Posts Tagged ‘signs’

Supernatural Happenings with Angels

Sunday, December 11th, 2005
This entry is part 3 of 4 in the series Christmas: Divine Design Causing Change

Read at beginning of service:

Luke 1:26-38 (NIV)

26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

INTRODUCTION

How many of you have ever heard a sermon on angels before? In my recollection I don?t think I?ve ever preached a message regarding the ministry of angels before.

In recent years, Angels have become quite popular. The Wall Street Journal carried an article in 2003 that stated, “After a hiatus of almost 300 years and much skepticism, angels are making a comeback.” From lapel pins to Angel Cards, people can?t seem to get enough of the celestial world. Just this week I typed in the word “angel” on Google, and came up with 73.9 million hits! According to the Angel Collectors Club of America, the hands-down champion of angel collectors is a woman from Beloit, Wisconsin. Her home is stuffed with 10,455 different angelic artifacts!

Even TV talk shows devote hours to people with “angel stories.” Several years ago, Oprah Winfrey chided a guest for being “in denial” about an angel experience. Major bookstore chains sometimes have whole sections devoted to books involving angels ? of course a small percentage of those books present angels in a biblical light.

While the Christmas story is saturated with the supernatural, some of us miss the meaning because we just skim by this season on a superficial level. I want to suggest this morning that we must see the mysterious and miraculous elements surrounding the birth of Jesus.

In his book called, “Rumors of Another World,” Philip Yancey writes, “The Bible presents a?view of reality that encompasses both the familiar visible world and an invisible world that coexists as a kind of parallel universe” (Page 165). The supernatural star that led the wise men to Jesus gave way to a divine dream that warned them to go home by another route. In addition, angelic pronouncements permeate the landscape, appearing first to Zechariah, then to Mary, Joseph and finally to the shepherds.

2 Corinthians 4:18 challenges us to move our minds from this transitory world to the real world that we have a difficult time seeing: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” We live in one place but we believe in another dimension. I?m reminded of the story in 2 Kings 6 when an angry army surrounds Elisha and his servant. The servant starts to flip out so Elisha says in verse 16: “Don?t be afraid, those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” I picture the servant looking around and not seeing anyone but innumerable enemies. Then Elisha prays in verse 17: “O LORD, open his eyes so he may see. Then the LORD opened the servant?s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” Friend, I believe that if we could pull back the curtain on the spirit world, we would see that this room is filled with intelligent, powerful beings.

My prayer is that the Lord will open our eyes so that we will see what is ultimately important this morning. Angels appear in more than half of the books of the Bible, with over 300 total references. They have three primary responsibilities.

They magnify God. The number one job of angels is to adore God. Nehemiah 9:6: “You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.” One of the most vivid pictures of praise is found in Revelation 5:11-12: “Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand?In a loud voice they sang: ?Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!?”

They are messengers of God. The word “angel,” as used in the Bible, literally means messenger. Their job is to do what God wants them to do. Angel messengers basically convey two types of messages. Sometimes it?s good news like announcing the birth of Christ. But, other times they bring bad news. When they serve in this capacity, they are not cute little cherub dolls that look like ornaments we hang on our Christmas trees. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7: “God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.” The Book of Revelation is full of prophecies regarding the role of avenging angels and it is anything but pretty.

They minister to people. Hebrews 1:14 puts it best: “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” Most of the time angels are not seen; they minister invisibly behind the scenes. And yet, on occasion, they break into our world, appearing for a short time to accomplish a specific purpose. The Bible mentions that when they do appear, they often look just like humans. Listen to Hebrews 13:2: “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” It?s quite possible to be face-to-face with an angel and not even know it

Phillip Yancey refers to a concept called, “thin places,” where the natural and supernatural worlds come together at their narrowest, with only a thin veil between them (“Rumors of Another World,” Page 45). As we read the Christmas story, there are many of these thin places, particularly when messengers from the angelic world make an appearance into our world.

Not surprisingly, every time an angel shows up in the Advent Adventure, human beings become very afraid. They?re terrified by the messenger and are left tottering by the message. When an angel appears in Scripture, a sense of fear and wonder blasts through the blas? and predictable. Actually, that?s one of the functions of angels. This awe-inspiring element was built into the very worship fabric of ancient Israel. The Ark of the Covenant had two cherubim carved into it. The idea is that God is surrounded by powerful beings. Prophets like Isaiah came face-to-face with seraphim who cried out in Isaiah 6:3: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” With the doorposts shaking, and the temple filled with smoke, Isaiah cried out in fear, “Woe is me!”

My guess is that many of us are afraid about something this morning. On 65 different occasions, the Bible tells us to “fear not.” Let?s see how these messages to Mary, Joseph and the shepherds can minister to us today. (Insights for the following come from Pastor Leith Anderson www.wooddale.org).

Let?s look at three different angelic encounters that intersect the Christmas story in order to help us see that which is ultimately real.

1. Don?t be afraid of God?s purposes.

The first messenger was one of the big guns of the Bible. His name was Gabriel and is one of only two named angels in the Bible, the other one being Michael. His first assignment that we know about came when he was called on to interpret a dream for the prophet Daniel (see Daniel 9:21). Gabriel then disappears from the scene for six hundred years, until he appears to a young teenage peasant girl named Mary.

