WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:17.719 The hour has come. Wake up from your slumber. Put aside the deeds of darkness. Put on the armour of light. Behave decently. Don't gratify the desires of the flesh. 00:00:18.640 --> 00:00:29.660 ! These are some strong words, but they're not a threat. This is an invitation. It's exciting. But perhaps you're wondering, 00:00:30.960 --> 00:00:46.420 what this passage has to do with the first Sunday of Advent. Let's get straight to the point. In preparing for this service, I really sense the fact that this is an invitation for us, for the church today. 00:00:46.420 --> 00:01:00.439 The time is now to realign our focus. To turn our hearts and our minds from the things of the world and the busyness that we so often get caught up in, especially at this time of the year. 00:01:00.439 --> 00:01:04.939 And to invite the Lord in to do the preparing of our hearts. 00:01:04.939 --> 00:01:17.140 Because as we come to celebrate Emmanuel, God with us, God incarnate, God who made his dwelling among us, 00:01:17.819 --> 00:01:26.879 Paul, the author of Romans, where we find our passage this morning, reminds us that the time for our salvation is nearer now than it ever has been. 00:01:26.879 --> 00:01:37.560 So we need to be asking ourselves, are we preparing? Are we ready? Are we dressed for the occasion? 00:01:37.560 --> 00:01:47.140 I remember when I was little and Christmas was the most exciting time of the year. 00:01:47.140 --> 00:01:53.219 On the first day of December, the Advent calendar would be hung up in the hallway. 00:01:53.659 --> 00:01:57.140 The Christmas fairy would come and put some sweets in the pockets. 00:01:58.599 --> 00:02:01.400 And coming home from school would be more exciting than ever. 00:02:02.099 --> 00:02:09.560 Going into town would be a nightmare because the Bath Christmas market would be on and it would inevitably clash with a Bath rugby game. 00:02:09.560 --> 00:02:13.180 And no one in their right mind would go near the town centre on a Saturday. 00:02:13.979 --> 00:02:19.759 Then two weekends before Christmas, the Christmas decorations would come out of the cupboard. 00:02:20.520 --> 00:02:23.319 Chairs would be moved to make way for the tree. 00:02:23.780 --> 00:02:26.980 Dad would hang up two bits of tinsel and then run away. 00:02:29.099 --> 00:02:30.640 And escape the madness. 00:02:30.879 --> 00:02:36.560 One of two Christmas CDs we seemed to own would be playing as we prepared the house for Christmas. 00:02:36.560 --> 00:02:43.979 Then came the lists, or at least the lists that mum had been preparing for a while, suddenly came into my awareness. 00:02:44.680 --> 00:02:49.500 Minced pies to be made, a Christmas cake to be baked and decorated. 00:02:49.759 --> 00:02:54.360 Last minute Christmas presents would be bought, wrapped and delivered. 00:02:54.819 --> 00:02:57.520 School shows, concerts, carol services. 00:02:58.280 --> 00:03:03.060 Family to be visited and the Strictly Come Dancing final to be enjoyed. 00:03:03.060 --> 00:03:06.860 Grandparents would arrive around Christmas Eve. 00:03:07.000 --> 00:03:13.879 Mum's mega Christmas dinner timings list would surface and presents under the tree would begin to appear. 00:03:14.879 --> 00:03:18.840 At last, Christmas Eve would draw to a close. 00:03:19.159 --> 00:03:23.980 I'd go to bed waiting for Santa to come and fill up my stocking with goodies. 00:03:24.120 --> 00:03:25.960 And would I sleep that night? 00:03:26.819 --> 00:03:27.219 No. 00:03:27.439 --> 00:03:28.759 My dad's shaking his head. 00:03:28.759 --> 00:03:39.419 Too excited for that because in all of the preparation, all the decorating, the waiting, the expecting, and the longing for that day to finally be here, 00:03:39.659 --> 00:03:42.639 it would finally be Christmas Day. 00:03:43.359 --> 00:03:50.680 In all of the excitement of traditions and celebrations and games and merrymaking that would accumulate over Christmas Day, 00:03:50.680 --> 00:04:00.319 I'll be honest, my overwhelming feeling would sometimes often be that I could finally open that oddly shaped Christmas present that I'd spotted under the tree. 00:04:00.319 --> 00:04:05.759 I do now sleep the night before Christmas. 