“But Jesus himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray”

Luke 5:16

Jesus provides a pattern to follow on how a believer should live while on this earth (cf. Rom 8:29). In addition to studying how he prayed, it is perhaps even more basic to learn why he prayed.

As the eternal Son of God he had unbroken communion with the Father. What need did he have for prayer, then? You would think that because he always communed with the Father, as he had throughout eternity past, there was no need for him to pray as we do.

While he was one Person possessing two natures—human and divine—these natures did not commingle so that his humanity became something different from the rest of humanity. Were that to happen, Jesus would have been unlike us and thus unable to offer himself as a substitutionary sacrifice for our sin (Heb 2:17).

As a man, then, Jesus had to pray for many of the same reasons we need to pray, save for repentance and confession of sin, for he had none of his own. In identifying definite reasons why Jesus had to pray, we must be careful to limit ourselves by what the Bible definitely says and to make sure any reasons (whether explicit or implicit) are consistent with what the Bible teaches about the Person of Christ.

Consider these occasions and motivations that prompted Jesus, the eternal and incarnate Son of God, to pray–

1. Jesus was tempted by Satan, Matt 4:1ff
2. Jesus had to minister to and with believers who possessed sin natures, Luke 6:12-13
3. Jesus preached the gospel to fallen, unregenerate sinners, Mark 1:35-39
4. Jesus was a human being, which inherently involves finite limitations (even now he prays, Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25)
5. Jesus prayed for the needs of others, Matt 19:13; Luke 22:32; John 17:11, 15, 24; Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25
6. Jesus experienced grief, distress, and trouble, Matt 24:36-38; Mark 14:32-34
7. Jesus worshipped and expressed thanks for God’s provision, Luke 11:2; 22:17, 19; John 17:3, 11, 25
8. Jesus needed to be “saved from death,” Heb 5:17
9. Jesus prayed for God’s blessing on his ministry, Luke 3:21 (conjecture, based on the fact that his baptism was the commencement of his public ministry)
10. Jesus asked God to forgive men for their actions against him, Luke 22:34
11. Jesus entrusted himself to his Father’s care, Luke 23:46
12. Jesus desired to receive exclusive glory God and himself, John 17:1, 5
13. Jesus experienced opposition from unregenerate sinners and religious leaders

So, why did Jesus pray? Jesus prayed because that is what righteous human beings do! They communicate with their Heavenly Father! Righteous men humbly address God because:

1. Prayer is part and parcel of a relationship with God
2. Prayer is essential to following God
3. Prayer is the natural action of one who is godly

Jesus prayed because he was a righteous man/human being. Jesus was a human being—a righteous one—and so he prayed. He prayed for the exact same reasons we as believers—justified (righteous) individuals—must pray, with the exception of confession and repentance of sin.

Jesus, as a righteous man, prayed to God because he lived in a world that is disposed and organized against God.

The fact that we are “like” Jesus because of our humanity and righteous standing demands that we pray, for he did.

The fact that we are “unlike” Jesus because we still possess a sin nature adds an additional demand that we pray.

What does our prayerlessness testify about our pride and self-sufficiency?

Why should we witness for Christ?

First, because Jesus Christ commanded us to, Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; John 20:21. In light of Christ’s command,

Evangelism requires taking the initiative–”go therefore and make disciples.” We cannot wait for the lost to come to us; we must make a concerted, determined, intensive, and aggressive effort to win the lost to Christ.

Evangelism results in making unbelievers into followers of Christ–”make disciples.” This involves instruction and persuasion from their present position to a radically different one. A disciple or follower of Christ believes, obeys, and promotes Jesus Christ.

Evangelism results in public profession–”baptizing them…” The only way a follower of Christ can be identified is if he/she has made a public profession of faith, and the first step of obedience that Jesus set forth for making that public profession is through baptism. If someone maintains that they are a disciple but will not be baptized, he/she is not following Christ!

Evangelism results in training–”teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.” The new convert must be taught how to live right, recalling the lifestyle they are coming out of (Col 1:13; 1 Pet 2:9). All training must be centered on the Bible and focused on Jesus Christ.

