Advent means “to come” and "the anticipation of a momentous event" and, during this time of year, we celebrate the anticipated arrival of the Lord Jesus.
I Thessalonians 3:9-13 reads, "9How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. 11Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones."
· This passage of Scripture expresses the hope of seeing loved one’s face-to-face, after a prolonged absence.
· There is an encouragement to strive for Christian perfection and holiness:
1. There is an encouragement to love one another with Christian love.
2. There is an encouragement to be like Christ.
Like the Apostles, we anticipate the eminent arrival of the Lord Jesus Christ; we hope to see Jesus face-to-face soon, and we must make ready for his return.
Have you ever been separated from a friend or loved one, and had hopes of seeing them again? If that friend called you, out of the blue, and told you they’d be coming to see you – what would you do? You’d get yourself, and your house, ready…
Jesus is coming back, and we don’t know when…but we need to be ready.
We cannot afford to be uncertain as we anticipate the arrival of the Lord…
I Thessalonians 3:9-13 reads, "9How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. 11Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones."
· This passage of Scripture expresses the hope of seeing loved one’s face-to-face, after a prolonged absence.
· There is an encouragement to strive for Christian perfection and holiness:
1. There is an encouragement to love one another with Christian love.
2. There is an encouragement to be like Christ.
Like the Apostles, we anticipate the eminent arrival of the Lord Jesus Christ; we hope to see Jesus face-to-face soon, and we must make ready for his return.
Have you ever been separated from a friend or loved one, and had hopes of seeing them again? If that friend called you, out of the blue, and told you they’d be coming to see you – what would you do? You’d get yourself, and your house, ready…
Jesus is coming back, and we don’t know when…but we need to be ready.
We cannot afford to be uncertain as we anticipate the arrival of the Lord…
We must fulfill our commitments as Christians:
· by striving for Christian perfection, and lives of holiness
· by serving the Lord in our local church…when we join the church, we agree to honor the Lord, and his church, by giving it, and him:
1. Our Time
2. Our Talents
3. Our Presence, andOur Tithes…
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