00:04:05.759 --> 00:04:08.159 And it's not all about presents anymore. 00:04:08.459 --> 00:04:09.599 It never really was. 00:04:09.719 --> 00:04:18.019 But I still enjoy the decorating, the baking, the shopping, the visiting family and friends, all the traditions. 00:04:19.459 --> 00:04:23.740 But there's something more to Advent than that. 00:04:24.459 --> 00:04:28.839 And I think we often miss it in all of the busyness of Christmas. 00:04:28.839 --> 00:04:38.679 When I was preparing for this talk this morning, I looked up the different readings that I could choose from from the lectionary. 00:04:39.239 --> 00:04:42.819 And I noticed that they all were about the end being near. 00:04:44.239 --> 00:04:50.259 And I turned to Russ and I said, these readings, they're not very Christmassy, are they? 00:04:50.559 --> 00:04:54.399 Aren't they meant to be more Christmassy than this for the first Sunday of Advent? 00:04:54.399 --> 00:05:00.379 And his reply was something along the lines of, that's a common mistake that people often make. 00:05:00.659 --> 00:05:02.679 We conflate Advent and Christmas. 00:05:03.679 --> 00:05:10.679 And too quickly, we jump to Christmas and totally miss out on Advent altogether. 00:05:11.939 --> 00:05:17.799 Of course, Russ being Russ definitely gave me a longer, more intelligent answer than that. 00:05:17.800 --> 00:05:19.900 But this is the point. 00:05:20.259 --> 00:05:30.180 See, Advent isn't just about the festive fun of chocolates behind little doors as we count down the days towards the big day. 00:05:31.800 --> 00:05:44.379 Advent is a really important season of preparation, of expectation, of looking forward to the hope that was promised to Israel in the shape of a coming Messiah. 00:05:44.379 --> 00:05:56.420 Advent is a time of reflection in a season of darkness, a renewal of hope and a movement towards the beginning marked by Christmas Day. 00:05:57.060 --> 00:06:04.740 To steal a line from the great Christmas carol, Advent is about where we let every heart prepare him room. 00:06:04.740 --> 00:06:12.759 I think about the excitement I felt as a child as we prepared our home for Christmas. 00:06:13.220 --> 00:06:18.240 As we made preparations and did all of our pre-Christmas things. 00:06:18.960 --> 00:06:24.759 Maybe there was something right in my childish excitement about the Christmas presents. 00:06:25.220 --> 00:06:27.400 But I was thinking about the wrong gift. 00:06:27.399 --> 00:06:39.399 And so, on this first Sunday of Advent, as we prepare our hearts to celebrate the coming of Christ the King, the Messiah, the Saviour of the world, 00:06:39.500 --> 00:06:43.739 let us look at these words from Paul to the Church of Rome. 00:06:44.439 --> 00:06:46.199 And by extension, to us too. 00:06:47.419 --> 00:06:51.079 I'm going to read the passage again, this time from the Message Version. 00:06:51.079 --> 00:06:52.639 And it says, 00:06:52.639 --> 00:07:00.120 Make sure you don't get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-to-day obligations, 00:07:00.120 --> 00:07:04.060 so that you lose track of time and doze off, oblivious to God. 00:07:04.759 --> 00:07:06.259 The night is over. 00:07:07.019 --> 00:07:08.219 Dawn is about to break. 00:07:08.319 --> 00:07:10.579 Be up and awake to what God is doing. 00:07:12.560 --> 00:07:17.699 God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. 00:07:17.699 --> 00:07:20.979 We can't afford to waste a minute. 00:07:21.439 --> 00:07:25.680 Must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, 00:07:25.800 --> 00:07:27.439 in sleeping around and dissipation, 00:07:27.779 --> 00:07:30.000 in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. 00:07:30.379 --> 00:07:31.399 Get out of bed. 00:07:31.839 --> 00:07:32.620 Get dressed. 00:07:32.980 --> 00:07:36.419 Do not loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. 00:07:36.879 --> 00:07:38.560 Dress yourselves in Christ. 