JOHN – Revelation 21
Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen.
- What did John see?
What had passed away?
What was no more? Revelation 21:1 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ - By what other designation is the New Jerusalem known in Revelation?
What is the New Jerusalem?
Revelation 21:2, 9 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ - Inside what location does God dwell with humanity? Revelation 21:3 (John 14-17; 2 Corinthians 6:15-17; Hebrews 10:19-21; 1 John 4:13) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
- Has God ever promised before this passage to remove all sorrow from His people and wipe away all tears? Revelation 21:4-5
Is this imagery of Heaven contextually? Isaiah 25:7-8; 35:10; 51:11; 65:19
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ - While on this earth, to whom did Jesus offer the waters of life, those in Heaven or those on Earth? Revelation 21:7 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
- If literal, how tall would the New Jerusalem be in miles? Is it literal?
Revelation 21:16 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ - What is missing from the New Jerusalem/Bride? Revelation 21:22-23 ________________________________________________________________
- What nations will exist after the judgment day? Revelation 21:26 ________________________________________________________________
- What cannot enter the New Jerusalem? Revelation 21:27 ________________________________________________________________
Automated Transcript:
<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> Well, my watch says it’s time to start. So we’re going to go ahead and get started. Okay. We’re in revelation 21 and 22.<inaudible> Good to see you, sir. Let’s begin with a word of prayer gracious and bountiful father in heaven. We come before you at this time, grateful for the day that you’ve given to us,
the life that we have and the opportunities that we have to serve you. We pray that as we go throughout this period of study this morning, we might glean the things from these passages that you would have us to learn. We might grow closer to you and understand, and be comforted by your word, and also admonished to live in a way that will prepare us for eternity.
We pray and are mindful of those who are struggling in this time because of illness, difficulty, injury, or struggles in their lives, or those who have lost loved ones. In recent days, we are mindful of each and every one of them. We’re mindful of our nation. And we’re mindful of the world. All of its many struggles and all of its many difficulties,
pray for those who are in difficult places, difficult times, especially those who are striving to preach the gospel in those locations and teach others the word that they might have the hope of eternity, pray that you be with us. As we go throughout this period of study and worship this morning may all that we do be in accordance with your will. All this.
We pray in Jesus name. Amen. So between Sunday and Wednesday, Last week, we noticed a number of passages in Isaiah, especially there are more in the sheets that you were given. There’s some in Zechariah, there’s some in Jeremiah, there’s some in Hosea that I don’t think actually made it on the list, but there’s passages all throughout the old Testament that give us the language of revelation 21 and 22.
They speak consistently concerning God’s people. And they speak of God’s people in one United context. And that context is victory over the enemies of God and God having judged his enemies. When God judges his enemies, God’s people get pictured in these sorts of ways because when God judges his enemies go all the way back to the end of revelation, chapter six, when God judges his enemies and the picture of revelation six is the rich and the mighty and the rulers.
And all the Kings are, are crying on the mountains, fall on us to protect us from the wrath of the lamb and the one who sits on the throne. And the question is asked in the day of the wrath of the lamb and in the day of the wrath of the one who sits on the throne, who can stand and the answer of the old Testament and the answer of revelation is God people can stand.
So when God’s people can stay in, in the day of God’s wrath in the day of his judgment on any of his enemies, the outcome is before God’s people were being persecuted. God’s people were going through the ringer. God’s people were suffering. Now they’re glorified. Now they’re exalted. Now they’re protected. And they’re raised up in a picture of the glorified people of God.
And that is revelation 21 and 22 can these passages and these things be applied to the church in eternity. In other words, could we use these pictures and say, wow, that must be what the church will look like in its glorified state in eternity with God. Absolutely. The church perfected with sin no more with suffering, no more with, with death,
no more any eternity with God, absolutely. That you could use this as a picture of that. The question is the question is always been, is that the context that John is writing about and the answer? No. The context that John is writing about is the church that comes through the persecution, the church that comes under attack by the beast under attack,
by Rome, under attack, by Satan and comes through the other side and revelation 21 and 22 are old Testament. Language of God’s people glorified when God judges, their enemies turned into language, talking about God’s church glorified. When God finishes what he had begun to prophesize and begun to tell them that they would induce her and go through all the way back in Daniel’s day.
God told Daniel when he gave a dream to Nebuchadnezzar that there were going to be four nations beginning with Babylon, continuing in the Mito Persian empire, continuing in Greece, continuing in Rome. And in the days of these Kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom, which will never be destroyed. And it will break us under. And why bullae all these other kingdoms and revelation is the new Testament counterpart where God says,
and I did.<inaudible> Makes it clear. Rome will be no more. And those who persecute my people every single time they come up will be no more because I will always defend my people. So revelation 21 and 22, we’re going to go through it fairly rapidly, but I want us to get the picture. I don’t want to spend a lot of time on the details.
I want you to see the picture. And as you think about the picture, think about this. The new Testament makes it clear. Jesus Christ came to this earth to set up a kingdom, not a kingdom of this earth because Jesus told pilot. If my kingdom was of this world, then my servants would fight. And yet his kingdom exists on this earth,
but not only on this earth, as you went through revelation, as we went through this, we always pointed out those who dwell on the earth was always a picture of who the wicked, those who dwell in heaven was always a picture of who the redeemed righteous people. Now in chapter 21, John’s going to see the city to send out of heaven.
So wait a minute. This must mean that this is when Christ comes and returns and rains on the earth, and God makes a new heaven and a new earth. And all the righteous people are going to live on this earth. Again. No, this is a picture of all the righteous people who John said in the day of Rome, never dwelled on the earth because the earth belonged to the wicked.
But now God has wiped out the world of the wicked. God is white roam out, and now he’s going to bring forth his people out of heaven, back to their rightful place. He’s going to give them a new heavens and a new earth. God didn’t wipe the face of the planet, clean in the days of Rome and remake it and turn it back into the garden of Eden and then build a great Jerusalem on top of a mountain.
And that city go 200 or 1500 miles high. He didn’t do that. It’s a picture of God’s people and the churches untouchable nature, because Jesus said this, remember this, actually let’s read it. Instead of just remembering Matthew chapter 16, verse 15, he said to them, who do you say that I am Simon, Peter or Simon, Peter answered and said,
you are the Christ, the son of the living, God, Jesus answered and said to him, bless it. Are you Simon? Barjona for flesh. And blood has not revealed this to you, but my father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church. And the Gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven. And whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. The entire book of revelation is Jesus Christ showing in the days of Rome, that what he said was true about his church and about his kingdom was true. That the Gates of Hades would not prevail against it.
