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AC Judgment–Part 9
“When the Son of Man comes in all glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all nations, and He will separate the sheep from the goats. And He will place the sheep on His right, but the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’” –Matthew 25:31-34
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, The Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he arose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, whence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
The Bible records the story of the world. Its beginning with creation, the chosen people of Israel, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the spread of the gospel, and the founding of the church. However, the Bible does not only look backward, but also looks to the future. The Bible tells us about the beginning of the world according to God’s will, and about the end of the world according to God’s will. The study of the end of the world is called eschatology.
People have many different theories on how the world will end. Many in our day are convinced that the world will end through global warming. Some think perhaps through nuclear war, but Christians believe that the world as we know it will end when Jesus returns to judge the living (quick) and the dead. Christians have long debated exactly what the Bible teaches about when Jesus will return, and there is disagreement among genuine Christians as to the timing of that return. We’re not certain of the when, but we are sure of the how. The second coming of Jesus will be with glory, power, and majesty (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Jesus will bodily return to the earth. This is not a thing of metaphor or mythology. As He ascended to heaven, He will descend to judge the world.
Jesus Himself will be the agent of the judgment of the people of the world. “The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son” (John 5:22, 2 Tim 4:8, 2 Cor 5:10). Those who believe the ministry of Jesus is about affirming sinners in their sin will be proven terribly mistaken. In holiness, and with perfection, Jesus will carry out ultimate justice upon sinners alive at His return and those who died before His return. Apart from the grace of Jesus toward those who have accepted His salvation, no one could stand. By grace through forgiveness, we will pass through the judgment. Only covered by the righteousness of Christ will we be seen as righteous. No life can withstand the perfect scrutiny of the perfect judgment of Jesus. Instead, we must receive forgiveness.
The Bible is clear that on the last day Jesus will separate the sheep (believers) from the goats (unbelievers). The sheep (believers) called by Jesus, who hear His voice and respond by faith will go into the everlasting glory of heaven. Those who do not believe in Jesus as the Son of God, and finally reject His salvation, will suffer everlasting torment in hell. We are pilgrims passing through this corrupt and fallen world, seeking a heavenly city. We are not going to have our best life now, nor should we expect it. For Christians, the best is yet to come.
Albert Mohler concludes, “These truths point again to the gospel, for no sinner in himself can find survival in this judgment. The only means of survival—the only means of acquittal or salvation—is the loving sacrifice of Christ, our defender and judge. Christians must live with urgency because we understand that in this present age God will use us to snatch some from the evil one. The reality of the eschaton, the last days, reminds us of the urgency of sharing the gospel, because the eschaton goes hand in hand with the declaration of Jesus Christ among the nations. Our understanding of the future fuels our actions in the present; thus, missions and evangelism are eschatological activities—focused and fueled by the knowledge of Christ’s coming.”
Thanks be to God for His mercy toward us,
Pastor Vic
< This is part nine in a series of articles on the Apostles’ Creed. To learn more about the Apostles’ Creed read: “The Apostles’ Creed: Discovering Authentic Christianity in an Age of Counterfeits” by Albert Mohler. >
Missions & Men’s Ministry
Mission Ministry
Matthew 28:18-20 “Then Jesus came to them and said “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
In Acts 1:8, He told us where we need to go to fulfill His commission: “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem (local and surrounding area) and all Judea (the Commonwealth of Virginia) and Samaria (United States) and to the end of the earth (the world).”
This year we are planning several mission trips to Rwanda, Guatemala, and possibly in the US. A young adult trip is being planned for Rwanda, evangelizing and disciplining students in Kigali. Josiah (IMB Missionary) is asking for a married couple to commit to a two-year, temporary assignment, to support the discipleship and evangelism efforts working with local church plants. This is a salaried, fully funded assignment. If you are interested, please contact me.
In May we will conduct a missions information meeting for those who are interested in leading or participating in a mission trip.
Pray: For wisdom and insight as we discern God’s will and that the laborers will heed God’s call to go out into the harvest.
Men’s Ministry
The purpose of the men’s ministry is to help men be the men God has called them to be. 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
- March 18-20: Redeemer Men will be attending the Be Strong Men’s Conference at SWO (Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters).
- We are planning two Legacy (Dying to self and living for Christ) events this year. The first will be April 9th
Pray: God will grow our fellowship of brothers together so that we can be the iron that sharpens each other by calling one another into accountability based on the principles of God’s word.