00:07:39.480 --> 00:07:40.680 Be up and about. 00:07:43.860 --> 00:07:45.719 It's time to wake up. 00:07:45.720 --> 00:07:47.880 To rise up. 00:07:49.420 --> 00:07:57.740 As I was preparing, I read a commentary on this passage that went something along the lines of, 00:07:57.740 --> 00:08:03.640 it's possible for us to do many Christian things and still essentially be asleep to God. 00:08:04.800 --> 00:08:09.280 We can talk in our sleep, walk in our sleep, hear things in our sleep. 00:08:10.720 --> 00:08:12.820 We can even think things in our sleep. 00:08:12.940 --> 00:08:13.980 We just call it dreaming. 00:08:13.980 --> 00:08:19.780 But unless we wake up from our slumber, we can't be committed to right walk with God. 00:08:19.939 --> 00:08:22.040 We'll just sleep walk with God. 00:08:22.920 --> 00:08:27.879 And I'm sure you'll agree with me that I don't want to sleep walk my walk with God. 00:08:28.259 --> 00:08:35.519 When there is so much more to be found when we wake up and walk, right walk in the fullness with him. 00:08:35.519 --> 00:08:40.399 See, Paul is right. 00:08:40.399 --> 00:08:44.699 The day of Jesus' return is closer than it was when we first believed. 00:08:45.139 --> 00:08:46.720 It's closer than it ever has been. 00:08:47.539 --> 00:08:51.620 And whilst God has already won the victory through Jesus' death and resurrection, 00:08:52.100 --> 00:08:57.679 God's salvation plan has not yet been fully executed and he will be coming back. 00:08:57.679 --> 00:09:02.120 As Jesus himself said, the day and the hour is not for us to know. 00:09:02.639 --> 00:09:11.199 But I'm sure when he comes back, there are things that we would rather him find us doing or not doing. 00:09:11.200 --> 00:09:19.100 Paul calls us to put aside the deeds of darkness, which he rounds up as drunkenness, sexual immorality, 00:09:19.640 --> 00:09:27.000 debauchery, overindulgence in sex, drugs and alcohol, arguing in a way that leads to discord and jealousy. 00:09:28.060 --> 00:09:33.540 And you know, we might think that we're okay because we don't sleep around. 00:09:33.620 --> 00:09:36.100 We don't get off our faces on a Saturday night. 00:09:36.100 --> 00:09:39.560 We aren't the ones to engage in arguments or fights. 00:09:39.700 --> 00:09:45.220 Or maybe you're feeling a bit hot under the collar because you can identify with these things. 00:09:45.320 --> 00:09:49.000 But the list isn't exhaustive and it involves all of us. 00:09:50.279 --> 00:09:52.940 What about the grudge that we've been holding against someone? 00:09:54.080 --> 00:09:56.759 What about the gossip that we just couldn't keep to ourselves? 00:09:58.240 --> 00:10:03.940 What about when we speed down the motorway, breaking the speed limit? 00:10:03.940 --> 00:10:08.980 Because we would rather risk someone else's safety and our own and get home five minutes sooner. 00:10:10.060 --> 00:10:10.340 Eek. 00:10:12.580 --> 00:10:23.480 But Paul, inspired by the spirit of God, tells us not to even think about gratifying the desires of our flesh. 00:10:23.480 --> 00:10:30.040 Those things of our body, mind and or soul that aren't in line with the desires of God's own heart. 00:10:30.039 --> 00:10:34.159 Instead, he calls us to clothe ourselves in Jesus. 00:10:35.759 --> 00:10:39.899 To dress ourselves appropriately for the time at hand. 00:10:42.399 --> 00:10:47.120 Now, I love pajamas. 00:10:48.980 --> 00:10:53.959 And what I'm about to say might cause some outrage in the congregation. 00:10:53.960 --> 00:10:59.200 But my mom and I have a rule about pajamas. 00:10:59.440 --> 00:11:03.200 And that is that they cannot go on until 8.30pm. 00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:06.200 At the earliest. 00:11:06.720 --> 00:11:08.780 See, there has to be a boundary line. 00:11:08.900 --> 00:11:14.259 And I do believe that boundary lines have fallen in the pleasant and good places. 00:11:14.400 --> 00:11:19.500 Because, left to my own devices, I would be in my pajamas way too early in the day. 00:11:19.560 --> 00:11:20.940 And I'd never get anything done. 00:11:20.940 --> 00:11:23.340 The same goes for the morning. 