Wrath and Deliverance: Hope in Christ's Return

Devotional

Day 1: The Gravity of Sin and the Necessity of the Gospel

The wrath of God is a profound reality, representing eternal separation from His presence for those who do not know Him. This underscores the seriousness of sin and the critical need for the gospel, which calls us to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. The gospel is not merely a message of hope but a call to action, urging us to turn away from sin and towards a life of obedience and faith. Understanding the gravity of sin helps us appreciate the depth of God's love and the necessity of His grace. [02:24]

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth." (Romans 1:18, ESV)

Reflection: What specific sin in your life do you need to confront and bring before God in repentance today?

Day 2: Reconciliation Through Christ's Sacrifice

Jesus' death on the cross is the decisive act that reconciles us to God, solving the problem of wrath. This reconciliation assures us that we are not destined for wrath but for salvation, highlighting the profound love and grace of God. Through His sacrifice, Jesus bridges the gap between humanity and God, offering us a path to eternal life. This act of love is not just about avoiding punishment but about entering into a relationship with God, characterized by peace and hope. [06:09]

"For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life." (Romans 5:10, ESV)

Reflection: How does understanding Jesus' sacrifice change the way you view your relationship with God today?

Day 3: Joyful Anticipation of Christ's Return

The anticipation of Christ's return is not merely about escaping wrath but about the joy of eternal fellowship with Him. This hope transforms our waiting into a loving expectation of being with our Savior forever. It is a time of joy and fulfillment, where believers look forward to being in the presence of Christ, experiencing His love and glory. This anticipation is not passive but active, encouraging us to live lives that reflect our hope and faith in His promises. [09:30]

"Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:2, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you actively prepare your heart and life for Christ's return today?

Day 4: Transformation into Glorious Bodies

Our future hope includes the transformation of our lowly bodies into glorious ones, reflecting the power and promise of Christ's resurrection. This transformation assures us of a future free from the decay and suffering of this world. It is a promise of renewal and restoration, where believers will experience the fullness of life in Christ. This hope encourages us to persevere through present trials, knowing that a glorious future awaits us. [10:40]

"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." (Philippians 3:20-21, ESV)

Reflection: How does the promise of a transformed body and life with Christ impact your perspective on current struggles?

Day 5: Eagerly Awaiting Christ's Appearing

Loving Christ's appearing means eagerly awaiting the day when we will be crowned with righteousness and be done with sinning. This anticipation is rooted in a deep love for Jesus and a desire to be with Him eternally. It is a longing for the fulfillment of God's promises and the completion of His work in us. This eager anticipation motivates us to live righteously and to share the hope of Christ with others, knowing that His return is imminent. [11:58]

"Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:8, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take today to cultivate a deeper love and anticipation for Christ's return?

Sermon Summary

In this session, we delve into the profound themes of wrath and deliverance as outlined in 1 Thessalonians 1:7-10. The focus is on the impending wrath of God and the deliverance offered through Jesus Christ. This wrath is not a trivial matter; it is a serious, eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord for those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel. However, for believers, it is a time of relief and glorification. The deliverance from this wrath is made possible through Jesus, who died for our sins, reconciling us to God and ensuring that we are not destined for wrath but for salvation.

The death of Jesus on the cross is the pivotal event that addresses our guilt and sin, thus solving the wrath problem. This justification by His blood means that while judgment is still coming, Jesus will save us from it. The assurance of salvation is not just about escaping wrath but about being with the Lord forever, transformed into His glorious image. This future hope is what believers eagerly await, as it promises eternal fellowship with Christ and a transformation of our lowly bodies into glorious ones.

The anticipation of Christ's return is not just about avoiding wrath but about the joy of being with Him, our Savior and friend. This waiting is filled with love for His appearing, knowing that He will transform us and crown us with righteousness. The promise of a glorious body and eternal life with Christ is the ultimate goal, making the escape from wrath a glorious prospect.

Key Takeaways

1. The wrath of God is a serious, eternal separation from His presence for those who do not know Him. This underscores the gravity of sin and the necessity of the gospel, which calls us to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. [02:24]
2. Jesus' death on the cross is the decisive act that reconciles us to God, solving the problem of wrath. This reconciliation assures us that we are not destined for wrath but for salvation, highlighting the profound love and grace of God. [06:09]
3. The anticipation of Christ's return is not merely about escaping wrath but about the joy of eternal fellowship with Him. This hope transforms our waiting into a loving expectation of being with our Savior forever. [09:30]
4. Our future hope includes the transformation of our lowly bodies into glorious ones, reflecting the power and promise of Christ's resurrection. This transformation assures us of a future free from the decay and suffering of this world. [10:40]
5. Loving Christ's appearing means eagerly awaiting the day when we will be crowned with righteousness and be done with sinning. This anticipation is rooted in a deep love for Jesus and a desire to be with Him eternally. [11:58]
** [11:58]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:18] - Introduction to Wrath and Deliverance
[00:35] - Turning from Idols to Serve God
[00:49] - Waiting for Jesus from Heaven
[01:04] - The Terrible Wrath to Come
[01:41] - Description of Wrath in 2 Thessalonians
[02:24] - Eternal Destruction vs. Glorification
[03:31] - Romans on God's Righteous Judgment
[04:20] - Jesus' Deliverance from Wrath
[05:02] - Justification by Jesus' Blood
[06:09] - Reconciliation Through Jesus' Death
[07:06] - Assurance of Salvation
[08:18] - Jesus' Second Coming
[09:30] - Eternal Fellowship with Christ
[10:40] - Transformation of Our Bodies
[11:58] - Loving Christ's Appearing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

