The focus of the Church has been changed from waiting on the Lord's appearing, to the love of money, pleasure and things!
Our hope as Christians must be the desire and expectation of the Lord's appearing. The Apostles taught all the Churches to constantly look for the Lord's appearing. Looking for his appearing was intended to be the motivating factor in the heart, mind and life of every Christian to live a holy and pure life. This is what John the Apostle meant when he spoke the following verse of scripture in a letter to the Churches. And this message is still relevant to the Church today:
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." 1John 3:1-3
What hope is John the Apostle referring to? The hope John is referring to is the hope of being glorified! It is the hope of being changed into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ, the glorified Son of God upon his return for his Church! Notice the Apostle John said, "..every man (or person) that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he (Jesus) is pure."
In other words, if I expect to be changed into his image at his appearing, I must keep myself pure "...even as he is pure". Do you have the hope of being changed into the image of Jesus when he comes to take his Church out of the earth back to Heaven? If you do then keep yourself pure by obeying Jesus through keeping his commandments!
It is our expectation of seeing Jesus and being changed into his image that urges us to live holy lives daily. The over-emphasized teaching of prosperity has changed the focus of many in the Church. And the pay-off for being a Christian is not the appearing of Jesus...but the appearance of a new Mercedes in their driveway!
Jesus said "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also". Matthew 6:21
Is Jesus your treasure? Do you love his appearing? Some Christians will miss the Lord's return because their heart is not set on His appearing, but on cars, money and pleasure...on anything--but Jesus! When Jesus returns for his Bride the true Church, whatever and wherever our treasure is--that is where we ourselves will remain!
Make Him your treasure by purifying your life in expectation for His Soon Appearing!
That is a great message Mike. Keep up the good word. The Church needs preachers like you to get her back to where she has fallen from!
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