Scripture: Matthew 24: 42-51
This past week we were urged by law enforcement to be on watch. A child-killer had
struck and could be coming back to strike again. Frightened thousands weren't just
waiting; oh no, they were keeping watch. One word is passive, waiting; the other active,
watching. Parents gripped their small children's hands a little tighter, kept them inside,
and didn't let them out of their sight. Parents desperately watching, watching and keeping
very much awake glued to their televisions.
Webster says to wait means "to remain stationary in readiness or
expectation," "To look forward expectantly." On the other hand, to watch is
defined as "the act of keeping awake to guard, protect, and attend, a state of
alertness and continuous attention." No doubt about it, folks throughout Southern
California weren't waiting; oh no, they were awake keeping watch.
This morning's passage reads in the NIV:
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But
understand this: if the owner of the house had known at what time of the night the thief
was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.
In the Church Universal - whether in its Orthodox, its Roman, or its
Protestant/Reformed expressions - we find this hopeful, prayerful watch for the return of
our Lord. If there is a shared teaching in Christianity, certainly this watch is one of
them.
Hey, Presbyterians believe in the Second Coming, right? This is a given, as it were,
and is not our worry today. Our concern is whether we are waiting or watching. Can we tell
the difference? I think we can.
A sensationalized example of Christians waiting was recently outlined in a major
American institution: Time Magazine. Did you notice the cover story of the July 1st
issue?, "The Bible and the Apocalypse: Why more Americans are reading and talking
about the End of the World?" It stated:
"It's not the end of the world, our mothers always told us. This was
helpful for putting spilled milk in perspective, but it was also our introduction to a
basic human reference point. We seem to be born with an instinct that the end is out there
somewhere. We have a cultural impulse to imagine it -- and keep it at bay."
"Since Sept. 11, people from cooler corners of Christianity have begun asking
questions about what the Bible has to say about how the world ends, and preachers have
answered their questions with sermons they could not have imagined giving a year
ago..." "That is because among the best-selling fiction books of our times --
right up there with Tom Clancy and Stephen King -- is a series about the End Times."
Since 1995, when Rev. Tim LaHaye contracted novelist Jerry Jenkins to pen the Left
Behind book series, some 32 million copies of the 10 novels have been purchased by as many
nonbelievers as believers. The first novel, Left Behind, starts it all with a scene aboard
a 747 bound for Heathrow from Chicago. Supposedly, flight attendants suddenly find
approximately half the seats empty, except for the clothes and wedding rings and dental
fillings of the believers who have suddenly been swept up to heaven. Down on the ground,
cars are crashing ... you get the picture! The following nine novels then tell the stories
of the tribulations suffered by those left behind and their struggle to be saved."
On a personal level, this is my greatest point of contention with dispensational
premillennialism (that's the technical theological nomenclature given to the teachings of
how one should have been ready in the Left Behind series).
Dr. Sine writes: "One eschatological perspective not uncommon among theological
conservatives can be summarized somewhat crudely as, 'If things don't get worse, Jesus
won't come.'"
It's what Randell Balmer calls "a theology of despair." This because of
"its conviction that the world is headed irredeemably south breeds a grim
indifference both to individual nonbelievers and to the American project as a whole."
Will you allow me an observation? Here at PPC, we're not waiting for the Second Coming,
we're on watch for it. In this 24th chapter of Matthew's gospel, Jesus tells us "...
about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only
the Father."
If you want to be waiting for the Lord's appearance confused, apprehensive, troubled,
perplexed, worried or filled with despair, sorry you've come to the wrong local Christian
church. You see, to be on watch for the Second Coming of Christ is to be filled with
joyful eager expectation.
Barclay reflects on Jesus words with these thoughts: "to get this picture right,
we must remember that the watching of the Christian for the coming of Christ is not that
of terror-stricken fear and shivering apprehension; it is the watching of joyful eager
expectation for the coming of glory and joy."
Mexican-American and Catholic priest/theologian, Dr. Virgil Elizondo in his book, The
Future is Mestizo, describes how this being on watch can be a joyful, eager expectation
for the Lord's appearing. He declares:
"...Jesus does not proclaim some sort of new ideology. He lives out a new
alternative, not by fighting against anyone or even by defending the ways of his religion.
He proclaims the Reign of God, teaches about God's way of life for all humanity, and most
of all dares to live what others fear: the joy of common table fellowship with everyone.
By freely eating with everyone, he breaks and challenges all the social taboos that keep
people apart.
The most earth-shaking activity of the Jesus revolution of human standards was his
unquestioned joy of table fellowship with everyone and anyone. Some feel that it was this,
which so scandalized all the good and religious people of his times, that sent him to the
cross the fastest."
Elizondo continues: "Jesus invites all to a conversion from their old ways to the
way of the love of God, neighbor, enemy, and one another. And who are neighbors? In the
story of the Good Samaritan Jesus makes it clear: not necessarily those who share the same
religion and the same culture, but those who act on behalf of the other in need."
