WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.020 The waiting is over. 00:00:02.879 --> 00:00:03.740 It's done. 00:00:04.219 --> 00:00:05.500 Weeks of wondering. 00:00:06.259 --> 00:00:07.219 Weeks of watching. 00:00:07.480 --> 00:00:10.519 We were all wondering where we would cast our votes. 00:00:11.019 --> 00:00:13.220 The nation was poised for the results. 00:00:14.080 --> 00:00:15.080 And now it's over. 00:00:16.420 --> 00:00:22.559 Kevin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse are crowned for Strictly Come Dancing. 00:00:24.560 --> 00:00:28.280 I think there was another election and vote this week as well somewhere. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.719 What are you like at waiting? 00:00:32.439 --> 00:00:36.920 What are you like, what are we like at waiting and watching? 00:00:37.619 --> 00:00:44.399 How many of us find it difficult to watch and to wait for something to happen? 00:00:45.219 --> 00:00:51.260 If you listen to these stats that apparently each year we spend 13 hours on hold, 00:00:51.679 --> 00:00:54.079 waiting, waiting for a reply. 00:00:55.019 --> 00:00:57.519 I did put in there, that's just for the health centre. 00:00:57.520 --> 00:00:59.520 But it was... 00:00:59.520 --> 00:01:06.340 The average person spends about six months waiting in lines. 00:01:06.560 --> 00:01:07.780 We Brits love it. 00:01:08.020 --> 00:01:13.219 If we can't find a line, we'll search for one to just queue up and wait for something. 00:01:13.600 --> 00:01:14.740 The stats go on. 00:01:14.800 --> 00:01:20.560 And here we are in the third Sunday of Advent, a time of watching and a time of waiting. 00:01:20.560 --> 00:01:25.379 And it says in our scripture, be patient, brothers and sisters. 00:01:25.859 --> 00:01:28.900 Be patient until the Lord's coming. 00:01:29.079 --> 00:01:31.960 But what do we do while we're waiting? 00:01:33.120 --> 00:01:37.460 You see, firstly, I'm going to ask for forgiveness by Mandy. 00:01:37.560 --> 00:01:40.420 I'm glad she's not here, but she'll listen later. 00:01:40.420 --> 00:01:48.240 She knows that I have the patience of a gnat, really, for waiting. 00:01:48.760 --> 00:01:54.900 And you know that patience of, especially when you're shopping for clothes, ladies. 00:01:55.780 --> 00:02:04.420 And I have sat outside of waiting rooms just longing, longing for the Lord to come again. 00:02:04.420 --> 00:02:09.400 Maybe I'm not alone in that. 00:02:10.340 --> 00:02:15.180 But I think it may be a common bond that we have across this world, you know, 00:02:15.219 --> 00:02:20.639 because when you're shopping with your wife, your girlfriend, your partner, your daughter this Christmas, 00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:25.979 have you ever noticed how the Lord has heard our cry? 00:02:25.979 --> 00:02:32.199 Because they place now outside of these rooms, these comfy chairs. 00:02:33.039 --> 00:02:41.179 And if you go to the real posh shops outside of there, they even put magazines for you as well, and refreshments. 00:02:42.319 --> 00:02:49.359 The issue comes, though, is when you're at your sixth shop and the reply comes, 00:02:49.359 --> 00:02:52.500 I think I liked the one in the first. 00:02:55.979 --> 00:03:00.379 What are we like at waiting, brothers and sisters? 00:03:00.519 --> 00:03:04.579 I want to advocate that active waiting is good. 00:03:05.379 --> 00:03:11.039 Because so often, I think this is what James is encouraging us to do in our reading. 00:03:11.159 --> 00:03:14.659 You see, we are waiting for Jesus to come again. 00:03:15.179 --> 00:03:20.759 And there's got to be something that's really exciting and energizing about what that is. 00:03:20.759 --> 00:03:22.799 We are waiting in anticipation. 00:03:23.500 --> 00:03:25.120 We are waiting in faith. 00:03:25.120 --> 00:03:26.560 And we should be excited. 00:03:26.560 --> 00:03:33.960 And that should be reflected in us, his church, not looking like something in those pictures at all. 00:03:34.780 --> 00:03:37.460 And Jesus promises that he will come again. 00:03:37.759 --> 00:03:43.140 You see how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop. 00:03:44.340 --> 00:03:48.120 Patiently waiting for the autumn and the spring's rain. 00:03:48.120 --> 00:03:51.620 You too be patient and stand firm. 00:03:51.759 --> 00:03:54.719 Because the Lord is coming. 00:03:55.620 --> 00:03:56.920 The Lord is near. 00:03:58.120 --> 00:04:02.180 Men, women and children, the Lord is coming. 00:04:02.319 --> 00:04:04.460 It speaks of his anytime arrival. 00:04:04.879 --> 00:04:07.120 Jesus was very clear about that. 00:04:07.200 --> 00:04:08.719 We're not going to know the hour. 00:04:08.980 --> 00:04:10.240 We're not going to know the date. 00:04:10.340 --> 00:04:11.640 We're not going to know the time. 00:04:11.639 --> 00:04:15.159 So therefore, we should be ready, waiting and watching. 