ADVENT 1 – Nov. 29, 2020 – 1 Cor. 1:3-9
“PREPARED FOR EVERYTHING”
Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Epistle Lesson just read, from 1 Cor. 3. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- The word “advent” means “arrival,” particularly an important arrival – of a special person or event. During the season of Advent the church celebrates the first coming of Jesus at the first Christmas, and also the ways in which Jesus stills comes to us today – in His Word and Sacraments, and also the promises regarding His coming again in glory. In our text the apostle Paul refers to this latter coming of Jesus as “the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
- In some respects, we might look at this intervening time as difficult – in that we must live by faith and not by sight. We do not directly see and experience the rule and reign of Christ over all things. In fact, what we see and experience seems to indicate that evil forces are still very much in control and free to do as they please. Or so it at times appears.
- So there is no question that our time in this interim – as we wait for the second advent of our Lord Jesus Christ – is conflicted and challenging for us.
- How will we make it through this time as children of God? The fact is, that just as the reign and rule of Jesus is obscured and usually unseen, so also we often remain unaware of the help and strength that God provides for us. We may be unaware, even oblivious, to all that God gives us to not only survive this interim but to thrive in it! Paul informs us of these blessings which God bestows on His people! He does this so that we may be “PREPARED FOR EVERYTHING.”
I. God Prepares Us For All Troubles As The Day Of The Lord Draws Near
A. He Brings Us To Faith And Confirms Us In Faith Through His Word
Text: “I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus . . . The testimony about Christ was confirmed among you. . . . God is faithful by Whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
B. He Forgives Our Sins And Sustains Us Guiltless Until The End
Text: “He will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
C. He Keeps Us In The Fellowship Of Jesus, The Church
Text: “God is faithful by Whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Statement: In all of these things that are crucial to our spiritual and eternal welfare, including the day of Christ’s glorious advent, God’s grace and mercy are sustaining us and preserving us! He is ever faithful to do this for us, to keep us in fellowship with Jesus and His church! Here we continue to receive His Word and Sacraments, and His testimony is confirmed in us. Our sins are washed away and forgiven – by the Word, by His absolution, and with His body and blood! We are held and kept guiltless by God Himself!
Application: As we grow older and become more and more aware of our weaknesses, our sins, and our spiritual failures, the easier it seems we fall into periods of doubt, fear, and even terror. We recognize that we do not even want the things of God as vigorously as we should. We realize that we have little appreciation for the things that are truly best for us, the blessings of God. We pray God to keep us within the fellowship of His church, connected to Jesus. And He grants these prayers. So we are able to “give thanks to God because of this grace of God given to us in Christ Jesus.” And we do so as we “wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. In all this God is blessing us and preparing us1
Transition: But we are given even more:
II. God Also Prepares Us For A Productive Spiritual Life In This Time Of Waiting
Text: “In every way you were enriched in Him in all speech and all knowledge . . . so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Statement: That is a pretty big assertion – that we have been enriched in every way in Christ Jesus. He mentions two big areas of enrichment – our speaking and knowledge. In fact he asserts “in all speech and all knowledge.” He is not talking about us becoming orators or politicians, or becoming scholars and know-it-alls. He is talking about “confessional” unity, knowing the doctrine of God’s Word in truth and purity! This also comes to us, we must remember, through “the testimony about Christ.” It is through this Word of God that we are strengthened and blessed so that “you are not lacking in any spiritual gift.”
Application: I have always known that any spiritual gift or aptitude that I possess has come to me purely as a gracious gift of God. I have generally been at least somewhat appreciative of these blessings, even though not properly so. What is difficult to believe is that I am not lacking in any spiritual gift. I’m sure it is the same with you! I seem, at least to myself, and often to others who give me feedback, that I remain woefully deficient in spiritual gifts and spiritual aptitude. Likely it is the same for you.
However, if it was otherwise, this would yield insufferable pride and arrogance – such that truly would call into question our spiritual gifts. So God also grants us the gift of honesty and confession of our sins – for this is essential for receiving God’s spiritual gifts. First, to receive His forgiveness and mercy, so that we are guiltless. Second, to receive from Him this graciousness in our speaking and our teaching.
So God does give us all that we need to continue in a life of repentance and joy in His grace in Christ Jesus! And this will keep us “PREPARED FOR EVERYTHING” as we wait for Christ’s glorious advent!
Conclusion: And knowing that His revealing, His arrival in glory, is soon to happen, also keeps us “PREPARED FOR EVERYTHING,” for it helps us to keep every aspect of our life here and now in proper perspective. We do not live for the things of this world, but for the things of God. We are not consumed by temporal things that are wearing out and passing away, but infatuated with the things that God has promised us.
May He continue to keep us in the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, into which He Himself called us and blessed us with His grace. Then we will lack no spiritual gift, and will truly be “PREPARED FOR EVERYTHING.” Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.