Preparing to meet the Lord
ST ANDREW’S CHURCH
July 31, 2022
LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- St Andrew's welcomes you all to this online worship service and prays that it may be a blessing to you, preparing you for the week ahead. We also welcome Peter Besel, from Kelowna, to the pulpit and thank him for preparing and leading our worship this day.
CALL TO WORSHIP
L: From God comes the wonder of creation.
P: We will worship God the Creator.
L: From God comes healing for the brokenness we see.
P: We will worship God our Redeemer.
L: From God comes the strength to face the new day.
P: We worship God our Sustainer.
HYMN Praise to the Lord, the Almighty #321
OPENING PRAYER
Everlasting God, as we come into your presence, we figuratively take off our shoes. For you are holy, just and loving. No one is like you. Your works are perfect. Most of all, your Son, Jesus, saved us through his cross. He was faithful unto death. We praise him and we praise you, Father God. And we ask that your Spirit would inhabit our praises. May you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be glorified in us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Hear the good news!
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
Go in peace!
THE PEACE
HYMN There is a Redeemer #358
SCRIPTURE READINGS (NIV)
Psalm 24
Of David. A psalm.
1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
2 for he founded it on the seas
and established it on the waters.
3 Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?
4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not trust in an idol
or swear by a false god.
5 They will receive blessing from the Lord
and vindication from God their Savior.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek your face, God of Jacob.
7 Lift up your heads, you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty,
the Lord mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is he, this King of glory?
The Lord Almighty—
he is the King of glory.
Revelation 19:11-16
11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
SERMON Preparing to Meet the Lord
Long-haired preachers come out every night,
Try to tell you what's wrong and what's right;
But when asked how 'bout something to eat
They will answer with voices so sweet:
You will eat, bye and bye,
In that glorious land above the sky;
Work and pray live on hay,
You'll get pie in the sky when you die.
That song was written in 1911 as a parody of the Christian hymn In the Sweet By-and-By.
“Pie in the sky when you die.” In plain English, Christianity is deferred gratification. Things might be bad here, but you’ll get your reward later. Worst case scenario: the hope of heaven is an illusion. Karl Marx called it the “opiate of the people.”
How would you answer these questions: Is there life after death? Is heaven for real? And will there also be a day of judgment?
This morning, let’s explore the Second Coming of Christ. I believe Jesus shall indeed appear in power and glory globally, as he promised. Join me today in plumbing the depths, and the implication, of our Lord’s return.
Let us pray. Prepare our hearts, O God, to hear your Word and obey your will. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Our text is from the nineteenth chapter of the book of Revelation. Our Lord shall come back. What an exceptional day that shall be! My first point this morning: Christ is the glorious king.
Looking at the text, it states that Christ is the, “king of kings and lord of lords.” There is no one else like him. He is the exalted king, the supreme king. Jesus is magnificent!
Verse 12 says that there are “many crowns” on his head. An ordinary king might have one crown. But Christ has a multitude. One commentator states, “Many crowns indicate unlimited sovereignty.” Jesus is reigning and ruling.
Secondly, Christ rules with an “iron scepter”, which is another reference to kingship. What’s more, he’s the lord, riding on a “white horse.” (v. 11) Kings and military conquerors rode horses. The white horse symbolizes that Jesus is victorious in conquest.
Thirdly, what’s the tenor or bent of his rule? That is, what kind of king is he?
Well, the rider of the horse is called “Faithful and True.” This king is no despot. Rather, Christ rules with truth and integrity. And he knows everything about his rebel subjects, for his “eyes are like blazing fire.” In short, he indeed is “the Word of God.” (v. 13)
Fourth, one verse earlier it states, “He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.” Jesus is the ultimate monarch, because he’s divine. As one scholar put it, “This points to the divinity of Christ because it shows that there are aspects of God that we will never know.” This king, King Jesus, comes as God in human flesh!
The bottom line: These descriptions illustrate that Jesus is a king and he is glorious.
But what about Christ’s works? What is Jesus “doing” in Rev. 19? Well, he’s making war. My second point: Christ is the warring king.
Our passage says, “With justice he judges and wages war.” (v. 11) And three verses later it states, “The armies of heaven were following him.” Next, “Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations.” And: “He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.” Christ is doing battle with depraved enemies.
Remember, God is holy. (The text says, “With justice he judges.”) He has a bone to pick with those who break his commandments. The upshot is that God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit - is waging war against sin.
But you’ve heard it said, “Make love, not war.” We can frown upon a God who makes war. After all, doesn’t the Bible state, “God is love”?
Let’s for a moment look at ourselves instead. Question: How are you, all of us as God’s creatures, doing at loving others?
Here’s a test. Try this exercise; see how you do in the love department.
Look at the love chapter in the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13. As I read this section of Scripture, compare God’s standard to your own performance each day. Vs. 4 - 7 of 1 Corinthians 13 state:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
God does expect us to love our neighbor this way consistently and completely. We are to show compassion fully and without fail. God’s standard for loving others is nothing other than perfection! And only the Holy Spirit can empower us in that regard.
If that’s God’s benchmark for being right with him and going to heaven, we’re out of our depth. Would you agree? Who can live like that?
I know I’m broken. Do you feel that way, too?
If you do, there’s good news. We cannot keep God’s commandments faultlessly. Nonetheless, one person did. That individual is the King himself, Jesus.
