Sermon Title: Are you Gospel-Ready ? Ready for His Return (Pt 3)
“… and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” (Ephesians 6:15)
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
The Season of Christmas 2020 is proving to be fraught with challenging and tragic circumstances; in fact, this season brings us closer to the essence of the first Christmas than we would like to imagine.
The extreme changes and uncertainties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic was certainly compounded with the harsh full-on realization that our best and most important human systems are fundamentally flawed.
In a few short months, the world has witnessed to the reality that every political, economic and societal system is deeply flawed and broken; that no matter what we do - injustice, conflict, abuse, oppression and tragedies are always the outcome.
The shadow of hopelessness constantly threatens a world in crisis and grief.
While some countries remain worried about missiles; humanity has been taken down by a microscopic virus; a virus so minute that it is reported that on an average, 700 particles of the COVID-19 virus could fit on the cross-section of a typical human hair.
We have absolutely no more reason to be arrogant, or even self-serving; and every reason to be broken and contrite; but yet, we choose to reject God.
Repentance before God is not even the remotest option for the world that chose to not even acknowledge the existence of the Creator.
Brethren, the world is in a dark and deeply distressing place right now; but the truth is that - apart from all the necessary safety measures that have certainly and radically changed our lifestyles; nothing has fundamentally changed.
The world remains fundamentally separate from God.
The world continues to struggle with sin.
The world continues to struggle with the question of what comes next.
Or if there is anything to look forward to.
Is normal ever going to return? Are things going to get better?
Do we dare hope for a better, a brighter future?
Christians, pay close attention here.
While the world lives in hopeless resignation; we live in hopeful recognition.
We must be hopeful.
WE MUST REMAIN HOPEFUL.
We must live in the recognition that there is an eternal and perfect destiny that our loving and merciful God alone has prepared for us.
We are hopeful because we have embraced the Gospel – the Good News of God’s Salvation for Mankind through the finished work of atonement on the Cross by Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior!
IF we are not hopeful; it is because we have forgotten our identity in Christ.
IF we are not hopeful; it is because we have forgotten the Gospel.
Have you forgotten the Gospel?
Has something taken over your life to make you forget God’s Promises; or worse, have you forgotten God?
Never forget the Gospel Message! Never forget your God!
Be very intentional to establish and build your relationship with Him!
He is always, always here for you.
Our Lord Jesus said in Revelation 3:20 -
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
Christ is our Salvation from sin and death.
Only in Christ may we truly come alive!
To be forgiven by God through Christ; and to be forgiving of others – are the twin-keys to finishing well; for it gives us the real and necessary hope to live for our Lord Jesus Christ to the fullest of our faith and abilities.
To be forgiven by God; and to be forgiving of others means that we are preparing for a life that far extends the life expectancy of the average human being; or even the life expectancy of this universe.
As I had shared last week, the two most destructive attitudes in life are arrogance and resentment.
Arrogance results in being unapproachable and unteachable; and resentment leads to hate and bitterness – of which both are key ingredients that manifest in the heart that makes one unwilling to forgive – an unwillingness that would ultimately result in an inability to forgive.
Arrogance and resentment also disables your heart and kills your soul; resulting in your unwillingness to accept God’s forgiveness.
Now, Christmas reminds us about the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ – God’s Promise of Salvation. Christmas must also compel us to remember that Christ – the Son of God - has come into the world to die on the Cross for the sake of our sins, as foretold thousands of years before the fact.
That indeed, Christ has died, Christ has risen; Christ will come again!
Christ will come again!
As we consider “readiness that comes from” the gospel of peace; we have to ask ourselves, “are you ready to meet Jesus face to face?”
Are you ready for the Return of King Jesus?
The time to be ready is now!
Our Lord forewarned us himself in Matthew 24:44, “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
We must live every moment of our lives expecting Christ to return to the world.
That Christ would return as King must be our constant expectation, and be the very substance of our hope in Him.
The Substance for our Christian Hope – We will meet the Lord in the air and be with Him forever.
13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.
14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 After that, we who are still alive (that’s us) and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
And so we will be with the Lord forever.
18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
Are you encouraged with these words?