The power of Satan would never win, not against his church. So revelation 21 verse one. Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth. We saw that back in Isaiah. We’ve seen it elsewhere for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away and there was no more seat. Then I, John saw the Holy city, the new Jerusalem.
We saw that in Isaiah coming down out of heaven from God prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying behold, the tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people. God himself will be with them and be their God turn over the book of Hebrews. And the Hebrew writer takes that language from Jeremiah chapter 31.
And he applies it to the church, not to heaven. He applies it to the church. He says, it’s here. And now he’s making the contrast of the days of the tabernacle, where God said, I’ll dwell with you and your midst. But those people couldn’t enter the tabernacle. They, the high priest could go into the tabernacle, but they couldn’t.
Moses could stand before God, but they couldn’t. Aaron could stand before God, but they couldn’t. And now the Hebrew writer says, now we have boldness to enter to the very presence of God. We’re not waiting for that in eternity. We have that now and will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There shall be no more death nor sorrow,
nor crying. There shall be no more pain for the former things have passed away. Then he who sat on the throne, said, behold, I will make all things new. And he said to me, write for these words are true and faithful. And he said to me, it is done. I am the alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.
I will give the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirst. Now, this is heaven. If this is eternity, if this is after the judgment and after death is finished and after hell has all those who are waking up and cast into hell, who is Jesus offering the water of life to When The judgment is over, who then after that point has the opportunity to partake of the water of life who has not had it before.
No one Who Did Jesus offer the water of life to in John chapter four, the woman in some area and the people of some area, why did he offer it to them? Because they’d not previously Had, But he didn’t offer them water. That some day they might be able to get in heaven. He offered them the water of life, right then right there.
Okay. Notice what we read. He who overcomes shall inherit all these things. And I will be his God. And he will be my son, but the cowardly unbelieving, abominable murderer, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the Lake, which burned with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. What’s he saying about this?
Is this a, is this a forecast of their ultimate judgment? No, this looks back at the previous chapter. God’s picturing his church And he says, this is what will not be in my church. All those who are fearful that the new King James says, cowardly are the ones who didn’t resist the beast, who, when they were told you can either die or bowed or Rome,
they bowed to Rome. You can either die. Or you can say, Rome is God. And they said, Rome has God go all the way back to the very beginning in chapters two and chapter three of revelation. And you find Jesus telling the church So many instances, he says, some of you are going to, To die, but others.
So you have given up, you have become those who have been seduced by the harlot. You have been those who have been seduced by Jezza bell. You are those who have given up On faithfulness to me and revelation 21 verse eight says, and those people, they’re not part of this picture. They’re not part of my kingdom. They’re getting destroyed With Rome.
Okay? Now notice this. He says, Vincent, One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the last seven play or seven last plagues came to me and talked with me saying, come, I will show you Who’s he going to show him the bride? The church<inaudible><inaudible> chapter five is clear. The bride of Christ is the church.
And revelation uses that picture consistent Recently for the church. So he, He says, come let me show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife. Now, when he shows him the bride, the Lamb’s wife, he shows him a group of people standing around an auditorium, right? No, he doesn’t. Okay. Well, he shows them a picture of people all over the world,
worshiping God, right? No. He shows them or he shows him the new Jerusalem. We aren’t waiting for a Jerusalem city over in Israel to go worship a Messiah. One day We are the new Jerusalem. It’s okay. Been in existence since Jesus established it on the day of Pentecost in 33, Haiti, Let me show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.
So beginning in verse nine, all the way through, into chapter 22, we have the picture of the church. Here’s how Christ and God through the Holy spirit, through the writer, John Picture the church. Okay. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain. Remember Daniel chapter two, God was going to have a mountain that was created without hands.
And it was going to destroy all those kingdoms and that mountain would grow and fill the earth. Was that a picture of heaven? No, that was a picture of his kingdom. Okay. He takes me to a great and high mountain and showed me the great city. Now, before the great city that we had pictured all throughout revelation Was what it was Rome,
But no more. The great city Rome has been cast into the sea and the sea is no more. Now the great city is the new Jerusalem. Okay. Showed me a great city. The new, the Holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. This is all old Testament language. This is all stuff we saw in Isaiah. Having the glory of God.
Her light was like a most precious stone, like a Jasper stone clear as crystal. Also, she had a great and high wall with 12 Gates and 12 angels at the Gates. The names written on them were the names of the 12 tribes of the children of Israel. Turn to Matthew chapter five real quick. After the beatitudes, as Jesus is speaking to these Jews,
he’s speaking to Jews, he’s looking forward to the kingdom, but he’s speaking to Jews and he speaking to them about their law. And he’s speaking to them about their covenant with God. And he’s speaking to them about their righteousness. And too many times, we come to Matthew five, six, and seven and say, this is about the church. This is a declaration of the church Nella wasn’t.
This is a declaration of what Israel was supposed to be. This is what Israel was supposed to do. This was Israel’s law, but it certainly looks towards the church. Notice what he says. He says, verse 13, you are the salt of the earth who was supposed to be the salt of the earth. The church that didn’t exist yet, no Israel was,
God had told the descendants of Abraham that they were supposed to be the salt of the earth, but were they most of the time? No notice. He says you are the salt of the earth, but if salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then for good, for nothing. But he thrown out and trampled into the foot of man.
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a Hill cannot be hid. Was Israel, a city set on a Hill before Jerusalem, the physical city was ever taken by David in his day in time. Yes, they were because they were a spiritual city set on a Hill. They weren’t waiting for Jerusalem to be established, to become the nation.
God wanted them to be because that happened hundreds of years before the city of Jerusalem was established as an Israelite city, they were to be the city of God, the city that belonged to him, the light of the world, the moment they walked out of Egypt. And God continues that picture because his people are always supposed to be a city set on a Hill,
but cannot be. So now he could take him to a high. He shows them a great city and this great city has great walls. It has great Gates. It has the names of the 12 tribes of Israel written on it. It’s it’s it’s history. It’s pictured as Israel, the Israel that was supposed to exist. The Israel that was spiritual Israel,
three Gates on the East three Gates on the North three Gates on the South three Gates on the West verse, verse 14. Now the wall of the city had 12 foundations and on them were the names of the 12 apostles of the lamb. And he who talked with me, had a gold read, the measure, the city, its Gates and its walls.
