The Anticipation of the King | Dr. Tony Valenti | Graceland.Church

Christmas stirs a certain kind of anticipation in my house—my kids are up before dawn, fueled by joy. That felt like the right doorway into Titus 2:11-15, because followers of Jesus are called to live with that same joyful anticipation—not for gifts under a tree, but for the certain return of our King. We live in the already and the not yet: Jesus has come, saved, and ascended; and Jesus will come again to judge, renew, and make all things new. Christian disagreement about end-times timelines is real, but the non-negotiables are clear: Christ will return, judgment will come, hell is real, and God will renew all things. So how do we live in that tension?

First, remember who the King is. We are forgetful people, and when we forget, we drift. Paul anchors us: Jesus is the gracious King who saves by unmerited favor; the transforming and purifying King who redeems us from lawlessness and makes us zealous for good works; and the returning King whose appearing is our blessed hope. If we forget his grace, anticipation becomes apathy. If we forget his power, obedience turns to self-reliance and exhaustion. If we forget his return, urgency fades.

Second, live like the King is returning. Titus 2 doesn’t picture lonely heroes; it pictures a cross-generational, discipling church—ordinary people empowered by the Spirit to live a compellingly different life. That looks like hope in a hopeless age (our hope is not a vibe; it’s a Person and a promise), holiness in a compromised age (self-control, uprightness, and Godward living in this present age), and boldness in a timid age (declaring grace, exhorting and correcting with love and authority, refusing to be silenced). We don’t whisper grace; we declare it.

I challenged us to take one step of urgency—pray a name, invite that person to Christmas Eve, and trust God to work. Not in panic, but in bridal joy. Scripture says our story ends at a wedding: the marriage supper of the Lamb. Anticipation is not anxiety; it’s hope with its eyes open, love with its sleeves rolled up, and joy that refuses to be quiet.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Anticipation: hope and urgency today Anticipation is not passive waiting; it is a life shaped by the certainty of Jesus’ return. Hope drives out despair because it is anchored in a promise, not a mood. Urgency flows from love—we want no one surprised by his appearing. This is how grace trains us to live now. [48:09]
• 2. Remember the King’s true identity Forgetfulness breeds apathy, but remembering Jesus as gracious, transforming, and returning produces worship, obedience, and courage. His grace rescues, his power changes, and his return steadies us. When his attributes lead our thoughts, our lives follow. [51:35]
• 3. Holiness that flows from grace Grace doesn’t dull our pursuit of holiness; it ignites it. The Spirit trains us to say no to ungodliness and yes to self-control, uprightness, and Godward living right now. Holiness is not performance—it’s love learning to walk in step with its King. [61:07]
• 4. Boldness that refuses to be disregarded Boldness is not volume; it’s fidelity to Jesus when the cost rises. We declare grace, exhort and correct in love, and keep speaking when culture tries to mute the church. Our hope makes us brave because the King’s word will have the last word. [63:40]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [44:51] - Our Blessed Hope Appears
• [48:09] - Anticipation Defined: Hope and Urgency
• [51:35] - Remembering the King’s Attributes
• [54:53] - Guided Prayer: Calling on the King
• [58:06] - Counterfeit Hopes vs. True Hope
• [61:07] - Grace That Trains Us for Holiness
• [63:40] - Declare, Exhort, and Don’t Be Disregarded
• [66:12] - Anxiety vs. Bridal Anticipation
• [69:20] - Invitation to Receive Christ
• [72:08] - Step of Boldness and Next Steps

1. In Titus 2:11-12, what does God’s grace do besides save? List the verbs and phrases that describe how grace “trains” us right now.
2. According to Titus 2:13, what exactly are believers “waiting for,” and what titles are given to Jesus in that verse?
3. In Titus 2:14, what did Jesus do for us, and to what end? Identify the purpose statements that show why he gave himself.
4. How was biblical anticipation defined: “living with hope and urgency today because the king is certainly coming again”? What words in Titus 2:11-15 support that definition? [48:09]

1. If grace “trains” believers (Titus 2:11-12), how might forgetting grace lead to apathy, while remembering grace fuels worship and obedience? Consider the connection between forgetfulness and drifting. [51:35]
2. Titus 2:13 calls Jesus “our great God and Savior.” How does remembering who the King really is (gracious, transforming, returning) steady courage and reshape priorities in “this present age”? [51:35]
3. Titus 2:14 says Jesus purifies “a people for his own possession” who are “zealous for good works.” What is the difference between zeal that flows from grace and zeal that runs on self-reliance?
4. Titus 2:15 commands declaring, exhorting, and rebuking “with all authority.” What does faithful boldness look like without becoming harsh, and why might some try to disregard it? [01:03:40]

1. Remember the King: Which attribute of Jesus do you most often forget—his grace, his transforming power, or his certain return? What is one concrete way you will remember him daily this week (for example, a 30-second prayer of remembrance at lunch, or writing one attribute on a card you’ll see)? [51:35]
2. Hope over counterfeit hopes: Where do you tend to look for hope when you’re tired or lonely (news, likes, achievements, approval)? What small habit will you practice this week to fix your hope on Jesus’ appearing (for example, read Titus 2:11-15 before bed, turn doom-scrolling into a 5-minute prayer walk)? [58:06]
3. Holiness that flows from grace: What is one “no” you sense the Spirit training you to say (an ungodly habit or worldly passion), and one “yes” you need to practice (self-control, uprightness, Godward living)? Who will you invite to check in with you about this step? Titus 2:12 [01:01:07]
4. A people zealous for good works: Identify one specific good work Jesus may be nudging you toward this week for the sake of his people (a meal, a note of encouragement, covering a need). What day and time will you do it? Titus 2:14
5. Boldness that refuses to be silenced: What is one space where you feel pressure to go quiet about Jesus (work, family, online)? What would boldness in love look like there this week—one sentence you could say, one act you could take? [01:03:40]
6. Urgency with a name: Write down one name to pray for and invite to a Christmas service. When will you text or call? What words will you use to make the invite clear and kind? [01:12:08]
7. Bridal anticipation, not anxiety: Where do you feel panic about the future? What practice will help you shift from worry to joyful anticipation (for example, sing one worship song a day, journal answered prayers, read Revelation 19:7-9 and thank Jesus for the wedding to come)? [01:06:12]