If you are encouraged by the reality that:
- Passing from this world is falling asleep in His arms – which holds for us a picture of faith, hope and love that a child feels having falling asleep in the arms of the loving parent;
- The Lord Himself will come down from heaven and we will be “caught up together with them (those who have fallen asleep in the Lord before us) in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air”; and
- “We will be with the Lord forever” – dwelling with God, as His people, in a world where “there will be no more death, or mourning, or crying or pain,” (Ref: Revelation 21:3-5);
You truly have the right substance for your Hope in Christ.
Our Hope is indeed, in Christ – but more precisely, our Hope is in the present and eventual reality of the Kingdom of God, with Christ Jesus reigning supremely as King over all Creation – seated on the throne, having declared, “I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:5)
Yes, brethren.
We can, and must, rest in the present-ness of Christ’s eternal reign.
Our hope is placed in Christ alone; which is why, we may be restful in the challenges, labor and tumult of life; that no matter what, Christ will return!
I am sure you know many people who work simply looking forward to their next vacation.
Understand that this is a worldly mentality; that the world rests from a place of work.
We are Christians – worshipers of the living God; disciples of the Living Christ, agents and vessels of the Holy Spirit; and we live in the certainty of His promised return to us; and we work from the place of His Rest – living each day in the restful presence of our Lord – in absolute trust, dependence of His Strength, Wisdom, Power in us through the Holy Spirit!
Are you energized each day by your destiny in the Kingdom of God – to be with the Lord forever?
If that is where your heart is – God’s Kingdom – that is where your treasures are also – the Crown of Righteousness promised to you!
Know this full well.
Our destiny is the Kingdom of God!
It remains of great interest to me that the Christmas Season somehow ushers in a season of supernatural peace, joy and love all around the world; the surreal-ness that Christmas is celebrated regardless of race, language or religion.
We know the reason behind it all.
Jesus is the reason for the season!
Every Christmas must not only remind us that Christ has come – it must also remind us that Christ has died, Christ has risen – and Christ will come again!
We are destined to meet the Lord in the air and be with Him forever.
That baby in the manger is the King over all Creation!
We will get to meet Jesus face to face!
Is your feet fitted with the readiness to meet Christ?
Are you preparing to meet the King of Glory?
Do you desire to meet Him? Do you truly desire to meet the King of kings and the Lord of lords – Jesus Christ! Are you ready?
Do you believe you are destined for resurrection unto eternal life?
Let’s speak further to our destiny to be resurrected from the grave.
The Substance of our Christian Hope – Destined for resurrection.
40 There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another.
41 The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.
42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead.
The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15:40-44a)
Understand this.
To be raised a spiritual body is not the same as being raised a ‘spirit’. A spiritual body is the Resurrected/New Creation body that Christ Jesus our Lord revealed to His disciples.
It looks the same; and yet, infinitely different in substance because it is destined for eternity in the Kingdom of God.
Declare with me: “In Christ – I will rise from death; I will come alive! Raised a spiritual body!”
Do you really believe that? Or do you think that it would happen regardless of what you believe? Or that it would happen with absolutely no participation on your part?
Of course. The key to resurrection power is to REMAIN IN CHRIST.
Try and imagine what does it mean to remain in Christ; what does it mean to be repentant, redeemed, renewed and restored through Christ?
Do you have the faith, resolve, courage and tenacity to remain in Christ?
What if your life depended on it? Well it does.
For apart from Christ, we can do nothing; we are… nothing. (Ref: John 15:5)
To remain in Christ is to be ‘sown’ into Him; to be buried in Christ as a seed is buried in the ground.
It is to die to self – sown perishable, sown in dishonor, sown in weakness and sown a natural body; but to come truly alive in Christ – raised imperishable, raised in honor, raised in power and raised in a spiritual body!
Give your life to Christ, and let Him make you come truly alive!
Hebrews 11:1 tells us: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
As Christians, what do we hope for? What do we not yet see?
Our resurrection from the grave to be with the Lord Jesus forever; raised in honor and power - a spiritual and imperishable body!
More faith would most certainly result in a more resilient confidence and a deeper assurance that you are indeed destined for resurrection unto eternal life – through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Lacking any confidence and assurance in the Christian Hope is a sign of the lack of faith; and of course, the lack of faith reveals that you simply do not have a relationship with the Lord Jesus.
Never deceive yourself, and never leave it to chance – our only Hope is Christ alone; life in Christ is the only life there is.
The Substance of our Christian Hope - ‘Born-Again’ to Live Forever
“If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.
