Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
In the last installment of our sermon series on ‘The Apostles’ Creed’, we contemplate the reality of being part of God’s New and Eternal Creation.
When you profess that you believe ‘in the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting’, are you actually preparing for that eventuality?
Nothing speaks to conviction like commitment.
If you were truly convicted of the imminent return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the consequent ultimate inbreaking of God’s Kingdom, you would be fully committed to living your life anticipating Christ’s return at any time.
Are you?
Are you committed to the reality of Christ’s words, “I am coming soon”? (Revelations 22:7, 12)
And when He does, do you believe that He will make everything new? (Revelations 21:5)
Are you committed to living – today and everyday - informed wholly by the gift of God - which is eternal life in His kingdom - rather than this temporal life in a broken and sinful world?
Perhaps you are thinking to yourself, ‘life is not all too bad for me right now… … therefore, the idea of New Creation is more like an added bonus, rather than a necessary reality.’
If these are your thoughts regarding eternal life and New Creation, you are certainly not alone.
Many so-called ‘Christians’ think that they can afford to consider the imminent return of Christ - and His inbreaking of God’s Kingdom - as an idyllic afterthought, rather than the core foundation that constitutes their faith in Christ.
Let me make this clear – there is no faith in Christ apart from the hope of eternal life through Christ. (Titus 1:2, 2:13)
But then again, for most of us, our tranquil worlds are cosmically far, far removed from the wretched realities faced by millions of people who share our planet.
For those suffering utter injustice, anguish, pain and distress, past, present and future, the salvific gospel of Jesus Christ - that preaches repentance for the forgiveness of sin (Luke 24:47), and God’s gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23) - represents their only hope for a future and reality that would save them from the wickedness, death and destruction of this world.
For such people, Jesus Christ is truly the answer for the world today.
Do you understand how desperately the world needs Jesus Christ?
This week, two events on the news front moved the world to tears.
Earlier in the week, videos and images of the aftermath of aerial bombings over Eastern Ghouta, Syria – including targeted attacks on 13 hospitals - by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al Assad captured the suffering of more than 400,000 civilians who have been living under siege conditions for years. 250 people have been senselessly killed thus far, countless children amongst them. In response to the attacks, UNICEF issued a blank statement to simply express that ‘it no longer had words to express its outrage.’
No words left.
Yesterday morning, the world received news of the passing of Rev. Billy Graham, a prolific servant of God, and arguably the greatest evangelist this world has ever known.
Most headlines state to this effect: ‘US Evangelist Rev. Billy Graham dies at 99.’
For those of us who know the truth, Billy Graham – and all like him who received Christ and believed in His name – is not dead. In fact, he is more alive than ever, because he is in the presence of Jesus Christ, His Lord and Saviour!
As an evangelist, Rev. Billy Graham, whose ministry spanned almost 7 decades, counseled and prayed with numerous American Presidents – from Harry Truman to Barrack Obama - and other world leaders, and reached out to millions upon millions all over the world with the message that Jesus Christ is the only solution to humanity’s problems.
Known as “America’s pastor”, Rev. Graham passed from this world into the glory and presence of his Lord and God, Jesus Christ, whom he loved and placed his hope in, his entire life. (For more about the life of Billy Graham: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2018/billy-graham/)
When it came to the problems of this world, Billy Graham was never at a loss for words; for his words were informed by the Word of God, just as his hope was inspired by the Spirit of God.
The Rev. Billy Graham had this to say about Hope, “I’ve read the last page of the Bible. It's all going to turn out all right.”
It is all going to turn out all right.
Do you know what Billy Graham is talking about?
Have you read the last page of the Bible for yourself?
Did you know that the day would come when our Lord Jesus Christ – the King of kings and the Lord of lords – will unequivocally defeat all the rulers, the authorities, the powers of this dark world, and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms? (Ref: Revelations 19:11-21)
Did you know that Satan will be bound for a thousand years and then set free for a short time during which he would raise an army to wage war against the people of God, only to be resoundingly defeated even before the battle began, for ’fire came down from heaven and devoured them’, and after which, Satan was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur to be tormented day and night forever? (Ref: Revelations 20:1-10)
Did you know that after this absolute and complete defeat of evil, time would stand still, the first heaven and the first earth would pass away; during which time, Christ would judge each person that ever existed ‘according to what they had done’ and in accordance to the ‘book of life’?
Did you know that ‘anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire’?
