The dictionary defines hope as: verb

1. To entertain a wish for something with some expectation
2. To be confident; trust – to look forward to with confidence of fulfillment; expect with desire

Or: noun

1. A wish or desire supported by some confidence of its fulfillment
2. A ground for expectation or trust
3. That which is desired or anticipated
4. That in which one places one’s confidence
5. Expectation, confidence.

Hope is a wonderful thing. How many times has just the hope that something would come about got you through a particularly difficult time? I’ve often heard it put this way; “I can see light at the end of the tunnel. When you’ve gone through a long, dark time, just the fact you can see light gives you hope. This morning we begin the Advent season. It is a season of preparation for the Lord’s coming. The people of Israel, were expectantly waiting for Messiah, the anointed one to come and save them from the tyranny of Rome. They were tired of living under someone else’s rule and wanted to rule themselves. They were looking for a King; a mighty king to save them; politically, financially, and religiously. He would be the King to end all kings. The prophets promised him. Jeremiah wrote, “The day will come, says the Lord, when I will do for Israel and Judah all the good I have promised them. At that time I will bring to the throne of David a righteous descendant, and he will do what is just and right throughout the land. In that day Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in safety. And their motto will be ‘The Lord is our righteousness!’”

This is the One they were waiting for. This is the One they were hoping for. Reading through the Bible has been eye-opening to me. It is really hard to understand how Israel and Judah could ignore God’s commands and yet they did over and over again. They would live righteously for a while and then start slipping into sin. God would punish them. The people would repent and start living righteously again, for a while and then the whole cycle would repeat itself.

During the silent years, the 400 years between the Testaments, it appears that Israel and Judah had finally solved their idolatry problem. The Pharisees were guardians over the law and they wanted to make sure that the temple would never be overthrown again. They wanted this new king just as bad as everyone else. It was this king that they held out hope for. They had hope that God would soon deliver them as God had delivered their ancestors from the Egyptians and from other civilizations. With this hope they had expectation that the descendant of David would finally come and take up his throne. Hope is a wonderful thing.

Just as the Israelites were anticipating the coming of the king, so are we today. Advent is a season of expectation and hope. Not only are we preparing our hearts in anticipation of the Christmas celebration, but during this season, we also remember that Christ the King is coming back again. We have hope as Christians when we remember this glorious hope. Today as we partake in communion, that will be our focus. Jesus commanded his disciples to participate in the communion feast often and to do until His return. This morning we want to remember that Jesus Christ the King is coming back again. He will return as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. The first time He came as a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. The next time He comes, he will split the Eastern sky and all will know.

So what does this mean to all of us? It means that we need to be ready for His return. Let’s take a look at Luke’s gospel chapter 21:29-36:

²⁹ Then he gave them this illustration: “Notice the fig tree, or any other tree. ³⁰ When the leaves come out, you know without being told that summer is near. ³¹ Just so, when you see the events I’ve described taking place, you can be sure that the Kingdom of God is near. ³² I assure you, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these events have taken place. ³³ Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will remain forever.

³⁴ “Watch out! Don’t let me find you living in careless ease and drunkenness, and filled with the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, ³⁵ as in a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. ³⁶ Keep a constant watch. And pray that, if possible, you may escape these horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”^[i]

Jesus makes it very plain to us that we need to be ready for His return. He even tells us that there will be signs. Just as the earth gives us signs of the seasons, there will be signs of His return. Jesus says to keep a look out for these signs, because then you will know the time is near. But, look what Jesus says, in verse 34. Watch out! I believe that day will sneak up on many people even Christians. Jesus cautions us to be on guard against evil behaviors. He cautions against living in careless ease. I believe there are many who have bought into the materialism of our culture. Just watching how money is being spent over the last few weeks convinces me of that. All that materialism only causes us grief. Just think how we have to guard all of our stuff when we go away on vacation. This stuff can trap us and make us forget what is really important. What is the important stuff? Jesus tells us in verse 36, “Keep a constant watch and pray…” If we are living the life that God has called us to live, we can have that hope in the coming King. We know that He will be returning for us.

In the gospels, Jesus makes it very clear that He will return again. Paul makes it clear in His writings as well. Jesus is coming back as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13:

¹¹ May God himself, our Father, and our Lord Jesus make it possible for us to come to you very soon. ¹² And may the Lord make your love grow and overflow to each other and to everyone else, just as our love overflows toward you. ¹³ As a result, Christ will make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy when you stand before God our Father on that day when our Lord Jesus comes with all those who belong to him. ^[ii]

This is a passage that we looked at this past summer. Paul reminds us that Jesus is coming; Christ the King is coming. Christ desires to make our hearts strong, blameless, and holy. Holy means we are set apart and we are set apart for God’s use. As we begin to prepare for communion this morning, are there things in your life that are keeping you from being set apart to God? If there are, ask God to help you get rid of those things. Only He can do it. There is nothing we can do in our own power to get rid of it. Only Christ can through the workings of the Holy Spirit.

Communion is a wonderful time when we remember. First we remember the price that was paid for our sins; that Jesus died in our place; that His blood was shed and His body was broken for us. Second, we remember in communion that if Christ had simply just died for us, that would not be remarkable. What makes it remarkable is that He rose again and conquered the keys of sin and death. Christ has risen (He has risen indeed) Thirdly, we remember that the Christ that has risen from the dead and has ascended in heaven and is preparing a place for us, will return and he has commanded us his disciples to remember this feast until He returns. Let us participate in this feast together and remember that Christ is returning as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

In order to prepare to partake let me read the words of David:

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

² I trust in you, my God!

Do not let me be disgraced,

or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.

³ No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,

but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.

⁴ Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord;

point out the right road for me to follow.

⁵ Lead me by your truth and teach me,

for you are the God who saves me.

All day long I put my hope in you.

⁶ Remember, O Lord, your unfailing love and compassion,

which you have shown from long ages past.

⁷ Forgive the rebellious sins of my youth;

look instead through the eyes of your unfailing love,

for you are merciful, O Lord.

⁸ The Lord is good and does what is right;

he shows the proper path to those who go astray.

⁹ He leads the humble in what is right,

teaching them his way.

¹⁰ The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness

all those who keep his covenant and obey his decrees.

^[iii]

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