Embracing Hope: The Love Story of Christ's Return
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone! Today, we celebrate Father's Day, a day to honor all the fathers among us. As we gather, I want to express my gratitude for the generosity shown by our community, especially to James from Five Stone Ministries for replacing our AC units. This act of kindness reminds us of the biblical principle that those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
Today, we embark on a new series about the Second Coming of Christ. This topic is one of the most searched on the internet, reflecting a deep curiosity and concern about the end times. Biblical prophecy, which makes up a third of the Bible, provides us with insights into these times. The events unfolding in the world today, such as the alliances between nations like Russia and China, align with the prophecies in Ezekiel 38, indicating that we are witnessing the staging of the end times.
However, the Second Coming is not a horror story filled with fear and tribulation; it is a love story. Jesus is coming back not to bring terror but to reunite with His beloved. John 14 reassures us that Jesus is preparing a place for us and will return to take us with Him. This promise should fill us with hope and joy, knowing that we are on the winning side.
The Bible is rich with references to the return of Jesus, emphasizing its importance. Over 300 references in the New Testament alone speak of His return. This is a time for us to be encouraged and comforted, not afraid. The signs of the times are evident, and we must be prepared like a bride for her wedding day.
As we navigate these times, we must focus on three key actions: being right with God, relying on godly relationships, and making a difference in the world. We should confess our sins and seek a closer relationship with God. We need to support and encourage one another, especially as we see the day of the Lord approaching. Finally, we must use our gifts to serve others and advance God's kingdom.
The Second Coming is imminent, and we must be ready. Jesus' return is motivated by His love for us, and He longs to be with His family. Let us live holy and godly lives, supporting one another and making a difference in the world. Remember, this is not a horror story but a beautiful love story of God's desire to be with His people.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Second Coming is a Love Story: The return of Jesus is not about fear, tribulation, or wrath. It is about His deep love for us and His desire to be with us. This perspective transforms our understanding of the end times from a horror story to a love story, filled with hope and anticipation. [31:17]
2. Biblical Prophecy and Current Events: The events unfolding in the world today, such as the alliances between nations, align with biblical prophecies. This alignment should strengthen our faith in God's word and His sovereign plan. We are witnessing the staging of the end times, and this should encourage us to be vigilant and prepared. [28:52]
3. Living in the End Times: Knowing that we are living in the end times should change the way we live. We must be right with God, relying on godly relationships, and making a difference in the world. This involves confessing our sins, supporting one another, and using our gifts to serve others. [56:24]
4. Encouragement for Believers: For believers, the Second Coming is a source of great encouragement. We are assured of our place with Jesus, and we have nothing to fear. This promise should fill us with joy and motivate us to live holy and godly lives, preparing ourselves as a bride for her wedding day. [41:40]
5. The Importance of Community: In these times, it is crucial to rely on godly relationships. We need to support and encourage one another, especially as we see the day of the Lord approaching. Being part of a church community helps us stay strong in our faith and provides the support we need to navigate these challenging times. [01:06:28]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[08:29] - Father's Day and Generosity
[10:56] - Offering and Prayer
[25:08] - Introduction to the Second Coming
[27:42] - Biblical Prophecy and Current Events
[31:17] - The Second Coming as a Love Story
[41:40] - Encouragement for Believers
[56:24] - Living in the End Times
[01:06:28] - The Importance of Community
[01:09:42] - Making a Difference
[01:13:35] - Jesus is Coming Back
[01:19:06] - Closing and Invitation to Connect
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. John 14:1-3 (NIV): "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."
2. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (NIV): "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words."
