Christ is Here

November 30, 2025 - Sermon

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Two weeks ago Pastor Bob, in his sermon, mentioned that we traditionally do not have an altar call. A public commitment to Christ.

Today I would like to share my confession of faith:

Martin Luther King Day, January 17, 1994.

I still remember that day 31 years ago like it was yesterday.

It was a cold January in Los Angeles and I bundled up in my crimson Bama sweatpants and a white Hardrock Cafe sweatshirt from Stockholm the night before. I even put on a pair of socks since my feet tend to stick out at the end of the blanket.

Something woke me. I heard my Flip Clock click over to 4:31 as it went sailing off the night stand.

The Northridge blind thrust fault released a powerful vertical force that was like an invisible hand picking me up out of bed and dropping me onto the floor.

I scrambled to the bedroom doorway expecting some safety but it seemed like the building was falling down.

I heard myself calling out to God as the quake got stronger. “Oh God, Oh God, Oh God” as I bounced off the walls trying to get to the front door.

The building shifted, the door was jammed. I was trapped. “Save me.”

I was not prepared for what happened next.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells his Disciples of his return.

He doesn’t know when and only the Father will know the time.

He says it will be like the time of Noah. One will remain and another gone.

Many take this as an apocalyptic sign with the destruction of civilization and earth itself.

While many fear this destruction, I have hope that God will be with us at the end.

Truly this is a message of hope for we all know that all physical things will come to an end and we’ll be reunited through Christ.

I have to admit that I was unprepared for that earthquake. If it was the moment God sent our Savior, his judgement may not have been favorable.

I was baptized, confirmed, even went to church on Easter, but not sure if I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Something was missing.

It was several years later when I saw a sign.

It was during Advent.

Christmas Eve services at 7, 9 and 11 pm.

Ann invited me to church. She said let’s go to the 11 o’clock service.

What she didn’t know was that she brought me back to the foot of the cross.

We started attending Holy Trinity the next year and became members.

I slowly accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior.

During an Wednesday evening Lenten sermon about Martin Luther, I heard Luther’s words:

I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith”.

At that instant I fully embraced Christ. I was saved.

Amen.