A synopsis of the sermon delivered by the Rev. David L. Hicks at Saint Paul’s Reformed Episcopal Church on Sunday, November 30, 2003, Advent I. Please read St. Luke 21:29-31.

When there are just too many things to do in a short amount of time, we often use the expression, “I don’t know if I am coming or going.” In this season of Advent, as we prepare our hearts for our Lord’s return, it is helpful for us to ask ourselves whether we are preparing to come or to go. While there are some places in the Scriptures that refer to the end of our time on earth as a departure (see Philippians 1:23); more often the things pertaining to the end of earthly life are spoken of in terms of God’s coming to us. In the Lord’s Prayer one of the petitions is, “Thy kingdom come.” Our reading from Luke’s gospel presents Jesus discourse on the last things, and he says the following: “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near…So you, likewise, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near” (21:28, 31).

Jesus speaks of the kingdom of God as something that we are to prepare for in terms of its coming to us, not our going to it. There is a subtle but important difference. Because God’s judgment comes with his arrival, importance is placed upon what we are doing in this life. God does not call us away from our earthly tasks, but he arrives while we are in the midst of our work, so that we may give an account of our stewardship to him. This assurance of the importance of our conduct and labor in this time has both a positive and negative aspect – negative, if we have been neglecting our duty toward God, and positive if we have been faithful in service to him. This is point of Jesus words elsewhere in the Gospel of Luke.

“And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes” (Lk. 12:42-43).

What are we preparing to do? Are we preparing to leave this earth, or are we preparing for God to come for us? God will indeed come for us at the second appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, and we are to be sure that in our thoughts, words and deeds we have been preparing for his arrival. The significance of this truth moves us to realize that all we do in this life has value and purpose in God’s eyes, even the seemingly insignificant things. May we be motivated and encouraged to greater service to our Lord, knowing that we do not leave this life, but rather, God comes to it and enters into it.

Amen.