3. Revelation 21:1-4 (NIV): "Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’"
### Observation Questions
1. According to John 14:1-3, what is Jesus preparing for us, and what promise does He make about His return?
2. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, what events are described that will occur at the Lord’s return? [42:21]
3. What does Revelation 21:1-4 describe about the new heaven and new earth, and what will be different from the current world? [48:35]
4. How does the sermon describe the Second Coming of Christ as a love story rather than a horror story? [31:17]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the promise in John 14:1-3 provide comfort and hope for believers regarding the Second Coming of Christ? [32:21]
2. What significance does the imagery of a bride and groom in Revelation 21:1-4 have in understanding our relationship with Christ at His return? [49:54]
3. How should the knowledge of the events described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 influence the way believers live their daily lives? [43:52]
4. The sermon mentions that the Second Coming is imminent and we must be ready. What practical steps can believers take to prepare for Christ’s return? [56:24]
### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on John 14:1-3, how does the promise of Jesus preparing a place for you change your perspective on current life challenges? [32:21]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being right with God. What steps can you take this week to strengthen your relationship with God? [56:24]
3. How can you rely more on godly relationships to support and encourage you in your faith journey, especially as we see the day of the Lord approaching? [01:06:28]
4. In what ways can you use your gifts to serve others and make a difference in advancing God’s kingdom? Identify one specific action you can take this week. [01:08:37]
5. The sermon describes the Second Coming as a love story. How can this perspective help you share the message of Christ’s return with others in a hopeful and encouraging way? [31:17]
6. Considering the signs of the times mentioned in the sermon, what changes can you make in your life to live more intentionally for Christ? [37:08]
7. How can you be more involved in your church community to help support and encourage others, and how can you seek support for yourself? [01:07:35]
Devotional
Day 1: The Second Coming is a Love Story
The return of Jesus is not about fear, tribulation, or wrath. It is about His deep love for us and His desire to be with us. This perspective transforms our understanding of the end times from a horror story to a love story, filled with hope and anticipation. Jesus is coming back to reunite with His beloved, and this promise should fill us with joy and hope. John 14 reassures us that Jesus is preparing a place for us and will return to take us with Him. This is a beautiful reminder that we are on the winning side and that our future is secure in His love. [31:17]
John 14:2-3 (ESV): "In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also."
Reflection: How does viewing the Second Coming as a love story change your perspective on the end times? How can you live today in a way that reflects the hope and joy of this promise?
Day 2: Biblical Prophecy and Current Events
The events unfolding in the world today, such as the alliances between nations, align with biblical prophecies. This alignment should strengthen our faith in God's word and His sovereign plan. We are witnessing the staging of the end times, and this should encourage us to be vigilant and prepared. The prophecies in Ezekiel 38, for example, speak of alliances between nations like Russia and China, which we see forming today. This is a reminder that God's word is true and that He is in control of history. [28:52]
Ezekiel 38:7-8 (ESV): "Be ready and keep ready, you and all your hosts that are assembled about you, and be a guard for them. After many days you will be mustered. In the latter years you will go against the land that is restored from war, the land whose people were gathered from many peoples upon the mountains of Israel, which had been a continual waste. Its people were brought out from the peoples and now dwell securely, all of them."
Reflection: How do current events align with biblical prophecy in your view? What steps can you take to be more vigilant and prepared for the times we are living in?
Day 3: Living in the End Times
Knowing that we are living in the end times should change the way we live. We must be right with God, relying on godly relationships, and making a difference in the world. This involves confessing our sins, supporting one another, and using our gifts to serve others. As we see the day of the Lord approaching, it is crucial to live holy and godly lives, making a positive impact in our communities and advancing God's kingdom. [56:24]
2 Peter 3:11-12 (ESV): "Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!"
Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to live a holy and godly life? How can you use your gifts to serve others and make a difference in the world?
Day 4: Encouragement for Believers
For believers, the Second Coming is a source of great encouragement. We are assured of our place with Jesus, and we have nothing to fear. This promise should fill us with joy and motivate us to live holy and godly lives, preparing ourselves as a bride for her wedding day. The Bible is rich with references to the return of Jesus, emphasizing its importance and the hope it brings to believers. [41:40]
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (ESV): "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words."
Reflection: How does the promise of Jesus' return encourage you in your daily life? What steps can you take to prepare yourself as a bride for her wedding day?