Rodney Swann
Unlimited Government
“Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forever more. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” Isaiah 9:7
In this passage, Isaiah speaks of the coming Messiah and of the kingdom He will inaugurate. I did not have time in last week’s sermon to speak to the important hope of the coming government of the Kingdom of God. I spoke last Sunday about the necessity of striving for limited government in this fallen world because the unlimited government of sinful people will always come into conflict with the final perfect authority of God. If we are always striving to keep civil government in check, how is the idea of the unlimited government of God a blessing? It’s worth considering!
At the second coming of Christ, Jesus will return as a conquering King. The Kingdom of God will not be a democracy, but a perfect monarchy with a perfect King. Monarchy, as a form of government, never works in this fallen world because the king is always sinful. As Lord Acton famously stated, “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely!” He’s right because no king that has ever ruled has been able to escape his own corrupt heart. Apart from real accountability, sinful people will abuse power for their own self-interest. In contrast, the perfect kingship of Jesus will work in the opposite direction. Jesus in His glorious redeeming perfection will be worthy of worship – unlike the hollow praise directed toward human monarchs.
Jesus will not use His throne to enrich Himself. Instead, from His inexhaustible perfection and riches will bestow upon His people places of inheritance prepared for them (John 14:1-3). King Jesus will go well beyond the material to fully glorify the body and souls of His people. In the Kingdom of God our hearts will be rid of the presence of sin and clothed in the righteousness of Christ. King Jesus will conquer Satan, our great adversary and accuser, ushering in an eternal reign of peace. To His reign of peace there will be no end. There will be no enemy from without or within that can come against King Jesus. In the eternal living triune existence, Jesus will never grow old, tired, or senile. He will forever be wise, good, and just.
This same glorious coming reality is hinted at throughout Scripture. In 2 Samuel 7:13 King David is told by the prophet Nathan that the Lord God will establish the throne of his kingdom in a way that will never end. David rejoices in this news but cannot understand from his perspective how this could be. All the dynasties of earthly kings come to an end. But in Matthew 1 we are given a tracing of the linage of Joseph, the “the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ” (Matthew 1:16). Jesus is the fulfillment of the word of the Lord to David. In Luke 1:32-33 this is clearly spelled out. Jesus will reign “forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
In Daniel 7:13-14 we read about Daniel’s vision of the “Son of Man” (the most common name of Jesus in the gospels) being given everlasting dominion over all the nations. The dominion of Jesus is an authority that will not pass away and cannot be destroyed, but this dominion will be for the blessing and joy of those that are brought into His kingdom. In verse 27 we are told how the saints of God will reign with the Son of Man in this coming kingdom.
We are not used to hearing of the Kingdom of God in our day. Most of the emphasis of the “good news” of the message of Jesus is related to benefits in this life. But this was not so in the ministry of Jesus. Jesus was constantly directing people to consider the coming Kingdom of God – the divine, promised, and eternal rule of God. Most of the parables of Jesus worked to relate known realties to the unknown reality of the Kingdom of God. It is very important that we reset our thinking about heaven to relate to this idea of eternal life. Heaven is over and over expressed as the eternal reign of the resurrected and glorious King Jesus, not a nebulous undefined endless existence.
Let’s hear the command of Jesus and seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. Let’s be reminded that the corruption of the governments of this world will one day come to an end. We struggle now against evil and those that reject the authority of Jesus – but it will not always be this way. Render to Caesar the tax due Caesar, for in the end these earthly things will all pass away. Live in service to Jesus to gain an eternal reward that nothing can destroy. Be grateful and offer to God acceptable worship with reverence and awe for receiving by grace alone a kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:27-29). Let us walk by faith, never losing hope in the coming of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ!
As Jesus has come once, He will come again,
Pastor Vic
Recommended Reading
2022 Recommended Reading
As we enter into 2022, I would like to continue to challenge us as a church to be a reading people. Various forms of video and audio technology are threatening to completely press out of people’s lives the discipline of reading the written word. Yet God has revealed Himself to us by the written word. This is not a coincidence and cannot be effectively “evolved forward” into a better form of revelation. We must discipline our minds to be critical, thoughtful, and effective readers. Reading other books regularly will help you read the Bible more clearly and thoughtfully. Every year around this time I will share with you some of the books I most enjoyed last year. Also this year, other leaders from around the church will share their recommendations.
Most of these books are available in the church library. We maintain a church library to facilitate the reading of good Christian books. Many thanks to Karen Robinson for managing this effort. I would ask that as you take books from the library that you follow the basic lending procedures and return the books you have read in a timely manner, so others can enjoy them as well. Part of the library ministry is giving away Bibles. We want everyone to have a Bible to read. If you know someone that does not have a Bible, please ask Karen for one from the library and give it to the person in need. If you struggle to understand the Bible, Karen can give you a study Bible to help you better understand what the Bible is about and how it is organized.
