The Last Days Pt. 3

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We don’t hear much preaching about the return of Jesus.  So much that comes across the pulpit focuses on the here and now.  However there are more signs given to us declaring His return than Jesus’ birth or the Judgement.  Three hundred times the Bible declares the return of  Christ Jesus. One out of ever twenty-five scriptures in the New testament speak of His coming.  

Jesus urged His disciples to watch and be ready over fifty times.  Why is that?  People need to be motivated.  We are too easily distracted.  Is it any wonder Jesus refers to us as sheep.  Sheep tend to wander.  Have you ever known your mind to wander?  Stay in the Word of God and take hold of every reminder to stay attentive to your walk with God to the end.

Preaching about the coming of Jesus is not to stir up controversy but to get our hearts prepared and to witness to others.  

 And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.  Matt 24:14

Our motivation to get ready for His coming should not be motivated by the threat of hell but rather by our passionate love and desire to be with Jesus forever.  He loves us and wants us to be ready!

So how do we get ready?  There are some things that are connected to the coming of Jesus that, if we are not careful, can cause us to be unprepared.  Let’s take a look.

  1. Brotherly love is connected to his coming.  We cannot be unforgiving and bitter.

If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.  1 Cor 13:2

  1.  Avoiding the drunkenness and perversion of this world is connected with His coming.  Jesus is coming for a holy church.  Don’t be caught with your hand in the cookie jar.  Let us not pervert the grace of God. There must be an urgency to live righteously.  This is deeper than driving to church and paying your tithes.

Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the                                       of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon  everyone living on the earth. Luke 21:34-35

  1. Being a thriving member of the local church is connected with His coming.  However we live in a time where many say they don’t have to go to church to be saved.  Have they forgotten that in the New Testament believers attended church? 

  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Heb 10:25

  1. Our service to God is connected to His coming.  We must preach a simple message with a sincere desire to serve God’s people. As we do so people will turn to Jesus, repent, and live a rapture ready life.  And we do not just preach to folks in the church.  When was the last time you sat down with your family and talked about the need to be ready for Jesus’ coming?

            We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory. 1 Thess 2:12

After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! Yes, you are our pride and joy. 1 Thess 2:19-20

Are you consciously thinking about the return of Jesus?  Are you living a life that honors God? 

Live a life that shows your kids how to be rapture ready.  Live a life that declares to everyone you are looking forward to His coming.  While we do not know the day or the hour the signs are all around us.

One sign of His coming is the Great Falling Away.

Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first… 2 Thess 2:3

In your walk with God can you be moved?  Can money or offense cause you to throw in the towel?  Can a man or a woman lead you away from the will of God?  

Let your feet be firmly planted.  Be steadfast, immovable, and ever abounding in God’s work.

Jesus is coming soon!

PRAY THIS

Father I have heard Your message and I believe in the coming of your Son.  I confess Jesus as my Savior and my Lord. I ask you to forgive me of my sin.  Help me to live a righteous and holy life that is eager for the coming of your Son.  Grant me the grace to preach the Gospel wherever I may happen to be and the wisdom to win souls. Amen.

MEDITATE ON THIS

But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.  For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.  Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.  Luke 21: 34-36