Part 10, Foundational Truth Sermon series
What is your future like? How do you want your future to be like? We’ve always been interested with our future individually and as a church. We have been preparing for the future. Central to that preparation is Jesus. In the future, He will continue to glorify Himself through series of fantastic events, never seen before by the whole world. And He is doing this, through His church.
I. Jesus will glorify Himself through the rapture of His church.
John 14:1-3, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18, “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 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.”
Caught up – Rapture in Latin
The resurrection of the dead in Christ first, then the living believers will rise in the air.
Resurrection bodies – unperishable, 1 Cor. 15:52-53.
Live to please God. Live as a servant die like a royalty.
II. Jesus glorifies Himself through the Tribulation.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-2, 9-10 (cf. Daniel 9:24-27)
“Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape… 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.”
Shows Himself to be in control of all things.
Day of the Lord – time of judgment
God will make visible his rule of righteousness.
1st half - peace, 2nd half (3.5 years) - great distress never before seen. Matthew 24:21
Antichrist will be revealed. Daniel 9:27
Unbelief, rebellion, rejection of Christ and His message of salvation. Revelation 16:18.
III. My challenge for all of us today:
Live as if Jesus will come anytime. Always be ready. Live according to His ways.
Grow in your eternal hope. We have hope in eternal life because there is a resurrection that awaits us.
Love the work that God called you to do above everything else. If you are a husband: or a wife, love your spouse the way Jesus loves His church. If you are single, honour your parents as this is the will of God. If you are a neighbor, love your neighbor as yourself because this is the 2nd commandment of Jesus.
As the Lord empowers me, I’m committing to all these things.