Awakening to Christ's Imminent Return and Our Response

Sermon Summary

The worship of God is not just an act for Sunday mornings, but a participation in the eternal chorus of saints and angels who declare the holiness of the Lord. We are reminded that the name of Jesus stands above every power, throne, and dominion, and that our lives are to be lived in light of His greatness and coming return. As a church, we are called not only to worship but to go—to our neighbors and the nations—carrying the gospel and serving as vessels for God’s glory. This is why we commission teams to places like New Bedford and Eastern Kentucky, praying that God would use them to strengthen believers, encourage missionaries, and bring salvation to those who have yet to hear the good news.

Turning to the book of Zephaniah, we are confronted with a sobering truth: the day of the Lord is near. This is not a distant or abstract event, but an imminent reality that should shape every aspect of our lives. Zephaniah’s warning is not for the world at large, but for the people of God—those who are most at risk of being lulled into spiritual complacency by comfort and distraction. The prophet’s words call us to anticipate Christ’s return, to live with a sense of urgency and repentance, and to examine our hearts for the idols and divided loyalties that so easily creep in.

God’s declaration of coming judgment is not arbitrary; it is a response to sin—idolatry, syncretism, apathy, and materialism among His own people. The temptation to blend devotion to God with the pursuit of worldly pleasures and security is as real today as it was in Zephaniah’s time. The warning is clear: God will not overlook divided hearts or comfortable indifference. Yet, in the midst of this warning, there is hope. God has prepared a sacrifice—ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ—so that all who repent and trust in Him may be concealed from wrath and hidden in Christ on that great day.

The call is urgent: repent, seek the Lord, and trust in the finished work of Christ. There are no second chances after this life. The day of the Lord is rapidly approaching, and the only safe place is under the shelter of Jesus, who bore the wrath of God in our place. Let us not delay, but respond in faith, repentance, and renewed devotion, living each day in anticipation of our King’s return.

Key Takeaways

1. The Imminence of Christ’s Return Demands Our Attention The day of the Lord is not a distant myth but a rapidly approaching reality. Living in comfort and abundance can lull us into spiritual sleep, but God’s word calls us to wakefulness and anticipation. Every decision, relationship, and pursuit should be shaped by the knowledge that Jesus could return at any moment. [36:14]
2. God’s Judgment Begins with His Own People Zephaniah’s warning is directed first to the people of God, not the world. It is possible to be outwardly religious yet inwardly divided, blending worship of God with devotion to idols of comfort, pleasure, or material gain. The call is to examine our hearts honestly and repent of any syncretism or apathy that has taken root. [49:49]
3. Idolatry and Syncretism Are Subtle but Deadly Idolatry is not just bowing to statues, but giving ultimate worth to anything other than God—be it success, security, or self. Syncretism, the attempt to serve God and the world simultaneously, leads inevitably to spiritual apathy and unbelief. Only wholehearted devotion to Christ can withstand the pull of competing loves. [52:22]
4. The Only Refuge from Judgment Is in Christ God’s justice against sin is certain and terrifying, but He has provided a sacrifice—Jesus Christ—so that we might be concealed from wrath. Our hope is not in our ability to do better, but in Christ’s finished work on our behalf. To be hidden in Christ is to be safe on the day of the Lord, covered by His righteousness and love. [60:56]
5. Repentance Is Both an Initial and Ongoing Response Repentance is not a one-time act but a continual turning from sin and self to Christ. Even as believers, we are called to daily examine our lives, confess our divided loyalties, and renew our trust in Jesus. The gospel is not just for the lost, but for the church—our only hope and anchor as we await His return. [69:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[17:39] - Worship: The Song of Ages
[22:44] - Mission Teams Commissioning
[24:33] - Prayer for Mission Teams
[27:10] - Congregational Singing: In Christ Alone
[31:33] - Introduction to Zephaniah
[32:51] - The Trampoline Parable: Ignoring Warnings
[34:48] - The Message of Zephaniah: The Day of the Lord
[36:14] - Living in Light of Christ’s Return
[39:30] - Reading Zephaniah 1: The Coming Judgment
[42:49] - Three Aspects of God’s Warning
[44:07] - God Declares His Return: Anticipation
[49:49] - The Reason for Judgment: Sin Among God’s People
[58:22] - God Demands a Response: Seek the Lord
[60:56] - The Hope of the Gospel: Christ Our Sacrifice
[65:18] - Hidden in Christ: The Only Refuge
[67:17] - Urgent Call to Repentance and Faith
[69:47] - Closing Prayer and Response

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living in Light of Christ’s Return (Zephaniah 1:1–2:3)

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### Bible Reading

Zephaniah 1:1–2:3

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### Observation Questions

In Zephaniah 1:4–6, what specific sins does God accuse His people of committing? How are these described in the passage?
According to Zephaniah 1:14–18, what are some of the ways the “day of the Lord” is described? What emotions or images do these descriptions bring up?
In Zephaniah 2:1–3, what three actions does God call His people to take in response to the coming judgment?
The sermon mentioned that Zephaniah’s warning is directed first to God’s people, not the world. Why is this significant? [[49:49]]

