WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.620 We do pray, Father, that even as I speak now and preach this message, 00:00:04.860 --> 00:00:09.279 that you would be the one who would give it power by your spirit, 00:00:09.460 --> 00:00:13.019 that you would make your word alive to us, that you would grow us in Christ, 00:00:13.620 --> 00:00:19.519 that we would be growing up in our faith and growing up in our love and our dependence on you. 00:00:20.000 --> 00:00:22.559 And we pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:24.240 --> 00:00:27.440 When I was a young adult, and I hate to say it's a little while ago, 00:00:27.440 --> 00:00:29.600 but when I was a young adult, late teenager, 00:00:30.960 --> 00:00:35.820 the big issues in the world or the Western world for people like us, 00:00:35.900 --> 00:00:38.939 the things that we lived with a certain level of fear about, 00:00:39.200 --> 00:00:41.500 were things like nuclear Armageddon. 00:00:43.460 --> 00:00:48.420 It was still 1977 when I came to Christ, the Cold War was still happening. 00:00:50.620 --> 00:00:56.159 The Berlin Wall hadn't come down at the end of that age. 00:00:56.159 --> 00:01:01.959 And throughout high school, you know, some of the nuclear weapons were still being tested, 00:01:02.099 --> 00:01:06.420 some of the really large ones around the world as the big nations, the superpowers, 00:01:07.120 --> 00:01:08.579 rattled their sabres. 00:01:09.280 --> 00:01:13.259 And in the Christian circles that I mixed in, 00:01:13.939 --> 00:01:18.579 it was really common for people to be talking about when the world was going to end 00:01:18.579 --> 00:01:20.400 and when Jesus was going to return. 00:01:21.219 --> 00:01:24.739 And it wasn't just in one or two churches, it was in many churches. 00:01:24.739 --> 00:01:27.640 And there were a lot of books that were written coming out of the United States. 00:01:28.280 --> 00:01:33.839 A guy called Hal Lindsay that was read in lots of churches wrote books like The Late Great Planet Earth, 00:01:34.519 --> 00:01:39.640 which had a particular view about how the end of the world would come about, 00:01:39.739 --> 00:01:41.759 how it would happen, when it would be. 00:01:42.140 --> 00:01:47.879 And I think people were anticipating that it was likely to be in our own lifetime. 00:01:47.879 --> 00:01:57.939 I suspect that some of the big issues which dominate the thinking of young adults 00:01:57.939 --> 00:02:03.599 when we think about cataclysmic-type issues right now are issues like climate change 00:02:03.599 --> 00:02:06.000 and what it might do to the world, 00:02:06.079 --> 00:02:08.919 what the world into the future is going to be like to live in. 00:02:08.919 --> 00:02:14.579 I think our perspective on the end of time varies according to where we live. 00:02:14.719 --> 00:02:19.239 So at the moment we're living in a place and a point of time in history 00:02:19.239 --> 00:02:22.939 where we're fairly privileged, where we live with a fair amount of wealth, 00:02:23.659 --> 00:02:28.239 where we are able to access goods from nearly any place on the surface of the earth, 00:02:28.399 --> 00:02:32.359 where our TV is dominated by things like food programs 00:02:32.359 --> 00:02:34.359 and the next fancy meal that we can eat. 00:02:34.360 --> 00:02:39.980 I saw a wonderful new cookbook from, was it Donahay or was it Nigella the other day? 00:02:40.980 --> 00:02:42.940 Absolute treat, drooling looking at it, 00:02:43.000 --> 00:02:45.680 but knowing I can't eat those things if I'm going to keep slimming down. 00:02:46.480 --> 00:02:48.040 But it's good to think about it. 00:02:48.940 --> 00:02:55.280 But I wonder whether when we live in significant comfort, 00:02:56.000 --> 00:03:01.600 if we're not really anticipating the things of God in terms of the return of Christ 00:03:01.600 --> 00:03:03.480 and what that might mean for us. 00:03:04.360 --> 00:03:08.880 The very last prayer at the end of the Bible, the very last words of the Bible are, 00:03:09.100 --> 00:03:10.220 Come Lord Jesus. 00:03:11.660 --> 00:03:14.820 And if you're like me, like a week or two before I got married, 00:03:14.900 --> 00:03:16.180 that's not a prayer I wanted to pray. 00:03:16.960 --> 00:03:20.160 It was like, oh, come Lord Jesus, but not yet, 00:03:20.280 --> 00:03:22.840 because I still want to experience what it's like to be married. 00:03:24.100 --> 00:03:26.320 Somebody told me a story like that this morning. 00:03:26.319 --> 00:03:33.159 But if I was living in southern Sudan or south Sudan where Darian Klentsos has just visited 00:03:33.159 --> 00:03:37.219 with some other people from Sydney or the Central African Republic 00:03:37.219 --> 00:03:45.459 where Christians have been killed at the hands of Muslim tribes in recent days, 00:03:45.539 --> 00:03:46.379 300 people. 00:03:46.379 --> 00:03:51.859 They're having days of mourning right now for 300 people that have been killed in the last few weeks. 00:03:52.359 --> 00:03:57.620 If I was a member of one of those families and experiencing the seriousness of the suffering 00:03:57.620 --> 00:04:01.079 which they are going through at this point of time, 00:04:02.019 --> 00:04:05.019 then it might be a very easy thing for me to pray, 00:04:05.020 --> 00:04:06.860 Come Lord Jesus. 00:04:07.640 --> 00:04:08.780 Come Lord Jesus. 00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:11.300 Rescue us from this terrible mess. 00:04:11.980 --> 00:04:14.840 Save us from this time of trial. 00:04:17.660 --> 00:04:22.500 So when I was growing up, everybody had a bit to say about Christ's coming. 00:04:24.060 --> 00:04:30.699 I was told when I was at theological college that there were American leaders in the Reagan years 00:04:30.699 --> 00:04:32.340 who were linked to the administration. 00:04:32.519 --> 00:04:34.019 This is back in the 1980s. 00:04:34.019 --> 00:04:41.419 And they believed that God had given them the ability to push the nuclear button 00:04:41.419 --> 00:04:44.459 and trigger a nuclear war. 00:04:45.219 --> 00:04:50.439 And in their mind they could do that because they could see such circumstances 00:04:50.439 --> 00:04:55.120 precipitating the return of Christ with this nuclear Armageddon. 00:04:55.199 --> 00:04:58.479 They're helping God along by making things happen for him. 00:04:58.620 --> 00:04:59.500 That's the mentality. 00:04:59.500 --> 00:05:06.899 At the same time, early 1980s, around the corner from Coorong in West Dride, 00:05:06.959 --> 00:05:10.180 there was a church that met upstairs in one of the buildings there. 00:05:10.899 --> 00:05:15.220 And they made a name for themselves around Sydney because for a period of 12 or 18 months 00:05:15.220 --> 00:05:20.860 they drove around in vans which proclaimed the return of Christ and the specific date when it was going to occur. 