From Jesus’ commands in Luke 24:46-49 and Acts 1:8 we learn additionally the following about evangelism:

Evangelism involves a message–”repentance for forgiveness of sins” (Luke 24:47). We must inform unbelievers of their state before God and Jesus Christ as their only hope of deliverance.

Evangelism involves an activity–”proclaimed in His name” (Luke 24:47). This is the means that God has established by which the message is brought to sinners.

Evangelism involves a plan–”to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8). This is the scope and object of executing the means of bringing the message to sinners. There are no exceptions, whether racial, social, political, economic, or geographic.

Evangelism requires empowerment–”clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8). Apart from God’s enabling power it is a hopeless task. With God’s strength and enabling help you can have real confidence in evangelism.

Pastor Greenfield taught this lesson during the Wednesday Bible study, September 12, 2007

What does it mean to be a witness for Christ?

Why is defining evangelism important? After all, everyone who is a Christian knows the importance of it. But that is exactly the point: there is a great deal of difference between knowing that evangelism is important and knowing what evangelism is. Knowing the character and purpose of evangelism helps determine how it is to be done and whether or not one has been successful in it.

First, we need to consider some wrong ideas about what evangelism–what it isn’t.

Evangelism is not “getting someone saved.” This puts the emphasis on conversions rather than content (2 Cor 2:17; 1 Thess 2:3-4). It puts the focus on results instead of our responsibilities (Acts 18:5-6; 20:26-27). It puts our confidence in our persuasiveness instead of God’s power (1 Cor 2:1-5; 2 Cor 4:1-7).

Evangelism is not helping people be better people by “meeting their real needs.” This puts the emphasis on us transforming the culture rather than God transforming sinners. It requires the church to be involved in unequal yokes with unbelievers rather than holy separation to the Lord. It removes the need for repentance and faith and replaces it with moralism. Lastly, this is the social gospel that leads to apostasy, rather than the Savior’s gospel that leads to eternal life.

Evangelism is not “living a good life.” This puts the emphasis entirely on my lifestyle rather than telling others the gospel. This is a wrong application of a good passage such as 1 Peter 3:1.

What is evangelism, then?

Evangelism is an activity: a Christian tells the gospel to a sinner.

The activity is preaching, proclaiming, telling the good news (Acts 8:4, 12, 35).

The subject matter is the gospel; Jesus as the Christ; the Word; the good news; Jesus; resurrection; the faith (Rom 1:15; Acts 5:42; 8:4; 17:18; 1 Cor 1:23; Heb 4:6; Gal 1:23).

The objects are people; cities; villages (Acts 8:40; Luke 3:18; 4:43; Acts 8:25).

The aim is that those who hear would turn from paganism to God; to make disciples (Acts 14:15, 21).

The manner is plainly, not in cleverness of speech; without charge; truly (1 Cor 1:17; 2 Cor 4:1-2).

Here, then, is a proposed definition of evangelism: Earnestly proclaiming the gospel to sinners so they can turn to Christ and follow Him.

Biblical evangelism is God centered, not man centered. It trusts the message, not the messenger. It relies on God’s power, not persuasiveness. It seeks to save the lost, not transform the culture.

Thus, we must concentrate on knowing the content of the gospel. Believers already know it, but often lack an organized plan of communicating it. We must thus commit ourselves to speaking the truth, going through doors God opens, and seeking opportunities to speak the message.

Is it possible to know a lot about God, have a special ministry from God, experience the amazing grace of God and yet be angry with God?

Is it possible to believe that God is all-powerful (omnipotent) and sovereign, and yet imagine that you can actually keep God from doing something?

Is it possible to believe that God knows everything (is omniscient) and is perfectly wise, and yet think that God has made a mistake?

Is it possible to understand the difference and significance between material things and the human soul, and yet be more concerned about material things?

The book of Jonah answers all these potential scenarios with a definite “yes!” Jonah was a prophet who knew God, received but rejected God’s special commission, experienced God’s grace in the sea, and proclaimed the Lord’s message to Nineveh. It seems that Jonah has learned his lesson. Does he now recognize and welcome God’s sovereignty over all things?

