ANTICIPATING GOD’S FUTURE

A message by Robert L. Cobb“What we anticipate seldom occurs; what we least expect generally happens.”  So said 19th century politician Benjamin Disraeli.  At every new year the experts try to determine what will happen in the forthcoming months: politically, economically, and socially.  The tabloids take it a step further.  They consult astrologers and psychics who predict the future for the new year.  Christians know that the future is not seen in the stars, or in the subconscious minds of so-called psychics.  Even the brightest and best minds can not predict what 2008 holds for us.  Humanly speaking, we would do well to remember Disraeli’s quote. But spiritually speaking, we should be wise to our immediate future.  In Matthew Chapter Sixteen, Jesus chides the Pharisees and Sadducees for not discerning the times in which they lived.  They were better at weather prediction than Bible study.  Likewise, many Christians today live in ignorance of God’s mighty workings because of Bible neglect.  What are some things we can anticipate God doing in 2008?  Are there any clear-cut answers in the Scripture?  Where will we be this time next year?

 I.   Anticipating God’s Grace  -He Will Save!

We know that God works through human witness to win the lost.  Some may say they believe in God’s saving power, but their actions speak differently, but the following verses are still in the Bible: 1Timothy 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.2 Peter 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.We have not passed unknowingly into a new dispensation in which God has ceased saving by grace through faith.  He is still convicting!  He is still drawing! He is still saving!  I remind you of the story of David and Mephibosheth in which David said, “Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God unto him?”  In the parable of the great supper, the servant reported back to his lord, “Lord, it is done as you have commanded, and yet there is room.”    God would have us anticipate His grace in 2008.  There is yet room in the House of God!  There is yet room in the Family of God!  There is yet room at the feet of Jesus! 

 II.  Anticipating God’s Goodness  -He Will Bless! 

In John 11, Lazarus was seriously sick.  Mary and Martha, in verse three, send for Jesus.  They knew the nature of Christ.  They knew that He loved Lazarus and wanted the best for him.  We focus on Martha’s unbelief as Christ confronts her after Lazarus’ death.  But what of her great statement: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother had not died.”  She anticipated the goodness of God.  She anticipated a blessing.  Certainly, the passage teaches us that God is in control even when we may not understand His purposes.  But we should anticipate the spiritual blessings that God promised us in this Age of Grace. Ephesians 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ

:III. Anticipating God’s Guidance  -He Will Lead! 

So many people today don’t know what to do or where to turn.  Christians, too, seem to have trouble finding their way.  This should not be true.  The believer has One who leads him.  “He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”  Psalm 48:14  For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.John 16:13 says, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.”  He led Moses to the back side of the desert and then to confront the Pharoah.  He led Joshua, Gideon, Samuel, David, & Daniel.  He will lead us as well.  

IV.  Anticipating God’s Genius   -He Will Speak! 

Young Samuel heard the voice of God in the house of Eli the priest, but was not anticipating it.  He misread the voice and thought it came from Eli.  Eli made him aware that God was speaking to him and afterward he said, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.”  God will speak to us in 2008.  Hen speaks through the preaching of His Word, if we have ears to hear.  He speaks through personal Bible study, if we enter into it seeking His voice. 1 Corinthians 2:16  For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. James 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him. 

V.   Anticipating God’s Governing   -He Will Rule! 

Is God at work in the affairs of humanity today?  Doubters and scoffers say “no.”  They ask, “How could God be active in the world today with such pain, suffering, and sorrow?”  Those questions are answered when we consider the sin question and man’s continual disobedience to God.  But there is no doubt to the child of God that He is providentially working today.  Psalm 59:13 says “… that they may not be: and let them know that God rules in Jacob unto the ends of the earth.”   And Psalm 66:7 says “He rules by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations..”  God rules over nations and people. Psalm 89:9 says “You rule the raging of the sea: when the waves rise, you still them.”  So we see that God rules over the weather and natural things.   Psalm 103:19 tells us  “The LORD has prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom rules over all.”  There is no aspect of the earth that God does not totally control. Ephesians 1:8-10  He has abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he has purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:God rules in our lives as well.  He has a master plan that He is working out in our lives.  He is conforming us into His image.  He is making us like Him.  Submit to his moulding.  May 2008 be a year that God works tremendously in your life!  