00:05:20.860 --> 00:05:28.240 And you could go to one of those, their church, and you could be sure that their minister was serious about what he was saying. 00:05:28.360 --> 00:05:30.400 He wasn't trying to lead people astray. 00:05:30.399 --> 00:05:36.519 But he had a group of people gathered around him who were dead set certain it was a matter of faith that this date, 00:05:36.579 --> 00:05:39.219 I forget what it was, Christ was going to return. 00:05:39.319 --> 00:05:44.419 And as it drew near and the night arrived, the Sydney media were onto it and they were gathered outside 00:05:44.419 --> 00:05:47.599 and the television networks were broadcasting throughout the evening. 00:05:47.839 --> 00:05:52.399 Not because they were expecting Jesus to return, they were expecting it to fall on their face. 00:05:52.399 --> 00:05:53.919 And that's what happened. 00:05:55.039 --> 00:06:00.979 Though the night wore on, Jesus didn't return, it got later and later, it got into the early hours of the morning 00:06:00.979 --> 00:06:06.859 and finally people started to come out of the building and go home looking very disillusioned 00:06:06.859 --> 00:06:11.719 because they had had this strong faith that Jesus was about to do something, 00:06:11.819 --> 00:06:14.000 that God was about to do something in our midst. 00:06:14.579 --> 00:06:15.560 And it didn't happen. 00:06:17.579 --> 00:06:19.739 We experienced the bazaar. 00:06:19.740 --> 00:06:22.860 A Catholic community down the south coast of New South Wales. 00:06:22.980 --> 00:06:26.840 There was a bloke called William Cam who was known as the Little Pebble. 00:06:27.540 --> 00:06:34.680 Well, the Little Pebble went to prison in 2006 convicted of repeated child sexual abuse. 00:06:35.699 --> 00:06:40.420 He led this Catholic community which was anticipating the return of Christ, the end of the world. 00:06:40.879 --> 00:06:44.120 There's a whole heap of quotes I could read to you but let me just read one. 00:06:44.900 --> 00:06:45.300 He said, 00:06:45.300 --> 00:06:51.819 Many people believe a nuclear war might never happen but within the framework of the year 2000 to 2004, 00:06:52.300 --> 00:06:59.060 during the Third World War, China will attack Japan, Asia and Russia will come to the aid of Europe 00:06:59.060 --> 00:07:05.060 and it is to be noted that Russia will attack the United States from or through Alaska via Cuba. 00:07:05.060 --> 00:07:12.860 It hasn't happened. 00:07:15.740 --> 00:07:21.720 In 1925, a group of people in Sydney from the Theosophical Society spent £10,000, 00:07:22.160 --> 00:07:23.459 which was a huge sum of money. 00:07:23.560 --> 00:07:26.060 I wish I'd turned it into today's language but I haven't, 00:07:26.060 --> 00:07:32.780 to build an amphitheatre down at Balmoral Beach, a Grand Pavilion, 00:07:32.939 --> 00:07:37.959 which I don't think is there anymore but it was called the Star Amphitheatre 00:07:37.959 --> 00:07:43.740 and they were expecting the second coming of Jesus Christ 00:07:43.740 --> 00:07:47.019 and they built it in that place because they were going to sit there in the stands 00:07:47.019 --> 00:07:50.000 and welcome his arrival as he walked on the water through Sydney Heads. 00:07:50.000 --> 00:07:50.060 Thank you. 00:07:50.060 --> 00:07:50.560 Thank you. 00:07:50.560 --> 00:07:50.620 Thank you. 00:07:50.620 --> 00:07:50.680 Thank you. 00:07:50.680 --> 00:07:50.779 Thank you. 00:07:50.779 --> 00:07:50.819 Thank you. 00:07:56.060 --> 00:07:57.639 I keep this. 00:07:57.740 --> 00:07:58.740 I treasure this book. 00:07:59.439 --> 00:08:03.120 I treasure it because it's rubbish but I treasure it. 00:08:04.439 --> 00:08:06.420 It's written by a man called John Cable. 00:08:07.759 --> 00:08:11.420 In 1981, when I've been a Christian for years, 00:08:12.500 --> 00:08:16.459 John Cable, Deputy Principal at Frenchess Forest High School, 00:08:17.480 --> 00:08:21.620 not far away, wrote this book called Stir Up Your Mind, The Trumpet Will Sound 00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:25.019 and he resigned his job in the school 00:08:25.019 --> 00:08:29.860 to dedicate himself for the next 12 months of living for Christ 00:08:29.860 --> 00:08:33.960 and proclaiming to people that Jesus is going to return in 1982 00:08:33.960 --> 00:08:36.019 because he's been into the scriptures 00:08:36.019 --> 00:08:37.919 and he is convinced by the scriptures, 00:08:38.460 --> 00:08:40.159 especially the passages in Daniel, 00:08:40.639 --> 00:08:42.940 that this is when these things are going to happen. 00:08:46.759 --> 00:08:48.460 If you sat in his church, 00:08:49.100 --> 00:08:50.799 you'd probably think he was a good bloke, 00:08:50.799 --> 00:08:52.679 a sincere Christian, 00:08:54.219 --> 00:08:57.719 but what do we need to be able to say about these things? 00:08:57.839 --> 00:08:59.819 What is wrong with them, all of them? 00:09:05.899 --> 00:09:08.120 The polite word is rubbish. 00:09:10.519 --> 00:09:13.439 I've got a better word and I don't think I can use it. 00:09:15.399 --> 00:09:16.479 It's rubbish. 00:09:16.479 --> 00:09:16.539 It's rubbish. 00:09:21.059 --> 00:09:23.219 We ran this in our small group the other night 00:09:23.219 --> 00:09:25.399 and it's interesting because even within our small group, 00:09:25.479 --> 00:09:27.959 we could say it was rubbish and we knew why it was rubbish 00:09:27.959 --> 00:09:30.299 because there's a whole lot of scriptures that you can go to 00:09:30.299 --> 00:09:32.620 where Jesus says no one knows the day or the hour 00:09:32.620 --> 00:09:33.819 and we'll go there in a minute. 00:09:36.199 --> 00:09:38.279 But even as we sat in our small group, 00:09:38.379 --> 00:09:39.559 I think within our group, 00:09:39.659 --> 00:09:43.319 we would be persuaded by someone who was amongst us, 00:09:43.319 --> 00:09:44.699 who seemed like a nice person, 00:09:44.779 --> 00:09:45.919 who seemed to know their Bible 00:09:45.919 --> 00:09:48.019 and who seemed to be able to unfold things for us. 00:09:50.279 --> 00:09:52.579 And it's protective of the people of God 00:09:52.579 --> 00:09:53.959 for us to know the scriptures 00:09:53.959 --> 00:09:57.740 and it's sometimes alright for us to say to one another, 00:09:57.959 --> 00:09:59.099 that's rubbish. 00:10:00.979 --> 00:10:02.719 I don't mean in an ungodly way, 00:10:02.799 --> 00:10:04.639 but there's some things that we can believe 00:10:04.639 --> 00:10:06.099 that actually cause a lot of harm 00:10:06.099 --> 00:10:07.039 and this is one of them. 00:10:07.120 --> 00:10:07.979 This is rubbish. 00:10:07.980 --> 00:10:12.220 Now in a sense, 00:10:12.360 --> 00:10:14.340 speculation about the return of Jesus 00:10:14.340 --> 00:10:15.700 began with Jesus himself. 