Jesus continues to sovereignly call people to himself as he brings Levi, who is the same person as Matthew, to join his apostolic band. In this passage we see that Jesus thus calls people to his service and that he also socially mixes with people, many considered by the Pharisees to be despicable sinners. In answer to their question as to why he associated with such -low life- people he responded that he only came to save those who know they need help, not those who are self righteous and self-satisfied with their standing before God. He came to save those who know they are not worthy, not those who think they are worthy.

Mark, the Gospel writer, continues to reveal Jesus' divine authority being exercised in his ministry - in this passage it is his authority to forgive sins. The passage is preached around four major ideas----The Desperation of Faith---The Declaration of Forgiveness---The Confirmation of Forgiveness---The Revelation of Divinity.--Yahweh's authority to forgive the sins of his believing people is not lessened when the Son of Man takes that same authority to himself in forgiving, then healing the paralyzed man. The incarnation did not cancel the Son of God's divine prerogative to forgive sins.

John's Gospel declares that Jesus' turning the water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana of Galilee was the first of his signs that -manifested his glory and his disciples believed in him.- We learn from this passage that Jesus had entered a new kind of relationship with his mother which may explain his seemingly abrupt words to her. We also observe that the -hour- of Jesus' death was already at the forefront of his life, and we see his divine power over the natural elements. Finally, we observe one of those subtle but important truths that John has embedded in his gospel that Jesus' coming death and his poured-out blood would truly purify his people from their sin.

In Luke's account of Messiah's birth we read of two pious Jews - Mary, a young maiden, and Zechariah, an elderly priest, who from their knowledge of Holy Scripture and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, declared the same message. The soon coming of the Christ was confirmation that God -remembered- his mercy in that the ancient covenant with Abraham was reaching its culmination. The promised Seed of Abraham would be the Savior of the nations as he would die for sins and rise from the dead to purchase everlasting salvation to those who believe in him.

Paul penned this teaching in 1 Thes. 4 in order to clarify for the church the specific events that will take place at Christ's return. His return will be visible, physical, noisy, and literal. Both those who have died previously in Christ and believers then alive will have their spirit-souls reunited with their bodies reconstituted by the almighty power of God and will be like Christ's own resurrection body. The perishable flesh will put on the imperishable, and the mortal body put on the immortal. Thus there is great comfort knowing that all who are or who have been in Christ will be with the Lord Jesus forever. This is the immeasurably great hope of the Church.

A look at Paul's teaching about the return of Jesus to this earth to gather his people to himself in order to encourage with knowledge the future for Christians. The end result of all believers in Christ Jesus is not death but resurrection and life with Christ on the new earth. We are thus comforted in our grief .The resurrection of dead in Christ gives us encouragement in our labor for him.

When Christ returns he will bring salvation to his people but judgment on all unbelievers. In this passage we see the righteousness of God manifested in his coming merited judgment on the enemies of the Gospel- but also we see the faithfulness of God's people when they are persecuted for their faith. The consummation of the saints' salvation will bring them into Christ's presence where he will glorified and marveled at by them.

Jesus' Second Coming is the next Great Event in the history of the world. For some it will be a day of terror, but for believers in Christ in will be a day of great joyful fulfillment. How shall Christians wait for that Day- - with gratitude, with longing -eager anticipation-, with alertness -watchfulness-, with activity marked by living holy and godly lives, with faithful witnessing to the Gospel, and with corporate concern for the welfare of fellow Christians. Hardly passive waiting-

This sermon focuses on the state of waiting for Jesus to return to earth and how we are to wait eagerly for his coming.

For the four Sundays in Advent, we are focusing on various aspects of Christ's Second Coming as revealed in the Thessalonian letters. This first sermon seeks to show how the salvation of Jesus Christ is so all encompassing as it was to the Thessalonian believers that the natural response of converts from idolatry is to be waiting in anticipation for the Savior's return. The OT and NT scriptures in fact reveal that the Great Promise of the ages was for Yahweh to be the God of his people and live among them. For this to happen, Jesus has to return from his ascension ministry to be in the physical presence of his people. The promises of God coming to his people, as in Isaiah 40-9-11, are seen to refer to him literally, physically coming to be among them - this will happen at the Second Coming of Christ. The Church now waits for her Lord and King - -Come, Lord Jesus- -Rev. 22-20-.