The city is laid out as a square. Its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the Reed 12,000 for our lungs. It’s length, breadth, and height are equal. Wednesday night. As we close, we talked about 12,000 furlongs it’s approximately 1500 miles. Okay? So the city is pictured as 1500 miles, long,
1500 miles wide and 1500 miles tall. And it’s on top of a mountain. Then he measured its wall 144 cubits, about 212 feet thick, depending on which measurement of the cubit you use. According to the measure of a man that is of an angel, the construction of its wall was of Jasper and the city was pure gold, like clear glass.
The foundation of the wall of the city was adorned with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation was Jasper the second, the second Sapphire, the third council Doni, the fourth Emerald, the fifth. Sardonyx the sixth. Sardius the seventh. Chrysolite the eighth Beryl, the ninth Topaz, the 10th Chrissa phase, the 11th Jason and the 12th amethyst.
I did pretty good there. Didn’t I all right. The 12 Gates were 12 pearls. Each individual gate was a one Pearl and the city or the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. Now I’ve got a question for you. If it’s a real city, these are real precious stones and all of this that make up its foundation.
And I have a question because we just read that the 12 foundations were who, all right, now the 12 foundations were the 12 apostles. Now did John get made over into some stone lay a city on top of No, But does the doctrine and the teaching that was taught and brought forth the kingdom, the church throughout the world, does that become the foundation of the church?
Absolutely. It just read acts chapter two acts After too many are converted and verse 42 says, and they continued steadfastly in the apostles Doctrine foundation of the church is not some human and it is not a precious stone is the doctrine of Christ as taught by the apostles in the first century. So then we read verse 21, 12 Gates were 12 pearls. Each individual gate was a one Pearl.
The city of the, or the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. But I saw no temple In it. He says, Let me show you this city, but let me show you something. That’s very different from what You’ve seen before. Let me show you something that doesn’t look like Israel anymore. You see them Great Jerusalem of old in David’s day in the midst of Jerusalem,
really in Solomon’s day because David didn’t get to build it. But in Solomon’s day in the great city of Jerusalem at the height of its power in the midst of the city, What a temple, but not in this Jerusalem, not in this city. Why notice? But I saw no temple in it for the Lord, God almighty. And the lamb Are its temple.
The city Had no need of the sun or the moon to shine in it for the glory of God illuminated it. The lamb is It’s light. Wait a minute. I thought Matthew chapter five said you are the light of the world away. It did. So God’s people are the light of the world. Where do they get their light From the sun from God?
So he says that There’s no, there’s no sun. There’s no moon. The glory of God illuminates it. The lamb is its light. And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in his light and the Kings of the earth shall bring their glory and honor him Into it. Now I got a question for you. This is the new Jerusalem and the new Jerusalem is after the judgment day and it’s in heaven.
Then what Kings of the earth are going to bring their glory into the new? There are no Kings in the earth. There’s no word. If this is after the judgment day, these statements beginning here, make no sense. There are no Kings of the earth. There are no nations in the earth If this is in heaven. So who are These people?
But what if this is the church? What if in Paul’s day, the gospel went even into the very house of Caesar and nations and peoples and Kings were converted. And all the glory they had as Kings suddenly became part of the church. Its Gates shall not be shut at all by day where there shall be no night there and they shall bring the glory.
And the honor of the nations into it. If this is heaven, who, what nations, there are no nations. They’ve all been cast in the Lake of fire, but there shall by no means enter anything that the files or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. In contrast to old Israel,
where every time Israel started going really good and started being faithful to the Lord. Somebody came in and turned it the wrong direction. Another King or Rose who wouldn’t follow the Lord or some adviser would come along or some general would come along and he lead the people off into apostasy or false prophets would come in and they teach the people to sin. God says not in my kingdom,
not in my church, no one enters my church that defiles it. No one comes in except those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life, then notice what we read. And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal proceeding from the throne of God and of the lamb in the middle of its streets. And on either side of the river was the tree of life,
which bore 12 fruits. Each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the trees were for the healing of the nations. I’m just going to ask it one more time. What nations, if it’s heaven, what nations are outside of heaven needing to come in and eat of the tree of life? None. So where did Jesus provide access to eternal life?
Because that’s what the tree of life was all about. By the way, go back to Genesis chapter three, God kicks them out of the garden and says they can’t come back in here for if they eat of the tree, they won’t die. So the tree in the garden was eternal life, and God said, you’ve sinned. You can’t have that.
Jesus said, I came that I might give you eternal life. And John chapter 17 said, and this is eternal life That you might know the father. Jesus, didn’t say, I’ll give you eternal life in promise. So that one day when you die, you’ll Have it. No, Because he didn’t grant eternal life to flesh and blood. God granted it to a soul.
When you go down to the watery grave of baptism and you die to sin, you rise up in newness of life. And if you are faithful until death, you will never Die. There is no second death. Even if this flesh and blood dies and it will, You don’t die. There is No second death for The Christian. They don’t die again.
They died right there. Okay. So then notice what he says In the middle of its street. And on either side was the river on either side or was the tree of life, which bore 12 fruits. Each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the trees were for the healing of the nations. Everything that this world needs. It says in it’s already in the church.
Everything, every nation needs that’s destroyed. That’s decimated. That’s going to war. That’s defeating its own people. That’s killing its own people. Everything they need is already in the church because in the churches, the gospel, And if They would be obedient to the gospel of Christ, every one of those problems would be Go away. Every one of them And there shall be no more curse,
but the throne of God and of the lamb shall be in it. And his servants shall serve him. Do we have access to the throne of God today? Yes, we do. Fijian chapter or sorry, Hebrews chapter four, verses 14 through 16. We have boldness to enter the throne and to ask for help in time of need. Okay. They shall see his face and his name shall be on their foreheads.
Jesus said to those who were faithful, the churches, he said, I’ll write my name on you. Did he say, I’ll write my name on you when you die and get into heaven? Nope. He said, if you’ll be faithful now Shall be no light. There. They need no lamp nor light from the sun for the Lord. God gives them light and they shall reign forever.
And ever then he said to me, these words are faithful and true. And the Lord, God of the Holy prophets sent his angel to show his servants the things which must This one’s really hard to get over shortly, take place, Following everything. He just said, he said, this must shortly take place. What you just saw, John must shortly take place.
