Luke 21:25-36 and Jeremiah 33:14-16
This Sunday we begin our series of sermons on Christ's Advent. Concerning his Advent, Jesus gave clear direction for his people to be ready for his coming. The directions involve staying awake and praying, so that they might escape and be able to stand before Jesus.

The things that take place in buildings, the cosmos, and among the nations can be distracting, but Jesus warns, do not be deceived and the end will not come right away. So then how are the people of God to regard these things? Jesus said to regard it as redemption that is drawing near, the kingdom of heaven is near. The kingdom and redemption doesn’t draw near without Jesus, the Redeemer King. When he comes he brings the fulfillment of God’s promise and what is the end of our trust. This promise is in Jeremiah’s prophecy; “The days are coming', declares the Lord, 'when I will fulfill the gracious promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah." 'In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; He will do what is just and right in the land.” This justice and righteousness will be the gift of the Lord to his people. The whole city will be referred to as “The Lord Our Righteousness.” The first part of this prophecy was fulfilled at Jesus first advent. He came and fulfilled all righteousness in dying for those he loved. He brought the justice of God into the lives of all those who were looking to God for their salvation. The later part of the prophecy will be completed at his second advent. It includes fear gripping the hearts of those who don’t believe, judgement of the nations, renewal of the earth, and the heavens remade. Therefore, according to Jesus, the most relevant thing his followers can do is to stay awake for his coming. Why? So that they might escape all that is happening, (redemption), and be able to stand before the Son of Man, (that is having the Lord as our righteousness) Stay woke! Jesus is coming!