Living in Eager Anticipation of Christ's Return

Devotional

Day 1: Anticipation of Christ's Return

Redirecting our anxieties towards eagerly awaiting Christ's return is a transformative practice. Earthly concerns often lead to anxiety, but by focusing on the anticipation of Christ's return, we can allow this expectation to influence every aspect of our lives. This mindset encourages us to live in readiness, ensuring that nothing on earth holds us back from being prepared to meet Him. By living with this anticipation, our marriages, homes, and church communities can be transformed into places of hope and readiness. [01:16]

"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 earthly concerns are currently causing you anxiety, and how can you redirect that energy towards eagerly anticipating Christ's return today?

Day 2: Living in God's Love and Mercy

Keeping ourselves in the love of God while waiting for His mercy involves actively showing mercy to others, especially those who doubt or are caught in sin. This requires a balance of compassion and caution, ensuring that we are not influenced by sinful ways. By setting the Lord continually before us, we can remain unshaken by life's trials, living in a state of readiness and love. This practice not only strengthens our faith but also extends God's love to those around us. [03:10]

"But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life." (Jude 1:20-21, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life is struggling with doubt or sin, and how can you show them mercy today while guarding your own heart?

Day 3: Embracing Humility

The life of Christ is not something we can produce through our efforts; it is received by those who humble themselves and become nobodies. Embracing humility allows God to use us as He sees fit, following the example of Paul, who saw himself as a fool for Christ. In the church, divisions often arise from earthly thinking and a desire to be somebody. Instead, we should aspire to be servants, allowing God to work through us in His way. [05:31]

"For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." (1 Corinthians 1:26-27, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you striving to be "somebody," and how can you choose the path of humility today?

Day 4: True Spirituality

True spirituality is about being known by the name of the Lord, not outward religiosity. Our lives should reflect the taste of Christ, not just in words but in the reality of our daily living. This requires a constant seeking of God, asking for His help, and living in a state of humility and dependence on Him. As we do this, the life of Christ is given to us, and others will taste and see the goodness of the Lord in us. [25:12]

"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: How can you ensure that your daily actions reflect the taste of Christ, rather than just your words?

Day 5: Seeking God Continually

Living in a constant state of seeking God, asking for His help, and maintaining humility and dependence on Him is essential for receiving the life of Christ. As we do this, others will taste and see the goodness of the Lord in us. This practice involves a daily commitment to seeking God's presence and guidance, allowing His life to flow through us and impact those around us. [46:57]

"Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered." (1 Chronicles 16:11-12, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to seek God's presence and guidance in your life?

Sermon Summary

As we step into a new year, it's essential to redirect our anxieties and eagerness towards the coming of the Lord. Our earthly concerns often tempt us to be anxious, but we should channel that energy into eagerly awaiting Christ's return. This anticipation should permeate every aspect of our lives—our marriages, homes, and church. We should live with the mindset that Christ could call us home at any moment, ensuring that nothing on this earth holds us back from being ready to meet Him.

In Jude 1, we are reminded to keep ourselves in the love of God while waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. This involves showing mercy to others, especially those who doubt or are caught in sin, while being cautious not to be influenced by their sinful ways. Our lives should be characterized by a continual setting of the Lord before us, ensuring that we are not shaken by the trials of life.

The life of Christ is not something we can produce through our efforts; it is received by those who humble themselves and become nobodies. In every situation, we should choose the path of humility, allowing God to use us as He sees fit. This humility is crucial in the church, where divisions often arise from earthly thinking and a desire to be somebody. Instead, we should aspire to be servants, following the example of Paul, who saw himself as a spectacle to the world, a fool for Christ, and the scum of the earth.

True spirituality is not about outward religiosity but about being known by the name of the Lord. Our lives should reflect the taste of Christ, not just in words but in the reality of our daily living. This requires a constant seeking of God, asking for His help, and living in a state of humility and dependence on Him. As we do this, we will find that the life of Christ is given to us, and others will taste and see the goodness of the Lord in us.