But he goes on. He says, behold, I am coming quickly. Bless it. As he who keeps the words and the prophecies of this book. Now it’s going to be interesting because he’s going to lay forth a blessing for those who keep the words of the book and a curse against those who don’t. And if the curse is, as we’re going to see in a minute,
don’t apply until he turned 80. Then the curse doesn’t make any sense. If the blessing doesn’t apply till eternity, the blessing doesn’t make any sense. Watch this. Okay. Now I, John saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things, then he said to me,
see that you do not do that for, I am your fellow servant and of your brother in the profits and of those who keep the words of this book, worship God. So John sees himself fall down and worship the angel again. And the angel says, no only worship the Lord. I’m just like you I’m just like the prophets on just like the servants.
I’m just like everybody else who obeys God worship God. Okay. So then we read and he said to me, do not seal up. The words of the prophecy of this book for the time is at hand, this hearkens right back to Daniel. Remember Daniel was given the prophecy. Daniel was given the visions and Daniel was told, seal it up because the time is not yet.
John is given the prophecy. And by the way, 600 years later, the time was at hand. Now John’s given the prophecy and John’s told don’t seal it up the time. Is it a, and so are we supposed to believe that Daniel who’s time wasn’t at hand and had to wait 600 years is now that is, is now being applied to John.
And John’s being told the time is at hand, but we need to wait a little more than 2000 years to get there. No, in Daniel’s day, the time wasn’t at hand in John’s day, it was okay. So then he says then verse 11, he who is just let him be unjust. Still. Who has filled the lead. He filthy still.
He who is righteous. Let him be righteous. Still. He who is Holy, let him be Holy. Still is God here saying to John, you know what? Don’t worry about breaching that don’t don’t, don’t worry about converting people that don’t, don’t worry about it monitoring. No, no. The, the declaration here is I’m coming in judgment and whatever their state is,
when I get there, that’s what they’re going to be when I judge them. Okay. If they’re in iniquity, they’re going to still be there. If they’re in righteousness, they’re still going to be there and I’m going to judge them based upon their works. Okay? So verse 12, verse 12 through the end and behold, I am coming quickly.
And my reward is with me to give to everyone. According to his work, I am the alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last bless it is he are blessed, are those who do his commandments, that they may have rind to the tree of life and may enter the Gates in, excuse me, enter through the Gates into the city,
but outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters and whoever loves and practices a lie. I, Jesus have sent my angel to testify to you. These things in the churches, I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright and the morning star and the spirit and the bride say What com And led him and let him who hears say,
come and lead him who thirst come and whoever desires, let him take of the water of life freely is Jesus saying when all this is over, when the world’s come to an end and judgment days come, then finally the bride and the spirit and the lamb are going to invite people to partake in the water of life. Nope, Jesus is telling the church and everyone who will hear you can have the water of life freely Right now.
So come, He concludes for, I testified everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book. If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in his book. What plagues plagues back in chapters, 15 and 16, the plagues that he poured out on the earth. Now somebody manipulated the prophecy of this book in the fourth,
where they going to get the plagues? Are they just going to have to wait? No, they were going to get them, but did the people in the days of Rome get the plagues in a literal form or a spiritual form, a spiritual form did the person in the fourth century who tried to manipulate the book of revelation and change its meaning, get it in spiritual form or physical form,
spiritual form. He said it. I for, I testify that he who hears the words of the prophecy of the book. If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of the prophecy of this or the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the book of life and from the Holy city and from the things which are written in this book,
he who testifies to these things says, surely I am coming quickly. The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. And that’s the book of revelation. We’ll go over some questions at another point for chapter 21 and 22. We’ll do that Wednesday before we get back into our normal studies. Thank you for your attention.<inaudible><inaudible> yeah.
Hi.<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> Good morning. Welcome to the Collierville Sunday morning services. It’s great to see each and every one of you out here this morning. So glad you’ve had the opportunity to come here to sing songs of praise and worship God with us this morning, for those of you that are online or on the phone, listening know that you are still in our thoughts and prayers.
We pray for each and every one of you every day and pray for an end to this COVID-19 pandemic so that we can all assemble here again one day, hopefully soon and worship God announcements for this morning. If you did not get the Lord’s supper, please take this opportunity while I’m going through the announcements to pick it up. It’s on the tables in the back.
I do not see any visitors, but if there is a visitor here that I’m not seeing, well, you are welcome here. We’re glad that you chose to worship with us this morning and please fill out a visitor’s card for us. Before I get into the sick, I want to go and I’m sure everybody sees him here, but Terry Whitley is back Terry and his wife,
Patricia are both past the COVID-19. So that’s a good thing. We need to praise the Lord and thank God for that, that they have both made it through there. Terry says, you know, Patricia didn’t really have anything at all, but he had some pretty severe symptoms. So thank God for Terry’s recovery. And it’s good to see you back,
sir, remembering our sick John Springer, Dorothy Wilson, Janet Jones, Robin woods, Jessica Dale, and then Tory Hensley. The Springer’s granddaughter is still waiting for her results from her MRI that she had done on her brain. And then Gary Wheeler. I do not have an update on Gary cause Barbara is not here this morning, but please continue to pray for each and every one of those also have a card here.
I want to read this morning. It says to my church family many thanks for the pretty fall bulky that I receive by the ladies of Diana and Sylvia. It was thoughtful and appreciated and brighten my week for sure. It was so good to see those two ladies, even though it was from a far distance, thanks to the church. Also for the many cards I’ve received over the past months,
each and everyone is so very much appreciated. I miss being there and miss all of you, please continue to pray for Tori and myself in Christian Love Joan sprayer. I’ll put this up on the board out there. The only other announcement I have is Paula is working on the 2021 church calendar. So if you know of anything that needs to be added to that,
we need to get that into her soon so she can get that calendar printed for us because 2021 is right around the corner for our services. This morning, our song leader will be Michael Dale Opening. Prayer will be Joel caisson. The Lord’s supper will be Jay Shafir and sermon will be from Aaron cold start and closing. Prayer will be Tommy Lasseter. Thank you.
Our opening song this morning will be number 860. There is a habitation number 860. I’ll let Tommy figure out the projector real quick on there. There it is.<inaudible><inaudible> who see that grand<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> for<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> in long<inaudible>. Oh,<inaudible><inaudible> no<inaudible> no, no<inaudible> no,<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> in long<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> and let me see<inaudible> no praise is<inaudible>.
Oh,<inaudible> long Gates to see<inaudible><inaudible> the<inaudible> The song before our opening prayer will be number 764. Teach me Lord to wait. This one is not on the screen. So please use your book. Number 764. Teach me Lord to wait.<inaudible> right.<inaudible> you answer? Please teach me<inaudible> but to<inaudible> from you, teach me<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> what you want me to be<inaudible> upon the Lord<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> teach me.