00:10:15.779 --> 00:10:16.500 He caused it. 00:10:17.519 --> 00:10:18.800 Days before his death, 00:10:19.340 --> 00:10:20.560 he said to his friends, 00:10:20.620 --> 00:10:22.340 I hope he'd laugh with me if I said that 00:10:22.340 --> 00:10:23.480 in his presence, 00:10:23.560 --> 00:10:24.399 which is in his presence 00:10:24.399 --> 00:10:25.340 because his spirit's here, 00:10:25.800 --> 00:10:26.920 but days before his death, 00:10:26.980 --> 00:10:28.360 he said to his friends, 00:10:28.899 --> 00:10:30.420 John 14 verse 2, 00:10:30.779 --> 00:10:32.740 in my father's house are many rooms, 00:10:32.899 --> 00:10:33.840 if it were not so, 00:10:33.879 --> 00:10:34.779 I would have told you. 00:10:34.779 --> 00:10:38.199 And I am going there to prepare a place for you. 00:10:39.139 --> 00:10:41.139 And if I go and prepare a place for you, 00:10:41.199 --> 00:10:43.299 I will come back and take you to be with me 00:10:43.299 --> 00:10:45.579 that you also may be where I am. 00:10:46.379 --> 00:10:47.259 So what's he saying? 00:10:47.319 --> 00:10:47.679 He's saying, 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:48.559 I'm going, 00:10:49.079 --> 00:10:50.139 I'm coming back, 00:10:50.519 --> 00:10:51.620 I will get you 00:10:51.620 --> 00:10:54.319 and I will take you to be where I am. 00:10:55.659 --> 00:10:57.559 Jesus spoke very definite words 00:10:57.559 --> 00:10:58.860 to his friends and his followers 00:10:58.860 --> 00:11:00.360 and at the end of chapter 14, 00:11:00.500 --> 00:11:01.199 he said again, 00:11:01.559 --> 00:11:03.199 do not let your hearts be troubled 00:11:03.199 --> 00:11:04.600 and do not be afraid 00:11:04.600 --> 00:11:07.320 you heard me say that I'm going away 00:11:07.320 --> 00:11:08.720 and I'm coming back to you. 00:11:09.460 --> 00:11:10.820 If you loved me, 00:11:11.440 --> 00:11:14.100 you would be glad that I am going to the father 00:11:14.100 --> 00:11:16.000 for the father is greater than I 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:19.159 and I have told you now before it happens 00:11:19.159 --> 00:11:20.420 so that when it does happen, 00:11:20.519 --> 00:11:21.320 you will believe. 00:11:22.720 --> 00:11:23.800 Forty days later, 00:11:23.920 --> 00:11:25.460 Jesus speaks his last words 00:11:25.460 --> 00:11:26.779 in the sight of his disciples 00:11:26.779 --> 00:11:27.860 in Acts chapter one, 00:11:27.940 --> 00:11:29.000 maybe 50 days later 00:11:29.000 --> 00:11:31.040 and he says to them, 00:11:31.200 --> 00:11:32.759 it is not for you to know the times 00:11:32.759 --> 00:11:34.319 or the dates the father has set 00:11:34.319 --> 00:11:35.379 by his own authority, 00:11:35.379 --> 00:11:38.039 but you will receive power 00:11:38.039 --> 00:11:39.919 when the Holy Spirit comes on you 00:11:39.919 --> 00:11:41.720 and you will be my witnesses 00:11:41.720 --> 00:11:42.580 in Jerusalem 00:11:42.580 --> 00:11:44.600 and in all Judea and Samaria 00:11:44.600 --> 00:11:46.539 and to the ends of the earth. 00:11:47.220 --> 00:11:49.000 And after he had said this, 00:11:49.039 --> 00:11:51.100 he was taken up before their very eyes 00:11:51.100 --> 00:11:52.759 and a cloud hid him from their side. 00:11:52.759 --> 00:11:56.220 And they were looking intently up into the sky 00:11:56.220 --> 00:11:57.059 as he was going 00:11:57.059 --> 00:11:59.980 when suddenly two men dressed in white 00:11:59.980 --> 00:12:01.080 stood beside them. 00:12:02.080 --> 00:12:03.759 Men of Galilee, they said, 00:12:04.259 --> 00:12:06.819 why do you stand here looking into the sky? 00:12:06.939 --> 00:12:07.919 This same Jesus 00:12:07.919 --> 00:12:10.240 that has been taken from you into heaven 00:12:10.240 --> 00:12:12.700 will come back in the same way 00:12:12.700 --> 00:12:14.279 that you have seen him go into heaven. 00:12:15.840 --> 00:12:18.559 So the disciples have been asking about the future 00:12:18.559 --> 00:12:20.220 and Jesus is pretty blunt. 00:12:20.220 --> 00:12:22.180 He doesn't say rubbish like this, 00:12:22.300 --> 00:12:22.740 but he says, 00:12:23.060 --> 00:12:25.060 that's my father's business. 00:12:26.200 --> 00:12:27.340 They want to know about the future? 00:12:27.580 --> 00:12:28.980 That's my father's business. 00:12:29.100 --> 00:12:30.120 That's for him to know 00:12:30.120 --> 00:12:31.980 and he will act when he is ready. 00:12:33.519 --> 00:12:34.660 But in the meantime, 00:12:34.940 --> 00:12:36.240 he will empower you 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:38.360 by the Spirit of God 00:12:38.360 --> 00:12:40.160 to be his witnesses to the world. 00:12:43.200 --> 00:12:44.740 Now we're going to pick up this idea 00:12:44.740 --> 00:12:45.980 over the next couple of weeks. 00:12:46.620 --> 00:12:48.120 The curtain is coming down 00:12:48.120 --> 00:12:49.460 on Jesus' first visit. 00:12:49.460 --> 00:12:51.139 He was here for a time. 00:12:51.500 --> 00:12:52.300 He went away 00:12:52.300 --> 00:12:53.740 and while he is away, 00:12:53.840 --> 00:12:55.120 we haven't been left alone. 00:12:55.860 --> 00:12:58.100 God has sent his Spirit upon believers 00:12:58.100 --> 00:12:59.800 so that we can still function 00:12:59.800 --> 00:13:02.139 as his witnesses into all the world. 00:13:03.780 --> 00:13:05.139 Now there's a few ideas 00:13:05.139 --> 00:13:06.120 which are tucked in here. 00:13:06.220 --> 00:13:07.440 It comes out of Acts chapter 1. 00:13:07.519 --> 00:13:09.620 We live between the two comings of God 00:13:09.620 --> 00:13:10.500 into his world. 00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:13.180 He defines history. 00:13:14.580 --> 00:13:16.500 We live between his first coming 00:13:16.500 --> 00:13:17.639 and his second coming. 00:13:18.759 --> 00:13:20.559 The last 2,000 years 00:13:20.559 --> 00:13:21.940 are not just dark ages 00:13:21.940 --> 00:13:22.779 and middle ages 00:13:22.779 --> 00:13:23.539 and renaissance 00:13:23.539 --> 00:13:24.580 and reformation 00:13:24.580 --> 00:13:25.980 and industrial revolution 00:13:25.980 --> 00:13:31.419 and now the information age. 00:13:32.340 --> 00:13:33.620 The 20th century 00:13:33.620 --> 00:13:34.679 was not merely marked 00:13:34.679 --> 00:13:35.899 by two world wars. 00:13:36.019 --> 00:13:36.679 We are defined 00:13:36.679 --> 00:13:38.159 by something even greater. 00:13:38.779 --> 00:13:40.200 We live between the first 00:13:40.200 --> 00:13:41.299 and the second coming 00:13:41.299 --> 00:13:42.320 of Jesus Christ 00:13:42.320 --> 00:13:43.059 into the world. 00:13:43.059 --> 00:13:45.399 And so God 00:13:45.399 --> 00:13:46.759 who stepped into our world 00:13:46.759 --> 00:13:47.979 almost unnoticed 00:13:47.979 --> 00:13:48.759 as a baby 00:13:48.759 --> 00:13:50.119 in Bethlehem 00:13:50.119 --> 00:13:51.879 will come again 00:13:51.879 --> 00:13:52.639 and be noticed 00:13:52.639 --> 00:13:53.399 by everyone. 00:13:53.539 --> 00:13:54.539 So the second coming 00:13:54.539 --> 00:13:55.219 isn't going to be 00:13:55.219 --> 00:13:56.000 a hidden coming. 