How did Jonah respond to the sovereign mercy of God? Well…

Jonah Pitched a Fit, 4:1-4

In 4:1 Jonah demonstrates our own thick-headedness: he just refuses to get it. His attitude toward the repentant Ninevites is the complete opposite of God’s (cf. 3:10). Jonah took no joy in the outcome – he sank (“became angry”) into a selfish mind-set and missed the joy of serving the Lord.

This chapter reveals several different evidences of sin harbored in the heart, and here is the first one: festering anger.

The object of “pitching a fit” is to get your own way. While we often think of children as those who throw a fit, there are many adults who do a fine job of it! Jonah’s prayer expresses his presumption that God’s mind should match up with his own! We read in chapter two how Jonah was delivered from death; what does he ask for in 4:3? Death!

These two verses (4:2-3) reveal several more evidences of sin in the heart: disobedience to God, unreasonable desires, and selfish demands.

The Lord’s response to this prophet’s tantrum is a rhetorical question (4:4). Note that no answer from Jonah is recorded; we read instead of how…

Jonah Threw a Pity Party, 4:5-8

Think back to Jonah’s first response to the word of the Lord in 1:3—what did he do when God commanded him to go and preach? He went the opposite direction! Here Jonah refuses to answer God’s question in 4:4—he refuses to examine himself in light of the Lord’s question. Instead, Jonah goes outside Nineveh to see if God would come to His senses!

During the hottest time of day in that area, the temperature can average 110 degrees. If we were in God’s shoes, we’d probably let Jonah go his own way and suffer in the heat: “you deserve it buddy.” As God is holy, he does not respond as we do. Instead, he miraculously caused a tree with large leaves to grow 8-10 feet high—and Jonah is thrilled! The result: for the first time in the book we read that Jonah is happy!

Another evidence of sin in the heart: refusal to rejoice when others are blessed. Jonah refused to think that the Ninevites should experience any of God’s mercy.

God’s sovereign power and will is abundantly clear in this passage, and he exercises his power to set the stage to make his point. God appointed a plant to shelter Jonah from the heat (4:6). God appointed a worm to destroy the plant (4:7). God appointed a scorching wind to make Jonah miserable (4:8).

Amazingly, Jonah was displeased when something important to him was destroyed. Jonah’s sinful response was shown in his selfishness and refusal to love what God loves.

Thus far, we have seen how this “man of God” has responded to God’s sovereign display of mercy toward the Ninevites: he threw a fit because he didn’t get his own way. When he refused to answer God’s probing question, God sovereignly appointed events to make his point clear to Jonah.

God Makes His Point, 4:9-11

The last exchange between God and Jonah goes something like this: “So Jonah: you feel you’re justified in your response?” “Absolutely. In fact, it’s such a conviction to me that I’m willing to die for it.”

Jonah was upset when God removed his personal air conditioning unit because something good for him was taken away. In essence the prophet says “I had a right to that!” Jonah demonstrates one last evidence of sin in the heart: misplaced values.

How skewed were Jonah’s values? In practically the same breath Jonah called for the death of the Ninevites while demanding his own personal comfort: “I want them dead! Now, where’s my gourd???”

God makes his point in 4:10-11—“Jonah, your values are way out of line. You’re concerned about a thing, and absolutely unconcerned about people. You’re obsessed about something that’s here today and gone tomorrow, but dismiss those who will live for eternity. You’re passionate about material objects and completely indifferent about moral creatures made in my image.”

“Jonah, as God I have the right to show mercy to whomever I want to. You’re response—as one who has experienced that mercy—is to submit, get on board, and rejoice in my mercy.”

When God does something, you too must recognize and accept his sovereignty and rejoice in his mercy. When you elevate your plans and expectations to the level of “This is what God should do,” you are no longer humble before God.

Remember the marks of sin in the heart that Jonah demonstrated in this chapter:

• Festering anger
• Disobedience to God
• Unreasonable desires
• Selfish demands
• No joy when others are blessed
• No desire to love what God loves
• Misplaced values

Have you learned your lesson? What is your attitude toward God’s plan and purposes today? Where are your values and priorities?

Pastor Greenfield preached this message Sunday morning, September 9, 2007

True believers can get themselves involved in serious sin, and with such sin can come serious consequences. How should you respond then? In despondent self-resignation? In prideful excuse of personal responsibility? No! Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up! He did with Jonah!