As we read the familiar story let?s try to imagine what Mary might have felt during this angelic encounter. Luke 1:26-38 (read at beginning of service):

Luke 1:26-38 (NIV)

26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

Gabriel had the privilege of announcing the most astonishing news ever! God was going to send His Son to earth. I wonder if Gabriel questioned why God would want to accomplish His purposes through such an unlikely person. She was young in a culture that respected older people. She was poor. She lived in an isolated village. Don?t you love how God chooses to use people who we might not pick?

But Mary is terrified. She?s agitated at this announcement because she doesn?t understand why God would want to accomplish His purposes through her. I think she was probably afraid of this mighty messenger and dumbfounded by his message. Gabriel must have seen the fear in her eyes and so he said, “Don?t be afraid.” He knew that her fear could keep her from responding in faith and so his first task was to tame her trembling heart. He then explained what was going to happen as best he could. Mary asked a very natural question and Gabriel responded with the mystery of how a virgin could become pregnant with the Son of God. Mary didn?t understand this any more than we can explain it.

Gabriel reminds Mary of the miraculous pregnancy of Elizabeth and then makes a statement that we still need to hold on to today: “For nothing is impossible with God.” As Mary?s eyes are drawn to the power of God and away from her situation, she is able to respond with faith in verse 38: “I am the Lord?s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” Mary was ready to respond, choosing faith over her fear.

What about you? Perhaps God has revealed something to you in this past year that you?re afraid to fully submit to. What fear is keeping you back? Friend, because nothing is impossible with God He can do the improbable with insignificant people like you and like me. ?ordinary people who are part of an extraordinary plan?

2. Don?t be afraid when everything seems to go wrong.

Joseph needed some divine intervention after he found out Mary was pregnant. He knew he wasn?t the father. He had wanted to settle down into his carpentry business, get married, build a home, and pass on his trade to their children. But now things were falling apart and his plans were blown up. His reputation was on the line. And his fianc? had let him down. What was he going to do? Because he was a righteous man, he determined to end the engagement as quietly as he could. Instead of trying to get even, he wanted to do what was right. He?s in a daze, probably wanting to crawl into a hole.

In the middle of his misery, Joseph gets a visit. Let?s look at Matthew 1:20-24:


Matthew 1:20-24 (NIV)

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”–which means, “God with us.” 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

This unnamed angel fills in some of the blanks for Joseph but first he settles Joseph?s anxious heart by saying, “Do not be afraid.” Amazingly, he is being asked to raise a child that is not his. And, he?s given a glimpse of the glory of this child as the angel tells him that this boy will be the Savior, fulfilling the prophecy from Isaiah 7:14. Joseph then moves from fear to faith when we read, “he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.”

Does your life seem out of control right now? Have some things happened that have caused you to lose sleep? Maybe your dreams have been destroyed and your problems seem insurmountable. Does everything seem to be going wrong? Friend, hold on to hope. Immanuel will be with you always, no matter what happens. God will work everything out for His glory and for your good. Romans 8:28 is still true: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” What God wants from us is to be obedient like Joseph was. He wants us to serve Him in the midst of the storm, to love Him even when we feel like we?ve lost everything, and to trust Him during our trials.

Joseph actually had two more encounters with angels, and like the first time, he chose faith over fear. Look at Matthew 2:13-14:


Matthew 2:13-14 (NIV)

13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” 14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt,

Joseph had some “get up and go,” didn?t he? He response was identical some time later after another angelic encounter, in which he was told to go back to Israel because Herod had died. We see his obedience again in Matthew 2:21: “So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.”

Friend, don?t be afraid when life throws you a curve. Choose faith over fear. And when God makes it clear what you?re supposed to do, and you?re sure that He?s the one speaking, then “get up and go.”

3. Don?t be afraid of the good news.

The final exhibit of angelic intervention takes place when God rocks the routine of some guys who are just out doing their job. Luke 2:8-20:


Luke 2:8-9 (NIV)

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

In the midst of the mundane, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared. Into the darkness of a silent night came the brightness of the glory of the Lord. I?m sure they were rubbing their eyes and shaking in their sandals. In fact, the word “terrified” means that they were alarmed and agitated.

“But the angel said to them, ?Do not be afraid.” Once again, an angel has to tell humans to chill out. The reason they did not need to be afraid is because the messenger was bringing “good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.? As the shepherds are trying to handle the message from this one messenger, they are taken aback again. “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God?” The word “suddenly” means that the heavenly host came unexpectedly. I imagine the sky filled with a multitude of messengers. The phrase “heavenly host” refers to the Lord?s army in other passages of Scripture. Then the angels say, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

After witnessing this incredible display of unbridled adoration and praise, the shepherds knew that they had to move. “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ?Let?s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.? They discussed what they should do and were unanimous in their decision to head to Bethlehem. I love verse 16 because it shows that their fear had been replaced with faith and then their faith went to their feet: “So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.” There was no delay. The word “hurried” carries with it the idea of speed.

The shepherds then became messengers of the message they had received from the angel. “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” With hearts filled with gratitude, these men broke out into praise: “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”

Friend, God may be trying to break into your ordinary routine with the message of good news. He loves you and has sent His Son to be your Savior. How long will you continue to ignore Immanuel? When will you hurry to the Holy One? He wants to bring you joy in the midst of all the junk going on in your life. Will you receive what He has done for you? Will you put feet to your faith?