00:11:23.460 --> 00:11:29.200 It's not until I'm dressed and ready that I actually start to do anything productive. 00:11:30.180 --> 00:11:37.800 How I dress affects my actions, my state of mind, the way I posture myself and relate towards the people around me. 00:11:38.020 --> 00:11:41.340 And if I'm cozied up in my PJs, I switch off. 00:11:41.860 --> 00:11:45.020 Mentally, I am off duty from peopling and productivity. 00:11:45.680 --> 00:11:48.500 But when I'm dressed, I'm ready for action. 00:11:48.500 --> 00:11:51.659 And why am I telling you this? 00:11:52.059 --> 00:11:57.120 Not because I want you to keep me accountable to not being in my pajamas before 8.30pm. 00:11:57.259 --> 00:11:58.580 My mom does that for me. 00:11:59.259 --> 00:12:04.259 But because I think there's something in this that relates to what Paul's telling us. 00:12:05.340 --> 00:12:11.740 When he tells us to put aside the deeds of darkness and clothe ourselves in the armor of light. 00:12:12.120 --> 00:12:13.840 To clothe ourselves in Jesus. 00:12:13.840 --> 00:12:23.780 When he talks about not giving in to the desires of the flesh, he's not talking about our literal skin and bones in our body. 00:12:23.780 --> 00:12:30.220 But those ungodly, unrighteous desires that draw us away from our relationship with God. 00:12:31.540 --> 00:12:33.620 Rather than leading us closer to him. 00:12:34.040 --> 00:12:37.860 Those things he summed up in drunkenness, sex and earthly things. 00:12:38.180 --> 00:12:39.980 Greed for those earthly things. 00:12:39.980 --> 00:12:44.039 Jesus calls us to walk and flourish with him. 00:12:44.399 --> 00:12:45.320 Isn't that exciting? 00:12:45.779 --> 00:12:48.680 He calls us to a life where we flourish with him. 00:12:48.679 --> 00:12:55.120 In another letter that Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus. 00:12:55.559 --> 00:12:58.679 He says, and this is from Ephesians 6 verse 10. 00:12:59.620 --> 00:13:02.219 Be strong in the Lord and his mighty power. 00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:07.559 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's scheme. 00:13:07.559 --> 00:13:14.519 For the struggle isn't against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against authorities, against powers and principalities. 00:13:16.019 --> 00:13:19.819 Against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 00:13:20.199 --> 00:13:24.119 Therefore, put on the full armor of God. 00:13:24.459 --> 00:13:28.379 So that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground. 00:13:29.939 --> 00:13:32.799 He then tells us to stand firm with the belt of truth. 00:13:32.899 --> 00:13:34.139 The breastplate of righteousness. 00:13:34.559 --> 00:13:36.859 The boots of peace that are ready with the gospel. 00:13:37.559 --> 00:13:43.059 The shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit. 00:13:44.399 --> 00:13:51.819 All of that is to say that in this world there are spiritual forces and powers at work in opposition to the Lord. 00:13:51.819 --> 00:13:58.379 But God has given us his armor that equips us to defend and to attack. 00:13:59.399 --> 00:14:05.839 We need to put off our pajamas and clothe ourselves ready for the day at hand. 00:14:05.840 --> 00:14:12.780 I wonder if you notice anything about the armor of God. 00:14:12.899 --> 00:14:18.519 The armor of truth and righteousness and peace that is ready with the gospel, faith, salvation and the Holy Spirit. 00:14:18.780 --> 00:14:21.259 Because to me, that sounds a lot like Jesus. 00:14:21.259 --> 00:14:30.679 It looks to me like what Paul is saying when he says, clothe yourselves with Jesus. 00:14:30.679 --> 00:14:39.000 We're called to live a life according to the spirit by the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. 00:14:39.459 --> 00:14:42.419 Who came to dwell in us when we first believed. 00:14:43.039 --> 00:14:46.620 It's the same Holy Spirit that lived and worked in Jesus. 