If Jesus Should Come Today

See 1Thess 4:13-18; 1 John 2:28

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 ESV

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

1 John 2:28 ESV

28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.

INTRODUCTION

A. JESUS IS COMING AGAIN

1. The one who died and rose again will come again.

2. Millions accept this truth intellectually

3. Relatively few allow this to change their lives

a. This may be the strangest fact of history

b. How would you adjust your life if you knew Christ would come today?

B. Signs that make us feel the Coming of the Lord is Near

Israel as a Nation (Ezek. 37)

Russia is a militaristic world power with designs on the Middle East (Ezek 38-39)

The world is getting ready for the Antichrist (Rev 13)

Signs in nature (Matt. 24:7)

C. What will happen when Jesus comes?

BODY

A. If Jesus Should come Today, the Christian Dead would be Raised (1 Thess 4:13–16)

1. The sound of the trumpet…the voice of the archangel

2. The dead in Christ rise first (WONDERFUL HOPE)

a. The grave is not a place of despair

b. Christians go to heaven when they die (2 Cor 5:8)

2 Corinthians 5:8 ESV

8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

c. The Lord returns bringing Christians with Him to resurrect their bodies

3. This resurrection means a reunion of body, soul, and spirit

4. The New body will be like the body of Christ (1 John 3:2)

1 John 3:2 ESV

2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

a. No more sickness, pain, or suffering

b. No more death

c. No more limitations

B. If Jesus should come today, living believers would escape death (1 Thess 4:15-17)

1 Thessalonians 4:15–17 ESV

15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

1. Death has taken its toll through the centuries

a. Adam died and Abel died

b. Methusalah died and Moses died

c. Jacob died and Joseph died

2. Samson was not strong enough to escape death

3. Solomon was not wise enough to escape death

4. Men still die (Heb 9:27)

Hebrews 9:27 ESV

27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

5. But not all Christians will die

a. Those living when Jesus comes will be caught up and changed

b. “We shall not all sleep” (1 Cor 15:51)

1 Corinthians 15:51 ESV

51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

6. Like Enoch and Elijah, all believers living when Chris comes will be changed (translated) without death

7. What a blessed hope!

C. If Jesus should come today, some would be ashamed (1 John 2:28)

1 John 2:28 ESV

28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.

1. Abiding in Him that we may have confidence.

2. Are you confident when thinking of His return?

3. The Suddenness of His coming…In a moment

a. When you were in that fit of anger

b. When you were reading that borderline book

c. When you were passing on that bit of gossip

4. This is a solemn truth for believers

5. Be ready for His coming

CONCLUSION

A. The return of Christ A Blessed and Sobering Event

B. Are you willing to let this truth change your life?