There are angels everywhere and I believe they are still doing God?s work today. But whether we see or hear an angel today doesn?t really matter. What matters most is that we get God?s message and that we respond not in fear, but in faith. Since it?s important to understand the role of angels in the Bible, let me briefly mention three things that good angels never do:

Angels Never Take the Place of the Bible. When they give messages from God, angels never supersede Scripture or contradict the Bible. Angels had a part in delivering sections of the Bible; therefore they would never say anything against it. Deuteronomy 33:2 tells us that myriads of holy messengers came down on Mount Sinai when God gave the Law to Moses and the entire book of Revelation is most likely the result of angelic messages. Revelation 1:1: “?He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John.” Then, in the last chapter of Revelation, a curse is pronounced on anyone who adds or takes away from the words of the book (Revelation 22:18-19). Friends, don?t look to angels, or anything else for that matter, to provide you with new messages from God. Everything that God wants you to know is found in this book!

Angels Never Take the Place of God the Father. God?s good angels refuse to be worshipped. In Revelation 22:8-9, the Apostle John is overcome by all that he has heard and seen: “I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel…But he said to me, ?Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!?” Good angels never draw attention to themselves. They can get our attention, but they always do it for God?s sake, not their own. When Biblical angels discharge their duty and deliver their tidings, they withdraw from human contact. They don?t stay long because they don?t want us to focus on them; they want us to worship God. One other thought in this regard. Angels are not to be prayed to. They may help deliver answers to prayer, but the Bible never suggests that we should direct our requests to them.

Angels Never Take the Place of Jesus. Angels are not the go-between for us. 1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” In the whole scheme of things, Jesus is center stage; angels are just the supporting cast. Like fans of a famous actor, 1 Peter 1:12 says that “angels long to look into the things” that Jesus has accomplished. The picture here is of angels bending over, trying to peer into the truth of salvation through Jesus. They?re intrigued by the whole idea of redemption.

Christmas cannot be explained apart from the thin places. Ray Pritchard puts it strongly: “If you take the supernatural out of Christianity, all you have is a religious book club.” Let me summarize what we?ve learned today.

CONCLUSION

1.Don?t be afraid of God?s purposes.

When Mary got the news about God?s purpose for her life she said in Luke 1:38: “I am the Lord?s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” Are you ready to surrender to God?s purposes right now?

2. Don?t be afraid when everything seems to go wrong.

Joseph?s world was being wiped out and yet he chose to hold on to what was true and to do what God was asking him to do. Matthew 1:24: “He did what the Lord commanded.” Matthew 2:14: “So he got up?” Matthew 2:21: “So he got up?” What are you going to do? Are you going to stew? Or are you going to get up and do what is right?

3. Don?t be afraid of the good news.

God is giving you a gift this Christmas and He wants you to respond by receiving it. The shepherds could have ignored the good news but they were so moved by the majesty of the glory of God that they had to move. Did you know that angels like to party? I used to think of them as boring and a bit predictable. They certainly don?t seem very spontaneous or very fun. Don?t they strike you as a serious bunch? After all, if their job is to magnify God, serve as His messengers and minister to people, how could they have time to do anything else? Luke 15:10 describes how this all comes together: “…I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Whenever an individual repents of sin and receives Jesus into his life, the angels break out into a wild party! They magnify God and minister to us in far greater ways once we respond to the message of good news of great joy.

Friend, what about you? The angels are cheering you on this morning. They want you to surrender your life to Christ?s leadership. All the plans are set for a big celebration. They?re just waiting for you to respond to the invitation. Angels are watching every move you make. They know the spiritual condition of your soul. And they are anxious for you to repent and to receive Christ for salvation before it?s too late. You see, they know what lies ahead for all of us. They understand the joy and rewards that await those who put their faith in Christ; and they know the harsh reality of hell for those who choose not to receive Christ.

Do you want a party thrown in your honor in heaven? Do you want the angels to rejoice? Then, engage your will and receive the free gift of Jesus. Then, not only will know more about the “Angels Out in the Field,” you will have Jesus in you, Immanuel who will always be with you.

J. B. Phillips wrote a wonderful story called, “The Visited Planet” to help us shed the limitations of earthbound thinking and to allow the supernatural to break over us afresh (see www.ccel.org).

Once upon a time a very young angel was being shown the splendors and glories of the universes by a senior and experienced angel?Finally he was shown?a small and rather insignificant sphere turning very slowly on its axis. It looked as dull as a dirty tennis-ball to the little angel, whose mind was filled with the size and glory of what he had seen.

“I want you to watch that one particularly,” said the senior angel, pointing with his finger. “Well, it looks very small and rather dirty to me,” said the little angel. “What?s special about that one?” “That,” replied his senior solemnly, “is the Visited Planet.” “Visited?” said the little one. “You don?t mean visited by ——–? “Indeed I do. That ball, which I have no doubt looks to you small and insignificant?has been visited by our young Prince of Glory.” And at these words he bowed his head reverently. The little angel?s face wrinkled in disgust. “Do you mean to tell me,” he said, “that He stooped so low as to become one of those creeping, crawling creatures of that floating ball?” “I do, and I don?t think He would like you to call them ?creeping, crawling creatures? in that tone of voice. For, strange as it may seem to us, He loves them. He went down to visit them to lift them up to become like Him.”

The little angel looked blank. Such a thought was almost beyond his comprehension.

“Close your eyes for a moment,” said the senior angel, “and we will go back in what they call Time.” “Now look!” And as the little angel did as he was told, there appeared here and there on the dull surface of the globe little flashes of light, some merely momentary and some persisting for quite a time. “Every flash and glow of light that you see is something of the Father?s knowledge and wisdom breaking into the minds and hearts of people?Not many people, you see, can hear His Voice or understand what He says, even though He is speaking gently and quietly to them all the time.”