45 So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam(Christ), a life-giving spirit. (Pastor’s Note: Through Christ – we are ‘Born-Again’ in the spirit)
47 The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven.
48 As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven.
49 And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.” (1 Corinthians 15:44b-49)
Know this: to bear the image of the heavenly man – Christ, our Lord – is to be ‘born-again’ (Ref: John 3:3-5); and only in Christ, can we – in spirit – be made alive for eternity.
Is your spirit alive?
How do you know that your spirit is alive?
Let me ask a more familiar question: how do you know that your physical body is alive?
You have an immediate need to breathe. Air keeps us alive; and keeps our body going.
So, how do you know that your spirit is alive?
You have an immediate need to pray; to draw near to the source of all life – Jesus Christ.
Christ alone keeps us going!
To be borne the image of the earthly man, and bear the image of the heavenly man speaks profoundly to the existence of God; in that, every ‘born-again’ human being becomes the epicenter of where the spiritual intersects with the material; where the heavenly realms meets the earthly – and so, enables the mere human body to be the temple of the Holy Spirit! (1 Corinthians 6:19)
Whenever we are faced with questions that doubt the Gospel, or even questions regarding the existence of God – our very existence and lives must be the answer to anyone who enquires of our God and our faith.
That “everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles” (Acts 2:43) bears overwhelming testament that their lives bear the Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit.
Such is the glorious work of the Holy Spirit in the surrendered and willing!
We have been borne the image of the earthly man; but through the Holy Spirit shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.
Such is the categorical definition of the ‘born-again’ Christian; human beings - whose prayers are effective, whose lives are exemplary and whose actions exceed the expectations of the natural world – all because these are lives that have become the world’s gateway into the holy presence of the living God.
Do not merely ‘suspect’ that you are ‘born again’ – make sure that you are.
Ask yourself: are you living out the full reality of being born again?
Study the book of Acts closely.
Do you find yourself in the narrative of Acts?
Do you identify with any accounts in the book known as the Acts of the Apostles?
You must!
Don’t fret if you are unsure – read it, study it, get intimate with the stories… and then get ready to live in the Power of the Holy Spirit – just as did the apostles!
Put your faith into action! Don’t just read the book of Acts – live it out!
The Substance of our Christian Hope – Our Pending Spiritual Body; God’s Kingdom Culture.
50 I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. (1 Corinthians 15:50)
Yes; “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.”
If you are not “born again”; you will perish; which really means – you are already dead.
Do you feel like you are a perishable ‘product’?
That is what it means if you are constantly on the verge of depression, and hopelessness.
Or do you feel like you are going to be around for a long time to come?
As inheritors of God’s kingdom, we are certainly not meant to have anything apart from the fullness of God’s love, joy and peace in our lives!
Regardless, you can make the choice today to act upon the necessary changes in your life that would see to it that you satisfy the requirements for Kingdom Citizenship.
Again, it is found in the word of God and through intimacy with our Lord Jesus Christ - under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Listen.
You are here today; because you have already applied for Kingdom Citizenship. What remains is for you to dive into the culture – to immerse yourself into God’s Kingdom Culture. You need to know the culture of God’s Kingdom, and live out the culture beginning from right now!
To know the culture of the Kingdom is to know the King.
Do you know the King?
Get to know Him today; trust Him today; love Him today; live for Him today; and when you do, you will live with Him forever!
The Substance of the Christian Hope – The End-Game – VICTORY!
51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.
For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.
54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true:
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(1 Corinthians 15:51-57)
When Christ returns, the ‘born-again’ will be raised changed - imperishable and immortal; having been given a spiritual body that would last for all eternity.
This is the truth of what will happen at the very end; believe it!
Wait upon the Lord daily! Anticipate the sounding of the trumpet! Expect Christ’s return!
Death buzzes around us and stings us with sin – filling our souls with the poison of evil; which is very deadly, because the reality is that every human being is allergic to sin; and will ultimately die from it.
We can all live with it to some measure; but we will all ultimately succumb to its effects.
Sin’s power is the law; and sin’s continued subjugation of the human being is the law by which we will rightfully be judged guilty; for we are all sinners;
The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 3:22-24:
“22 God’s righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by God’s grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
And then again in Romans 6:23:
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
We will certainly die from sin – if we are not saved.
