Sunday, October 28, 2012

The Consummation of God's Kingdom

Rev.21:3
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

Sermon by pastor David, thanks for your truth in teaching God's word.

Living between two worlds...
Pilgrims...
on a journey in this country today

Citizens...
of a kingdom of a country yet to come

We live between two times...
The birth of Christ.
The King has come.
The kingdom of God is a present reality.

The return of Christ...
The King is coming.
The kingdom of Christ is a future hope.

We live for one purpose...
To experience the consummation of God's kingdom.

A kingdom...
People are ruled by the King.
A place where the King has dominion.
A purpose for the King and His kingdom.

God's kingdom...
God is bringing his people...
To his place...
For His purpose...

God's people...
God's final blessing and judgement...
For all who have revered the King...
There will be inexpressible joy.
Heaven exemplifies God's eternal blessing for conquerors who have turned from this world to Christ.

For all who have rejected the King...
There will be irreversible justice.
Hell exemplifies God's eternal judgement for cowards who have turned from Christ to this world.

In God's place: Eternal fellowship
We will be with Him.
Death will replaced by life.
No more sin, sorrow, sickness, or separation.


Night will be replaced by light.
Corruption will be replaced by purity.
Curse will be replaced by blessing.
We will see His face.
We will reign with Him.
Our bodies will be resurrected.
All creation will be restored.
For God's purpose: God's Glory Enjoyed By All Peoples
See His diverse throng...
Every nation, people, tribe, and tongue living, loving, working, and worshiping together!
Hear their unified song...
Worthy is the Lamb!
Glory to our God!

Rev.21:1-27

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 
2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." 
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." 
6 And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 
7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 
8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death." 
The New Jerusalem
9 Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, "Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb." 
10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, 
11 having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 
12 It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed-- 
13 on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 
14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 
15 And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. 
16 The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal. 
17 He also measured its wall, 144 cubits by human measurement, which is also an angel's measurement. 
18 The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, clear as glass. 
19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 
20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 
21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass. 
22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 
23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 
24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, 
25 and its gates will never be shut by day--and there will be no night there. 
26 They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. 
27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life. 

Rev.22:1-5 

1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 
2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 
3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 
4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 
5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.



Lord, by Your mercy alone are we forgiven. Pour out Your spirit of truth on this place so that we can not be silenced. Give us courage beyond understanding as we preach Your gospel. Amen


Friday, October 26, 2012

The Reconciler

1Tim.3:1-7
1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Jesus is the only way man can be reconciled to God. Jesus was appointed by God the Father, as His mediator between God and men.

Father, the gift of eternal life is through Christ. Speak to hearts today and give them hope that is in Christ alone! Amen

The Day of the Lord Will Come

2 Peter 3:2-10

2 that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, 
3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 
4 They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation." 
5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God
6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 
7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 
8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 
9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 

God, who is rich in mercy, lingers so that all will not perish! On this day of the Lord, He will in all His glory, judge evil! Man has every breathing moment to repent!

Lord, prompt man to know that You will judge. In Jesus name show mercy to those who are struggling with sin. Amen

Thursday, October 25, 2012

A Great Light

Matt.4:16-17

16 the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned." 
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

There are two witnesses that attest to the light which is Christ, all creation and man's conscience! These will not be denied! From the beginning, God created all things! Man tries and does indeed copy some things, but can man, as God from the beginning did, create? No! Everyone of us know that small quite voice in our being that prompts us not to do something wrong, and we either listen and will not rebel or we ignore the warning and fall head long into sin!! You can except this or not because we do have free will. But in either choice, there will be consequence! One leading to obedience, the other leading to life separated from God! Today is the day of salvation for we do not know if God will give us our next breath! Use this day as a blessing and tell others of the hope you have found in Christ. If you do not know Christ, open your bible, for a starting point and read the book of Romans. Then ask Christ to forgive you, repent from sin and follow His teaching. There is no other way to enter God's kingdom! You must have faith that Christ's death and resurrection have the power to save you from hell. Christ alone by faith alone!

Father, pour out Your forgiveness to the ones who struggle and are in bondage to Satan. Open the blind eyes to life everlasting found in Christ! Amen

Romans 3:23

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 3:9 What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin.

Romans 1:18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness,

Romans 11:32 For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.

Galatians 3:22 But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

Romans 5:9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!





Sunday, October 21, 2012

The Fruits of Faith

God is our eternal judge! He will judge you on your deeds, good and bad. Your salvation does not depend on your deeds. Your salvation depends on your faith in Christ for the grace of salvation. Salvation is a gift of grace. You can not earn salvation for your best deed is not acceptable to God. Christs' death and Resurrection are the only acceptable payment for sin.

Faith in Christ...
Col.2:6-15

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 
7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 
8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 
9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily
10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 
11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 
12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 
13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 
14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 
15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

At the cross, Satan was defeated....
Heb.2:14-18

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 
15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 
16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 
17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people
18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. 

What we are sure of...
God is sovereign!
Satan is subordinate!
He is limited and bound.
He is doomed to be defeated.
The gospel will advance through the church.
Jesus will return for the church.
At the end of history, every single one of us will be judged by God!!

Fruits of faith...
Did we put our faith in Christ's work?
Was there evidence of faith in our work?
Were we faithful in our worship?
Were we faithful in our witness?
Did we fight against sin?
Did we trust amidst suffering?

Lord God, forgive us when we think we have done something good. For You alone are good! Our faith in Christ is our only hope! Amen
Blessings on pastor David for this message of hope.


Saturday, October 20, 2012

The Final Say

Is.66:1-2

1 Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? 
2 All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.

Is.66:16
16 For by fire will the LORD enter into judgment, and by his sword, with all flesh; and those slain by the LORD shall be many.

Is.66:18
18 "For I know their works and their thoughts, and the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory

Is.65:12

12 I will destine you to the sword, and all of you shall bow down to the slaughter, because, when I called, you did not answer; when I spoke, you did not listen, but you did what was evil in my eyes and chose what I did not delight in." 

While it is true that God is merciful, there will come a time for judgement. Judgement will come to those sinners who do not repent and turn and follow Jesus. The choice must be made while Christ is calling you to repent! God has always had the final say! When the doctor tells you that you have a few months to live, they are basing it on science, but God the creator has the final say.

Ps.139:13-17

13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. 
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 
15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. 
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

2 Timothy 1:9 
9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time

Father in heaven, You have sent Your Son with the power to save mankind! You do indeed have the final say! We prayerfully wait for Christs' return to fulfill Your holy purpose! Amen


Friday, October 19, 2012

A Strong Delusion


2 Thess.2:11-12
11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,
12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

No one has the power to forgive sin! God alone, through Christ gives forgiveness and mercy, not the pope, not your pastor, not your confidant, not your endless and dead statues. The world believes a lie! You pray to dead saints when you should fall on your knees, through Christ the eternal Priest, before a holy God! You reject the truth of the gospel and have eyes that can't see and ears that are deaf! The bread and the wine of the Lord's supper is remembering Christ death and resurrection and the power it holds through faith! There is no penance you can do for forgiveness, it is through the blood of Christ alone!


2 Timothy 4:4 
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
Jer.5:21 21 
"Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not. 

Mark 4:12
12 so that "they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven." 

How my heart aches for foolish man! Christ is offering eternal hope and man is rebellious, sinful, all for a moment of pleasure, power, or pride!

Oh Lord, forgive man for he truly knows not what he does! Only You Lord can open eyes to see and ears to hear. Forgive us for chasing after worthless things of this world. Help me to teach your gospel truth and to live it and when I fail, have mercy. Amen