True believers will trust in the Lord. How should you express your trust in the Lord in the most trying of circumstances?

You Must Pray To The Sovereign God For Mercy (2:2-7)

True believers will express their trust in the Lord in the most trying of circumstances through prayer for mercy in the difficult time. True prayer involves trust in the Lord. How must I show such trust in prayer?

Know That God Will Hear Me No Matter How Difficult The Situation (2:2). It seems as if Jonah has really “hit bottom”—he was not merely in the jaws of death, he was in its digestive tract. This great fish is not known; was a definite miracle—God “appointed” that the fish would be at just the right place at just the right time. No situation is too “hard” for God to be heard by his people because of his unlimited power and relationship with his people. If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, show your trust in Him in difficult situations by praying to Him, knowing that He will hear you.

Recognize God’s Sovereign Hand In The Situation (2:3). Although the sailors physically cast Jonah into the sea, Jonah readily acknowledges that ultimate responsibility rests with God. Perhaps the most important aspect of v. 3 is Jonah’s testimony to God’s sovereignty. He saw God’s hand in being thrown into the sea and he saw the ‘waves and breakers’ that swept over him as tools in God’s hands.

Recognizing God’s sovereign hand helps us to remember that nothing happens apart from God’s purpose—whether he is actively involved in the situation or permits events to occur.

Submit To God’s Sovereign Discipline (2:4). Having earlier attempted to flee to Tarshish from God’s presence, Jonah now finds himself destined for the grave (Sheol). Jonah knew his plight was the consequence of disobeying and provoking God; he realized how terrible a thing it is to be apart from the presence of the Lord. He expresses his trust in the Lord by stating that he will pray again to the Lord from Jerusalem (“your holy temple”).

Trust God No Matter How Dark The Situation (2:5-7) Picture Jonah being cast overboard, struggling in the water as described in vv. 5-6a. Verse 6b provides a harrowing perspective – trapped, unable to escape, bars surrounding every potential exit. Once in the grave, Jonah would be forever imprisoned. All hope is lost. The weight of the water gave Jonah the sense of being entombed by the sea. These verses speak of great despair and utter hopelessness. Yet, Jonah expresses praise of God’s sovereign power (v. 6b).

How should you respond when your sovereign God brings you face to face with your sin? Part of a right response is prayer. When you as a believer are caught up in the consequences of your sin, don’t despair or give up; trust in the Lord through prayer,

• Knowing that God hears you
• Recognizing God’s sovereign hand in the situation
• Having an attitude of submission to his discipline
• Trusting him no matter how dark it seems

You Must Praise Your Sovereign God For His Mercy (2:8-9)

True believers will express their trust in the Lord in the most trying of circumstances not only through prayer for mercy, but when the prayer is answered the true believer will praise his God for that mercy.

True praise has a single object—the Lord God. What is involved in true praise to God?

Trust In God Alone, For Only He Shows Mercy (2:8). To look to anyone or anything else is “vain” and idolatrous. People – including believers – look to money, work, things, and even their families for help. In Jonah’s day, for an Israelite to do such a thing was to “forsake their faithfulness,” the blessings that were theirs through the covenant the Lord made with them—God’s faithfulness, goodness, and graciousness, the one true help for human beings.

Worship God Alone, For Only He Is Worthy (2:9). Worship involves sacrificial giving, thanksgiving, and commitment. Only the true God should receive these, and believers who have prayed for God’s mercy must worship him for the mercy they have received. While we do not offer sacrifices as they did during Old Testament times, believers in the Lord Jesus Christ still offer sacrifices:

• Our lives, Rom 12:1-2
• Our finances, Phil 4:18
• Our praise in song and testimony, Heb 13:15
• Good works, Heb 13:16

Look To God Alone, For Only He Can Save (2:10). People today look for deliverance from any sphere other than God. True deliverance, safety, and salvation is found only through the Lord. Here the emphasis is on the Lord’s sole sovereignty in the area of salvation. Jonah recognized that he deserved death, not deliverance. He knew that no one deserves salvation; it is an act of mercy by a gracious God.