Day 5: The Importance of Community
In these times, it is crucial to rely on godly relationships. We need to support and encourage one another, especially as we see the day of the Lord approaching. Being part of a church community helps us stay strong in our faith and provides the support we need to navigate these challenging times. The Bible emphasizes the importance of community and the need to build each other up in love and faith. [01:06:28]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: How can you actively support and encourage someone in your church community today? What steps can you take to strengthen your relationships with fellow believers?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "If you are a Christian, you are on the winning side, and you're going to be just fine. Nothing's going to happen to you. Amen? I know I couldn't have better news for you if you are a believer. If you're not a believer, I couldn't have worse news for you. Just thought you might like to know that." (22 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus is coming back. We know that. He's not coming back to be just a man to rescue you. Rescue you. Yeah. No. He's coming back. Excuse me. He's coming back to take you with him because he wants to be with you. He's saying, I'm gone. I'm up in heaven preparing. I'm missing you. And I want you to be with me." (28 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The second coming of God is just Him wanting to be with His people. It's a love story. Okay, Ray. I get that. But let me ask you another question. Are we living in the end times? Everybody asks that question. Let me tell you something. It's kind of a silly question because you're living in the only times that you get. But, if knowing that you're living in the end times would make you change the way you live, you're in the end times. Let's do it. Let's change the way we live. Amen?" (41 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The real true story of the second coming is he wants to be with you. In the first two chapters of Genesis, in the beginning of our Bible is beautiful. There's creation. Man and God were in harmony with each other. And then something entered in and we have nothing but chaos through the whole center section of the Bible. And then the last two chapters of the Bible, we get to see man and God in harmony again. Isn't that awesome?" (32 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you will confess your sins, listen, I know somebody's going to call me a heretic when I say this. You don't even need to stop sinning. Listen to me. He wants you to. And I believe that's His goal for you to stop sinning. But there's no place in the Bible that says confess your sins and sin no more. Don't do any more sin. I don't see that. So if you confess your sin, He is faithful and just to forgive you of your sins and cleanse you of all unrighteousness." (38 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Church, Jesus is coming back. As a matter of fact, over 300 references in the New Testament alone are on the return of Jesus. That's a massive part of your Bible, guys. That's why I'm talking about it. 216 of 260 chapters of the New Testament talk about either Christ's return or the end times. Amazing stuff. 23 of 27 New Testament books are, say something about either Jesus's return or the end times. That's why it's so important to study the word." (43 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We need to be prepared like a bride for Jesus coming back. Amen. Because there's a relationship that we have with him. This is, he's not coming back for an organization. He's coming back for a bride. And we are supposed to be getting ready for his return to be his bride. If you've ever seen a bride getting ready for a wedding, it's no joke. Okay. She's looking at dresses. She's looking at colors. She's looking at venue. She's looking at this. She's looking at that. She spends a load of money, right? But we're supposed to be preparing for the wedding. Amen." (45 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I want you to notice the language. The motivation of the return of Christ is not wrath, nor fury, nor horror. Which many people think that it is. It's that God misses you, and he wants to be with you. Amen? So why is that? That's a good question. It's because we are a family. You are not a part of an organization, even though you are kind of here. But you are the family of God. You are his kids. And the only thing that God gets out of all of us, all of this, the death of his son, the work of the church, the end times, the tribulation, and all that kind of stuff, is us. We are his motivation. His main motivation is us. He loves you." (57 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Now, I want to let everybody know, Tuesday nights, 6 o'clock, we have our call to prayer. We come here seeking God for the church, for you, and for a revival. Amen? We want to get our lives right with God. We want to get closer to God. We want to pursue Him. Church, we're going to do everything we can to get ourselves ready to be the bride on the wedding day. Amen?" (38 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So, before we get into all of the details of 666 and the mark of the beast and all that kind of stuff, I just wanted you to know you don't need to be nervous, afraid, scared, worried. No, no, no. You need to be encouraged. Now so not only do we have Paul's writings but we also have Peter's writings also. I find it interesting that Peter actually lived with Jesus. Can you imagine the hours of conversation that they had about his ascending into heaven and his coming back? There must have been hours, days, months of these conversations." (48 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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