In Christ’s Salvation over our lives – is found the victory that may become ours to claim through Christ Jesus!
Don’t rob yourself of this ultimate victory – believe in Jesus; be with Jesus; live for Jesus!
To attain salvation and victory through Christ Jesus literally depicts the image of a child carried on the back of Christ Jesus our Lord and Shepherd; of whom is our strength and fortress, our God who carries us upon His shoulders.
Praise the Lord!
Victory over death - and in the present life, over sin and its powers - is promised to us when we are ‘born-again’!
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
So if indeed you are redeemed and ‘born-again’ in Jesus, your life which bears the fruit of the Holy Spirit would overcome the “power of sin”, which is the “law” (Ref: 1 Corinthians 15:56)
Live each day in victory through Christ Jesus!
In Christ, you have the power to live to the full and the power to overcome every sin and darkness. All you have to do, is choose. No more excuses, no more foolishness, and no more procrastinating!
Choose Christ.
The Substance of the Christian Hope – Till Christ Returns…Live Out the Christian Hope!
Our Lord Jesus Christ could return ANYTIME.
How do we ready ourselves for Christ’s Return?
How do we live out the Christian Hope?
The Apostle Paul exhorts us:
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters,
Stand firm. Let nothing move you.
Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Stand firm in Christ; keep up your faith in Jesus.
Be conscientious about keeping the flames of your faith burning bright.
Stay close; hold on tight to Him.
Pray, listen, read His Word; stoically remain in Christian fellowship
Much advocacy have been made for Christians to live in the world, outside the confines of the Church; perhaps, too much.
In fact, according to the book of Acts, there is a very strong suggestion that believers remained exclusively in Christian fellowship because oftentimes, they found themselves in such ongoing hostile and dangerous circumstances because of their faith in Christ.
Even then, everything they did, they did for the sake of Christ; and for the glory of God – literally, making the Great Commission (Mt 28:28-20) the foremost priorities of their lives – daily seeking to be filled with the Power of the Holy Spirit so that they may be Christ’s witnesses to the nations – drawing would-be believers into the fellowship of Christians.
In fact, history constantly reveals to us that the persecuted church is always at her most powerful – because the believers desperately and utterly needed the Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit for everything in their lives.
They literally gave themselves fully to the work of the Lord - making disciples of all nations; filled with the Holy Spirit to be Christ’s supernaturally empowered witnesses in Total Adversity, in Supernatural Reality, and in Life’s Uncertainties – forgiven by God – always ready to forgive others – preparing daily for the return of King Jesus, our Lord, our Saviour, our King!
Church, I charge you this day:
Remember that Christ is coming soon – in fact, He is coming back anytime.
Stand firm on Christ the Rock; and live radically to keep your faith in Jesus.
Be filled with the Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit; always giving yourself fully to the Lord’s work.
Place all your hope in Christ’s Present and Coming Reign!
Get ready for resurrection – ridding yourselves of all sin, wickedness and all treasures that would not survive the Refiner’s Fire – and immerse yourself into His Kingdom Culture in preparation for eternal life with Christ!
“For the Kingdom of God has come near. Repent and Believe the Good News!” (Mark 1:15)
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.
Thank You for Your Grace given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour!
For in Christ, I believe that I am enriched in every way – with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge – and my life in entirety a confirming testimony about the Salvific Love and Power of Jesus!
Thank You for filling me with Your Presence, Holy Spirit – and bestowing upon me spiritual gifts as I eagerly wait for the revelation and return of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Holy Spirit – grant me the courage, resolve and wisdom to stand firm on Christ – and live radically in constant spiritual prayer, holy discernment, and conscientious study of Holy Scriptures – that I may be unmovable in my faith in Jesus.
Help me to always give myself fully to the Lord’s work; that I would essentially and evidently place all my hope in Christ’s Present, Coming and Eternal Reign!
Lord, I repent of my sin of faithlessness and self-centeredness; help me rid my life of everything that would not survive eternity.
Help me immerse myself this day into Your Holy Presence; and in Your Kingdom Culture – as I prepare to be resurrected unto eternal life with You, Lord Jesus!
I believe that Your Kingdom has come near!
Thank You, O Lord, for Your Promise to keep me firm to the very end – so that I will be blameless on the day of the Lord’s Return.
Indeed, You are faithful, O God! I give my life to You; and live to worship and glorify You alone!
