REWARDING YOUR MESS
You already know life is messy – always. I’ll also tell you Jesus isn’t afraid of your mess. He actually likes jumping into the middle of it. There are two things He does to answer your mess and you’ll find them in the book of 1 Thessalonians.
First, Jesus consistently teaches you need a worldview that He is coming back again. There are so many things we think are final that are not final because Jesus is coming back and He’s going to fix them.
The idea that Jesus is coming back is a fundamental doctrine to the Body of Christ we can never let go of. Jesus Christ is risen from the dead and coming back soon. Do not give that up. It’s a worldview that says, “Jesus is King.”
What is your responsibility in this? To steward this mess because, when Jesus comes back, not only is He going to judge, He’s also going to reward. The Bible says He’s going to separate the goats from the sheep. That’s a game-changer so be a sheep.
Second, in a mess, operate in the basic principles of faith, hope, and love. This is how you dig in and fortify your position in the midst of a mess.
Faith is what you’re hearing God speak. “Faith comes by hearing…” Faith is what God is personally telling you about something because you are in relationship with Him.
Hope is when you begin to entertain the idea of it actually happening. It’s about bringing heaven to earth in the midst of the mess. Love is when you lay down your life to make sure it does happen and His will is done in you.
Jesus is coming back to make all things right and new. Until then, have faith. Share hope and love so He can more than bless your mess. He can reward you for it.
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
FROM MY SERMON SERIES FIRST THINGS
TODAY’S PROPHETIC THOUGHT
I Am not a God of punishment. I Am a God of blessing and reward. While your sin results in consequences, know I Am in the restoration business. Be restored and offer restoration over punishment to others.