The Second Coming of Christ
By Creth D. Hopkins
What is the 2nd Coming of Christ? What exactly does it mean? A careful study of the Holy Scriptures unveils a clear understanding as to the manner of Christ’s coming.
I. His return will be personal.
“This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven" Acts 1:11.
Over 500 witnesses had personally seen Jesus following his resurrection. He had been personally with the disciples up to and including his personal ascension. The heavenly messengers are promising that He would come again in the same manner – a personal return.
II. His return will be physical.
Acts 1:11 confirms that the same Jesus, who had manifested His physical return to His disciples, and Who was then ascending in the same physical body, will return again in the same resurrected, glorified body in which He ascended:
“so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him” Hebrews 9:28.
III. His return will be visible.
Check every reference of the 2nd Coming of Christ and you will find they all emphasize his visibility.
“you will see the Son of Man (Jesus) seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven" Matthew 26:64.
The Apostle John wrote:
“Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen” Revelation 1:7.
IV. His return will be sudden.
Jesus warned
“For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man” Matthew 24:27.
A thief steals with a suddenness that always bewilders the victim. The Apostle Paul uses this imagery in describing the day when the Lord will make His appearance:
“For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” I Thess.5:2
V. His return will be unexpected.
The 2nd Coming of Christ will not happen at a time when people are looking for it. Again, Jesus warns
“Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” Matthew 24:44.
VI. His return will be terrifying.
Regardless of your station in this life, if you don’t have Jesus as your personal Savior, His 2nd Coming will bring terror to your heart. Why? Because it represents the outpouring of the wrath of God on all unbelievers:
“Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, 16 calling to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?" Revelation 6:15-17?
VII. His return will be glorious.
With all the rest of the saints, all true believers can join the Apostle Paul in
“waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” Titus 2:13.
Are you looking forward to the 2nd Coming of Christ Jesus? I pray that you are. The last recorded words of Jesus were
"Surely I am coming soon." Revelation 22:20a
“Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” Revelation 22:20b
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
The Arch Enemy of Man: Part III: What Is Satan's Destiny
You cannot hide anything from God. He keeps record of our thoughts as well as our actions. We learn this truth by observing how God confronted Lucifer with his sin:
13 “You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High' “(Isaiah 14:13-14). Lucifer was full of self – full of pride – and rebelled against his Creator God. God changed Lucifer’s name to Satan for becoming an Adversary – a hater of God.
According to the Holy Scriptures, war ignited in Heaven between God and Satan:
Revelation 12:7-12 7 ¶ “Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world--he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!"
Satan knows that his time is short. The hate that Satan has for God is immense. And because man is made in the image of God, Satan hates mankind as well. The Evil One quickly provided the proper scenario in which Adam and Eve could be tempted with sin in a way that he was familiar:
"Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?" 2 And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'" 4 But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:1b-5).
Adam brought sin into the world when he chose to follow Satan instead of God. With Adam spiritually dead, it didn’t take the Adversary long to become the god of this age.
A spiritual darkness came over this world. Satan’s hatred for man became reflective in all the religions he invented – human sacrifice became the de facto method of worship for fallen man. Satan thought everything was going well until he realized that God was sending His Son, Jesus, into the world to usher in the Kingdom of God. Through the successful work of Jesus on this earth, He was able to say relative to the Evil One,
“…I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” (Luke 10:18a).
Jesus maintained to his disciples that
“…the kingdom of God is within you"(Luke 17:21).
He reminded them of the fact that
“…the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).
Satan thought he had defeated Jesus on the Cross by having Christ killed; but Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. And with His resurrection Jesus validated the Kingdom of God which He ushered in when He came into the world. Jesus reigns today as His Kingdom grows.
Satan’s destiny:
“and the devil … was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).
Satan’s destiny is the same as all those who reject Jesus, as their personal Savior.
13 “You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High' “(Isaiah 14:13-14). Lucifer was full of self – full of pride – and rebelled against his Creator God. God changed Lucifer’s name to Satan for becoming an Adversary – a hater of God.
According to the Holy Scriptures, war ignited in Heaven between God and Satan:
Revelation 12:7-12 7 ¶ “Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world--he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!"
Satan knows that his time is short. The hate that Satan has for God is immense. And because man is made in the image of God, Satan hates mankind as well. The Evil One quickly provided the proper scenario in which Adam and Eve could be tempted with sin in a way that he was familiar:
"Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?" 2 And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'" 4 But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:1b-5).
Adam brought sin into the world when he chose to follow Satan instead of God. With Adam spiritually dead, it didn’t take the Adversary long to become the god of this age.
