Active Waiting: Preparing for Christ's Coming
Summary
In this time of early Advent, we are reminded of the importance of waiting and preparation as we anticipate the coming of Christ. Advent is not just a season of passive waiting but an active time of spiritual readiness. We are called to prepare our hearts and minds, aligning ourselves with God's will and living out our faith through acts of piety and mercy. This preparation is not just for the celebration of Christ's birth but also for His eventual return. The cycle of waiting and preparation is a recurring theme throughout the scriptures, as seen in the prophetic teachings of Jeremiah, who urged the people to ready themselves for the fulfillment of God's promises.
The act of waiting teaches us patience and trust in God's timing. It is a time to reflect on our spiritual journey and to engage in practices that draw us closer to God. As we wait, we are reminded of the cycle of sin and redemption, where we often stray from God, seek other idols, and then return to Him for forgiveness and grace. This cycle is a reminder of our need for constant spiritual vigilance and readiness.
Advent, derived from the Latin word meaning "to come," is a time to reconnect with our longing for Christ, who has come, is present with us, and will come again. It is a season to prepare not just for the celebration of Christ's birth but for His return. We are encouraged to live out our faith actively, being the hands and feet of Jesus in the world, and to be ready for the time when Christ will come again.
Key Takeaways:
- Advent is a season of active waiting and preparation, not just for the celebration of Christ's birth but for His eventual return. It calls us to align our hearts and minds with God's will and to live out our faith through acts of piety and mercy. [28:27]
- The cycle of waiting and preparation is a recurring theme in scripture, reminding us of our need for spiritual vigilance. We often stray from God, seek other idols, and then return to Him for forgiveness and grace. This cycle teaches us patience and trust in God's timing. [32:21]
- Advent, meaning "to come," is a time to reconnect with our longing for Christ, who has come, is present with us, and will come again. It is a season to prepare for the celebration of Christ's birth and His return, encouraging us to live out our faith actively. [34:38]
- The prophetic teachings of Jeremiah remind us of the importance of readiness for the fulfillment of God's promises. We are called to prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ, aligning our lives with His teachings and being ready for His return. [36:27]
- Spiritual growth during Advent involves practicing works of piety and mercy, which are means of grace. By engaging in these practices, we live out our faith fully, preparing ourselves for the second coming of Christ and participating in the coming kingdom of God. [39:32]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:30] - Call to Worship
[05:16] - Community Announcements
[06:57] - Early Advent Tradition
[24:04] - The Anticipation of Waiting
[28:27] - The Purpose of Waiting
[32:21] - Jeremiah's Prophetic Message
[34:38] - Understanding Advent
[36:27] - Spiritual Preparation
[37:31] - Practicing Faith Through Works
[39:32] - The Coming of Christ
[40:08] - Living Out Our Faith
[50:36] - Closing and Doxology
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Jeremiah 33:14-16
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jeremiah 33:14-16 promise about the future for the house of Israel and Judah?
2. How does the sermon describe the cycle of waiting and preparation in the context of Advent? [28:27]
3. What role does the concept of waiting play in the sermon, and how is it connected to spiritual growth? [32:21]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the idea of being active participants in the coming kingdom of God during Advent? [39:32]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. In what ways does the promise in Jeremiah 33:14-16 relate to the anticipation of Christ's coming, both in the past and future?
2. How does the cycle of sin and redemption, as discussed in the sermon, reflect our need for spiritual vigilance and readiness? [28:27]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of aligning our lives with God's will during the Advent season? [36:27]
4. How can the practices of piety and mercy, as mentioned in the sermon, serve as means of grace in preparing for Christ's return? [37:31]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to wait for something important. How did that experience teach you patience and trust in God's timing? [28:27]
2. What are some practical ways you can prepare your heart and mind for the Advent season, aligning yourself with God's will? [36:27]
3. Identify one act of piety or mercy you can commit to this Advent season. How will this help you live out your faith actively? [37:31]
4. How can you reconnect with your longing for Christ during Advent, recognizing His presence in your life today? [34:38]
5. Consider the cycle of sin and redemption in your own life. What steps can you take to maintain spiritual vigilance and readiness? [32:21]
6. How can you be the hands and feet of Jesus in your community during this Advent season? What specific actions can you take? [39:32]
7. Reflect on the prophetic teachings of Jeremiah. How can you prepare yourself for the fulfillment of God's promises in your life? [32:21]
Devotional
Day 1: Active Anticipation in Advent
Advent is a season of active waiting and preparation, not just for the celebration of Christ's birth but for His eventual return. It calls us to align our hearts and minds with God's will and to live out our faith through acts of piety and mercy. This period is not about passive waiting but involves a conscious effort to prepare spiritually. As we anticipate the coming of Christ, we are encouraged to engage in practices that reflect our faith and commitment to God's teachings. This preparation is both an inward journey of aligning our hearts with God's will and an outward expression of our faith through acts of kindness and mercy. [28:27]
"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:13, ESV)
Reflection: What specific acts of piety and mercy can you commit to this Advent season to actively prepare for Christ's coming?