00:13:56.319 --> 00:13:57.019 It's going to be 00:13:57.019 --> 00:13:57.839 a seen coming 00:13:57.839 --> 00:13:58.719 and it will be noticed 00:13:58.719 --> 00:13:59.479 by everybody 00:13:59.479 --> 00:14:00.599 at the same time. 00:14:02.139 --> 00:14:03.139 In Acts chapter 1 00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:04.359 he goes up into the clouds 00:14:04.359 --> 00:14:05.159 while the disciples 00:14:05.159 --> 00:14:06.219 they're craning their necks 00:14:06.219 --> 00:14:06.659 and wondering 00:14:06.659 --> 00:14:07.619 what's going on 00:14:07.619 --> 00:14:09.279 and Revelation chapter 1 00:14:09.279 --> 00:14:09.879 verse 7 00:14:09.879 --> 00:14:10.239 look, 00:14:10.399 --> 00:14:12.259 he describes his return. 00:14:12.259 --> 00:14:12.899 Look, 00:14:12.980 --> 00:14:13.559 he is coming 00:14:13.559 --> 00:14:14.299 with the clouds 00:14:14.299 --> 00:14:15.200 and every eye 00:14:15.200 --> 00:14:16.080 will see him 00:14:16.080 --> 00:14:17.559 even those 00:14:17.559 --> 00:14:18.519 who pierced him 00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:20.480 and all the peoples 00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:21.019 of the earth 00:14:21.019 --> 00:14:21.500 will mourn 00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:22.259 because of him 00:14:22.259 --> 00:14:23.620 and so shall it be. 00:14:24.299 --> 00:14:24.559 Amen. 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:28.860 So history 00:14:28.860 --> 00:14:30.120 is about God's purposes 00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:33.340 and Jesus' 00:14:33.600 --> 00:14:34.419 clear statement 00:14:34.419 --> 00:14:34.919 of intent 00:14:34.919 --> 00:14:35.799 to his disciples 00:14:35.799 --> 00:14:37.179 is that they will be 00:14:37.179 --> 00:14:38.340 his witnesses 00:14:38.340 --> 00:14:40.059 to all the world. 00:14:40.279 --> 00:14:40.980 That's our mission. 00:14:42.259 --> 00:14:43.840 It's the defining purpose 00:14:43.840 --> 00:14:44.899 of God's church. 00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:48.580 God has empowered us 00:14:48.580 --> 00:14:50.200 by his spirit 00:14:50.200 --> 00:14:51.620 to communicate 00:14:51.620 --> 00:14:52.939 by our lives 00:14:52.939 --> 00:14:54.319 and by our words 00:14:54.319 --> 00:14:56.279 the love of God 00:14:56.279 --> 00:14:57.740 and the kingship of Christ 00:14:57.740 --> 00:14:59.039 to the world. 00:15:00.039 --> 00:15:01.279 It's a great privilege. 00:15:01.279 --> 00:15:04.819 So when we think 00:15:04.819 --> 00:15:05.539 about who we are 00:15:05.539 --> 00:15:06.299 as a church 00:15:06.299 --> 00:15:08.699 Christ's intentions 00:15:08.699 --> 00:15:09.339 for us 00:15:09.339 --> 00:15:10.860 must be first 00:15:10.860 --> 00:15:11.600 and foremost 00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:12.500 in our thinking 00:15:12.500 --> 00:15:14.419 and that is 00:15:14.419 --> 00:15:15.679 as much as we come together 00:15:15.679 --> 00:15:16.759 to strengthen each other 00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:17.279 in a gathering 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:18.240 like this tonight 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:19.740 he wants us 00:15:19.740 --> 00:15:20.139 out there 00:15:20.139 --> 00:15:20.740 in the world 00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:22.399 declaring the true things 00:15:22.399 --> 00:15:23.039 about Christ 00:15:23.039 --> 00:15:23.559 to the people 00:15:23.559 --> 00:15:24.139 that we know 00:15:24.139 --> 00:15:26.379 and he doesn't just 00:15:26.379 --> 00:15:27.399 want us declaring it 00:15:27.399 --> 00:15:27.959 he gives us 00:15:27.959 --> 00:15:28.519 the power 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:29.460 to be able 00:15:29.460 --> 00:15:30.240 to influence 00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:30.879 men and women 00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:31.679 and boys and girls 00:15:31.679 --> 00:15:32.240 who are out there 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:32.879 around us. 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:37.840 Now it's true 00:15:37.840 --> 00:15:42.399 2,000 years later 00:15:42.399 --> 00:15:44.299 affluent north shore 00:15:44.299 --> 00:15:44.799 of Sydney 00:15:44.799 --> 00:15:49.000 and Jesus coming 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:49.939 just seems 00:15:49.939 --> 00:15:51.659 a little bit slow 00:15:51.659 --> 00:15:53.319 and maybe even 00:15:53.319 --> 00:15:54.419 a little bit quaint. 00:15:57.600 --> 00:15:59.100 People had an expectation 00:15:59.100 --> 00:15:59.980 of him coming back 00:15:59.980 --> 00:16:00.980 in their lifetime. 00:16:02.259 --> 00:16:03.360 They'd heard the angel 00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:04.799 say why do you stand here 00:16:04.799 --> 00:16:05.639 looking into the sky 00:16:05.639 --> 00:16:06.539 this same Jesus 00:16:06.539 --> 00:16:07.480 who has been taken 00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:08.519 from you into heaven 00:16:08.519 --> 00:16:09.659 will come back 00:16:09.659 --> 00:16:10.379 in the same way 00:16:10.379 --> 00:16:11.259 that you have seen him 00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:12.019 go into heaven. 00:16:13.939 --> 00:16:14.759 Other people 00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:15.579 had heard Jesus 00:16:15.579 --> 00:16:16.779 say that he would return. 00:16:16.899 --> 00:16:17.720 A number of places 00:16:17.720 --> 00:16:18.600 in the New Testament 00:16:18.600 --> 00:16:20.839 express expectations 00:16:20.840 --> 00:16:21.560 differently. 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:23.120 In Luke chapter 17 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:23.980 Jesus says 00:16:23.980 --> 00:16:25.620 just as it was 00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:26.639 in the days of Noah 00:16:26.639 --> 00:16:28.840 so also it will be 00:16:28.840 --> 00:16:29.379 in the days 00:16:29.379 --> 00:16:30.320 of the Son of Man. 00:16:31.680 --> 00:16:32.820 People were eating 00:16:32.820 --> 00:16:33.700 and drinking 00:16:33.700 --> 00:16:34.560 and marrying 00:16:34.560 --> 00:16:35.420 and being given 00:16:35.420 --> 00:16:35.920 in marriage 00:16:35.920 --> 00:16:36.860 up until the day 00:16:36.860 --> 00:16:37.340 that Noah 00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:38.360 entered the ark 00:16:38.360 --> 00:16:40.340 and then the flood 00:16:40.340 --> 00:16:41.240 came and destroyed 00:16:41.240 --> 00:16:41.680 them all. 00:16:45.660 --> 00:16:46.200 So Jesus 00:16:46.200 --> 00:16:46.840 is sort of saying 00:16:46.840 --> 00:16:48.120 well life goes on 00:16:48.120 --> 00:16:49.820 the world 00:16:49.820 --> 00:16:50.540 the world turns 00:16:50.540 --> 00:16:52.820 people get hitched 00:16:52.820 --> 00:16:53.600 and sometimes 00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:54.280 unhitched 00:16:54.280 --> 00:16:56.720 Noah built his ark 00:16:56.720 --> 00:16:57.660 something that took 00:16:57.660 --> 00:16:59.300 a hundred years 00:16:59.300 --> 00:17:00.760 until the judgment 00:17:00.760 --> 00:17:01.320 came 00:17:01.320 --> 00:17:04.039 and plenty of people 00:17:04.039 --> 00:17:05.120 must have been there 00:17:05.120 --> 00:17:06.500 shaking their heads 00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:08.380 at this strange man 00:17:08.380 --> 00:17:10.000 building this strange 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:11.539 vessel in the desert. 