“Why are they so blind and deaf and stupid?” asked the junior angel rather crossly.

“It is not for us to judge them. We who live in the Splendor have no idea what it is like to live in the dark. We hear the music and the Voice like the sound of many waters every day of our lives, but to them – well, there is much darkness and much noise and much distraction upon the earth. Only a few who are quiet and humble and wise hear His Voice. But watch, for in a moment you will see something truly wonderful.”

The Earth went on turning and circling round the sun, and then quite suddenly, in the upper half of the globe, there appeared a light, tiny but so bright in its intensity that both the angels hid their eyes. “I think I can guess,” said the little angel in a low voice. “That was the Visit, wasn?t it?” “Yes, that was the Visit. The Light Himself went down there and lived among them; but in a moment?the light will go out.” “But why? Could He not bear their darkness and stupidity? Did He have to return here?” “No, it wasn?t that,” returned the senior angel. His voice was stern and sad. “They failed to recognize Him for Who He was – or at least only a handful knew Him. For the most part they preferred their darkness to His Light, and in the end they killed Him.”

“The fools, the crazy fools! They don?t deserve —-” “Neither you nor I, nor any other angel, knows why they were so foolish and so wicked. Nor can we say what they deserve or don?t deserve. But the fact remains, they killed our Prince of Glory while He was Man amongst them?Watch now, but be ready to cover your eyes again.” In utter blackness the earth turned round three times, and then there blazed with unbearable radiance a point of light. “What now?” asked the little angel, shielding his eyes. “They killed Him all right, but He conquered death. The thing most of them dread and fear all their lives He broke and conquered. He rose again, and a few of them saw Him and from then on became His utterly devoted slaves.”

“Thank God for that,” said the little angel. “Amen. Open your eyes now, the dazzling light has gone. The Prince has returned to His Home of Light. But watch the Earth now.” As they looked, in place of the dazzling light there was a bright glow, which throbbed and pulsated. And then as the Earth turned, little points of light spread out. A few flickered and died; but for the most part the lights burned steadily, and as they continued to watch, in many Parts of the globe there was a glow over many areas.

“You see what is happening?” asked the senior angel. “The bright glow is the company of loyal men and women He left behind, and with His help they spread the glow and now lights begin to shine all over the Earth.” “Yes, yes,” said the little angel impatiently, “but how does it end? Will the little lights join up with each other? Will it all be light, as it is in Heaven?” His senior shook his head. “We simply do not know,” he replied. “It is in the Father?s hands. Sometimes it is agony to watch and sometimes it is joy unspeakable. The end is not yet. But now I am sure you can see why this little ball is so important. He has visited it; He is working out His Plan upon it.” “Yes, I see, though I don?t understand. I shall never forget that this is the Visited Planet.”

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Signs? What Signs?

Sunday, February 1st, 2004
This entry is part 4 of 6 in the series A Place to Call Home

Read at beginning of message:

Romans 5:1-11 (NIV)

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

INTRODUCTION

Anybody who has ever written a drivers test will remember those questions involving various road signs that a driver needs to be aware of. Road signs play an important role in ensuring the safety of our roads ? or they are supposed to anyway! There are all kinds of signs that you can find in our world. There are signs that provide directions, there are signs that advertise, there are signs that warn away, there are signs that invite in. They all share a similar function ? to inform.

Now obviously, the examples I?ve been sharing are about physical signs. Signs that are real objects made of different materials with a message on them. But there are other invisible signs present in our world too. You know, the signs that may not be posted but inform nevertheless ? a window with bars in it could mean a jail, or a very insecure owner of the building, or a high crime rate ? an animal with foam coming out of its mouth is a good notice of stay away. A human with foam coming out of its mouth?well that could mean different things to different people ? but the majority of us would be a little nervous there too wouldn?t we? People walking out of a restaurant rubbing their bellies and a content look on their faces is a good sign ? whereas people walking out of a restaurant doubled over and groaning is a bad sign? yet, it?s funny isn?t it that if you?re a fan of roller-coasters someone walking off the roller-coaster in the same way would be a good sign! How about this ones ? walking into a group of people who are having a conversation and no one makes eye contact or directs any questions to you, a sign that just screams ? “you?re not wanted”. Or on the other hand walking into a room of people and having two or three individuals come over and say, “Hi”, or, “How are you doing?” is a sign that says ? “welcome”.

So I got to thinking, what kind of signs do we have up our church?

All churches have signs. Most of these are not literal signs, but rather unwritten messages that are communicated loud and clear ? especially to people who don?t go to church.

We?ve spent the past three weeks looking at some rather foundational, doctrinal and theological things. The oneness of Trinity, what it means to be made in the Image of God, how the very first ever Christian Church lived out authentic biblical community.

Today I want to build off of those deeper concepts by getting a picture of biblical community today. Because if church is truly where no one stands alone, it would be the greatest place on earth, it would be like a “city on a hill”, it would be a place to call home! To get there, we need to take a look at our signs.

TRANSITION: I wonder what signs most non-church goers see when they look at a church?

The first sign many people see says this:

SIGN #1: When You?re Ready, We?re Here

A lot of churches believe they are really open, inviting and friendly. They say, “Our doors are always open. People are welcome to come on in. But the message is still heard as, “When you?re ready, we?re here.”

