Questions - Wednesday

Will there still be sin during the millenial reign?

Revelation 20:7-9 indicates that there will be a multitude who are deceived by Satan at the end of the Millenium. These are likely the offspring of those who enter the Kingdom as believers in natural bodies from the Tribulation, who rebel against the righteous rule of Jesus Christ during that time. Sin will be present in the Kingdom, though righteousness and justice will prevail. 

Do you think our generation will be the one in the rapture? 

Throughout history, each generation has believed it could be the generation alive when Jesus returns for His Church. In fact, Paul seemed to think his generation could be the one in the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:17).   Certainly, nothing needs to take place prior to the Rapture in order for it to happen in our lifetime. Jesus could return during our generation, or many more generations in the future. The fact that Jesus return is imminent should cause us to live with a sense of urgency and focus as we attempt to bring Him glory during our time on the earth. 

Questions - Tuesday

What book on the End Time Events would you recommend? 

David Jeremiah has a new book out called "What in the World is Going On?" that is an excellent resource. Mark Hitchcock has also written a good, scholarly book on End Time events called "The Complete Book of Bible Prophecy."

Who will we rule if we are going to be with Christ in heaven? Will the Earth vanish?

Those who have trusted Christ at the time of the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16) will be with him in Heaven for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-10).  When Jesus returns to the earth to establish His thousand-year kingdom, we will return with Him (Revelation 19:11-21). At that point, those who are identified with Jesus will rule with Him under His authority (2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 20:4-6) over those who remain on the earth in natural bodies.

Jesus' thousand-year reign will be on this earth, on which the effects of the fall will be minimized (Isaiah 11; Joel 2:19-32; Zechariah 14:6-21; Jeremiah 31). At the end of that reign, the ultimate judgment against evil will be handed down (Revelation 20:11-15) and the earth will be judged as a part of the system which has gone away from God (2 Peter 3:10-11), as God creates a New Heavens and New Earth where we will live with Him in Paradise forever (Revelation 21).

 

  

Questions - Monday

How accurate are the Left Behind books in describing these events?

The Left Behind series by Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye are books of theological fiction which attempt to give an account of what the events of Revelation (and other passages) might look like. The basic timeline of events described in the books are certainly in line with our understanding of how the end times will play out, though the authors have taken some liberties in describing specific places and names that cannot be known with certainty from the information Scripture gives us. The books are good, but no substitute for reading Scripture for yourself.

Are Judaizers (Jesus plus works) disqualified from salvation?

Much of Paul's ministry was dedicated to addressing people who wanted to add good works to the front-end of the Gospel. The entire book of Galatians was written to people who tried to add good works to the message that we can have eternal life and forgiveness of sin by trusting that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for sin through His death on the cross - the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Paul says adding something to the Gospel changes the Gospel into something that is not the gospel at all (Galatians 1:6-7), and that people who teach a different gospel should be "eternally condemned" (Galatians 1:9). Jesus is not cooperating with our good works to save us. If He were, He would only be part Savior. The gospel of Jesus as part-savior is no Gospel at all.

This Sunday

Please do not forget about our special Mission service this Sunday at McKinney Church. For security purposes we are unable to publish the name of our guest preacher, but I can assure you you will not want to miss the opportunity to hear about this man's ministry. Plan to stay afterward for a free lunch to hear more about what God is doing through the ministry of someone who is literally risking his life for the sake of the Gospel every single day. 

Our whole service will revolve around what God is doing in the world, including the music portion of the worship service. Make sure to show up early - we're anticipating some neat things at the very beginning of the service that you will not want to miss. 

Because of the special nature of this service, we will not do text message questions this week. Be thinking ahead about questions you might have about the final message in our Living Hope series: "What Will Jesus Do When He Returns?" This blog will return from hibernation sometime the week of May 4th. 

Also, if you're so inclined,  you can now follow "McKinneyChurch" on Twitter and Facebook.   

See you Sunday.

Questions - Thursday

How do I know what my gift is? 

