Anderson Hills

The second line of our Advent hymn could be summarized with the word power. Wesley celebrates the fact that Jesus’ birth was the beginning of the end of the hold that sin and death had on mankind. His birth set the stage for spiritual freedom. All human beings face the spiritual problem of bondage of our innate and natural sinfulness. This problem created the need for the Advent of Jesus and the freedom and wholeness we long for in His Second Coming. Advent was the beginning of God calling people weighed down by empty living to a life of freedom, grace, and forgiveness. It is not merely about being born again—you become a totally different person from the inside out. It means you have been set free!

In Galatians 4, the apostle Paul provides a remarkable summary of the Christian faith, including significant and hopeful truths regarding the Advent of Jesus. First, the arrival of Jesus’ first coming was controlled by the will of God, orchestrated and implemented through God’s sovereign plan. Second, Jesus’ birth was a supernatural intervention with a personal connection; Jesus connects with us in a way that is unique and powerful. And third, God had a redemptive purpose in sending His Son. The redemption was not merely to rescue us from slavery to sin and death; it was to make us sons and daughters! Good news!

In Galatians 4, the apostle Paul provides a remarkable summary of the Christian faith, including significant and hopeful truths regarding the Advent of Jesus. First, the arrival of Jesus’ first coming was controlled by the will of God, orchestrated and implemented through God’s sovereign plan. Second, Jesus’ birth was a supernatural intervention with a personal connection; Jesus connects with us in a way that is unique and powerful. And third, God had a redemptive purpose in sending His Son. The redemption was not merely to rescue us from slavery to sin and death; it was to make us sons and daughters! Good news!

Jesus uses the parable of the sheep and goats to emphasize the vital truth that we need to be prepared for His second coming and how to be sure that we are indeed ready. Jesus says that all of humanity will be divided into two, and only two, groups. There are no other options. This is not a trial but a sentencing, because the Judge already has all the evidence that exists—and by the time you meet Him He will have already decided your case. Jesus says that there is one feature, one characteristic, which distinguishes a sheep from a goat. It is having a profound love of God and a loving and merciful heart towards others. Since this decision is so monumental, we had better understand the basis of it.

Jesus uses the parable of the sheep and goats to emphasize the vital truth that we need to be prepared for His second coming and how to be sure that we are indeed ready. Jesus says that all of humanity will be divided into two, and only two, groups. There are no other options. This is not a trial but a sentencing, because the Judge already has all the evidence that exists—and by the time you meet Him He will have already decided your case. Jesus says that there is one feature, one characteristic, which distinguishes a sheep from a goat. It is having a profound love of God and a loving and merciful heart towards others. Since this decision is so monumental, we had better understand the basis of it.

God gifts us in a variety of ways, and He expects us to use those gifts to show our love for Him and for the benefit of others. Those who risk everything – even their own lives – out of love for the Lord will be abundantly blessed. Jesus simply wants us to anticipate His return by a lifetime of daily decisions that glorify Him, daily choices motivated by love for God and love for others that lead to exponential kingdom growth. We must be learning, growing, carrying out our responsibilities, and developing the resources that God entrusts to us until He returns and settles accounts.

God gifts us in a variety of ways, and He expects us to use those gifts to show our love for Him and for the benefit of others. Those who risk everything – even their own lives – out of love for the Lord will be abundantly blessed. Jesus simply wants us to anticipate His return by a lifetime of daily decisions that glorify Him, daily choices motivated by love for God and love for others that lead to exponential kingdom growth. We must be learning, growing, carrying out our responsibilities, and developing the resources that God entrusts to us until He returns and settles accounts.

Jesus’ disciples questioned Him about when the end of the age would come and what signs they could expect prior to it. Jesus certainly does give some answers to the “when” and “what” questions, but it seems that the purpose for His statement was not to give a timeline; it was to encourage His disciples to spiritual watchfulness and discernment. Jesus is concerned not so much with the “when” and the “what” of these events as He is with the “so what.” He speaks at more length about the alertness, trustworthiness, and compassion that will be required of His disciples until He comes. They are concerned about when He will return; He is concerned about how they will live in His absence.

Jesus’ disciples questioned Him about when the end of the age would come and what signs they could expect prior to it. Jesus certainly does give some answers to the “when” and “what” questions, but it seems that the purpose for His statement was not to give a timeline; it was to encourage His disciples to spiritual watchfulness and discernment. Jesus is concerned not so much with the “when” and the “what” of these events as He is with the “so what.” He speaks at more length about the alertness, trustworthiness, and compassion that will be required of His disciples until He comes. They are concerned about when He will return; He is concerned about how they will live in His absence.

Sunday, November 1, is All Saints Day, which is an opportunity for us to give thanks for all those who have gone before us in the faith. Though they are now in the eternal, their stories continue to help increase our faith and inspire us to keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. We thank God for the heroes of the faith found in the Bible as well as those who have personally impacted our faith. No matter how discouraging the events of our lives are, we can make it through with the encouragement of those who modeled how to live a godly life through the power of the Holy Spirit.