1. FEAR NOT! Advent 2015

2. LUKE 21:25-26 “There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. On the earth, there will be dismay among nations in their confusion over the roaring of the sea and surging waves. The planets and other heavenly bodies will be shaken, causing people to faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world.

3. WAITING AND LONGING The world around us seems bent on doing just the opposite The world around us seems bent on doing just the opposite Require conditions of absence – chaos and emptiness Require conditions of absence – chaos and emptiness In Jesus’ day In Jesus’ day In ours In ours These conditions typically lead us to a place of fear These conditions typically lead us to a place of fear

4. LUKE 21:27-28 “ Then they will see the Human One coming on a cloud with power and great splendor. Now when these things begin to happen, stand up straight and raise your heads, because your redemption is near.”

5. WAITING FOR CREATION Greek Philosophy imposed foreign questions onto the creation narratives: Greek Philosophy imposed foreign questions onto the creation narratives: Why is there something rather than nothing? Why is there something rather than nothing? How did something come from nothing? How did something come from nothing? Answers varied from an unmoved mover to a first cause Answers varied from an unmoved mover to a first cause

6. WAITING FOR CREATION The account was originally written to answer more existential questions: The account was originally written to answer more existential questions: How does the God we worship deal with the inherent chaos of life? How does the God we worship deal with the inherent chaos of life? How does the God we worship fill the inherent emptiness of life? How does the God we worship fill the inherent emptiness of life? There were other answers available (force, violence) but Genesis offers a unique one There were other answers available (force, violence) but Genesis offers a unique one

7. LUKE 21:29-33 Jesus told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, you know that God’s kingdom is near. I assure you that this generation won’t pass away until everything has happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will certainly not pass away.

8. LUKE 21:34-36 “Take care that your hearts aren’t dulled by drinking parties, drunkenness, and the anxieties of day-to-day life. Don’t let that day fall upon you unexpectedly, like a trap. It will come upon everyone who lives on the face of the whole earth. Stay alert at all times, praying that you are strong enough to escape everything that is about to happen and to stand before the Human One.”