Preparing For The Return Of Jesus

[SLIDE 1] INTRODUCTION

There's a day that remains vivid in my memory when I was a child.

My family and I were traveling, possibly to Whistler.

We spent the whole day having fun and enjoying our time as a family.

After our family outing, we returned home.

And I will not forget this moment.

A few minutes later after we got home, I heard my mom screaming.

All of us went upstairs to the master’s bedroom to see what happened.

[SLIDE 2] And behold, our place got robbed.

What started as a joyful family day turned into our most distressing experience.

[SLIDE 3] If you knew exactly when a thief would break into your house, how would you respond?

You will most likely make it your priority to be prepared for it, right?

You would do everything you can to be ready to prevent that from happening.

Why am I sharing with you this story?

The Bible talks about the imminent, bodily, and glorious return of Jesus Christ.

The New Testament teaches that the return of Jesus is compared to a thief.

The comparison is by no means to suggest that Jesus is a thief who will steal things.

[SLIDE 4] However, His imminent return is like that of a thief, arriving unexpectedly.

Much like a thief breaking into your home without warning.

CONTEXT

At the last combined service, I talked about “Misplaced Priority”

I want to continue with the theme of priority.

The topic of Christ’s return fits nicely with this theme.

Jesus Christ - God the Son - was sent by God the Father into the world for the first time as a humble servant.

He live out the perfect and sinless life.

He died on the cross for the sins of those who would trust in Him.

He was raised from the dead to defeat and conquer Satan, sin and death.

He ascended back to the Father’s right hand.

Jesus promised that one day that He will return visibly.

He will come in His glory to end human history.

He will raise the dead.

He will judge the world.

He will destroy all evil and opposition to God.

And He will usher in the New Heaven and New Earth.

[SLIDE 5] Here is a simple point to remember from this message: “Preparing For Jesus’ Return Must Be Your Priority.”

Here is the question you must answer: “Are You Prepared?”

If not, then make it your priority to be prepared.

But, how will you be prepared?

EXPOSITION

[SLIDE 6] The Apostle Peter wrote his letter to many Christians who were being persecuted for their Christian faith.

In verses 1-2, Peter wrote this letter to remind Christians of the predictions of Jesus Christ, the Apostles, and the Prophets.

What are the predictions?

[SLIDE 7] It says in verse 3 that “scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing.”

Peter wrote his letter to warn Christians of false teachers who could influence and discourage them.

These false teachers were scoffers that rejected and denied the promise of Jesus’ coming with a mocking tone in verse 4.

“Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.”

[SLIDE 8] The reason there are scoffers is because we are living in the last days.

This phrase refers to the entire time between Christ’s first and second comings.

We are currently living in the last days.

The Apostle Paul talks about the last days in 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

The last days will be filled with godlessness in our society and times of difficulty for believers.

Such godlessness is summarized in being lovers of self rather than being lovers of God.

There will always be scoffers or mockers.

Scoffers refuse to believe in the return of Jesus.

Additionally, scoffers refuse to take God’s word seriously.

[SLIDE 9] In verse 5-6, Peter rebukes the scoffers.

The Chinese may say deliberately forget.

The original language means that these people were willfully ignorant about the facts that happened in the past.

[SLIDE 10] Peter points us back to the book of Genesis.

He refutes the scoffers by stating how the world was created and the global flood.

God is the Creator.

God created the world out of nothing.

He spoke the world into existence with His Word.

God is also the Judge.

God was the one who judged the corrupt and wicked world and humanity by flooding the world.

Thus, destroying everyone besides Noah and his family.

[SLIDE 11] According to verse 7, just as God flooded the earth in judgment, God will again bring judgment upon the world and the ungodly with fire.

When Jesus returns to judge the living and dead, the scoffers will realize that “preparing for Jesus’ return was not their priority.”

The scoffing from the false teachers might have disturbed the Christians.

Christians were living in a culture that does not believe in the Bible and God’s truth.

Because of the surrounding culture, the Christians may be dragged or influenced.

So, Peter wants to offer them two reassurances regarding Christ’s return.

[SLIDE 12] First, God’s timing is not our timing.

In verses 8-9, we learn that one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day from God’s perspective.

God is actually not slow even though we may think He’s slow in fulfilling His promises.

His timing is always perfect even though we may not always understand His timing.

[SLIDE 13] Second, the reason why God seem slow to fulfill His promises is because of His patience.

The Bible says that God is “slow to anger.” This means that He is patient.

God is utterly patient so that sinners will repent of their sins and place their trust in Him.

God does not wish that any should perish in their sins.

He wishes that all should reach repentance.

However, not everyone will repent and receive the free gift of salvation from the Lord Jesus.