Day 2: Trusting in God's Timing
The cycle of waiting and preparation is a recurring theme in scripture, reminding us of our need for spiritual vigilance. We often stray from God, seek other idols, and then return to Him for forgiveness and grace. This cycle teaches us patience and trust in God's timing. In our spiritual journey, waiting is not a passive state but a time to deepen our trust in God's plan and timing. It is an opportunity to reflect on our lives, recognize where we have strayed, and return to God with renewed faith and commitment. [32:21]
"But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." (Romans 8:25, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you find it hardest to trust God's timing, and how can you practice patience in that area today?
Day 3: Reconnecting with Our Longing for Christ
Advent, meaning "to come," is a time to reconnect with our longing for Christ, who has come, is present with us, and will come again. It is a season to prepare for the celebration of Christ's birth and His return, encouraging us to live out our faith actively. This period invites us to rekindle our desire for a deeper relationship with Christ, recognizing His presence in our lives and anticipating His future return. It is a time to reflect on the significance of Christ's coming and to renew our commitment to living according to His teachings. [34:38]
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." (Titus 2:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally reconnect with your longing for Christ's presence in your daily life this Advent season?
Day 4: Readiness for God's Promises
The prophetic teachings of Jeremiah remind us of the importance of readiness for the fulfillment of God's promises. We are called to prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ, aligning our lives with His teachings and being ready for His return. This readiness involves a conscious effort to live in accordance with God's will, embracing His promises and preparing for their fulfillment. It is a call to spiritual vigilance, ensuring that our lives reflect the values and teachings of Christ as we await His return. [36:27]
"Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah." (Jeremiah 33:14, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take to align your life more closely with God's promises and teachings as you prepare for Christ's return?
Day 5: Spiritual Growth Through Piety and Mercy
Spiritual growth during Advent involves practicing works of piety and mercy, which are means of grace. By engaging in these practices, we live out our faith fully, preparing ourselves for the second coming of Christ and participating in the coming kingdom of God. This growth is not just about personal spiritual development but also about contributing to the broader mission of God's kingdom. Through acts of piety and mercy, we embody the teachings of Christ and participate in His work in the world, preparing ourselves and others for His return. [39:32]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: What specific acts of piety and mercy can you practice this week to contribute to your spiritual growth and the coming kingdom of God?
Quotes
"We begin this journey knowing that all of God's promises will be fulfilled, and we'll talk about that in about 20 minutes." [00:06:57] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The days are surely coming says the lord when i will fulfill the promise i made to the house of israel and to the house of judah in those days and at that time i will cause a righteous branch to spring up for david and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land in those days judas will be saved and judah will be saved and jerusalem will live in safety and this is the name by which it will be called the lord is our righteousness" [00:30:48] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"So how do we interpret this passage for us today? Are we prepared to meet Jesus when Jesus arrives?" [00:32:21] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"See, the people in those days not far removed, the generation removed from Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension, they were always, they were wanting this quick, expedient second coming of Christ." [00:32:37] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Advent, a holy season in which we connect again with our inconsolable longing, as C .S. Lewis called it, our yearning for the one who is to come and is also mysteriously the one who has come already. Come as a child, come as a fellow sufferer, come as Savior, and yet who's coming already achieved, we hold at bay from ourselves so that we have to learn afresh each year, even each day, how to let him come to us again." [00:34:47] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"This time of Advent isn't just about leading up to a celebration of a Christ child 2,000 years ago. It is about being prepared in a time of waiting, not a lazy waiting, not just sitting back and twiddling our thumbs and just, you know, waiting for the clouds to open and the Lord to descend as the hymn goes, but to... to be in a time of waiting in which we are active participants in the coming kingdom of God." [00:38:40] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Spiritual growth waiting to know that Christ has come again. A simple quote, I hope, that will bring you peace, bring us all peace in our time of preparation, our time of waiting now. And this is from a priest and revered master of spiritual life, Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalene." [00:39:10] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"He came with love to Bethlehem. He comes with grace into our souls. He will come with justice at the end of the world." [00:39:32] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Because of the beauty of God's grace, Christ is shared through each and every one of us, too. So how we live, how we grow, how we interact with one another, how we go and participate in this campus, Christ is a part of it with you." [00:50:36] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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