These are notes on the sermon, Boldness On The Day Of Judgment, preached by Pastor Joseph Prince on Sunday, July 07, 2024, at The Star Performing Arts Centre, Singapore. We hope these sermon notes will be an encouragement to you!
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This sermon is a part of Pastor Prince’s series on the blessings of the upper room.
In this Year of Living in the Upper Room, it is important that we continue to study and be established in the truths that our Lord Jesus shared in the upper room during His Last Supper. Our Lord shared many new covenant truths that are meant for believers in these last days to strengthen and guide us, as we wait for His return. One such truth that we need to understand is that of the rapture.
It is important to note that the rapture is not to be confused with the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus. The rapture, as described in 1 Corinthians 15:52, refers to an imminent event where believers in Jesus Christ will be taken up to meet the Lord in the air, receive their glorified bodies, and escape the coming wrath.
It is a moment of sudden transformation and disappearance of believers BEFORE the Lord’s return to earth in a separate event known as His Second Coming (Matt. 24:30, Luke 21:25–27).
Contrary to the belief that the message of the rapture isn’t important or relevant today, the opposite is actually true! Now is when believers need to be certain that the rapture will happen and that it is happening soon. Knowing this will not only impact how we believers see ourselves and how we choose to live in these last days, but will also stir our hearts and ignite our faith as we wait with confidence.
Understanding the truths about the rapture will lead us to live with a sense of urgency and expectancy and also shape our priorities, decisions, and interactions with heaven and eternity in mind. Because of the sudden and unexpected nature of the rapture, believers need to be prepared and vigilant at all times. It will also compel us to walk closer with God and share His love with those around us. Additionally, it will give us the blessed hope amidst the chaos and uncertainty in these end times (Titus 2:12–14).
So what is the rapture and how does it affect the believer?
First of all, the rapture is good news for the believer! When we acknowledged Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we received the Holy Spirit as the down payment of our redemption.
And at the rapture, we will receive our full redemption and inheritance from the Lord, including a glorified body, as well as the fulfillment of God’s promise of eternal life and a future with Him in heaven! In this glorified body, believers are transformed and perfected, free from all imperfections, weaknesses, and limitations, resembling the glorified body of our Lord Jesus after His resurrection.
In this body, believers will experience eternal life devoid of sickness, pain, or death, leading to even greater enjoyment and pleasures than could ever be imagined (Ps. 16:11).
“All these sound way too good to be true,” you may say. “How can we be sure that this rapture will happen to us?”
Let us look again at Ephesians 1:13–14, where it describes the Holy Spirit as a down payment, a pledge, or a guarantee that we will receive our full redemption at a future date. Coupled with our Lord Jesus’ sharing on the rapture in the upper room (John 14:2–3), as well as His revelations to the apostle Paul (Phil. 3:20–21, 1 Cor. 15:51–53, 1 Thess. 4:16–18), we know that God will return for us, and complete the work of salvation in our lives, that is the redemption of our bodies. And it is this blessed hope that anchors our souls, especially during times of trial and uncertainty, reminding us that our current struggles are temporary compared to the eternal glory awaiting us.
Beloved, in these dark times, our Lord Jesus wants you to live assured and confident in the promise that your full redemption is at hand. What awaits us is a glorious future with the Lord where we will experience the fullness of joy in God’s presence for all eternity!
In today’s world, where the pursuit of knowledge and material success often dominates, believers must remember not to place their trust solely in human wisdom (Rom. 1:22, Ps. 14:1).
It is undeniable that despite technological advancements, we are living in a time marked by moral decline, pestilences, and rising mental health challenges. When we rely too much on our understanding alone, we risk losing sight of God’s truths and purposes for our lives.
The message of the rapture serves as an unshakable beacon of hope and truth for believers. It offers believers not just comfort and strength, but also assurance and confidence that our faith in Christ transcends the trials of this world. God’s promises provide stability in turbulent times and point us toward an eternal and blessed hope that can only be found in Jesus.
This blessed hope that we have in Christ anchors us in the end times, and reminds us that our true citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20), where our eternal home awaits in the presence of our Savior. This hope is not wishful thinking but a steadfast assurance rooted in the unchanging Word of God.
Therefore, let us not be shaken by the uncertainties of this world or the challenges ahead. As we navigate these uncertain days, let us remain anchored in God’s truth and the enduring hope found in Christ.
