PBA 2023 Day 4

The Crown: He’s Coming Back!

After Jesus rose from the dead, He was seen by a lot of people. Read Acts 1:2-3

What are some things that Jesus did after He rose from the dead? (talked to the disciples and told them what they should do, showed Himself to them – proof that He was alive)

How long did He stay around after His resurrection? (40 days)

Read Matthew 28:16-20

GRACE

This is known as the Great Commission. Commission is a direction or an order given with authority. So what did Jesus tell us to do? (Go and make followers of all people. Baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit)

Now read Mark 16:19-20

Where did Jesus go? (ascended to Heaven)

What did the disciples do after Jesus went to Heaven? (spread the Good News) What should we do also??

What happens next?

Read Matthew 24:36; 42-44

When will Jesus return? (we don’t know!)

How should we be until He returns? (we need to ready! Love God, love one another)

How do we know for sure He is coming back? (Jesus said He was and we believe His Word) Who will go with Jesus when He comes back? (people who are saved, ask Jesus to in their lives)

What if someone doesn’t have Jesus in their heart? (they will not go to Heaven)

To show someone you are ready for something, like going to school, they will see you have a backpack, some notebooks maybe, pens, pencils....

If you are ready for a vacation, how can people tell? (packed, swimsuits, suitcases...) How can they tell if you are ready for a party? (gifts, decorations, balloons...)

How can they tell if you are ready for the return of Jesus? Tell others about Jesus, love others, listen during Bible study and worship, pray, tell Jesus you love Him, kind to your siblings, obey your parents and teachers, invite your friends to church....

Jesus could come back before we leave camp, or it could be when you are old with grandkids. We just don’t know but we have to be ready.

Read Matthew 25:13

The Bible tells us to watch for His return. That doesn’t mean we need to stand outside staring at the clouds every day and night. Instead, it means that we should be ready. Here’s a question that can help. We can ask ourselves, “Is this something I would want to be doing if Jesus came back right now???” We might live differently if we expect Jesus to arrive at any minute. Are you ready? If you are, then when Jesus returns, it will be the biggest celebration ever!!

So how do you know if you’re ready? If you’re a Christian? God makes it really clear that salvation – being saved from your sins and getting to go to Heaven – is a free gift.

A - Admit -- Admit to God that you are a sinner. Repent, turning away from your sin. Sin is when we say, do or even think anything that goes against what God wants us to do. We ALL sin! "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 "There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins." Ecclesiastes 7:20 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23 "Repent, then, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord," Acts 3:19 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

B - Believe -- Believe that Jesus Christ is God's Son, that He died for you and rose again after 3 days. Believe and accept God's gift of forgiveness from sin. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' " John 14:6

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 "For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

C - Confess -- Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Tell people! "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved . . . for, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'" Romans 10:9-10, 13 We receive Christ through personal invitation. To accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord, pray the following: "I know I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. I believe that you, Jesus, died for my sins. I choose to turn from my sins. I now receive you, Jesus, as my Savior and invite you to come into my heart and life. I choose to trust and follow you as my Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen" By receiving Jesus Christ, you are born again into God's family. You can be sure of eternal life with God because He has promised it! "God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." 1John 5:11-12

Now, if you prayed this and meant it, you are a child of God: "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:6-7 How? Read, study and learn His Word. Find a church that believes and teaches the entire Word of God. Spend time in prayer, talking with the Lord God. Spend time with other believers.