Jeff Lasseigne
Sunday, December 30, 2018
Music: Harvest Worship Band
“Life can only be understood by looking backwards, but it must be lived looking forward.”
Isaiah 9:6 NLT
[6] For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Only the first part of that prophecy has been fulfilled, when he comes back is when the government will be upon His shoulders.
The climax of human history will be the 2nd coming of Christ.
1 in every 23 verses speak of the second coming.
Matthew 24:44 NLT
[44] You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.
5 Ways in Which the 2nd Coming Will Affect Us.
1. The return of Jesus should be a motive for Holy Living.
Luke 12:47-48 NLT
[47] "And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn't prepared and doesn't carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. [48] But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.
Why hasn’t He come back yet? God is never in a hurry and is always on time.
2 Peter 3:8 NLT
[8] But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.
2 Peter 3:9 NLT
[9] The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
We measure time by minutes, God measures time by mercy.
The world is falling apart, but God’s plan is coming together.
2 Peter 3:1-10 NKJV
[1] Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), [2] that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, [3] knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, [4] and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." [5] For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, [6] by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. [7] But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. [8] 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. [10] But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
2 Peter 3:13 NKJV
[13] Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
2. The return of Jesus is a motive for us to share our faith.
3. The return of Jesus is a motive for going to church.
We determine the priorities of our life and those priorities determine our life.
Hebrews 10:25 NKJV
[25] not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
When you stay home from church without cause, you miss out on the blessing of fellowship.
The Bible commands us to be here in fellowship.
The church is the bride of Christ.
4. The return of Jesus is a motive to lay up your treasures in Heaven.
The joy of giving honors the Lord.
The only reason we should give is because we are genuinely grateful for all the Lord has done.
2 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV
[9] For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
God loves a cheerful giver.
If you are not tithing then you should work to make things right.
5. The return of Jesus puts all of our trials and sufferings into perspective.
Your suffering is temporary, God’s grace and love is eternal.