Are you ready for the end? (1 John 2:1-2)
Gary McManus, 05/05/2013Part of the DCC Basics series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
Ascension Sunday 1 John 2:1-2 (p. 1207)
Ascension Day is Thursday, May 9th [forty days after Jesus’ resurrection] and celebrates Jesus'
return to heaven (Acts 1:3, 9 (p. 1077)).
Phil Bedell, age 51, died April 26th suddenly at his home in Daleville. Pastor Gary McManus asked and obtained permission from Phil’s widow, Mary, to talk about Phil in the message today. “I’m ready to fly” And I’m ready to fly / I’m ready to fly
I’m ready to fly away with you. / I’m ready to fly away, So high away,/ Ready to fly away to you.
We have looked at Jesus’ words in John ch 14
We only receive that heavenly dwelling from God
when IT is ready. We don’t decide. Have you prepared?
The fact of Jesus’ ascension isn’t the most important part. It has important meaning(s).
Remember the well known image. . .
James 1:14-15:
Desire>enticement>conception>sin>death
Physical death may not literally come.
But that isn’t the worst part. The worst part is when
I LIVE by that desire (the Bible word is being a slave to it)
[slave-John 8:34, Romans 6:6, 6:16-17,22]
Desire, flesh and life in the (Holy) Spirit
advocate, paraklete,
Jesus is ADVOCATE.
(paraclete): one who is called to the side of. . .
intimate advisor. . .a counselor, even a comforter.
Also the paraclete convinces and convicts, exhorts
And strengthens.
That well known image might be more about God’s throne room with the judgment seat. . .
That voice of accusation. . .
. .that isn’t Jesus’ voice.
That all comes from Satan’s side of the aisle.
That is from the prosecutor. Jesus is your advocate.
We may trust God in death.
We may trust God in life.
Romans 8:5, 13:14 and
Galatians 5:16:
So I say, walk by the Spirit,
and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Through Jesus, a counselor,
sent from above to help me walk according to the Spirit.
Maybe the end will come today.
Maybe not. Maybe one of us will die.
Phil was ready.
Are you? Are you ready?
What about those people you know?
Tell them about Phil’s death at age 51 and how Phil was ready
—that Phil had gotten ready a long time ago. Amen.
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