00:17:12.900 --> 00:17:13.519 Ridiculous. 00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:18.839 Jesus' first coming 00:17:18.839 --> 00:17:20.000 was a long time ago 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:21.079 it seems remote 00:17:21.079 --> 00:17:21.980 and it seems 00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:22.839 distant 00:17:22.839 --> 00:17:23.759 and maybe 00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:25.019 a little foolish 00:17:25.019 --> 00:17:26.000 to believe in it. 00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:28.920 Second coming. 00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:32.599 But his followers 00:17:32.599 --> 00:17:33.639 thought differently. 00:17:35.299 --> 00:17:36.440 They expected 00:17:36.440 --> 00:17:37.759 his imminent return 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:38.819 they were living life 00:17:38.819 --> 00:17:39.920 expecting Jesus 00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:40.779 to come back 00:17:40.779 --> 00:17:42.079 very very soon. 00:17:42.079 --> 00:17:44.759 and so it became 00:17:44.759 --> 00:17:45.539 a very serious 00:17:45.539 --> 00:17:46.480 problem for them 00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:47.559 when fellow believers 00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:48.759 died before Jesus 00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:49.399 returned. 00:17:50.599 --> 00:17:51.099 And you come to 00:17:51.099 --> 00:17:51.740 this passage 00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:53.460 in 1 Thessalonians 00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:54.240 chapter 4 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:56.539 and Paul is writing 00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:57.759 a pastoral response 00:17:57.759 --> 00:17:59.079 to a very real world 00:17:59.079 --> 00:17:59.639 problem. 00:18:00.519 --> 00:18:01.259 Our brothers and 00:18:01.259 --> 00:18:02.139 sisters have died 00:18:02.139 --> 00:18:03.240 Jesus hasn't come 00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:03.539 back 00:18:03.539 --> 00:18:04.579 what's their status 00:18:04.579 --> 00:18:05.279 where are they 00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:05.879 with the Lord? 00:18:05.880 --> 00:18:08.540 And he says 00:18:08.540 --> 00:18:09.720 brothers and sisters 00:18:09.720 --> 00:18:10.640 we do not want you 00:18:10.640 --> 00:18:11.300 to be ignorant 00:18:11.300 --> 00:18:11.980 about those 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:12.820 who fall asleep 00:18:12.820 --> 00:18:13.680 or to grieve 00:18:13.680 --> 00:18:14.360 like the rest 00:18:14.360 --> 00:18:14.880 of people 00:18:14.880 --> 00:18:16.040 who have no hope. 00:18:17.160 --> 00:18:17.980 We believe 00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:18.920 that Jesus died 00:18:18.920 --> 00:18:20.100 and rose again 00:18:20.100 --> 00:18:21.080 and so we believe 00:18:21.080 --> 00:18:21.840 that God 00:18:21.840 --> 00:18:22.900 will bring with Jesus 00:18:22.900 --> 00:18:23.660 those who have 00:18:23.660 --> 00:18:24.340 fallen asleep 00:18:24.340 --> 00:18:24.860 in him. 00:18:26.260 --> 00:18:26.980 According to 00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:28.060 the Lord's own word 00:18:28.060 --> 00:18:28.660 we tell you 00:18:28.660 --> 00:18:29.300 that we who are 00:18:29.300 --> 00:18:29.960 still alive 00:18:29.960 --> 00:18:30.520 who are left 00:18:30.520 --> 00:18:31.240 until the coming 00:18:31.240 --> 00:18:31.940 of the Lord 00:18:31.940 --> 00:18:33.360 will certainly 00:18:33.360 --> 00:18:34.200 not precede 00:18:34.200 --> 00:18:34.840 those who have 00:18:34.840 --> 00:18:35.640 fallen asleep. 00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:37.620 For the Lord 00:18:37.620 --> 00:18:38.480 himself will come 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:39.220 down from heaven 00:18:39.220 --> 00:18:40.260 with a loud command 00:18:40.260 --> 00:18:41.020 with the voice 00:18:41.020 --> 00:18:41.880 of the archangel 00:18:41.880 --> 00:18:42.660 and with the trumpet 00:18:42.660 --> 00:18:43.540 call of God 00:18:43.540 --> 00:18:44.520 and the dead 00:18:44.520 --> 00:18:45.060 in Christ 00:18:45.060 --> 00:18:46.240 will rise first 00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:48.080 and after that 00:18:48.080 --> 00:18:49.040 we who are still 00:18:49.040 --> 00:18:49.900 alive and are left 00:18:49.900 --> 00:18:50.640 will be caught up 00:18:50.640 --> 00:18:51.480 together with them 00:18:51.480 --> 00:18:52.160 in the clouds 00:18:52.160 --> 00:18:53.460 to meet the Lord 00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:54.040 in the air 00:18:54.040 --> 00:18:55.700 and so we will be 00:18:55.700 --> 00:18:56.380 with the Lord 00:18:56.380 --> 00:18:56.820 forever. 00:18:57.120 --> 00:18:57.980 Therefore encourage 00:18:57.980 --> 00:18:58.460 each other 00:18:58.460 --> 00:18:59.340 with these words. 00:19:01.020 --> 00:19:01.800 He's saying to them 00:19:01.800 --> 00:19:02.500 don't worry 00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:04.880 they won't miss out 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:07.260 death won't cheat 00:19:07.260 --> 00:19:08.040 you out of the joy 00:19:08.040 --> 00:19:08.540 of God's 00:19:08.540 --> 00:19:09.400 Christ's return 00:19:09.400 --> 00:19:10.540 Christ will bring 00:19:10.540 --> 00:19:11.460 his people with 00:19:11.460 --> 00:19:11.660 them. 00:19:11.880 --> 00:19:12.660 Death does not 00:19:12.660 --> 00:19:14.140 defeat the purposes 00:19:14.140 --> 00:19:14.740 of God. 00:19:18.340 --> 00:19:19.480 Christians believe 00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:20.320 very distinctive 00:19:20.320 --> 00:19:21.820 things about life 00:19:21.820 --> 00:19:22.480 after death. 00:19:23.620 --> 00:19:24.880 We believe in the 00:19:24.880 --> 00:19:25.920 resurrection of all 00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:26.340 people. 