, to heed his words. Watch. Be sensitive.
Look outside ourselves as we pass through these days. The signs of
God's love are on the street and in the air .