Sharing from the story of the Gadarene demoniac in Mark 5, Pastor Prince shows how the way our Lord Jesus delivered the man is also how the Lord can deliver us today, with love, compassion, and absolute authority.
In the story, we see how the man was tormented by evil spirits, all alone, making “his dwelling among the tombs,” crying, and cutting himself. Under the influence of the evil spirits, he was so strong that shackles and chains meant to restrain him and prevent him from harming others and himself were useless against him.
What this man experienced is a picture of how in our world today, we too can see those among us who are ensnared by invisible chains, whether they are addictions, fears, past traumas, or other strongholds, that hinder their freedom and well-being. In our technologically advanced society, more and more we find ourselves isolated, left to deal with our inner turmoil, doubts, anger, loneliness, and emotional distress on our own. We may also be exposed to voices via social media and news media that engender more guilt, shame, or unforgiveness in us, preventing us from experiencing and living the abundant life that Jesus came to give us (John 10:10).
Yet, Jesus demonstrated His love and compassion for the demoniac when He traversed the Sea of Galilee just to minister to and deliver this one man. And in that deliverance, our Lord demonstrated His absolute power over the powers of darkness when with just one word, He shattered the chains that bound the heavily demon-possessed man, setting him free from the unbearable torment.
Oh, how altogether lovely is our Lord! He embodies perfect symmetry, radiating divine grace and mercy, both velvet and steel. It takes all 5 of the Old Testament offerings to depict the perfection of His person, His life, and His work on the cross for us. For example, the meal offering of fine flour, oil, and frankincense reflects His person, the purity, balance, and beauty that He embodies. His life of love and grace ascends like a sweet aroma to the Father. In Christ Jesus, we find a Savior who is both powerful and overflowing with love and compassion toward us.
When we know how much the Lord loves us and the lengths He went to at the cross to save and deliver us, we too can find liberation and restoration in Christ. Through His love, power, and grace, we can break free from the chains that bind us, experience healing and wholeness, and walk in the freedom as children of God. There is no chain too strong for our Lord Jesus to break and no bondage too deep for His redeeming love to set us free from.
Beloved, if you find yourself or your loved one in bondage or addiction, trust in Jesus’ authority and power to deliver you or them. In His presence, our brokenness is transformed, our chains are shattered, and our crooked paths are made straight.
How can you tell if someone is truly established in the new covenant?
One of the clearest signs is that the believer remains bold, even in the midst of the day of judgment, knowing that God loves them perfectly.
This boldness was demonstrated when the apostle John, a prisoner on the island of Patmos, was transported in the Spirit to witness the Second Coming of Christ in the book of Revelation.
As highlighted earlier, the rapture is distinct from the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus. The rapture involves the sudden and imminent gathering of believers to meet the Lord in the air before the tribulation, while the Second Coming entails our Lord’s physical return to earth after the tribulation to establish His kingdom and millennial rule, bringing final judgment and redemption.
In the book of Revelation, Jesus’ first words to John were “Fear not” (Rev. 1:17 ESV). The Lord did not pronounce judgment upon John. Although John saw the 7 seals of judgment, he remained unafraid. In fact, he wept when he saw that no one could open the sealed scroll (Rev. 5:4), knowing that it was necessary for these judgments to be carried out before a new world of peace and harmony could be ushered in.
John was not afraid of the 7 seals of judgment because he understood that the judgment was not meant for him. Just like John, believers can have boldness in the day of judgment because, as Christ is, so are we in this world, and there is no longer any judgment for us!
Today, we are in Christ, and our identity and position before God is unshakable. In Christ, we have His righteousness and right standing always, enabling us to face what’s to come with confidence and assurance.
Just like the apostle John, we need to know beyond the shadow of a doubt that because of our Lord Jesus’ perfect finished work on the cross, God will never ever again be angry with us, and that His judgment is reserved for unbelievers and the wicked. Once this truth is established in our hearts, we can be bold in the day of judgment!
So how then are we to live as we wait for the coming of the rapture?
Live purposefully, expectantly, confidently, and boldly. Live knowing that you are under the Father’s unclouded favor, above principalities and powers, healthy, righteous, and holy, because as Jesus is right now, so are you!
We hope these sermon notes blessed you! If they did, we encourage you to get the sermon and allow the Lord to speak to you personally as you watch or listen to it.
© Copyright JosephPrince.com 2024
These sermon notes were taken by volunteers during the service. They are not a verbatim representation of the sermon.
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