Amen, Come, Lord Jesus

Introduction

Ever had a picture that shapes the way you live?

Daddy Bill baptizing, Rick teaching son to ride bike, yesterday 4 generations in one picture

Reminds me that one day I’ll be the old guy, reflecting on the race I’ve run, as I’m headed to the end

Today, I want to go where Scripture ends

Read Revelation 22:20-21

Explanation

I love these verses because Revelation ends so clearly Brief point about how to read Revelation…focus on what’s clear, including:

The Reality of Life (ch. 1-21)

It ends

Been thinking about it while doing our will

Reflecting on dying helps reorient our living.

“Is what you’re living for worth dying for?”

Is the way you spend your time/money/words/thoughts going to lead to you saying you’ve lived the right life/run a good race/etc.

2 Cor. 4:18 is important because we tend to lose focus

The Return of the Lord (22:20)

So far only bad news

This life ends but it isn’t the end.

For those of us who feel the weight of life, we need to cling to this hope (2 Peter 3:9 // not slow in keeping his promise, Phil 3:20-21 // citizenship in heaven, 1 Cor. 15:20 // Christ the first fruits of the resurrection)

The challenge in giving up temporary “treasures” + JD Greear idea from book

There’s nothing here we could possibly miss out on

The Reason It Matters (22:21)

How should we respond to this?

Everyone will one day stand before God

Apart from Jesus, standing before God ought to strike fear —> gospel

We should all want to throw ourselves on God’s mercy

We can stand confidently because of grace

Church elder’s Bible (bad response for a Christian)

Christ already earned it —> we live in light of that

My holiness doesn’t give me assurance, my assurance gives me holiness.

It’s grace (matters for non-Christians to be able to have eternal life and for Christians to live in assurance)

Invitation

Recap: The Reality of Life (it ends), The Return of the Lord (it’s coming), and The Reason it Matters (it’s grace—how we can know with confidence there’s hope)

Are you confident in that hope? (baptism or prayer for assurance)

Are you eager for his return? (prayer for letting go of idols that are temporary)

Are you living in light of the end? (prayer for purpose)