Pastor Dave Martin ~ Cross Creek Community Church ~ March 18, 2007
“Is Jesus Coming Again?”
Friend Day
· Welcome to “Friend Day”… Today – “Is Jesus Coming Again?”, Next Sunday – “Crossing into Eternity”
After 14 years of studying the Bible, William Miller became convinced that Christ would return in 1843. When Miller announced April 3 as the day, some disciples went to mountaintops, hoping for a head start to heaven. Others were in graveyards, planning to ascend in reunion with their departed loved ones. Philadelphia society ladies clustered together outside town to avoid entering God's kingdom amid the common herd. When April 4 dawned as usual the Millerites were disillusioned, but they took heart. Their leader had predicted a range of dates for Christ's return. They still had until March 21, 1844. The devout continued to make ready, but again they were disappointed. A third date--October 22, 1844--was set, but it also passed.
Today in the Word, December 20, 1991.
Matthew 24:36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
· Is Jesus coming again or is it just wild speculation among religious fanatics? God’s Word says much…
· It’s estimated there are over 2100 references to the Second Coming of Christ in the Bible… In the N.T this is 1 out of every 30 verses! In fact 23 of the 27 New Testament books refer 318 times to this great event.
· For every prophecy concerning the birth of Christ there are 8 looking forward to His return! 8 to 1 ratio!
· Is the world ripe for the return of Christ? Turn if you will to Mt 24 or page 700 in your pew Bible…
We are going to look at five key questions concerning Jesus Christ…
1. Who is Jesus? 2. Why did He come to earth 2000 years ago? 3. Is He coming again? 4. What signs precede His return? 5. How does this apply to me ~ Am I ready?
Five Key Questions…
1. Who is Jesus Christ?
John 1:1-3,14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us…
Matthew 1:23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us."
John 10:30 I and the Father are one." (See also - Jn 10:30-33, 20:28; Phil 2:5-8; Col 1:15-20; etc.)
· The pre-existent Christ, identical in essence with God… joined Himself to sinful humanity – incarnation
· Act of assuming flesh… God incarnate was one Person in two natures—fully divine and fully human.
· 100% God and 100% man WITHOUT the sinful nature… Jesus is the name ABOVE all names!
· How do you describe the indescribable? There are 256 names given in the Bible for the Lord Jesus Christ
· He is infinitely beyond all that any one name could express…
Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8) Lion of Judah (Rev. 5:5) Anointed One (Ps. 2:2)
Lord of Lords (Rev. 19:16) Author of Life (Acts 3:15) Mighty God (Isa. 9:6)
Branch (Zech. 6:12) Nazarene (Matt. 2:23) Bright and Morning Star (Rev. 22:16) Christ (Matt. 1:16) Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6) Rabbi (John 1:38)
Daystar ( 2 Pet. 1:19) Root of David (Rev. 5:5) Everlasting Father (Isa. 9:6)
Root of Jesse (Isa. 11:10) Gate (John 10:9) Son of David (Matt. 15:22)
Good Shepherd (John 10:14) Son of God (Mark 1:1) Holy and Righteous One (Acts 3:14) Son of Man (Matt. 8:20) I Am (John 8:58) True Vine (John 15:1)
Immanuel (Isa. 7:14) Wonderful Counselor (Isa. 9:6) King of Kings (Rev. 19:16)
Word (John 1:1) Lamb (Rev. 5:6-13) Word of God (Rev. 19:13)
Lamb of God (John 1:29)
Friend of God - A minister, having served the same church for many years, decided to leave and take a similar position in another church. Without telling anyone he had made this decision, or writing a letter to the congregation, he waited until Sunday morning to announce his resignation in church. When he ended his message he said, "The same Jesus that called me to this church many years ago has now called upon me to leave and serve another church." Then for the closing hymn, the choir all stood and sang, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."
Who is Jesus Christ? God in Human Flesh
2. Why did Jesus come to earth 2000 years ago?
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (See also – Acts 1:9-11,2:22-24,3:19; Rom 10:9-10,13; Heb 4:15; 1Pet 2:22-25; etc.)
Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
· LOVE was God’s motivating factor in sending Jesus into this world to redeem mankind ~ forgiveness of sin
· Human race stands condemned… BUT Jesus came to seek and to save those who would believe on Him.
Ø To Fulfill prophecy ~ Messiah, Miracles, Rejection
John 1:11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
Matthew 11:5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.