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### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God’s judgment begins with His own people rather than the surrounding nations? What does this reveal about God’s expectations for those who claim His name? [[49:49]]
The sermon described idolatry and syncretism as “subtle but deadly.” In what ways can these attitudes or behaviors show up in the life of a believer today? [[52:22]]
Zephaniah 1:7 and 2:3 both mention the idea of being “concealed” or “hidden” on the day of the Lord. What does it mean to be “hidden in Christ,” and why is this the only true refuge from God’s judgment? [[01:00:56]]
The call to repentance is described as both an initial and ongoing response. Why is continual repentance necessary for believers, not just a one-time event? [[01:09:11]]

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### Application Questions

The sermon warned that comfort and abundance can lull us into spiritual sleep. Are there areas in your life where comfort or distraction has made you less alert to Christ’s return? What practical steps could you take to “wake up” spiritually this week? [[36:14]]
Zephaniah calls out divided loyalties—trying to serve God and idols at the same time. Is there anything in your life (success, security, pleasure, material things) that competes with your devotion to Christ? How can you address this divided loyalty? [[52:22]]
The only safe place on the day of the Lord is to be “hidden in Christ.” How confident are you that you are trusting in Christ’s finished work, rather than your own efforts or goodness? What would it look like to rest more fully in Jesus this week? [[01:00:56]]
The sermon emphasized that repentance is not just for non-believers, but for the church. Is there a specific sin, attitude, or area of apathy that you need to repent of today? How can you make repentance a regular part of your walk with God? [[01:09:11]]
The church is called not only to worship, but to “go”—to neighbors and nations with the gospel. What is one way you can intentionally serve or share the gospel with someone in your life this month? [[22:44]]
The message of Zephaniah is urgent: “The day of the Lord is near.” If you knew Jesus was returning soon, what would you change about your priorities, relationships, or daily habits? [[36:14]]
The sermon described the hope of being “concealed” in Christ as similar to chicks running under a mother hen’s wings for protection. When you feel anxious about God’s judgment or the future, what helps you remember and rest in the safety Jesus provides? [[01:05:18]]

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Sermon Clips

Jesus is coming again. The day of the Lord is near. Zephaniah chapter 1 speaks of the day of the Lord perhaps more than any other single chapter in the Old Testament and you and I need to know this morning the day of the Lord is near. [00:35:27]

We rarely think about oh Jesus is coming back when we make our budgets and look at our bank accounts. We rarely think about the fact that Jesus is coming back in in in relationship to the relationships that we have and and are building or our job choices or where we live or or how we live our lives. [00:36:56]

And I'm afraid that our comfort keeps us from really thinking every day Jesus come back today and from thinking I'm doing this I'm thinking that I'm living this way I'm chasing that I'm doing that without thinking hey the Lord may come back today. [00:38:28]

Hopefully for our entire study of Zephaniah to reflect on the fact that Jesus is coming again zephaniah chapter 1 i want to ask you if you would to stand with me in the honor of the reading of God's word zephaniah chapter 1 would you hear the word of the Lord today. [00:39:55]

The imminence of the return of Jesus, that is this great day of the Lord, serves as a warning for Christians to live a life of repentance. The eminence of Jesus return serves as a warning for Christians to live a life of repentance. [00:42:37]

Because God declares the return of Christ we must anticipate it. Three times in our text at the end of verse two he says "I will completely sweep away everything from the face of the earth." This is the Lord's declaration at the end of verse three he's going to cut off mankind from the face of the earth. [00:44:14]

Don't miss that today you have been in a world where you are comfortable and distracted and you have every comfort and there's every reason for you to believe I really don't care if I go to heaven today my life is pretty good. [00:45:01]

If anyone is prepared for the coming of the Lord anticipate it he has declared it it's not going to be a good day for most zephaniah 1 describes this day if you will it is imminent and it will be a day of destruction. [00:45:42]

It's going to be a day of destruction it's going to be a day of distress but it even gets worse look at verse 17 into verse 18 it's going to be a day of death he says their blood will be poured out like dust their flesh like dung. [00:47:24]

God's anger is poured out against sin. He is holy and we in Adam and Eve everyone born in Adam and Eve have rebelled against him and the day of the Lord will be a terrible day of distress and death and and destruction why because of sin. [00:49:25]

Sometimes even people who call the name of Christ worship idols once again the New Testament fills in this idolatry that you and I have and it's not often that you have some little image you've carved but there's something in your life that you've given more honor and worth and praise to the one true God. [00:51:06]

And so we want to have it both ways we want to worship the things of the world we want to be driven by money and power and the pleasures of this world and like those are really important the big gods that we have in our world right now are pleasure sports and entertainment. [00:53:26]

All of this brings us to the point that I'll just quote Hebrews 10 for you it is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of a living God. It is a terrifying thing to fall in the hands of an angry God a living God the living God god's anger is poured out against sin. [00:57:29]

There is none righteous not even one there is no one who understands there is no one who seeks God all have turned away all alike have become worthless there is no one who does good not even one so is there any hope and church you should be in your heart saying resounding yes there is hope. [01:00:12]

On the great day of the Lord you will either be the sacrifice that he's talking about in Zephaniah 1 that God is going to judge you for your sin or you will be covered in the sacrifice that we have in Jesus Christ so go back to chapter 2:3 perhaps you will be concealed on that day. [01:03:20]

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Awakening to Christ's Imminent Return and Our Response

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Awakening to Christ's Imminent Return and Our Response

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