VI.  Anticipating God’s Glory   -He Will Come!

 I do not say with any authority at all that Christ will definitely return in 2008.  But I  do say that He will come  –at some point in time –of His own choosing.  Charles Spurgeon, when asked if he thought Christ might return soon, said, “I think not!”  After repeating this answer numerous times, someone finally got up enough nerve to ask him, “Doesn’t the Bible command that we anticipate Christ’s coming?  Why then do you say, ‘I think not!’?”  Spurgeon answered, “Because the Bible says, ‘in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh’. Believers have looked for Christ’s return for over 2000 years.  It seems silly in the eyes of the skeptics for us to anticipate Christ’s coming even still.  John 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:18  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 2 Peter 3:3-4  Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.John closes the book of Revelation with these words,  “He who testifies to these things says, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”  Like generations before us, we anticipate the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!  It could be in 2008!  So?   We don’t need to read behind the experts in the fields of economics, culture, or politics to know what 2008 holds.  We don’t need to consult the psychics and astrologers either.  The child of God needs only to consult his Bible and be available to the call of God on His life.  May we be that kind of servant in 2008!

A Christmas Message

Message by Rev. Erny McDonough: A great post from http://fishermanschapel.org/2007/12/17/discovering-the-heart-of-christmas/

Luke 2:8 – 12 “(8) And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. (9)An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. (10) But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. (11) Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. (12) This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.“

Intro: Have you ever thrown out a gift with the Christmas wrappings? I remember once when we were having a family Christmas, a special gift for our son was inadvertently gathered up with the discarded wrappings and thrown in the trash. It was not discovered until we were receiving thanks for what he had received. Since we try to teach thankfulness for every blessing, when he failed to mention this one small gift, we pressed him and learned that he had not opened it. Yes!, I dug through the trash until I found the gift and allowed him to receive one of his toys that he had requested in his Christmas list!

Have you ever felt like that has happened to you? Maybe in your marriage, or with your family! Maybe at your job or with your career! Maybe with a friendship that you cherished! Maybe in your spiritual life and your relationship with the Lord! Has that happened to you with Christmas? You feel that things have just been thrown out as if it were only the trash of life! You are left with the holiday, without the feeling the heart of Christmas!

I. Christmas Is Not Always Happy For Everyone!

Problems do not mysteriously take a leave for the holidays! The doctors and hospitals seem as busy as ever! Family finances, already tight, grow ever tighter as people spend even more freely to provide gifts for those they love! Marriages and families still struggle with the same tensions and stress as before, maybe even heightened a bit by unrealistic expectations of picture-perfect holidays. But, whatever your present circumstance, if you go to the true heart of Christmas, you will discover real JOY, just as the shepherds did!

II. There Is A Great Difference Between Happiness And Joy!

I think it is important to differentiate between happiness and joy, although I have preached on this topic several times before. They both feel similar when we are experiencing them, but when we examine their source, they are distinctly different. Happiness is an emotion that is connected to “what’s happening.” The emotion is directly related to our present situation, whether perceived as good or bad, desirable or undesirable, pleasant or painful. Because we do not control much of our circumstances, we do not have much choice in our happiness, unless we find a source unrelated to things of the moment!

Joy, true joy, is more a conviction than an emotion! Admittedly and wonderfully, JOY is emotional, but its source is found well beyond the moment. Joy that is at the heart of Christmas is the product of our conviction about our past, the present, and our future! It has a much more broad and substantial basis than happiness. Joy balances on the strong reality of the unchanging faithfulness and provision of God Himself!

III. Our Past Has Been Settled In Christ Jesus!

We will discover joy at the heart of Christmas when we possess a firm conviction that our past has been settled in Jesus! Jesus has forgiven our sins and given us the gift of eternal life. The past is past! Until that is true, our experience, and expression of joy, will come and go as our spiritual confidence does! Salvation is at the heart of joy! David prayed, (Ps.51:10-12) “Renew a right spirit within me … restore unto me the joy of Your salvation.”

IV. Our Present Is Satisfying In Christ The Lord!

We will discover the joy at the heart of Christmas when we have the conviction that our present experiences with ultimately be used for God’s glory and will be for our good! When we are walking with the Lord daily, confident that He is near to us, and we are dear to Him, then what surrounds us at the moment will not engulf nor overwhelm us! (Ps.16:11) “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of Joy, at Your right hand are pleasures for evermore.“

V. Our Future Is Exciting In The Glorious King Jesus!

In my childhood, as I remember it, almost every other message from our pastor was concerning the Second Coming of Jesus! It seems that in every song service, we sang about Jesus coming again! Maybe because we were poorer we wanted to see Jesus sooner! Maybe because our lives were simple, but hard, we were expecting our reward! Maybe because we had not accumulated so much of the world’s goods that we were looking for the streets of gold and gates of pearl! We did have a spiritual orientation about Heaven waiting for us and that brought incredible assurance and Joy! We sang those songs and “amen-ed” those sermons with conviction and with gusto! We need to return to that Joy of knowing that Jesus first came as a Baby in a Manger, but will return as King of kings and Lord of lords!

