Friday 2 May 2014

Read: 1 Peter 4:5

Completion

Today you and I stand between Jesus' Crucifixion/resurrection and the completion of all things. Christ has come and given His life so that He might save us from our Sin. If we put our faith in Him then He rescues us from the eternal consequences of our rebellion against God. This is incredible news but still seems incomplete. Our broken world is a long way from the perfect world that God originally created. Thankfully, the good news isn't finished. We are still waiting for completion.

One day in the future, no one except God knows when, Jesus iscoming back. This time Jesus won't be coming as a humble servant, He will come as a conquering king. At this point in time mankind will be judged and each person will give an answer to God for everything good and bad they have done in their life. This judgment is based on God's perfect standard. Close enough isn't good enough. There's no 'Cs get degrees' with God. Anything short of His perfect standard deserves His just punishment. Everyone will face this judgment. Only those who have that saving faith in Christ will experience the love of Christbecause they will be able to say: "**The cross (t) is my pardon**." Through Jesus' sacrifice their punishment has been paid in full and they can be God's people.

Once God has dealt with all of the evil in the world the current, broken heavens and Earth will pass away and He will create a New Creation. In this new, perfect heavens and Earth God's people will be able to live with Him forever and will submit to Him totally as their King. In this New Creation there will be no sin, no evil, no bad and no death. Finally, God's people will be able to dwell with Him forever in peace. Until then we look forward to that day remembering that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1).

Discussion Questions for families and groups

1. What hope does the soon-to-be completion give us now?
2. What issues do the coming judgment raise for you and for those you know?

Prayer:

Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.

Adoration:

Confession:

Thanks:

Supplication:

• Pray for your friends who haven't heard the Gospel and don't know Christ. Pray that God would convict them of their sin and rebellion against Him and that their hearts would be open to Him. Pray that God would give you opportunities to share the Gospel with them and that He would help you to take advantage of them. Consider which of your friends you might be able to contact today so that you can share the Gospel with them.
• Pray that God would be working in your heart to give you a deep passion for those who are lost and who will face His righteous judgment without Christ. Pray that God would stir up this passion in the hearts of everyone in your congregation. Pray that your local church might be a shining light into your community and that many would come to faith in Christ as a result.
• Pray for the three people you listed above and for an opportunity to share the gospel with them.