Monday, February 9, 2009

The King is Coming...


ARE YOU READY?

We just finished the "Face of the Future" series yesterday and the End is now 5 Sunday's closer than it was at the start. Jesus is coming!

However...we should always refrain from the foolishness of suggesting exact times and dates. Jesus said that "the Son of Man does not even know". If He didn't know for sure when He was coming, but knew He was coming soon - I think it's safe to assume that we will not know exactly when He is coming, but we can know that His coming is closer than ever before.

My favorite word to describe the nearness of His coming is "imminence". And that's why we must live and love and serve with such a sense of urgency. Because the days are short until the Day. So our missional journey is not only driven by compassion and concern for the lost and the least. It is driven by our view of eschatology (study of last things), which says that if we want to show the world that Jesus loves them - we'd better do it now.

This past Sunday, Brian and the worship team introduced us to a great new song called "God of this City". The phrase "greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city" keeps running through my head. This is what God has called us to...not someday somewhere but here and now, for the Day of His appearing is now nearer than ever before.

We're on a mission from God...
Frank

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Maranatha Ya'll!

Luke 21:28When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

It seems like folks are coming to Rolling Hills these days with a sense of anticipation. There is a sense that God is at work...that His love is running rampant...that we are on the verge of a breakthrough. It's very exciting!

I try to say it often, but I'm sure I don't say it often enough, I appreciate our worship team (the band, the vocalists, the lead worshippers, the techies). You guys do a great job in creating an environment that is conducive to worship. Thanks for all you do! I'm a better, deeper, more consistent worshipper because of you. We worshipped with all our hearts on Sunday...and you led the way.

So, as I'm preaching Sunday it really begins to settle in that we should not feel anxious or afraid about the age we live in. When we are tempted to give in or give up we should remember that Jesus said to "stand up, lift up your hands for your redemption is drawing near". As we watch the news, it seems like one depressing story after another. As we watch the stock market, it seems like we're in an economic freefall. You may be struggling in your marriage or in your job.

You may be sick. You may be scared. You may be sad.

But take heart. Stand up! Lift your head! Lift your hands! Lift your voice! Why?

Because Jesus is coming! Our redemption is nearer today than ever before. That means our Redeemer is nearer today than ever before.

Maranatha! The Lord is coming! Maranatha ya'll!
Frank

P.S. Check out the new video.