When he walked the Palestinian sod two thousand years ago, he never sinned. The book of Hebrews says that Jesus was “holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners.” Christ kept God’s commandments, in our stead, so when I place my faith in him, his righteousness is credited to me.
In our text notice verse 13, which says that Christ “is dressed in a robe dipped in blood?” Many commentators believe that’s a reference to Christ’s own blood. (It’s either Jesus’ own blood or the blood of his enemies. A key detail in the text is that the battle hasn’t started yet, so his enemies aren’t bleeding at present. One scholar states, “Either way we can say that Jesus conquered his enemies by shedding his own blood on the cross, and when he returns he will conquer his enemies by shedding their blood.”)
Christ’s robe is dipped in blood. Our Lord died violently upon a rugged cross. His bloody death paid for the sins of the world. That sacrifice saves and redeems. Praise God!
Yes, it’s true: Jesus in his first coming 2000 years ago was meek and lowly. He let himself be crucified in weakness and shame. Our Lord suffered humiliation at the hands of wicked men.
But don’t forget: in the not too distant future, the tables will be turned. At his Second Coming, Christ shall be exalted in power, and his enemies will be scattered. We’ve seen today: when he returns, he shall be both glorious and a warrior.
What shall we do, then? How do you and I respond to this dreaded sovereign? My third and last exhortation: Surrender to Christ, the King!
There is a day of judgment coming. Jesus will triumph over his foes. Still, there’s time to make peace with Jesus, the second person of the Godhead!
Our Lord is not only a God of justice, but also of mercy. He delights to pardon all those coming in repentance and faith. There is joy, peace and purpose in following Jesus as the Lord of your life.
But you could say, “What’s the hurry? I still have time to decide. I’ll put off trusting in Christ until a more convenient season.”
Please reconsider. You don’t know how much time you have left upon this green earth. Recall the saying, “here today and gone tomorrow.” The apostle Paul warns, “I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.” So heed God’s call today.
Don’t make yet another mistake. Don’t think Christ’s tarrying indicates the danger’s over. Yes, it’s true: our Lord is delaying his return. But in his second letter, Peter explains why: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” Christ tarries so that you, too, may be saved.
Other passages of Scripture also speak of Christ Second Coming. 2 Thessalonians 1:9 states, “They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.” And Jesus himself in the gospel of John says, “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.”
Our Lord shall indeed come back. Be ready!
Several months before WWII in Europe ended, G.I.s were bent upon entering Germany. The German border-city of Aachen was surrounded. Hitler had sent orders to defend it at all cost. But the American commander gave Aachen a chance to surrender before destroying it.
Lt. General Courtney Hodges sent an ultimatum to the Nazis, in addition to dropping thousands of leaflets on their soldiers and citizens. The leaflets read:
“People of Aachen! The time has come for honorable surrender. We Americans do not wage war on innocent civilians. But if the leaders insist on further sacrifice, we have no course but to destroy your city.
“There is no time to lose. On our airfields, bombers are waiting for final orders to take off. Our artillery surrounding the city is ready to fire. People of Aachen, act quickly. Tomorrow may be too late. There is only one choice, immediate surrender or complete destruction.”
The lowdown: The Germans didn’t surrender, and great ruin ensued. I beseech you, dear listener: Don’t follow in their footsteps!
I close with these words from the final chapter of Revelation, chapter 22. This is God’s tender invitation to woo you.
Verse 17 says: “The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let the one who hears say, "Come!" Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.”
Amen.
HYMN I have decided to follow Jesus #570
OFFERING
We will now receive the offering.
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above ye heavenly host.
Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Heavenly Father, you have blessed us.
We come into your presence with these tithes and offerings.
Receive them from us and use them for your kingdom.
And may you receive all the glory. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Gracious and loving God, we come into your throne room with praise and thanksgiving. Though our world is in much turmoil, we take comfort that you are at the helm. Make us instruments ready for your service. Hear our prayer.
We pray for the creation
We intercede for Canadian farmers. Help them work their fields. Help them provide the much needed grain for our planet, due to the war in Ukraine. Additionally, our Father, aid us with the natural disasters happening around the globe. And we pray for the weather – may the risk of forest fires in North America be reduced; in that regard, protect all firefighters.
We pray for the world
We entreat you for Canada’s political leaders. Be with our prime minister and the premier of our province; give them wisdom. We bring before you the war in Europe: support civilians, help refugees, and keep dictators on a short leash. As well, support humanitarian agencies worldwide, that they would assist with the plight of the vulnerable, and care for the marginalized.
We pray for the needs of this congregation
Lord, we ask for the health of Rev. Ena; assist her in her recovery. May other St. Andrews parishioners who are ill get a healing touch from you. Grant that all would be helped by B.C.’s health care practitioners; and always, we entreat you, give grace to the suffering, whatever their troubles might be. Last not least, we pray for growth in this congregation - spiritual, emotional and numerical growth. May St. Andrews be a powerful beacon of hope and light in Salmon Arm!
Thank you, Father God, for the privilege of coming before you with our petitions. Give us patience in waiting for your response, for you answer your people always.
Let’s pray the family prayer Jesus taught his disciples.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
HYMN God forgave my sin / Freely, freely #774
BENEDICTION
Closing Hymn