Could Jesus return right now?

I just read a chapter in Grudem's Systematic Theology on The Return of Christ. It mainly looked as the aspect's of Christ's return that all Bible-believing Christians believe. These are things such as Jesus will return as a person, visibly, bodily; as believers we are to eagerly await his return, we do not know when he will return, etc.

An interesting endpoint of this chapter focused on the question of whether Christ could return at any time. To be more specific, could he return right now.... or now.. or now?

The thing that makes this question interesting is that there are some things written in the Bible that are suppose to happen before Christ comes to earth for a second time. For instance, the gospel is supposed to be preached to all nations first. Or there is supposed to be a great tribulation. Or has this happened yet? These are some of the things that are supposed to precede Christ's return. So can we really say that Christ could return right now?

Based on the first reason, that the gospel hasn't been preached to all nations, I was convinced that Jesus not only would not, but could not return until  that happened.

Grudem suggests another way to look at it. He suggests that for each sign that is supposed to occur before Christ returns, we can say that it is unlikely, but possible that the sign has been fulfilled already. For me that biggest hang up with this view is the fact that the gospel hasn't been preached to all nations (nations = people groups). But then what does this verse mean? Or this? From these verses I could say that it is unlikely, but possible that the sign has already been fulfilled.

So maybe it is fair to say that it is unlikely, but possible that Christ could return this hour. What do you think?

Wrong numbers and mustaches for the Glory of God

Today I tried to call a friend of mine, but I guess I had an old number, because the guy who answered the phone was not the friend I was looking for.

After apologizing for the wrong number, the guy, who sounded latino said, "No problem my friend, read the Bible, believe in Jesus Christ, ok?

With a smile on my face, all I could say was, "Yah, thanks, bye"

I appreciated that guy. He was quite winsome, and seemed quite jolly. He probably also had a great mustache.

Suffering for the Glory of God

I just listened to Matt Chandler and CJ Mahaney's Message from Together for the Gospel 2010 and it really hit me. Many specific things stood out to me, but here are a few that stood out:

• God is good no matter what He brings our way. He can do us no wrong.
  
• The greatest thing we can give someone in their suffering is a greater understanding of the gospel. If they know that, they know that even if God seems to be abandoning them in their pain, he did not abandon them at the Cross.
  
• I want to leave a legacy for my family to trust Jesus, so that even if something happened to me, they would not be taken by the lies of the enemy, but that they would trust God's goodness and heart, even if they cannot understand the movements of his hands.
  

God help me to always preach the gospel, and to suffer well, if you call me to that high calling.

I recommend watching the video of this message; it is well worth your 50 minutes.

Theology Matters

DugDownDeep_Carnahan.mov from Covenant Life Church on Vimeo.

Friday Night Thoughts

Sometimes God feels far away. Sometimes we doubt. But does how we feel or think really make a difference about who God is, or what He is up to? God is so much more than us. I am weak. I falter. I have bad days. But this is not so with God. He is from everlasting to everlasting the same. Yesterday. Today. Forever.

Why does what I think, or what others think mean so much to me? What we think is not relevant. What is important is what is true.

God is good. He made all things good. He is worthy of glory.

Life will pass us by too quickly if we do not stop and think. What are you living for? Is what you are living for worth your life?

God is worthy of everything and anything. Stop living for yourself. Live for what matters.

Remembering the unreached

I have recently had my heart grow for the unreached peoples of the world. This is in part due to our Campus for Christ Winter Conference, and partially due to being able to take some time this week to think about my vision, and what God has called me to do in ministry. There are so many people out there who have no opportunity to hear the gospel. As Christians, this should break our hearts. And it does break my heart. I have committed to pray regularly for the unreached. If you would like to join me in this venture, here is a great place to get some fuel for your prayers: http://www.joshuaproject.net/

Also, I have recently become aware of a dude and his family who are serving the unreached in East Asia. His blog and twitter are public, but if you are interested in following someone on the front lines of this work, check out: http://china.myadventures.org/ or @chinaadventures on twitter.

If you are praying for the unreached, please leave a comment so I can know and seek to keep accountable with you.