May you love the Lord your God with all your mind! Let’s all aim to read more quality books in 2022.
- Pastor Vic
Favorites from Pastor Vic:
Setting Our Affections Upon Things Above; Nine Sermons on the Gospel and the Church, by D. Martin Lloyd Jones. Insightful, inspiring, and Christ-honoring sermons by one of the greatest preachers of all time.
Evangelism; How the Whole Church Speaks of Jesus, by J. Mack Stiles. This is a very encouraging and practical book on how our entire church must work together to bring lost people to Jesus. You’ll hear more from me this year on this book. Let’s have a joyful and mission focused heart toward the lost!
George Whitfield, by Arnold A. Dallimore. This outstanding biography examines the inspiring life of one of the greatest evangelist to ever be used by God. Whitfield was one of the most important figures in the first great awakening. He preached to more people without voice amplification than any other person that has ever lived. This biography is available in a two volume set, or a condensed one volume paperback.
Martin Luther; The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World, by Eric Metaxas. This up to date and very well written biography helps the reader understand the evolution of one man’s life from lost in religious formalism to salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ our Lord. Martin Luther is one of the most important characters in church history. If you are unfamiliar with his life, you should read this book.
Gentle and Lowly, by Dane Ortlund. This book explores the often neglected aspect of the character of Jesus in being gentle, merciful, and kind. The fruits of the Spirit include gentleness, kindness, and goodness. These qualities won’t get you very far in the high pressure competitive world we currently live in. However, they are a central part of the character of Jesus and must be a central part of our spiritual development.
Out of Many, One; Portraits of America’s Immigrants, by George W. Bush. In this inspiring book President Bush paints a (literal) portrait of each immigrant then briefly tells their story. This book will inspire you and bring you to tears as you read story after story related to courage, intense hard work, hope in the goodness of God, and the merciful helping hands of one neighbor helping another make a better life. This book will reset your mindset toward immigration, love of neighbor, and how, as Christians, we must relate to these important issues.
Alongside; Loving Teenagers with the Gospel, by Andrew Hill. This very passionate and practical book will help parents and grandparents understand how to bridge the gap between the generations to effectively love our teens and share Jesus with them. If you have a teenager, you need to take your time reading this one.
Other Recommendations:
Mike Patterson – Elder
Autobiography of George Muller, George Muller. This is the story of George Mueller and his journey from a life of sin and rebellion to his glorious conversion. In the middle of both struggles and triumphs, he established orphan homes to care for thousands of poor children of England. He depended upon God’s daily miraculous responses to his prayers to supply all their needs. George Mueller’s unwavering faith and childlike dependence upon his heavenly Father inspired me to confidently trust the God of the impossible to meet my needs in every area of my life. George Mueller was an ordinary man who did great things because he trusted in an extraordinary God.
Prayer, by John Onwuchekwa. Of all the books that have been written on prayer, this one had a very specific purpose: examining how prayer shapes the life of the church. The author goes on to explain how a church’s commitment to prayer is one of the greatest determiners of its effectiveness in ministry. This book is personal and practical yet interesting and easy to read; mostly about corporate prayer in the church but loaded with personal stories and illustrations.
The author makes the most compelling statement on prayer when he says, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” Breathing, like prayer, is necessary for everything that we do.
Bob Sawyer – Elder
The Pursuit of God – Updated Edition, by A.W. Tozer
Sherry Morgan – Children’s Ministry Director
Twelve Extraordinary Women, by John MacArthur. This book highlights some of the best known women in the Bible. The women he chose to write about are: Eve, Sarah, Rahab, Ruth, Hannah, Mary, Anna, The Samaritan Woman, Martha & Mary, Mary Magdalene and Lydia. MacArthur writes a chapter about each woman with Martha and Mary sharing a chapter. The single, central, dominant truth that emerges is that their faith and hopes were completely Christ-centered. They were ordinary women who were made extraordinary because of their life-changing faith in God. None of the women were perfect, but their stories are comforting because they are a reminder
that God has always used imperfect people, “that the excellence of the power may be of God
and not of us” (2 Corinthians 4:7)
Rodney Swann – Men’s & Missions Ministry Director
What is Reformed Theology? Understanding the Basics, by RC Sproul. In this book Dr. Sproul explains the biblical basics of this often misunderstood system of doctrine. He examines the Bible to bring clarity to many passages that are often skipped or wrongly understood by the church.