Jesus said, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Mark 13.32) One things that all date setters have in common- they have all been wrong. The fact that they set a date shows their Biblical ignorance.
There is much written in the Word of God concerning Christ's Return. The resounding message is Be Ready! You don't know when that time will come (Mark 13.33) therefore Be on guard! Be alert! (Mark 13.33) Therefore keep watch because you do not know when... (Mark 13.35)
The main subject of Paul's letters to the church at Thessalonica was the Return of Jesus Christ. Being ready is paramount. We are told how here in this morning's scripture.
1. Keep Obeying Christ's Teachings vs.1-2
Jude 3 Contend for the faith that was once entrusted to the saints
We must never feel we are beyond Christ's teachings. Like Being part of the church is optional, like we have heard enough and we don't need to hear the old stories again and again. Like we are all set and ready for heaven. On the contrary we are in a spiritual battle. The enemy knows his time is short. The words here in verse one are "more and more". The Christian Life is an ever growing dynamic of obedience coming from our lives. There are going to be people who thought they were going to heaven in the end that the LORD is going to tell, "Depart from Me I never knew you."
More and more...
Where there is reluctance or hesitation there is to be immediate obedience.
Where there is a feeling of obligation there is to be a motive of love.
Christ is the Supreme Authority in our lives. He is the LORD and Master..
One of the benefits of reading God's Word continually is that it ensures we will (John 15.4) abide in Him. His commands us to love Him supremely and to love our neighbor as our self.
John 15.10 If you obey My commands, you remain in My love.
Obedience to Christ ensures that I will not fear that day of His Return but rather welcome it.
2. Keep yourself from becoming polluted by the world. vs.3-8
James 1.27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Thessalonica, like many other cities in the Roman Empire, were very wicked. Main Streets were full of temples built to the Greek gods. Much of the ritual in these temples involved sinful practices and loose morals.
God calls His people to sexual purity. Paul writes to the Church at Ephesus (Ephesians 5.3) But among you there must not even be a hint of sexual immorality. I cannot describe to you the damage this sin does. The ramifications are extensive. I have seen it destroy marriages, families and people. Most who fall into it do not realize the fire they are playing with.
Proverbs 6.26b-32 The adulteress preys upon your very life. Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?... so is he who sleeps with another man's wife... a man who commits adultery lacks judgment, whoever does so destroys himself."
There are other things you can be polluted by the with:
1. Greed
2. Idolatry
3. Hatred
4. Jealousy-envy
5. Selfish ambition
6. drunkenness
7. Any breakdown in human relationships
Flee all of this!
How can I be ready for Christ's Return?
3. Keep loving each other deeply. vs.9-12
It is an example to the other churches -v.10
It is a witness to outsiders- v.12
It covers a multitude of sins I Peter 4.7-8 ex/gossip
It is the greatest. It is the sign of being filled with the Spirit of God and being a follower of Jesus Christ.
4. Here's how Christ's Return Will Happen vs.13-18
v.17 Then Jesus' prayer will be answered in John 17.24 Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am...
v.18 Comfort for our departed loved ones, the living believers- the place of our reunion will be in the sky and on into heaven forever!
Be Ready! He is Coming Soon!
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