Until I Come

INTRODUCTION –

- Do you believe that Jesus will return as He said?

- If you believe He will return, do you know when?

- - William Miller predicted March 21, 1843

- “Millerites” donned ascension robes, trekked into the mountains, and climbed trees so they would have “less distance to travel through the air.

- When nothing happened, he recalculated for 1 year later.

- When nothing happened again, many left the faith.

- - Edgar Whisenant wrote a book, “88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988.”

- When nothing happened, he wrote another book, “Final Shout”, predicting Christ’s return in 1989.

- The truth is, we sometimes convince ourselves to the opposite of what we claim to believe.

- - “Jesus didn’t return yesterday, He hasn’t returned yet today, & He probably won’t return tomorrow, either.”

- Has God ever failed to fulfill one of His promises?

- If we believe that Jesus will return, and that He could return at anytime, what should we be doing while we wait?

- Jesus gave us plenty to do, as He says, “until I come.”

I. “Do Business Until I Come” - Luke 19:12-13, Matt. 25:14-30

12 Therefore He said: “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. 13 So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’

A. The Uncertain Return

B. The Unusual Response

1. The faithful men doubled their endowments

2. The unfaithful man hoarded his endowment

C. The Unique Reward

D. The Unthinkable Rebuke

E. Work While You Wait

II. “Evangelize Until I Come” - Acts 1:6-8, Matt. 28:18-20

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

A. What To Do?

B. The Life Jesus Lived

C. The Church Jesus Founded

III. “Edify One Another Until I Come” - John 21:15-17

15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.”

A. “Feed My Sheep”

B. Building Up His People

C. What Is Edification All About?

1. It’s not about yourself; It’s about the Saints

2. It’s not what you profess; It’s what you pursue

3. It’s not how much you know; It’s how much you care.

4. It’s not about your gifts; It’s about your goals

5. It’s not about your wisdom; It’s about His Word

D. Let’s Please the Master Builder

IV. Pursue Your Reward Until I Come

V. Live In Hope Until I Come