WILL YOU BE READY?

Bible Reading Week 1 

This Week’s Theme: Looking Forward with Expectation

Word for the Week is Last Days: The final period of history which is marked by the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of God’s kingdom. In the NT it is portrayed as the period between Jesus Christ’s first coming and the consummation of all things at his return, and is marked by godlessness and the persecution of God’s people.

Memory verse: Hebrews 10:25 (NKJV) not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as [is] the manner of some, but exhorting [one another,] and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Sermon Focus: Live life expecting the imminent return of Christ.

Sermon Passage: Matthew 24:32-44

Matthew 24:32–44 NKJV

“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

I. WHEN YOU LEARN 

Matthew 24:32–33 NKJV

“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!

A time of apostasy (24:4–5, 11)

a. The rise of false prophets (24:11): False prophets will lead the people astray.

b. The rise of false Christs (24:4–5): False messiahs will lead the people astray.

A time of anarchy (24:6–8): Wars will break out!

A time of apathy (24:12–13): The love of many will grow cold.

A time of affliction (24:9–10): Believers will be hated, betrayed, and martyred.

A time of accomplishment (24:14): The gospel will be preached to all nations.

THE CERTAINTY OF HIS COMING

Matthew 24:34–35 NKJV

Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

THE UNCERTAINTY OF HIS COMING

Matthew 24:36 NKJV

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.

THE CORRELATION OF HIS COMING

Matthew 24:37–41 NKJV

But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.

II. WHEN YOU LOOK  

Matthew 24:42–43 NKJV

Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.

III. WHEN YOU LABOR 

Matthew 24:44 NKJV

Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

TO PURIFY 

1 John 3:2–3 NKJV

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

2 Timothy 2:21 NKJV

Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

THE LATTER ARE THE THINGS THAT DISHONOR OUR FAITH AND OUR GOD

TO PERFORM 

TO PERFORM HIS WILL

Ephesians 2:10 NKJV

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

TO PERFORM GOOD WORKS

Hebrews 10:24–25 NKJV

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

CONTINUE IN FAITH

Colossians 1:23 NKJV

if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

1 John 2:19 NKJV

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

CONTINUE PRAYING

Colossians 4:2 NKJV

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;

CONTINUE IN THE WORD

2 Timothy 3:14 NKJV

But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,

CONTINUE IN WORSHIP

Hebrews 13:15 NKJV

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.