sf380 - The Second Coming Of Christ - Part 3 Of 11 - The Imminent Return Of Christ (James 5 7-9)

James 5:7-9

Introduction

The doctrine of the Second Coming is a cardinal doctrine of Christianity.

We have talked about “Why We Should Study the Second Coming”

Ø Pitfalls to avoid

Ø Principles to employ

We have discussed “The Certainty of the Second Coming.”

Ø The prophecies of the OT foretell it

Ø The teaching of Christ declares it

Ø The words of the NT affirm it

Ø God’s plan for the church necessitates it

Ø The justice of God demands it

Ø The future of Israel depends on it

Ø The glory of Christ assures it

Today we will examine “The Imminent Return of Christ”

Ø Common objections

Ø Scriptural evidence

Ø Practical reasons

1A. Common Objections to the Imminent Return of Christ

1B. The question of the Tribulation (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4)

All the general “signs of the times” have and are being fulfilled.

1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.

We are in the “last days” (Hebrews 1:1-2)

Ø The “last days” is a biblical term for the Christian era

The promise of the rapture as a source of comfort (1 Thessalonians 4:14-18)

Ø The day of Christ refers to the Lord’s coming in judgment. (1Thess. 5:2-3; 2 Pet. 3:10)

Ø They feared they had missed the gathering, the rapture

2B. The problem of world evangelism (Matthew 24:14)

Acts 19:10 And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

Colossians 1:5-6; 23

2A. Scriptural Evidence for the Imminent Return of Christ

1B. The Lord promised it

Matthew 24:44 "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Luke 12:40 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

Luke 17:30-35 "Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. 31"In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. 32 "Remember Lot's wife. 33 "Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34 "I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. 35 "Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left.

2B. The apostles believed it

Romans 13:11-13 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

James 5:8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.

3A. Practical Reason for the Imminent Return of Christ

1B. To demonstrate man’s sinfulness and his need of a savior.

2B. To display His long-suffering and mercy.

2 Peter 3:8-9 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

3B. To test and prove the faith of His people.

4B. The promote unity in His church.

Our common hope through the centuries is His coming.

5B. To produce loyalty and faithfulness to Christ (Luke 12:42-46)

6B. To motivate brotherly love (1 Thess. 3:12-13)

7B. To cultivate a godly walk (Titus 2:11-13)

8B. To comfort broken hearts (1 Thess. 4:12-18)

9B. To develop patient servants (James 5:7-8)

10B. To alleviate anxious minds (Phil. 4:5-6)

11B. To stimulate sanctification (Romans 13:11-14)

Get up! (13:11)

Ø Time, (kairos) and era, not chronos a clock

Ø Salvation refers to glorification

Clean up! (13:12)

Dress up! (13:12b-14)

James 5:7-9

1A. Common _____________________ to the Imminent Return of Christ

1B. The question of the Tribulation (2 Thess. 2:1-4)

All the general “signs of the times” have and are being fulfilled. (1 John 2:18)

We are in the “_____________ days” (Hebrews 1:1-2)

Ø The “last days” is a biblical term for the Christian era

The promise of the rapture as a source of comfort (1 Thessalonians 4:14-18)

Ø The day of Christ refers to the Lord’s coming in judgment. (1Thess. 5:2-3; 2 Pet. 3:10)

Ø They feared they had missed the gathering, the rapture

2B. The problem of world evangelism (Matt. 24:14; Acts 19:10; Colossians 1:5-6; 23)

2A. Scriptural _________________ for the Imminent Return of Christ

1B. The _____________________ promised it (Matthew 24:44; Luke 12:40; Luke 17:30-35)

2B. The _____________________ believed it (Romans 13:11-13; James 5:8; 1 Peter 4:7)

3A. Practical ________________ for the Imminent Return of Christ

1B. To demonstrate man’s __________________ and his need of a savior.

2B. To display His long-suffering and _______________. (2 Peter 3:8-9)

3B. To ___________ and prove the faith of His people.

4B. The promote __________________ in His church.

5B. To produce __________________ and faithfulness to Christ (Luke 12:42-46)

6B. To ___________ brotherly love (1 Thess. 3:12-13)

7B. To cultivate a ____________ walk (Titus 2:11-13)