Living in Anticipation: Readiness for Christ's Return
Summary
In our exploration of the end times, we are reminded of the importance of living a life of consistent readiness for Christ's return. The topic of the end times can be intriguing, confusing, and sometimes divisive, but Jesus spoke about it to motivate us to live godly lives. Many of us experience periods of heightened awareness about the end times, often triggered by world events or personal experiences, but these feelings can fade over time. The challenge is to maintain a steady anticipation and readiness for Christ's return, rather than fluctuating between moments of intense focus and forgetfulness.
Reflecting on my own journey, I recognize the difficulty in maintaining this consistent readiness. Our lives are often filled with comfort and routine, making it hard to imagine a sudden, dramatic change. Yet, Jesus calls us to live with an expectation of His return, not in sporadic bursts, but as a regular part of our lives. In Luke 17, Jesus addresses both the Pharisees and His disciples about the kingdom of God. To the Pharisees, He emphasizes that the kingdom is already among them, urging them to recognize the presence of the King in their midst. To the disciples, He speaks of future events, warning them against being misled by false claims about His return.
The key is to focus on the present reality of God's kingdom and to live in a way that reflects our anticipation of His return. This involves a deep, personal relationship with God, rather than getting caught up in predicting future events. We must be wary of false teachings and predictions, as history has shown how easily people can be led astray. Our faith should be grounded in the truth of Scripture, which has proven itself through fulfilled prophecies and the transformative power of Christ in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- Consistent Readiness: We are called to live in a state of consistent readiness for Christ's return, not just in moments of heightened awareness. This involves a daily commitment to godly living, motivated by the anticipation of His return. [04:24]
- Recognizing the Kingdom: Jesus emphasized to the Pharisees that the kingdom of God was already among them. We must recognize the presence of God's kingdom in our lives today and live accordingly, rather than focusing solely on future events. [09:06]
- Avoiding Deception: Jesus warned His disciples about being misled by false claims of His return. We must be discerning and grounded in Scripture to avoid being deceived by false teachings and predictions. [17:09]
- The Importance of Truth: Our faith should be rooted in the truth of Scripture, which has proven itself through fulfilled prophecies. This truth should guide our lives and motivate us to live in anticipation of Christ's return. [38:38]
- Living Out Our Faith: As believers, we are called to live lives that reflect the truth of the gospel. This means being more passionate, sacrificial, and united than those of other faiths, demonstrating the transformative power of Christ in our lives. [39:51]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:15] - Introduction to End Times
[00:43] - Motivation for Godly Living
[01:42] - Personal Reflections on End Times
[03:18] - Consistent Readiness
[06:01] - Jesus' Teachings in Luke 17
[08:49] - The Kingdom of God Among Us
[11:22] - Addressing the Disciples
[14:41] - Warning Against Deception
[17:40] - The Return of Christ
[21:39] - Historical Predictions and Errors
[26:42] - Searching for Truth
[31:17] - Prophecies and Fulfillment
[38:38] - The Truth of Scripture
[39:51] - Living Out Our Faith
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Luke 17:20-25
2. Daniel 9:25-26
3. Matthew 24:34
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus tell the Pharisees about the kingdom of God in Luke 17:20-21? How does this differ from their expectations? [06:45]
2. In the sermon, what examples were given of events that often trigger heightened awareness about the end times? [02:19]
3. How does Jesus describe His return in Luke 17:24, and what warning does He give to His disciples? [17:40]
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the prophecy in Daniel 9:25-26 regarding the coming of the Messiah? [37:15]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might Jesus have emphasized the present reality of the kingdom of God to the Pharisees rather than focusing on future events? How does this apply to us today? [09:06]
2. The sermon mentions the importance of consistent readiness for Christ's return. What might this look like in a believer's daily life? [04:24]
3. How can believers discern between true and false teachings about the end times, according to the sermon and the passages discussed? [17:09]
4. What role does fulfilled prophecy, such as that in Daniel 9, play in strengthening a believer's faith in the truth of Scripture? [38:38]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there specific events or experiences that have heightened your awareness of the end times? How can you maintain a consistent readiness for Christ's return beyond these moments? [01:42]
2. Jesus emphasized the kingdom of God being among us. How can you recognize and live out the presence of God's kingdom in your daily life? [09:06]
3. The sermon warns against being misled by false claims about Christ's return. What practical steps can you take to ensure your faith is grounded in Scripture? [17:09]
4. Consider the truth of Scripture and its fulfilled prophecies. How does this knowledge impact your confidence in sharing your faith with others? [38:38]
5. The sermon challenges believers to live lives that reflect the truth of the gospel. In what ways can you demonstrate the transformative power of Christ in your interactions with others this week? [39:51]
6. Think about the different religious groups mentioned in the sermon. How can you ensure that your life as a Christian is marked by passion, sacrifice, and unity, setting an example for others? [29:39]
7. Identify one area in your life where you struggle with maintaining a consistent focus on Christ's return. What changes can you make to address this challenge? [04:24]
Devotional
Day 1: Consistent Readiness in Daily Life
Living in a state of consistent readiness for Christ's return is a call to integrate anticipation into our everyday lives. This readiness is not about sporadic bursts of spiritual fervor but a steady, ongoing commitment to godly living. It involves cultivating a mindset that is always prepared for Christ's return, regardless of the circumstances or distractions of life. This means being intentional about our spiritual disciplines, relationships, and actions, ensuring they align with the values of the kingdom of God. [04:24]
"For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'There is peace and security,' then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape." (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to cultivate a mindset of readiness for Christ's return in your daily routine?
