The Church Jesus Is Returning For For

I. Series Overview – The King Is Coming

If you were to get word from the Lord that your time here on earth had come to an end and that within the week you would reap your eternal reward, what would your departing message to your loved ones and friends be?

I believe my message would be that Jesus is returning soon and that you need to shore up your relationship with Him, live as He expects you to live, and be ready for the day He actually does return.

In other words, plan for tomorrow, but be ready for the Lord to come today.

One of the purposes of the series,, is to prepare you for the day that He actually comes. The King Is Coming

Throughout this series, we have examined what God's Word teaches about Christ's return and how we are to live in light of that glorious promise.

The goal is not merely to increase our knowledge of Bible prophecy but to prepare our hearts to faithfully meet the King when He comes.

II. Ephesians 5:25-27

Ephesians 5:25–27 (ESV) Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

III. Introduction

This passage illuminates the kind of church that Jesus will be returning for.

If we are to be that type of church, then that means we as individuals must be that type of believer as well.

Jesus is coming back for His church, and He has certain expectations for her.

Scripture says she is to be without spot or wrinkle. That is Jesus' expectation for the church He is returning for.

What are some of the spots and blemishes that make the church unappealing to the Lord?

IV. Plagues Affecting the Church

A. Ministry Plagues

There are certain aspects of ministry that the church performs, and they are evident in the breakdown of the church service.

Aspects of the church service:

Worship portion

Prayer portion

Preaching/teaching portion

One can tell when the ministry itself is plagued because…

Entertainment replaces Spirit-led worship.

Programs replace prayer.

Making money becomes more important than making disciples.

This type of plague causes the church to lose sight of its mission.

Revelation 3:1–3 ESV

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “ ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.

The church in Sardis had the illusion of being a successful church, but they were actually spiritually dead.

Jesus evaluates the spiritual and not the physical appearance.

Supporting Scriptures

1 Samuel 16:7 ESV

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Matthew 23:27–28 ESV

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Someone can go to church to be entertained and miss heaven completely.

B. Doctrinal Plagues

Churches that have forgotten the truth are plagued doctrinally.

Characteristics of doctrinal plagues:

Tolerance replaces repentance.

Sin is marginalized and redefined.

The Bible is questioned and/or totally rejected.

Revelation 2:18–23 ESV

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. “ ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.

2 Timothy 4:3–4 ESV

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

When feelings, continual attendance, and financial support dictate what is and is not preached/taught, then the church’s doctrinal integrity has been compromised.

Jesus is returning for a church that…

Preaches the gospel rather than compromises it.

Condemns sin rather than tolerates it.

Adheres to the standards set forth in the Word of God rather than looking for a loophole.

Supporting Scriptures

Titus 2:1 ESV

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.

C. Spiritual Plagues

When a church gets in the habit of having service but ignores the moving of the Spirit, as well as the disciplines that enhance one’s relationship with the Lord, then that church is infected with spiritual plagues.

The ceremonial type of church…

Focuses on the service rather than the relationship with Christ.

The ritual is the goal rather than pointing people to Jesus.

Emphasizes attendance over transformation.

Makes people participants rather than disciples.

Revelation 2:1–5 ESV

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. “ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

2 Timothy 3:5 ESV

having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

Jesus said…

Abide in Him rather than abide in the church.

I am the way, not the church.

Follow Me rather than follow the church.

Hosea 6:6 ESV

For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

D. The Church Jesus Is Returning For

When a church is infected with these plagues, then the end result is that the individual’s heart becomes hardened.

The churches to which the letters in Revelation were written were infested with these plagues, and not a single one of those churches remains today.

A church infested with these plagues will lead people to the pits of hell.

The church that Jesus is returning for…

Remembers the Lord their God.

Preaches/teaches Jesus is the only way to heaven.

Yields to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Is committed to preaching/teaching sound Scripture doctrine.

Is committed to reaching the lost with the gospel.

Seeks the Lord with all of their might through Bible study, prayer, and worship.

Ephesians 5:25–27 ESV

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

V. Altar Call

Ask the Lord to reveal anything in your life that you need to surrender.

Confess any unforgiven sin.

Commit yourself to diligently seeking the Lord.