 Friday, May 31, 2019
Revelation 22:13-15: [Jesus is saying,] "Behold I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me to repay each one for what He has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Blessed are those who wash their robes so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood." This is It: In this part of Revelation, John sees and hears what will happen at the end of time. In chapter 21, John sees the city of God arrive from heaven. In the first part of chapter 22, John sees the river of the water of life and the twelve trees of life on the river's shores. This is it. This is the final resting place for the people of God, for those who believe in Jesus, His life, death, resurrection, and ascension. How We Get In: It's simple, really. We are cleansed, washed, and made new. All that has to be done is to wash; to be clean. Yet it is not Tide in which we are washed. The blood of the Lamb who was slain washes us clean. These same people are described in Revelation 7:9-13. Go take a look. I wait. ... Good, You're Back: Now we get to the reason why people get into heaven and some don't. Why Not? Simply put, being human. We live, and have lived, in societies where "freedom" was to indulge in self gratification. "I can do anything I want with any one I want and no one can tell me otherwise." Do you know what this sounds like? "You can be like God, knowing good and evil." (Genesis 3:4) Contrary to some thoughts, we will never be good enough to enter heaven. ONLY... The blood of Lamb and its' sin cleansing properties is the means of entrance. When we believe that Jesus humiliated and sacrificed Himself in order to remove our sins from us and to make us clean before God the Father, sitting on the throne, we will enter through the front gate of heaven, our eternal home with God. SO... Let us live our lives, our disciple lives, trusting that God the Father sent God the Son, also known as Jesus, to forgive our sins and cleansed us from all sin and unrighteousness. Let us obey everything that Jesus taught us as we live for Him, with Him, and in Him. Let us listen to and follow the guidance and direction of God the Holy Spirit through His Word. All Because... of Jesus. Do you have thoughts and questions? Let's talk.
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 Monday, May 20, 2019
John 16:28-33: [Jesus is saying,] " I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father. His disciples said, "Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech. Now we know that You know all things and do not need anyone to question You. This is why we believe that you came from God." Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming. Indeed it has come when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am ot alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart. I have overcome the world." Jesus' Plan is Revealed: Jesus is heading back to the Father. Jesus is heading back to heaven. At this moment in time, Jesus is not revealing that between now and when He goes back to the Father, He will be arrested, beaten, tried, nailed to a cross, crucified, die, be buried and rise to life. At this moment in time, the disciples, I don't think, could have handle that brutal part of the truth. At the same time, Jesus is revealing that they, the disciples, will go through their own torment and struggles. Out of fear, the disciples will run away from Jesus. One will betray Him. One will deny knowing Him. The rest of them will scatter, fearing for their own lives. Then Jesus finally reveals His encouragement to His disciples. Jesus has overcome the world. Jesus has done it through what He went through. It seems backwards. Yet it is as straightforward as possible. Because Jesus was the victim of the sins of the entire world, He was the Victor over sin, death, and the influence of Satan. Jesus defeated death. Jesus gives life through His death and resurrection. "Stop being afraid." Jesus told them. "The world has not and will not defeat me." The Plan is for US: We are just like the disciples, the hand picked twelve. We deny knowing Jesus because it is easier than facing obstacles and possible rejection by friends and family. When tough things in life happen, we run away from the ONE who will guide through the tough stuff. Then we stand alone in our grief, sadness, and confusion without a guide who helps us through. Then Jesus tells us not to worry. The hardships of life are hard. That is a given. So live by means of your faith. "Trust me." Jesus says to us. "The world did not defeat me. So I will not let it defeat you." So believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. You will be saved. Got questions? Got thoughts? Let's talk about them together.  Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Revelation 7:9-10: After this I [John the Apostle] looked, and behold a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" We Will Be There! When we believe in the salvation of Jesus and the truth of His life, death, resurrection, and ascension, we will be in front of God as He sits upon the throne. We will be a part of a number of people so numerous that no one will be able to count it. There will be people from all over the world standing in the presence of God. When people from every race, every nation, every country, and space believe in the salvation of Jesus, that Jesus gave to them a one way ticket to heaven. Jesus gave them the ticket because of WHAT HE DID. Our Entry Ticket: People, including you and me, will not enter heaven because we're "good people." No matter how "good" we are, we will not get into heaven. Why? Doesn't entry into heaven depend on us following the Ten Commandments? No it doesn't. If it did, then we would have to obey all the commandments all the time. And we all know, that we cannot obey all the commandments all of the time. Why is that? It's because we're sinners. Heaven is for saints, not sinners. Who is a saint? A saint believes in the Lord Jesus Christ and what He did for him. A saint knows and believes that Jesus' blood and righteousness saves her from all of her sins. Saints believe that Jesus gave them a new life through His resurrection. So a saint is a believer is the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. Through faith in Jesus and what He did, you are converted from a sinner to a saint. And the saints homes in heaven are built and ready to go because Jesus went back to heaven and prepared them Himself. Are You Ready? It's easy to be ready. Believe in God the Father, the one who created you and keeps you. Believe in God the Son, Jesus, who saved you from yourself, your sins, the sinful world, and Satan's influence. Believe in God the Holy Spirit, who sustains you and your faith and trust Him to guide you to your future. And the future is eternal life with God. Are you ready  Monday, May 6, 2019
Revelation 9:17: For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. What John is Seeing: It is like John is in a great room where a throng of people too numerous to count is before the Lord God who is on His throne. People from every age and every race are in this room. Men and women standing in the presence of God, the Almighty. It is an amazing sight. And there, in front of the throne, is the Lamb who was slain. They are all gathered in the name and presence of Jesus, who died to remove their sins from them and who rose to give them life. It has to be an amazing sight. The People: Who are these people? They are believers who lived, died, and are living forever. They are the people who believe in Jesus their Savior. They are the ones who were lead, are being lead, and forever will they be lead to the place where living water is, where fear, grief, sadness, and hardship are no more. These are the people who received, are receiving, and will forever receive their peace and strength. Tears shed are dried. Joy of living with God forever replaces sadness and grief. To Where are the Going: The people are headed to heaven. They are going to their eternal life with God in the center of their lives and Jesus as their leader. The people are going to live forever in the eternal place where being with God is the ultimate. No more sorrows and grief. No more sin and death. No more have to deal with consequences of a world that is broken because of the sin of humanity. All is connected to God. What are YOU Seeing? When you believe in Jesus and His Salvation and life, you will see this throng, too. You will be a part of a group so large you will never be able to know how many are there. People from all over. Men and women of every tribe, race, and tongue united in the presence of the throne of God with Jesus in front. The cares and the worries of our lives are DONE. The sorrows and griefs are DONE. Sin and death ARE DONE! Do you want to be a part of that? Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. AND you can be in a small part of that mega group right now. When you come to worship, you are in the presence of God. His Word went it is proclaimed and preached on, will bring peace and comfort to you. You will enter a Sanctuary where Jesus is present, especially when we celebrate the Lord's Supper. And when you believe, you know that you will be a part of the great throng in heaven with God. If you're in the Huntsville area, come and be a part of the body of Christ here at Faith. |
AuthorPastor Robert Hemsath joined Faith Lutheran Church and School as the Senior Pastor in January 2017. Pastor Hemsath comes to FLC from Christ the King Lutheran Church in Waxahachie, TX. He has also served congregations in Aberdeen, ID and Pocatello, ID. He has been a Lutheran pastor for the past 20 years. Archives
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