Advent:Our Hope

 1 Thess 2:19
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

As we approach the 1st Advent  of Christmas, we take time to prepare our hearts with the expectation of hope that Christ brings to the world. For many, Christmas is a time that families gather together, exchange gifts, partake together with food and pleasant conversation. This may not be the case in every home, but as a general consensus this is the picture we conjure. A time of goodwill and promoting peace on earth. Unfortunately, in the homes of many families, this is all it means. There may be a word or two about the celebration of the birth of Jesus giving lip service to His coming. To the true believer, the coming of Jesus is the hope that fills the heart. It is a hope that allows us to live each day knowing that He came not only to bring peace to earth, but to bring peace to the heart. We hope not as making a wish, but our hope is built on nothing less that Jesus Christ our redeemer, a hope and faith that He will someday return. As in His first coming, our hope is not in vain. His promises are true, Hope will someday burst the eastern sky, and He shall appear, and we who are in Christ will be caught up together in the air and be with Him forevermore. For this is our hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing as we enter this Christmas season.

Heavenly Mansions

 John 14:2
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
In the book of Revelation, John gives us a glimpse of heaven, the mansions that Jesus said He is preparing for those who have been redeemed, and are following His commandments. I can only imagine this place, the Father’s house. The homes that we will live in are described as large and beautiful. We have seen what man can do with earthly material when building an earthly mansion, but this mansion is built by the hand of God. Someday after this life is over, we will live in that city, a place prepared for all those who love Him and are waiting for His appearance. He said He will come back to receive His own. His promises are true, He does not lie. The song written by Ira Stamphill, “I've got a mansion just over the hilltop. In that bright land where we'll never grow old. And someday yonder we will never more wander. But walk on streets that are purest gold.” speaks to the hope and longing of all believers.

Rapture

 1 Thess 4:17

Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

 

The church teaching of the rapture is based on many scriptures in the Bible, but this letter to the Thessalonians from the Apostle Paul is foundation to the truth that Jesus is someday returning to the earth. It appears that Paul thought that it could even happen in his lifetime (We who are alive). Jesus said that no man will know that day, except the Father in Heaven. Believers in Christ are still waiting for that day. Skeptics today still try to disclaim that such an event will ever happen. Over 2000 years have passed, and we who are alive today still hold to the promise that Jesus will return for those who have put their trust in Him. We are to live each day knowing that this life is not the end. If God chooses to take us in death before this great day, we are given hope that we will rise again with Him. Until then, we do grieve for our lost loved one, but we need not grieve for those who have gone before us. For those who die in Christ, shall be made alive, and be with Jesus forever. Let us keep our eyes on Jesus, His coming is imminent.

Be Ready

 Luke 12:40

You too, be continually ready; because the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.”

 

Be ready! The word of Jesus to His disciples. Two questions; ready for what, and how to be ready? The owner of the home was unprepared when a thief came into his house in the night. The owner most likely was asleep or preoccupied with the cares of life. Maybe he failed to lock his doors, or set his alarm. Most likely if he would have known that an intruder was going to break into his home that night, he would have made sure that his house was secure and possibly armed himself for protection. Jesus said, like this unsuspected thief, His return to the earth will be without knowing the time and day He would return. But, He made it clear that He would return and told them to be ready. What does it mean to be ready? Jesus says, those that are ready will have their lamps filled with oil. The oil represents the Holy Spirit. As we are occupied with the work that God has called us to do, we are to be diligent and live our lives as if He would return today.  Like the foolish virgins without the oil, there may not be time to get ready. Let’s keep our lamps filled and trimmed, to be continually ready for His return!

He Is Coming Soon

 Rev. 22:12.13

Behold, I am coming soon...I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.

Every time I see the sun rise in the morning and shine through the clouds as I drive to work, I’m reminded that Jesus said, “Surely, I am coming soon”. Jesus also said, “As the sun comes from the east, and shines to the west, so will the coming of the son of man be”.We are also told that he will come in the clouds with power and glory. Paul says, we will be caught up together with Him in the clouds. It has been over 2,000 years since these words were recorded, but be not mistaken, He will return. He will return to receive His own. Those who have put their lives into His care. Confess that He is Lord and are walking in His light. Such is the hope we have in a day when the world has lost its scruples. Stand steadfast, look up for our redemption is coming soon. Even so Lord Jesus, come quickly.

