Advent Series 2025 - Hope (Revd. Walter Macdaniel Nakan)

 

Advent Series 2025 - Hope (1)

30.11.2025

Fr. Walter Macdaniel Nakan

 

Text: Isaiah 2:1 - 5; Romans 13:11 - end; Matthew 24:36 - 44.

 

“The Advent season is a four-week season in Christian calendar that prepares people for Jesus Christ’s birth at Christmas, while also pointing ahead to the promised return. Each Sunday of the season traditionally spotlights a key theme – like hope, peace, joy, or love – to invite reflection, prayer and expectant celebration.” – The Bible Project.

 

(Mind you that this will be a four-week series of sermon) Nonetheless, the theme of Advent should not be viewed as isolated to any other theology that we have preached so far throughout the year. It still ring the same tone of yearning, repentance, and ultimate restoration in Christ’s reign. The Christian life is defined by this great expectation. So, as Paul reminds the believers in Rome, 'The night is far gone; the day is at hand.’

 

This week, we anchor ourselves in this truth, looking at the kind of hope that points us to, prepares us for, and invites us into.

 

Hope: As waiting for the daybreak (Romans 13:12)

 

The world we live in is without a doubt very challenging to us Christians. We hear the news of wars left and right, new diseases right after a great pandemic, even closer to home; Christians being systematically persecuted be it in schools, workplace or even society. In the biblical analogy, the world is approaching the end – yet it is not the end (Luke 21:8 - 15). In light of this, we can only cling to one thing – hope. Rightly so we should cling to the greatest hope that we Christian could ever hoped for – the light to dawn upon the darkness and disperse it at last.

 

But here’s the thing, we are not called to guess or pin-point the exact date but rather to have faith that it will come to pass – then only our hope be substantial to our waiting. Our Lord Jesus Christ call His disciples to be ready for the hour when Son of Man will come (Matthew 24:44) for that hour will be the hour of deliverance from the darkness that has taken hold of us, and so we too are called to the same cause. Be ready.

 

But what does this readiness look like in the middle of the long night? It is not a passive waiting, but an immediate call to transform the way we live.

 

 

Obey: Put on Christ (Romans 13:14)

 

To be ready is not to suggest the idea that we, by our action, has any part in God’s deliverance of this world from darkness. As Paul suggested, we are to put on our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14) – that means to live as the people of light, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarrelling and jealousy (v13). In other word, do not live as the world did.

 

I am sure that we would try to justify the above by saying that it is for the context of the Romans or for Paul’s congregation, but brothers and sisters, the hour of deliverance and salvation awaits for none, therefore, we should take note that this is not a mere suggestion but rather a stern warning to each one of us; as our Lord puts it perfectly in His analogy, that while people are busy doing the world’s business, God’s business waits for none and things come to pass as swift as it always been during the time of Noah and so it will be in the future (Matthew 24:36 – 44).

 

Furthermore, to be ready is equal to putting on the armour (Romans 13:12). With such military vocabulary presented by Paul, I can only think of one thing – obedience to the command. Our Lord commanded us to be ready, and Paul further explains that being ready is putting on the armour of light (living in holiness), hence, it further support the appeal for godly living as we hope for the light of Christ to dawn upon this dark world. This readiness is crucial, but our hope doesn't end with personal piety. It has a scope that is global and transforming. The light that we put on is meant to be shared with a world longing for direction.

 

 

Proclaim: Share the Lord's Ways: Teachings to All Nations (Isaiah 2:3)

 

Prophet Isaiah has a different prospect when it comes to the Day of the Lord. He saw that the day of God will be the day of teaching to all nations as it draws everyone to enjoy the light of God (vv2 – 4). It is interesting that Isaiah almost exclusively pointing to the coming Messiah and evidently, Jesus Christ brings the law (or teachings) out of Jerusalem to the rest of the world (Matthew 28:19 – 20). Another thing that we can hope for in this present world is the teachings of the Lord to go forth to the rest of the world impending the dawn of the light.

 

But, instead of waiting for the words of the Lord to role down from heaven on fall on people, we in fact has our part in the proclamation of it. The people of God during the time of Isaiah (and many other prophets) realized that their exile is their opportunity to declares their faith in One True God (Daniel). Because, the greatest thing about proclamation of Good News is to hear the acknowledgement of others that our God is the living God. Because only when the world knows Him as the Lord of lords, King of kings that the world will truly find its peace (Isaiah 2:4).

 

So, as we wait, as we obey, and as we proclaim this hope, what is the final word for us as the people gathered here today?

 

Encouragement: “Let us walk in the light of the Lord” (Isaiah 2:5)

 

When Isaiah invites or encourage the house of Jacob to walk in the light of the Lord (v5), I believe it to be the encouragement to stay in holiness in spite of the world’s darkness. The context of Isaiah’s prophecy was during the time of when both Israel and Judah becomes increasingly unfaithful to the Lord. In His judgement, the Lord put both nations under great predicament that almost cost them their national identities.

 

As it becomes increasingly challenging to stay holy in the present world (note: being holy does not implies a person being glorified but rather set apart from the world); as the world views marriage as nothing but two individuals living together, party not a party without getting drunk, and quarrelling while having bitter jealousy of one’s achievement compares to the other, we Christians called to set apart from all that.

 

Equip ourselves with Hope that light will soon be dawned upon us, Obey as we awaits, while putting on the armour of light – and these will hopefully get us there. Even if it’s not, may I encourage us to be reminded by this sermon again and again that the darkness of this world is not the final for we have the great light dawning – very soon.

 

For the weary, the light of God will be their enjoyment (relief from the darkness of this world), while for the wicked, it reveals their wickedness at the throne of God. If you are weary, wait a little longer, hope a little further. If you are living in the wickedness of this world, repent and start again. Whether weary or wayward, the instruction remains the same: Put on the armour of light. Walk in the light of the Lord (Isaiah 2:5). For the dawn is coming, and our God's business waits for none.

 

IN the name of the God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.