Thank You for calling me into fellowship with Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our King, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
“… and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” (Ephesians 6:15)
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
The Season of Christmas 2020 is proving to be fraught with challenging and tragic circumstances; in fact, this season brings us closer to the essence of the first Christmas than we would like to imagine.
The extreme changes and uncertainties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic was certainly compounded with the harsh full-on realization that our best and most important human systems are fundamentally flawed.
In a few short months, the world has witnessed to the reality that every political, economic and societal system is deeply flawed and broken; that no matter what we do - injustice, conflict, abuse, oppression and tragedies are always the outcome.
The shadow of hopelessness constantly threatens a world in crisis and grief.
While some countries remain worried about missiles; humanity has been taken down by a microscopic virus; a virus so minute that it is reported that on an average, 700 particles of the COVID-19 virus could fit on the cross-section of a typical human hair.
We have absolutely no more reason to be arrogant, or even self-serving; and every reason to be broken and contrite; but yet, we choose to reject God.
Repentance before God is not even the remotest option for the world that chose to not even acknowledge the existence of the Creator.
Brethren, the world is in a dark and deeply distressing place right now; but the truth is that - apart from all the necessary safety measures that have certainly and radically changed our lifestyles; nothing has fundamentally changed.
The world remains fundamentally separate from God.
The world continues to struggle with sin.
The world continues to struggle with the question of what comes next.
Or if there is anything to look forward to.
Is normal ever going to return? Are things going to get better?
Do we dare hope for a better, a brighter future?
Christians, pay close attention here.
While the world lives in hopeless resignation; we live in hopeful recognition.
We must be hopeful.
WE MUST REMAIN HOPEFUL.
We must live in the recognition that there is an eternal and perfect destiny that our loving and merciful God alone has prepared for us.
We are hopeful because we have embraced the Gospel – the Good News of God’s Salvation for Mankind through the finished work of atonement on the Cross by Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior!
IF we are not hopeful; it is because we have forgotten our identity in Christ.
IF we are not hopeful; it is because we have forgotten the Gospel.
Have you forgotten the Gospel?
Has something taken over your life to make you forget God’s Promises; or worse, have you forgotten God?
Never forget the Gospel Message! Never forget your God!
Be very intentional to establish and build your relationship with Him!
He is always, always here for you.
Our Lord Jesus said in Revelation 3:20 -
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
Christ is our Salvation from sin and death.
Only in Christ may we truly come alive!
To be forgiven by God through Christ; and to be forgiving of others – are the twin-keys to finishing well; for it gives us the real and necessary hope to live for our Lord Jesus Christ to the fullest of our faith and abilities.
To be forgiven by God; and to be forgiving of others means that we are preparing for a life that far extends the life expectancy of the average human being; or even the life expectancy of this universe.
As I had shared last week, the two most destructive attitudes in life are arrogance and resentment.
Arrogance results in being unapproachable and unteachable; and resentment leads to hate and bitterness – of which both are key ingredients that manifest in the heart that makes one unwilling to forgive – an unwillingness that would ultimately result in an inability to forgive.
Arrogance and resentment also disables your heart and kills your soul; resulting in your unwillingness to accept God’s forgiveness.
Now, Christmas reminds us about the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ – God’s Promise of Salvation. Christmas must also compel us to remember that Christ – the Son of God - has come into the world to die on the Cross for the sake of our sins, as foretold thousands of years before the fact.
That indeed, Christ has died, Christ has risen; Christ will come again!
Christ will come again!
As we consider “readiness that comes from” the gospel of peace; we have to ask ourselves, “are you ready to meet Jesus face to face?”
Are you ready for the Return of King Jesus?
The time to be ready is now!
Our Lord forewarned us himself in Matthew 24:44, “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
We must live every moment of our lives expecting Christ to return to the world.
That Christ would return as King must be our constant expectation, and be the very substance of our hope in Him.
The Substance for our Christian Hope – We will meet the Lord in the air and be with Him forever.
13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.
14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 After that, we who are still alive (that’s us) and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
And so we will be with the Lord forever.
18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
Are you encouraged with these words?