1 Thessalonians 1:7-10
2 Thessalonians 1:6-10
Romans 5:8-10

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Observation Questions:

According to 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10, what actions did the Thessalonians take in response to the gospel message? How does this relate to their anticipation of Jesus' return? [00:35]
In 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10, what are the two contrasting outcomes described for believers and non-believers at the return of Jesus? [02:24]
How does Romans 5:8-10 describe the role of Jesus' death in delivering us from wrath? What does it mean to be justified by His blood? [05:02]
What does the sermon say about the nature of God's wrath and the deliverance offered through Jesus? [01:04]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the concept of eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord in 2 Thessalonians 1:9 impact our understanding of the seriousness of sin and the necessity of the gospel? [02:24]
In what ways does the anticipation of Christ's return transform the way believers live their daily lives, according to the sermon? [09:30]
How does the assurance of salvation through Jesus' death on the cross provide comfort and hope in the face of life's uncertainties, as illustrated by the pastor's personal story? [06:51]
What does it mean to "love His appearing" as mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:8, and how does this love influence a believer's perspective on the future? [11:58]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your own life: Are there any "idols" you need to turn away from to serve the living and true God more fully? What steps can you take this week to make this change? [00:35]
How can the promise of deliverance from wrath through Jesus influence the way you share the gospel with others? Identify one person you can talk to about this hope. [01:04]
The sermon emphasizes the joy of eternal fellowship with Christ. How can you cultivate a deeper longing for this fellowship in your daily routine? [09:30]
Consider the transformation of our lowly bodies into glorious ones. How does this future hope affect your view of physical challenges or aging? [10:40]
The pastor shared a personal story about finding peace in the promise of salvation during a health crisis. How can you apply this assurance in your own life when facing difficult situations? [06:51]
What practical steps can you take to eagerly await Christ's return, as described in the sermon? How can this anticipation shape your priorities and decisions? [11:58]
How can you encourage others in your community to love Christ's appearing and live in a way that reflects this hope? What specific actions can you take to foster this mindset in your small group? [12:10]

Sermon Clips

God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God, on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. [00:01:49]

They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints and to be marveled at among all who believed because our testimony to you was believed. [00:02:24]

Since therefore we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from wrath. So this picture is exactly what we're talking about here with Jesus delivers us from the wrath to come, and even though we are justified, that justification doesn't mean there is no judgment coming. [00:05:02]

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more now that we are reconciled shall we be saved by his life. So don't ever say that because Jesus died for our sins this doesn't need to happen. Oh, it's because Jesus died for our sins this is going to happen. [00:05:55]

God has not destined us for wrath but to obtain salvation which is the opposite of wrath and it's going to be glorious through our Lord Jesus Christ who died for us, so he died for us, all who believe in him and are united to him his blood covers our sin. [00:07:20]

Whether we are awake that means alive when Jesus comes or asleep that means having died when Jesus comes in other words whether this cancer is going to be healed or whether it's going to take your life you're safe, you're going to live forever with him. [00:07:40]

The wrath problem is decisively solved by the death of Jesus, but the death of Jesus secures for us this future. Jesus delivers us from the wrath to come. Here's the way it's described in Hebrews 9, having been offered once in history on the cross to bear the sins of many. [00:08:07]

Christ will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, that's over, and we are either under his blood because of faith or we're not under his blood and will be under wrath. He's coming rather to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. [00:08:32]

The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command with the voice of the archangel with the sound of the trumpet of God and the dead in Christ will rise with new resurrection bodies first then we who are alive who are left will be caught up together with them in the cloud. [00:09:08]

We will always be with the Lord. That's it, that's it right, escaping wrath is glorious. This is the goal, to be with the Lord of glory, to be with your best friend, to be with your savior, your God, to be conformed to his image in his presence. [00:09:30]

Our citizenship is in heaven, from it we wait a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ who will transform our lowly body. Oh my goodness, praise God. I mean if you're young and you're listening to this right now you probably have a beautiful body. [00:10:00]

We are waiting a savior who's going to transform that lowly body out of the grave to be like his glorious body. Jesus says we're going to shine like the sun in the kingdom of our father by the power that enables him to subject everything to himself. [00:10:40]

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Wrath and Deliverance: Hope in Christ's Return

Devotional

Day 1: The Gravity of Sin and the Necessity of the Gospel

Day 2: Reconciliation Through Christ's Sacrifice

Day 3: Joyful Anticipation of Christ's Return

Day 4: Transformation into Glorious Bodies

Day 5: Eagerly Awaiting Christ's Appearing

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Wrath and Deliverance: Hope in Christ's Return

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