Come Lord Jesus.
This week I'd like to look at two of the most important aspect of Christian faith; resurrection and Christ's return.
I've put the two together to highlight the importance that resurrection has for us, and those who have believed throughout the ages. This idea is highlighted in 1 Thess 4. (read it now.)
I was at a fraternal at Sunderland a good few years ago when the speaker said he was going to guess the subject of the favourite verse of those sitting in the audience. It was a resounding win for verses pointing to resurrection and the return of Christ. (Acts 1:11 and 1 Thess. 4:16 being the outright winners). I suppose it highlights the desire we have for Christ to be here now.
To turn the theme to a more personal note, the question is 'are you ready?'
This topic came up a few years ago when the Gulf War first broke out. Out of a congregation of 50-ish, only 2 said they were ready. I think I fall in the category of 'not totally ready, but as ready as I'm ever going to be'.
I know that I can't be righteous by myself. If I live a perfect life, yet without God, the best I can hope for is a no score draw (to take Paul's example of sport and winning into perspective). Without Jesus I'm nothing.
But with Jesus, I can be everything.
Baptism is a way of accepting our failings and being sorry for them. It is also an association with Christ, and his return.
For all the exams and tests we take, there is really only one that counts; it's wanting to be baptised and follow Jesus. Being a Christian doesn't involve taking exams, it's the practical which counts. There's no revising, because you live it every day.
Following Jesus means trying to follow his examples. Putting others first, helping when you can, showing the world that Christ's way is the best way. Because time is running out.
There is a wonderful Greek phrase in 1 Cor 16:22. “If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.” I think the translators didn't want to make a mistake so left the last word in Greek. I was told that the reason for this is that there are two possibilities 'maran atha' and 'marana tha'. I can't remember which is which but one means 'the Lord shall come/reward' and the other 'the avenger shall judge'. (I'm not sure of the exact translations other than one is beneficial and the other, not!) There are two sides. That Jesus will come is fact. We need to decide on whose side we are to be on.
I suppose that that is the major step. Once we've chosen the Lord's side, there's just baptism and trying to live our lives the way God wants.
It's the ability to make decisions that shows our maturity. I've know people in their 70's who can't be classed as mature.
I was baptised when I was 17. Wanting to be ready when Christ came was a major factor in deciding to be baptised. It felt to me like a life insurance policy. In the event of an accident or emergency I was protected. Like any policy (or covenant) it requires a little bit of pay back, in this case by following God's rules and Christ's examples, but they don't cost anything. In fact they are positively positive.
Add to that the opportunity to be with my Grandparents again, to have my sister be able to hear, and all in a perfect world. It's an offer not to be missed!
So back to the question, are YOU ready?