1 John 2_28_29 How will you be found

Intro: Many years ago I had a friend Patrick Kelly. He was my squad leader. One day while in Germany the NCO’s and Officer held a meeting off the base and left us enlisted men to clean our weapons and to tidy up the barracks. Well my squad decided it would be better to play spades. We played for a while and then some more and just when we were least interested in performing the task we had been given but knew we had a few hours to do it, the doors flies open and there is Staff Sargent Patrick Kelly and we knew we were in for it and he gave it to us. I had never been so ashamed of myself and found so ashamed at the appearing of someone.

There is going to be a lot of Christians shrinking in shame at the sudden appearance of the Lord Jesus. The Bible says He will come when least expected like a “thief in the night.” When He returns how will He find you? Accepted I hope but what about acceptable?

This text is the climax of 1 John to this point, “and now” John writes. This text forms a bridge connecting the two major themes of 1 John, Fellowship and Sonship. John has encouraged us to live in fellowship because we are sons and daughters.

John says the last days are upon us, FROM THE CRUXIFICTION FORWARD WE HAVE BEEN LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS, many believed that Jesus would come before the death of John but He has tarried a little while but He could come and gather His church at any moment. How will you be found?

CPS: When Jesus returns it is my prayer to be found acceptable (pleasing) to Him, walking in fellowship so that I will not be ashamed of my Christian life.

Abide

John has exhorted his audience and us to abide in Christ. What does it mean to abide? It is an important word and an important action for Christian. John uses this word 12x in the first 3 chapters. Abide means to live in, remain, dwell with, it carries the idea of close intimate relationship with our Lord Jesus. FELLOWSHIP! Know Him to the utmost that your time on earth allows. Now, you know by now that I do not believe in Hymn Theology however, “just a closer walk with thee, grant it Jesus is my plea, daily walking close to thee, let it be dear Lord let it be.” Fits just right with the idea fellowship. John has taught that since you are alive in Christ Jesus live with Christ Jesus.

Ill: Do you know what happens when you live with someone? You get to know them beyond surface level knowledge. I’ve known Hope 32 of my 42 years on earth. She grew up 5 houses down the street. We played together yet it wasn’t until I married her and we lived together that I knew her to the utmost. I know when she is happy, I know when se is sad, I know when she doesn’t feel good, and I know that when she says “I am fine” she really isn’t.

Do you know your spouse? I hope so because if you don’t have fellowship with him or her, you have no relationship do you. It is no coincidence that the Church made up of all believers is called “The Bride of Christ” Rest assured that He knows everything His bride and desire a deep and satisfying relationship with you. Do you know the groom?

App: How can I know Jesus to the utmost that my time on earth allows?

Spend time with Him!

Be involved in the Church of God

Presence (Heb. 10:25)

Prayers

Participate (Serve)

To worship corporately is pleasing to the Lord. The Church is a place of community with like minded individuals to sharpen yourself and your relationship with Jesus.

Treasure the Word of God

Study (Acts 17:11)

Store (Psalm 119:11)

Share (2 Tim 2:2)

Abide in the Spirit of God (Gal. 5:16) YIELDED!

Appearing

The Bible teaches of Jesus’ appearing. This is a grand theological truth. The word “appear” means to be manifested, to show oneself as He truly is to one’s senses. The Bible teaches often of Jesus’ appearing. How will Jesus appear? The author of Hebrews gives us wonderful insight into this truth. (Heb 9:24-28)

Jesus’ past appearance Heb. 9:26

2000 years ago Jesus appeared in flesh to suffer for the sins of the World! (Gospel Presentation)

Jesus’ present appearance Heb. 9:25

Jesus appears in heaven right now for you! What is He doing, praying for you!

Future appearanceHeb. 9:28

One day the Lamb of God will return and in manifest Glory and we shall see Him as He truly is! The Glorious King of King and Lord of Lords. On that terrible day of the Lord He will desend to earth just as He rose to heaven on a cloud and when He touches down on the Mount of Olives the mountain will split in two, His foes will be defeated and He will reign on Earth. He is coming!

I am a Pre-tribulation Dispensationalist. I am convince that the Bible teaches Jesus will gather His Church before the Great tribulation which is hell on earth and it is coming. Jesus promises us that we have peace with God and will be spared His wrath. The tribulation will be the beginning of God wrath poured out on the sinful world. I also believe there will be people saved during the tribulation and they will get to see Jesus’s second coming from the visitors seats on planet earth.

As for us, we will be called up into the air to be with Jesus and my question is how will you be found? What will you be doing? Will you be drinking a cold beer and try as you may you can loosen it from your grip as you are called up to meet your Savior. Will you be looking at porn and have the images engraved on your mind as you are called up to meet your Savior. Will you be found idle yet trying to look busy working for the Lord as you are called up to meet Him?

“LOOK” Heb. 9:28

LIVE EXPECTANTLY! AS Jesus may call you at any moment.

ILL. Tony Smitherman looking up into the sky.

App: Be looking for His appearance. Be loving His appearance.

I love my leader and friend Patrick Kelly but I sure didn’t love His appearance when he found us doing what we should not have been doing.

Ashamed

I don’t want to be have reason to be ashamed at the coming of Jesus. Friends heed my word, He is coming. To be ashamed means to have reason to Shrink before Him. Just as Christ promises to appear He also promises that you will appear. Appear before Him.

Appear

All Christians will appear before Jesus at the Judgment Seat of Christ (don’t confuse this with the Great White Throne of Judgment) and there He will not look over anything we have done in our lives. We will give account for the Christian life that we lived.

2 Cor. 5:10

Romans 14:10-12

There the Christian will either receive rewards for faithfulness (1 Cor. 4:5) or lose rewards (1. Cor. 3:10-15… 13!)

Acceptable

All Christians are accepted. They have been saved (1 John 1:9) but just ecasue one is accepted does not mean that when Jesus comes he will be found acceptable.

Ill: A disobedient child who goes out and gets dirty will be accepted when he comes home, but he will not be treated as though he were acceptable.

A Christian who has not lived in fellowship with Jesus. Walking in obedience, love, and truth pleasing to the Lord will lose his reward and this will make him ashamed

Ashamed

When you meet the Lord Jesus at His coming, will you stand with your head high in love and anticipation of finally seeing Jesus face to face as He truly is or will you shrink in shame before Him because you wasted your Christian life on earth out of continual fellowship with Him.

App: How will you be found? You could meet Him today! He could call His church at any time! He could call you time on earth over at this very moment! Will you be found merely accepted? For many of us that may be enough, we have lived a mediocre at best Christian life on earth, you may be of the persuasion, “I don’t need the mansion I’m good with a shack outback.” But, I want to be found acceptable because I knew Him and walked with Him, pleasing and faithful all of my Christian life.