What is implied is this:

When you get cleaned up, dressed up, and ready to conform? When you?ve learned how we do stuff here, when you understand the terms we use when we talk, when you appreciate our history, when you embrace our traditions? ? when you?re ready, we?re here.

The sign isn?t as nice a sign as we think.

That was the attitude of the Pharisees ? added extra rules, through their teachings made it difficult for people to enter heaven.


Matthew 23:1-4 (NIV)

1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

When you?re ready, we?re here!

The Bible says that at the very moment when Jesus died on the cross, the great curtain in the temple that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place was torn from top to bottom. God places no barriers between Him and us. Absolutely anyone can have access to Him through a relationship with His Son Jesus. But unfortunately, fair or not, to those who stay home on Sunday, churches have the reputation of reconstructing that curtain.

Instead, a church where no one stands alone displays a sign that says?

COME AS YOU ARE


Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Isaiah 55:1 (NIV)

1 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.

Neither of those invitations say anything about getting cleaned up, dressed up, or learned up. They just say come to me. Come as you are! I have what you?re looking for! If we do anything as a church, we should echo God?s invitation of acceptance.

Gladys Hunt once wrote: “Acceptance means you are valuable just as you are. It allows you to be the real you. You are not forced into someone else?s idea of who you are. It means your ideas are taken seriously since they reflect you. You can talk about how you feel inside, why you feel that way, and someone really cares.

Acceptance means you can try out your ideas without being shot down. You can even express heretical thoughts and discuss them with intelligent questioning. You feel safe. No one will pronounce judgment on you even though they don?t agree with you. It doesn?t mean you?ll never be corrected or shown to be wrong. It simply means it?s safe to be you and no one will destroy you out of prejudice.” (Gladys M. Hunt, quoted in Eternity magazine, October, 1969 ? as found in Swindoll?s Tale of the Tardy Oxcart, p. 3)

We?re never going to be a church that brings people out of isolation and into community until we agree together that people will find acceptance when they come as they are.

I don?t know about you but I have occasionally had conversations with different people about what we should be wearing to church. I remember in the church that I grew up in that there were some people who were really offended if a male came to church dressed in something other than dress pants, suit and tie. In one evening service I happened to be wearing some casual slacks and a sweater and boy did I ever hear it from this one lady. She said something to me that kind of stuck in my mind. Something that I?ve heard at other times in my life. She said, “Young man, you need to show respect when you come into the presence of the King.” I guess to her I wasn?t showing respect because of what I was wearing. It stuck in my mind because I got thinking. If I show respect to God by wearing a shirt and tie and dress pants to church then would I be showing disrespect to him when I kneel by my bed at night in my pajamas? I know that ladies heart was in the right place but what kind of sign was she posting in front of me?

A church that says “come as you are” doesn?t get hung up on the issue of clothes.

There are stories of people who, when they go to church for the first time, park the car and wait to see what people are wearing before they go inside. Then they?ll say, “Oh, someone dressed like me. It?s OK.”

It is sad to think that some might miss out on eternity because they didn?t know what to wear to church. But maybe it is because most churches still display a sign that says, “When you?re ready we?re here.” Friends? HPC, isn?t going to be one of those churches.

So three rules of thumb on clothes: 1) Wear what you want; 2) Let modesty prevail, and: 3) Above all don?t look at someone else and think they should dress like you. (Check out 1 Timothy 2:9 if you want more details).

If you worship God most authentically in more casual clothes, wear more casual clothes. If you worship God most authentically a little more dressed up, then wear that. A diversity of clothing styles will help hang a sign that says, “Here at Hanover Pentecostal Church, we?re just a group of people in love with Jesus. And you?re welcome here too. So come as you are.”

Non-church goers in America typically aren?t the most traditional people in the world. If someone is genuinely seeking Jesus, and we in the church add extra hoops to jump through ? such as the “right” kind of clothes, the right this or the right that ? they?re gone. Jesus didn?t have any hoops to jump through for those who came seeking Him ? he just said Come to me. Come to me, and I?ll show you truth.

I love this quote by Isaac Errett, the founder of the Christian Standard magazine. He wrote in 1872,

“To persuade men to trust and love and obey a Divine Savior, is the one great end for which we labor in preaching the gospel; assured that if men are right about Christ, Christ will bring them right about everything else. We demand no other faith, in order to baptism and church membership, than the faith of the heart in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God; nor have we any term or bond or fellowship but faith in this Divine Redeemer and obedience to Him.” (Isaac Errett, Our Position)

Did you catch what he said, “If men are right about Christ, Christ will bring them right about everything else.”

We don?t make the changes in people?s hearts. God does. It?s his church, not ours. So remember, everyone is welcome here. And with great joy we display this sign, “Come as you are!”

TRANSITION: A second sign many non-church goers see when they look at church says this:

SIGN #2 ? You?ve Made Too Many Mistakes for Us

A lot of people think this.

“How could I ever expect to fit in with all those people? They?re not like me. They?d never understand me. Maybe they?d judge me. I guess I?m just not the church type. ”

Philip Yancey tells a story in one of his books about a person on the streets reaping the results of a series of bad choices. The person felt miserable, hopeless and alone. An acquaintance suggests she try going to a church. To which this person responded, “Church! Why would I go there? They?d only make me feel worse.”

To many the sign is clear to read, “You?ve made too many mistakes for us.” So why bother with church, they think. I?ll take my chances out here, thank you very much.