A spiritual darkness came over this world. Satan’s hatred for man became reflective in all the religions he invented – human sacrifice became the de facto method of worship for fallen man. Satan thought everything was going well until he realized that God was sending His Son, Jesus, into the world to usher in the Kingdom of God. Through the successful work of Jesus on this earth, He was able to say relative to the Evil One,
“…I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” (Luke 10:18a).
Jesus maintained to his disciples that
“…the kingdom of God is within you"(Luke 17:21).
He reminded them of the fact that
“…the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).
Satan thought he had defeated Jesus on the Cross by having Christ killed; but Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. And with His resurrection Jesus validated the Kingdom of God which He ushered in when He came into the world. Jesus reigns today as His Kingdom grows.
Satan’s destiny:
“and the devil … was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).
Satan’s destiny is the same as all those who reject Jesus, as their personal Savior.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Satan: The Arch Enemy of Man: Part II: How Satan Works
Satan: The Arch Enemy of Man
Part II: How Satan Works
By Creth D. Hopkins
Jesus was speaking to unbelievers when He made the following statement concerning their will and the nature of Satan:
John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
The nature of lost man is to do the desires of the devil. And since the character of Satan is that of a liar, unsaved people will believe the lie of the Devil before they believe the Truth of Jesus Christ. The following is a partial list of some of the lies Satan wants you to believe in comparison to the Truth that God declares to all who will hear:
(1.) Satan: “The Bible is full of errors, myths and interpretations by men.”
God: “All Scripture is breathed out by God” (II Tim.3:16a); “Know this first of
all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation.
For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from
God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (II Peter 1:20-21).
(2.) Satan: “There is no God; He is just something sick minds have invented.”
God: “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they do
abominable deeds, there is none who does good” (Psalm 14:1).
(3.) Satan: “Man is basically good. Any wrong that is found in man is due to his
parents, his culture and others around him.”
God: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for
God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does
good, not even one” (Romans 3:10-12).
(4.) Satan: “There is more than one way you can find God and there is more than
one truth that will lead you to God.”
God: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one
comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).
(5.) Satan: “You can have eternal life by simply believing in Jesus’ name – you
don’t have to obey Him. Remember, once saved, always saved!”
God: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the
Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36).
(6.) Satan: “God will reject you because of the sinful life you have led.”
Jesus: “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and whoever comes to
Me, I will never cast out” (John 6:37).
(7.) Satan: “You can fall from your salvation, your salvation is never secure.”
Jesus: “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will
snatch them out of my hand. My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater
than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the
Father are One” (John 10:28-30).
Who do you choose to believe: the father of all liars, Satan, or will you believe Jesus? Your choice is critical – your soul hangs in the balance.
Part II: How Satan Works
By Creth D. Hopkins
Jesus was speaking to unbelievers when He made the following statement concerning their will and the nature of Satan:
John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
The nature of lost man is to do the desires of the devil. And since the character of Satan is that of a liar, unsaved people will believe the lie of the Devil before they believe the Truth of Jesus Christ. The following is a partial list of some of the lies Satan wants you to believe in comparison to the Truth that God declares to all who will hear:
(1.) Satan: “The Bible is full of errors, myths and interpretations by men.”
God: “All Scripture is breathed out by God” (II Tim.3:16a); “Know this first of
all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation.
For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from
God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (II Peter 1:20-21).
(2.) Satan: “There is no God; He is just something sick minds have invented.”
God: “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they do
abominable deeds, there is none who does good” (Psalm 14:1).
(3.) Satan: “Man is basically good. Any wrong that is found in man is due to his
parents, his culture and others around him.”
God: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for
God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does
good, not even one” (Romans 3:10-12).
(4.) Satan: “There is more than one way you can find God and there is more than
one truth that will lead you to God.”
God: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one
comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).
(5.) Satan: “You can have eternal life by simply believing in Jesus’ name – you
don’t have to obey Him. Remember, once saved, always saved!”
God: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the
Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36).
(6.) Satan: “God will reject you because of the sinful life you have led.”
Jesus: “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and whoever comes to
Me, I will never cast out” (John 6:37).
(7.) Satan: “You can fall from your salvation, your salvation is never secure.”
Jesus: “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will
snatch them out of my hand. My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater
than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the
Father are One” (John 10:28-30).
Who do you choose to believe: the father of all liars, Satan, or will you believe Jesus? Your choice is critical – your soul hangs in the balance.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Satan: The Arch Enemy of Man: Part I: Who Is Satan?
