Saturday 05 January 2008

Background

Someone once said that no sermon is worthy of the name unless itcan answer the question "so what?"

Jesus has been called many different names - 'saviour', 'example','deliverer', 'sharer of suffering' and so on. Now the writer of theletter introduces us to another picture - that of Jesus: returningking.

Christians differ in their understanding of Christ's return andsome discussions have shed far more heat than light! But that hewill return to display his glory and bring lasting hope to all theNew Testament is in no doubt.

So the two great festivals that go before and after Christmas -Advent and Epiphany (which begins tomorrow) - are reminders thatone day Jesus will complete the picture he has begun.

But so what? "Well," says Paul, "if the name of Jesus and the hopeof the return of Jesus have a special place in your life live inthe light of that".

So he gives us two negatives and four positives - much the bestbalance as we sometimes have a longer list of don'ts thandos!

Renounce (make clear that you no longer haveany part in)

• Impiety (whatever is unlike God)
• Worldly passions (whatever we could not show to God)

Practice

• Self-control (balanced in using the gifts of God)
• Uprightness (standing up for what is right before God)
• Godliness (modelling lives on the Son of God)
• Good deeds (enthusiastic in the work of God)

And it is God's grace undeserved, unlimited, unconditional(v.11) that makes it both necessary and possible!

To Ponder

What are you waiting for?

What does the 'so what?' of Christ's coming meanto you?

Why is God's grace amazing?