Our confident expectation is on Jesus’ promised return. Yet it is essential to have a realistic hope, understanding the delay and difficulty we must endure, as we wait for His return. Jesus is lovingly clear about what to expect in the “end times” leading to His return and how we can prepare ourselves. This message will answer many questions about the “end times”, the rapture, and the return of Jesus. And more, will help you answer for yourself: are you ready?
Call His Name Immanuel
“They shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” – Matthew 1:23
The Word became flesh, Jesus became a human being, so that He could be “God with you”. He bore your sin in His body so He could remove every barrier between you and Him and restore relationship. He conquered death so that you could live with Him forever. He sits at the Father’s right hand so that He can live inside of you by the Spirit of God. This is how much He loves you and longs to be with you. He is Immanuel. He is “God with you”. This is His name. This is who He is for you.
You are not alone. You are never alone. Not matter how you feel or what you are facing, God has not left you. He is always Immanuel. When you put your faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit united your spirit with Jesus. He dwells in you and you dwell in Him. You are connected, intertwined; you are one with Him.
He is Immanuel in the fire. He is Immanuel in the flood. He is Immanuel in the wilderness. He is Immanuel in the lion’s den. He is Immanuel in the storm. He is your Ever-Present Help in time of need. He is your Comforter. He is your Eternal Refuge. He sees you; He knows you; He hears your cry; He is with you in the dust, wiping tears, giving you grace. He’s Immanuel in the hospital. He is Immanuel at the office. He is Immanuel when you’re alone. He is Immanuel when you have nothing left in you.
People are not ever-present; they are not all-knowing. Only God is. People don’t have perfect, unfailing love. Only God does
We often want and even expect people to be ever-present, there for us whenever we need them; we imagine them to be all knowing, seeing what is going on inside of us, knowing how we are feeling and what we need. We long for them to be our comfort. But people are just like you and me: they have their own needs, and they are limited. People are not ever-present; they are not all-knowing. Only God is. People don’t have perfect, unfailing love. Only God does. God has blessed us with family and friends as a gift from Himself. They have something to offer us. But where people do their little part, God–-only God—can do His big part. When we mix this up, we find ourselves disappointed or offended. I encourage you to let go of any offense and disappointment. Forgive and release them to God. And now, step into the comfort of His presence.
When we limit God to our abilities, our circumstances, or other’s presence we miss out on the comfort and life-changing power of His presence. Faith is living by a different Kingdom, a heavenly reality that is bigger than your circumstances, unlimited in resources. We are children of a good Father, citizens of heaven, heirs of a vast inheritance in Christ. We have access to everything in God’s Kingdom.
This is how Jesus, the Son of God, was able to sleep in a storm and calm it. In Mark 4, Jesus was in a small fishing boat on the sea of Galilee with His disciples and a great wind and rain storm unexpectedly swept over the sea (something common for that geography). The storm was so intense, the boat was filling with water and began to sink. The disciples were freaking out, trying their best to save Jesus. But Jesus wasn’t worried one bit. The situation was life-threatening and yet Jesus was asleep.
He was resting in the promises of God, He was abiding in His Father’s love, He was secure in His identity as a Son, He was sure of God’s faithfulness, He was convinced of His assignment and authority. These realities don’t remove the reality of a storm. The things of the kingdom are super-natural, above and beyond the natural order. When we live by faith, we are not limited to or by the natural realm but are able to overcome according to the higher reality of the Kingdom.
Faith interprets the circumstances differently, through a Kingdom lens.
The disciples saw a storm with their eyes, calculated the threat based on their experience, and concluded death was imminent. But faith interprets the circumstances differently, through a Kingdom lens. Jesus saw the same storm, knew the same threat, but His conclusion was different because of His faith. He interpreted the storm through a lens of the Kingdom. He saw God above the storm. He saw God’s protection. He saw God’s plan for His life. He saw His authority. This is why He could both sleep and speak. Often difficult circumstances and frightening emotions rob us of our sleep and our speech. But follow Jesus’ example. You can rest and sleep because God loves you. And you can rise up and speak to that storm to be quiet and stop because you have the name of Jesus!
Just like Jesus, you are a beloved child of God. Just like Jesus, you have an assignment, and you have authority in His name. Just like Jesus, you are not alone. God is with you.
Trust in the name of Immanuel. See that God is with you even in the storm. That He is the Fourth Man in the fire; that He is the one shutting the mouth of the lion; that He is the one holding back the flood, parting the sea, and making a way. Interpret the storm through a Kingdom lens. Walk by faith and not by sight. Call on His name.