Is there such a being as the Devil? Is he red in color, has horns and a forked tail and carries a pitchfork? And what about Lucifer and Satan; are these names of other evil beings or do all these names apply to one evil essence? Is the Devil the product of religion or Hollywood, or is he the figment of our imaginations?
This is the first installment of a three-part series on “Satan: The Arch Enemy of Man.” The papers will follow in this order: Who is Satan? – How Satan Works – What is Satan’s Destiny?
Satan is real – there is no doubt about that. But he wasn’t first called Satan (which in the Hebrew language means “adversary”), he was named Lucifer. There are two passages that give us a clear description of Lucifer (Hebrew meaning: “Day Star”):
Isaiah 14:12-15 12 " How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.' 15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.”
Ezekiel 28:15-19 15 “You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity (sin) was found in you. 16 "By the abundance of your trading You became filled with violence within, And you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing Out of the mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the fiery stones. 17 "Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, That they might gaze at you. 18 "You defiled your sanctuaries By the multitude of your iniquities, By the iniquity of your trading; Therefore I brought fire from your midst; It devoured you, And I turned you to ashes upon the earth In the sight of all who saw you. 19 All who knew you among the peoples are astonished at you; You have become a horror, And shall be no more forever." ' "
Like all angels, Lucifer was created by God (Psalm 148:2, 5) to serve the Lord. Sin originated in the heart of Lucifer due to pride. And it was pride that drove him to rebel against God and become His adversary; thus, God changed his name to Satan.
He is far more than the caricature of a red devil with a pointed tail and a pitchfork. When it is to his advantage the Evil One can display himself both in horrid realism and in ghoulish reality. There are other times when Satan will portray himself as a holy man or even an angel of light (II Cor. 11:14). Satan can appear like the well dressed gentleman in the pew or the nicely dressed lady standing in the aisle. He is well versed when it comes to quoting the Bible (Matt.4:6), but herein he betrays himself – he will inevitably quote the Scripture out of context. He will place a satanic spin on the Scriptures and interpret it contrary to how God meant it.
In trying to understand who Satan is, it is good to know the meanings of his names. Satan is a Hebrew word, it means ‘accuser’ or ‘adversary.’ Devil is a Greek word, it means ‘slanderer.’ From the word ‘devil,’ we get the English words diabolical, or diabolic. Indeed, Satan is the Diabolical One. In Ephesians 2:1-3, he is listed as “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience (v.2b). To those people who reject Jesus and His Word, the Devil is their god – “the god of this world” (II Cor. 4:4). Satan is the father of those who hate Jesus and the Holy Scriptures (John 8:44). He hates all mankind, especially genuine children of God.
This is the first installment of a three-part series on “Satan: The Arch Enemy of Man.” The papers will follow in this order: Who is Satan? – How Satan Works – What is Satan’s Destiny?
Satan is real – there is no doubt about that. But he wasn’t first called Satan (which in the Hebrew language means “adversary”), he was named Lucifer. There are two passages that give us a clear description of Lucifer (Hebrew meaning: “Day Star”):
Isaiah 14:12-15 12 " How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.' 15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.”
Ezekiel 28:15-19 15 “You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity (sin) was found in you. 16 "By the abundance of your trading You became filled with violence within, And you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing Out of the mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the fiery stones. 17 "Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, That they might gaze at you. 18 "You defiled your sanctuaries By the multitude of your iniquities, By the iniquity of your trading; Therefore I brought fire from your midst; It devoured you, And I turned you to ashes upon the earth In the sight of all who saw you. 19 All who knew you among the peoples are astonished at you; You have become a horror, And shall be no more forever." ' "
Like all angels, Lucifer was created by God (Psalm 148:2, 5) to serve the Lord. Sin originated in the heart of Lucifer due to pride. And it was pride that drove him to rebel against God and become His adversary; thus, God changed his name to Satan.
He is far more than the caricature of a red devil with a pointed tail and a pitchfork. When it is to his advantage the Evil One can display himself both in horrid realism and in ghoulish reality. There are other times when Satan will portray himself as a holy man or even an angel of light (II Cor. 11:14). Satan can appear like the well dressed gentleman in the pew or the nicely dressed lady standing in the aisle. He is well versed when it comes to quoting the Bible (Matt.4:6), but herein he betrays himself – he will inevitably quote the Scripture out of context. He will place a satanic spin on the Scriptures and interpret it contrary to how God meant it.
