Archive for the ‘Second Coming’ Category

27 Oct

Are You Ready?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Christian Living, Eternal Life, Faith, God's Word, Salvation, Second Coming, The Good News.

Can you beat this fall weather? This is one of my favorite seasons. The down-side to this time of year is that winter is just around the corner, in fact, it may come this week. This leads to the realization that preparations need to be made for freezing temperatures. In light of this fact, I spent some time Monday at Lake George winterizing the lawn sprinklers. And, here at home, the camper has been made ready for storage.

The Bible has something to say about being prepared for winter: “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest” (Proverbs 6:6). Preparing for winter is a good idea for all of us, and it involves storing up provisions for a long winter.

Perhaps the most important preparation is the one we make for our eternal destination. Jesus had this to say concerning his someday return: “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matthew 24:44). “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 4:7).

If your preparation for eternity consists of doing good works, let me give you a tip. No one gains access to the throne of God by doing good works. Why? Because no one can earn their salvation; it is a free gift of God, made available to all who will believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. This should be a familiar verse: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8). Referring to the Old Testament, the apostle Paul asked, “What does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Romans 4:3). You see, even in the Old Testament, people were not saved by following the law, but by faith in the promised Messiah, just as people are today.

How are you preparing for your eternity? Are you storing up treasures on earth, or are you counting on the riches of heaven, made available through the once for all sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross?

“Jesus is coming back one day, ready or not.” (Passion Network)

Prepared,
Pastor Jerry

3 Dec

Advent

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, Eternal Life, Second Coming, The Good News.

The warm weather continues. The comment was made today in church, that with the shortage of livestock feed, we can be thankful that the cattle are consuming less on these mild days. I can report that my knee surgery is done, and the pain of the injury is gone. The pain I have now is much less severe, and hopefully healing follows. It appears I will soon be able to resume taking care of business.

Yesterday (Sunday), marked the beginning of the Advent Season. For most, it is a countdown to Christmas, and a reminder of the incarnation, or the first coming of the Lord Jesus. As I look at the things going on in the world today, I am convinced that we need to be looking for the second coming of our Lord. It is well and good to anticipate the Christmas season, but also to look forward to the promise of a time he will come for his people.

God promised that he would send a Savior, which he did when Jesus became a human baby. And while Jesus did everything necessary to save us when he came the first time, he also promised to come again. Then all God’s promises will be completely fulfilled. So again we are waiting. Waiting patiently for God to fulfill his promises is what it means to have faith.

I’m not one to dwell on the subject of the second coming, but it really is something to think about. For the Christian, it will be a time of rejoicing as we see the Savior face to face. For all who do not believe, it will be a time of dread and sorrow.

Jesus has promised to return and judge the world: “When the Son of Man comes n his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left” (Matthew 25:31-33). The rest of the chapter tells us the sheep will be rewarded with heaven and the goats will be judged and sent to eternal punishment.

Jesus is coming again! Are you ready?

Watching and waiting,
Pastor Jerry

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