00:19:26.339 --> 00:19:26.399 people. 00:19:28.919 --> 00:19:30.220 We don't believe 00:19:30.220 --> 00:19:31.379 in reincarnation 00:19:31.379 --> 00:19:32.619 one cycle of life 00:19:32.619 --> 00:19:33.079 to another 00:19:33.079 --> 00:19:33.779 one creature 00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:34.359 to another. 00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:37.159 We don't believe 00:19:37.159 --> 00:19:38.119 in annihilation 00:19:38.119 --> 00:19:39.639 back to dust 00:19:39.639 --> 00:19:40.439 with no further 00:19:40.439 --> 00:19:41.199 consequences. 00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:44.379 We believe in 00:19:44.379 --> 00:19:44.919 the resurrection 00:19:44.919 --> 00:19:45.939 of all people 00:19:45.939 --> 00:19:46.579 to face the 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:47.459 judgment of God 00:19:47.459 --> 00:19:48.299 and ultimate 00:19:48.299 --> 00:19:49.679 responsibility 00:19:49.679 --> 00:19:50.159 accountability. 00:19:51.879 --> 00:19:52.959 We believe in 00:19:52.959 --> 00:19:53.980 the justice of God 00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:54.699 which does not 00:19:54.699 --> 00:19:55.359 allow us to 00:19:55.359 --> 00:19:55.740 escape 00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:56.420 responsibility. 00:19:58.180 --> 00:19:59.120 We believe in 00:19:59.120 --> 00:20:00.039 the mercy of God 00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:00.500 in the Lord 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:01.279 Jesus Christ 00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:02.160 which allows us 00:20:02.160 --> 00:20:03.120 to stand safe 00:20:03.120 --> 00:20:03.799 at the judgment. 00:20:05.900 --> 00:20:06.660 When we recite 00:20:06.660 --> 00:20:07.160 the Apostles 00:20:07.160 --> 00:20:07.819 Creed we did a 00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:08.400 little while ago 00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:09.240 we say that we 00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:10.059 believe in the 00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:11.160 resurrection of 00:20:11.160 --> 00:20:11.819 the dead. 00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:16.359 And so for the 00:20:16.359 --> 00:20:17.380 Christian person 00:20:17.380 --> 00:20:18.559 the return of the 00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:19.599 Lord Jesus Christ 00:20:19.599 --> 00:20:20.660 is full of hope. 00:20:22.859 --> 00:20:23.859 Faith in him 00:20:23.859 --> 00:20:25.119 will be vindicated 00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:26.059 when we see him 00:20:26.059 --> 00:20:27.000 face to face. 00:20:29.639 --> 00:20:30.500 Believers who 00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:31.179 have died the 00:20:31.179 --> 00:20:31.859 most horrible 00:20:31.859 --> 00:20:32.519 deaths through 00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:33.259 the ages 00:20:33.259 --> 00:20:35.339 will stand before 00:20:35.339 --> 00:20:36.039 the resurrected 00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:37.479 Christ with 00:20:37.479 --> 00:20:38.119 their own 00:20:38.119 --> 00:20:39.240 magnificently 00:20:39.240 --> 00:20:40.519 resurrected bodies. 00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:44.240 Every one of 00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:45.199 our friends and 00:20:45.199 --> 00:20:46.019 relatives will 00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:46.859 stand before the 00:20:46.859 --> 00:20:47.679 Lord Jesus and 00:20:47.679 --> 00:20:48.279 acknowledge him 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:48.740 as king. 00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:52.000 it's a really 00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:53.039 interesting thought 00:20:53.039 --> 00:20:55.720 because most of 00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:56.440 us have friends 00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:57.079 and associates 00:20:57.079 --> 00:20:57.839 and relatives 00:20:57.839 --> 00:20:58.640 that we would be 00:20:58.640 --> 00:20:59.799 really pleased to 00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:00.380 meet again 00:21:00.380 --> 00:21:02.819 and then there's a 00:21:02.819 --> 00:21:03.599 few others that 00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:04.960 we think oh no 00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:06.200 not them. 00:21:06.200 --> 00:21:11.480 that brings me to 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:12.200 what I think is the 00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:12.840 most important 00:21:12.840 --> 00:21:13.700 question for us 00:21:13.700 --> 00:21:14.240 and it's about 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:14.600 us. 00:21:16.880 --> 00:21:18.380 How will you 00:21:18.380 --> 00:21:20.519 experience the 00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:21.700 second coming of 00:21:21.700 --> 00:21:22.480 the Lord Jesus? 00:21:23.660 --> 00:21:24.360 It's a question 00:21:24.360 --> 00:21:25.039 for me too. 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:27.000 What will his 00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:28.120 coming mean to 00:21:28.120 --> 00:21:29.660 me and to 00:21:29.660 --> 00:21:29.900 you? 00:21:32.900 --> 00:21:33.580 The early 00:21:33.580 --> 00:21:34.600 Christians proclaimed 00:21:34.600 --> 00:21:35.640 Jesus as God's 00:21:35.640 --> 00:21:36.200 judge of all 00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:36.600 people. 00:21:38.060 --> 00:21:38.940 The Apostle 00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:40.020 Peter said in 00:21:40.020 --> 00:21:41.040 Acts chapter 10 00:21:41.040 --> 00:21:42.080 he commanded us 00:21:42.080 --> 00:21:42.920 to preach to the 00:21:42.920 --> 00:21:44.720 people and to 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:45.700 testify that he 00:21:45.700 --> 00:21:46.460 is the one whom 00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:47.400 God appointed as 00:21:47.400 --> 00:21:48.200 judge of the 00:21:48.200 --> 00:21:48.759 living and the 00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:49.060 dead. 00:21:50.340 --> 00:21:51.320 All the prophets 00:21:51.320 --> 00:21:52.500 testify about him 00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:53.460 that everyone who 00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:54.340 believes in him 00:21:54.340 --> 00:21:55.380 receives forgiveness 00:21:55.380 --> 00:21:56.820 of sins through 00:21:56.820 --> 00:21:57.420 his name. 00:21:59.500 --> 00:22:00.360 Philippians chapter 00:22:00.360 --> 00:22:01.100 2 has this 00:22:01.100 --> 00:22:02.200 magnificent song 00:22:02.200 --> 00:22:02.740 of Jesus' 00:22:03.640 --> 00:22:04.160 kingship. 