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The views represented on this blog are not necessarily those of Higher Things, nor does Higher Things necessarily endorse them.
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Posted At: 4:18am by Brent Kuhlman
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Last Sunday in the Church Year Trinity Lutheran Church
20 November 2005 Murdock, NE
+ Jesu Juva +
2 Peter 3:3-4, 8-10a, 13
Do you ever think of Judgment Day? Does the Last Day ever register on your radar screen? Does it? Did you lose sleep last night thinking about the end of the world when Jesus returns in glory? Did you cancel all your plans this weekend in order to study what the Bible says about Judgment Day? Do you look forward to a new heaven and a new earth?
That's what I thought. Maybe a few scoffers would get your attention. You know, that's not a bad idea. I think I'll bring in some Rent-A-Scoffers to the divine service next Sunday. And when we get to the part of the Nicene Creed that says, "And he will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead," the Rent-A-Scoffers will burst out laughing. After they catch their breath, they'll shout: "Hello! Are you people living in the dark ages or something? Hello! Your theologians have given up on all this Jesus Second Coming stuff a long time ago. Clouds, angels, trumpet, a jugdment, heaven and a hell. Hello! You've been euchered. That's all fairy tale land stuff. Oh sure, Jesus supposedly promised to return. SO WHERE IS HE? HELLO! Got news for you! HE'S NOT COMING BACK! There won't ever be a last day. You people are a bunch of fools. Scammed, sorry, fools!" They'll start giggling again until finally they're in stitches.
You don't like that? You don't like being taunted and teased by the Rent-A-Scoffers? Well, I don't have to rent them. The scoffers are everywhere free of charge. Some of them are bishops. Some are seminary professors. They write books. Set up blog sites and newsletters. Many sit in pews of congregations every Sunday in the United States. Lampooning what you confess about the Last Day.
You don't like that, do you? Don't appreciate them scorning Jesus and His promise to return? Good. We trust what Jesus says through His apostle Peter. There will be a Last Day, a Judgment Day. Jesus will return in glory just as He promised. His Word is reliable. Powerful. Does what it says and promises.
That's the way it was in the beginning. "Let there be!" God said. And from God's oral Word all that you see can into existence. Water above and water below were separated. Mountains appeared. Water on the earth gathered into seas, oceans, lakes and rivers. Because of God's Word.
He spoke. And by God's Word, water deluged the entire earth in Noah's day. The Great Flood. Only the animals on the ark, Noah and his family survived this massive destruction. Noah preached for years. Warned and promised the Flood. And the scoffers laughed at the man building the ark on dry land.
The history of the world is determined, preserved, and ended according to God's Word. Kingdoms and governments rise and fall according to God's Word.
The Church lives from God's Word. What God says happens. What He says He does. What He promises He will do. That includes the Last Day when the heavens and earth will be, by God's Word, destroyed by fire.
"So when will Jesus return Reverend? He ascended some 2,ooo years ago. A lot of time has passed since then." I don't know when that day will be. Whenever the Lord decides. And He's not too worried about how long you have to wait. "With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." God's not slow keeping promises. He's just patient. Yes, that's right, patient. Very patient.
Do you know why the history of the world goes on and on and on? Peter says its so you, me, our congregation and the world will repent. Listen again to the text: "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." To repent is to believe. To trust. In Jesus. As Savior. Who died for you. Rose for you. For the forgiveness of all your sins. Time ticks away. The hours, days, months, and years pass. Why? So that you have time to listen to God's Word that says you're died for in Jesus. And to believe it. Trust it with all your heart. To listen to Christ's invitation to eat and drink His Body and Blood. To trust that its for you for your forgiveness. For the strengthening of your repentance: faith. For the promise of your body being raised on the Last Day.
When will the Lord come? I don't know. Scripture doesn't tell us when. But it does say: "The day of the Lord will come like a thief." Judgment Day's going to catch everyone by surprise. When we don't expect it. And on that day everything of the old creation will be destroyed. Wiped out. By fire. And God will speak again. A new heaven and a new earth. The resurrection of our bodies. Eternal life in God's gracious presence.
We look forward to that day. Until then, we continue to hear God's Word. Live from that Word. Trust that Word. Most especially in the Supper. For Jesus does come. The Crucified, Risen, and Ascended Jesus -- right into our very midst. At this very altar. He speaks. And with His words He gives. His Body. His Blood. A foretaste of the feast to come. Judgment Day in miniature. Judgment Day ahead of time.
And what's His jugdment for you? You're forgiven.
Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, let your holy Supper be our home of righteousness on earth until we enter the new heaven and new earth, the home of righteousness on the Last Day. Amen.
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