Our name | Mission | Vision | Leaders Ministries | Schedule | Directions | Contact Home   Gateway Church gathers for worship Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Location: 6425 Jefferson Rd. (Hwy. 129) in Athens, Georgia. For directions, click here. Ministry of the Word: Recent sermons Our quarterly e-magazine Gateway Today For the Gateway family Pastor Jerry's Weekly E-Mail A GATEWAY SERMON SUMMARY AUDIO The other side of Advent Jerry Varnado, pastor Gateway Church, Athens GA November 27, 2005 (The First Sunday in Advent) Main Scripture text: Mark 13:24-37. The Advent season is rightly observed as a celebration of God's grace, love, and forgiveness, as demonstrated by sending Jesus to be the Savior of the world. But to focus solely on Jesus' first coming, as a baby -- "gentle Jesus, meek and mild" -- leaves us with a distorted view of God and of the gospel. There is another side to the story. At Advent, we should also think about the Second Coming of Christ, which is the focus of today's text. God is holy and he is just. Therefore, He must punish sin, which he hates. This is what the Cross is all about. God's wrath poured out on sin, but in a way that offers the sinner forgiveness and new life! Regrettably, not everyone accepts that forgiveness. Many reject God's offer and continue in their sin. In his first coming, Jesus came came as a humble servant, submitting to death to make a way out of sin and death for us. The second time, He will come in great power and glory to judge the earth. At that time, those who belong to God will be welcomed into the eternal kingdom. But the devil, his angels, and all who have refused God's grace will go to a place beyond the presence of God, which Jesus called the "outer darkness," a place of "weeping and gnashing and teeth." The Apostle Peter warned us there would always be scoffers who claim the Second Coming is nothing more than a product of human imagination. Peter encourages believers by reminding us of two facts concerning God: 1) God is timeless. As Peter says when you look at 1,000 years against the backdrop of eternity, it's like one day. 2) God's compassion delays judgment. The fact that it's been 2,000 years since Jesus left proves only that God is patient and merciful. He takes no delight in the destruction of the wicked, but desires that all would repent and accept the salvation He offers. Right now, the door of salvation remains open; God's patience is still extended to those who who will turn to Him in repentance and faith. But the day of the Lord is surely coming. Are you ready for the Second Advent of Jesus? What about your family, friends and neighbors? We need examine our own hearts, and pray for a renewed sense of urgency for the lost -- because Jesus is coming back to judge the earth. Supporting texts: Matthew 25:30 | 2 Peter 3:1-15 A mp3 audio file of this sermon is here (30:00). (Download to a PC by right clicking on the link and choosing "Save Target As." Mac users: click, hold, and choose "Download Link to Disk." Depending on your connection speed, the file may take several minutes to download.) An audio tape of the sermon summarized above is available free of charge (U.S. requests only). Request a tape by calling or writing the Gateway Church office. Please specify tape number 051127a: The Other Side of Advent. © 2005 Gerald R. Varnado To the Gateway Church home page How to contact us