It?s said that one of the main barriers to church growth in North America is Christians. Christians who give off the impression that sinners aren?t really all that welcome at church. Sinners never seemed to feel awkward around Jesus. But they consistently do around people who claim to follow him. Why is that? Maybe it?s because we never really displayed the right sign.

A church where no one stands alone, that is a city on a hill, a place to call home displays a sign that says?

GRACE HAPPENS


Romans 5:20 (NIV)

20 The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,

In the Living Bible it reads?

The more we see of our sinfulness, the more we see God?s abounding grace forgiving us. (Romans 5:20, LB)

Philip Yancey calls grace the great last word. Grace is when you get what you don?t deserve. Like eternal life instead of punishment. Like a second chance instead of judgment. Like riches instead of a debt you could never pay. That?s grace.

And the church is one of the only places you?ll find it.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound! ? That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I?m found, was blind but now I see.

We sing it, but not everyone out there knows we believe it. They think they?ve made too many mistakes for us. Well the truth is we?ve all make mistakes. Church is a place filled with people who have messed up.

So we proudly display this sign also. “Grace happens.” Second chances are normal around here. You haven?t made too many mistakes for us.

TRANSITION: One more sign non-church goers see when they look at the church says this:

SIGN #3 ? Our Roof Isn?t Strong Enough

You know how some people think they?ve stayed away so long, they say if they showed up the roof would cave in? This is the sign they see. They say, “I swore I?d never go. If I did now the shock would be too great. I read that sign you have up ? you say so yourself ? “Our roof isn?t strong enough for you.”

In his book, The Kingdom of God is a Party, Tony Campolo tells a story about some people who very likely might have read this sign?

Campolo was attending a Christian conference in Honolulu. Since there was a six-hour time differential between Hawaii and his hometown in Pennsylvania, on his first night there Campolo experienced some confusion in his sleep pattern. He woke up about 3 o?clock in the morning and couldn?t get back to sleep. So he got up, got dressed, and left the hotel where he was staying, searching for a place to get something to eat. Eventually he found a tiny coffee shop that was open. Here is his description of what happened there:

“The guy behind the counter came over and asked me what I wanted. I told him I wanted a cup of coffee and a donut. As I sat there munching my donut and sipping my coffee at 3:30 in the morning, the door suddenly opened, swung wide, and to my discomfort in marched 8 or 9 provocatively dressed and rather boisterous prostitutes. It was a small place and they sat on either side of me. Their talk was garrulous, loud, and crude. I felt completely out of place.

I was just about to make my getaway when I heard the woman next to me say, ?You know, tomorrow is my birthday. I?m going to be 39.? Her friend responded in a rather nasty tone, ?So what do you want from me? A birthday party? What do you want? You want me to get a cake, and sing happy birthday to you??

?Come on,? the woman sitting next to me said, ?why do you have to be so mean? I?m just telling you that it?s my birthday. Why do you have to put me down? I don?t want anything from you. I mean, why should I have a birthday party? I?ve never had a birthday party in my whole life. Why should I have one now??

Campolo says, “When I heard that, I made a decision. I sat and waited until the women left, and then I called over to the guy behind the counter and asked him, ?Do they come in here every night??

He answered, ?Yeah.? ?The one who was sitting right next to me, does she come in every night?? ?Yeah,? he said, ?that?s Agnes. Yeah, she comes in every night. Why do you want to know?? ?Because,? I replied, ?I heard her say that tomorrow is her birthday. What do you say we do something special for her? What do you think about throwing a birthday party for her right here in the coffee shop??

A cute kind of smile crept over that man?s chubby cheeks. ?That?s a great idea,? he said. ?I like it. That?s great. Agnes is one of those people who is really nice and kind. I don?t think anybody has ever done anything nice and kind for her.? ?Well, look,? I told him, ?if it?s okay with you, I?ll be back here tomorrow morning at 2:30. I?ll decorate the place. I?ll even get a birthday cake for her,? ?No way!? he replied. ?The birthday cake, that?s my thing. I?ll bake the birthday cake myself.?

“At two thirty the next morning,” Campolo says, “I was back at that coffee shop. I picked up some crepe paper and other decorations at the store, and made a sign of big pieces of cardboard that said ?Happy Birthday, Agnes!? I decorated that diner from one end to the other. I had it really looking great. The word must have gotten out on the street, because by 3:15 that morning every prostitute in Honolulu was in that place. There was wall-to-wall prostitutes ? and me.

At 3:30 on the dot, the door of the diner swung open and in came Agnes and her friend. I had everybody ready? When they came in we all jumped up and screamed, ?Happy Birthday, Agnes!” Then we sang to her. And you know, I?ve never seen a person so flabbergasted, so stunned, so shaken. Her mouth fell open, her knees started to buckle, her friend had to offer her arm to steady her, and I noticed she had started to cry. When the birthday cake with all the candles was carried out, that?s when she lost it. She started sobbing. Harry, the guy behind the counter, gruffly mumbled, ?Blow out the candles, Agnes, blow out the candles.? Then he handed her a knife and said, ?Cut the cake, Agnes, cut the cake.?

