November 16, 2025
LINK TO SERMON ON YOUTUBE
(May expire after about 2 years)
TEXT: Luke 21:5-19
TOPIC: What the Church Believes: Jesus Will Come Again to Judge the Living and the Dead
SERMON SUMMARY:
He Will Come Again to Judge
It's fascinating that while our culture readily embraces the idea that "God loves you," the love of God isn't explicitly mentioned in our ancient creeds. Yet these same creeds emphatically declare: "He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead."
This Sunday, I found myself reflecting on why the Church has us recite this truth every week. It's not popular. Most people prefer to think God's love means He doesn't judge us at all—that we can do whatever we like because He loves us. But Scripture is clear: we will all stand before Christ's judgment seat and give an account for how we lived.
That's sobering, and it's meant to be.
In Malachi, we see vivid imagery of judgment—a day burning like an oven for evildoers, yet bringing healing and joy for those who fear God's name. Jesus Himself warned repeatedly of coming judgment through parables of sheep and goats, wheat and tares, good and bad fish.
But here's the good news: only one person can truly stand before God's holy throne—Jesus, the Lamb of God. And through faith in Him, His righteousness becomes ours. As Romans 8 promises, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
This truth should shape how we live. First, we must be ready for His return, keeping our lives aligned with His word. Second, we need urgency for those around us who don't know Jesus. We're called to pray continually and reach out in love—not as celebrity evangelists, but as intentional agents of the living God in our daily lives.
The simplest acts of love can make the biggest difference. May the Holy Spirit help us see our neighbors with His compassion and orient our days according to this eternal truth.
Ordained in the Anglican Church more than 20 years ago, The Very Reverend Rob Holman has led congregations in New York and Los Angeles with sound biblical preaching, prayerful discernment, and trained organizational management skills. Besides his role as Rector of St. Luke’s Anglican Church in Montrose, CA, Fr. Rob is also Dean of the Greater Los Angeles Deanery in the ACNA’s Diocese of Western Anglicans. During his tenure in Los Angeles, he has run Kingdom Conferences for the Diocese and been a speaker at the Deanery’s annual Next Steps in Mission training day. Fr. Rob received his Master of Divinity at Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA and is a graduate of the University of Virginia (BS Engineering '87 and MBA '91).
For over a century, the congregation of St. Luke’s has followed Jesus Christ through ancient forms of worship and spiritual growth presented in a contemporary style. St. Luke’s celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2024. The original stone building, made of stones from the local mountains, still stands on Foothill Blvd in La Crescenta—though the Anglican congregation has moved to a new building just a few blocks away near downtown Montrose. Retaining its biblically faithful foundation and liturgically rich worship service through the move, this long-standing Los Angeles church also carries on a tradition of warm welcome for newcomers. St. Luke’s is part of the Diocese of Western Anglicans, Anglican Church in North America, and the Global Anglican Communion. We invite you to join us online or in person this Sunday!
