Sunday Message, November, 29, 2009
The Coming King
Scripture Readings- Isaiah 2: 1-5 ; Romans 13: 11-14 ; Matthew 24: 36-44
Into comments: Pastor
How many of you are starting to get ready for Christmas?- Christmas shopping decorations many like to plan early- many like to anticipate the season.
- The malls are decorated to get us in the Christmas buying mood- spend money- the longer we have to think about buying gifts the more people we remember need a gift- spend more.
Some have already put up their Christmas tree- they want to extent the season as long as possible- it is a great season filled with well wishes Merry exchanges people are more willing to give at this time of year.
The Church down through the ages has also seen the benefits of anticipating the great and miraculous event of Christmas.
This is the first Sunday of Advent - Advent (from the Latin word adventus, meaning "coming") the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus; in other words, the period immediately before Christmas.
Advent looks to the coming of Jesus Christ first a baby meek mild gentle - savior offering peace extending his love forgiveness to all who will embrace him.
It also looks with anticipation to the second coming of Jesus Christ one in which he will rule peace will be achieved and he will judge the world in righteousness.
Over the next 4 Sundays and then on Christmas Eve we will read the advent scriptures those which point with anticipation to the coming of Jesus Christ- prophecies and promises - as well as instruction on how we are to live in this in-between time having experienced his first coming and waiting in anticipation for his second coming.
Scripture Reading Isaiah 2: 1-5 - Hia Yen
Pastors comments
Isaiah a popular prophet- poet and politician- living about 700 years before the birth of Jesus.
- he was well known in his day like a movie star today- he was respected in royal circles
- but his message was not well received he did not always have a positive message he fore told how the nation would be defeated and taken into captivity because they had forgotten God- and it happened years latter just as he said it would.
He also gave a detailed accounts of the coming Messiah where he would be born his escape to Egypt the type of ministry he would have and it happened just as he said.
He also describes a time when this Messiah Savior would rule and reign the return of Jesus Christ as a righteous judge. we can have great confidence it will happen just as he said.
He will usher in a time of peace peace that the world has been looking for waiting for working toward yet we do not seem to achieve a lasting peace- he will bring peace to the world.
Isaiah 2: 1-5 Isaiah sees a vision of the last days- last days The return of Jesus Christ to rule and reign
Acts 2: 17; Heb. 1:2 time of Christs appearing and return- we are living in the last days and they are yet to be fulfilled with Christs return.
- the mountain of the Lords temple the site upon where the temple was built- today the dome of the rock sits upon this place a Muslim Mosque there ahs to be significant events take place to clear this location.
- it is chief among the nations- it is a world power all nations will stream to it they want an audience with the one ruling and reigning they want to hear his teaching so they can walk in his way this is different from today.
The law will go out from this place and he will judge between nations- settle disputes for many people.
The angles announced - good news of great joy - peace to all
Why do we not experience peace today what causes conflict among people wars
Injustice-
What keeps us from experiencing peace today is the lack of justice.
No one seems to know or have the power to bring justice fairness to complex situations we feel we are being taken advantage of not getting what we deserve we are getting ripped off.
Yet when Jesus Christ returns he will come as the righteous judge.
There cannot be peace on this earth without judgment.
But with pure righteous justice every decision made is the right one- every crime is dealt with correctly- every motive is tested correctly if there was no corruption in business government personal relationships we would have peace.
The only one who is able to bring this about is Jesus Christ that is why he is called the prince of peace
Because of his coming we can experience peace with God today and live in the peace to be established when he rules and reigns supreme.
Which of your swords and spears ( mean streak, angry outbursts, cutting tongue) has God transformed into tools for peace?
How might Isaiahs vision of Gods kingdom shape your hope? Prayers? Values?
Does this promise and hope fill our mind when you prayer Your kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is heaven? Are we praying that this promise will soon come to pass?
Romans 13: 11-14 - Scripture reading & Comments Pastor Loren
How are to live in the in between time? Christs first coming announcing peace - announcing his right to reign when he will establish his kingdom on earth
Live as kingdom builders live for him in his power
- Because of Jesus Christ we can overcome the present pull away form God- we can pursue Him with renewed strength knowing the life he give to us.
He came to deliver his people from their sin estrangement from God
We are ambassadors for Him we represent him to a world longing for peace.
As we allow his kingdom to rule in our hearts today the world will see his light will experience his love- they will know we are Christs followers by the love we have one for another.
The kingdom is present as we allow the Holy Spirit to rule and reign we have a head start in experiencing his rule if we allow him to be the center of our life.
Be clothed with Jesus Christ -
How would your life be different if you consciously tried to wear Jesus Christ be clothed with Jesus Christ?
He was as close to you as the shirt you wear the jacket you place over you to protect you from the cold outside?
What must change to ensure a better fit?
He came to change us from the inside out our hearts renewed our purpose in living redirected toward him.
Matthew 24: 36-44 Comments Pastor Loren
Today we live in the age of grace- Gods unmerited favor is extended to everyone who will come- everyone who acknowledges that first coming in the flesh forgiveness of sin adopted as his own.
But is also an invitation time Jesus born in the manger is really your invitation to the great banquet-
It is an open invitation all are invited John 3:16
But many will reject this invitation or fail to respond.
Like a wedding invitation ever get one and you were excited to be included I cannot believe I was included- some respond like this when they hear about this invitation.
Others who ignore the invitation look at the date of their wedding we have better plans this would just interfere with our plans.
Others just dont want to go I do not really know the couple I have no interest in wasting my time.
the nation Israel was anticipating their Messiah for centuries it was a surprise for the Shepherd to hear the announcement of his birth his coming into the world so it will be when he returns- many will be surprised.
Like the days of Noah the people were not prepared they mocked Noah mocked his warning to turn to God escape the coming judgment they saw no need for judgment they did not see their wickedness- their corruption- their sin - they were self consumed self reliant they saw no need for God they could handle life with out God no regard for a higher power.
we need to watch be aware - be on guard pray serve give until the time he retunes.
If Jesus returned at 7:00pm this Tuesday, what would you be doing?
Would you be ready to meet him?
How concerned are you for those you know who are not ready to meet him? What are you doing about it?
How are you preparing for the second coming?
How does the knowledge that Jesus will return effect your behavior?
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