Dear Brethren,

I think that if the truth be known, most people are fairly satisfied with the way things are going.  Kids are out of school for the summer, some have gone to summer camp, there’s a lot of time for sports and entertainment, and most folks are moderately prosperous with three meals and a ride.  It seems that all things continue as usual.  There are not many people, percentage wise, who are excited about the coming of Jesus Christ.  Peter warned us that this very lackadaisical mindset would be prevalent right now.

2Peter 3:3-4  Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming?  For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

In other words, “What’s all the hurry – there’s plenty of time to get ready.”  Peter goes on to warn us not to take God for granted, and to tell us that God’s Plan is right on schedule and He is giving as many of us as possible – time to wake up and smell the roses – which means to get real and see things for how they really are and what’s really going on.

2Peter 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

There is a major calamity descending upon us, and folks act like we have all the time in the world.  It is going to strike soon like a bolt out of the blue!

Matthew 24:37-39  As the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

It is high time for God’s people to get excited and start looking seriously for the coming of the Anointed One with some real anticipation.

Matthew 24:42  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord is coming.

What does ‘Messiah’ mean?  Where does the concept of the Messiah originate?  Could we turn to the Messiah’s coming in our Bible if we had to?  Why do so few people expect a Messiah to appear soon on the scene?

The Greek word ‘Christos’ means “Anointed One,” the same as ‘Messiah’ in the Hebrew language.  To anoint, means to make sacred or to consecrate for a special office or religious service.  The Old Testament Scriptures speak of a coming Messiah who would rule as King, but who also suffers as no other man ever has.  With an eager anticipation, Israel of the Old Testament, and the Jews of Jesus’ day looked for a powerful Messiah who would immediately restore the power and might of the nation of Israel.  At the end of Jesus life, the disciples were still confused as to the role of the Messiah.

Acts 1:6  When [the disciples] therefore were come together, they asked of [Jesus], saying, Lord, will you at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

The disciples had been anticipating the Messiah’s appearance even before Jesus appeared on the scene.

John 1:40-41  One of [John the Baptist's] two [disciples] which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.  He first found his own brother Simon, and said unto him, We have found the Messiah, [the Anointed One] which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

Jesus told the Samaritan woman that He was the Messiah:

John 4:25-26  The [Samaritan] woman [at the well,] said unto [Jesus], I know that Messiah is coming – which is called Christ: when He is come, He will tell us all things.  Jesus said unto her, I, who am speaking to you, am He.

There seems to be very little expectation that Jesus Christ, as the Anointed Messiah is coming again.  Jesus quoted these words that Isaiah was inspired to write telling of His anointing:

Luke 4:18  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me [Christos] to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.

We see that Jesus Christ is the Anointed One.  Let’s understand that Christ is not Jesus’ last name.  The Messiah is anointed to rule over all the earth …the Kingdom of God.  To be the Christ, or the Messiah, is to be the Anointed One, chosen of God.  Make no mistake about it, Jesus Christ is the only anointed Messiah.  Jesus is the Messiah, the soon coming Christ of the millennium.  In the Old Testament we find a prophecy of Christ, the Anointed One.

Isaiah 61:1-2  The Spirit of the Lord God [the Father] is upon Me; because the Lord has anointed [Messiah] me to preach good tidings [Gospel] unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.  To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [Jesus stopped here], and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn.

This anointing by God the Father consecrated Jesus to perform His two-fold coming:  His earthly ministry and His one-thousand year reign over the entire earth.  The true Messiah fulfills both aspects of the dual prophecies.  He first came in the flesh to suffer and die, and afterward, He will come again in great power to rule the nations.  The Messiah is anointed (appointed) to rule over all the earth – the Kingdom of God.  To be the Christ, or the Messiah, is to be the Anointed One, chosen of God.

Acts 10:38  God anointed [consecrated] Jesus of Nazareth with Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.

Brethren, through God's anointing we are established in Christ as members of the Body of Christ.  God the Father has anointed us!  He has sealed us as His children.  Here is the incredible thing that we can so easily overlook is this:  In the same way that Jesus was anointed to perform His duties, we too, are anointed with a special calling.  Being begotten (Fathered) by God’s Spirit makes us His Children with His Spirit, just as Jesus became the Son of God.   This is the earnest and the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.  Paul wrote:

2Corinthians 1:21-22  He who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, is God; Who has also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Acts 2:36  Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. [Messiah – the Anointed One.]

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Sermon:

"The Anointed One is Coming"