Spiritual gifts are supernatural enablements for ministry that focus on the "common good" and glorify God (1 Corinthians 12:4-7; 1 Peter 4:10-11). There is a diversity of gifts distributed among believers (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28-30; Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Peter 4:10-11) by the Spirit at the moment of salvation (1 Corinthians 12:11-13) to build up the Church (1 Corinthians 14:12) and strengthen its unity (1 Corinthians 12:21-26). There are three key aspects which contribute to identification and fruitful enjoyment of your spiritual gift: 

Attitude: Humility (Romans 12:3) and Love (1 Corinthians 13)

Availability: Romans 12:6-8 describes how believers are to use their gifts: with faith, generously, diligently, cheerfully. As God gives a heart of loving humility, we begin to serve others wholeheartedly. 

Assessment: As a believer keeps in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26), studies the Scriptures related to Spiritual gifts, and cheerfully serves in the body, God will begin to use that person as a blessing to other believers. Personal joy and spiritual blessing to others in specific ministries are key indicators of potential gifts. As we ask for wisdom (James 1:5) and rest in the Spirit's intercession for us (Romans 8:26-27), God will guide us toward our niche of most effective ministry. 

I've heard that Jesus is now reigning on the throne of David. Is he? 

When Jesus ascended to heaven, he was exalted to the right hand of God (Acts 2:33; 1 Peter 3:22) where He is interceding for His followers (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25), building His Church (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 4:11-16) through His Spirit-led followers (John 14:25-27; John 16:7-15), preparing a place for them (John 14:1-3) and sovereignly guiding the supernatural and natural realms (1 Peter 3:22; Colossians 1:16-18) toward "times of refreshing" when God fulfills all of His promises to the Church, Israel, and the world at the end of human history (Acts 3:17-26). 

Currently, Jesus is seated at the right hand of His Father's throne (Hebrews 12:2). He is the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16) but He is not yet seated on David's throne which is an earthly throne in Jerusalem from which David's descendant, the Messiah will rule (2 Samuel 7:11-16; Luke 1:31-33). The use of Acts 2:22-46 to link the Davidic throne with Jesus' heavenly rule tends to emphasize theological projection more than a clear connection within the Text. 

Questions - Wednesday

If there is no more prophesy to be fulfilled, why do you think Jesus hasn't returned? 

Peter tells us in 2 Peter 3:9 that at least one reason Jesus has not returned is that He is patient and gracious. Although Jesus' coming for His church will be a time of great rejoicing for those of us who have placed our faith in Him (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17), it will be a time where wickedness on the earth is dramatically increased (Matthew 24:21) and a time of intense judgment on those who have chosen to reject Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:31).  By holding off His return, Jesus is demonstrating grace and patience in order to give all men an abundance of opportunity to turn to Him. 

Questions - Tuesday

My baby slept through your whole sermon, Ken. Where can I get your tape to help my baby sleep through the night?

CDs are available in the main lobby after every service. Also, you can view or listen to sermons online either on our website or by subscribing to the audio or video podcast on iTunes. Previous sermons are available as well so you might want to invest in a docking station for your iPod, download 8 or 9 hours worth of sermons, set that puppy on "repeat," and enjoy a full night's sleep! 

You say nothing else must be fulfilled [before Jesus returns for His Church], But what about every people group hearing the Gospel. I know we are close, but some have yet to be reached.

We received several versions of this question and will flesh out an answer in even greater detail in two weeks.  In short, there are several prophecies that must be fulfilled before the Second Coming of Christ to the earth. Matthew 24 records many of these prophecies including the one you reference (24:14), the revelation of "The Antichrist" (Revelation 13:4-18), and others. However, it is important to distinguish between the rapture of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18) and the Second Coming of Jesus to the earth (Acts 1:11; Revelation 19:11-21). Many signs will precede His coming to the earth, but nothing needs to be fulfilled in order for the rapture to happen. It could happen at any moment. 

Does God hear us the same when we pray out loud or pray silent? Are both heard by God?

When Jesus taught on prayer He placed the emphasis not on the volume or the mode of prayer, but the heart behind the prayer (Matthew 6:5-13). Jesus Himself modeled both out loud (John 17) and silent (Matthew 14:13) prayers. The indication from Scripture is that God hears both and responds to both.