The Unfinished Work of Christ I. Jesus Continues To Add To His Church.

The Unfinished Work The Unfinished Work of Christof Christ

I. Jesus Continues To I. Jesus Continues To Add To His ChurchAdd To His Church

A. Added Obedient Faithful PeopleA. Added Obedient Faithful People

• The Pentecost crowd cried out, “Men and The Pentecost crowd cried out, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” brethren, what shall we do?” Acts 2:37-38Acts 2:37-38

- Peter responds “Repent and be baptized” - Peter responds “Repent and be baptized” for the forgiveness of your sinsfor the forgiveness of your sins

47 Praising God and having favor with all the 47 Praising God and having favor with all the people. people. And the Lord added to the church dailyAnd the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. those who were being saved. Acts 2Acts 2

- Once added to “all the saved” one can - Once added to “all the saved” one can then join a local congregation then join a local congregation Acts 9:26-28Acts 9:26-28

B. Our Lord Still Adds The Faithful TodayB. Our Lord Still Adds The Faithful Today

• The Gospel’s message and promises are The Gospel’s message and promises are the same now as then the same now as then Mk.16:15-16Mk.16:15-16

- Why do some obey while others seemed - Why do some obey while others seemed puzzled at Jesus’ words? puzzled at Jesus’ words? Mk.4:10-12Mk.4:10-12

A. Added Obedient Faithful PeopleA. Added Obedient Faithful People

12 “So that ‘12 “So that ‘SeeingSeeing they may see and not they may see and not perceive, And perceive, And hearinghearing they may hear and not they may hear and not understand; Lest they should turn, And their understand; Lest they should turn, And their sins be forgiven them.’” sins be forgiven them.’” Mk.4Mk.4

B. Our Lord Still Adds The Faithful TodayB. Our Lord Still Adds The Faithful Today

• The Gospel’s message and promises are The Gospel’s message and promises are the same now as then the same now as then Mk.16:15-16Mk.16:15-16

- Jesus’ words are designed to call some - Jesus’ words are designed to call some and alienate others and alienate others Jn.6:44-45Jn.6:44-45

A. Added Obedient Faithful PeopleA. Added Obedient Faithful People

- His words draw us with positive promises - His words draw us with positive promises that are with us today that are with us today Lk.10:17-20Lk.10:17-20

- Why does God continue to leave the door - Why does God continue to leave the door of salvation open today? of salvation open today? 2 Pet.3:8-112 Pet.3:8-11

II. He Still Mediates II. He Still Mediates For His PeopleFor His People

A. Man Can’t Reach God On His OwnA. Man Can’t Reach God On His Own

• Job expresses our frustration in trying to Job expresses our frustration in trying to have fellowship with God have fellowship with God Job 9:32-33Job 9:32-33

32 “For He is not a man, as I am, 32 “For He is not a man, as I am, That I may That I may answer Himanswer Him, And that we should go to court , And that we should go to court together.together.

33 Nor is there any mediator between us, 33 Nor is there any mediator between us, Who may lay his hand on us bothWho may lay his hand on us both. . Job 9Job 9

A. Man Can’t Reach God On His OwnA. Man Can’t Reach God On His Own

• Job expresses our frustration in trying to Job expresses our frustration in trying to have fellowship with God have fellowship with God Job 9:32-33Job 9:32-33

- Only a sinless sacrifice will do! - Only a sinless sacrifice will do! Rev.5:1-10Rev.5:1-10

15 And for this reason 15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the He is the Mediator of the new covenantnew covenant, , by means of deathby means of death, for the , for the redemption of the transgressions under the first redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. the promise of the eternal inheritance. Heb.9Heb.9

- Jesus became the perfect High Priest that - Jesus became the perfect High Priest that enters behind the veil for man enters behind the veil for man Heb.6:19-20Heb.6:19-20

B. Jesus Mediates For His People NowB. Jesus Mediates For His People Now

• Even today Jesus provides intercession Even today Jesus provides intercession for His people for His people I Jn.2:1-2I Jn.2:1-2