Lord. Teach me to<inaudible> Oh dear God. Our father in heaven, we, they come before your throne thinking that you are God, our God, that created all of mankind. The one that loves us so much, his precious son died upon the cross of Calvary to redeem us from our sins father in heaven. We often take so much for granted in our lives that we often forget who we really ought to be.
Yeah. We often forget to be the right example before others. We often fail to reach out to those that are not your children, your God. We often take life itself for granted. We don’t take any precautions to make sure that we stay healthy. We pray father that you bless each and every one of us that’s here today and be filled with Thanksgiving that we were able to come here and worship you the one and true living God.
They were able to remember our savior and the sacrifice he made there on the cross that he bore our sins there and shed his precious blood. Often father, we failed to be thankful for our families or our mates for our parents, for our children, Brand Children. And great-grandchildren we so often forget to remember one another as this body of Christ in our prayers,
daily father. We’re so thankful that Terry and Patricia are over the virus. We pray that you continue to bless them and pray that they continue to be well. We pray for those that others that were mentioned that are facing different trials in their lives with their health. We pray that you be with those that are administering to them, that they might be able to regain that health.
And once again, be with us Father, we’re mindful of those that have drifted away, need some encouragement. And we pray that we might be attentive to those needs and be better to be able to say, or do something that might stir their hearts and their minds to realize where they are and that they truly do want to come back and serve and glorify you are there help us each day that we remember your words,
that we look to it, the scriptures often to tip, strengthen our lives and to help us to be able to reach others with the gospel. We pray father that we always are mindful of those that are outside the body, that we do have a love for their souls, that we do want to be there for them and help to stir their thinking that they come to know your will and want to be obedient to it.
Father, we’re so grateful for Aaron and his family. We’re so thankful for the abilities that they have to encourage this congregation. And for the blessing, it is to have a minister of the gospel that said is the word deeply and is able to teach our classes and to preach out the word here to this congregation in such a way that it’s so easy to understand your will.
And it truly stars our minds and our hearts to try to be better, to want to serve you more are for Michael Jones and his family and him going to the school of preaching. We pray that you strengthen him and bless Sam as he continues his studies there. And we’re so grateful for him and wanting to be a better master of the gospel, bless them and strengthen them.
Bless each family here, father. And we pray that we all try to work together for the good of the church, for the good of our own souls. And hopefully to reach out in this area, we pray that we be compassionate and patient and kind and loving as we go through life that others truly see Jesus living in us, bless us and our worship to stay and help us out.
Always draw closer to you and closer to one another. And we pray for that home in heaven with a and Jesus, we pray amen Song to prepare our minds for the Lord’s supper will be number three, 353, one day number 353 One day. When<inaudible> one day when<inaudible> was as black as could be. He, Jesus came for to be born of a judge,
dwell among man, my example and see<inaudible> me jogging. He saved me buried. He<inaudible> my sins.<inaudible> Hey<inaudible> Hey<inaudible><inaudible> Oh, one day he’s<inaudible> Oh, glory us. Yay. One day they let him<inaudible> Oh, one day<inaudible> to die on the tree. So off a<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> me dying. He said, Hey,
saved me buried. He<inaudible> my son<inaudible><inaudible> ah.<inaudible> one day he is<inaudible>. Oh, glory. Yay. One day<inaudible> on and God, or one day he from<inaudible> free. Angela’s came down. No<inaudible><inaudible> my savior. See<inaudible> me dying. He say, Hey me.<inaudible> my son.<inaudible><inaudible> one day. He is<inaudible>.
Oh, glory. Yay. One day gray can sell him no long. One day<inaudible> rolled way from<inaudible> and then he<inaudible> now is<inaudible> my Lord.<inaudible> me.<inaudible> me.<inaudible> Hey,<inaudible><inaudible> one day he’s<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> me.<inaudible> me.<inaudible> my son<inaudible> Hey<inaudible><inaudible> Oh, one day he’s<inaudible>.
Oh, glory. Dang. As we prepare to participate in this Lord, suffer less free or minds of all our worldly thoughts and focus upon the sacrifice that Jesus made for each of us go to our father in prayer and only father. We were so very grateful for this privilege. We have to assemble about this table. And as we partake of this and emblem of the bread,
which represents your son’s body, that was sacrificed on the cross, help us to realize how significant that really is to each and every one of us that we have that hope of eternal life with you. One day in Jesus name, we pray, amen.<inaudible> Again, father, as we continue this Memorial and partake of this fruit of the vine, which represents the blood that was sacrificed for permission of our Sams,
help us to protect this and aware of their manner that it was acceptable in their sight. It’s in your son’s name that we pray, amen.<inaudible> This concludes the Lord’s supper. And we find this a convenient time to offer prayer for our offering. We’re commanded on first day of each week to lay by and store as we’ve been prospered. So let’s once again,
go to the father in prayer<inaudible> And my father is we again, come before that throne. We’re so very grateful for the many material blessings that you have. So richly Mr. Bowden on our lives help us always to remember that these blessings come from you and that we are merely stewards of the while we’re here on this earth, help us to give freely.
And may these funds be used to further your word here and also to promote your word worldwide. It’s in his name that we pray. Amen Song before the lesson will be number 346. He lives. And if you’re able, let’s stand for this song please. Number 346 is the invitation song on the slides. Okay? Invitation song will be on the slide.
He lives. I serve a risen savior. He’s in the world today. I know that he is living whatever man may say, Hey, I see his hand up. I hear his moist Searchie and a slow time. I need him. He is always<inaudible> Christ Jesus<inaudible>. He walks with me and talks with me.<inaudible> salvation to him.<inaudible> you asked me<inaudible><inaudible> my<inaudible> and all the world around me.
I see his loving, eh, no, my heart grows<inaudible> I never, well, I know that he is leading through all the stormy, blah, blah. Here’s up here? Me. Well,<inaudible> he<inaudible> Christ Jesus<inaudible>. He walks with me and walks with me along life’s narrow way. Hey, he<inaudible> you asked me<inaudible> he<inaudible> my<inaudible> rejoice.
We joined. So Chris, John, lift up your voice and sing<inaudible> to Jesus Christ King. The hope of all Hersey cam<inaudible> no, no. So loving, so good. And ah, he<inaudible> Christ Jesus<inaudible>. He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way. Hey<inaudible> you asked me<inaudible><inaudible> my<inaudible> may be seated.
