“How to be ready for the Second Coming”
Luke 12:35-36, 40-44, 49-53
Be watchful in the present about the future to be ready for the Second Coming
Be ready for the Second Coming by
I. Preparation for actively serving the Lord (35)
35 “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning,
II. Alertness to the potential of the Lord’s soon return (36)
36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.
37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them.
38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!
39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into.
III. Reminding yourself the Lord will come at an unexpected hour (40)
40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
IV. Taking comfort that your present faithful service will be eternally rewarded. (43-44)
43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.
The Bible says a lot about Heavenly Rewards
A. All believers will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ
Romans 14:10-12;
2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV)
5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
B. This judgment will NOT determine the Believer’s Eternal Destiny
Titus 3:3-7
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
C. This Judgment will determine the believer’s Heavenly reward
1 Corinthians 3:11-15; Revelation 22:12
D. The promise of eternal rewards.
For denying self in the Service of Christ
Matthew 6:24-27; Matthew 19:29
For Obedience to Christ
Revelation 2:26
For enduring persecution for Christ’s sake
Matthew 5:11-12
For faith that expresses itself through giving and financial sacrifice.
Matthew 6:3-4; Luke 12:33
For good works
1 Timothy 6:18-19 (NIV)
V. Looking to Jesus redemptive reason for His first coming (49-50)
49 “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled!
50 I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished!
In facing the cross, Jesus spoke to His disciples
Mark 10:38 (ESV)
38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”
We are ready for the Second Coming as we Look to why Jesus Came in His first coming.
That is part of the imagery in the 12th chapter of the book of Hebrews.....
Hebrews 12:1-3 (ESV)
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking to Jesus,
the founder and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself,
so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
VI. By remembering the potential of division between those accepting and those rejecting Christ. (51-53) 51 Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.
52 For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three.
53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
Earlier in birth narrative of Luke 2:14
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
The Lord Jesus gives peace with God (justification) to those who place their faith in Him.(Romans 5:1). But that confession of faith can sometimes be a declaration of war among an individuals family and friends.
There can be division because of Jesus.
John 7:43 (ESV)
43 So there was a division among the people over him.
John 9:16 (ESV)
16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them.
John 10:19 (ESV)
19 There was again a division among the Jews because of these words.
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Message Outline:“How to Moderate Your Worry” Luke 12:22-34, January 17th , 2015
“How to Moderate Your Worry”
Luke 12:22-34
January 17th , 2015
Big Idea: Moderate your worry by looking to God’s kingdom and his provision
I. Do Not be anxious about your life by having a higher perspective [22-23]
22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.
23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.
II. Do Not Worry About Food by .... [24-26]
A. Considering how God feeds the ravens (24a-b)
24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them.
B. Considering how valuable you are to God (24c)
24c Of how much more value are you than the birds!
C. Considering the Futility of anxiety in your life (25-26)
25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?
III. Do Not Worry about what you will wear [27- 28]
A. Consider the Lilies of the field (27)
27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
B. Consider Your value to God - you of little faith (28)
28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!
IV. A Do not and a Do in consideration of your stuff [29-21]
A. Do not be consumed with seeking things - God knows what you need (29-30)
29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried.
30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
B. Do purposefully seek after God’s kingdom (31-32)
31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
V. Adjust the priorities of your spiritual life by [33-34]
A. Divesting yourself of those activities and things which hinder your walk with God (33)
33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.
B. Investing in the Kingdom of God with your time, talent, and treasure (34)
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Luke 12:22-34
January 17th , 2015
Big Idea: Moderate your worry by looking to God’s kingdom and his provision
I. Do Not be anxious about your life by having a higher perspective [22-23]
22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.
23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.
II. Do Not Worry About Food by .... [24-26]
A. Considering how God feeds the ravens (24a-b)
24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them.
B. Considering how valuable you are to God (24c)
24c Of how much more value are you than the birds!
C. Considering the Futility of anxiety in your life (25-26)
25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?
III. Do Not Worry about what you will wear [27- 28]
A. Consider the Lilies of the field (27)
27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
B. Consider Your value to God - you of little faith (28)
28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!
IV. A Do not and a Do in consideration of your stuff [29-21]
A. Do not be consumed with seeking things - God knows what you need (29-30)
29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried.
30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
B. Do purposefully seek after God’s kingdom (31-32)
31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
V. Adjust the priorities of your spiritual life by [33-34]
A. Divesting yourself of those activities and things which hinder your walk with God (33)
33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.
B. Investing in the Kingdom of God with your time, talent, and treasure (34)
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
A Chance to Make Good
Paul Harvey told the story about Lieutenant Commander Edward Henry "Butch" O'Hare, the Navy's number-one ace in the Second World War and the first naval aviator ever to win the Congressional Medal of Honor. Chicago's O'Hare International Airport is named for him.
What "Butch" O'Hare became, however, was made possible because someone else paid a great price.