Although God is patient and slow to anger, there will be a day in the future when He will unleash His wrath and end human history. [SLIDE 14]

2 Peter 3:10 ESV

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

The day of the Lord will come.

I do not know when it’ll come.

We cannot set a date.

However, it will come.

[SLIDE 15] And when that day does come, you must ask yourself this vital question, “Am I making it my priority to be prepared and ready for the return of Jesus?”

Since Jesus Christ is coming back to end human history, Peter asks in verse 11, “what kind of people ought we to be as Christians?”

Peter gives us four instructions on how to be prepared for Christ’s return in verses 11-14.

[SLIDE 16] First, Christians Are To Live A Holy Conduct.

Peter is telling us to live holy lives.

Holy means to set apart from the world and to set apart for God.

God Himself is Holy.

He is utterly pure and unique.

He does not have moral corruption.

There is not a hint of sin in God.

Faithful Christians should know that holiness is not an optional lifestyle.

Holiness ought to be our way of life as we wait for the coming of the Lord.

[SLIDE 17] Second, Christians Are To Live A Godly Conduct.

Scoffers and false teachers who questioned the return of Jesus led them to live ungodly lives.

2 Peter 2 tells us that they indulged in sin and followed their sinful desires.

They have no fear of God.

They do not tremble before Him.

They curse and blaspheme God.

They are greedy for lustful gains.

They do not love and obey Him.

They are enslaved by their own selfishenss and corruption.

Unlike the godlessness of this world, Christians are to live in godliness.

Godliness is a fearful and pious attitude towards God.

Godliness is an inward life wholly devoted to worshipping and loving God.

[SLIDE 18] Third, Christians Are To Wait With Eagerness For The Lord’s Return.

The motivation for living a holy and godly lives is waiting with eagerness for the Lord’s Return,

It is looking forward with enthusiasm to our blessed hope

Paul says that this blessed hope is the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ (cf: Titus 2:13).

We will then receive the promise of the New Heaven and New Earth in verse 13.

[SLIDE 19] Fourth, Christians Are To Hasten The Lord’s Return.

This might be a weird statement given by Peter.

It may imply that God doesn't know the exact end time unless His people take action to hasten it.

However, the Bible is clear that God is sovereign.

He is in complete control over us.

He knows absolutely every detail of the future.

God knows exactly when it is the right time for Christians to be raptured.

He knows when history would end.

Simultaneously, the Bible makes clear in Ephesians 2:10 that God has prepared works for His people.

God knows and foreordains exactly what His people will do to hasten the Lord’s return.

We can speed up the process by praying, evangelizing, and living a godly and holy lives.

[SLIDE 20] So, Peter concludes his thought in verse 14.

2 Peter 3:14 ESV

14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.

In light of the Lord’s return, be diligent.

In other words, be zealous, be eager, and make every conscious effort...

To be found without spot or blemish (doctrinally and morally pure)...

and thereby receiving the full reward of eternal life.

Brothers and sisters, make every effort to make it your priority to be ready for Christ’s return.

Let me offer a bonus principle for you can be prepared for Christ’s return. BONUS: Christians Must Physically Gather With Christians.

[SLIDE 21] This is not from not Peter’s letter, but it is in Hebrews 10:24-25

Hebrews 10:24–25 ESV

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

The point that the author of Hebrew is making is that Jesus will return soon. It says that the Day is drawing near.

Therefore, don’t give up meeting together so that you can encourage and serve each other.

Unless you are dealing with an exceptionally difficult situation, don’t skip church.

Don’t skip meeting together.

Don’t make excuses.

At least try not to.

Don’t teach yourself a dangerous life lesson...

...which making your hobbies, extracurricular activities, and (this may offend some of you) your job more important than church.

My hope is that you won’t be the ones who make it a habit to skip meeting together.

CONCLUSION

[SLIDE 22] The Apostle Paul - alongside Jesus, Apostles, and Prophets - taught us that “Preparing For Jesus’ Return Must Be Our Priority.”

For the believers, the return of Jesus will be a blessed and glorious experience.

We will receive the promise of the New Heavens and New Earth.

Therefore, that truth ought to motivate us to be prepared by being spiritually disciplined in holiness and godliness.

However, if you are a non-believer, the return of Jesus will be the most terrifying experience for you.

However, the good news is that there is hope for you.

Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God made a way for you to be saved from the wrath to come.

And Jesus is calling you to repent of your sins...

To place your Him for salvation...

For the forgiveness of sins.

And to follow Him as His disciple.

If Jesus were to return today, will you be ready to face Him? Will you be ready to meet your Judge? [SLIDE 23-24] I’ll finish with the words of Jesus:

Matthew 24:42–44 ESV

42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.