Good morning. Most, if not, all of you know, because you’ve been in the class at some point, we’ve been going through the book of revelation in our classes, on the adult classes on Sunday and on Wednesday. And we’d gone through a number of passages that in the book of revelation, reference things that sound like the judgment day. And we’ve looked at those in their context.
And we’ve said a number of times my sound like the judgment day, but it’s not. And to avoid the possibility that somebody might come along at some point and say, well, I’m not sure Aaron believes in the judgment day. I thought what we would do this morning is spend a little time talking about the last day because the new Testament is very clear about that day.
The new Testament teaches us very clearly about when this life will come to an end when this life and when this world and all that is in, it will be no more. So this morning, I want to begin noticing in noticing second, Peter chapter three, Peter writes to the church, second, Peter chapter three beginning in one. And we’re just going To primarily notice Three passages.
There are many more, Or that could be discussed. There are many more that could be talked about, and there are many more that include more detail. But for the sake of our time, We’re going to notice three Second, Peter chapter three. And in verse one, beloved, I now write to you this second epistle in both of which I stir up your pure minds,
by way of reminder, Peter makes it clear as Peter teaches those Christians in the first century that he is writing to them to remind them of what they all ready Know. He’s Not writing to them, new things. They’ve never heard before. He’s not writing to them a different thing than what they preached when they were in their presence. He’s writing to them things to remind them,
to stir Them up and To get their hearts and minds Ready for what is to come. Then You may be mindful verse two of the words, which were spoken before by the Holy prophets and of the commandments of us, the apostles of the Lord and savior notice. First and foremost, he says to those Christians, he says, you were told this by the prophets of old.
This is not something that just started with Jesus and started with the apostles. This is the fulfillment of what you have been told for generations going back into the old Testament. So the old Testament prophets spoke of it and the apostles spoke Of it. Then he says this, knowing this first, That scoffers will come in the last days, walking, according to their own lunch and saying,
where is the promise of his coming for? Since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning. Creation. Peter makes it clear. As he writes to these Christians, as he Brings forward the profits and brings forward the teaching of the other apostles together to these brethren, he makes it clear to them that there would be people who would rise up from among themselves,
from among the Christians And say, he ain’t coming back here. Clearly isn’t coming back because he hasn’t come Back yet. And they’ll use as their justification for their position, that everything is continued to exist. The way that it was from the day of creation until now Nothing Ever changes. Generations come and generations go. Therefore, because generations come and generations go,
generations will come and go. Never. And Peter says they have a problem with their reasoning. They have a problem with their line of argumentation because it hasn’t always been That way. And notice what he says. He says for this, they willfully forget that by the word of God, the heavens were of old and the earth standing out of water and in the water,
by which the world that then existed perished being flooded With water Peterson. It says these people who claim that the world is just continued on without fail generation after generation, that nothing ever changes, Army Missing one glaringly obvious example of things, changing a great deal Because God, in the days of Noah Brought judgment on a wicked world and by grace saved eight souls out of an entire plant.
Peter says, if he did that, what makes You think he won’t do what He’s promised already notice what he said. He says, he says by which the world that then existed perish verse six, being flooded with water, but the heavens and the earth, which are now preserved by the same word, the same word. What the same word that brought the flood.
The same word that brought 40 days and 40 nights of rain. The same word that broke up the ground and brought water from beneath the earth. The same word that brought the flood above the tops of the very mouth. The same word that brought, that has caused the world to come, Continue to exist. What the hell, Humans in the earth,
which are now preserved by the same word are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But beloved do not forget this. One thing that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years in is a thousand years as one day, the Lord is not Slack concerning his promises. Some men count slackness, but as long suffering toward us,
not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. The same word that brought the flood. The same word that preserved the earth from that point until now is the same word that reserved this world for fire Around four o’clock in the afternoon, look over at your spouse and say, what do you want for dinner? Your spouse says,
I don’t care. What do you want? I tell you what, let’s make a reservation at this fine restaurant. It’s not COVID world. It’s some imaginary world where you can actually go to a restaurant and you call up the phone. You say, I need a reservation for two. I want to sit over in the corner. I want this to eat.
This is what I want. This is my reservation. God said this world that I created this, This world and everything in this physical universe that I created, I have reserved Its end. I have gone ahead and told you exactly how it’s going, Going to go. And because I created it, I have the power to do it. And these Christians who were coming forth,
these scoffers as Peter calls them, We’re saying, it’s not going to happen. He hasn’t come back yet. And since he hasn’t come back yet, therefore he must not ever plan on coming Back. Peter says, you misunderstand our God. Yes, You misunderstand who he is and you misunderstand his power and his knowledge. If you say tomorrow, I’m going to get up in the morning and go to work.
You have a good plan that you’re going to do that. But with the Lord, he can say a thousand years from now, I’m going To do this. And he can do it with the same ease at which you can say tomorrow, I’m going to do this. He is not Slack concerning his promises. Unlike humanity, you get up first thing in the morning and you say four o’clock,
I’m going to exercise Around three 55. You look instead at the refrigerator refrigerator and say, I think I’ll exchange Exercise for a snack. The Lord is not Slack concerning his promises. As some men count slackness but is Long suffering. So We question, wait a minute. If God is going to return, surely things have gotten as bad as they’re ever going to get Shirley.
It is time what’s he waiting on. And Peter says every single day, the Lord waits. We are to understand that to be his long suffering. We are to understand that that is because he desires that everyone Should come to repentance Verse 10, but the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. That phrase was used by Jesus repeatedly.
To describe a time when people were not ready, the thief doesn’t call in advance and say, I’m going to be there at 7:00 PM. Make sure you have the dogs out and make sure you got the gun loaded and make sure the doors are locked. He comes when you’re not ready. God will come Not on a day prophesied by some religious fanatic who thinks he knows how to interpret signs and symbols,
but on a day of his choosing, where there will be no signs of his coming according to Jesus, but as a day or as a thief in the night in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise. And the elements will melt with fervent heat, both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up Jesus Or excuse me,
Peter, as he is writing to these Christians says there was a day when God wiped the planet, clean with water. But When this judgment comes, when the day comes, where he returns, when he is revealed on that final day, it’s not going to be wiping the planet clean. It’s going to be burning it up. It is reserved For fire.
And he says the works And the substance of this earth will be no more. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons are you to be in Holy conduct and godliness looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved being on fire. And the elements will melt with fervent heat.
