Learning for Life: 9:30 am
JOIN our Worship Service: 11:00 am
Listen to the sermon: Ron Phillips
Watch the recent Worship Service
“A Powerful Gospel”
Bulletin: November 12 2023
Scriptures: Psalm 146; 1 Thessalonians 1; Matthew 16:21-28
Songs:
- Days of Elijah (lyrics; video)
- Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (video, Westminster, background)
- The King of Love My Shepherd Is (lyrics & melody, video, choir, celtic w lyrics, history, meditation)
- The Solid Rock (video with lyrics, history)
- Hear the Call of the Kingdom (lyrics & melody, video)
Ron Phillips
The news these days makes it clear we need Jesus. We are looking for him to come and to save our world. When Jesus comes again, it will be to set things right once and for all.
If we imagine, for a moment, a complex battle between a large group of people. Then, someone steps in who is able to sort things out. Part of what they must do is judge who has done and said what. One hopes in those moments that everyone accepts the judges’ decision so there can be peace.
We believe that God has held Jesus back from returning, not because God doesn’t care about all the suffering, but out of patience, not wanting anyone to be lost. When Jesus comes again, it will be as the judge of humanity, and God wants as many as possible to be ready to accept Jesus’ decisions.
Paul wrote about the coming day when Jesus would return to the church in Thessalonica, and we still have a copy of that letter today. Paul exhorted them to be ready. They knew it was coming, and they knew Jesus would save them. If they were ready, that day would be joyful: they would get to be part of the crowd of Saints welcoming Jesus in his return. To be ready did not involve any mysterious secret knowledge about dates or events. Being ready just meant living good and loving lives of prayer. May the Holy Spirit help us to be ready.