A Grand Entrance for A Grand Exit
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· 106 viewsThere are many great and in depth sermons about salvation. This one intends avoid too deep a dive with a hope to attract some new believers to Christ versus impressing existing ones.
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A Grand Entrance for a Grand Exit
I Thessalonians 4:16-17
Elder Jonathan B. Lonon
[Recognition]
All glory to God! Thank God for Pastor Wayne Mack and First Lady Michelle Mack. A true shepherd with a talented and praying help-meet. We at grace place are truly blessed to be members of such a welcoming and impactful segment of the body of Christ. Multiplicities of thanks to my best friend and wife, LaBrentha Durham Lonon. You complete me! Thank you church family for trusting me enough to break the bread to you and may all who hear what I share today in brevity be inspired to draw closer to the cross.
[Pause for Opening Prayer]
There are many great and in-depth sermons about salvation. This one intends to avoid too deep a dive because of its aim to attract some new believers to Christ, versus simply providing a full-course meal to impress those who already believe.
There are two primary goals of today’s message:
1. Excite believers about what they already have!
2. Invite non-believers to ”get in on this”!
Topic: A Grand Entrance for A Grand Exit
I Thessalonians 4:16-17
All verses from CSB or HCSB version of the Bible
[Repeat Topic]
A Grand Entrance for a Grand Exit seems like an awkward topic for a Sunday morning message, but it will all come clear very quickly. Although our climatic verses are in First Corinthians and First Thessalonians, there will be a multitude of scriptures that go into baking this “bread of life” being served today. An appropriate sound track for today’s discourse would be that of a noisy kitchen where knives are being sharpened by the cooks; pots, pans, dishes, and glasses are clanking; and you may as well add that sizzle of the sauteed butter and olive oil on the grill. This culinary action usually sends a waft of pleasant odor into the air that escapes the kitchen and seeps into the dining room (with some, just enough, seeping out onto the street to attract the passer-by). Anybody hungry!
Hungry or not, let’s dive right in!
No, I am not preaching or teaching you how to find and make a grand entrance into a famed soul food kitchen and later make a grand exit while rubbing your tummy! This is much more relevant to the “soul” than to the “body”! In a few ways, you do get to participate in this grand entrance and exit, but the primary work for these two acts are performed by our Grand God!
A basic substance in the “salvation” of the natural man is bread. The same is true for the feeding of our souls, but the cook on the bread is quite different. The Bible is clear that man shall not live (in the greatest context of really living) by bread alone (by tasting the appealing natural bread and wine), but that man will really live by every Word that proceeds from the Grand Kitchen (ok, the mouth of God).
Luke 4:4
But Jesus answered him, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone.”
There used to be an old E.F. Hutton commercial that heralded their slogan, “When E.F. Hutton talks, people listen.” It was a great pitch that is sure to be used again by those who own that intellectual property. However, I will say today, that “When Jesus talks, people feast.” I know I won’t get any awards for that spin, but if you’re baking what people need, or discover what they want, the dining room will always be full!
Along those same lines, I know “Hell’s Kitchen” is popular and tasteful in many ways as a hit TV series, but “Heaven’s Kitchen” was in circulation long before and is out of this world good! The bread of heaven brings total fulfilment and salvation. The refreshing does more than satisfy the hungry stomach, it heals and delivers the hungry soul. Who doesn’t want to walk away feeling truly delivered and refreshed and renewed? Even God knows that User Experience is paramount! (See, even UX comes from God’s kitchen!)
We all crave that experience, but we are living in an age where, today the attempt by Satan is stronger than ever to minimize the revelation of God’s handiwork and the amazing benefits of His salvation freely served to each of us. He desires to blind us, mute us, redirect us away from, the very God we need to discover. Isn’t that like the competition – to control the dialogue.
2 Corinthians 4:4
In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
This is done via distractions, erred guidance, and traditions of men that deters the world away from basic and fundamental truths that can be seen and interpreted from God’s Word. Paul warns the Colossians in chapter 2 verse 8:
Colossians 2:8
Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ.
Of course, there are many cultures and ways and there is a level of respect that can be considered. However, God has never distributed a license to supersede his purpose and way.
Yes, there is a God (who would waste time arguing that?). Yes, a single Almighty God above all the other gods that man may reverence and worship. One true God. Period. Take it or leave it. Disputing it is a waste of time.