Watch and Be Ready

Mat 25:12 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

If we knew that Jesus (The bridegroom), were to return today, how would that change the way we live? What preparation have we made in our spiritual lives to be ready for His coming? Do we have the oil of the Holy Spirit to keep our light burning for the Lord?  The warning is given to us by Jesus. Don’t get caught up in the things of this world. Don’t allow life to make you complacent with the things that are eternal. We can’t allow the cutting edge of our spiritual life to become dull. It is possible to lose the pearl of great price and miss eternity. We must keep our eyes on Jesus and always be ready. We know not when He will return, but return He will. There will be no time to get ready, we need to be ready!

The Armor of Light

Romans 13;12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

 It has been night for many years, and the coming of Jesus back to earth is eminent. Yes, this has been the mantra for centuries, but no less the truth. The day is at hand and this is no time to be living in spiritual darkness. As it has been since the accession of Christ, we must continue to put on the light of Christ. Let our life reflect that which glorifies God. The world is shrouded in darkness by the father of darkness. Evil, malice, selfish living prevails in our world. The light given to us by Christ is what will dispel this darkness. The light of saving grace, the light of forgiveness, and the light of holiness is the hope we desire and pray for. 

See You Later

John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

The accession of Christ was not a goodbye, but a “see you later” salutation. The preparation are being made, and whatever they are, it will be good. God does all things good and this place is being prepared by Christ Himself. But, the greatest anticipation is that we will be with Him. The promise was made many years ago, and God keeps His promises. He will come again, and those who have served Him, that remain on earth will be caught up together in the sky to be with Him forever. To be with Jesus is the desire of my heart. I want to live in such a way that I will not be ashamed to be in His presence. 

Labor Not In Vain

1 Corinth 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

When things get tough and the everything in life seems to be against you, hold on! Don’t quit doing what is right. It may seem that our work is in vain. Time in prayer and trying to build the Kingdom with little results can be discouraging and dishearten. We are tempted to just give up and close the church doors. Our labor to build the kingdom seems to be all in vain. Like Paul, we live in a society that is corrupted and immoral. Sin abounds at every street corner, people are not willing to give up their sin to live for God. People would rather spend the day of worship with recreation or personal pleasure. There seems to be no time for God. This is not the time to run and give way to the devil. Let us be steadfast, unmovable in our convictions that Christ is the answer for the ills of this world. Our work for the Lord is not finished. Let us occupy till He comes.

The Rapture

1 Thess 4:16 “For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first;”

This could be the year that Jesus returns to earth to rapture those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. It has been over 2,000 years since Paul wrote these words of hope and anticipation. It is still true today, The Lord is coming back to this earth some day. We know not the hour or time He will return, but His return is imminent. We live in a day where we can see the signs of His coming. Our own nation is increasingly becoming a nation where Christ and His word are no longer valued. The idea that all religion lead to eternal life or to a better place after death is the accepted teaching in our society. There has always been war and rumors of war, but we now live in a global international world. The middle east is in continual unrest, and Christian are being persecuted for standing for Christ and truth. Our hearts desire that all will come to the knowledge of Christ and be saved. We cry, “Come Lord Jesus, come” The end will soon be here, this just may be the year.

Son of Perdition

2 Thessalonians 2: 1-12
Paul never doubts the Christ will come back again. He is made aware that there are many in the church of Thessalonica who misunderstood the timing of Christ return. He warns them that Satan will first come in the form man and persuade many to lose their faith. But, Christ will return to destroy the work of Satan and restore His kingdom.

Reassurance of His Coming
• Clarify and confirm
• Don’t be led astray to believe just anything
• Was Christ’s coming imminent?
Ruse of Satan
• Take a lie and make it look like truth
• Don’t be fooled, Satan is clever
• Taking truth and twisting it for self
Refusing to Stand- Falling Away
• Sign of His coming- focus no longer on Christ
• Stand for the truth of God- By grace are ye saved
Revealing of Son of Perdition
• Son of ruin souls, damnation, the eternally lost
• Will exalt himself to be God
• Will perform many miracles- Deceiving the elect
• Clothe in righteousness, but full of dead men’s bones
Restraining of the Man of Sin
• God is in control of the affairs of Man
• God holds the reigns, His timing is perfect
• Evil will engulf the world when He is released
Removal of the Wicked One
• Speak the Word and it shall be done
• The Sword which is the Word of God will consume
Rejecters of Truth
• Those who follow the deceiver will also be consumed
• They made a choice not to follow Christ
Reprobate and Lost Souls
• Refusal to let Christ into your heart
• Allowing sin to reign in your life
• Refuse to live by God’s Word- I’ll do it my way
• God will give them over to Satan

