Remember your first love

Redemption

Introduction

Matthew 24 (context)

Signs of Christ’s Return

War, global catastrophes, tribulation and persecution, false messiahs and false prophets, lawlessness

Perilous Times

The Anti-Christ and the Great Tribulation

The Glorious Return

Jesus and His angels appear in the clouds of the sky and gather the elect

Be on watch for Jesus’s return; His return will be similar to the days of Noah

Some will be saved and many will be left behind

Reflection Question

Am I ready and anticipating Jesus return?

Have I applied the tools, gifts, and treasures entrusted to me?

Have I been lazy or fearful of the challenging times we’re living in, and am I squandering time?

Has the continuation of evil and wickedness in the world caused my love for God and the things of God to grow cold?

Are we ready for Jesus’s Return?

10 virgins and their lamps

Matthew 25:1–4 NIV

1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.

Matthew 25:10–12 NIV

10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

What type of Christian will be left behind?

A lazy Christian that is not always anticipating Jesus’s return

How do we know this?

No oil for the lamp

Not ready when the call is made

What type of Christian will enter in with Jesus to the wedding banquet?

A Christian that is always anticipating Jesus’s return

How do we know this?

Jars of oil for the lamp

Ready when the call is made

God’s treasures demand an ROI (Return on Investment)

Matthew 25:14–18 NIV

14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

What type of Christian will be cast into darkness?

A wicked and lazy Christian that thinks its unfair that God receives an ROI from His servants who put His tools, gifts and treasures to work.

What type of Christian come and share their Master’s happiness?

A hardworking Christian who has invested God’s tools, gifts, and treasures entrusted to them.

Separating the sheep and the goat

Matthew 25:32–33 (NIV)

32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

Who are the sheep?

Matthew 25:40 NIV

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25:35–36 NIV

35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

Matthew 25:34 NIV

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

Who are the goats?

Matthew 25:45 NIV

45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

Matthew 25:42–43 NIV

42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

Matthew 25:41, 46 (NIV)

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels...46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Again, I ask, Are we ready?

Will we enter with Him into the wedding banquet?

Or, will He turn to us and say, ‘Truly, I tell you, I don’t know you.’

Will we enter into His presence and share in His happiness?

Or, will we be worthless servants, thrown outside into darkness to suffer eternally?

Hold on to your Redemption, your first love

Revelation 2:2–3 NIV

2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

Revelation 2:4–5 NIV

4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.