The Unfinished Story of Christmas

Sermon OverviewScripture Passage: 2 Thessalonians 1:7-11At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, who came to this Earth to save us from our sins. But the story of Christmas is not complete without the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The best is yet to be; the story is not finished until Jesus comes again.There are three things about the unfinished story of Christmas that ought to give us great cheer.First, we don’t need to be disturbed.2 Thessalonians 1:7 says “...and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven…” In these gloriously dark days, our hope is not in politics, sociology, or science. Our hope is in Jesus Christ, who is coming again. When we see Him, we will wonder at His transforming love, His amazing grace, and His keeping power.Second, we should not be deceived.2 Thessalonians 2:3 says, “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed…” From the time Jesus Christ came into this world, Satan has been moving against Him. And in the Last Days, Satan will fling his final insult into the face of God: the antichrist.There is unbelievable wickedness in the world today, but its evil is restrained by the Church, which is the salt and the light of the world. When Jesus raptures the Church, corruption will begin, and the antichrist will be revealed. Those who do not receive the truth when it is preached now will believe the antichrist in his reign.Finally, we will not be disappointed.The first time Jesus came, there was no room for Him in the inn; when He comes again, He’s coming as King of kings and Lord and lords. Jesus came the first Christmas to die in the sinner’s place. Jesus is coming the second Christmas to receive the sinner to Himself.Adrian Rogers says, “Our faith looks backward to a crucified Savior. Our love looks upward to a crowned Savior. And our hope looks forward to a coming Savior.”Apply it to your lifeDo you know Jesus and believe in His First and Second Coming? Do not be disturbed, deceived, or disappointed. Adrian Rogers says, “The one sure hope of this jittery old world is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.”