Did you know that after that, death and Hades were also thrown into the lake of fire?
Did you know that the lake of fire is the second, final and ultimate death? (Ref: Revelations 20:11-15)
Did you know that after Christ’s Final Judgment of the living and the dead, there would be - in place of the first Creation - “a new heaven and a new earth”; a place where God’s dwelling is now among the people, and God will dwell with them?
Did you know that in this ‘new heaven and new earth’, God “will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away”? (Ref: Revelations 21:1-4)
Did you know that Christ will renew everything in Creation; just as He purposed it in the very beginning?
Did you know that Christ is “the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End” who will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life to the thirsty?
Did you know that those who are victorious through Christ will inherit the New Creation; becoming children belonging to the One, True, Living God?
Did you know that those who are not victorious through Christ are considered “the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars”? Did you know that they would be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur? (Ref: Revelations 21:5-8)
Did you know that the New Creation will be God’s Holy City, and will shine with the glory of God? (Ref: Revelations 21:9-21)
Did you know that in this city, the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb – who is the Lord Jesus Christ – will be its living Temple whom the citizens of New Creation will worship? (Ref: Revelations 21:22-26)
Did you know “nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life”? (Ref: Revelations 21:27)
Did you know that Eden will be restored? That the tree of life will be made freely available once again to the inhabitants of the New Creation, and ‘the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations’?
Did you know that ‘no longer will there be any curse’?
Did you know that God’s people will serve Him, belong to Him, and they will see His face?
Did you know that there will be no more night, for ‘they will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever’? (Ref: Revelations 22:1-5)
Do you believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is coming soon to fulfill the reality of the New Creation?
Hey, don't take Rev. Billy Graham's word for it, and most certainly, don't take my word for it... ...
Read the last page of the Bible, and discover for yourself that it is going to turn out all right in the end.
More importantly, decide that this broken world cannot be your forever world.
Jesus said, “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” (Ref: Matthew 6:20)
Decide and resolve this day - to receive God’s forgiveness, Salvation and gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Ref: John 3:16-17, Romans 6:23)
Decide and resolve this day - to live every moment, in anticipation of Christ’s return. (Ref: Titus 2:13)
Decide and resolve this day - that God’s New Creation is where you ultimately belong, and where you utterly long to be.
May the Holy Spirit convict your heart into committing your life into Christ’s finished work of Substitutionary Atonement for you on the Cross, and may He sanctify you daily in order that you may grow increasingly in the certain hope of God’s gift of eternal life to you through Christ Jesus His Son.
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Holy Spirit, thank you for Your Revelation of Christ’s finished work on the Cross for the atonement of my sins.
I acknowledge that I am a sinner in need of Jesus Christ, my Lord, my God and my Saviour.
Lord Jesus, forgive my trespasses. Remember me, Lord.
Holy Spirit, create in me a clean heart – a heart that holds certain faith in Christ and certain hope of God’s gift of eternal life through Christ.
Help me live each day in the most absolute and fullest anticipation of the return of my Lord Jesus Christ.
Teach me to live in Your paradigm of Holiness, Righteousness and Eternity.
Teach me to live victoriously through Christ Jesus!
I decide and resolve this day that God’s New Creation is where I ultimately belong, and where I utterly long to be.
Help me, God!
If I am not desperate for Your Kingdom, forgive my wickedness O Lord; and help me cast away my apathy, my pride, and my greed for the trappings of this world.
Help me be clothed with the imperishable and with immortality. (Ref: 1 Corinthians 15:53-54)
May the saying come true in my life, “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ref: 1 Corinthians 15:56-57)
Holy Spirit, help me to stand firm in Christ Jesus and in the revelation of New Creation. And let nothing move me away from the love of God!
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
We would like to pray especially for those who are facing sickness, afflictions, injustice, anguish, pain and distress. We ask You, dear Holy Spirit, that You would minister assurance, comfort and healing upon their lives – that they may know God more deeply, and understand more assuredly that Jesus will return to wipe away every tear from their eyes.
We pray that they would know: in Christ, they will experience His victory over the powers and principalities of darkness, and ultimately become part of God’s New Creation; where there will be no more death, mourning, crying or pain.
For those who are suffering this day, Holy Spirit, help them know that in Christ, the old order of things will pass away; and because of their faith in Jesus, God has given them the right to become His children. (Ref: John 1:12)
For “we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.” (2 Corinthians 4:7-11)
May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people.
