Good morning and a blessed Thursday morning to you. 

This coming Sunday is a great Sunday in the life of the church. It's Pentecost Sunday.  We're going to remember and celebrate that outpouring of the Holy Spirit we read of in Acts the second chapter. 

On Sunday we're going to study Acts 2:1-11. But right now I’d like us to look at a section right after that, when Peter rises to preach. He declares in verse 17

‘In the last days it will be, God declares,

Then he goes on to give a series of descriptives of what occurs in the last days. Well, when are the last days? The last days are the period of time between the first coming of Jesus and the second coming. So when Jesus came, till he comes again, that's what's considered the last days. 

When you hear conversation and comments with regard to the last days, they can range from comical to concern. I think, for example, in 1910 one scientist said that a comet  was going to hit the earth. It was going to release poisonous gasses. Well, that never occurred. And there was one fellow who predicted the day that Jesus was going to come again 12 different times. And of course, he was wrong all 12 times. Or in 1806 in England a farmer had a domesticated hen. He said that the hen was laying eggs with the message written on them “Christ is coming.” Well, this caused quite a stir, and people headed to see the hen and the eggs. Well, it turned out what the farmer was doing was writing on the eggs “Christ is coming” and then reinserting the eggs into the unfortunate hen. 

There can be all kinds of things that are said about the last days, and when Jesus will come again. The Bible tells us only the Father knows when that day will be. But we know that it will be, because it's promised in Scripture. 

Why then does God allow one more day in this period of time in which we live? Acts 2:21 helps us to understand why.

Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

In 2 Peter 3:9-10 he talks about the promised return of Christ.

9 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be destroyed with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.

God gives us one more day, in these last days for one sole purpose: for the expansion of his church… that all might come to repentance.  Then, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  What a glorious message that we have… the message of the Gospel, that our sins are forgiven through the Cross of Christ… that the tomb is empty. Death has been overcome! The Lord Jesus Christ is reigning, and will come again. We have been reconciled unto God through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. What a glorious message that we have to share of life eternal through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

So for today, and for all of our days… for however many days the Lord grants us, as we live in these last days… let us bring him glory. Let us bring him glory by proclaiming Christ! 

Let's pray. Gracious Heavenly Father, we give you thanks for this time in your Word. Your Word is truth. We give you thanks, oh Lord, that in your patience you continue to give one more day in these last days. But we know that one day, these last days will come to an end. We pray that in these last days in which we live, that by your Spirit we would be found faithful in proclaiming the Gospel… living for the purpose of the expansion of your church.  Through us and by the power of the Gospel, may you bring more people to faith to your glory and praise.  In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

It's going to be a wonderful worship service this coming Sunday, Pentecost Sunday. And until that day, and as we enter into the Lord's Day…. encourage someone. 

Pastor Eibel