Our friend, Pastor Justin Cardinal, from New Testament Church in Massena, NY, brings a message from the teaching of Jesus.
In Matthew 24 Jesus begins instructing his disciples about the future.
• some Christians get caught up in interpreting the times and seasons…
• Jesus does not want us to be caught off guard by wars and famines and disasters…
• but it seems that his focus is on our perspective and our preparation for the future
Jesus is clear… he will return… and he wants us to be prepared / ready for his arrival
Matthew 25:1-13 we read Jesus’ parable of the ten bridesmaids.
There is a distinction between those who are prepared and those who are not.
Revelation 21:1-7
We know the end of the story… but the in-between is full of pain and difficulties.
Jesus confronted some of the same challenges and heartaches – we are told that at the
tomb of his friend Lazarus (John 11) – he wept and he was angry
As in the story of Lazarus, We also have faith that God is working through our
circumstances.
Romans 8:28
We are followers… following requires movement, putting one front in front of the other,
choices
throughout the scriptures we see what happens when people make choices
– choices not to trust that what God says is true – Adam & Eve
– choices to go a different way – Jonah
– choices to stick with someone – Ruth
– choices to follow – Matthew
– choices to change direction – Paul
We are constantly faced with choices.
In Matthew 25:8-30 we read Jesus’ parable of three servants.
Christianity begins with a choice (Rom 10:9) but it is followed by decisions and choices every
single day…
• choices to trust that God is working through the pain / difficulty
• choices to love and to share the hope the lies within us
• choices to act in ways that build up
being prepared for Christ’s return means making choices, growing, being mindful