00:04:15.579 --> 00:04:20.919 And often, let's be honest, our temptation is to fall asleep on the job. 00:04:21.800 --> 00:04:28.479 Because waiting can create a huge amount of lethargy in us. 00:04:28.480 --> 00:04:34.100 And I think to wait means to look for and expect. 00:04:34.900 --> 00:04:36.980 And I hope that you're expecting. 00:04:37.140 --> 00:04:39.740 My energy levels have been really high this year. 00:04:40.080 --> 00:04:41.819 There is something that is happening. 00:04:42.220 --> 00:04:45.300 There is something that is different about this Advent. 00:04:46.540 --> 00:04:48.439 I sensed it this morning. 00:04:48.620 --> 00:04:50.240 We were just praying in the prayer room. 00:04:50.520 --> 00:04:54.800 And there was a fresh sense of energy as people were coming through. 00:04:54.800 --> 00:04:56.340 There was an expectance. 00:04:56.500 --> 00:04:57.460 There was an excitement. 00:04:57.900 --> 00:04:58.720 There was a buzz. 00:04:59.360 --> 00:05:01.460 To wait means to look for and expect. 00:05:01.579 --> 00:05:02.680 And I am expected. 00:05:03.139 --> 00:05:04.980 And to be honest, I am excited. 00:05:05.740 --> 00:05:06.879 I get enthused. 00:05:07.040 --> 00:05:11.400 As you know, Christmas for me, I'd like to spontaneously combust. 00:05:12.139 --> 00:05:13.660 It is that exciting. 00:05:13.879 --> 00:05:18.439 If you've read from the beginning of James, you will see they're having a few tough words. 00:05:18.800 --> 00:05:22.480 The people have become indulgent and were oppressing others. 00:05:22.480 --> 00:05:25.140 Yet in these verses, it's a reminder. 00:05:25.480 --> 00:05:29.640 It's this wake-up call that James is saying to this church. 00:05:30.060 --> 00:05:30.900 Let's be honest. 00:05:31.200 --> 00:05:33.220 It's a great wake-up call. 00:05:33.600 --> 00:05:35.560 Get some excitement back in there. 00:05:35.920 --> 00:05:36.840 Get enthusiastic. 00:05:37.740 --> 00:05:38.740 Watch and wait. 00:05:40.600 --> 00:05:47.600 Now, for those of you who know me, and I'm doing it now, I can't sit still for very long. 00:05:48.040 --> 00:05:49.759 I have to be on the move. 00:05:49.759 --> 00:05:58.399 And it's something about being alert and not just being passive in what we do. 00:05:59.680 --> 00:06:04.319 I thought that the thing at the beginning was very good, you know, older than Clive. 00:06:04.360 --> 00:06:07.500 I did give Isaiah some ideas of what he wanted to write. 00:06:07.500 --> 00:06:16.480 But this idea, many of you will remember if you were back in sort of World War II and into the 50s and probably into the 60s. 00:06:16.660 --> 00:06:21.420 Do you remember those signs that said halt before the new shape signs came in? 00:06:21.980 --> 00:06:22.360 Halt. 00:06:22.740 --> 00:06:26.680 You know, it was quite a demanding word, wasn't it? 00:06:27.279 --> 00:06:27.600 Halt. 00:06:28.060 --> 00:06:29.060 We must stop. 00:06:29.560 --> 00:06:30.439 We must do that. 00:06:30.959 --> 00:06:31.199 Here. 00:06:31.660 --> 00:06:32.420 No further. 00:06:32.779 --> 00:06:33.420 That is it. 00:06:33.899 --> 00:06:34.240 Halt. 00:06:34.240 --> 00:06:34.280 Halt. 00:06:35.160 --> 00:06:38.620 And I'm wondering whether the church has got caught up with this halt thing. 00:06:38.840 --> 00:06:41.720 Because for me, halt is a helpful acronym. 00:06:42.019 --> 00:06:48.620 Because halt for me is hungry, angry, lonely, and tired. 00:06:48.620 --> 00:06:56.019 And I think that speaks to the totally opposite of what we should be as church. 00:06:56.399 --> 00:07:00.639 Because in a Christian context, when I'm hungry, I need feeding. 00:07:01.399 --> 00:07:03.000 And the church needs feeding. 00:07:03.800 --> 00:07:11.780 And often because the church is lethargic, it's because I believe it's through lack of teaching and energy. 00:07:11.779 --> 00:07:25.279 If I go into a meeting, if you see me with a big bag of wine gums, you will know that I've gone to that meeting because my sugar levels are low and I need a real bump up to get my energy back. 00:07:25.719 --> 00:07:32.819 And so I think there's this thing about don't hang about with this idea of being hungry. 00:07:33.139 --> 00:07:34.239 Get fed. 00:07:35.019 --> 00:07:35.519 Angry. 00:07:35.799 --> 00:07:36.219 Angry. 00:07:36.619 --> 00:07:38.079 Angry just diverts us. 00:07:38.079 --> 00:07:38.099 Angry just diverts us. 00:07:39.180 --> 00:07:41.560 And sadly, we've heard it all the way through the elections. 00:07:41.979 --> 00:07:47.000 And, you know, anger just diverts you from actually what the job is in hand. 00:07:47.120 --> 00:07:53.519 And there is no place for that, I believe, within when we're expecting and we're excited for the Lord coming again. 