Future on SermonAudio

Today I would like to resume our study of Christian Watchfulness in relation to Christ's Second Coming. The great value of this particular aspect of Christian Watchfulness is that it will be of help to all true Christians in relation to their stirring up the grace of readiness in their own soul by their watching. Are you watching for Christ's Second Coming? And what does this mean for us since Christ has not returned for 2,000 years, and many generations of Christian people have lived and died not seeing His return? Did they watch in vain? No, I would say, most certainly not! I think that part of the difficulty of Christian Watchfulness in relation to Christ's 2nd Coming is the continual successions of generations of Christians, who have indeed lived their life looking for that blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ; and they have not seen Him return during their physical lifetime. What shall we say to this? I would say what I would hope you would say: That they eagerly waited for Him in their particular lifetime and generation. And they were not disappointed when they died that He had not come back yet in His one 2nd Coming. He will in the future appear a second time. But, in His return He will glorify all of His saints. And judge the world in righteousness. And bring this world to an end, and recreate it in the New Heavens and Earth.

The sermon explores the comprehensive nature of salvation, emphasizing that God's purpose extends beyond mere forgiveness to conforming believers into the image of His Son. Drawing primarily from Romans 8 and 1 John 3, the message highlights the progressive work of sanctification where current trials serve to shape Christ-like character in preparation for future glory. It contrasts the temporary nature of earthly afflictions with the eternal weight of glory. The preacher stresses that true faith involves an inward transformation by the Holy Spirit, resulting in a deep desire for holiness and intimacy with Christ rather than just outward religious observance.

The sermon contrasts the self-made religion of human effort with the grace-based Christian life rooted in union with Christ. Drawing from Colossians 3:1-4, it explains that believers have died and been raised with Christ, meaning their true identity is hidden in Him rather than displayed for public approval. This theological reality provides both security against worldly threats and a call to set one's mind on heavenly priorities instead of earthly pursuits. The preacher emphasizes that the gospel indicatives of past salvation and future glory must motivate present obedience and holy living. Ultimately, Christians are called to live faithfully in secret, trusting that their true nature will be revealed when Christ appears in glory.

This sermon is the 2nd part of a multipart sermon which continues pastor Merson's series on Romans (the 45th sermon in that series). It explores Romans chapter 11 to clarify the theological relationship between Israel and Gentile believers, emphasizing that God has not rejected His covenant people. Using the metaphor of an olive tree, pastor Merson explains how Gentiles are grafted into the root of Abraham's promises by faith rather than merit, warning against spiritual pride or boasting over natural branches. The message highlights the historical distinction between Jews and Gentiles in worship while affirming that current blessings flow from God's grace alone. It addresses misconceptions about salvation security by contextualizing warnings within the specific audience of Gentiles rather than individual believers. Ultimately, the text points to a future restoration of Israel and the universal scope of God's redemptive plan for all nations.

A consideration of our future hope in Christ.

INTRO: Where are we today, in the modern church? Does the Bible have anything to say about where we are? I want to show us from Bible prophecy what I see as to where we are. I propose that God has set out for us in the last book in the Bible how to tell where we are. Before we do that, I want to point out a particular kind of prophecy. Prophecy is what would be called a genre of writing style. I was taught that to interpret prophecy, one needs to understand the writing style. Let me give the illustration I was given. You may be fixing some electrical appliance, but to open it up to work on it, you have to have a screwdriver with a special end on it. Without that tool, you can't get into the appliance to fix it. That is how various types of prophecy work, and to understand them, one needs to use a special tool. There is a type of prophecy I call historical prophecy. That is when a historical event pictures something future. For example, the book of Jonah. It is found among the minor prophets. Using the same method of interpretation one uses on most Scriptures does not reveal the prophecy of Jonah. Understanding that a historic account may be prophetic helps one understand the prophecy.

James 4:13-14a (ESV) - 13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"— 14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. Does this mean that we cannot plan, because we do not know the future? This message explains what James is telling believers to do (and not do.)

The sermon expounds on Titus 2:11-14, emphasizing that God's grace is the sole foundation of salvation and the power for holy living. It argues against abandoning the gospel for deeper theological pursuits, asserting that grace instructs believers to deny ungodliness and live righteously. The message highlights the dual reality of Christ's first coming as Savior and His future return as the blessed hope motivating Christian conduct. By examining the incarnation and atonement, the text clarifies that salvation is an unmerited gift received through faith alone, not works. Ultimately, believers are called to pursue sanctification with zeal, anchored in the certainty of Christ's glorious appearing.

This sermon examines Jesus' warning to his disciples about the reality of persecution, emphasizing that hostility from the world is a norm rather than an exception for believers. It outlines four key aspects of this reality: preparation rather than spiritual shock, the pathological hostility driving persecutors, the perpetual nature of God not trials, and the ultimate blessing of paradise for those suffering. The preacher urges Christians to hide Scripture in their hearts during times of peace to endure future hardships with faith rather than fear. By focusing on Christ's departure as expedient for sending the Holy Spirit, the message shifts attention from sorrow to the strength found in divine comfort. Ultimately, believers are called to remain faithful to Christ regardless of external opposition, trusting in his finished work and eternal reward.