In the third of our mini-series looking at the topic of ‘the day of the Lord’, we looked at references to this portentous day in the New Testament, focussing especially on Matthew 24, Mark 13:32-37, 1 Thess 5:1-11, 2 Thess 1:6-10 and 2 Peter 3:1-14.

These passages show us that Jesus frequently took the words of Old Testament prophets to describe this day at the culmination of history when God will personally intervene to right all wrongs and bring about His rule in sovereign power and that the apostles echoed the words of Jesus himself in declaring that the timing of this day is beyond our knowledge but the certainty of this day is not in doubt. Many will scoff at the idea of a day of reckoning, but Peter reminds us that God’s timings are not like ours and His faithfulness not in question. We are, therefore, urged to be ready and alert, for this day will come as a thief in the night (2 Pet 3:10) or as a bridegroom returning (see Matt 25:1-13) or as a master returning home after a long absence. (Mark 13:36-37) Theology always informs behaviour; what we believe about the day of the Lord should lend urgency to our evangelism, purity to our discipleship and peace to our understanding of the world.

The day of the Lord is not something to treat lightly (for it involves punishment and judgment and everlasting destruction for those who do not obey the gospel), but it is not something to be feared by believers who trust in the justice of God’s judgment (see Ps 11:7). Paul tells us that God will be glorified in His holy people and will be marvelled at among all who have believed (2 Thess 1:10) and John reminds us that since God is love, we do not have to fear judgment or punishment (see 1 John 4:16-18). Instead, the truth of this doctrine should motivate us to live pure, holy, godly lives and should motivate us to share the gospel with others.

We had another lovely Fun Day yesterday as these photos show!

We’ve had a great day today exploring the theme ‘Love Is…’ through a variety of crafts. In total, we had 113 people attend, with 47 adults and 66 children present. A very big THANK YOU to each church who helped today (GPCC, the Salvation Army, St Helen’s in Thurnscoe and Furlong Road Methodist Church in Bolton-on-Dearne) and to all who volunteered and helped with setting up, serving food and tidying away.

Today we held a Family Fun Day on the theme ‘Love Is…’ We had lots of things to remind us of God’s love:

We had a range of crafts for people to do:

Our thanks to the Salvation Army for providing the food for today. We had a wide range of sandwiches and pancakes to sample!

The Bible is divided into two parts, the Old Testament and New Testament. Another word for ‘testament’ is ‘covenant’, and the Bible tells of these two covenants, made by God with people. There are two main words used to describe these, the first meaning an arrangement between equals with either party able to change terms of arrangement (such as is understood by marriage, for example.) The second word is used of the covenant between God and mankind, which is a formal arrangements to administer something, set by one party and not negotiated. This kind of covenant cannot be annulled; it is a simple fact.

In the New Testament, we see that God wants to be in relationship with people. Some people don’t want anything to do with God or even believe He exists (atheists). Others believe God may well exist but are not interested in a relationship with Him; others define their relationship with God on their own terms (we usually call these people ‘religious’!) God, however, is the one who defines this covenant and we see several fundamental points in His assessment of the situation.

1. People’s relationship with God has been broken (by people’s sinfulness, not by God) and therefore needs repairing. Acts 17:29-31 reminds us of the need for acknowledgment of this brokenness and the need for us to repent.

2. God has provided the way for our relationship with Him to be restored, but it must be on His terms, through His Son. (John 14:1-6, 1 Tim 2:1-6) These terms are non-negotiable. There are many religions seeking to find God, but only way to find Him.

3. In order to take hold of this offer of a new relationship, we have to have faith. (Heb 11:1-6, Rom 10:8-13) It’s crucial we believe God exists and that we trust Him to do all He has said He has done and will do.

We then become Christ’s disciples. (Matt 28:18-20) This involves learning, obeying and living out His teachings. Matt 10:32-42 outlines the need for us to acknowledge Christ and put Him first. Our open confession of Christ will cause division and problems, but will also lead to blessing as we set our priorities in alignment with His and surrender our ways, thinking and behaviour to Him.

The new agreement God has made is a way to come into relationship with Him, on His terms. We can believe and be brought into this relationship: we can become a believer. God, however, wants us to go further, to come closer and to know Him in a deeper way. He wants us to become disciples. This is the challenge to every one of us: are we willing to explore this arrangement, this agreement, this covenant and be, not just a believer, but a disciple?

This morning we looked at the questions involved in the conversation between two disciples and Jesus on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). For these two disciples (only one of whom is named, Cleopas), the events of the past week had been tumultuous and they were thoroughly bewildered about the turn of events which had seen Jesus go from being lauded on his entry to Jerusalem to being crucified. The rumours of resurrection were equally baffling; how could a dead man live again? It was as they walked and talked that Jesus came alongside them and asked them what they were discussing.

Conversation is one way of processing our feelings and emotions at turbulent times. Jesus knows this, and elicits not only facts but also feelings from the two people. Talking is a great therapy in itself, even if answers are not always possible. The Psalms encourage us to bring all our feelings to God; He cares about our daily lives, about the ordinary and extraordinary things that happen to us.

Jesus does not mollycoddle the disciples, though, calling them ‘foolish’ and ‘slow to believe.’ (Luke 24:25) He reminds them that all the answers they need could be found in the Old Testament and proceeds to open up the Scriptures to them. We may wonder how the Bible can be relevant to us today, but ultimately it provides the support, enlightenment and hope we need to persevere in faith, to endure opposition and persecution and to overcome. In Rev 2, Jesus brings words of admonition and encouragement to seven churches and promises rewards to the victorious; Paul reminds us that ‘in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.’ (Rom 8:37) Victory is possible not in an idealised world, but in the real world of struggles and strife, and as we walk with Jesus and delve deeper into His word, we can find the direction and help we need to navigate life.