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Ask Pastor John
If Jesus Returns Tonight
00:12:17
How would we use our time if Christ were coming back tonight? Pastor John gives ten transforming ways to live while waiting for the second coming.
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Imagine that you knew, you knew for an absolute fact that Jesus was coming back before this day will come to an end. That would be amazing, of course. And of course that would also be impossible. Impossible to know. We can't know the date or the time of Christ's return. But what if we did? What if we knew he was coming back at 10pm sharp local time tonight? How would that change your day today on Ask Pastor John if Jesus returns tonight. We are about to read Luke 12 verses 35 to 48, and we just read first Thessalonians 5. So we are thinking a lot right now about Christ's return in our Bible readings. The question today is from Claire, a young woman and listener to the podcast. Pastor John, hello and thank you for apj. This podcast is a constant stream of encouragement for my soul and of correction too, in the right balance. Wonderful. Thank you for both kinds of precious gift to me. Jesus repeatedly calls his followers to live with watchful expectation for his return. In Luke 12:35 48, he says, Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home. He praises the servant who was found ready, faithful and active when the Master arrives at night. Obviously we need physical rest every night. So it's not a literal staying always awake all night. Metaphorically, though, how should I be living today? As if I truly believe Christ could return tonight. What does staying dressed with lamps lit look like today?
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It's amazing to me remarkable how thoroughly the New Testament answers this question. I mean, just thinking about it was good for me. So let me see if I can pack into this little episode 10 transforming ways to Live as we eagerly look forward to the coming of Jesus. So here's number one. Let's start with that word eagerly. Hebrews 9:28 Christ will appear a second time to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. And second Timothy 4:8 the Lord will award a crown of righteousness to all who have loved his appearing. So as we wait, we cultivate we a heart of love and eagerness for The Lord's appearing. That's number one. Second, be alert, but not alarmed. Matthew 24:42 Stay awake. Luke 12:40 Be ready. Luke 21:36 Be vigilant. Mark 13:23 Be on guard. Luke 21:34 Watch yourselves. So all that's Be alert. The point of all those texts is not that we don't sleep physically, but that we don't sleep spiritually or morally. We maintain a vital, living relationship with Jesus and alertness to how we can serve Him. But alertness does not mean ALARM, because Matthew 24:6 says, when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, see to it that you are not alarmed. We're not to be nervous and fearful. Third, be joyfully patient, no matter what sufferings are required of us in the last days. James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. And Peter adds, do it with joy. 1st Peter 4:12 do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that comes upon you to test you as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. Rejoice in suffering now, so that you will know the fullness of joy at his coming. 4th Keep yourselves pure. 1st John 3:2 Beloved, we know that when he appears we should be like him, because we'll see him as he is. Everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. And 2nd Peter 3:11 since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness? 5th Be gentle and reasonable. That may sound like an odd priority in anticipating the Second coming, but listen to Philippians 4. 5 Let your gentleness and I know the ESV translates it reasonableness, but I've studied that word in all of its contexts and I still can't help but think that the old translation gentleness is better. I think it's okay to go both ways, but I think gentleness, because it's parallel with not being pugilistic in some places, is better. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand. How easy it is to become quick tempered and harsh in times of crisis. Oh my goodness, we see that. Don't let it happen. 6 Don't be deceived by powerful pretenders. In other words, watch. Don't give in to deception. Matthew 24:4 See that no one leads you astray, for many will come in my name saying, I am the Christ, and they will lead many astray. This is one of the reasons we need to be alert and vigilant over our minds and hearts to protect us from deception which will be so rampant in that last time. 7th don't give in to hysteria. Go to work. You got a job. Do it. In Paul's day in Thessalonica, they were giving way to hysteria and quitting their jobs. What's the point of working? They're saying the Lord is near. Why work we don't need any money. Paul tells them to stop being like that, stop being alarmed, go back to work. Here's what he says. We hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busy bodies. 2nd Thessalonians 3:11 this is basically what Jesus was getting at when he said in Luke 12:42 who then is the faithful and wise manager whom his Master set over his household to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his Master will find so doing when he comes. Love that. When I was a preaching pastor, that was my rock solid assignment. You've been set over a household, you got food to give them. Give them that every Sunday and you're going to be blessed. If the Lord breaks in, splits the clouds and finds you studying for your sermon, I want to be found doing what God has given me to do when he comes. That's what Jesus expects. 8th Go to church. Hebrews 10:24 have you ever noticed the connection between the second coming and going to church? Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another and all the more Go to church all the more as you see the day drawing near, meet together more as you see the Lord's coming approaching, don't curl up in your chair at home. Go to church. Ninth Give yourselves to regular, earnest prayer, even prayer for the Second Coming. Fasting for the Second Coming Even Jesus said, you can't fast when the bridegroom is here, but the bridegroom is going to be taken away and then you will fast. Why? Because you want him back. Luke 21:36 Stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place and stand before the Son of Man. The end of all things is at hand. Therefore be self controlled and sober minded for the sake of your prayers. So pray to him day and night. He will not delay long over you and will vindicate you in your prayers. Finally 10th hasten the day of God by finishing the great commission. Second Peter 3:12 says, we are waiting for and hastening the coming of the Day of God. Now how do you hasten a day that the Lord has fixed with his own authority? And I think two passages point to the answer. Acts 6, chapter 1, verses 6 to 8 where the disciples asked Jesus, after the resurrection, is it now time for you to establish the kingdom? And Jesus said, it is not for you to know times or seasons that The Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power. You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth. In other words, if you want to see the kingdom arrive, finish the mission, which is what Matthew 24:14 says. This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations. And then the end will come. So how do you hasten the day of the Lord? We give ourselves to finishing the Great Commission. So let me end where I began. May the Lord give us eagerness and love for his second coming. The Lord will give a crown of righteousness to all who have loved his appearing.
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Yeah. Amen. There's this glorious task. We don't quit our job just yet. We don't stare off into the sky. We don't give in to hysteria. We don't give up to idleness. We cultivate a heart of eager love for his appearing with busy hands working the tasks in front of us to do. It's about everyday faithfulness, right up until the clouds split apart. Until then, let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand. That's an amazing text. I'm going to be thinking about that today. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand. Thank you, Pastor John. And on all of this, be sure to check out Pastor John's 2023 book, Come Lord Jesus, Meditations on the Second Coming of Christ. If you want to meditate on all of this more, Come Lord Jesus, Meditations on the Second Coming of Christ. But of course, we don't know when Christ is coming back. It could be in a century or two centuries. And that means we still have to wake up to alarms. We still have to find jobs. We still have to make money. We still have to pay the bills. And that means we will go on facing the temptations of money fears. I'm Tony Reinke. We do that next time, surviving financial panics. That's next up on Thursday. Thanks for listening to the Ask Pastor John podcast. We'll see you then.