Dr. Raymond H. Haselhuhn
Founder and Senior Pastor
From the Pastor's Pen,
Scripture: Mark 13:4 "Tell us ... when shall these things be?" & Mark 13:32-33
Title of Message: CAN THE RETURN OF CHRIST TRULY BE SAID TO BE IMMINENT ???
Action Step: WE MUST BE READY …
Introduction:
Please “take” your ... BIBLE … and … turn “WITH” me … to
Mark 13:4; 13:32-33
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I’m … “SPEAKING” … today … on … the “subject” of
Question: CAN THE RETURN OF CHRIST TRULY BE SAID TO BE IMMINENT ???
Matthew 24:44 … says, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
Answer: The word … IMMINENT … “MEANS” … “likely to happen at any moment … impending.”
Hear … “me”
“WHEN” … we SPEAK of THE IMMINENCE of CHRIST’S RETURN … “we” … “MEAN” … that … HE COULD COME BACK AT ANY MOMENT
There … “IS” … NOTHING MORE in BIBLICAL PROPHECY … that … “needs to happen” … “BEFORE” … JESUS COME AGAIN
The … IMMINENCE … of … CHRIST’S RETURN … “IS” … IMMINENT
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JESUS … “SPOKE” … of … HIS RETURN … “repeatedly” … during … HIS MINISTRY
“WHICH” … “prompted the question” … FROM HIS DISCIPLES
#1. The FIRST QUESTION that these DISCIPLES asked … “WAS”
WHEN SHALL THESE THINGS BE?
Mark 13:4
The ANSWER is “found” in … Mark 13:32-33
“But … OF THAT DAY AND THAT HOUR KNOWETH NO MAN …
Take YE heed, WATCH and PRAY: for YE know NOT when the TIME is.”
IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER … IN ANY DISCUSSION … OF … ESCHATOLOGY …
(ESCHATOLOGY … “IS” … THE STUDY OF … “final events for history” … it “IS” referred to … “as the end of the world” … the word … ESCHATOS … means LAST … and … the word … LOGY … means … THE STUDY OF … ESCHATOLOGY ….. ESCHATOLOGY … IS THE THEOLOGY STUDY … OF … THE DEATH, JUDGMENT AND THE FINAL DESTINY OF THE SOUL OF MANKIND
… the world “BEGAN” with GOD and the world will “END” with GOD)
THAT … GOD … DOES … “NOT” … INTEND … FOR US TO FULLY UNDERSTAND … THE TIMING OF HIS PLANS.”
#2. The BIBLE says … that … JESUS’ RETURN IS NEAR
James 5:8 … says,“Be YE also patient; stablish your hearts: for THE COMING of THE LORD DRAWETH NIGH.”
Revelation 1:3 … says,“… for the TIME is at hand.”
Revelation 22:10 … says, “… for the TIME is at hand.”
#3. JESUS TAUGHT HIS DISCIPLES TO WATCH FOR HIS RETURN
Luke 12:40 …says,
“BE YE THEREFORE READY ALSO: for THE SON OF MAN cometh at an HOUR when ye THINK not.”
The COMMAND to … BE READY … “implies” … IMMINENCE
Titus 2:13 … says, “LOOKING for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:”
I Thessalonians 5:6 … says, “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us WATCH and be SOBER.”
Hear … “me”
IF … the DISCIPLES and THE EARLY CHURCH were expecting THE COMING OF THE LORD … at any time … how “MUCH” more should WE be WAITING and LOOKING in EXPECTATION?
#4. WHEN WILL THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH TAKE PLACE?
I Corinthians 15:50-54 says,
“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”
Read: I Thessalonians 4:13-18
Hear … “me”
The RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH could OCCUR at ANY MOMENT … and … it can RIGHTLY be “called” … IMMINENT
#5. OUR … SALVATION … SHOULD BE READY TO BE REVEALED IN THIS THE LAST TIME
I Peter 1:5 …says, “Who are KEPT by the POWER of GOD through FAITH unto SALVATION … READY TO BE REVEALED IN THE LAST TIME.”
Hear … “me”
(1) JESUS COULD RETURN … “for His own” … AT ANY MOMENT
(2) HIS COMING IS … IMMINENT
(3) And … when HE comes … that … will … SET IN MOTION a SERIES of EVENTS that “ARE” …
“detailed” … in … Revelation 6-18
Matthew 25:13 … says, “WATCH therefore, for YE know neither the DAY nor the HOUR wherein the Son of Man cometh.”
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I’M TELLING YOU TODAY … BE ON THE ALERT
WHY ???
“BECAUSE” THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH IS … IMMINENT
WE MUST BE READY!
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ARE YOU READY?