Day 2: Recognizing the Kingdom Among Us
Jesus emphasized the presence of God's kingdom in the here and now, urging us to recognize and live in its reality. This involves seeing God's work in our lives and the world around us, rather than solely focusing on future events. By acknowledging the kingdom's presence, we are called to live in a way that reflects its values and priorities. This means engaging with the world through the lens of God's love, justice, and mercy, and allowing these principles to guide our actions and decisions. [09:06]
"Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, 'The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, "Look, here it is!" or "There!" for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.'" (Luke 17:20-21, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively recognize and participate in the kingdom of God in your current circumstances today?
Day 3: Discernment Against Deception
In a world filled with false teachings and predictions, Jesus warned His disciples to be discerning and grounded in Scripture. This discernment is crucial to avoid being led astray by misleading claims about His return. It requires a deep understanding of biblical truths and a commitment to seeking God's wisdom in all things. By anchoring our faith in the truth of Scripture, we can navigate the complexities of life with confidence and clarity, ensuring that our beliefs and actions align with God's will. [17:09]
"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of Scripture and strengthen your ability to discern truth from deception today?
Day 4: The Importance of Truth in Faith
Our faith should be rooted in the truth of Scripture, which has proven itself through fulfilled prophecies and the transformative power of Christ. This truth serves as the foundation for our beliefs and actions, guiding us in our journey of faith. By embracing the truth of God's Word, we are empowered to live lives that reflect His love and grace, impacting the world around us. This involves a commitment to studying Scripture, seeking God's guidance, and allowing His truth to shape our thoughts, words, and deeds. [38:38]
"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." (John 17:17, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate the truth of Scripture into your daily life to ensure it guides your decisions and actions today?
Day 5: Living Out Our Faith with Passion
As believers, we are called to live lives that reflect the truth of the gospel, demonstrating the transformative power of Christ. This means being more passionate, sacrificial, and united than those of other faiths, showcasing the love and grace of God in all we do. By living out our faith with authenticity and conviction, we become a testament to the world of God's goodness and mercy. This involves actively seeking opportunities to serve others, share the gospel, and build meaningful relationships that reflect the heart of Christ. [39:51]
"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel." (Philippians 1:27, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific way you can demonstrate the transformative power of Christ in your interactions with others today?
Quotes
The truth is when you read scripture, you see that the reason why Jesus speaks about the end times is because he wanted it to be motivating, not just interesting or intriguing or whatever else. He wants it to be motivating. He wants it to motivate us to live a godly life. [00:00:38]
What God wants is for this consistent readiness, okay, not this up and down, you know, all fired up here and there. I mean, there's a part of me that's tempted because you know that one of these times it's actually going to happen. You know, it could be this time. [00:03:25]
I really believe that what scripture teaches is about this consistent readiness, that we should live our lives in such a way just regularly, not in spurts, but regularly in such a way that we're expecting and eagerly awaiting the return of Christ. [00:04:14]
Jesus changes and explains to them, look, what you need to be worried about right now is the fact that the kingdom of God is right in your face in a sense and you're not seeing it. The kingdom of God, that word within you, I know some of your Bibles say among you. [00:09:12]
The Pharisees didn't need to concern themselves about future events. What they needed to concern themselves with was what was in their face, the fact that the kingdom of God was right there. And in the same way, as we talk about these future events, the thing I hope is that some of you really don't need to know a whole lot of details about the future. [00:11:01]
Jesus says to his disciples in verse 22, it says he said to his disciples, the time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the son of man, but you will not see it. Men will tell you there he is or here he is. Do not go running off after them. [00:14:45]
The return of Christ is not going to be if I came here next week, okay, and I told you guys Jesus is going to be at the more Park church next week, you know, and you know, don't listen to me, okay? You know, that's just my scam to get you over there to make more room in here. [00:17:53]
You got to understand for a lot of people this is new, and plus us, you know, nowadays in a lot of churches we don't really teach a lot of theology and you don't go through, you know, in depth to understand. A lot of times we assume that everyone knows this stuff. [00:19:44]
You realize that the Jehovah's Witnesses began with a prediction of the return of Christ. Charles Taze Russell, what he said was that in 1874 he said that Christ came invisibly to set up his kingdom and then he predicted that in 1914 he says Jesus is going to return visibly. [00:21:37]
Why do so many people believe some of these things that are out there? And I tried to think if I were not a Christian today and if I were searching for truth, try to think this way. I know most of you guys, you know, a lot of you grew up in church and you've been Christians for years. [00:27:09]
My prayer is that now that I absolutely convinced of this thing and I believe that he's going to return any time, man, I have this desire just to help prepare people for the return of Christ and prepare his church, his bride, because he's coming back for us. [00:39:35]
We have the truth and that we would live lives based upon this knowledge, based upon this truth, and it's not just a bunch of head knowledge, but this is something we die for. I mean, it's going to happen. He's proven it, and to me nothing else makes sense on this Earth. [00:39:51]
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