He is much more than a creator, for to stop at creation would have suggested limited capability. Instead, the Creator put into motion a cyclical reproductive chain in nature for every living thing! Who is like Him? The psalmist, who had experienced many facets of life applicable to any age, declared…
Psalms 35:10
All my bones will say,
“Lord, who is like you,
rescuing the poor from one too strong for him,
the poor or the needy from one who robs him?”
You sometime may not realize that you are being robbed, and that you are automatically poor in spirit upon birth. Sin is passed to each generation. Your enemy would not want to you know such a thing. Satan is a thief, and a liar too. (Great song line, by the way!) Jesus warned His early followers and you that...
John 10:10
A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.
According to Jesus as recording by John, thieves come to steal and kill, but the ultimate bread-maker and bread-breaker, is about giving life, not taking it.
Jesus sees the real hunger (natural and spiritual) and He miraculously steps into action, stooping down and brushing aside the punishment we deserve to introduce love. Love is His greatest menu item because it is He Himself.
When that pure nature of man became corrupted by sin, He revealed, and set into motion, a greatness of love that has never been, nor ever will be, matched!
John 15:13
No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.
This isn’t the love of a man running into a burning building to save a life. No, this is God Himself running into a burning world to save all corrupted lives. This knowledge did not become apparent in the A.D. period, but in the B.C. times we find patriarchs of the Bible expressing the greatness of a God only partially known!
Now, for those who walked by faith among His elect children to know of God’s greatness before He gave His only Son to counter that corruption was quite impressive. Through Isaiah God noted that there were those from days of old that knew who He was and believed.
Isaiah 43:10
“You are my witnesses”—
this is the Lord’s declaration—
“and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
No god was formed before me,
and there will be none after me.
To acknowledge and appropriate that greatness after His Son sacrificed Himself, to finish and complete that counter, is a blessing that should not be lost in the distractions of life’s challenges. Paul reminded Timothy of his own blessed assurance in Second Timothy:
2 Timothy 1:12
and that is why I suffer these things. But I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day.
As a believer, and because the third person of the Trinity was gifted to you when the New Testament church was started, this may be old news. Today, I want salvation to be refreshed as Good News to you.
Why, Elder Lonon? Because you are incredibly blessed, and those mercies that are new to you each day are not to be taken lightly. In fact, your placement into this glorious body of Christ is not happenstance and is full of purpose.
John 1:13
who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.
You, my already believing friend, and I, are now tasked with the assignment of enlightening others away from their distractions. We are tasked with helping them to see the light of Christ, why that light is shining for them, and how they can plug-in to illuminate their path and purpose. You have been given the power to do this:
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Topic Reminder: A Grand Entrance for A Grand Exit
Before I help you shine the Light by inviting those who don’t know Him to His glorious kingdom as a new citizen, let’s recap some huge moments where God made grand entrances - all in relation to Him revealing Himself as the One who would demonstrate and prove that we were His own by loving us unconditionally.
A Grand Entrance: Creator of heaven and earth
If we are going to offer God, Christ, the Holy Spirit to anyone, the Godhead Trinity who is God, we must first see how He deserves such attention.
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Who is He? Well, a recent devotional gave this rendering: He is the Maker of the very seen – mountains down here – stars and galaxies up there, and the very unseen - winds…and much more that you cannot see, but you know is there.
Genesis 1:27
So God created man in his own image;
he created him in the image of God;
he created them male and female.
On top of this, He is not a Maker that abandoned His creation. He is the present one: You can’t cloak your outer appearance nor your inner thoughts! He makes a grand entrance to create the world and then steps down to our level and makes a grand entrance into our daily walk and into our very thoughts to ensure that we know that He knows!
Let me pause here for station identification, shaking my head like I mean what I say and I say what I mean: “He created them male and female.” Period. The rest can be healed by this same salvation. Don’t hang up on me now, there is a grand exit coming that you do want to be a part of, I know you do. You want a good time, just like we all do – well this grand exit will top them all. Young people, don’t be swayed by the “freedom of choice” slogans. Just as they have a choice to defy the order of God, you have a choice to decry the disorder of man. Don’t be pulled into, or stay in that kitchen – you will get burned! Jesus has extinguished the fire – and the party over here never ends.
Now, back to who He is in relation to not only the human’s world (pretty standard) or the human’s body (pretty standard), but also the human’s mind (very dynamic)! According to Hebrews, He is able to hear and feed your very common or unique thoughts! You can’t hide your motives from Him.
