Sermon Tone Analysis

[SLIDE 1] Welcome/Update

If you’re new with us today, we want you to feel at home and know that this is a safe place—and we’re so glad to have you here.

know that this is a safe place—and we’re so glad to have you

here.

For us, church is so much more than just a Sunday service, and we want you to know that we want to get to know you.

One of the best ways you can get connected with us is to fill out the blue card in the seat back in front of you.

Fill out as much information as you feel comfortable sharing.

we want you to know that there’s a place perfect for you at

Central.

One of the best ways you can get connected with us is

to fill out the blue card in the seat back in front of you.

Take that card out sometime during the experience and fill out

as much information as you feel comfortable sharing.

And then, after the service, take that card to the welcome desk in the lobby.

And that’s it!

Later this week one of our pastors will connect with you.

And once again, thanks for being here.

the lobby and we’ll put a small gift in your hands.

Just a small

token of our appreciation for you being here.

Today: Sent Sunday

And that’s it!

Later this week one of our pastors will connect

Shorter worship

with you.

And once again, thanks for being here.

Cong Meeting to affirm the new leadership structure

Car Show and Swap Meet @ Lincoln HS - Head over to the school, meet our neighbors

Aug 8: Kickoff Sunday

Fall Retreats

The place relationships are made and deepened.

Men - Sept 13-15

Women - Oct 11-13

Head to the Welcome desk or ypsifriends.org,

fill out a registration form.

[SLIDE 2]Introduction

VINTAGE FAITH SERIES: THE KING’S RETURN.

NOT: a message on the theories of the end times.

[SLIDE 3] Issue: Chasing Immortality

I don’t want to die - Can I live forever?

Religious theories like reincarnation

Move off planet earth

TV series, movies: cyborg

Beating biology - Longevity/Extending life by preventing the aging of cells

Genetic engineering: lengthening telomeres - sheath covering ends of DNA

Concept: Rejuvenate the body at a certain age to keep it from aging by replacing organs - 3D printing replacements with living cells

Replacing organs - 3D printing replacements with living cells

Virtual Immortality - downloading the mind to a computer

The Impact

Society

Only for the wealthy

Fewer resources for preventive research, disease research, etc

Only for the wealthy

Attempts to

You and Me

Denial of death and the end of things - and sometimes even the acceptance of it prevents us from living.

Where This Search Gets it Right

The longing to connect with our created nature.

[SLIDE 4] The Better Question

What (who) is the source of (eternal) life?

[SLIDE 5] The King’s (Second) Coming

Second coming - Jesus has not been absent (with us through the spirit).

Second coming is to bring to earth what is already a reality in heaven.

The King’s Coming

Apocalypse - Prophetic story using symbolic imagery and figurative language to tell about the end of time and God’s act of righting all that is wrong, evil.

Part four of John’s vision

Part 1 - Jesus tells John to write to 7 churches

Part 2 - John at the throne

Part 3 - The battle of the lamb and the beasts

Part 4 - The lamb's victory

[SLIDE 6] White Horses

, , ;

, , ;

Victory Lap

Robe dipped in blood ().

Cf crucifixion.

In Jesus' role as the lamb that was slain that he conquers.

In the power of suffering love, Christ rides conquering that which led to the shortening of life in every respect with heaven’s armies - angels.

No weapons.

Sin, right?

Yes, and more.

Heaven’s armies followed him, also on white horses.

Their clothing resembles that of the bride in verse 8 (though here leukon, ‘white’, replaces lampron, ‘bright’, ‘splendid’).

They are probably angels rather than the saints, for the saints are rather the bride (v. 7).

Swete agrees that angels are meant and comments on the fact that they are clothed in white, whereas their Leader’s robe is dipped in blood: ‘He only has had experience of mortal conflict; for them bloodshed and death are impossible.’

Though they are called armies there is no mention of weapons and neither here nor elsewhere are they said to take martial action.

The victory over evil is won by their Leader alone.

Reframation authors.

As astonishing as forgiveness of personal sins is, God has done even more than in the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of his, Son, Jesus Christ.

The good news has relevance to every aspect of humanity’s brokenness, not just personal guilt before God.

War in scripture:

Not militarism

Jesus destroys the evil nations not with a literal sharp sword but with the proclaimed word that comes out of his mouth.

Focus on a person more than an event in whom the entire community of faith finds its life's meaning and direction

War images - focus on a person more than an event in whom the entire community of faith finds its life's meaning and direction and to defend the faithfulness of God

Defend the faithfulness of God

The army is not to engage in battle as the victory over evil is won by their Leader alone.

Victory of Jesus that we share in.

They benefit from his victory's blessing that belongs to all those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes (discipleship).

[SLIDE 7] Judgment

Comes from the character of the source of life (Jesus) - just, right.

Nations will be assessed with justice in righteousness based on how they have responded to grace.