Are we really prepared to meet Jesus at His coming? There is
a story about a preacher in South India who secretly appointed 4 people to blow
trumpets at a pre-defined time as he was about to deliver a message about the
second coming of Jesus Christ. It was a gathering of more than 200 people, all
intently listened to the preacher as he expounded on the second coming of Jesus.
Suddenly, the trumpet blared and except for a handful of people many ran for
shelter, and some even hid under the chairs!
What happened? Though we may have an intellectual,
theoretical and theological understanding of the coming of the Lord Jesus, and
raise our hands and sing ‘Come soon, Lord Jesus’ – when it comes to reality and
practical life, many would feel overwhelmed and under-prepared. Let me explain…
if somehow you come to know that Jesus would come tomorrow, will it cause you
to make some necessary changes in your life today, maybe finish some unfinished
work-or will you go about doing just what you are doing today? If some changes
to your schedule is seen, then certainly you are not prepared to meet the Lord!
On the other hand, if you ask me, I would go about doing the same things that I
am doing. If the Lord tarries, I am prepared to go and meet Him-absent in the
body present with the Lord!
We can read about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in the
gospels: Matt. 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21. We must have this attitude of
preparation in our day-to-day life.
Remember we met Jesus at the cross, held on to His word,
just as He took hold of us at our word of confession. Now being forgiven of our
sins, we have peace {that transcends human understanding} within us, and we
have peace with God. And joy bubbles over as we start ministering His word that
sets sinners free-day after day, week after week and month after month, not
being discouraged by any barbs and back-biting, but being able to forgive
others even while we hurt, Jesus being the change inside.
And we tell others about Jesus, and what He has done for us.
No, I am not talking of religion – from Catholic to Protestant, or from
Protestant to Charismatic movement… I am talking of real change inside. Do you
have this peace and joy due in whole because of a direct relationship with God
our Father in Jesus Christ?
And then maybe you join a fellowship like the one you are
now attending, or any other Christian fellowship. And over many days and weeks,
you slowly find the effervescence of joy and fullness of peace waning, because
there are people in Christian fellowship waiting with a cold blanket! And even
if you start ministering in a small way, there are bricks and bats thrown at
you-never directly, of course; but now you sense the sorrow of suffering within
the house of your friends. But through all this, you persevere to show up and
show forth your light, and your own children are slowly led towards the light
of the gospel. And the family soon join together to glorify god in every
circumstance-yes, a small church begins at home.
Beloved, I am speaking from my heart, and if you have
experienced these, I want you to meditate on the first epistle of Paul to
Thessalonians…
In 1 Thess. 1:2, 3 Paul says: We give thanks to God always
for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing
your work of faith, labour of love, and
patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ …
So there is a faith that works, a love that labours and a
hope that is patient. When this continues every day, it means that we are
prepared to meet the Lord. Paul, while writing his first epistle to Thessalonians,
answers the question of the believers there concerning the death and
resurrection of saints at the coming of the Lord. And this book of five
chapters – all end with the coming of the Lord Jesus, and how we believers ought
to be prepared. And this is what I would like to share with you today.
1. Jesus is Coming-Be Saved
1 Thess. 1: 9, 10For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
This is how we came, turning from idols - whether seen or unseen, religious or social, institutional or traditional; and we found Jesus, no one else. Now we are in God's service, through Jesus Christ.
2.
Jesus is Coming-Be a Soul Winner
1 Thess. 2: 19, 20For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.
Would you go empty-handed to meet Jesus? Or would you be
like Paul rejoicing to see some, then and there, who you have led to Jesus?
3.
Jesus is Coming-Be Strengthened
1 Thess. 3: 13So that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
Be stable, be established, be strengthened… in your hearts.
4. Jesus is Coming-Sorrow No More
1 Thess. 4:15 – 18For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
We have comfort because of His coming. Therefore we do not sorrow
like others without hope. But for a brief moment, even if we sorrow,
we have hope…
a.
Hope in the Return of Lord Jesusb. Hope in the Resurrection of the Sleeping Saints
c. Hope in the Rapture of the Living Saints
d. Hope in the Reunion of ALL Saints
Hallelujah! There will be sorrow no more!
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
Complete sanctification-spirit, soul and body. Cooperate with Him, He will DO it.
(v28) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
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