Until Next Time,
Pastor Haselhuhn
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From the Pastor's Pen,
Scripture: Proverbs 18:24 ... "A man that hath friends MUST shew himself friendly ... "
Title of Message: HOW TO BE A GOOD FRIEND
Action Step: WE ALL MUST MAKE AND MAINTAIN GOOD FRIENDSHIPS
Introduction:
The Bible is not silent on this subject of friends or friendship.
The word "friend" is found 90 times in the Bible
Proverbs 17:17 ... "A friend loveth at ALL times ... and ... a brother is born for adversity ..."
On the other hand ... the Bible teaches us to avoid some friends ... Proverbs 22:24 ... "Make no friendship with an ANGRY man."
Genuine friends must be cherished and not forsaken
True friendship is one of the great gifts of life
Jesus said in John 15:13 ... "Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his ... FRIENDS."
I want to share with you several practical principles on the subject of ... HOW TO BE A GOOD FRIEND
# 1. HELP YOUR FRIEND SUCCEED IN LIFE ... Ecclesiastes 4:9 ... "Two are better than one ..."
(1) PRAY FOR THEIR SUCCESS
(2) ENCOURAGE THEM
(3) PRAISE THEM
# 2. PICK YOUR FRIENDS UP WHEN THEY FALL
(1) REMEMBER, YOU WILL EVENTUALLY FALL AND YOU WILL NEED HELP GETTING UP
(2) YOUR CHILDREN ARE WATCHING YOUR EXAMPLE
(3) SOCIETY SUCCEEDS OR FALLS ON HOW WE TREAT THE WEAK
QUESTION: HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HELP OUR FRIENDS???
ANSWER: HOW MANY TIMES DO THEY NEED HELP???
# 3. BE WARM TO YOUR FRIENDS IN THE COLD TIMES OF LIFE
LIFE IS HARD!
FOLKS ARE GOING TO NEED A FRIEND
PEOPLE NEED HELP ... WHEN
(1) THEY ARE HAVING FAMILY PROBLEMS
(2) THEY ARE HAVING HEALTH PROBLEMS
(3) THEY ARE HAVING FINANCIAL PROBLEMS
# 4. STAND UP FOR YOUR FRIENDS
(1) BE WILLING TO RISK WHAT OTHERS THINK
(2) MAKE A MUTUAL VERBAL COMMITMENT
(3) DON'T WAIT FOR YOUR FRIENDS TO ASK FOR HELP
NOTE: LET YOUR FRIENDS KNOW LOUD AND CLEAR THAT YOU ARE THERE FOR THEM
Action Step: WE ALL MUST MAKE & MAINTAIN GOOD FRIENDSHIPS
Until Next Time,
Pastor Haselhuhn
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THE HOME ~ I would like to address three key homes for each of us to have in our lives.
II Corinthians 5:1 says...
"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands,eternal in the heavens."
Every person OUGHT to have three homes:
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We need A HEAVENLY HOME: this home has to do with our salvation and where we are going to spend eternity
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We need A CHRISTIAN HOME: this home has to do with our family and where we live from day to day
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And, we need A CHURCH HOME: this home has to do with where we attend church and are a member of
Now, A HEAVENLY HOME ought to lead us to making sure that we have the last two homes in our lives. Allow me to bring the focus back to OUR CHURCH HOME.
Church Is A Place to Unite With Other Believers
For The Purposes of Praise, Worship, Ministry, and Service
What should a person look for in a Church Home? Listed are three things to think about:
1. Look For A Church That Is Based On Preaching Rather Than Programs
It's still the preaching of the Word of God that is the priority of our lives.
II Timothy 4:2
"Preach The Word"
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Preaching is used to show us our lost condition before God
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Preaching is used to convict us of sin
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Preaching is used to direct our lives in how to live for God
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Preaching is used to show us where God would have us to serve
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Preaching is used to keep our focus upon winning the lost to Christ
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2. Look For A Church Built On God's Word
Doctrine IS very important! Look for a Church that teaches and preaches on doctrine.
It is doctrine that teaches us what we believe.
It is the teaching of doctrine that will keep us Biblically correct.
3. Look For A Church Where People Are Getting Saved And Lives Are Being Changed
The main message from the pulpit should be centered on the salvation of lost souls. Everything is a means to an end and the end is to see people understand their need for Christ in their lives and be saved.
After people are saved, they need to be willing to change. A fruit of salvation is that people begin the process of changing those things in their lives that need changing to align themselves with God. People ought to be able to look at our lives without asking the question and know that there is something different about us. What's different about us is that we have been saved and our desire is to live for Christ everyday of our lives, and with salvation comes change. We get rid of those things that weigh our lives down and keep us from acting and looking like a Christian.
Find the Right Church Home
~ And ~
Discover Your Unique Place in the Family of God
Until Next Time,
Pastor Haselhuhn