The Glorifying Grace of God Series Series #3: The Second Coming of Jesus Christ Over the course of history, there had been numerous hoaxes related to the second coming of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, there had been believers who were misled in the process. People from other faiths and religious persuasions have also been victimized by erroneous teachings about the end of the world. This tells us- that all over the world, there is a universal belief that somehow, sometime soon- there will be an end to this world. Question for reflection and discussion What are your thoughts and feelings regarding the end of the world? As we progress in our focus on the glorification of believers, we will be touching on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. For us Christians, the idea of the end of the world is intimately connected with the second coming of Jesus Christ, which in turn is inseparable to the glorification of believers. The glorification of believers will take place in the second coming of Jesus Christ. Glorification will not happen until Jesus’ second coming. The book in the Bible that gives us an understanding of the second coming of Jesus Christ is Revelation. Starting today, we will look at some of the important messages of this book. Read Revelation 22:12-21 The passage above affirms one foundational truth essential to the Christian faith: Jesus Christ is coming again. The second coming of Jesus Christ is true and definite. Three times in Rev 22, Jesus declares, “I am coming soon.” [vs 7, 12, 20], signifying its serious importance to Jesus and to everyone. Question for reflection and discussion If the doctrine of His second coming is important to Jesus then it must be for Christians everywhere as well. It is a message that we must take seriously. How would our life and values change if we seriously pay attention to Jesus’ second coming? However, Jesus in the second coming will come as a judge, no longer a savior. In His second coming Jesus will pronounce judgment on all people with all finality [Read v12-15]. What determines our eternal destiny is what we do with our life right now in relation to Jesus Christ; that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone [Eph 2:8]. And until then, the church and the believers have a mandate to let others know about this invitation [Read Rev 22:17]. The bride [referring to the church, the body of Christ] in conjunction with the Holy Spirit is mandated by Jesus to be the vessel to invite people to Jesus Christ. This mandate is both corporate [the bride / the church] and individual [“the one who hears say come”]. Question for reflection and discussion The seriousness about the second coming of Jesus Christ is a motivating factor for us to let others know about Jesus Christ. We are God’s vessel so that they may come to know Jesus. Faith Fellowship Aurora is again providing this opportunity particularly to those whom we invited and made a commitment to Jesus Christ during G.COMM last July 27 to join our 10:30am and 3:30pm services on Dec 14. What can we do to make this happen? It is also important for us to understand that the seriousness of the message of the second coming of Jesus applies to churches and Christians as well. The book of Revelations is primarily a message and warning to the church; that we who have heard must keep on encouraging one another to always come and draw near to Jesus Christ. All of us are reminded to acknowledge our need for Jesus for He alone can satisfy our thirst. We are to never stop desiring to be filled over and over again by Jesus. It is free, but it is ours only if we take it. [v17]. This means that the second coming of Jesus Christ should also have an impact in the way that we treat each other. Question for reflection and discussion Let us think of ways on how we as a cell group can encourage one another until the second coming of Jesus Christ. Close by praying for each other
Posted on: Sun, 09 Nov 2014 00:31:21 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015