Key Takeaways

1. Redirect your anxieties towards eagerly awaiting Christ's return, allowing this anticipation to influence every aspect of your life, ensuring that nothing on earth holds you back from being ready to meet Him. [01:16]
2. Keep yourself in the love of God while waiting for His mercy, showing mercy to others, especially those who doubt, while being cautious not to be influenced by their sinful ways. [03:10]
3. The life of Christ is received, not produced. Embrace humility and become a nobody, allowing God to use you as He sees fit, following the example of Paul, who saw himself as a fool for Christ. [05:31]
4. True spirituality is about being known by the name of the Lord, not outward religiosity. Let your life reflect the taste of Christ, not just in words but in the reality of your daily living. [25:12]
5. Live in a constant state of seeking God, asking for His help, and maintaining humility and dependence on Him. As you do this, the life of Christ will be given to you, and others will taste and see the goodness of the Lord in you. [46:57]
** [46:57]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:17] - New Year Reflections
[00:31] - Anxious for the Lord's Return
[01:27] - Eager Anticipation
[02:40] - Keeping in God's Love
[03:10] - Showing Mercy
[04:00] - Psalm 16: Unshaken
[05:06] - Receiving Christ's Life
[06:18] - Humility and Being a Nobody
[07:42] - Avoiding Judgment
[09:03] - Servant Mentality
[11:22] - Apostleship and Humility
[13:02] - Fools for Christ
[14:42] - Paul's Example
[19:10] - Seeking to Be the Dregs
[25:12] - Known by the Name of the Lord
[27:08] - Taste and See the Lord's Goodness
[30:20] - Real Life vs. Artificial Life
[35:02] - Water to Wine: Spiritual Principle
[41:00] - Spirit Without Measure
[45:00] - Receiving from God
[47:10] - Avoiding Quarrels
[51:07] - Asking with Right Motives
[58:27] - Faith Without Doubt
[61:36] - Guarding What is Given

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Jude 1:19-23
Psalm 16:8
1 Corinthians 4:9-13

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Observation Questions:

In Jude 1:19-23, what are the characteristics of those who cause divisions, and how are believers instructed to respond to them? [02:55]
According to Psalm 16:8, what is the result of setting the Lord continually before oneself? [04:00]
In 1 Corinthians 4:9-13, how does Paul describe the apostles' status and treatment in the world? What does this reveal about their approach to ministry? [11:22]
How does the sermon describe the difference between producing and receiving the life of Christ? [05:06]

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Interpretation Questions:

What does it mean to "keep yourself in the love of God" while waiting for His mercy, as mentioned in Jude 1:21? How can this be practically applied in daily life? [03:10]
How does the anticipation of Christ's return influence the way believers should live their lives, according to the sermon? [01:16]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that humility is crucial for receiving the life of Christ? How does this relate to Paul's example in 1 Corinthians 4? [06:18]
How does the concept of being "known by the name of the Lord" differ from outward religiosity, as discussed in the sermon? [25:12]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your current anxieties. How can you redirect them towards eagerly awaiting Christ's return, as suggested in the sermon? What practical steps can you take this week to focus on this anticipation? [01:16]
Consider someone in your life who is struggling with doubt or sin. How can you show them mercy while being cautious not to be influenced by their ways? What specific actions can you take to support them? [03:10]
The sermon emphasizes humility and becoming a "nobody" for Christ. In what areas of your life do you struggle with pride or the desire to be "somebody"? How can you practice humility in those areas this week? [06:18]
Think about your daily interactions and activities. How can you ensure that your life reflects the taste of Christ, not just in words but in actions? Identify one specific change you can make to align more closely with this goal. [25:12]
The sermon mentions living in a constant state of seeking God and asking for His help. What is one area of your life where you need to depend more on God? How can you incorporate seeking Him into your daily routine? [46:57]
Reflect on the concept of being a servant in the church, as Paul describes. How can you adopt a servant mentality in your church community? What is one specific way you can serve others this week? [09:03]
The sermon contrasts real life with artificial life. In what ways might you be tempted to present an artificial version of your faith? How can you strive for authenticity in your spiritual walk? [30:20]