The Bible tells us that any believer can become wrapped up in sin (Gal 2; 6:1-2; 1 John 1:9). The response of the true believer to his sin is renewed trust in the Lord expressed through prayer for mercy and praise for such mercy.

Don’t despair Christian—God may have you going through a challenging time, but it may be to help you learn to lean on no one else but the Lord Jesus Christ.

In whom do you trust?

Pastor Greenfield preached this message Sunday morning, August 26, 2007

Is it unreasonable for an institution to require expectations of those individuals who would identify with it? Many businesses require their employees to dress a certain way as their employees are their “face” and they want a certain image portrayed.

Does the NT have expectations for those who profess to be believers in Jesus Christ? It sure does! Consider these two verses:

“If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless” (James 1:26).

“By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments” (1 John 2:3).

How believers live does matter, it is important, and the church covenant is essential in this regard.

What is a Church Covenant?

A church doctrinal statement summarizes what a church believes the Bible teaches. The church covenant summarizes its understanding of how a Christian should live. It does not take the place of the Bible; rather, it spells out the church’s understanding of what the Bible expects a church (a body of believers) to be and look like.

A covenant is a solemn promise. As a church covenant, believers make a solemn promise to God and the local church that they will live the way outlined in that document.

Who Can Enter the Church Covenant?

Membership in a local church - and therefore those who enter the church covenant - is restricted to those who have been born again and baptized by immersion.

Furthermore, one should only enter the covenant of a local church if they agree to be held accountable (responsible for) to that particular body of believers. They should additionally agree to hold that particular body of believers accountable for their entrance into the covenant.

We began looking at points that will characterize our church covenant, which you can access here.

Having by God’s grace trusted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we desire that Christ would be preeminent in all things, that he would bless and use this church so that all praise and glory would be his, and that we would be complete in him. Therefore, we do now, in the presence of God, his angels, and this assembly, solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.

We will by God’s grace seek to grow in our faith through the daily study of the Word and prayer. We will be separated unto God in our thoughts, desires, and activities, guarding ourselves against those things that are sinful, could tempt us to sin, or that do not promote or are not consistent with holiness. We will be witnesses for Jesus Christ by spreading the gospel and possessing a testimony that supports the gospel. We will make church attendance a priority, striving to attend as many of its services as possible. We will fulfill our family responsibilities, each doing his part to please Christ in our homes and promote godliness. We will live godly lives among unbelievers and be good neighbors and citizens.

Furthermore, we will endeavor by the Spirit’s help to uphold and promote this church’s doctrines, the public ministry of the Word, observe its ordinances, and follow our leaders. We will serve the Lord faithfully, using the gifts and abilities he has given for the growth, edification, maturity, and protection of this body. We will pray daily for the members and ministry of this church and faithfully, cheerfully, and proportionally give of our income to the Lord for the support of this church and the Cause of Christ.

At all times we will demonstrate toward each member Christian love, humility, patience, and concern in our attitudes, speech, and actions. We will partake of our mutual joys and sorrows, lovingly giving of our material substance for pressing needs. We will pursue those things that encourage believers to be faithful rather than trouble their consciences, disturb their faith, or cause them to sin. We will exercise a Christian care and watchfulness over each other, frequently exhort one another, and as the case may require faithfully warn, rebuke, and admonish one another with kindness and wisdom. When we receive correction from a brother in Christ, we will not reject or resent such but receive it with humility, careful self-examination, and necessary confession and repentance. We will jealously guard the Spirit-given unity of this body, refusing to participate in or condone gossip, strife or dissension. In any personal disagreements or offenses, we will seek resolution and readily forgive each other rather than hold a grudge.

We will diligently learn God’s will through his Word and our leaders’ counsel in matters of doctrine and practice, seeking their guidance if doubts arise regarding the ability to uphold this church’s doctrines and covenant. In the event we must move from this place, we will seek to unite with a church of like faith and practice, and if such a church does not exist we will strive to begin such a work.

There are three essential ingredients of effective evangelism (cf. John 17:13-20).