00:22:04.280 --> 00:22:04.960 God exalted 00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:05.480 him to the 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:06.319 highest place 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:07.839 and gave him 00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:08.380 the name that 00:22:08.380 --> 00:22:09.140 is above every 00:22:09.140 --> 00:22:09.539 name. 00:22:10.380 --> 00:22:11.099 That at the 00:22:11.099 --> 00:22:11.839 name of Jesus 00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:12.920 every knee should 00:22:12.920 --> 00:22:13.819 bow in heaven 00:22:13.819 --> 00:22:14.539 and on earth 00:22:14.539 --> 00:22:15.299 and under the 00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:17.000 earth and every 00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:18.019 tongue confess 00:22:18.019 --> 00:22:19.299 that Jesus Christ 00:22:19.299 --> 00:22:20.860 is Lord to the 00:22:20.860 --> 00:22:21.519 glory of God 00:22:21.519 --> 00:22:22.019 the Father. 00:22:27.019 --> 00:22:27.700 So the 00:22:27.700 --> 00:22:28.200 resurrection 00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:29.099 isn't just for 00:22:29.099 --> 00:22:30.079 believers, it is 00:22:30.079 --> 00:22:31.400 for unbelievers as 00:22:31.400 --> 00:22:31.720 well. 00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:35.740 Every person will 00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:37.580 bow before Jesus 00:22:37.580 --> 00:22:39.740 Christ and will 00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:40.580 acknowledge his 00:22:40.580 --> 00:22:41.240 kingship. 00:22:42.700 --> 00:22:44.140 His reality and 00:22:44.140 --> 00:22:45.259 his truth will be 00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:47.000 absolutely inescapable. 00:22:47.140 --> 00:22:47.720 We won't be able to 00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:48.540 stand there debating 00:22:48.540 --> 00:22:49.500 with Dawkins on that 00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:50.420 day about whether he's 00:22:50.420 --> 00:22:51.000 real or not. 00:22:51.080 --> 00:22:51.960 We will be confronted 00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:54.000 by a very inconvenient 00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:54.700 reality. 00:22:57.300 --> 00:22:58.840 Revelation chapter 20 00:22:58.839 --> 00:23:00.000 describes the judgment 00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:00.879 of all people. 00:23:02.879 --> 00:23:04.579 I saw a great white 00:23:04.579 --> 00:23:06.199 throne and him who 00:23:06.199 --> 00:23:07.159 was seated on it 00:23:07.159 --> 00:23:09.399 and earth and sky 00:23:09.399 --> 00:23:10.159 fled from his 00:23:10.159 --> 00:23:11.000 presence and there 00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:12.000 was no place for 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:12.240 them. 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:15.399 And I saw the dead 00:23:15.399 --> 00:23:16.639 great and small 00:23:16.639 --> 00:23:17.779 standing before the 00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:18.139 throne. 00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:19.179 The books were 00:23:19.179 --> 00:23:21.500 opened and another 00:23:21.500 --> 00:23:22.559 book was opened which 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:23.899 is the book of life. 00:23:23.900 --> 00:23:26.900 The dead were judged 00:23:26.900 --> 00:23:27.880 according to what they 00:23:27.880 --> 00:23:28.900 had done as recorded 00:23:28.900 --> 00:23:29.640 in the books. 00:23:30.860 --> 00:23:32.240 The sea gave up the 00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:33.200 dead that were in it 00:23:33.200 --> 00:23:37.000 and death and Hades 00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:38.420 gave up the dead that 00:23:38.420 --> 00:23:40.860 were in them and each 00:23:40.860 --> 00:23:42.000 person was judged 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:43.160 according to what he 00:23:43.160 --> 00:23:43.800 had done. 00:23:45.680 --> 00:23:46.960 And then death and 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:48.160 Hades were thrown into 00:23:48.160 --> 00:23:49.100 the lake of fire. 00:23:49.280 --> 00:23:50.580 The lake of fire is the 00:23:50.580 --> 00:23:51.560 second death. 00:23:51.559 --> 00:23:52.000 death. 00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:54.720 And if anyone's name 00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:55.859 was not found written 00:23:55.859 --> 00:23:57.139 in the book of life, 00:23:58.359 --> 00:23:59.740 he was thrown into 00:23:59.740 --> 00:24:00.740 the lake of fire. 00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:07.740 Death is not a way of 00:24:07.740 --> 00:24:08.679 escape for anyone 00:24:08.679 --> 00:24:11.379 because there is a 00:24:11.379 --> 00:24:12.079 second death. 00:24:13.799 --> 00:24:14.819 I heard a lovely talk 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:16.139 that life here is 00:24:16.139 --> 00:24:17.079 pretty difficult for 00:24:17.079 --> 00:24:18.119 believers sometimes. 00:24:18.919 --> 00:24:19.659 In fact, for all 00:24:19.659 --> 00:24:21.059 people at one time or 00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:21.359 another. 00:24:21.559 --> 00:24:24.099 A friend of mine, 00:24:24.159 --> 00:24:24.980 Jonathan Dykes, 00:24:26.139 --> 00:24:27.339 was doing a mission 00:24:27.339 --> 00:24:28.259 down the south coast 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:29.240 of New South Wales 00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:31.319 and he interacted 00:24:31.319 --> 00:24:32.019 with a couple of 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:33.399 blokes and this one 00:24:33.399 --> 00:24:34.259 bloke in particular 00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:36.119 said he has quite a 00:24:36.119 --> 00:24:37.019 difficult time in his 00:24:37.019 --> 00:24:37.399 workplace. 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:38.700 He really is persecuted 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:39.319 because he's a 00:24:39.319 --> 00:24:39.619 Christian. 00:24:39.759 --> 00:24:40.759 His boss just gives 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:42.519 him a terribly hard 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:42.899 time. 00:24:44.919 --> 00:24:45.899 And Jonathan said, 00:24:46.019 --> 00:24:46.740 so how long has that 00:24:46.740 --> 00:24:47.460 been going on? 00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:48.399 And the guy said, 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:49.539 35 years. 