Untitled Sermon (8)

Are You Ready for the Coming of the Lord

Bible Passage: Matthew 24:42-51

Introduction: In this passage, Jesus instructs His followers to be watchful and ready for His second coming. The bible teaches that the purpose of prophecy is not to create fear but to encourage faithfulness and readiness. Jesus repeatedly told His followers to watch, pray, and be prepared for His return. The end times remind us that this world is temporary, but God’s kingdom is eternal.

Application: This sermon emphasizes the importance of living in a constant state of readiness for Christ's return, encouraging Christians to evaluate their lives and priorities in light of eternal truths, motivating them to remain faithful and active in their faith amidst distractions.

Teaching: This sermon teaches that being ready for Christ's return involves aligning our daily lives with His will, living in righteousness, and serving others, all while keeping our eyes fixed on His promises.

How this passage could point to Christ: The theme of readiness and vigilance draws us to Christ, who is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise of return. His coming is not just a future event but is grounded in the narrative of redemption unfolding from Genesis to Revelation.

Big Idea: Live each day in readiness for the return of Christ, understanding that our choices and actions reflect our faith in His promises.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider exploring the historical and cultural context of first-century Jewish expectations of the Messiah and His return in Logos. Delve into the synoptic parallels of Mark and Luke to enrich your understanding of Jesus’ teachings on readiness. Pay special attention to the implications of the terms 'faithful' and 'wicked' in this passage, as they could influence your application.

The Signs of the End Times

a. “Wars and Rumors of Wars”

Matthew 24:6 “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.”

b. Natural Disasters

Matthew 24:7 “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.”

These events remind us that creation itself is longing for God’s final redemption.

c. Spiritual Deception

Matthew 24:11 “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.”

Believers must know God’s word so they can recognize truth from error.

d. Declining Morality

2 Timothy 3:1–5 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

Paul is describing believers in the last days as lovers of self, lovers of pleasure, and lovers of money rather than lovers of God.

1. Stay Spiritually Sharp

Matthew 24:42 “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”

There is an urgency in Jesus' call to 'keep watch' as the first step in preparedness. The emphasis here is on awareness and attentiveness to spiritual matters.

“know not” This knowledge is being withheld from us”

Deuteronomy 29:29 “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

Proverbs 25:2 “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: But the honour of kings is to search out a matter.”

2. Prepare Persistently

Matthew 24:43–44 “But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”

Perhaps highlight the comparison of Christ’s return to a thief coming unexpectedly. This unpredictable nature should prompt believers to live every moment as if meeting Christ imminently. Connect this urgency to the disciplines of prayer, Bible study, and community. Emphasize the promise of Jesus returning for His own, mirroring our need to live in expectant hope and assurance. Demonstrating readiness involves not just awareness but preparation—a lifestyle marked by holiness and purpose.

3. Faithfully Focused Service

Matthew 24:45-47

You could focus on the blessings of being a 'faithful and wise servant.' Jesus points out that readiness not only prepares us for His coming but also cultivates our current life with blessings and responsibility. Encourage congregants to dedicate themselves to faithful service, trusting in the generous rewards God grants to those who steward their lives well. Our faithfulness here reflects Christ’s own obedient service unto death and highlights our call to imitate Him daily.

4. Rejecting Righteous Complacency

Matthew 24:48-50

Maybe discuss the dangers of complacency and false security. The 'wicked servant' symbolizes those distracted by life's temporary allurements, forgetting the certainty of judgment. Stress the need for a spiritual wake-up call and a commitment to integrity, standing firm in truth against cultural complacency. Reflect on Christ's condemnation of apathy and encourage believers to pursue righteousness and accountability, knowing the eternal impact of their choices.

5. Embrace Eternal Expectancy

Matthew 24:51

Perhaps illuminate the severe consequences of neglect, both spiritually and eternally. The fate of the unfaithful servant underscores the seriousness of ignoring Christ's call. Urge your audience to reflect on God's grace, which transforms us from wickedness to righteousness. It is a transformation made possible through Jesus' sacrifice. Encourage repentance and genuine transformation, affirming that true readiness for His return results in eternal communion with Christ.

The central event of the end is the return of Christ

a. His return is certain

John 14:3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

Jesus made a promise that He will return.

b. His return will be visible

Matthew 24:27 “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

No one will miss His coming

c. His return will be glorious

Revelation 19:11–16 “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Jesus will return as King of kings and Lord of lords

This sermon emphasizes the importance of living in a constant state of readiness for Christ's return, encouraging Christians to evaluate their lives and priorities in light of eternal truths, we should remain faithful and active in our faith amidst distractions.

This sermon teaches that being ready for Christ's return involves aligning our daily lives with His will, living in righteousness, and serving others, all while keeping our eyes fixed on His promises.

Live each day in readiness for the return of Christ, understanding that our choices and actions reflect our faith in His promises.

How Should Believers Live in the Last Days?

1. Stay Spiritually Sharp and Awake

Matthew 24:42 “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”

Romans 13:11 “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.”

This is not the time for Spiritual laziness

As believers we are to remain vigilant in our spiritual lives, constantly seeking Jesus in our daily routines and decisions.

This watchfulness is rooted in a deep anticipation of His return, it should impact how we prioritize our lives today.

2. Prepare Persistently

Matthew 24:43–44 “But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”

Jesus will return for His own, we need to live in expectant hope and assurance. We should Demonstrate a readiness not just an awareness but preparation—a lifestyle marked by holiness and purpose.

3. Faithfully Focused Service

Matthew 24:45–47 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.”

We as believers are to be a 'faithful and wise servant.' Readiness not only prepares us for His coming but also cultivates our current life with blessings and responsibility. We are to dedicate ourselves to be a faithful and wise servant.

4. Rejecting Righteous Complacency [because you feel content, you stop pushing for growth or working harder]

Matthew 24:48–50 “But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,”

The 'wicked servant' symbolizes those distracted by life's temporary allurements [something that draws you in with the promise of pleasure, reward, or fascination], forgetting the certainty of judgment.

There is a need for a spiritual wake-up call and a commitment to integrity, and time to stand firm in truth against cultural complacency. We as believers need to pursue righteousness and and be accountable, knowing that the eternal impact of our choices.

5. Embrace Eternal Expectancy

Matthew 24:51 “And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Perhaps illuminate the severe consequences of neglect, both spiritually and eternally. The fate of the unfaithful servant underscores the seriousness of ignoring Christ's call. Urge your audience to reflect on God's grace, which transforms us from wickedness to righteousness. It is a transformation made possible through Jesus' sacrifice. Encourage repentance and genuine transformation, affirming that true readiness for His return results in eternal commu