You may feel alone, but God says He is always with you.
It may look like defeat, but God says He will go before you and fight for you.
It may look like lack, but God says He is your Shepherd and that you will not lack.
You may have failed, but God says His calling on your life is irrevocable and that if you confess He forgives every sin.
It may feel like you are lost, but God says He will always lead you into victory.
It may look like everything is against us, but God says He is for you and will answer every prayer.
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*All scriptures are quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV) unless otherwise stated. Emphasizes are mine.
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A Friend of God: Conversation
Jesus “was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as light.” (Matthew 17:2)
The story of Jesus’ transfiguration is one of my favorites because it is such a break from the narrative flow of the gospels. It was literally an “in-breaking” of God’s glory, a pulling back of the curtain to reveal more of Jesus than what everyone saw on the surface. It was the moment the disciples saw the glory of God in the tent of Jesus’ flesh, the Word revealed behind the flesh of His human body. Jesus’ humanity was unveiled for a moment to reveal the divinity within. It must have been an amazingly intense moment for the disciples and a very timely, needed encouragement for Jesus.
Jesus had just revealed His assignment fully to the disciples: suffering, betrayal, crucifixion, death, and resurrection. They didn’t get it. They thought it was just another parable. The ministry of Jesus was exploding, His name was spreading, and crowds were gathering. And the persecution was growing more intense as well. He was experiencing the rejection of men constantly—teachers accusing Him of being the devil, leaders wanting Him dead, His own family calling Him crazy. The shadow of the cross was looming. Jesus’ cousin, John, was gone. None of His followers understood. Jesus was alone.
I image the experience was life-altering for the disciples. It was so impactful that Peter references it in his second letter, clearly showing how well-known the story was to those he pastored. I am sure what Peter, James, and John witnessed marked them. And yet, I believe this moment was more for Jesus than for them.
There are many profound things that happen in the story: Jesus heads up a mountain for a bit of R&R, spends some time in prayer like He often does. Peter, James, and John fall asleep (I figure that happened regularly when Jesus had extended times of communion with the Father). And then, all of a sudden, the boys wake up to see Jesus brighter than the sun and two guys talking with Him. While they are still groggy from sleep and wrapping their minds around the encounter, Father speaks from heaven to them about His Son.
Any one of these things could be its own message. But wait!? Moses and Elijah are talking with Jesus! This is my favorite part. Why are these two guys hanging out with Jesus on earth and having a conversation? (The Greek word for “talking with” in Matthew 17:3 could be well translated “conversing” as in having a face-to-face dialogue). What are they talking about!?
Let’s go backwards before we move on. Moses is one of God’s closest friends, ever. He made it into the hall of fame of faith. He, like Enoch, Noah, and Abraham walked with God. In fact, God Himself says that Moses is one of His closest besties: “I speak with him face-to-face” (Numbers 12). The intimate friendship Moses had with God is one that generations of believers have desired to have. Moses’ conversations with God are mind blowing. That a human was invited to talk with God about such things and receive such revelatory insight into God’s kingdom is amazing. Since God is the God of the living and Moses is one of His friends, it is very likely that this Moses has been in heaven hanging out with Jesus (The Pre-Incarnate Word) for hundreds of years before Jesus’ incarnation. Can you imagine the depth of friendship?
Then there is Elijah. He is one of only two people taken bodily into heaven. He didn’t even experience death. He was a prophet who served the Lord his whole life and trained up many others to follow the Lord. Together Moses and Elijah represent the law and the prophets which point to Jesus. Both men, on earth, had insight into the coming Savior (see 1 Peter 1). And yet, likely they’ve been with God now for generations, soaking in the glory of God.
Now guess what they are talking about? According to the gospel of Luke, they are discussing Jesus’ assignment. Luke says they were conversating about Jesus’ “exodus”, literally His departure or death and the details surrounding how He would accomplish this sacrificial assignment at Jerusalem (Luke 9:31). Is it a coincidence that the exodus of Israel from Egypt is a picture of our salvation (think Passover lamb, blood, deliverance and such)? Is it random that Moses, who led the exodus of Israel, is now talking to his own Savior of the new exodus, the true Passover lamb to be slain, and the eternal redemption of the world? I think not!