Matthew 26:63-67 63 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." 64 "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied… Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! … "He is worthy of death," they answered. 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him…
Ø To go to Calvary ~ Death, Burial, Resurrection, Ascension
2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Luke 24:6a He is not here; he has risen! (There are over 300 verses that speak to Christ’s resurrection!)
Acts 1:9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
Acts 1:11 "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."
My Redeemer Lives – Ps 103:4; Job 19:25; Eph 1:7
Who is Jesus Christ? God in Human Flesh
Why did Jesus come to earth? To Redeem Sinners
3. Is Jesus Coming Again?
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In Revelation, in the last chapter of the last book of the Bible Jesus tells us 3 times He’s returning. |
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The first time Jesus came as a baby in Bethlehem, the second time as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah |
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He came into the world born of a virgin… He returns in power and great glory as King of kings & L of L! |
Revelation 22:7 "Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book."
Revelation 22:12 "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.
Revelation 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
(See also – 1Co 15:23-26,51-53; 1Thes 4:13-17; 1Tim 6:13-15; Tit 2:11-13; Jn 14:1-3; etc.)
1Co. 15:52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
· "Flash – NIV / moment - KJV" – "atomos" – atom – in the smallest part of time! Very Quick!!
· "Twinkling" – "rhipe" to hurl, rapid movement
GE estimated the blink of the eye is 1/50th of a second. Its been estimated we blink 25 times per minute. That means if you drive your car 55 mph on a 10 hour trip, you drive 33 miles with closed eyes!
Is Jesus Coming Again? YES ~ Sure, Sudden, Soon!
A little girl after being taught about the 2nd coming of Christ, was quizzing her mother… “Mommy, do you believe Jesus will come back?” “Yes.” “Today?” “Yes.” “In a few minutes?” “Yes, dear.” “Mommy, could you comb my hair?”
Who is Jesus Christ? God in Human Flesh
Why did Jesus come to earth? To Redeem Sinners
Is Jesus Coming Again? YES ~ Sure, Sudden, Soon!
4. What “Signs” Precede Christ’s Return? (Mt 24, Lu 21, Mk 13)
Matthew 24:3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"
· Two days before Christ’s arrest and crucifixion… we see Jesus teaching His disciples when He will return
· The second coming of Jesus Christ is like billboards along the highway giving a preview of things to come
· Driving to Florida you see dozens of signs hundreds of miles out promoting South of the border & Pedro.
· Seeing all these signs preps you to the reality of actually seeing the tourist trap of “South of the Border”…
· Jesus too, said there were going to be “signs” pointing to the reality of the literal return of Jesus to earth.
· “Sign” – an indication, a wonder – a sign post, a signal pointing to the actual return of Christ…
· Are we close? Prophetically everything as been fulfilled… waiting for the trumpet call of God… world ripe.
· There are actually many “signs” spoken about in God’s Word describing the events when Christ returns
· Technology explosion, travel modes & speeds, false religious systems, disintegration of the family, Israel a nation in 1948, increased seismic activity, persecution of Christians & Jews, pleasure crazy, drug use, increased occult practices, demonic activity, Immorality, etc…
· But we are only going to look at three “signs” that Jesus spoke about this morning…
Ø Deception & False Teachers
Matthew 24:4-5 4 Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. (See also - Mk 13:22-23; Mt 24:11,24; etc.)
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Jesus gave the sign about false teachers who will become widespread… deceiving many |
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“Religion” claim they have “a way” to heaven and it’s usually based on works – good deeds, merit… |
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Jim Jones in 1978 led 914 followers to drink cyanide laced grape drink… promising them heavenly bliss |
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“Islam” propagates hatred & violence… submit or die - originating with the teachings of a religious and political figure Mohammad a 7th century Arab. It is the 2nd largest religion in the world today, with an estimated 1.4 billion adherents spread across the globe known as Muslims. Wed Apr 4th -Islam & WWIII |
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A false religion where they teach children to strap on bombs to blow up innocents… growing 3% / year |
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Fight them over there or here in the streets of America – how soon we forget 911 (politicians) |
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Most major news outlets have been doing stories on a man from Florida: Jose Luis De Jesus Miranda |
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His church is called “Growing in grace”. Followers of the movement say they have proof that their minister is divine and that their church will one day soon be a major faith in the world. |
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When the crowd spots him, it goes wild. People chant, "Lord! Lord! Lord!" It quickly becomes clear that they're referring to him. "It's Jesus Christ himself!" a preacher onstage announces. "Let's welcome Jesus Christ Man!" |
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In 2004 he named himself Jesus Christ and the ultimate authority on the gospel. Tattooed 666 on arm |
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Followers have protested Christian churches in Miami and Latin America, disrupting services and smashing crosses and statues of Jesus. (He claims hundreds of thousand followers in 30 countries) |
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Receiving $136,000 salary, De Jesus preaches there is no devil, no sin and Hell does not exist. His followers, he says, literally can do no wrong in God’s eyes. |
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The church calls itself the “Government of God on Earth” and uses a seal similar to the United States. |
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“My purpose,” he explains, “is to close down every church so the true church can begin. You could say I’m leading the greatest reformation that has ever happened.” – The sign of Deception & false teachers |
The Lord sees everything going on in your life…
A burglar broke into a house one night. He shined his flashlight around, looking for valuables, and when he picked up a CD player to place in his pack, a strange, disembodied voice echoed from the dark saying, "Jesus is watching you."
