Sermon nuggets Fri March 28
Theme Easter benefits
Verses- John 5:25-30 I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.
28 "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out-- those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.
30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. (NIV)
Second Coming
Fortunately, we have more information than just his passage regarding the second coming of Jesus Christ. Yes we will rise again. We will hear his voice and come out of the grave. Just as Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come forth.” So it will be with the saints.
I have often received mail, material on the internet, and books claiming special insights and revelation from God to men claiming they know when Jesus is going to return. They are claiming something that Jesus couldn’t claim. They say things like-“after 1,000 of hours of Bible study, fasting and prayer”, “the Holy Spirit gave me this revelation”, “ “ I’ve had a vision from God that told me of Jesus return.”
I have to admit that I’ve become hardened to that. Most of the stuff ends up in the wastebasket or deleted. Is it because I am not interested in the timing of Jesus return? No, I am interested. I just believe that when God said no one knows, I take Him at his word and am not particularly interested in wasting my time plowing through those painstaking details of people who consider a part of a verse or some combination of numbers to be their final proof to have figured out the code, or puzzle hidden since the 1st century. Unfortunately, I’ve seen many such revelations divide the family of God and people in their pride. In pride some claim superior knowledge, or others ridiculing and disassociating with brothers in Christ because they make such statements.
Some of you might remember such grand predictions during a coming comet Kohoutek in 1973, or 88 Reasons Why Jesus Would Come In 1988 by Edgar Whisenant. Further predictions came from well meaning Christian leaders at the turn of the century in 1996 (since Jesus was born in 4 BC), and 2000. Well, those times came and are past.
Some people have looked at these writings, sermons, or blogs and have been convicted by God of their need for salvation. They realized they were not ready to meet the Lord and time on earth is short. They wanted to be sure where they would spend eternity. I praise the Lord that even through wrong information, some have come to faith. I don’t know how many left the churches because of false guessers.
There are signs and prophecies given to us. Yes, I believe the time is soon based on the world events, particularly in the Middle East. We need to be spiritually prepared. We need to tell others of our hope in Christ.
Jesus is claiming power to His listeners that He will raise the dead. He was raised from the dead. He showed by his resurrection that it is true; all people will get up again.
I read an article in Readers Digest of a poor lady selling flowers. PT Barnes picked a flower from her and said, “You look happy this morning.”
“Why not? Everything is good. When Jesus was crucified on Good Friday, that was the worst day for the whole world. Then 3 days later—Easter. So when I get troubles I’ve learned to wait 3 days. Somehow everything gets all right again.”
That’s good advice for most things do resolve themselves in 3 days, but there is a far greater significance as to what happened those three days. Jesus overcame Satan, death and was victorious over any power. That is why people in miserable situations hold fast to Christ and know they are on the winning team even if they sacrifice their lives. There is resurrection. He is coming again.
Pastor Dale
