Introduction:
Consider the state of our world… our homes:
• Half of pregnancies among American women are unintended, and about four in 10 of these end in abortion.
• About half of American women will have an unintended pregnancy, and nearly 3 in 10 will have an abortion, by age 45.
• Some 1.06 million abortions were performed in 2011
• U.S. abortion providers in 2011… 839
U.S. women have abortions: 73% report a religious affiliation.
Births to unmarried women: In 1960 – 5% … In 2013-41%.
"First unions" with men -- 48 percent -- moved in with no wedding vows… between 2006 and 2010… increasing from 34% in 1995
“First union” was a marriage fell to 23 percent in the recent figures…
By the time they’re 20, 1 in 4 women ages 15 to 44 in the U.S. have lived with a man, and by the time they’re 30, that ratio climbs to 3 in 4, the new study shows.
“I think it would be weird to me to have a friend who would wait to move in together until after they got married,” Melms said.
The percentage of women whose first union was a marriage fell to 23 percent in the recent figures,
We need Jesus to come back! The thinking of Christians is affected by this perverse generation.
The Main Point: Because Jesus Christ is immutable; you ought to be thankful He is coming again and offer worship that is pleasing to Him.
Theme: Prediction of His coming judgment unless things change.
These people failed to fear the Lord
1) Respecting His Person
2) Responding to His Word
3) Dreading His displeasure
The people question God! Why do the wicked seem to prosper? Where is the God of justice? How have we wearied Him?
Isa 43:24 "… Rather you have burdened Me with your sins, You have wearied Me with your iniquities.
Why be thankful for the coming of the Lord?
I. His coming is sure! v. 2:17-3:1
A. It is preceded by a forerunner (1a).
1. He is John the Baptist (Mt 11:7-10; Jn 1:23)
Mat 11:14 "And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come (Mal. 4:5).
the four gospel writers apply this messenger to John the Baptist (Matt. 21:12; Lk 2:27)
Isa 40:33 A voice is calling, "Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.
Mat 17:10-13 And His disciples asked Him, "Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" 11 And He answered and said, "Elijah is coming and will restore all things; 12 but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands."13 Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist.
2. He will be Elijah the Prophet
B. It is a sudden arrival at the temple (1b).
1. Christ came to the temple at the first advent.
2. Christ will come to this temple in Jerusalem during His Millennium reign (Ez. 40-48)
This is detailed for us in Ezekiel 40-48; Is. 66; Jer. 33, Zech. 14
Why be thankful for the coming of the Lord?
Transitional Statement: First, His coming is sure; secondly, because Christ is immutable, His coming is to execute justice.
II. His coming is to execute justice! v. 3:2-3:5; Rev. 19:11-21
1) He will reign.
2) He will reveal His majesty.
3) He will present Himself as the ultimate victor while establishing His Kingdom on earth.
4) His holiness, justice, peace and prosperity will prevail.
A. It will be to purify (2-3a).
1. Who can endure?
Isa 33:14 Sinners in Zion are terrified; Trembling has seized the godless. "Who among us can live with the consuming fire? Who among us can live with continual burning?"
2. Who can stand?
Are you ready for the Lord to come and test your life’s work? Do you want Him to come today?
B. It will be for acceptable offerings (3b-4).
Psa 51:17-19 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise… 19 Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices, In burnt offering and whole burnt offering; Then young bulls will be offered on Your altar.
1. By the sons of Levi (Ezek. 43-44)
ILLUSTRATION
2Ch 7:1-3 Now when Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the house. 2 The priests could not enter into the house of the LORD because the glory of the LORD filled the LORD'S house. 3 All the sons of Israel, seeing the fire come down and the glory of the LORD upon the house, bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave praise to the LORD, saying, "Truly He is good, truly His lovingkindness is everlasting."
2. By the believers
C. It will be to bring judgment (5; Jude 14-15)
1. It will be an unavoidable witness (5a).
2. It will be for those who do not fear Him (5b)
ILLUSTRATION
Picture with me a world without sin…
Evil is expunged at least temporarily before it is eternally (Rev.19-20).
Why be thankful for the coming of the Lord?
Transitional Statement: First, His coming is sure; secondly, His coming is to execute justice; thirdly, because Christ is immutable, His coming is gracious.
III. His coming is gracious! v. 3:6
A. He is immutable (does not change).
1. He is Jehovah (present/near) God.
YAHWEH-SHAMMAH: “The Lord is There” EZ 44:1-4; 48:35
2. His loving kindness is on display.
B. He will not consume His people.
1. He is Jehovah-jireh (provides).
2. His faithfulness is on display.
Conclusion:
Why be thankful for the coming of the Lord?
1) His coming is sure!
2) His coming is to execute justice!
3) His coming is gracious!
We live in a wicked society… corrupt, polluted, defiled… one day this society will be cleaned up.
In Warren Wiersbe's Meet Yourself in the Psalms, he tells about a frontier town where a horse bolted and ran away with a wagon carrying a little boy. Seeing the child in danger, a young man risked his life to catch the horse and stop the wagon. The child who was saved grew up to become a lawless man, and one day he stood before a judge to be sentenced for a serious crime. The prisoner recognized the judge as the man who, years before had saved his life; so he pled for mercy on the basis of that experience.
But the words from the bench silenced his plea: "Young man, then I was your savior; today I am your judge, and I must sentence you to be hanged." One day Jesus Christ will say to rebellious sinners, "During that long day of grace, I was the Savior, and I would have forgiven you. But today I am your Judge. Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire!"
Are you ready for His return?