Nevertheless, we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a newer in which righteousness dwells. Peter brings forward old Testament language of a new heavens and a new earth, a new dwelling place for the people of God, God, We’ve made it clear in our studies in the adult class. That every time we see new heavens and new earth,
it’s not supposed to be an interpretation of exactly what’s going to happen. It’s supposed to be a picture, an old Testament picture of God, preparing a place for his people. Jesus made this statement. Jesus said, I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go, then I will come and bring you to where I am. Jesus.
This did not promise the apostles a home on this earth. Jesus did not promise his apostles, a dwelling place on this earth where he would return to them. And well with them, Jesus promised his apostles at dwelling place in heaven, where he would return and bring them to Him self. But yet notice this phrase in verse 12, Peter says, We don’t know when the day will be.
We don’t know when Jesus will return, but he does say what we are to be doing. In the meantime We are to be looking for And hastening The coming of the day of God. What does he mean? What does Peter mean? Buying the idea that we’re to be looking for and hastening the, The day of God? Well, first of all,
Well, we read in the previous verse that because all these things will be dissolved because there’s coming a day when this earth will be no more. When this universe will be no more. When the works of this earth will be no more. We ought to live in Holy conduct and godliness. If we live our lives here in view of our lives, there,
we will live our lives, Then holiness in this life. But he also makes it clear that we don’t just live our lives in holiness saying like, well, someday I’m going to die. We live our lives every day as if today Might be our last. We look for that day. Not just the day when our lives are over because we die of old age or we die of some disease.
We don’t look for that day. We look for the return Of Christ and we do so with anticipation. Sometimes we struggle with that idea. Sometimes we go, but I want to see my kids grow up, but I want to see my grandkids, But I want to see fill In the blank and that’s not wrong nor unnatural, but in our better moments,
when We put our mind in view of the word of God, we go. But Oh, what a day? That will be When my children, who I want to see, grow up, never Have to experience pain again. When those who have gone before, who I’ve attended Their funerals and I’ve laid them in the ground, I get to see again,
you win. We struggle with the here and now and the, what we can see and the, what we can hope for, but God Dozens. And yet he calls upon us while we are still here to not focus on tomorrow. But the soul Is lost today. Therefore we are supposed to be looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God.
When you hasten the coming of the day of God, you preach the gospel. When you hasten the coming of the day of God, you prepare the world for what God wants. And that is that no one Should fail to come to repentance. We are to be those who are looking for the coming of the day of God. We are also be those who are preparing this world for that day,
but one other passage, or the second passage that I want us to notice is just a few pages over in your new testaments. In first John chapter four first John chapter four, John has spent the bulk of this chapter discussing the attribute of love That belongs to God. Okay? Not just that God does that, which is love, but God is love.
And in verse 17, we read the love has been perfected among us in this that we may have boldness In the day of judgment because as He is, so are We in this world? One Of the greatest things that God Has given us is love when we didn’t deserve it is love when we couldn’t ask for it. His Love when we had no rights To it,
because the attribute of love is the center. Most attribute of God. And he loved us when we were unworthy. And so we, as Christians, as we develop ourselves and understand who he is, as we grow in our knowledge of him, as we come closer to every day, we are to become Love. We are to have love perfected in us.
But notice this. He says, when love is perfected in you, you can stand in the day of judgment because as he is, so are we in this world therefore, or excuse me, there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made. Perfect in love. We love him because he first loved.
God said, you’re lost. You’re in your sins and you’re going to die. And if you die in that state, my justice has no choice. My justice must punish you if you die in that state, But I’m going to do everything I can to make sure you don’t Die in that state. So John Jay Chapter three verse 16 said for God,
so loved the world that he gave. His only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting. He loved us first and yet the last day is coming. One more passage, Romans chapter two, Peter tells us that there are those who will doubt. Peter tells us there were those. There are those who will deny. Peter tells us that it’s coming.
And it’s a shirt and is promised by God. Peter tells us that when it comes, everything that is in this physical world will be destroyed, But for God’s people, a new home awaits. But as Paul Writes to the church at Rome and deals with the problem of the Jews and the Gentiles and their, their divisiveness towards one another and God’s plan for both of them,
Paul writes to these Christians and he writes to them about that Day, Beginning in verse one, he read, we read, therefore you are inexcusable. He is addressing the Jews at the moment. He says, therefore, you are inexcusable old, man, whoever you are on who judge for in whatever you judge another, you condemn yourself for you, who judge practice the same things.
He addresses the Jews who look at the world around them and all the Gentiles. And they accuse them and they judge them and they judge them unworthy of God. And yet he addresses these Jews and says, you who judge someone else and then commit the same thing that you judge them for. Judge yourself, You condemn Yourself. But he says, but we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.
Paul is not leaving the implication that God’s not going to judge the wicked. Paul is saying, if you’re judging someone who’s wicked and then committing the same wickedness, you’re judging, God’s going to judge you too. His righteousness or excuse me, His judgment is according to truth. But then he says, verse three. And do you think this old man,
you who judge those practicing such things and doing the same, that you will escape. Yeah. Judgment of God. Paul makes it clear hypocrisy. And those who practice, it will be judged by God. But he goes on verse four. Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance and long suffering, non knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance.
This is D do you look at everything God’s given you everything God’s blessed you with as a nation Israel. And you see God’s goodness in his forbearance and his love and his long suffering. And you look at it and you don’t learn from It. You Don’t use that. Goodness, that long suffering that forbearance as an impetus for repentance To admonish you to do What is right.
But he says, verse five in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart, you are treasuring up for yourself, wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. Paul, as he writes to these Jews, as he writes to these Jews, he writes to them and says, if you’re going to judge someone for their sin,
fine, but not. If you’re going to commit the same sin, then you’ve judged yourself. And if you think you can live as a hypocrite, judging someone else in committing the same thing you need to know, all you’re doing is storing up banking away, investing for the future, but you’re not investing good things. You’re not investing righteousness. You’re not investing in blessings reward.
Your investing RAF. You are storing up wrath for the day of wrath. Now wait a minute. I thought the judgment day was going to be a great day. I thought the last day was going to be a day of blessing and rejoicing. I thought the day of judgment was going to be a day when those who are righteous, come in and are welcomed by God.
It is. And yet Jesus said there was coming a day. When those who would stand before God would be separated. He said there would be a day when there would be those who had done works in his name and prophesied in his name and then done many wonderful works in his name, who he would say depart from me. You workers of iniquity.
I never knew Paul is telling these Christians, if you agree, Nor the blessings of God and the forbearance of God and the long suffering of God, and you don’t learn that you can’t live the way your ancestors did, but instead that you must repent, you will receive the same judgment, the same condemnation and the same RAF. They receive verse six.