The Day of the Lord

June 1^st 2008

1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:8

The day that all Christian hope for is to see Jesus split the eastern skies and return to rapture His bride (the church). The time and date is unknown to all except the Father, but His return is imminent and we must be ready at all times. We must live our lives in expectation that He could come at this very moment. Are you ready?

Sleep in Christ

• Let us not be ignorant
• Do you believe Jesus died and rose
• Likewise, the dead in Christ shall rise

Saint Still Alive

• Mourning and grieving
• The Christian hope
• Word of the Lord has spoken

Second Coming (rapture)

• Descending from Heaven (He said he will return)
• The angels will shout
• The trumpet of God will sound
• We will meet him in the air (rapturous)
• Forever with Christ our Lord

Surprise Return

• His return is imminent- could happen any moment
• Twinkling of an eye- quick and fast
• As a thief in the night- Surprise element- be ready

Signs of His Coming

• The illusion of Peace
• As in the days of Noah
• Destruction of all sort

Sons of Light

• Those who live in darkness- not expecting
• The Children of light live in expectation

Sober and Watching

• No time to sleep and grow weary
• Let us not drift from our focus
• Keep the Faith
• Love God and others
• Don’t give up hope- Jesus is coming back!

The New Heaven and a New Earth

2 Peter 3:9-18

The scripture is clear about the destruction of this world. As it was in the day of Noah, where God destroyed the earth with water, He now will bring all things to an end with fire. This world is not our home we are only passing through. We seek not for a city here on earth, but a city to come where He rules and reigns. Knowing this, we ought to live soberly, righteously, and look diligently for His soon return. The question we should be asking is, are we ready for that day?

God is not Slack

• Negligent or remiss concerning the promises he gives
• Man’s promises are weak and feeble and lack certainty
• God is patient with His creation
• God’s desire is that all men come to know Him
• Concerning the judgment of the earth- Destroyed
Seeing-By Faith
• The earth will be destroyed
• We our pilgrim, only passing through
• Life is like a vapor- here and gone in a moment
• We need to live holy and godly, else we become consumed
• Life after this world passes away- After we pass away from this world
Don’t be Slack
• Be on guard, be alert and diligent
• How will God find you- Peace of God? Without sin, clear conscience toward man and God
Paul also Speaks of these things
• Confirming the truth
• Difficult, but not impossible to understand
• Become students of the Word- Study to show…
Steadfast is the Lord
• Beware of those who will lead you to believe different
• Remain firm in the doctrine that was taught by Paul and those who learned at Jesus feet
• Continue to grow and become more like Him
• Resolve that you will live closer to God, even more so as you see the day approaching.

Our Lively Hope

1 Peter1: 3-12

Review: Waiting on God through prayer requires that we submit to God and have a heart that will forgive. Bitterness and un-forgiveness are on one of the greatest hindrance in seeing God answer prayer. We cannot earnestly and effectually see God work when our own hearts hold grudges and feeling of contempt.

The Abundant Mercy of God
• Again and again God is reaching down to us
• Hope that is alive and real- What do you hope for?
• Made possible by His resurrection

Anticipation of Heaven
• A place that will not fall apart or crumple
• A holy place
• It will be forever
• Prepared and reserved for those in Christ

Acceptance of Trial
• We rejoice even in our trials
• Tried by fire- Testing our faith in our hope
• We may be found still praising God

The Appearing of Jesus Christ
• Faith rolls back like a scroll
• Our faith become sight
• Rejoicing- The life of a Christian
• The end of faith- Our eyes shall behold Him

Attested by the Prophets
• They looked for the Christ to come
• By faith, they looked to future for coming
• We now see the fulfillment of what they said would come
• We can look back by faith that He came.

The Angels Curiosity
• A Holy God reaching down to unholy man
• God set men free from the bondage of sin