Here is the point and the invitation to us: Moses and Elijah are friends of God. They have been sent by God to encourage Jesus. Jesus isn’t talking with angels; he’s talking with men. He has no one else to stand with on earth. Proverbs 27:9 tells us “the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel.”
I want to be that close to Jesus! To know Him that deeply, to be invited into such intimate conversation, to be trusted with such vulnerable details. I want a “face-to-face” friendship with God; I want God to reveal His heart to me. And that is the invitation. Every God-encounter with one person is an invitation to all. Here are just a few verses that reveal the deep yearning of Jesus’ heart to be known:
- I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you (John 15:15).
- The time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father (John 16:25).
- Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me (John 17:24).
Jesus has invited you into a deep, intimate friendship with Himself. He wants to reveal Himself and the deep things of His heart to you. He wants to enjoy communion and conversation with you. The first step is to simply come to Him. Begin to set aside time daily to seek Him. Ask Him for revelation and then open the Bible (I recommend starting in the Gospels). He will meet you there and speak to you.
Don’t Let the Devil Bully You
You can only appropriate what you recognize. If we don’t know something is ours we cannot utilize it. Too often we let fear and discouragement, shame and insecurity push us around, because we do not know who we are.
We need to know who we are in Christ and what has been given to us. That is what Paul prays for in Ephesians chapter one and that is what the Holy Spirit is showing us in this message.
Beloved, don’t let the devil bully you any longer! Rise up and fight. Find out how in this message.
Enjoy!
Forever Changed
I was impacted by something so simple while reading the Gospels recently. When people encountered Jesus, they were changed forever. And what was their response? Worship. So often we see people falling down and worshipping Jesus out of an overwhelming sense of gratitude. He made such an impact!
The risen Lord is still in the life-changing business. I may not be a leper, but I need healing; I may not be a tax collector, but I need forgiveness. He is alive: still the healer, redeemer, savior, deliverer.
Everyone who encountered Jesus, was changed forever. As you come to Jesus, He will change you.
Enjoy!
The Gift of Peace
Christ our solid hope; our perfect love; our defying joy; our Prince of Peace. Christ is THE Gift of God–the Light of the world, the bright and morning star, our Immanuel. And this Christmas Jesus is giving us the gift of His presence, filling us with His fullness.
Receive the peace of God, rest for your soul through this message.
Enjoy!
Moved By Compassion
Jesus was led by the Spirit, but He was also moved with compassion. Everything He did was in the power of the Spirit and done by faith; and everything He did was motivated, compelled, moved by a deep compassion for people.
As you listen to this message, you will discover how much God loves you and how He is moved with compassion towards you. And the example of Jesus will impact you to walk as He walked and be moved with compassion towards people.
Enjoy!
Search Me
Jesus cuts to the heart of the matter and He does it with a very simple, three letter word: “WHY“.
Jesus is not only the Savior of our heart; He is also the Lord of our heart and He wants to lead us to wholeness, freedom, and life. The Lord’s discipleship method often involves piercing questions that cut to the heart of the matter in our lives for our good.
In this message, part 2 in “The Heart of The Matter” series, you will learn how to let the Lord Search you and find out why it is so vital to our growth.
The Lord corrects those He loves. So if we resist His correction, we are truly resisting His love. Let’s not reject God’s love; let’s open our heart to His love.
I pray this blesses you. Enjoy!
Total Maker Over
Jesus doesn’t do half-way; He doesn’t do band-aid repairs. Jesus does total make overs, full redemptions, complete restorations.
In this new series, “The Heart of The Matter”, we discover how vital our heart is to our whole life and how Jesus has cured our heart by the power of the Holy Spirit so that we can live from a place of victory rather than defeat. In Christ, we are no longer in the red; we are in the black.
Get to the heart of the matter and learn to walk in victory by establishing the truth of the gospel in your heart.
Enjoy!
A Life Changing Prayer Life-Part 1
Want Jesus’ results? Then pray like Jesus prayed. Jesus’ disciples saw the power and grace on Jesus and His ministry and heard the way He prayed. They saw the connection and, recorded in Luke 11:1-2, they asked Jesus, “Teach us to pray.”
In this series, Jesus is teaching us to pray like He prays. If we change our prayer life, it will change our life. If we pray like Jesus, we will experience Jesus’ results in our lives. Let Jesus revolutionize your prayer life.
In this first message, we will see how important it is to open our mouths, refusing to let the enemy silence us, and pray God’s will with expectation that God will do exactly what He promised to do.
Enjoy!
Pastor David Turner 