1 My little children, these things I write to you, 1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we we have an Advocate with the Fatherhave an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ , Jesus Christ the righteous. the righteous. I Jn.2I Jn.2

A. Man Can’t Reach God On His OwnA. Man Can’t Reach God On His Own

- Christ’s blood continues to flow through a - Christ’s blood continues to flow through a saint’s penitent life saint’s penitent life I Jn.1:8-10I Jn.1:8-10

B. Jesus Mediates For His People NowB. Jesus Mediates For His People Now

• Jesus knows how every person feels!Jesus knows how every person feels!

A. Man Can’t Reach God On His OwnA. Man Can’t Reach God On His Own

1 Understands Temptations1 Understands Temptations Heb.2:17-18Heb.2:17-18

• “ “If You are The Son of God” If You are The Son of God” Matt.4:3, 6Matt.4:3, 6

- Jesus will not allow Satan to tempt us - Jesus will not allow Satan to tempt us above our ability to defeat him above our ability to defeat him I Cor.10:13I Cor.10:13

- Our Lord taught us to return good for evil - Our Lord taught us to return good for evil while completely trusting God while completely trusting God I Pet.1:21-23I Pet.1:21-23

B. Jesus Mediates For His People NowB. Jesus Mediates For His People Now

• Jesus knows how every person feels!Jesus knows how every person feels!

A. Man Can’t Reach God On His OwnA. Man Can’t Reach God On His Own

1 Understands Temptations1 Understands Temptations

• Constantly hated, disciples’ weaknesses, Constantly hated, disciples’ weaknesses, Judas’ betrayal, mother at the cross, etc.Judas’ betrayal, mother at the cross, etc.

- Jesus came to earth and suffered so we - Jesus came to earth and suffered so we would know He knows our feelings!would know He knows our feelings!

2 Sympathizes With Weakness2 Sympathizes With Weakness Heb.4:14-15Heb.4:14-15

III. The Glorified Christ Takes III. The Glorified Christ Takes Inventory of His ChurchesInventory of His Churches

A. Walked Among The Asian ChurchesA. Walked Among The Asian Churches

• ““Eyes like a flame of fire” saw every Eyes like a flame of fire” saw every aspect of all of the churches aspect of all of the churches Rev.2:14Rev.2:14

- Pergamum- Pergamum =>=> Compromise Compromise Rev.2:12-16Rev.2:12-16

- Sardis - Sardis =>=> A Dead Church A Dead Church Rev.3:1-2Rev.3:1-2

- Laodicea- Laodicea =>=> Lukewarm Lukewarm Rev.3:16Rev.3:16

- Poor faithful churches were also noted!- Poor faithful churches were also noted!

- One thing our Lord expects of all His - One thing our Lord expects of all His churches: Self-evaluationchurches: Self-evaluation

B. Saints Must Evaluate Their Own ChurchB. Saints Must Evaluate Their Own Church

• Would The Ephesus church mirror any of Would The Ephesus church mirror any of our churches today? our churches today? Rev.2:2-5Rev.2:2-5

4 “Nevertheless I have this against you, 4 “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you that you have left your first lovehave left your first love.” .” Rev.2Rev.2

A. Walked Among The Asian ChurchesA. Walked Among The Asian Churches

- What motivates Your congregation’s - What motivates Your congregation’s service to our Lord?service to our Lord?

- Every saint must mature spiritually but we - Every saint must mature spiritually but we must never forget our 1must never forget our 1stst love love Dan.9:4-6Dan.9:4-6

Each Christian is an unfinished work of Each Christian is an unfinished work of Jesus Christ! Jesus Christ! Jn.21:15-17Jn.21:15-17

17 He said to him the third time, “17 He said to him the third time, “SimonSimon, , son son of Jonahof Jonah, , do you love Medo you love Me?” Peter was grieved ?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.” Jn.21Jn.21