Conclusion: We will discover Joy at the heart of Christmas when we have a clear conviction that our future is secure in God’s hands, both in this life now and in eternity! (II Tim 1:12) “I know Whom I have believed and am convinced that He is able to keep what I have entrusted to Him until that day.“

The shortest path to our personal Christmas Joy is to find someone who most needs to discover the heart of Christmas, and include them in yours! Include someone from your work or in your neighborhood in the joy of our celebrations of the Chapel this Christmas Season!

“Joy to the world, the Lord is come; let earth receive her King!”

How do kids see Christmas? (2)

A remarkable phone call from a 12-yr old boy to Houston

radio station KSBJ FM 89.3.  So profound, the station has it

posted on their website.  Click below to listen to it. It’s short.

http://www.ksbj.org/eblogs/morningShow/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/logan-calf-story.mp3

How do kids see Christmas?

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=26fc18e61fcfe27ce718

Meanwhile in other parts of the world…(Pray!)

Paul said “Remember to pray…”.

So often I forget.

If you have space in your prayer times (!). Check these out

Guess how much Christmas cost last year

When Christ was born the empire was threatened and as a result Herod, who was one of the more powerful kings of the day, ordered the killing of all the boys two years old and under who were in Bethlehem. The reason for this was that he hoped to take out the child-King that posed a possible threat to his kingdom.While we are not living under Herod’s reign, there is another empire of consumerism and materialism that threatens our faithfulness to Jesus. Jesus brought with him such an extraordinary Kingdom that is counter-culture to the kingdoms of this world.

Part of saying “yes” to Jesus means that we say “no” to over-spending. We say “no” to overconsumption. We say “no” to these things so we can create space to say “yes” to Jesus and His reign in our lives. The National Retail Federation forecast that Americans would spend approximately $457.4 billion at Christmas in 2006.1 The American Research group estimated an average of $907.00 per family to be spent at Christmas in 2006.2  For many, the Holiday season was followed by several months work to get out of debt, only to find that the presents we bought in the name of Christ furthered a consumerist mentality in us and our children and took our focus off of the greatness of Jesus.

Somehow, as Christ-followers, we have to learn to resist a culture that tells us what to buy, wear and spend with no regard to bringing glory to Jesus.

—

[1] The National Retail Federation, “NRF Sees Subdued Holiday Gains in 2006” September 19, 2006. (Link)

[2] American Research Group, Inc., “2006 Christmas Spending Plans Hold Steady” November 22, 2006. (Link)

 http://www.adventconspiracy.org/

The Scandal of Christmas

As my mind began to turn toward Advent this year, a surprising thought occurred to me: that first Christmas set off the greatest systemic change ever when God became one with us – in a stable no less. What a scandal! God became one with us.

A hallmark of successful systemic change is that it involves people from the bottom up. Never did such a change start at a more basic level than when God became one with us so that we might recognize our dignity. I started to think about the “scandal of Christmas”, both in the sense of that first Christmas and in the way I celebrate now.

Something has turned up on the Web that has given me some ideas. It’s called the Advent Conspiracy, an international movement dedicated to restoring the scandal of Christmas by worshipping Jesus through compassion, not consumption:

• worship more
• spend less
• give more
• love all

Simple, but revolutionary. And I can do something now to help bring about this change. Already, I’ve contacted folks to start a conversation about how we can make our celebration more life-giving and life-affirming. I think we’ll be making some changes – even systemic changes. Visit the Advent Conspiracy Web site.

Outgrowing Christianity?/ Eyeballs in the sky

In days gone by simple village folk might have discussed the mysterious beings that lived beyond their own realm of experience. The edge of the forest was a dark and fearful place, where all manner of monsters concealed themselves. Today, however, we have a tool, which in theory at least, has mapped out not just the forest, or merely the great oceans, but the entire universe to the very edges of space-time. Empirical (sensory experience based) science has shown that far from there being mysterious powers lurking around every dark corner, that there is an extraordinary uniformity to the way the whole universe behaves. There are regular laws of gravity and motion which describe both the fall of an apple and the movements of the stars. It was as if Isaac Newton had in a moment of brilliance switched on the lights in the universe.

A sad joke about Christianity

by Brad Beaman.

Two men were on a cruise ship together and began to talk. Finally one of them asked,

“Do you believe in God?” He said, “Yes.”

I asked, “Are you a Christian or a Jew?” He said, “A Christian.” I said, “Me, too!

Protestant or Catholic?” He said, “Protestant.” I said, “Me, too!

What denomination?” He said, “Baptist.” I said, “Me, too!

Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?” He said, “Northern Baptist.” I said, “Me, too!

Northern Conservative Baptist or Northern Moderate Baptist?”

He said, “Northern Conservative Baptist.” I said, “Me, too!

Are you of the Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region, or Northern Conservative Baptist Eastern Region?”

He said, “Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region.” I said, “Me, too!”

Are you of the Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1879, or Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?”

He said, “Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912.”

I said, “Die, you heretic!”