We thank you and pray all these in the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
In the last installment of our sermon series on ‘The Apostles’ Creed’, we contemplate the reality of being part of God’s New and Eternal Creation.
When you profess that you believe ‘in the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting’, are you actually preparing for that eventuality?
Nothing speaks to conviction like commitment.
If you were truly convicted of the imminent return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the consequent ultimate inbreaking of God’s Kingdom, you would be fully committed to living your life anticipating Christ’s return at any time.
Are you?
Are you committed to the reality of Christ’s words, “I am coming soon”? (Revelations 22:7, 12)
And when He does, do you believe that He will make everything new? (Revelations 21:5)
Are you committed to living – today and everyday - informed wholly by the gift of God - which is eternal life in His kingdom - rather than this temporal life in a broken and sinful world?
Perhaps you are thinking to yourself, ‘life is not all too bad for me right now… … therefore, the idea of New Creation is more like an added bonus, rather than a necessary reality.’
If these are your thoughts regarding eternal life and New Creation, you are certainly not alone.
Many so-called ‘Christians’ think that they can afford to consider the imminent return of Christ - and His inbreaking of God’s Kingdom - as an idyllic afterthought, rather than the core foundation that constitutes their faith in Christ.
Let me make this clear – there is no faith in Christ apart from the hope of eternal life through Christ. (Titus 1:2, 2:13)
But then again, for most of us, our tranquil worlds are cosmically far, far removed from the wretched realities faced by millions of people who share our planet.
For those suffering utter injustice, anguish, pain and distress, past, present and future, the salvific gospel of Jesus Christ - that preaches repentance for the forgiveness of sin (Luke 24:47), and God’s gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23) - represents their only hope for a future and reality that would save them from the wickedness, death and destruction of this world.
For such people, Jesus Christ is truly the answer for the world today.
Do you understand how desperately the world needs Jesus Christ?
This week, two events on the news front moved the world to tears.
Earlier in the week, videos and images of the aftermath of aerial bombings over Eastern Ghouta, Syria – including targeted attacks on 13 hospitals - by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al Assad captured the suffering of more than 400,000 civilians who have been living under siege conditions for years. 250 people have been senselessly killed thus far, countless children amongst them. In response to the attacks, UNICEF issued a blank statement to simply express that ‘it no longer had words to express its outrage.’
No words left.
Yesterday morning, the world received news of the passing of Rev. Billy Graham, a prolific servant of God, and arguably the greatest evangelist this world has ever known.
Most headlines state to this effect: ‘US Evangelist Rev. Billy Graham dies at 99.’
For those of us who know the truth, Billy Graham – and all like him who received Christ and believed in His name – is not dead. In fact, he is more alive than ever, because he is in the presence of Jesus Christ, His Lord and Saviour!
As an evangelist, Rev. Billy Graham, whose ministry spanned almost 7 decades, counseled and prayed with numerous American Presidents – from Harry Truman to Barrack Obama - and other world leaders, and reached out to millions upon millions all over the world with the message that Jesus Christ is the only solution to humanity’s problems.
Known as “America’s pastor”, Rev. Graham passed from this world into the glory and presence of his Lord and God, Jesus Christ, whom he loved and placed his hope in, his entire life. (For more about the life of Billy Graham: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2018/billy-graham/)
When it came to the problems of this world, Billy Graham was never at a loss for words; for his words were informed by the Word of God, just as his hope was inspired by the Spirit of God.
The Rev. Billy Graham had this to say about Hope, “I’ve read the last page of the Bible. It's all going to turn out all right.”
It is all going to turn out all right.
Do you know what Billy Graham is talking about?
Have you read the last page of the Bible for yourself?
Did you know that the day would come when our Lord Jesus Christ – the King of kings and the Lord of lords – will unequivocally defeat all the rulers, the authorities, the powers of this dark world, and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms? (Ref: Revelations 19:11-21)
Did you know that Satan will be bound for a thousand years and then set free for a short time during which he would raise an army to wage war against the people of God, only to be resoundingly defeated even before the battle began, for ’fire came down from heaven and devoured them’, and after which, Satan was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur to be tormented day and night forever? (Ref: Revelations 20:1-10)
Did you know that after this absolute and complete defeat of evil, time would stand still, the first heaven and the first earth would pass away; during which time, Christ would judge each person that ever existed ‘according to what they had done’ and in accordance to the ‘book of life’?
Did you know that ‘anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire’?