Sermon Clips

If I'm going to be anxious about something or anytime you're tempted to be anxious, it's always about something of this earth like, is there healing going to come, is the money going to come, is the situation going to be okay. It could be even a spiritual battle, but every time you're tempted to be anxious, turn that anxiety towards the coming of the Lord. [00:47:12]

In view of this, keeping ourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life, he says first of all that there will be some who will bring division, verse 19, worldly minded, devoid of the spirit. But then he also says in verse 22 in the verse after that, as you keep yourself in the love of God, waiting anxiously have mercy on others, be merciful. [00:54:40]

The life of Christ is received, not produced. This is something I've been meditating on for a number of weeks but actually for a number of months I would say because I find it so easy for us to try to produce the life of Christ. It's our tendency and no matter how much we hear about it and are reminded about it there's a tendency to slip back into okay I'm going to try harder this time I'm going to try to produce the life of Christ. [05:06:24]

In every situation when a thought tries to exalt itself, a thought about yourself, a thought about you and your idea, your agenda tries to lift up itself, choose the way of loneliness, the way of being a nobody. In every situation be a nobody, don't seek to be a somebody even in the church, let God determine the circle that he draws around you and in that circle be a nobody. [06:02:00]

True spirituality is about being known by the name of the Lord, not outward religiosity. Let your life reflect the taste of Christ, not just in words but in the reality of your daily living. This requires a constant seeking of God, asking for His help, and living in a state of humility and dependence on Him. [25:12:00]

Oh taste and see that the Lord is good, he doesn't just say believe me when I say the Lord is good or trust me take my word for it you who are hearing me David says you taste the Lord himself however you however that is now in the old testament it was only through his word that's why he could write psalm 119 which is the longest chapter in the bible. [27:19:40]

Real life cannot be duplicate cannot be created, you can't create this with human strength or human ability, only God can. You can put a seed in the ground, you can water it and you can take care of that apple tree but the production of apples like this takes life, takes creation, life in that seed you can't create life, man has been trying. [30:20:00]

Live in a constant state of seeking God, asking for His help, and maintaining humility and dependence on Him. As you do this, the life of Christ will be given to you, and others will taste and see the goodness of the Lord in you. [46:57:00]

A man can receive nothing except that it is given him you can receive nothing unless it's given to you do you want the life of Christ you could try all you want you could read your bible you could fast and pray you could grit your teeth and you could try and try and try and try and try and you will receive nothing. [45:00:72]

Make it your prayer lord help me, that's the advice I'll give you to be a godly father a godly parent lord help me and I reflected back on how I would hold my older children and had all these prayers lord they're going to do this and they're going to be like that and all these things and there were long prayers I prayed for my children. [53:32:00]

Live in a state of constant seeking, a constant state of seeking seeking seeking seeking seek and keep on seeking you will find, it'll just be given to you you'll wake up one morning and realize they're tasting the life of Christ in you, you didn't try anything you did this for years and nothing happened and then you started seeking God. [55:41:04]

Guard what has been entrusted to you by avoiding worldly and empty chatter. Are you a chatterbox? There are some chatter boxes in the world even in Christendom they just love to chat I got this to say about that and I got something else to say about the other thing and there's something else to say about the other thing. [01:01:36]

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Living in Eager Anticipation of Christ's Return

Devotional

Day 1: Anticipation of Christ's Return

Day 2: Living in God's Love and Mercy

Day 3: Embracing Humility

Day 4: True Spirituality

Day 5: Seeking God Continually

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Living in Eager Anticipation of Christ's Return

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