Hope

When we are encouraged, we feel the freedom to dream and imagine what God can do.  Encouragement increases our expectation of "the good" that God has in store for us.  This expectation of good is the definition of hope.  As we prepare to begin 2012, may our hearts and minds be encouraged and freed to hope and may the Lord establish his assurance in our hearts that gives way to a living and active faith our church.

David W. Hill

Listen to Fenway Church's recent messages on Hope and Encouragement.
http://www.fenwaychurch.org/media.php?pageID=5

Jesus & the End Times: How is Kingdom of God Unfolding Today?

In our series on Jesus & the End Times, we have been going through Jesus' teachings on the End Times in the book of Luke.  Each of the 3 passages we are preaching from begins with Jesus correcting or expanding the Jews' view of the kingdom of God.

The Jews' thinking was that if Jesus was the promised Messiah he would establish a physical, earthly kingdom of God immediately in Jerusalem.  However, Jesus had a different plan.  The coming of the physical, earthly kingdom Jesus taught awaits another day, the day Jesus returns. (see Luke 21:31)

For Jesus' contemporaries view of the fulfillment of the kingdom - click here.

A Story
So Jesus told a parable (story) in Luke 19:11-27 to explain the right view of the coming kingdom of God.

The story describes a nobleman (Jesus) who "returns to a far off country to receive a kingdom and then return."  He leaves his servant the responsibility of engaging in his works until he returns. Upon his return, he asks for an account of his servants and destroys those who refused to receive him as their King.

This end represents when Jesus returns to judge the living and the dead and establishes a new heaven and a new earth where his kingdom will forever reign.

The Questions
The questions that may arise are if the kingdom is "not yet" if it is awaiting its final fulfillment - what is Jesus currently doing? Is he ruling and reigning in the world today? And if so, how?

To briefly address these questions, I will turn to Psalm 110 which parallels the story Jesus told in Luke 19 and gives us a framework by which we can understand our current place in God's plan in history.

Psalm 110
In verse 1, we have the LORD (Father God) saying to King David's Lord (Jesus), "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."  This verse points to Jesus' ascension after his resurrection to the Father's right hand.  In Acts 7:56, the dying Stephen sees Jesus, "Standing at the right hand of God."  In Daniel 7:13-14, Daniel sees "the Son of Man" presented before the "Ancient of Days" and given dominion, glory, and a kingdom. This scene is once again a picture of Jesus ascending to the Father's right hand in heaven and receiving the kingdom that the nobleman returns to receive in Luke 19:12.

In verse 2, we see that although Jesus has received authority and a kingdom for a time he will remain in Zion (heaven) ruling in the midst of his enemies.  How does Jesus rule in the midst of his enemies?  The clue is found in verse 3.  Verse 3 describes a willing people who volunteer themselves for God's cause in "the day of your (God's) power."  This description is a picture of the church - a willing community of believers who are living for God's mission in the age of the Spirit's power.  As described in Acts 2, the Spirit in these last days is being poured out in an active, empowering on all who believe.

Jesus rules and reigns in the midst of his enemies (those who refuse to acknowledge or have yet to acknowledge him as King) through the Church.  This is the age that we live in.  We as the Church are the empowered servants of Jesus who faithfully bear witness to the gospel message among the nations until he returns.  He reigns and rules as King and great High Priest (see vs 4) in the midst of a rebellious world through his Church.

Lastly, we see in verses 5-7 Jesus returning this time in "the day of his wrath."  He shatters kings, executes judgments, destroys the wicked, and drinks from a brook. This is the physical return of Jesus to earth which parallels the description of the death of the rebellious enemies of Jesus in Luke 19:27.

So here is our historic and future Biblical framework from Luke 19 & Psalm 110.

Past: Jesus' Ministry (Commissioning of Disciples) -> Jesus' Ascension
Now: Jesus' Rule & Reign from Heaven through the Church ->
Future: Jesus' Return (To Judge the Wicked) -> The Kingdom Fully Realized (On Earth)

Jesus & the End Times: Old Testament Prophecies (Video)

Post-Sermon Discussion - End Times Part 2 from Jesse Sudirgo on Vimeo.

In order to understand the second coming of Jesus, we need to get a picture of what the Old Testament says about this coming kingdom. This video is a discussion on what Jesus' contemporaries were expecting the Messiah to do, and how Jesus' work on the cross effects that expectation.

Listen to the message this discussion follows at http://www.fenwaychurch.org/media.php?pageID=5

Stay Awake: Jesus & the End Times

2012, Radio Preacher Predicts End of World.... The topic of the end times has been buzzing in today's culture and media, but what did Jesus have to say about it?

In our upcoming series on Jesus and the End Times, we will be looking at what Jesus said about the last days in the book of Luke and how his teachings help us answer the questions like these.  Why do end times teachings matter? Are we living in the end times? How should our knowledge of ends time impact our daily living?

Sundays 11AM @ Fenway Church - November 6, 13, 20

Scandal: Jesus & Grace

Second Series from the book of Luke starts Sunday October 9!

Jesus was accused of being involved in many a scandal. How what Jesus taught and lived turned religion on its head and made Jesus a friend of many sinners. AND why it matters so much for us today.

Sundays 11AM @ Fenway Church - October 9, 16, 23

Audio

Book Recommendations I

I wanted to share a few books that have really shaped my life, caused me to love Jesus more, and imparted faith in me to believe I could be a part of God's mission to radically change the world.

First, two which were published this year written by two author's whose writings have perhaps influenced me more than anyone else.

King's Cross I became a Christian because I had a revelation at a young age of just how much the Son of God had done in dying for me.  Since that day, I have always loved the person of Jesus. This book by Timothy Keller opens up the life and death of Jesus in a profound and vivid way. You will love and believe in Jesus more having read this book.

The Spirit-Filled Church Many respect and love Jesus as a prophet, teacher, and model for living.  Few however find themselves equally attracted to his Church.  Discover how and why the Church can be a dynamic, transparent community filled with the life-giving presence of Jesus where diverse peoples can find a true home. By Terry Virgo.

Second, two incredible stories of how God can use any person's life in order to bring about his redeeming purpose among the most broken people in our cities and the world.

The Cross & the Switchblade  How God took one young country pastor's decision to stop watching TV and used him to save gang bangers and druggies in NYC. I read this book as a pre-teen, then in highschool, college, and again when I started church planting. Inspired me to believe God could do anything through me. 

Chasing the Dragon  Rejected by missions' agencies a young woman buys a one way ticket to Hong Kong and sees God move in the Walled City, a haven for drug dens and prostitution. This book taught me so much on the importance of the baptism of the Holy Spirit in my life and ministry. Out of print so get a copy! 

Forgotten God: Jesus & the Spirit

Often forgotten but an equal member of the Godhead, the role and work of the Holy Spirit is vital to our regeneration and understanding of God. Join us as we explore the role of the Holy Spirit in the Life and Incarnation of Jesus and what their relationship can teach us about what our own experience of the Holy Spirit can be today.

Sundays @ Fenway Church (September 18, 25, October 2)

www.fenwaychurch.org