If you are encouraged by the reality that:
- Passing from this world is falling asleep in His arms – which holds for us a picture of faith, hope and love that a child feels having falling asleep in the arms of the loving parent;
- The Lord Himself will come down from heaven and we will be “caught up together with them (those who have fallen asleep in the Lord before us) in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air”; and
- “We will be with the Lord forever” – dwelling with God, as His people, in a world where “there will be no more death, or mourning, or crying or pain,” (Ref: Revelation 21:3-5);
You truly have the right substance for your Hope in Christ.
Our Hope is indeed, in Christ – but more precisely, our Hope is in the present and eventual reality of the Kingdom of God, with Christ Jesus reigning supremely as King over all Creation – seated on the throne, having declared, “I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:5)
Yes, brethren.
We can, and must, rest in the present-ness of Christ’s eternal reign.
Our hope is placed in Christ alone; which is why, we may be restful in the challenges, labor and tumult of life; that no matter what, Christ will return!
I am sure you know many people who work simply looking forward to their next vacation.
Understand that this is a worldly mentality; that the world rests from a place of work.
We are Christians – worshipers of the living God; disciples of the Living Christ, agents and vessels of the Holy Spirit; and we live in the certainty of His promised return to us; and we work from the place of His Rest – living each day in the restful presence of our Lord – in absolute trust, dependence of His Strength, Wisdom, Power in us through the Holy Spirit!
Are you energized each day by your destiny in the Kingdom of God – to be with the Lord forever?
If that is where your heart is – God’s Kingdom – that is where your treasures are also – the Crown of Righteousness promised to you!
Know this full well.
Our destiny is the Kingdom of God!
It remains of great interest to me that the Christmas Season somehow ushers in a season of supernatural peace, joy and love all around the world; the surreal-ness that Christmas is celebrated regardless of race, language or religion.
We know the reason behind it all.
Jesus is the reason for the season!
Every Christmas must not only remind us that Christ has come – it must also remind us that Christ has died, Christ has risen – and Christ will come again!
We are destined to meet the Lord in the air and be with Him forever.
That baby in the manger is the King over all Creation!
We will get to meet Jesus face to face!
Is your feet fitted with the readiness to meet Christ?
Are you preparing to meet the King of Glory?
Do you desire to meet Him? Do you truly desire to meet the King of kings and the Lord of lords – Jesus Christ! Are you ready?
Do you believe you are destined for resurrection unto eternal life?
Let’s speak further to our destiny to be resurrected from the grave.
The Substance of our Christian Hope – Destined for resurrection.
40 There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another.
41 The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.
42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead.
The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15:40-44a)
Understand this.
To be raised a spiritual body is not the same as being raised a ‘spirit’. A spiritual body is the Resurrected/New Creation body that Christ Jesus our Lord revealed to His disciples.
It looks the same; and yet, infinitely different in substance because it is destined for eternity in the Kingdom of God.
Declare with me: “In Christ – I will rise from death; I will come alive! Raised a spiritual body!”
Do you really believe that? Or do you think that it would happen regardless of what you believe? Or that it would happen with absolutely no participation on your part?
Of course. The key to resurrection power is to REMAIN IN CHRIST.
Try and imagine what does it mean to remain in Christ; what does it mean to be repentant, redeemed, renewed and restored through Christ?
Do you have the faith, resolve, courage and tenacity to remain in Christ?
What if your life depended on it? Well it does.
For apart from Christ, we can do nothing; we are… nothing. (Ref: John 15:5)
To remain in Christ is to be ‘sown’ into Him; to be buried in Christ as a seed is buried in the ground.
It is to die to self – sown perishable, sown in dishonor, sown in weakness and sown a natural body; but to come truly alive in Christ – raised imperishable, raised in honor, raised in power and raised in a spiritual body!
Give your life to Christ, and let Him make you come truly alive!
Hebrews 11:1 tells us: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
As Christians, what do we hope for? What do we not yet see?
Our resurrection from the grave to be with the Lord Jesus forever; raised in honor and power - a spiritual and imperishable body!
More faith would most certainly result in a more resilient confidence and a deeper assurance that you are indeed destined for resurrection unto eternal life – through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Lacking any confidence and assurance in the Christian Hope is a sign of the lack of faith; and of course, the lack of faith reveals that you simply do not have a relationship with the Lord Jesus.
Never deceive yourself, and never leave it to chance – our only Hope is Christ alone; life in Christ is the only life there is.
The Substance of our Christian Hope - ‘Born-Again’ to Live Forever
“If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.