That someone else was Butch's father, Edward J. O'Hare, a slick lawyer for the gangster Al Capone. "Artful Eddie," as he was known, had money and power, but one day he squealed on Capone. The reason for this sudden change of heart? He wanted to give his son a break, he said. Before long, the mob silenced Artful Eddie with two shotgun blasts.
But because of Eddie's courageous change of heart, his son Butch was accepted at Annapolis: Eddie's confession and subsequent death satisfied admissions people that the family's mob connections were severed. Artful Eddie paid with his own life for his son's chance to make good, something that Jesus Christ did for each of us on the Cross.
-- Steven D. Mathewson, Helena, Montana. Leadership, Vol. 12, no. 1.
What "Butch" O'Hare became, however, was made possible because someone else paid a great price.
That someone else was Butch's father, Edward J. O'Hare, a slick lawyer for the gangster Al Capone. "Artful Eddie," as he was known, had money and power, but one day he squealed on Capone. The reason for this sudden change of heart? He wanted to give his son a break, he said. Before long, the mob silenced Artful Eddie with two shotgun blasts.
But because of Eddie's courageous change of heart, his son Butch was accepted at Annapolis: Eddie's confession and subsequent death satisfied admissions people that the family's mob connections were severed. Artful Eddie paid with his own life for his son's chance to make good, something that Jesus Christ did for each of us on the Cross.
-- Steven D. Mathewson, Helena, Montana. Leadership, Vol. 12, no. 1.
Friday, January 2, 2015
Message Outline: “The Dangers of Greed” Luke 12:13-21
“The Dangers of Greed”
Luke 12:13-21
January 4th , 2015
I. An inappropriate
request reveals the status of the heart. (13-14)
13 Someone in the crowd said
to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he
said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?”
II. A warning about greed:
our life is more than our stuff (15)
15 And he said to them,“Take
care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not
consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
III. A parable about a greedy
rich fool [16-21]
A. An opportunity presents
itself: an abundant crop (16-17)
16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land
of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself,‘What shall I
do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’
B. The Choice acted upon:
generous toward self and poor toward God.(18-19)
18 And he said, ‘I will do
this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store
all my grain and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul,“Soul,
you have ample goods laid up for many years;
relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’
C. Life and earthly riches
pass quickly, but richness toward God lasts forever. (20-21)
20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’
20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’
21 So is the one who lays up
treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Church life can be messy -- so what -- so get over it
In my years in ministry I have heard many excuses from professed Christians for not attending church, not serving, not giving, not _____, etc... The most annoying excuse is that the church is full of hypocrites. What is lame about that excuse is that “Everyone is a Hypocrite!” I am a hypocrite. You are a hypocrite. No one lives consistently with whatever they profess to believe. Twelve Step Recovery programs encourage honesty with oneself and others. We need honesty with ourselves, God, and others.
The Bible clearly calls on Christians to be in relationship with one another in a local body of believers.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
“Let us” speaks of a community of fellowship of believers that are to encourage one another to love and good works.
“Let us” speaks against “Lone Ranger” Christianity which is the habit of some.
“Let us” speaks to how we can encourage one another. You cannot encourage someone that you do not know through a relationship. You cannot be encouraged unless someone knows and cares for you.
“Let us” live in relationship as we look forward to the Lord Jesus Returning in Glory.
A healthy church encourages those relationships. In reading the Bible the early church had relationship problems.
Philippians 4:2 (ESV)
I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.
The Apostle Paul - under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit - was encouraging these two women to work through their differences to serve the Lord.
We don’t need excuses, we need honest effort to serve the Lord together - within the messiness of the human condition - through a community of faith, a Bible-believing church.
The Bible clearly calls on Christians to be in relationship with one another in a local body of believers.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
“Let us” speaks of a community of fellowship of believers that are to encourage one another to love and good works.
“Let us” speaks against “Lone Ranger” Christianity which is the habit of some.
“Let us” speaks to how we can encourage one another. You cannot encourage someone that you do not know through a relationship. You cannot be encouraged unless someone knows and cares for you.
“Let us” live in relationship as we look forward to the Lord Jesus Returning in Glory.
A healthy church encourages those relationships. In reading the Bible the early church had relationship problems.
Philippians 4:2 (ESV)
I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.
The Apostle Paul - under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit - was encouraging these two women to work through their differences to serve the Lord.
We don’t need excuses, we need honest effort to serve the Lord together - within the messiness of the human condition - through a community of faith, a Bible-believing church.
Message Outline: "Living Skillfully with Opposition” 1 Thes. 2:13-16 Dec 28th 2014
"Living Skillfully with Opposition”
1 Thes. 2:13-16
Dec 28th 2014
How to Live Skillfully with Opposition to Your Faith
I. Receive the Word of God which is at Work in You(13)
13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
1 Corinthians 1:18
18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
II. Imitate those Walking in the Word of God in Difficult Circumstances (14a)
14a For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea.
III. Expect Opposition to the Word of God - (Unfortunately, its Common). 14b-15a
14b For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,
15a who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out,
We need to keep perspective as we think of the death of Christ.
