The end of the message

Several adults and students who were present at Charter Oak Church last weekend have asked me to get them a manuscript of the closing of my message from last Sunday. So here is the end of "God Gives"..."Here me as I tell you that I believe that the Bible is the inerrant, inspired Word of God. But when it comes to John 3:16, I believe that the translators got it wrong. They record, "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son." And I feel that the verb tense in this verse is incorrect. What I'm saying is that not only did God give his Son, but I believe that God GIVES his Son. Such is the mystery of faith which we all proclaim...Christ has died; Christ has risen; Christ will come again. The Revelation supports this when it records Jesus as saying, "Behold I am coming soon." But what is so awe inspiring about it is that when Christ returns the rules will have changed...

When He came the first time, He carried our humiliation, but when he comes again he will come in exaltation.

When He came the first time he was wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger, but when He comes again He'll be clothed in splendor and riding among the clouds.

When He came the first time the shepherds and the Magi were the first invited into His presence, but when He returns the first will be you, and me, and all of the other ordinary sinners who simply dared to believe.

When He came the first time, He wore the crown of thorns, but when He returns He will be wearing the crown of heaven.When He came the first time, He died on a cross, but when He comes again death will be no more.

When He came the first time, He entered a world of pain and sorrow, but when He returns He will wipe away every tear. There will be no more mourning or crying or pain. For the old order of things will all pass away.

When He came the first time, they called Him the King of the Jews, but when He returns in glory they will see him and know that He is the risen King of Kings.

When He came the first time, He spent 40 days being tempted by the devil, but when He returns the devil is gonna get a whoopin' like no one's ever seen before.

When He came the first time, the crowds shouted "CRUCIFY HIM!", but when He returns every knee in heaven and on earth and under the earth will bow and every tongue will shout to the north and the south and the east and the west that Jesus Christ is Lord.

When He came the first time, the Son of Man had nowhere to lay his head. But when He returns, He will gather the faithful, the blood-washed, and the born again. And He will take us into his Father's house. For in his Father's house there are many rooms. If it were not so, He would have told you, and He is right there, right now preparing a place especially for you. And when we get there, we will be ushered into his throneroom where we will join in with the saints to sing the song of eternity: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty. Hallelujah!"I hope this blesses you.-PM