45 So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam(Christ), a life-giving spirit. (Pastor’s Note: Through Christ – we are ‘Born-Again’ in the spirit)
47 The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven.
48 As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven.
49 And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.” (1 Corinthians 15:44b-49)
Know this: to bear the image of the heavenly man – Christ, our Lord – is to be ‘born-again’ (Ref: John 3:3-5); and only in Christ, can we – in spirit – be made alive for eternity.
Is your spirit alive?
How do you know that your spirit is alive?
Let me ask a more familiar question: how do you know that your physical body is alive?
You have an immediate need to breathe. Air keeps us alive; and keeps our body going.
So, how do you know that your spirit is alive?
You have an immediate need to pray; to draw near to the source of all life – Jesus Christ.
Christ alone keeps us going!
To be borne the image of the earthly man, and bear the image of the heavenly man speaks profoundly to the existence of God; in that, every ‘born-again’ human being becomes the epicenter of where the spiritual intersects with the material; where the heavenly realms meets the earthly – and so, enables the mere human body to be the temple of the Holy Spirit! (1 Corinthians 6:19)
Whenever we are faced with questions that doubt the Gospel, or even questions regarding the existence of God – our very existence and lives must be the answer to anyone who enquires of our God and our faith.
That “everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles” (Acts 2:43) bears overwhelming testament that their lives bear the Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit.
Such is the glorious work of the Holy Spirit in the surrendered and willing!
We have been borne the image of the earthly man; but through the Holy Spirit shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.
Such is the categorical definition of the ‘born-again’ Christian; human beings - whose prayers are effective, whose lives are exemplary and whose actions exceed the expectations of the natural world – all because these are lives that have become the world’s gateway into the holy presence of the living God.
Do not merely ‘suspect’ that you are ‘born again’ – make sure that you are.
Ask yourself: are you living out the full reality of being born again?
Study the book of Acts closely.
Do you find yourself in the narrative of Acts?
Do you identify with any accounts in the book known as the Acts of the Apostles?
You must!
Don’t fret if you are unsure – read it, study it, get intimate with the stories… and then get ready to live in the Power of the Holy Spirit – just as did the apostles!
Put your faith into action! Don’t just read the book of Acts – live it out!
The Substance of our Christian Hope – Our Pending Spiritual Body; God’s Kingdom Culture.
50 I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. (1 Corinthians 15:50)
Yes; “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.”
If you are not “born again”; you will perish; which really means – you are already dead.
Do you feel like you are a perishable ‘product’?
That is what it means if you are constantly on the verge of depression, and hopelessness.
Or do you feel like you are going to be around for a long time to come?
As inheritors of God’s kingdom, we are certainly not meant to have anything apart from the fullness of God’s love, joy and peace in our lives!
Regardless, you can make the choice today to act upon the necessary changes in your life that would see to it that you satisfy the requirements for Kingdom Citizenship.
Again, it is found in the word of God and through intimacy with our Lord Jesus Christ - under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Listen.
You are here today; because you have already applied for Kingdom Citizenship. What remains is for you to dive into the culture – to immerse yourself into God’s Kingdom Culture. You need to know the culture of God’s Kingdom, and live out the culture beginning from right now!
To know the culture of the Kingdom is to know the King.
Do you know the King?
Get to know Him today; trust Him today; love Him today; live for Him today; and when you do, you will live with Him forever!
The Substance of the Christian Hope – The End-Game – VICTORY!
51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.
For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.
54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true:
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(1 Corinthians 15:51-57)
When Christ returns, the ‘born-again’ will be raised changed - imperishable and immortal; having been given a spiritual body that would last for all eternity.
This is the truth of what will happen at the very end; believe it!
Wait upon the Lord daily! Anticipate the sounding of the trumpet! Expect Christ’s return!
Death buzzes around us and stings us with sin – filling our souls with the poison of evil; which is very deadly, because the reality is that every human being is allergic to sin; and will ultimately die from it.
We can all live with it to some measure; but we will all ultimately succumb to its effects.
Sin’s power is the law; and sin’s continued subjugation of the human being is the law by which we will rightfully be judged guilty; for we are all sinners;
The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 3:22-24:
“22 God’s righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by God’s grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
And then again in Romans 6:23:
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
We will certainly die from sin – if we are not saved.
In Christ’s Salvation over our lives – is found the victory that may become ours to claim through Christ Jesus!