1. The World is our Mission Field. As believers who are in the world but not of the world, our need is to contact sinners. C. H. Spurgeon said, “Those men who keep themselves to themselves, like hermits, and live a supposed sanctified life of self-absorption, are not likely to have any influence in the world, or to do good to their fellow-creatures. You must love the people, and mix with them, if you are to be of service to them.” The danger we face is contamination by the world.
2. The Word is our Message. Our need then is for clarity and accuracy in speaking the message, and the danger is confusion or corruption of the message.
3. The Witness is the Messenger. Believers need character or integrity in order to avoid the danger of contradicting the gospel message.

There are many different obstacles to evangelism, but consider these four:

1. Intimidation: we fear evangelism (cf. 1 Cor 2:3)
2. Ignorance: we lack organized knowledge
3. Inability: we don’t know how to witness
4. Indifference: we lack motivation to tell others

Consider these six requirements for effective evangelism:

1. The Gospel Message, Rom 1:16; 10:17
2. A life of Integrity, 2 Cor 4:1-6; Phil 2:14-16; 2 Tim 2:20-26
3. Boldness, Eph 6:19-20
4. A Clear Presentation, Col 4:2-4
5. Dependence Upon God’s Power (2 Tim 2:25), sought through prayer (Acts 4:23-31) and brought by the Spirit (Acts 4:31)
6. A Compassion for the Lost, Matt 9:36-38; Jude 24-25

The Bible provides several passages that give the truth of the “rapture” of the church. Here are five, with the important phrase italicized:

John 14:2-3 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.

1 Cor 15:51-52 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

Phil 3:20-21 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

1 Thess 4:16-17 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.

2 Thess 2:1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him

These passages only tell us of the fact of the rapture; they say nothing of the timing or when in God’s prophetic plan or calendar it will occur. While this requires more study than proving the deity of Christ (for example), with a little time and study you can have a biblical understanding for when Christ will return for church age saints.

While an exhaustive study is more than can be accomplished here, a basic survey of the Scripture’s teaching can be given, focusing on four basic lines of truth:

The Purpose of the Tribulation

1) During this period God will render judgment on the exceeding and unrepentant sinfulness of the wicked (Rev 9:20-21; 14:14-19).

2) Israel will be chastened for her millennia of unbelief (“Jacob’s trouble,” Jer 30:7; Dan 12:1) but because of this judgment, the nation will turn to God and be born again (Dan 12:1; Zech 12:10; Rom 11:26).

3) In addition to God’s salvation of individual Israelites, a large number of Gentiles will also be saved (Zeph 3:9; Rev 7:9-17).

4) The church is never identified as present during this period of judgment.

God’s Promises to the Church

5) God has promised to protect the church by removing it from the time of world-wide judgment during the Tribulation (Rev 3:10).

6) God has promised that He will not allow the church to go through the period of His wrath in the end times (1 Thess 1:10; on “rescued” cf. 2 Pet 2:5, 7 – neither Noah nor Lot went through God’s judgment on the ungodly but were delivered from such).

7) God has promised that through Jesus Christ Christians will have no part in the coming day of judgment (1 Thess 5:9).

The Place of the Church in the Book of Revelation

8 ) An honest, simple reading of this epistle has to recognize that while the church is often mentioned in chapters 2-3, it is never mentioned in chapters 4-19.

9) These sixteen chapters describe the time of wrath (6:15-17; 14:10; 15:1; 19:15) from which God has promised to deliver the church.

10) Where is the church during the Tribulation? From 13:6 (“his tabernacle, those who dwell in heaven”) and 19:1-10 (“the marriage of the Lamb…his wife has made herself ready”) church age saints are in heaven and they will follow Christ when he returns to the earth at His Second Coming (19:14).

Christ Can Come at Any Moment

11) In passages that clearly talk about the rapture, no mention is made of any event that must happen before Christ’s return for the saints.

12) When Paul spoke of the rapture he included himself as a potential participant (1 Cor 15:51-53; 1 Thess 1:10; 4:15-17).

13) Christ’s coming is described as being “at hand” (Rom 13:12; Jas 5:8-9; Rev 22:7, 12, 20) and Christians are exhorted to look for Christ’s return (1 Cor 1:7-8; Phil 3:20; Titus 2:13).

Pastor Greenfield preached this message Sunday evening, July 22, 2007