00:07:53.939 --> 00:07:54.399 Lonely. 00:07:54.740 --> 00:07:56.579 We are made for community. 00:07:57.180 --> 00:07:58.659 We aren't meant to be lonely. 00:07:59.240 --> 00:08:04.779 We are made as a people of God for community and for the community that we are called to serve. 00:08:04.779 --> 00:08:06.179 There is no reason. 00:08:06.379 --> 00:08:10.659 If I'm tired, if I'm tired, I just fall asleep. 00:08:11.279 --> 00:08:13.119 I need to be awake. 00:08:13.439 --> 00:08:17.319 I don't want to miss kingdom opportunities. 00:08:18.219 --> 00:08:24.419 Hort has got no place in our active waiting because he is coming again. 00:08:24.559 --> 00:08:30.019 Jesus says, keep awake, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. 00:08:30.019 --> 00:08:34.960 So, what will Jesus see when he comes? 00:08:37.100 --> 00:08:38.679 What will he see? 00:08:39.179 --> 00:08:44.899 What is he expecting of us, his church, in our active waiting? 00:08:45.840 --> 00:08:53.519 What is he expecting for that moment when he comes to find us, his church? 00:08:53.519 --> 00:09:07.699 And when it's said at the end, the judge is waiting at the door, I want him to find us active, alive, engaged, because it's spoken here about harvest. 00:09:08.259 --> 00:09:19.000 Because people have had the joy and privilege when he comes of knowing who they're expecting to come again. 00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:24.620 And that is for us to introduce people. 00:09:25.480 --> 00:09:27.340 Maybe you're here for the first time. 00:09:27.679 --> 00:09:28.580 Maybe you're visiting. 00:09:29.059 --> 00:09:31.179 Maybe you come week by week. 00:09:31.600 --> 00:09:39.659 This is what Jesus wants us to be attractive and alive in our lives as we go out this week. 00:09:39.659 --> 00:09:49.919 Not tired, not hungry, not lethargic, but to tell about the good news that is here and that he's coming again. 00:09:50.659 --> 00:09:54.620 And that is something worth getting excited about. 00:09:56.519 --> 00:09:59.579 Maybe to be active in your Advent waiting. 00:10:00.139 --> 00:10:08.579 To watch for the signs of the Holy Spirit, not only in ourselves, but in the lives of other people and in the lives of our community. 00:10:08.580 --> 00:10:17.400 To be alert to the signs and wonders and opportunities and join in with what he's already doing. 00:10:17.820 --> 00:10:20.000 Because they're there if we see them. 00:10:20.420 --> 00:10:25.160 To be alert to people to join us. 00:10:25.980 --> 00:10:27.259 Come and join in. 00:10:27.780 --> 00:10:28.780 Don't be lonely. 00:10:29.379 --> 00:10:30.160 Don't be fearful. 00:10:30.400 --> 00:10:31.320 Don't be hungry. 00:10:31.820 --> 00:10:33.720 Come and join in what we're doing. 00:10:34.020 --> 00:10:35.120 This is good. 00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:40.519 And prayerfully watch and wait and be ready to respond to his prompting. 00:10:40.799 --> 00:10:44.460 And most of all, most of all, seek him. 00:10:44.980 --> 00:10:45.639 Seek him. 00:10:46.340 --> 00:10:52.639 Because we will be amazed that we are a work in progress. 00:10:52.639 --> 00:11:01.860 Ruth Bell Graham, the wife of Billy Graham, the evangelist, saw a sign by the side of the road. 00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:04.519 It said, end of construction. 00:11:05.159 --> 00:11:06.639 Thank you for your patience. 00:11:07.899 --> 00:11:12.980 Apparently she turned to Billy and said, I would like that on my gravestone. 00:11:12.980 --> 00:11:37.399 Listen, we're all under construction. 00:11:37.399 --> 00:11:39.620 We're all a work in progress. 00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:48.559 And I pray for us this morning as we are active and have energy in our waiting, in our watching for Advent. 00:11:48.799 --> 00:11:56.459 So alert, active in our waiting, fully alive, that people will see that in us. 00:11:56.460 --> 00:12:01.139 And engage with the Jesus that is coming again. 00:12:02.720 --> 00:12:03.540 Should we do that? 00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:05.259 Should we do that? 00:12:05.360 --> 00:12:06.500 Should we ask for that? 00:12:06.980 --> 00:12:11.180 Should we ask afresh for more of that energy and excitement? 00:12:11.759 --> 00:12:19.780 That buzz that suddenly may for many disappear on Boxing Day when they think that Christmas is finished. 00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:22.600 And they put it in a box again for another year. 00:12:22.600 --> 00:12:32.240 No, 2020 for us is an exciting year where people will know that Jesus is coming again and we'll live like it. 00:12:32.740 --> 00:12:35.720 We'll live like the kingdom is near.