In trying to understand who Satan is, it is good to know the meanings of his names. Satan is a Hebrew word, it means ‘accuser’ or ‘adversary.’ Devil is a Greek word, it means ‘slanderer.’ From the word ‘devil,’ we get the English words diabolical, or diabolic. Indeed, Satan is the Diabolical One. In Ephesians 2:1-3, he is listed as “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience (v.2b). To those people who reject Jesus and His Word, the Devil is their god – “the god of this world” (II Cor. 4:4). Satan is the father of those who hate Jesus and the Holy Scriptures (John 8:44). He hates all mankind, especially genuine children of God.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Does Good Preaching Matter?
Is the Church meeting the needs of the average 21st century person? Why should I listen to what is being preached today in the average pulpit? Questions like these often will plague the 21st century mind – and for good reason. The average church of today does not have a strong pulpit ministry. Today’s pulpit is more a “social” pulpit than a “preaching” pulpit; the central focus is not on “Thus saith the Lord.” And that is tragically sad. People come to church – not to hear the latest joke – but to hear a word from God. And if that Word – that Message – is from God, it will have three elements to it: (1.) it will glorify God, (2.) the Message will be Scripturally sound and (3.) it will be relevant to the person’s life. One or more of these three elements are missing in the average sermon delivered from the average pulpit of the average church of today. And that is the reason why it can be said that the average pulpit of today is weak in faith; and when the pulpit is weak in faith, the people of the church will be weak in faith as well. The Holy Scripture declares:
Romans 10:17 17 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
When the Holy Scriptures are preached something wonderful happens within the soul of the listener.
Hebrews 4:12-16
12 “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
When God’s Word is truly preached from the pulpit, its power will be realized in the pew. God is the discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. There is no creature hidden from His sight. What God says to us is relevant because all things in our lives are naked and open before the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account. To believer’s, Jesus is our great High Priest, Who intercedes for all those who place their trust in Him.
We can hold fast to the Word of God, for its soundness comes from the integrity of the living Word of God Himself – Jesus Christ! And this is why we can come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Jesus is always there for His people. As God’s people follow Jesus in their lives, the Word of God will display its power through their lives. And that is when God receives all the glory: when God’s Word becomes the living force in the life of a child of God – to the praise of the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord!
Romans 10:17 17 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
When the Holy Scriptures are preached something wonderful happens within the soul of the listener.
Hebrews 4:12-16
12 “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
When God’s Word is truly preached from the pulpit, its power will be realized in the pew. God is the discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. There is no creature hidden from His sight. What God says to us is relevant because all things in our lives are naked and open before the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account. To believer’s, Jesus is our great High Priest, Who intercedes for all those who place their trust in Him.
We can hold fast to the Word of God, for its soundness comes from the integrity of the living Word of God Himself – Jesus Christ! And this is why we can come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Jesus is always there for His people. As God’s people follow Jesus in their lives, the Word of God will display its power through their lives. And that is when God receives all the glory: when God’s Word becomes the living force in the life of a child of God – to the praise of the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
What Is a Dead Church?
According to the Holy Scriptures, there are many churches that have the appearance of being alive, but they are spiritually dead. They have their scheduled times of meetings, they go through their readings, saying of prayers, and even make reference to the Bible. But they are dead. How so?
Revelation 3:1-6 ESV Revelation 3:1 ¶ "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: 'The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. "'I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'
First, the Scripture says they are asleep spiritually. They are not sensitive to the working of God in their midst. Their focus is not on the Lord Jesus Christ; their emphasis is on the working of man. The Bible clearly teaches that our sole purpose in life is to glorify God in all that we do. The dead church does not do that; they exist only for themselves. When they run up against something in the Bible that runs contrary to their traditions, they are heard to say the seven last words of a dead church: “We’ve never done it that way before.” And when a church says that, they are displaying their lack of commitment to the Word of God and their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God” (v.2).
Secondly, a dead church has forgotten the great teachings that they had first received and heard. Jesus tells them, “Keep it and repent (v.3). God has told His churches to preach the Word of God without compromise. God’s churches are to be bastions of Truth. In today’s world, churches need to be powerful in the delivery of the Word of God – without compromise and without apology. Jesus is to be the central focus of our preaching. He came and lived a sinless life, carried all the sins of His people and nailed them on the Cross in His body, died and rose again in three days, and is living today at the right hand of God. Jesus will soon come again to judge His Church and the world. Churches who are not preaching these truths must repent of their sins, and keep these holy truths before all the people who come to their services.