Did you know that after that, death and Hades were also thrown into the lake of fire?
Did you know that the lake of fire is the second, final and ultimate death? (Ref: Revelations 20:11-15)
Did you know that after Christ’s Final Judgment of the living and the dead, there would be - in place of the first Creation - “a new heaven and a new earth”; a place where God’s dwelling is now among the people, and God will dwell with them?
Did you know that in this ‘new heaven and new earth’, God “will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away”? (Ref: Revelations 21:1-4)
Did you know that Christ will renew everything in Creation; just as He purposed it in the very beginning?
Did you know that Christ is “the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End” who will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life to the thirsty?
Did you know that those who are victorious through Christ will inherit the New Creation; becoming children belonging to the One, True, Living God?
Did you know that those who are not victorious through Christ are considered “the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars”? Did you know that they would be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur? (Ref: Revelations 21:5-8)
Did you know that the New Creation will be God’s Holy City, and will shine with the glory of God? (Ref: Revelations 21:9-21)
Did you know that in this city, the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb – who is the Lord Jesus Christ – will be its living Temple whom the citizens of New Creation will worship? (Ref: Revelations 21:22-26)
Did you know “nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life”? (Ref: Revelations 21:27)
Did you know that Eden will be restored? That the tree of life will be made freely available once again to the inhabitants of the New Creation, and ‘the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations’?
Did you know that ‘no longer will there be any curse’?
Did you know that God’s people will serve Him, belong to Him, and they will see His face?
Did you know that there will be no more night, for ‘they will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever’? (Ref: Revelations 22:1-5)
Do you believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is coming soon to fulfill the reality of the New Creation?
Hey, don't take Rev. Billy Graham's word for it, and most certainly, don't take my word for it... ...
Read the last page of the Bible, and discover for yourself that it is going to turn out all right in the end.
More importantly, decide that this broken world cannot be your forever world.
Jesus said, “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” (Ref: Matthew 6:20)
Decide and resolve this day - to receive God’s forgiveness, Salvation and gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Ref: John 3:16-17, Romans 6:23)
Decide and resolve this day - to live every moment, in anticipation of Christ’s return. (Ref: Titus 2:13)
Decide and resolve this day - that God’s New Creation is where you ultimately belong, and where you utterly long to be.
May the Holy Spirit convict your heart into committing your life into Christ’s finished work of Substitutionary Atonement for you on the Cross, and may He sanctify you daily in order that you may grow increasingly in the certain hope of God’s gift of eternal life to you through Christ Jesus His Son.
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Holy Spirit, thank you for Your Revelation of Christ’s finished work on the Cross for the atonement of my sins.
I acknowledge that I am a sinner in need of Jesus Christ, my Lord, my God and my Saviour.
Lord Jesus, forgive my trespasses. Remember me, Lord.
Holy Spirit, create in me a clean heart – a heart that holds certain faith in Christ and certain hope of God’s gift of eternal life through Christ.
Help me live each day in the most absolute and fullest anticipation of the return of my Lord Jesus Christ.
Teach me to live in Your paradigm of Holiness, Righteousness and Eternity.
Teach me to live victoriously through Christ Jesus!
I decide and resolve this day that God’s New Creation is where I ultimately belong, and where I utterly long to be.
Help me, God!
If I am not desperate for Your Kingdom, forgive my wickedness O Lord; and help me cast away my apathy, my pride, and my greed for the trappings of this world.
Help me be clothed with the imperishable and with immortality. (Ref: 1 Corinthians 15:53-54)
May the saying come true in my life, “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ref: 1 Corinthians 15:56-57)
Holy Spirit, help me to stand firm in Christ Jesus and in the revelation of New Creation. And let nothing move me away from the love of God!
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
We would like to pray especially for those who are facing sickness, afflictions, injustice, anguish, pain and distress. We ask You, dear Holy Spirit, that You would minister assurance, comfort and healing upon their lives – that they may know God more deeply, and understand more assuredly that Jesus will return to wipe away every tear from their eyes.
We pray that they would know: in Christ, they will experience His victory over the powers and principalities of darkness, and ultimately become part of God’s New Creation; where there will be no more death, mourning, crying or pain.
For those who are suffering this day, Holy Spirit, help them know that in Christ, the old order of things will pass away; and because of their faith in Jesus, God has given them the right to become His children. (Ref: John 1:12)
For “we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.” (2 Corinthians 4:7-11)
May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people.
We thank you and pray all these in the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.