Signs - Luke 21:25-36 - Advent 1 - 11-28-21

 

© 2020 Erin Beardemphl. All rights reserved. Permission given to reproduce in worship or educational settings - photo provided through UCC Worship Ways resources

Sermon podcast from the First Sunday of Advent, 11-28-21 worship service - St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Luke 21:25-36

Video sermon preview 

"Signs" podcast

The whole worship service

There's More to the Story: Looking Inward

Sermon podcast from this past Sunday at St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove.  Interim Illinois Conference Minister Rev. Justo Gonzalez is the guest preacher. Jeremiah 33:14-16, Luke 21:25-36. Yes. Sometimes life sucks.

Video sermon preview (Kirk)
"There's More to the Story: Looking Inward" podcast

Alert

This week's Bible reflection (Rabble rouser) goes further in the rabble rousing and now it's the first Sunday of Advent sermon at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL.
"Alert" text
"Alert" podcast

Rabble rouser

There he goes again. In this week's Bible reading from Luke 21:25-36, Jesus is talking about the powers of the heavens being shaken. 

Who are the powers of the heavens? In Jesus’ time that was Rome. For Jesus’ followers and for just about anyone who wasn’t in a position of power, Rome represented everything that was wrong with the world. Shaking up the powers of the heavens pointed to a change in the way things worked. It offered hope to those who lived under the rule of tyrants.

Jesus’ words are revolutionary. Claiming that the powers of this world will be shaken up and that “the one” would come with power and glory may today bring us a visual of earthquakes and solar flares and all kinds of Mayan calendar apocalyptic destruction.  And in all that destruction the mighty Jesus comes in to saves the day. Back then, for the powerful and for the powerless, it brought visions of the emperor and kings and governors being thrown from their places of power while a new emperor came to take over. 

That revolutionary. That rabble rouser.

I sure hope they’re more to the story.

There is.

Signs

This week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc (Dangerous talk) got things going, but in this week's sermon at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, IL, I've filled in many of the gaps I left in the post. I've also left several gaps in -- so the conversation can continue!
"Signs" text
"Signs" podcast

Dangerous talk

Here's this week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc:

That rabble-rouser Jesus is at it again! In this week's Bible reading from Luke 21:25-36, he’s talking about the powers of the heavens being shaken. Who are the powers of the heavens? In Jesus time that was Rome. For Christians, Rome represented everything that was wrong with the world. Shaking up the powers of the heavens pointed to a change in the way things worked. It offered hope to those who lived under the rule of tyrants.

And what were the instructions to those who were waiting in hope? Wait. Be patient. Pray. The season will come soon enough. Just keep alert and don’t get all wrapped up in the worries of life.

No call to rise up and fight.
No call to stock up on food and water and to build bomb shelters.
No call to any kind of violence at all.

It’s as if Jesus is saying, “Put down your weapons. Stop expecting the worst. Live focused on me and the hope that I bring.

Dangerous talk.