The Coming of our Lord Jesus in Power

Dearly Beloved: The privileges and blessings that we have in community together in the Church of Jesus Christ are sacred and precious. There is in it such hallowed fellowship, care, and counsel as cannot otherwise be known apart from the family of God.

There is the godly care of pastors, with the teachings of the Word and the inspiration of corporate worship. And there is cooperation in service, accomplishing that which cannot otherwise be done.

*Today we affirm again the doctrines and practices of the church.

We believe in one God— Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We believe that human beings are born in sin; that they need the work of forgiveness through Christ and the new birth by the Holy Spirit; that subsequent to this there is the deeper work of heart cleansing or entire sanctification through the infilling of the Holy Spirit, and that to each of these works of grace the Holy Spirit gives witness.

We believe that our Lord will return, the dead shall be raised, and that all shall come to final judgment with its rewards and punishments.

Do you heartily believe these truths? If so, answer, “I do.”

Do you acknowledge Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and do you believe that He saves you now?

Response: I do by faith.

Desiring to unite with the Church of the Nazarene, do you commit to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and your neighbor as yourself as expressed by the Covenants of Christian Character and Conduct? Do you commit to the mission of God as expressed in the doctrine, fellowship, and work of the Church of the Nazarene? Will you support the teachings of the Church of the Nazarene and strive, with God’s help, to grow in your understanding and practice of the same in a way that enhances the witness of the church? Will you endeavor in every way to glorify God, by a humble walk, godly conversation, and holy service; by devotedly giving of your resources; and by faithfully participating in the means of grace? Will you follow Jesus Christ all the days of your life, abstain from all evil, and seek earnestly to perfect holiness of heart and life in the fear of the Lord?

Response: I will.

The minister shall then say to the person or persons:

I welcome you into the Church of the Nazarene and the fellowship of this local congregation with its benefits and responsibilities. May the great Head of the Church bless and keep you, and enable you to be faithful in all good works, that your life and witness may be effective in care for the poor and oppressed and in leading others to Christ.

2 Peter 1:16–21 NIV

For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

The early church struggled to remain faithfully focused

Peter is starting to realize that he may not be alive much longer. Whether he was physically ill, advanced in age, or as some traditions say aware that he might be executed for his faith, Peter is very focused. He is in the midst of reminding them urgently to keep up their spiritual discipline. And now he reminds them of how sure their faith can be by reminding them of how it all went down to begin with.

Jesus Christ came in humility. But he also came in power. We will see a little later in the sermon just how glorious one moment was. But in moment after moment we learned that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God, the savior who takes away the sin of the world as he dies on the cross. He was raised from the dead and ascended to heaven. From there he will come again to setup the fullness of his Kingdom that is already getting started. Whew, good stuff. Thanks Peter.

These folks were beginning to doubt, but Peter, nearing the end of his life wants them to get back on track with the firm foundation. There’s no time for wavering and no reason to waver, because of all the things that happened.

We also struggle to remain faithfully focused

Today I talk to so many people who are weighed down with concern and worry or confusion. They’ve listened to every popular voice on tv or from confused friends and family. Their faith starts to get a little wobbly.

These times can reveal to us that we have been resting on foundations other than Jesus. Job. Stable relationships. Positive circumstances. Bank account.

But it’s not all bad if it brings us back to source, back to the beginning. Back to what we know to be true.

God confirmed Jesus’ identity and mission

Peter is revisiting what he knows to be true. He is giving them every reason to be confident and stand on actual truth. He’s not just reporting what he has heard. He declares confidently that he and others were eyewitnesses.

2 Peter 1:16–18 NIV

For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

The father revealed it with dazzling clarity so the apostles could carry forth this message faithfully. The beauty of this method is that our faith is not just words on a page. It is an embodied message. Living witnesses of what God does in the lives of those surrendered to him. But Peter did write down a faithful account so the church in every generation could have these words to return to and be renewed in faith in times of doubt or struggle.

The Scriptures confirm our blessed hope

We can look to the Word. And we can embody a rich faith in our generation as well. Yesterday I was interviewing candidates to get their district minister’s license. This allows someone to have authority to preside over communion and even be assigned to a church, where called upon or placed. Some of us who have been pastors for a while ask them different questions every year and allow them to share what God is doing in their lives. These interviews are a wonderful time of testimony and then we get to pray over them and their spouses. It’s great to see a fresh crop of people making so much progress in their faith that their local church sees potential in them to lead others. Embodying the faith in each new generation. And they symbolize all the faithful folks embodying it to them and for them back in their home churches. This is all made possible by the blessed hope as shared by Peter and the apostles.

Back in Matthew 17 we get more details of that day on the mountain with Jesus, Moses and Elijah...

Matthew 17:4–8 NIV

Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

Today there are times when we are surrounded by awesome displays of God’s power and vivid reminders of the faithfuless of Jesus. There are times we may feel all alone. But if we look up perhaps we too can see no one except Jesus. He is the author and perfecter of our faith. He is the image of the invisible God. The firstborn over all creation. In him we live, move and have our being. Wonderful, counselor, everlasting father, prince of peace. The king of kings and Lord of Lords. Our soon and coming king. Once again he will come in power that no one can deny. Peter says we can be sure of it, even today.

Don’t build your faith on anything less that the person of Jesus Christ and him crucified, buried, and resurrected and ascended. Coming again in power for all the world to see. Its more than a firm foundation. It’s also wings to fly.