Agnes looked down at that cake, and without taking her eyes off it, she slowly and softly said, ?Look, Harry, is it okay with you if I, I mean, if I don?t, what I want to ask, is it okay if I keep the cake for a little while? Is it okay if we don?t eat it right away?? Harry shrugged and answered, ?Well, sure, Agnes, that?s fine. You want to keep the cake, keep the cake. Take it home if you want to.? ?Oh, could I?? she asked. Looking at me, she said, ?I just live down the street a couple of doors. I want to take the cake home, okay? I?ll be right back, honest.? She got off her stool, she picked up that cake, and she carried it out of the diner like it was the Holy Grail. She walked slowly toward the door, and we all just stood there, speechless. When the door closed behind her, there was stunned silence in the place.

Not knowing what else to do, I broke the silence by saying, ?What do you say we pray together?? Looking back on it now, it seems more than a little strange that a sociologist from eastern Pennsylvania would be leading a prayer meeting with a bunch of prostitutes in a diner in Honolulu at 3:30 in the morning. But I prayed. I prayed for Agnes. I prayed for her salvation. I prayed that her life would be changed, and that God would be good to her.

And when I finished, Harry leaned over, and with a trace of hostility in his voice, he said, ?Hey, you never told me you were a preacher! What kind of preacher are you anyway? What church do you belong to?? In one of those moments when just the right words come, I answered him quietly, ?I belong to a church that throws birthday parties for prostitutes at 3:30 in the morning.? Harry thought for a minute, and then almost sneered as he answered, ?No you don?t! There is no church like that. In fact,? he concluded, ?if there was, I?d join it.?

There?s no church like that. If there was, I?d join it.

If we really become a church where no one stands alone ? that is a city on a hill ? that is a place to call home, you?ll be surprised who shows up!

Most churches display the sign, “Our roof isn?t strong enough.”

But a church where no one stands alone has a visible sign that says?

YOU MATTER TO GOD

No matter who you are ? where you have been ? what you?ve done. The roof won?t cave in if you show up. How do we know this?

John 3:16-17 from The Message

This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn?t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.

So we proudly display a sign that says, “You matter to God.” He?s crazy about you!

CONCLUSION

What will we look like when we?re really the church God wants us to be? What will be the word on the street?

My guess is that it will be something like this?

Becky Pippert, is a Christian author from Naperville.

While doing campus ministry she met a student named Bill on a college campus in Portland, Oregon. Bill was brilliant, and always looked like he was pondering something deep. He had messy hair, and the entire time she knew him, she never saw him wear a pair of shoes. Rain, sleet or snow, Bill was always barefoot. While he was attending college, he had become a Christian.

At this time, a well-dressed, middle-class church across the street from the campus wanted to develop more of a ministry to the students. They weren?t sure how to go about it, but they tried to make them feel welcome. One day Bill decided to worship there. He walked into this church wearing his blue jeans, T-shirt and of course no shoes.

People looked a bit uncomfortable, but no one said anything. So Bill began walking down the aisle looking for a seat. The church was quite crowded that Sunday, so as he got down to the front pew and realized there were no seats, he just squatted on the carpet ? perfectly acceptable behavior at a college fellowship, but perhaps unnerving for a buttoned down church congregation. The tension in the air became so thick one could slice it.

Suddenly an elderly man began walking down the aisle toward the boy. Was he going to scold Bill? Becky?s friends who saw him approaching said they thought, You can?t blame him. He?d never guess Bill is a Christian. And his world is too distant from Bill?s to understand. You can?t blame him for what he?s going to do.

As the man kept walking slowly down the aisle, the church became utterly silent. All eyes were focused on him. You couldn?t hear anyone breathe.

When the man reached Bill, with some difficulty he lowered himself and sat down next to him on the carpet. He and Bill worshipped together on the floor that Sunday. There wasn?t a dry eye in the room. (From Out of the Saltshaker, p. 260)

A church with the right signs is pretty much like that. Come as you are ? because grace happens ? and you matter to God.

Are we a church full of people who would do what that elderly gentleman did? Are you that kind of person? Remember, all churches have signs. Only a few say what these do.

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Maranatha!

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2003

Read at beginning of service:

1 Peter 1:13-25 (NIV)

13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. 22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25 but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.

INTRODUCTION

Read text: 2 Peter 3:1-18

Friends I believe our world is in the midst of the end times. What do I mean? I mean that I believe we as time goes on we are coming closer and closer to the period where the world will experience what the Bible refers to the tribulation. A period of 7 years where God withdraws Christians and His spirit from this planet and a the Anti-Christ will arise with the spirit of Satan and seize power over the whole world and set himself up as a world ruler and even going so far as making himself a god and deceiving people over all the world into worshipping him. The book of Revelation describes the tribulation as a terrible time. In fact, in the last three and a half years of this tribulation the Bible says that God?s wrath will be poured out upon the earth and there will be such devastation that very few people in the world will survive. The Bible says that at the end of this period the nations of the earth led by the antichrist will march against the Jews in Jerusalem in defiance of God and to destroy it but at the last moment something tremendous will happen. Jesus will appear. Jesus with His army of Saints will reveal Himself to our world and in an instant the army of the antichrist will be destroyed and rendered powerless. Then the Bible says that following the Messiah?s destruction of the Antichrist?s armies, Jesus Christ will establish His glorious millennial Kingdom. Christ?s Second Coming will usher in the long-awaited kingdom of God that will endure throughout eternity.

I believe we are in the last days ? the days leading up this tribulation and the Second Coming of Christ. Now you may ask me why do I believe that?

