Sermon Title: Are we saved yet?
Scripture Text: Hebrews 9:24-28
Hebrews 9:24-28 NLT
24 For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one in heaven. He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf. 25 And he did not enter heaven to offer himself again and again, like the high priest here on earth who enters the Most Holy Place year after year with the blood of an animal. 26 If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for all time, he has appeared at the end of the age[a] to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice.
27 And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, 28 so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.
In our culture today, the word ‘anticipation’ has been reduced to mean a feeling of simple expectation. However, the original meaning of the term, ‘anticipation’ had to do with action , doing things while we wait, and preparation in our since for when Jesus comes for us.
Verse 28 (1st sentence) fulfills God’s first promise through Jesus Christ and that is: Deliverance from the power or penalty of sin; redemption.
This is the easiest way to explain why bad things happen to good and godly people. Our sins are forgiven but we aren’t in Heaven yet.
Verse 28 (2nd sentence) Jesus will come again to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for Him.
-He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring (complete/second coming) salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.
Ephesians 1:14 NLT
14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
“Never forget that anticipation on Jesus’ return is an important part of life. Work's important, family's important, but without excitement, you have nothing. We cheat ourselves if we don't have that anticipation and excitement about Jesus coming back in our souls.
“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.” Psalm 62:6 (KJV)
He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.
Thessalonians 4: 15-18 NLT
15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.
God wants to encourage us in the area of stirring up anticipation for what He is going to do; on a personal level, on a ministry level and on a church level.
Jesus came the 1st time to die for our sins on the Old Rugged Cross. Yours, mine, everyone's sins. We don't have to do anything to get it; no work is involved. All we have to do is receive it. A small mustard seed when cultivate can grow 10 foot tall in one growing season and be a hug healthy tree. Are we still excited? How's our tree growing?
We should get excited with great expectation and anticipation about Jesus coming back for us. And He is coming back for those that Believe in His Son for sure.
Revelation 19:11-21 NLT
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. 12 His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. 13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. 15 From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a wine press. 16 On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
Our sins are forgiven because Jesus died for us. But we are still earth bound. Jesus will come back a second time and then we will receive eternal life. Salvation will be given completely by Him with a name that only he knows.