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
A Grand Entrance: Christ as man on earth
Matthew 1:18
The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant from the Holy Spirit.
His arrival was unique and grand. It fit perfectly with the need for redeeming man allowing Christ to experience all the challenges of life from our perspective, and offer Himself in the manner that was consistent with God’s remedy and judgement.
A Grand Entrance: Raising of the dead
John 12:1
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus was, the one Jesus had raised from the dead.
This was amazing in itself to prove He was truly God on earth. His plan and method of salvation would be undeniable if He could show power over the penalty for sin itself: that is, over death. Those who saw Him perform the impossible were speechless and asked “How can this be, except it be from God?”
But that wasn’t enough, since like “kids will be kids”, “God will be God”. He then got up Himself after death (raised by the Father), then on top of that, He promised all who believed that He would return and do it again on a larger scale - but we’ll save the best for last! Hang on, we’re almost there.
A Grand Entrance: Christ Sending Holy Spirit
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Even after accepting Him as the Son of God and being welcomed into the family of God, God knew, because of the remaining presence of the sin nature, that He would need to show up in a big way again. This time, there would be what I’ll call “stickiness” to His arrival!
John 14:26
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.
He needed to impart a power, His power, to each new believer. He knew you would need that power to overcome within the environment where you would still reside after He had departed. This impartation was intentional – He prayed to the Father that God, the Holy Spirit, would abide in you! What!!! As if His Son coming on the scene was not enough, His Spirit was icing on the cake! Looks like He’s still in the kitchen whipping up grand blessings! But that wasn’t enough, because God wanted to prove that man could be the vehicle of hope and worship that He originally intended. So we have one more Grand Entrance…
A Grand Entrance: Greater works we would do
John 14:12
“Truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.
This grand entrance of His wonder-working power was realized by the apostles and the early church ministers and servants as they allowed God’s Spirit to operate through them. This grand entrance is still in play and therefore leads to our participation in happily introducing others to this amazing God, our amazing God! That’s right, OUR - be careful not to go too far with Him being your “personal saviour”! The works through saints by the Spirit causing many to be saved is nothing short of exquisite! The Great Commission gives our marching orders to go everywhere offering that same salvation and setting the stage for His Grand Entrance and their inclusion in our Grand Exit!
Mark 16:15
Then he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Matthew 28:19
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Given this charge, I want to take a moment to invite anyone listening to six baby steps to salvation. There is no judgement on your life or lifestyle that we can give – we are only the messengers of His Word and His gift. It’s not that complicated – it is simply to be received as the gift it is!
Topic Reminder: A Grand Entrance for A Grand Exit
Six baby steps to Salvation:
1. Recognize the need of the gift (salvation is a necessity, not an option)
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Right, I know what you may hear someone saying, “nobody is perfect”. Well, yes, except the Godhead, which means that our candidacy for sin’s remedy is settled. As the saying states, “we are all in the same boat”! A price is due throughout the inheritance of mankind which had to be paid. How will you pay this debt? His gift is the only accepted coin or bag!
2. Recognize the love of the gift (salvation is given directly, not at a distance)
John 3:16
For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
I John 4:19
We love because he first loved us.
He came and gave Himself for (and to you) to pay the debt He did not even owe! He didn’t send a courier with a message – He showed up. That’s what love does – it (He) shows up…but not just for the main event. He mingles at the after-party and He stops by to be there in life’s tougher moments too! He insist upon being the leader and the better at giving love (so that we can’t take any credit)!
3. Recognize the availability of the gift (salvation is free and possible, not probable)
Romans 5:8
But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
John 19:30
When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.
As the saying goes, “it’s a long story”, so we won’t tell the whole thing here. In a nutshell, God’s directives for the payment for sin was that sacrifices of certain animals atone for the sin. That act was temporary and had to occur continually. Jesus’ payment was permanent for all people with the lone requirement being our next step in this list.
4. Receive the gift (salvation is by faith, not by works)
Ephesians 2:8-9
For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.
John 1:12
But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name,
Jesus was the Lamb of God and when He sacrificed Himself on the cross, you accepting that sacrifice from the heart replaces the old way and heart. You don’t need to work, and cannot work, to obtain salvation – it is free to the willing, humble, and appreciative soul.