Dr. Elizondo concludes: "Following the categories of Teilhard de Chardin, it seems
that we are witnessing the birth of a new phylum of human life, the breakthrough to a
truly human family... The new mestizaje that is taking place in diverse forms every place
on the globe represents a breakthrough to a new humanity...there will...emerge a great
common unity that we all seek but have not yet experienced. This new unity will not be
homogeneity, a humanity without differences; it will be a new mosaic of the human
race."
Not much gloom and doom there, you see, for to be on watch for the Lord's return is to
be filled with joyful eager expectations.
And to this joyful eager expectation we add a sense of urgency. To be on watch, and not
just waiting, for the Living Hope of Jesus' return is to live our life with urgency.
The Confession of 1967 asserts: "With an urgency born of this hope, the church
applies itself to present tasks and strives for a better world. It does not identify
limited progress with the kingdom of God on earth, nor does it despair in the face of
disappointment and defeat. In steadfast hope, the church looks beyond all partial
achievement to the final triumph of God."
Jesus declares: "...that wicked slave says to himself, 'My master is delayed, and
he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of
that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him..."
Can I quote a few more lines from the Time Magazine article? It reads: "Actually,
the more Evangelicals became involved in politics, the more they engaged with the world
here and now, the more interest in End Times theology drifted back into the realm of
entertainment." It goes on to say "there is a yuppie aspirational quality to the
books, which are full of pretty people with cell phones and seats in first class. In other
words, [the] Left Behind [series] serves those readers who are just as worried about being
left behind in this life as in the next."
Dios de mi Vida, Àporque la prisa? What's the hurry?
Hey, why stop with just books? Do you really want to just kick back with a Super Big
Gulp in one hand and, let's see, there's a whole bunch of other products related to the
popular series. There are end-time prophecies told in comic book form, with lots of
colorful comic book pictures. Also, there are CDs where the apocalyptic tales are
performed in audio versions with background music. Of course, there's the movie, now on
DVD, featuring the series' hero, Buck Williams. Then there's the 22 volumes of children's
books with four kids of faith who face the last days as a team. And finally, there's the
Board Games, where you and other players band together and use deception cards to defeat
the Antichrist!
Hey, is this a great waiting game or what!? Comic books, board games, CDS, etc., etc.
My Sisters and Brothers, a sense of urgency has always characterized Christians who are
on watch for the Return of Christ.
Tom Sine in Signs of the Kingdom in the Secular City asserts: "The Bible is quite
clear about God's vision of the future. This powerful image first comes to light in his
promise to Abraham: 'In you all the nations of the world are going to be blessed.' It
broadens in the promise of the rainbow, and in the hope of the promised land. The promised
land is meant to symbolize God's intention to one day bring his people into a new place, a
new future. The image is further developed in the jubilee Scripture which establishes the
groundwork for a society based on justice, redistribution of wealth and property, and
remembrance of the poor.
"Isaiah 9 completes the picture. Oppression is gone forever. The new society is
one of peace where the garments rolled in blood from warfare are thrown in the fire for
burning. Best of all a child is born to be our king and of the increase and peace of his
government there shall be no end. A kingdom of peace, justice, and hope--this is God's
design for our future."
This sense of urgency does not allow us uncritical endorsement of any state at war. So
we urge: Mr. Arafat, Mr. Sharon, put down your weapons. Come to the table of peace!
Believers on watch with joyful eager expectations, believers on watch with a sense of
urgency. Add to this that all believers should be watching for the Christ's return busy
doing their duty.
Jesus declares: "Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put
in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper
time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives."
Holwerda in the article; Eschatology and History: A Look at Calvin's Eschatological
Vision, writes: "Eschatology concerns the dynamic of human history, the cosmic sweep
of the rule of God involving the judgment and renewal of human life and all its
structures.
He continues: "There is nothing speculative about Calvin's eschatology. To Calvin,
the point of all such prophecies is patience and persistence. Calvin's eschatological
vision is in essence a call for decision and obedient action here and now ... The church
and its activity is an essential part of the eschatological movement of history from
Advent to Return."
Wolterstorff cites a Jacques Ellul of another generation [I say of another generation
because of his lack of inclusive language] to support this idea that Christians on watch
are busy doing their duty:
"The Christian conception ...is the expectation of a new city. And this reveals a
very singular myth, which cannot be put on the same shelf with pagan myths of a golden age
... the notion that there was at the beginning of time ...a golden age when there was an
equilibrium in everything and in man's heart ...
In the common myths we have a backward movement ...The essential point ... is a refusal
of the existing order, a denial of man's "progress"
It is a black line drawn through all of history, which is only the history of human
degradation....Man must...come back to what he once abandoned and destroyed.
But the Hebrew notion is completely other: to the extent that this view is centered in
the city, it takes in all of man's works and all of his history. Far from advocating a
return to the past, it calls for a step ahead; it wants to lose nothing of what man has
done."