00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:50.679 The same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the grave. 00:14:50.679 --> 00:14:54.779 That's the Holy Spirit that lives in each and every one of us. 00:14:56.559 --> 00:15:03.199 Further instructions on how we dress as disciples comes in Colossians chapter 3 where it says, 00:15:03.200 --> 00:15:13.000 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 00:15:13.460 --> 00:15:18.800 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. 00:15:20.200 --> 00:15:22.259 Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 00:15:22.259 --> 00:15:28.900 And over all of these virtues, put on love which binds them together in perfect unity. 00:15:28.899 --> 00:15:36.059 The way that we dress needs to be a lot less about ourselves. 00:15:36.799 --> 00:15:39.600 Less about elevating and comforting ourselves. 00:15:40.139 --> 00:15:43.539 And a lot more about loving God and loving his people. 00:15:44.659 --> 00:15:49.679 We need to be dressing ourselves with Jesus so that we are ready. 00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:56.000 Because the day of our salvation is nearer than it has ever been. 00:15:56.000 --> 00:16:03.159 If we want to be ready for his return, we need one, to wake up. 00:16:03.580 --> 00:16:05.700 Two, to clothe ourselves in Jesus. 00:16:06.460 --> 00:16:12.139 And so that three, we can walk in step with him and be transformed into his likeness. 00:16:12.320 --> 00:16:18.379 So that when he returns, he'll find us living in accordance with his heart. 00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:27.700 And so as we enter into Advent this year, what do we do with this? 00:16:28.919 --> 00:16:36.320 It would be impossible for me to prescribe what this looks like for each and every one of us in our own walks with God. 00:16:36.939 --> 00:16:40.200 And it will look different in different seasons of our lives. 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:45.220 But I want to suggest just a couple of things that we could try this Advent. 00:16:45.220 --> 00:16:49.279 Number one is practicing stillness. 00:16:50.040 --> 00:16:58.320 In our Wednesday night focused Bible study group, we've been going through Tyler Statton's book, Praying Like Monks and Living Like Fools. 00:16:58.480 --> 00:17:01.259 And it's a book I would really recommend you get your hands on. 00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:02.779 Put on your Christmas list this year. 00:17:03.180 --> 00:17:04.400 It's really, really great. 00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:09.100 And we've been learning about how to go deeper with God in our prayer lives. 00:17:09.099 --> 00:17:17.699 Recently, we've been trying to still ourselves for two minutes at a time, which actually feels like quite a lot to begin with. 00:17:18.939 --> 00:17:22.579 Stilling our minds, our bodies, just to be present before God. 00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:30.480 Not to get any revelation, not to get anything for ourselves, but just as an act of worship before God. 00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:35.980 To honour him just by coming before him, quiet and still. 00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:39.779 Allowing him to do with that space what he wants to do. 00:17:41.220 --> 00:17:44.720 Being present before God is an act of worship, however it looks. 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:51.299 Perhaps it's creating an atmosphere, still music, an Advent candle, dim lighting. 00:17:51.480 --> 00:17:54.819 But practising the presence is a great way to start. 00:17:56.880 --> 00:18:02.960 Number two is asking Jesus, what does he want to wake us up from this season? 00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:08.700 He's kind, he's good, and he doesn't expect us to fix ourselves. 00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:11.000 He's the one who does the fixing. 