He nearly jumped out of his skin, clicked his flashlight out, and froze. When he heard nothing more after a bit, he shook his head, promised himself a vacation after the next big score, then clicked the light on and began searching for more valuables. Just as he pulled the stereo out so he could disconnect the wires, clear as a bell he heard,
"Jesus is watching you." Freaked out, he shone his light around frantically, looking for the source of the voice. Finally, in the corner of the room, his flashlight beam came to rest on a parrot. "Did you say that?", he hissed at the parrot.
"Yep," the parrot confessed, then squawked, "I'm just trying to warn you."
The burglar relaxed. "Warn me, huh? Who in the world are you?"
"Moses," replied the bird. "Moses?" the burglar laughed. "What kind of people would name a bird Moses?"
"The kind of people that would name a Rottweiller Jesus."
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Escalating Global Terror
Matthew 24:6-7 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
Luke 21:25 "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. (See also - Mt 24:9, 37; Gen 6:5,11,13; etc.)
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We’re witnessing a great time of anguish & perplexity – problems with “no way out solutions”… |
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North Korea w’ nuclear missiles, Iran pushing for the nuke bomb… claiming the Holocaust was a hoax |
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Modern weaponry that can destroy the entire globe… WMD’s – In Iraq a Chlorine attack 3/17/07 |
Matthew 24:37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
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What were the days of Noah like? Earth was filled with violence, terror, wickedness |
Genesis 6:5 The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.
Genesis 6:11 Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight and was full of violence.
Genesis 6:13 So God said to Noah, "I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.
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Hearts & imagination of their minds was continually evil… earth was filled with terror. Gen 6;5,11,13 |
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Can we pause from our routines today and see what’s happening globally through God’s eyes? |
Ø Increased Wickedness
Matthew 24:12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, (See also - 1Tim 4:1; 2Tim 3:1-5; etc.)
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Little moral restraint, no right or wrong, situation ethics… valueless |
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Breakdown of traditional family values, corrupt Politicians governing by the latest opinion polls… |
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Bloodshed, violence, racial hatred, moral decay, drug abuse and outbreak of deadly sexual diseases in our society. Lawmakers, educators and the media have made God an unspeakable subject. |
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Reject God and His Word… sin will become greater & greater. Lives become torn & broken |
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We’re seeing a climate of permissiveness and tolerance in today's culture… from sport stars to the Hollywood elites… anything goes… Television, internet, immorality abounds |
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Increase of wickedness produces a decrease in love… We must love others as Christ loves them… |
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Jesus, just before you return what will it be like… what signs??? Deception – terror – wickedness |
5. Are You Ready?
Matthew 24:44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Dale Earnhardt, “The Intimidator," was
approaching the last turn of the last lap of the Daytona 500 when his car was
sent head-on into the wall at 180 mph. An autopsy revealed that he died from the
force of his head whipping back and forth on his neck, and by the force of his
chin hitting the steering wheel. It has been suggested by some that had he been
wearing a device designed to support the head and neck in a collision, he may
have survived. But Earnhardt, like many other NASCAR drivers, refused to wear
the device because it interfered with his ability to drive the car. That choice
cost him his life.
Those of you who have not placed your faith firmly and fully on Jesus Christ are headed for a terrible collision; a collision with God’s Himself. We answered many questions this morning… are you ready to meet Jesus?
Genuine Salvation…
· Admit my sin & be willing to turn from it (repentance).
· Believe Jesus sacrificially died for your sin & rose again.
· Invite Jesus Christ to come into your life as Savior & Lord.
Let’s Pray
Next week: “Crossing into Eternity”