Don’t rob yourself of this ultimate victory – believe in Jesus; be with Jesus; live for Jesus!
To attain salvation and victory through Christ Jesus literally depicts the image of a child carried on the back of Christ Jesus our Lord and Shepherd; of whom is our strength and fortress, our God who carries us upon His shoulders.
Praise the Lord!
Victory over death - and in the present life, over sin and its powers - is promised to us when we are ‘born-again’!
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
So if indeed you are redeemed and ‘born-again’ in Jesus, your life which bears the fruit of the Holy Spirit would overcome the “power of sin”, which is the “law” (Ref: 1 Corinthians 15:56)
Live each day in victory through Christ Jesus!
In Christ, you have the power to live to the full and the power to overcome every sin and darkness. All you have to do, is choose. No more excuses, no more foolishness, and no more procrastinating!
Choose Christ.
The Substance of the Christian Hope – Till Christ Returns…Live Out the Christian Hope!
Our Lord Jesus Christ could return ANYTIME.
How do we ready ourselves for Christ’s Return?
How do we live out the Christian Hope?
The Apostle Paul exhorts us:
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters,
Stand firm. Let nothing move you.
Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Stand firm in Christ; keep up your faith in Jesus.
Be conscientious about keeping the flames of your faith burning bright.
Stay close; hold on tight to Him.
Pray, listen, read His Word; stoically remain in Christian fellowship
Much advocacy have been made for Christians to live in the world, outside the confines of the Church; perhaps, too much.
In fact, according to the book of Acts, there is a very strong suggestion that believers remained exclusively in Christian fellowship because oftentimes, they found themselves in such ongoing hostile and dangerous circumstances because of their faith in Christ.
Even then, everything they did, they did for the sake of Christ; and for the glory of God – literally, making the Great Commission (Mt 28:28-20) the foremost priorities of their lives – daily seeking to be filled with the Power of the Holy Spirit so that they may be Christ’s witnesses to the nations – drawing would-be believers into the fellowship of Christians.
In fact, history constantly reveals to us that the persecuted church is always at her most powerful – because the believers desperately and utterly needed the Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit for everything in their lives.
They literally gave themselves fully to the work of the Lord - making disciples of all nations; filled with the Holy Spirit to be Christ’s supernaturally empowered witnesses in Total Adversity, in Supernatural Reality, and in Life’s Uncertainties – forgiven by God – always ready to forgive others – preparing daily for the return of King Jesus, our Lord, our Saviour, our King!
Church, I charge you this day:
Remember that Christ is coming soon – in fact, He is coming back anytime.
Stand firm on Christ the Rock; and live radically to keep your faith in Jesus.
Be filled with the Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit; always giving yourself fully to the Lord’s work.
Place all your hope in Christ’s Present and Coming Reign!
Get ready for resurrection – ridding yourselves of all sin, wickedness and all treasures that would not survive the Refiner’s Fire – and immerse yourself into His Kingdom Culture in preparation for eternal life with Christ!
“For the Kingdom of God has come near. Repent and Believe the Good News!” (Mark 1:15)
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.
Thank You for Your Grace given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour!
For in Christ, I believe that I am enriched in every way – with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge – and my life in entirety a confirming testimony about the Salvific Love and Power of Jesus!
Thank You for filling me with Your Presence, Holy Spirit – and bestowing upon me spiritual gifts as I eagerly wait for the revelation and return of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Holy Spirit – grant me the courage, resolve and wisdom to stand firm on Christ – and live radically in constant spiritual prayer, holy discernment, and conscientious study of Holy Scriptures – that I may be unmovable in my faith in Jesus.
Help me to always give myself fully to the Lord’s work; that I would essentially and evidently place all my hope in Christ’s Present, Coming and Eternal Reign!
Lord, I repent of my sin of faithlessness and self-centeredness; help me rid my life of everything that would not survive eternity.
Help me immerse myself this day into Your Holy Presence; and in Your Kingdom Culture – as I prepare to be resurrected unto eternal life with You, Lord Jesus!
I believe that Your Kingdom has come near!
Thank You, O Lord, for Your Promise to keep me firm to the very end – so that I will be blameless on the day of the Lord’s Return.
Indeed, You are faithful, O God! I give my life to You; and live to worship and glorify You alone!
Thank You for calling me into fellowship with Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our King, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.