5. Enjoy and Share the gift (salvation brings joy, not grief)
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Now you can live without the stress and anxiety! Let Jesus live through you. Model a holy life because He is the righteousness of God in you. Oh, you will still make a pooh-pooh every now and again, but the finished work of Christ is not impacted by that. In fact, you will find yourself growing through the challenges and loving Him more and more. You will also gain joy as you pray for and tell others verbally about God’s love for them!
6. Meet the gift (salvation has another level, it isn’t over)
John 14:2
In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
This step is the one we are all excited about. This is not the same as orbiting the earth in a rocket ship, or going to the moon, or anticipation of going to any other planet or celestial abode. This is big time – this is going home to be with our Savior and with the Father. There really is no place like home – and He isn’t going to just throw something together (even though He would probably do a great job just “throwing something together”)! He’s been preparing it, so expect to be wow-ed!
This final baby step to salvation is a great segue into our closing and a summarized explanation of our topic: A Grand Entrance for a Grand Exit!
What is the primary Grand Entrance to come? It is His Return!
I Corinthians 15:52
in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.
I Thessalonians 4:16
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
Again, pay close attention to the fact that no courier is dropping off paper invitations with a time and directions; nor will you be pulling up the directions on Google Maps! Oh, and no chauffeur will be ferrying us to meet the Lord. THE LORD IS COMING HIMSELF TO RECEIVE US!
There won’t be a notice. Therefore, we are always getting ready since it will be “in the moment” and in the twinkling of an eye for the pick up!! There is nothing more fascinating than living “in His moment”! Yes He is coming again for a 1,000-year reign later, but that’s a grand entrance we won’t discuss today. The important thing right now is to be on that first train leaving the station!
What is the Grand Exit? It is Our Rapture!
I Thessalonians 4:17
Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
As I already clarified, it will be faster than lightning! The Grand Entrance and Exit are joined in time! Believe me, there will be no believer on the day of the rapture telling God they are afraid of heights, or that they prefer to travel on the ground! All of us will be looking up with no care of looking back – anticipating what is in store as we will instantly be changed from mortal to immortality. Since I won’t be thinking about it then, I wonder what the news reports will be when we all disappear in a flash! I guess I’ll miss the “breaking” news that day!
[Transition to Altar Call]
Topic Reminder: A Grand Entrance for A Grand Exit
Now, it’s decision time and we’ll stay right here in I Thessalonians to share some sober advice about how we are approaching you with this news and when and how you should approach God about this news.
I Thessalonians 4:18
Therefore encourage one another with these words.
First, we are demonstrating the same love of Christ by offering His gift without fee or judgement to you – we are comforting our brethren and you with this information.
Now that you know, don’t you procrastinate and say, “I’ll get right one day.” Instead, let the Word of God we shared today take root in your heart and as the writer of Hebrews quotes the message to David by the Holy Spirit in
Hebrews 3:15
As it is said:
Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.
The “rebellion” refers to the many years in the wilderness that the people of God rejected His way, living how they pleased, only calling on God for immediate benefit and not for a desired worship nor the adoration that He deserved. Just as they did not choose Him, but He chose them, so He has chosen you to hear this word of hope. He has not left you alone. He is not deterred by Satan’s attempts at suppressing this royal plea. He is not impressed with your best, your money, your fame, or even your name. For Acts 4:12 is clear:
Acts 4:12
There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.”
Don’t be deceived by the lures of the world driving you to go and get your coins, or your bags, or whatever the getting is today. Don’t be so caught up in self-preservation and self-attention that you lose your soul by missing His salvation and attention. Besides, He can work wonders on any self that is surrendered to Him. He has this “more than conqueror thing” He does that works hand-in-hand with you humbling yourself before Him and being content with such things as you have. It’s amazing – humbled ones win!
I Thessalonians 5:1-3
About the times and the seasons: Brothers and sisters, you do not need anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
Think about these times and seasons. They are allowing any and everything. Like seasons, they are cold, windy, hot, and rainy! Yes, people and nature. It is easy for evil to creep in and infect us worse than any virus ever would. It really is possible to be lulled into a sense of security in my own way or thing or belief, refusing to accept the greatest gift of all. It is also easy to follow the crowd and thoughts of a brighter future through our own efforts of keeping a false hope alive.
I strongly recommend that you “get Jesus and get Him good!” Yes, we had a song for that too: Deep, deep, deep down in my heart…! Get the love of Jesus deep and you won’t be swayed. You will have the power to overcome any force that seeks to hold you down when it’s time for that Grand Exit!
[Closing Prayer]
[END: Return hosting to the Moderator for Giving and News]
