Sermon – 12-03-23 – Advent 1 – Cycle B
Scriptures: Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37
Sermon Title: “Drawing Close to Hope”

Alienation from God is not a pretty situation. It is a dark time. We yearn for forgiveness. We yearn for more than forgiveness. We yearn for salvation. Dare we have any hope for the warm embrace of our Savior? Our Psalm today implores God to restore us. “Restore us, O God.” Again we hear, “Restore us, O Lord God of hosts.”

Some of us may say, “I am not alienated from God. There is no reason for me to be separated from God’s love and favor. I have done no wrong. I have hurt noone. Why would I need forgiveness? Why would I sense darkness except for these short days we are experiencing in December? No, God is with me for sure!”

So I say to this self-assured friend, “That is great. I envy you.” “Why is that?” my friend asks. I mutter some reply like, “My mouth is uncontrollable.” “What does that mean?” she asks. “It means, my tongue has a will of its own and often not for the good.” I continue, “Did you ever read the book of James in the Bible?” “No,” she says, “Why should I?” “Well, since you have no sin to separate you from God, I guess you do not need to read the book of James and his discourse on how evil our tongues are.”

My friend, Hope, says, “I thought this first Sunday in Advent is supposed to be about hope. You have not even mentions that word except in your first paragraph. Why don’t you get back on track with hope. Since my name is Hope, could you make me feel that what I am saying brings hope to people – you know like sin should not weigh us down! We should fill our cups with hope, not sin!”

“Okay,” I say, “Hope away, Hope!” Hope has a brilliant idea. She says, “Why don’‘t you share (repeat) the wonderful words of Paul in 1 Corinthians, chapter 1 with everyone? These words will restore hope in our hearts.” “Okay,” I say. “But hold onto your hats everyone, be ready to be reinforced with a dose of hope!”

1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
    New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org