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:17.380 Where does he want us to focus right now? 00:18:17.839 --> 00:18:24.160 And there's a great prayer at the end of Psalm 139 that we can use to guide us in this. 00:18:24.859 --> 00:18:27.220 It says, search me and know my heart, God. 00:18:27.539 --> 00:18:29.000 Test me and know my anxious thoughts. 00:18:30.019 --> 00:18:32.920 See if there is an offensive way within me. 00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:34.980 And lead me to the way everlasting. 00:18:34.980 --> 00:18:41.120 Where does God want in this season to work with us? 00:18:41.620 --> 00:18:44.720 To lead us more deeply into his fullness of life? 00:18:46.920 --> 00:18:50.000 And thirdly is finding an Advent resource. 00:18:50.640 --> 00:18:52.759 There are loads on the Bible app. 00:18:53.579 --> 00:18:56.420 There are loads of books if that's your style or podcast. 00:18:56.420 --> 00:19:04.060 Personally, I'm going to be using the Lectio 365 app, journeying through Advent each day. 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:11.660 But finding those things that help us to pause from the busyness of the commercial lead up to Christmas 00:19:11.660 --> 00:19:17.000 and fully engage in Advent this year is really important. 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:19.880 It might not be any of those things for you. 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:21.259 It might be all of them. 00:19:22.380 --> 00:19:23.800 It might just be one or two. 00:19:23.799 --> 00:19:28.159 And the purpose of them isn't to add another thing to our to-do list. 00:19:29.839 --> 00:19:31.720 It's to be present with God. 00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:36.200 To allow the Lord to fill us with hope and anticipation. 00:19:36.599 --> 00:19:40.460 To re-center our busy lives on his coming as a baby. 00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:47.059 God incarnate so that we can have a living, transforming relationship with the King of Kings. 00:19:47.539 --> 00:19:49.059 The Saviour of the world. 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:53.379 It's time to wake up. 00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:59.319 To put aside the deeds, the desires of our flesh. 00:19:59.819 --> 00:20:01.859 To clothe ourselves in Jesus. 00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:06.859 And to remember that he is the reason for this season. 00:20:08.440 --> 00:20:09.339 Let's pray. 00:20:09.339 --> 00:20:18.259 Lord God, would you wake us up from this Advent season. 00:20:20.099 --> 00:20:23.399 Would you wake us up from the slumber that we've been in. 00:20:23.619 --> 00:20:28.359 Strip us of the desires of our flesh that aren't in line with your will. 00:20:28.359 --> 00:20:30.959 And clothe ourselves in yourself. 00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:36.880 We're sorry for where we've been so focused on what we want. 00:20:36.980 --> 00:20:38.299 Not on what you want. 00:20:39.059 --> 00:20:42.700 What is good and pleasing and holy and true. 00:20:45.700 --> 00:20:47.400 Clothe us in your love. 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:49.340 Your mercy. 00:20:49.900 --> 00:20:50.740 Your sacrifice. 00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:52.120 Your goodness. 00:20:52.120 --> 00:20:52.440 Your goodness. 00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:53.799 Your kindness. 00:20:56.859 --> 00:21:02.160 As we Advent this year, God, would you help us to be still in the busyness. 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:06.900 To lift our eyes from our lists and our calendars. 00:21:07.059 --> 00:21:10.220 And fix our eyes and our hearts on you. 00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:15.839 Help us to breathe deep and know that you are God. 00:21:16.880 --> 00:21:20.400 To remember that you are the reason for this season. 00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:23.980 That you are God with us. 00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:26.100 And you are all we need. 00:21:27.380 --> 00:21:27.620 Amen.