Many Christian churches observe Advent for four Sundays before
Christmas. The word “advent” comes from the Latin Adventus for
“coming.” The equivalent Greek word is Παρουσία (parousia), often used
to refer to the Second Coming – Δευτέρα Παρουσία (deftera parousia).
Traditionally, Advent reminds Christians of the First Coming of Christ
as Savior – Christmas – and His second coming as Judge.
In an Advent sermon “God’s Grace Gives Us Joyful Expectation,” Frank
uses the following metaphor to explain the need for positive change –
salvation:
“God gave us life as a new leaf sprouts forth upon a tree. It grows
large and green, and soaks up the energy of the sun, and is washed clean
by the rain.
But then comes the end of the season and the leaf withers and falls
off.
We, likewise, bring an end to our growing season when we sever
ourselves from the Lord through our ungodly ways.
And as the fallen leaf is blown away from the tree, so are we blown
further away from the Lord.
But, there comes that day when we come to our senses, and realize
what we've lost.
We look around, and all we see are lost souls, like ourselves, and we
begin to call out to the Lord for our salvation.”
In this sermon Frank cites Mark 13:28 and following, a Bible passage
in which – to quote Frank: “…Jesus tells us of the day of His return
[the Second Coming], but not the date or the hour.”
Mark 13: 28-30 –
28. ''Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has
already become tender, and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer
is near.
29. "Even so, you too, when you see these things happening [the
signs of the end times He has told us about], recognize that He is
near, right at the door.
30. "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until
all these things take place.
For the complete text of Frank’s sermon, see:
http://www.all-creatures.org/sermons97/s28nov93.html
