Winter is Almost Over
John 3:16-21, &1Thess. 5:1-11
Intro.:
A. Winter: Even here in San Diego, it got a little cool during the night this week as winter is near.
But of course our winter is nothing compared to other parts of the country. How would you like to be in No. or So. Dakota, or Minn. - Perre, No. Dakota – on Thursday and Friday it was only 1 degree for the high.
And think about places like Alaska or Iceland, or of course the Antartic.
TRANSITION: Coming out next Week is the Movie Narnia, from the Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis.
It is a story about 4 kids: Edmund, Peter, Lucy and Susan who venture through a Wardrobe into a Narnia.
Narnia is a cold, dark, dreary land that is ruled by the White Witch.
It is a place that is “Always Winter, but never Christmas.”
B. Could you imagine living in a place that is Always Winter?
I’m not just talking about a place that is physically cold, and dark, like winter in Narnia.
But, as Narnia is an imaginative place – Winter is also symbolic of a place where the Lord – Aslan - is absent; where the country is ruled by evil; where the creation is in decline; where people’s hearts are cold, fear reigns, and where anyone who stands up to evil become like stone.
Perhaps you can relate to Narnia as you live or experience Winter in life: Times of darkness – no light or guidance; Times of decline, adversity, where you feel far from God, cold from guilt and sin, etc.
C. Well today there is goodnews for you:
It is in the times of Winter that Jesus is always near and Comes!
Let’s look and learn at the Scriptures to see how Jesus comes in those times of Winter!
Body:
A. Jesus came 2000 years ago in a time of darkness –we celebrate it every Christmas.
Read John 3:16-17
Motivation = God’s Love
God’s Action = Sent His one and only Son – Jesus
God’s Reason: to save the world, not condemn it.
At the Appointed time – Jesus, the Christ – Messiah was born to save the world.
What was that world like when Jesus was born to us?
_ Vs. 19; light came into the world but men loved the DARKNESS more; deeds of Evil reigned; VS. 20; people lived in Fear – that their deeds would be exposed.
Evil, Darkness, Fear = Winter
- Not to mention that for a couple hundred years now, God’s Prophets were silent; the Greco/Roman world ruled the day where the truth was suppressed and deception ruled.
- Romans 1 records such a winter as People who denied God and turned from Him and so were handed over to their own depraved minds and evil deeds.
- It was definitely a Time of Winter - But, Jesus, the Lord broke into that Winter to bring love, light, forgiveness, hope, transformation, truth and the promise of Eternal Life.
- We are called Vs. 16, 18 - to believe in Him so that we will not perish but have eternal life!
B. Other examples of when Jesus comes and is present with people who are in times of Winter.
- Narnia; Edmund gave into temptation of the witch and was enslaved to her. The entire country of Narnia – even as Rom 8 describes for all of creation – was in a time of Winter when Aslan was present and came!
- The Samaritan woman, John 4
- The woman caught in adultery, John 8
- Paul on his way to Damascus, Acts 9
- Peter fishing after denying Jesus 3 times – Jesus, there for Peter on the shoreline and so reinstates Peter, John 21
- Paul & Silas in Jail, Acts 16
It is in the times of Winter that Jesus is always near and Comes!
C. Jesus is present now, but will Come again – Scripture teaches us that it will be a time of Winter.
Background – 1Thess. 4:13-18
Read 1Thess. 5:1-11
Vs. 1-2; No one knows when the time will come for Jesus to Return - However - BE READY!
This Winter =
- VS. 3, a false sense of peace and security.
- Vs. 5, a time of darkness, the night.
- Vs. 6, people asleep, evil deeds, drunkenness
The Call:
- Be Ready for the Return of Jesus.
- Be alert and Self-controlled, vs. 6
- Belong to the Day, put on faith and love
- Vs. 9, receive Salvation through JC
- Vs. 10, live with Him – Jesus.
- Vs. 11; build each other up and Encourage one another.
The point: In a time of Winter: false sense of peace and security, darkness, night, evil deeds and drunkenness - Jesus will Return.
Even as Jesus broke into History within our world 2000 years ago in a time of Winter – so when He returns, it will be a time of Winter too!
The keys for us is to Believe – Receive salvation through Jesus Christ – live in the Light; self controlled, ready, not surprised and so encourage and build one another up as we wait for Jesus’ return!
Song of Songs 2:11; in a book about a Solomon and his wife that also reflects Jesus’ love for the Church we read: “See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Vs. 12; Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.
Conclusion:
A. Narnia: Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight, at the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more. When he bears his teeth, winter meets its death, And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.”
Narnia was in a constant state of Winter – and Aslan came to set it free!
Today, in real life – are you in a Period of Winter? Feel like you are in darkness, overcome by our sinful deeds, feel cold and separated – see our communities reigned by evil and wrong.
Good News: Jesus has come, will come again to you personally, and will come again to Restore and Reign with light and holiness!
B. If you are in a time of Winter – Respond today by Believing and Receiving Salvation through Jesus who died for all our sins so that we can live with Him – Now and for eternity!
Let us all be Ready for that Day when the Promises of God are fulfilled and Jesus Returns to conquer and Rule and Restore His people, His Kingdom and all Creation – from Winter!
Close in Prayer!
