Nahum According to the Advent of Christ

Sermon Summary: 

This Advent season, revealing how God's holiness, jealousy, and justice are not opposed to His love but flow from it. Pastor Michael examines how Nahum's prophecy against Nineveh demonstrates that God is both a righteous judge who will not tolerate evil and a protective refuge for those who trust in Him. The message emphasizes that true Advent living means waiting expectantly for Christ's return while understanding that Jesus absorbed God's judgment at the cross and will execute final judgment when He returns. The sermon challenges believers to live faithfully in the "in-between" time, recognizing that God's patience has limits and His justice is real, while His mercy provides salvation through Christ for all who repent and believe.

Key Points:

- The Advent of Christ reveals a holy, jealous, and avenging God whose jealousy flows from perfect love, not insecurity

- God's jealousy is His settled, holy opposition to everything that rivals His glory and ruins His people

- The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, but will by no means leave the guilty unpunished

- God serves as a refuge and stronghold for those who take refuge in Him, knowing them intimately through covenant relationship

- The Advent of Christ announces the end of proud and false security, as human power always overestimates itself while divine judgment never miscalculates

- God's judgment is not theoretical but addresses real violence, deception, exploitation, and cruelty

- Christians are saved from God's wrath through Christ, who absorbed judgment at the cross

- Advent living means waiting expectantly between Christ's first coming in humility and His second coming in glory

- Believers cannot serve two masters or live with one foot in the world and one foot out

- The word of faith is near to all who hear it, offering salvation to whoever calls on the name of the Lord

Scripture Reference:

- Nahum 1:1-8 (primary focus)

- Nahum 1:9-2:13

- Nahum 3 (referenced but not read in full)

- Romans 5:1-11 (opening reading)

- Romans 6 (referenced regarding grace and sin)

- Romans 10:5-13 (closing evangelistic appeal)

- Isaiah 52 (referenced regarding beautiful feet of those who bring good news)

- Book of Jonah (historical context for Nineveh's previous repentance)