"...in the eschatological image of the city we have the assurance that our efforts
to make these present cities of ours humane places in which to live -- efforts which so
often are frustrated, efforts which so often yield despair--will, by way of the mysterious
patterns of history, eventually provide the tiles and timbers for a city of delight."
United Methodist Pastor Paul Nixon another advocate of Christians on watch busy doing
their duty, writes in Fling Open the Doors: Giving the Church Away to the Community: It is
so easy for churches to become disconnected with the concerns of the wider community and
world and to become obsessed with internal matters ... for a church to make a difference
in the life of a community, it has to plant itself squarely in the center of community
life. This planting is more than simply a matter of building location. It is more than
simply an array of "outreach" programs. It is something that must go to the
heart of the church's identity."
"In this twenty-first century," Nixon continues, "I believe the battle
for effective ministry will center around core values and behavior more than around
theology. [And I would add theologies of the End Times] A church that lives the values of
the good news of Jesus will thrive more often than not. A church that lives in love with
the people God has placed around them will thrive more often than not."
May I be a little bold. ÀMis amigos, podemos hablar? Friends, can we talk? I know
Hogar Cristiano, Margie and I have just celebrated our second year as part of the PPC
church family. ÁPero bendito sea Dios! It's great to be a part of a multicultural
ministry that insists that its members must be on watch busy doing their duty. Nobody here
just waiting around for Jesus to return.
Lets see: tutors at Jefferson Elementary, 12-step groups, Rainbow choir, celebration of
the Arts, ESL classes, new member classes, worship and the study of God's Word in four
languages, and the list goes on and on.
But how about a word about a vision of a ministry for that part of the PPC church
family called Hogar Cristiano? Hogar Cristiano esta velando, it's on watch. Your
co-laborers are proposing a coordinating entity called Hogar Cristiano Community Center.
Besides the clothing closet, the food pantry, immigration services, ESL and sewing
classes, we're looking to expand to other sorts of services such as jobs placement,
educational opportunities such as GED classes, a college transfer program and musical
instrument classes, planting Hogar Cristiano right in the heart of Pasadena's Spanish
speaking community.
In fact, our partnership with the Children's Hunger Fund will require a team trained
over a Friday evening and a Saturday. Tried of just waiting around? Come stand with us on
watch.
Jesus in this Olivet discourse nails down his exhortation of how be on watch by
teaching two parables and giving a description of the Judgment of the Nations. Christians
should be watching for the Second Coming of Christ busy doing their duty.
He tells of wise bridesmaids on watch - that is, they were keeping awake to guard, to
protect, and to attend. A servant who receives one talent according to his abilities,
hides it and just waits. He buries it. But you see, life is an adventure and those who
just wait by hiding their talents won't be ready to give an accounting when the master
arrives.
In the Judgment of the Nations Jesus points out that to watch for His coming is to be
faithfully doing our duty. And anyone can be faithful, because anyone can give food to the
hungry, a cup of water to the thirsty, welcome a stranger, clothe the naked, care for the
sick, visit those in jail.
The Time Magazine article comes to this interesting conclusion: "Jesus said that
when it comes to the time of judgment, 'no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, but
My Father only.' In that light, if Christians are called to put their faith in Christ,
whatever trials they face, then it undermines that trust to try to read the signs, unlock
the code, focus on what can't be known rather than on what must be done; heal the sick,
tend the poor, spread the Gospel."
My Sisters and Brothers, we must stand watch for our Lord's return busy doing our duty.
How do we sum up this sermon? I have argued that to be on watch for the living hope of
our Lord's return is to be urgently busy doing our duty, filled with joyful eager
expectations.
My intent has not been to belittle the faith of literally millions of fellow believers
who are waiting having been caught up in a media blitz of best selling novels with heroes,
bombs, terror and apprehension.
Where are we getting our information? Magazines? Television? Bill Moyers, former press
secretary for L.B.J., was driving through Colorado when a sudden downpour broke loose. He
stopped at a roadside coffee shop to wait for the rain to stop. Since he was the only
customer at the counter, he tried to make conversation with the waitress.
"The rain is really coming down," he said
"Yup," she replied.
"Reminds me of the Great Flood."
"The what?"
"You know, The coming of the Great Flood ... Noah ... the Ark," he explained.
"I wouldn't know about that," she said, "I haven't had the TV on in four
days"
The preface to A Brief Statement of Faith states, "No confession of faith looks
merely to the past; every confession seeks to cast the light of a priceless heritage on
the needs of the present moment, and so to shape the future...
"Hence A Brief Statement of Faith lifts up concerns that call most urgently
for the church's attention in our time. The church is not a refuge from the world; an
elect people is chosen for the blessing of the nations. A sound confession, therefore,
proves itself as it nurtures commitment to the church's mission, and as the confessing
church itself becomes the body by which Christ continues the blessing of his earthly
ministry."
Lord, this morning we confess that:
"In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our
daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God's new heaven and
new earth, praying, "Come, Lord Jesus!"