He describes the judgment of God. He will render to each one, according to his deeds, eternal life, to those who by patient continuance in doing good, seek for glory honor. And immortality Paul says for those who don’t live like this, who don’t live in hypocrisy, Who don’t judge others and then do what they have judged. But instead those who live every day,
looking for glory, looking for honor looking for immortality, not someone wandering around in this world looking to glorify themselves, not someone wandering around in this world looking to honor themselves, not someone looking for immortality for themselves, But who are looking for the attributes of God to instill in themselves. He says, but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth,
but obey unrighteousness, indignation, and wrath, tribulation, and anguish on every soul of man who does evil of the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor, and peace to everyone who works. What is to the Jew first and also to the Greek. You remember back over in Romans chapter one, Paul makes it clear that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Paul says the Jew is going to receive the gospel. First is going to have the opportunity of salvation first but less. You think God is partial. They’re also going to be judged first. They’re also going to have wrath first or blessing first, depending upon whether or not they obey the gospel that was preached to them. And then the Greek verse 11 for there is no partiality with God,
for as many as have sinned without the law will also perish without the law. And as many of sin in the law will be judged by the law for not the hearers of the law are, are just in the sight of God. But the doers of the law will be justified for when the Gentiles who do not have the law by nature, do the things in the law.
These, although ha not having the law are a law to themselves who show the work of the law, written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness and between themselves, their thoughts accusing or else excusing them in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ. According to my gospel, Paul makes it clear. The Jews had the law of Moses,
the Gentiles didn’t. But when God finds a Gentile who obeyed the truth in the law though, he was never one who received the law. He will judge him according to his works and the Jew who received the law of Moses. And didn’t keep it. He will judge him according to his Works, but Jew and Gentile alike have now received the gospel To the Jew and the Gentile in that day.
And today Paul says he will judge them according to the guy. So where does that leave us? It leaves us in John chapter 12, Actually in John chapter 12, Jesus would say to these Jews, He who believes in me verse 44, believes not in me, but in him who sent me. And he who sees me, sees him, who sent me.
I have come as a light into the world. And whoever believes in me should not abide in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and not believe I do not judge him Four, I did not come to judge the world, but Save the world. He who rejects me And does not receive my words has that Judges, him, the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.
It leaves us here with a promise that is assured with a day that we are to be looking and hastening, but a day in which we know we will Judged not by an arbitrary ruler, not by wills or fickle decisions, But by the word that Jesus spoke, because he says, my word will judge you in the last day. Well, how will we be judged?
We will be judged according to Two hour works. How then are we to live in all in all Holy conduct and conversation looking for and hastening the day of the Lord. If you’re outside the body of Christ, you are outside of the gospel. That brings salvation. Yes. If you are outside of the gospel, that brings salvation. You are outside Of the hope of eternity.
If you are outside of the hope of eternity, you reside in the wrath God, and there’s coming a day where you will stand before him in judgment. And all you will have as you stand before him in judgment is your evil Needs to testify concerning your works. You say, well, wait a minute, but I’ve done good things too. Yes,
but unfortunately good deeds do not merit salvation. Only a perfect sacrifice can obtain salvation. And one who is sinned cannot be a perfect sacrifice, but that’s okay because that’s why God first loved us and sent his son to die on the cross for your sins and for mine. So if you’re outside the body of Christ outside the gospel and outside of hope, you can change that by coming into contact with the blood of the sacrifice of Christ.
But how do you do? You don’t do it by just faith. You don’t do it by prayer. You do it by hearing the word of God and obeying it. You do it by hearing the gospel and then doing what it says. What does it say to do? Jesus said that except you believe that I am, he you’ll die in your sins.
And that’s true. But Jesus also said, except you repent. You will die in your sins. And that’s also true. But he also said, you have to believe in me. And that involves a confession and a recognition of who he is, that he is the Christ, the son of living. God, not just that. He was some somewhere.
Not that he was just some prophet, not that he was Elijah or one or Isaiah or one of the profits, but he was Jesus Christ. The son of God. Well then having done that, you have to come into contact with his blood. You have to die to sin and you do that in a watery grave of baptism because Jesus said he,
that believes and is baptized shall be saved. You have need of that this morning. You can do that. You’re outside the body of Christ. You have hope you’re a member of the body of Christ. That’s not been living like tomorrow may be your last day. You also have hope, but it involves change. You have need of the invitation. Why not come now?
As we stand in, as we sing<inaudible> but blah<inaudible> and<inaudible> me.<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> and<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> to the<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> just<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> and<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> like, like<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> like, like Song before the closing prayer will be number 852. When the roll is called up yonder heed five,
two. When the Trump and other launch on sound and time shall be no more and no morning breaks. You turn up bright and fast. When they’re saved, gather over on the, the shore. And our role is called up yonder. I’ll be there. Hey, when he was called up and when he was called up,<inaudible> when the role is called up beyond<inaudible> on that ride in cleanliness morning when the dead in Christ shall rise and the glory of his resurrection<inaudible> when his chosen one shall gather to their home.
The guys and their role is called the beyond. Be<inaudible> is called up.<inaudible> when a roll is called up beyond a I’ll be the Hey neighbor for the master, from the Dawn to setting side, there’s talk of here’s one dress and Kay, Hey<inaudible> is over. And a work on earth is done and the roll is called up yonder<inaudible> is called up<inaudible> and it’s called up.
And when a roll is called up beyond a hobby, What’d you buy with me the God and father in heaven. We’re indeed thankful for another beautiful day of life. That you’ve blessed us with father. We’re thankful for this hour that we were able to worship the same prices under the and father. We pray that our worship today has been acceptable and pleasing in that site,
by the word mindful at this time, if those who have been mentioned sick, we pray father, if it bait, I will, that you are turning them back to a good state of health and their most wanted health. They can be back with us, by the way. We’re also mindful that we have members here. They may be traveling and we pray father that you will be with them and comfort them as they travel.
And that they may have a safe destination. Father were thankful for your son, Jesus, and that great sacrifice on that cross. And we just pray father that as we leave this building and go back to our workplace and being out in the public and those around us, we can be that shining light and that good example of bring lost souls today, father,
we pray that you’ll be with this country, with the issues that are going on and father, we know that it’s possibly a shame, no doubt. It’s a shame at times, father, and we pray that you will be with the leaders of this country, father, that we can turn this country back around and bring praise and glory today. But I would pray that you’ll be with us and keep us safe.
Forgive us of our sins in Jesus name. Amen.