ICEL Hope for the World: the coming of Christ Sermon 4 th Advent ICEL Leuven Dec. 19 th 2010 Pieter Boersema

ICEL 1. Introduction 4 th Advent: the expectation of the coming Christ.4 th Advent: the expectation of the coming Christ. The anniversary of our Lord Jesus.The anniversary of our Lord Jesus. More than 4 weeks on the Church Calendar.More than 4 weeks on the Church Calendar. Christmas as the feast of the birth of Jesus and of the shining lights of candles and stars.Christmas as the feast of the birth of Jesus and of the shining lights of candles and stars. Are the Advent candles also for us a symbol of expectation or is it only a romantic feeling?Are the Advent candles also for us a symbol of expectation or is it only a romantic feeling? The shining of a tiny flame as a symbol for the light of the (coming) day.The shining of a tiny flame as a symbol for the light of the (coming) day.

ICEL 2. The people in the O.T. times: hope for a Messiah. Longing for peace and justice.Longing for peace and justice. The anointed king, the Messiah = Christ.The anointed king, the Messiah = Christ. King David as an example but he was not the promised Savior.King David as an example but he was not the promised Savior. The desire to see the prophesy of Isaiah fulfilled: Isaiah 40:5, 42:6, 49:6, 25: 6-9The desire to see the prophesy of Isaiah fulfilled: Isaiah 40:5, 42:6, 49:6, 25: 6-9 Reading Isaiah 25: 6-9.Reading Isaiah 25: 6-9.

ICEL Isaiah 25: 6 - 8a On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine the best of meats and the finest of wines. 7 On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; 8 he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces;

ICEL Isaiah 25: 8b - 9 He will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The LORD has spoken. 9 In that day they will say, 9 In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation. “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.

ICEL 3. Different expectations The people and their meeting with Jesus from Nazareth.The people and their meeting with Jesus from Nazareth. A true leader who can perform miracles and helping the sick and disabled.A true leader who can perform miracles and helping the sick and disabled. But disappointed with a Messiah who did not released the people of Israel from their suppressor.But disappointed with a Messiah who did not released the people of Israel from their suppressor. The summary of the reaction by the two man on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24).The summary of the reaction by the two man on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24).

ICEL 4. How to read the promise of the coming Messiah? Reading Luke 2: 25 – 35: Simeon meeting the baby Jesus in the temple. 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,

ICEL Continuing Luke 2: Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” and the glory of your people Israel.”

ICEL Aspects from this encounter The Gospel of salvationThe Gospel of salvation = To live in Gods presence. The 10 Words (Commandments) : The Freedom (Exodus) of His peopleThe 10 Words (Commandments) : The Freedom (Exodus) of His people A light for revelation to the GentilesA light for revelation to the Gentiles = The Gospel for the whole world and the glory of your people Israel and the glory of your people Israel = Israel, the people of God, as an example. Little baby Jesus seen as a light to the World !Little baby Jesus seen as a light to the World !

ICEL 5. The people in our time: how do we see Advent? Christmas time is filled with green trees, lights and presents.Christmas time is filled with green trees, lights and presents. The call for cosines, warmth, sentiment, etc. in a ‘cold’ environment.The call for cosines, warmth, sentiment, etc. in a ‘cold’ environment. It shows the needs of people for ‘peace on earth, personal attention’.It shows the needs of people for ‘peace on earth, personal attention’. This is the worldly context of our Christmas celebration.This is the worldly context of our Christmas celebration. This ‘need’ of the world can be a starting point to ‘match’ with Gods love to the World.This ‘need’ of the world can be a starting point to ‘match’ with Gods love to the World.

ICEL 6. The difference between the 1 st and 2 nd coming The first coming of Jesus was explained by John as ‘the Light‘ into the world (John 1:3-5).The first coming of Jesus was explained by John as ‘the Light‘ into the world (John 1:3-5). We now know Jesus and the Holy Spirit (Acts 2).We now know Jesus and the Holy Spirit (Acts 2). But is there a real difference? The world has still not accepted the Light.But is there a real difference? The world has still not accepted the Light. Do we, as Gentiles, make the difference?Do we, as Gentiles, make the difference? What can we learn from the lessons form the Bible and church history?What can we learn from the lessons form the Bible and church history? The realization that we also need the Savior.The realization that we also need the Savior.

ICEL 7.Personal questions From the intro: are the Advent candles also for us a symbol of expectation?From the intro: are the Advent candles also for us a symbol of expectation? Do we know ‘to hope’ for the 2 nd coming?Do we know ‘to hope’ for the 2 nd coming? Is the vision on the new heaven and the new world, where there is no lamp or sun because God is the light, a promise to us from God which He will fulfill? (Rev. 22:3-5).Is the vision on the new heaven and the new world, where there is no lamp or sun because God is the light, a promise to us from God which He will fulfill? (Rev. 22:3-5). Is the light of the Advent candle for us also a symbol that we are living in Gods Kingdom?Is the light of the Advent candle for us also a symbol that we are living in Gods Kingdom? A Kingdom already present and still to come?A Kingdom already present and still to come?

ICEL 8. Closing The 4 th Advent candle, the last before Christmas, stands for ‘love’.The 4 th Advent candle, the last before Christmas, stands for ‘love’. Micah 6:8 “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”.Micah 6:8 “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”. How to read the promise of the coming of the Messiah?How to read the promise of the coming of the Messiah? Do your work, act in love, walk with God and hope for His salvation.Do your work, act in love, walk with God and hope for His salvation.