Matthew 24:32-34 (NIV)

32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

In Matthew 24 Jesus answered his disciples question, they asked, “?what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (Matt. 24:3). Jesus began to tell them of some of the things they would see happen. Then He drew there attention to a fig tree and said that in the same way you can observe a fig tree and know that summer is drawing near you can observe certain things in the world and know that His return is soon. Friends I believe that we are in the end times because I am a student of God?s word and I am aware of the many prophecies concerning the Second Coming of Christ that are being fulfilled in our day. I believe Jesus is returning soon!

(refer people to prophecy handout)

Yes, I believe we?re in the last days but there are a couple things I?d like to clarify.

I do not know the day or the hour or the year of Christ?s return.

Matthew 24:36 (NIV)

36 “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

I do know He could return at any time and that He will return.

Matthew 24:44 (NIV)

44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

The Second Coming of Christ will begin with the rapture and will be complete with His victory at Armageddon.

The Rapture is the modern term used to describe the supernatural moment when Jesus Christ will transform the bodies of all living and departed believers into their new spiritual, immortal bodies that will “rise to meet him in the air.” Naturally, the word “rapture” does not appear in the English translations of the Bible, yet the concept of the resurrection-s rapture is taught in a number of passages.

Matthew 24:37-41 (NIV)

37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NIV)

16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

The rapture of the church should not be confused with the Revelation of Christ?s Second Coming. Although these two events are the two most significant occurrences connected with Christ?s return in the last days, they are quite separate events involving separate participants, as well as different times, purposes, and locations.

The rapture will occur at some time before the tribulation and will take place in the air as all living and departed saints rise to meet Christ and return to heaven. At the Rapture, Christ will come to take His saints home. Only the saints (those who have confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior) will experience the Rapture; non-believers will not be aware of it until they witness the disappearance of the Saints.

The revelation of Christ will take place when He and His saints as part of His victorious army return to earth to defeat Antichrist at Armageddon (Revelation 19:7-9) This occurs at the end of the tribulation.

The rapture will reveal the Lord?s transformation of the mortal bodies of believers into new resurrection bodies for eternity, while His Revelation at the Battle of Armageddon will reveal the glory of Jesus Christ as our returning Messiah.

The Second Coming of Christ refers to the whole period of time that begins with the rapture and is fulfilled when He appears in all His glory and might at Armageddon.

In one sense our world has been in the end times from the moment Christ ascended into heaven after His resurrection.

Acts 1:10-11 (NIV)

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Certainly the clear teaching of the New Testament demonstrates that the Holy Spirit taught His Church that Christ?s return is imminent ? that is that it is certain to occur at some point in the future, that it could occur the next moment, but that its precise timing is unknown. In fact in the early church there is a greeting that was very common among Christians when meeting each other, “Maranatha” – an Aramaic word that translated to English means, “The Lord Comes!” I counted at least 29 passages in the New Testament that illustrate the early church?s belief that Christ?s return is imminent.

I believe Christ?s return is imminent. I believe that at any moment the world will be very surprised and filled with shock when His church is “caught up” with Christ in the air and disappear from the scene. No doubt there will be a struggle here on Earth to try to explain what has happened.

I?ve said all this today (given you a brief over-view of what the Bible prophesies about the end times) to come to this question, “If you knew Jesus Christ was returning one year from today, how would that change your life now?” (then ask about one month- one day ? one hour).

The point I want to make with you this morning is that it is one thing to believe that Christ?s return is imminent and it is another thing to live what you believe! The New Testament contains numerous exhortations to hold on to the hope of our Lord?s soon return as the focus of our spiritual life. The “blessed hope” of the Rapture should be a cornerstone of every Christian?s spiritual life, for many reasons.

Expecting Christ?s return calls all believers to constant spiritual watchfulness.

Returning to our text for this morning,

2 Peter 3:8-10 (NIV)

8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

Paul writes,

1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 (NIV)

4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.

This hope motivates us to witness to unbelievers in light of His imminent coming.

Here?s a sobering though ? when the rapture occurs all who are left will go through the tribulation?who will tell?

John 9:4 (NIV)

4 As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Our hope for the return of Christ should affect our relationship with others!

Some critics who oppose the literal Second Coming and the reality of the kingdom of God raise a curious argument that suggests that belief in such will dissuade Christians from responsible caring for the earth or helping others in need. However historical evidence supports that those who long for the Second Coming and His kingdom are usually found on the front lines of organizations for evangelism, world missions, as well as practical medical and social efforts. The financial support from these premillenial Christians formed a huge portion of those who supported world missions and evangelism during the last two centuries. Far from abandoning their concern for the world and its suffering humanity, those who love His soon return are motivated by their love for Christ to assist those in need. (p. 268-9 of Triumphant Return by Grant Jeffery)

This hope reminds us to walk daily in holiness in an immoral world while we await His soon return.

2 Peter 3:11-12 (NIV)

11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.

2 Peter 3:14-15 (NIV)

14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.

1 John 3:3 (NIV)

3 Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.

Titus 2:11-13 (NIV)

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope–the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

How do you want to be found when Christ returns? The answer to that question should govern our life.

Our motivation?

2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NIV)

6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

His return comforts the saints by reminding them of their eternal destiny with Christ.

John 14:1-3 (NIV)

1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

2 Peter 3:17-18 (NIV)

17 Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

The return of Christ encourages sinners to repent and accept the Lord while they still have time.

2 Peter 3:10 (NIV)

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

Acts 3:19-21 (NIV)

19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you–even Jesus. 21 He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.

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