Lastly, we are told that even in dead churches, there are some “who have not soiled their garments, and they walk with Me in white, for they are worthy (v.4). This is a word of encouragement to those who are remaining faithful in these dying churches. They are the salt that has kept the local church from totally dying. Keep up the good work, faithful ones. As you confess the name of Jesus before others, Jesus will confess your name “before My Father (v.5).” Through your faithfulness to Christ, there is still hope for churches that are dying – who, in fact, appear to be dead. Repent of your sins and return to Christ and His message of repentance.
Revelation 3:1-6 ESV Revelation 3:1 ¶ "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: 'The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. "'I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'
First, the Scripture says they are asleep spiritually. They are not sensitive to the working of God in their midst. Their focus is not on the Lord Jesus Christ; their emphasis is on the working of man. The Bible clearly teaches that our sole purpose in life is to glorify God in all that we do. The dead church does not do that; they exist only for themselves. When they run up against something in the Bible that runs contrary to their traditions, they are heard to say the seven last words of a dead church: “We’ve never done it that way before.” And when a church says that, they are displaying their lack of commitment to the Word of God and their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God” (v.2).
Secondly, a dead church has forgotten the great teachings that they had first received and heard. Jesus tells them, “Keep it and repent (v.3). God has told His churches to preach the Word of God without compromise. God’s churches are to be bastions of Truth. In today’s world, churches need to be powerful in the delivery of the Word of God – without compromise and without apology. Jesus is to be the central focus of our preaching. He came and lived a sinless life, carried all the sins of His people and nailed them on the Cross in His body, died and rose again in three days, and is living today at the right hand of God. Jesus will soon come again to judge His Church and the world. Churches who are not preaching these truths must repent of their sins, and keep these holy truths before all the people who come to their services.
Lastly, we are told that even in dead churches, there are some “who have not soiled their garments, and they walk with Me in white, for they are worthy (v.4). This is a word of encouragement to those who are remaining faithful in these dying churches. They are the salt that has kept the local church from totally dying. Keep up the good work, faithful ones. As you confess the name of Jesus before others, Jesus will confess your name “before My Father (v.5).” Through your faithfulness to Christ, there is still hope for churches that are dying – who, in fact, appear to be dead. Repent of your sins and return to Christ and His message of repentance.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
What Is Success
Success is finding and fulfilling God’s will in your life. How this is accomplished is shown in the principles Jesus is teaching in the parable of the talents:
14 ¶ "For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property.
15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more.
17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more.
18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.
19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.'
21 His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'
22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.'
23 His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'
24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed,
25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.'
26 But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed?
27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.
28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.
29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'” Matthew 25:14-30
1st Principle – (v.14)We are slaves to Jesus. This is where many people will stop. They refuse to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. By refusing His Lordship, they refuse His Savior-hood. Jesus makes it very clear: we have been bought with a price, we are not our own. If Jesus has saved you, then He owns you. It is as simple as that. You belong to Him.
2nd Principle – (v.15) Jesus has entrusted us according to our ability. Each of us is unique. We all have abilities that God intends for us to use for His glory.
3rd Principle – (v.16-17) God has placed the seed of success into the very soil of our abilities. All we have to do is perform the work God has called us to do.
4th Principle – (v.18,24-30) God will not bless those who do not serve Him with all their hearts. “If just a cup of water I place within your hand, then just a cup of water is all that I demand.” Use it not for the Savior, and you’ll lose it to sin.
5th Principle – (v.19-23) God honors those who honor Him. Success is, one day, hearing God say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your Master.”
14 ¶ "For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property.
15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more.
17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more.
18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.
19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.'
21 His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'
22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.'
23 His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'
24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed,
25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.'
26 But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed?
27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.
28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.
29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'” Matthew 25:14-30
1st Principle – (v.14)We are slaves to Jesus. This is where many people will stop. They refuse to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. By refusing His Lordship, they refuse His Savior-hood. Jesus makes it very clear: we have been bought with a price, we are not our own. If Jesus has saved you, then He owns you. It is as simple as that. You belong to Him.
2nd Principle – (v.15) Jesus has entrusted us according to our ability. Each of us is unique. We all have abilities that God intends for us to use for His glory.
3rd Principle – (v.16-17) God has placed the seed of success into the very soil of our abilities. All we have to do is perform the work God has called us to do.
4th Principle – (v.18,24-30) God will not bless those who do not serve Him with all their hearts. “If just a cup of water I place within your hand, then just a cup of water is all that I demand.” Use it not for the Savior, and you’ll lose it to sin.
5th Principle – (v.19-23) God honors those who honor Him. Success is, one day, hearing God say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your Master.”
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