1 Cor. 2:8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
IV. Persevere in sharing the Word of God (15b-16a)
15b and displease God and oppose all mankind
16a by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved
V. Remember the Word of God Explains the Wrath of God (16b)
16b—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!
1 Thes. 2:13-16
Dec 28th 2014
How to Live Skillfully with Opposition to Your Faith
I. Receive the Word of God which is at Work in You(13)
13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
1 Corinthians 1:18
18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
II. Imitate those Walking in the Word of God in Difficult Circumstances (14a)
14a For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea.
III. Expect Opposition to the Word of God - (Unfortunately, its Common). 14b-15a
14b For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,
15a who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out,
We need to keep perspective as we think of the death of Christ.
1 Cor. 2:8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
IV. Persevere in sharing the Word of God (15b-16a)
15b and displease God and oppose all mankind
16a by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved
V. Remember the Word of God Explains the Wrath of God (16b)
16b—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!
Friday, December 19, 2014
Finishing Well
The following is from -- Craig Brian Larson, "Strong to the Finish,"
It was a hot day--Tuesday, July 20, 1993, in Washington, D.C.--as Vincent Foster sat in the Rose Garden. That morning he watched as President Clinton announced his new FBI director. Foster returned to his White House Counsel's office after the ceremony. He took care of some legal business, then talked with President Clinton, his boyhood friend, for a few moments. He ate lunch that day at his desk.
A little after one o'clock, Foster left the office, telling his staff he would return. He pulled his Honda Accord onto the streets of Washington, D.C., and drove to a little-visited national park on a bluff overlooking the Potomac River. He got out, leaving his suit coat in the car. In his hand was an antique, .38-caliber revolver. He walked across an open field. Standing beside a cannon pointing out over the woods, Vincent Foster took his own life.
When President Clinton heard the news, he called together his staff to console them on the loss of someone that they all loved. Then President Clinton said these words: "It would be wrong to define a life like Vincent Foster's in terms only of how it ended."
Clinton is right in one sense. But the sad fact is that no matter how much Vincent Foster's friends, family, colleagues, and workmates try to put the end of his life out of their minds, how his life ended will always overshadow his memory. Because how a life, a ministry, a job, or a relationship ends defines and colors all that goes before it.
-----
From Chuck:
I've had the pleasure of knowing people who have finished their lives well. That is a joy to see. I have a friend who is in his late 80's living in a care center who has a young heart to serve the Lord. While his life (like most) has had its share of disappointments, he stills prays for people, serves others, and witnesses to the grace of God in the Lord Jesus.
I've also had the disappointment of seeing others who professed to know the Lord, but for whatever reason (lost love, disappointment with God, etc...) they walked away. When I was a new Christian in my first year college, that surprised and disappointed me. Now many years later it just disappoints. Sometimes people pursue the Lord thinking that it will get them what they want (fixed relationships, a new job, happiness, etc...). While God may give us some of those things we want, He does not owe us those things. However, God is still worthy of our worship and service for who He is, regardless of what we think we want.
Finishing well comes from pursuing knowing God better in all of the circumstances of our lives.
It was a hot day--Tuesday, July 20, 1993, in Washington, D.C.--as Vincent Foster sat in the Rose Garden. That morning he watched as President Clinton announced his new FBI director. Foster returned to his White House Counsel's office after the ceremony. He took care of some legal business, then talked with President Clinton, his boyhood friend, for a few moments. He ate lunch that day at his desk.
A little after one o'clock, Foster left the office, telling his staff he would return. He pulled his Honda Accord onto the streets of Washington, D.C., and drove to a little-visited national park on a bluff overlooking the Potomac River. He got out, leaving his suit coat in the car. In his hand was an antique, .38-caliber revolver. He walked across an open field. Standing beside a cannon pointing out over the woods, Vincent Foster took his own life.
When President Clinton heard the news, he called together his staff to console them on the loss of someone that they all loved. Then President Clinton said these words: "It would be wrong to define a life like Vincent Foster's in terms only of how it ended."
Clinton is right in one sense. But the sad fact is that no matter how much Vincent Foster's friends, family, colleagues, and workmates try to put the end of his life out of their minds, how his life ended will always overshadow his memory. Because how a life, a ministry, a job, or a relationship ends defines and colors all that goes before it.
-----
From Chuck:
I've had the pleasure of knowing people who have finished their lives well. That is a joy to see. I have a friend who is in his late 80's living in a care center who has a young heart to serve the Lord. While his life (like most) has had its share of disappointments, he stills prays for people, serves others, and witnesses to the grace of God in the Lord Jesus.
I've also had the disappointment of seeing others who professed to know the Lord, but for whatever reason (lost love, disappointment with God, etc...) they walked away. When I was a new Christian in my first year college, that surprised and disappointed me. Now many years later it just disappoints. Sometimes people pursue the Lord thinking that it will get them what they want (fixed relationships, a new job, happiness, etc...). While God may give us some of those things we want, He does not owe us those things. However, God is still worthy of our worship and service for who He is, regardless of what we think we want.
Finishing well comes from pursuing knowing God better in all of the circumstances of our lives.
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