00:24:49.539 --> 00:24:53.740 And he said, I had 00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:54.460 another friend, he 00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:55.159 worked with me for 00:24:55.159 --> 00:24:56.519 25, but he went 00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:57.379 somewhere else after 00:24:57.379 --> 00:24:58.299 25, he couldn't 00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:59.099 handle it anymore. 00:25:01.879 --> 00:25:03.940 But this world, and I 00:25:03.940 --> 00:25:04.519 don't know if it's 00:25:04.519 --> 00:25:05.399 school for you or 00:25:05.399 --> 00:25:06.480 uni for you or back 00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:07.099 into your family, 00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:08.579 whatever it is, is not 00:25:08.579 --> 00:25:09.799 a pretty place to live. 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:12.139 And it's not just for 00:25:12.140 --> 00:25:13.100 Christians, it's for 00:25:13.100 --> 00:25:13.800 people who aren't 00:25:13.800 --> 00:25:14.740 Christians as well. 00:25:15.940 --> 00:25:16.960 The difficulties of 00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:18.280 life come upon us all 00:25:18.280 --> 00:25:19.320 in different measures 00:25:19.320 --> 00:25:19.940 and at different 00:25:19.940 --> 00:25:20.560 times. 00:25:24.040 --> 00:25:25.200 But the return of 00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:26.540 Jesus will see a 00:25:26.540 --> 00:25:27.720 great reversal of 00:25:27.720 --> 00:25:28.340 fortunes. 00:25:30.340 --> 00:25:31.100 Those who have 00:25:31.100 --> 00:25:32.160 trusted and believed 00:25:32.160 --> 00:25:32.940 in him will be 00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:33.980 vindicated for the 00:25:33.980 --> 00:25:35.000 whole world to see. 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:38.299 We will have been 00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:39.099 the knowers who 00:25:39.099 --> 00:25:40.180 plugged away at 00:25:40.180 --> 00:25:41.079 building the rescue 00:25:41.079 --> 00:25:42.140 ship while everyone 00:25:42.140 --> 00:25:43.019 else thought that we 00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:43.660 were fools. 00:25:44.579 --> 00:25:45.720 We will be safe. 00:25:48.119 --> 00:25:49.119 But in the meantime, 00:25:49.319 --> 00:25:50.140 we are the people of 00:25:50.140 --> 00:25:51.140 God that he has sent 00:25:51.140 --> 00:25:52.140 into the world to tell 00:25:52.140 --> 00:25:53.480 people about Christ and 00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:54.339 to live for Christ. 00:25:57.160 --> 00:25:58.440 All of us will 00:25:58.440 --> 00:25:59.900 experience the return 00:25:59.900 --> 00:26:00.640 of the Lord Jesus 00:26:00.640 --> 00:26:01.099 Christ. 00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:01.799 It's going to be in 00:26:01.799 --> 00:26:02.680 one of two ways. 00:26:02.680 --> 00:26:04.600 He will come back 00:26:04.600 --> 00:26:06.039 while we are still 00:26:06.039 --> 00:26:07.200 alive in the way that 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:07.980 the whole world will 00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:08.340 see. 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:11.680 Or we will experience 00:26:11.680 --> 00:26:12.700 being raised from the 00:26:12.700 --> 00:26:13.900 dead after our death 00:26:13.900 --> 00:26:16.259 and brought alive into 00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:17.000 the presence of 00:26:17.000 --> 00:26:17.380 Christ. 00:26:20.120 --> 00:26:21.380 And that day will be 00:26:21.380 --> 00:26:23.279 either joyous beyond 00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:26.259 expression or devastating 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:27.460 in the most appalling 00:26:27.460 --> 00:26:27.840 way. 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:31.820 We will be people of 00:26:31.820 --> 00:26:32.640 faith welcoming 00:26:32.640 --> 00:26:33.840 the Saviour whom we 00:26:33.840 --> 00:26:35.340 have trusted and 00:26:35.340 --> 00:26:37.320 hoped for and who 00:26:37.320 --> 00:26:38.360 has written our 00:26:38.360 --> 00:26:39.400 names in the Lamb's 00:26:39.400 --> 00:26:40.140 Book of Life. 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:43.740 Or we will be amongst 00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:45.820 those who despised and 00:26:45.820 --> 00:26:47.160 rejected the wonderful 00:26:47.160 --> 00:26:48.680 rescuer that God has 00:26:48.680 --> 00:26:51.240 sent, who has come 00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:53.380 once and who will 00:26:53.380 --> 00:26:54.759 certainly come again. 00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:58.519 And the wonderful thing 00:26:58.519 --> 00:26:59.480 about the return of 00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:02.619 Christ being slow is 00:27:02.619 --> 00:27:04.420 that those who have not 00:27:04.420 --> 00:27:06.759 yet believed him still 00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:09.579 have time to turn and to 00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:10.799 come into his safe 00:27:10.799 --> 00:27:11.420 presence. 00:27:14.379 --> 00:27:15.720 There's still time for 00:27:15.720 --> 00:27:17.480 friends and workmates and 00:27:17.480 --> 00:27:18.879 school friends and 00:27:18.879 --> 00:27:21.740 relatives to respond to the 00:27:21.740 --> 00:27:23.299 wonderful invitation of the 00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:24.700 Son of God to come to him 00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:26.319 and to find forgiveness and 00:27:26.319 --> 00:27:26.700 rescue. 00:27:29.339 --> 00:27:30.819 So those of us who do know 00:27:30.819 --> 00:27:32.399 Christ, we are still under 00:27:32.399 --> 00:27:32.779 orders. 00:27:33.919 --> 00:27:34.779 We are not alone. 00:27:34.899 --> 00:27:36.079 He has given us his spirit 00:27:36.079 --> 00:27:39.279 and he has sent us as his 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:40.960 witnesses into this vast 00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:41.339 world. 00:27:42.619 --> 00:27:43.779 It's almost like he's put on 00:27:43.779 --> 00:27:44.299 rescue uniform. 00:27:45.139 --> 00:27:45.980 You know, he's given us 00:27:45.980 --> 00:27:48.399 orange overalls and he's sent 00:27:48.399 --> 00:27:49.839 us out with a message which 00:27:49.839 --> 00:27:51.619 can make people absolutely 00:27:51.619 --> 00:27:53.819 safe when Jesus returns, 00:27:54.659 --> 00:27:56.099 which he certainly will. 00:27:57.099 --> 00:27:57.500 Amen.