Staying Prepared for the Lord's Return

Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone. It's Pastor Chris McCombs from Lexington Park Baptist Church. Today, I want to emphasize the importance of staying safe and strong in the Lord during these challenging times. We are committed to praying, caring, and sharing within our community, and I encourage you to reach out if you need support or know someone who does.

We have several ongoing activities to keep our community connected. Our Word of Encouragement sessions run Monday through Friday at noon on Facebook. Community groups meet on Monday evenings, and we have special groups for college, career, and youth on Sundays. Additionally, our midweek worship service, WOW, takes place on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. We also continue to support our community through our food pantry, open every Wednesday from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

A special announcement: we will hold a digital business meeting to promote Joe Kendig as the next deacon. Look out for an email with details. Also, we are launching Go 2020, a vision to reach out digitally and share the gospel during May. This initiative is based on our mission statement, "Be disciples, make disciples," from Matthew 28:19-20.

Regarding tithes and offerings, I want to thank you for your generosity. We've seen a significant increase in digital giving, and I encourage you to continue supporting the church. We are also praying for the approval of the Payroll Protection Plan to sustain our staff and school.

Today's sermon focuses on being prepared for the Lord's return, based on Matthew 24. Jesus discusses the signs of the end times, such as false messiahs, wars, famines, and natural disasters. These signs are like labor pains, indicating that His return is imminent. We must be vigilant and ready, both outwardly by observing the world and inwardly by preparing our hearts.

Jesus' return is certain, and we must be prepared. If you are not yet a believer, now is the time to accept Jesus and be ready for His return. For those who are already believers, continue to stay vigilant and prepared.

### Key Takeaways

1. Community and Connection: Staying connected as a community is crucial, especially during challenging times. Our various digital gatherings, such as Word of Encouragement and community groups, provide opportunities for spiritual growth and mutual support. Engaging in these activities helps us stay strong in the Lord and connected with each other. [16:08]

2. Generosity and Faithfulness: The act of giving, whether through tithes, offerings, or supporting the food pantry, is a testament to our faith and trust in God's provision. Despite the challenges, our community has shown remarkable generosity, which enables us to continue our ministries and support those in need. [33:25]

3. Go 2020 Initiative: Our mission to "Be disciples, make disciples" is more relevant than ever. Go 2020 encourages us to reach out digitally and share the gospel. This initiative is a call to action for each of us to engage in evangelism and discipleship, even in a time of social distancing. [19:32]

4. Signs of the End Times: Jesus outlined specific signs that indicate His return, such as false messiahs, wars, and natural disasters. These signs serve as reminders for us to stay vigilant and prepared. Understanding these signs helps us recognize the urgency of being spiritually ready. [46:57]

5. Preparation and Readiness: Being prepared for Jesus' return involves both outward vigilance and inward spiritual readiness. We must observe the signs in the world and ensure our hearts are aligned with God's will. This dual focus helps us live faithfully and expectantly, ready for the Lord's return at any moment. [50:09]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[14:14] - Guest Form and Attendance
[15:18] - Opening Prayer
[16:08] - Weekly Announcements
[17:03] - Community Groups and WOW
[17:55] - Food Pantry Information
[18:44] - Digital Business Meeting Announcement
[19:32] - Go 2020 Initiative
[20:06] - Tithes and Offerings
[33:25] - Generosity and Digital Giving
[34:44] - Prayer for Financial Support
[42:36] - Prayer for Encouragement and Readiness
[46:14] - Bible Reading: Matthew 24
[46:57] - Signs of the End Times
[50:09] - Preparedness and Readiness
[59:14] - Jesus' Return and Final Encouragement
[01:16:34] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
[01:21:05] - Food Pantry Interview and Closing Remarks

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 24:3-8
- Matthew 28:19-20

#### Observation Questions
1. What are some of the signs of the end times that Jesus mentions in Matthew 24:3-8?
2. How does Pastor Chris describe the importance of community and connection during challenging times? [16:08]
3. What is the mission statement of Lexington Park Baptist Church, and how is it related to the Go 2020 initiative? [19:32]
4. What are the two main ways Pastor Chris suggests we prepare for Jesus' return? [50:09]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus compare the signs of the end times to labor pains in Matthew 24:3-8? What does this analogy suggest about the nature of these signs?
2. How does the act of giving, whether through tithes, offerings, or supporting the food pantry, reflect our faith and trust in God's provision? [33:25]
3. In what ways does the Go 2020 initiative encourage believers to engage in evangelism and discipleship during a time of social distancing? [19:32]
4. How can understanding the signs of the end times help believers stay vigilant and prepared for Jesus' return? [46:57]

#### Application Questions
1. Pastor Chris emphasizes the importance of staying connected as a community. How can you actively participate in the digital gatherings and community groups mentioned in the sermon? [16:08]
2. Reflect on your current giving habits. How can you continue to support the church and its ministries during these challenging times? Are there specific ways you can increase your generosity? [33:25]
3. The Go 2020 initiative calls for digital evangelism. Identify one person you can reach out to this week to share your testimony or invite to a digital worship service. How will you approach this conversation? [19:32]
4. Jesus' return is certain, and we must be prepared. What steps can you take to ensure your heart is aligned with God's will? Are there specific areas in your life that need spiritual readiness? [50:09]
5. Pastor Chris mentions the importance of both outward vigilance and inward spiritual readiness. How can you balance observing the signs in the world with preparing your heart for Jesus' return? [50:09]
6. Think about the signs of the end times mentioned in Matthew 24:3-8. How do these signs impact your daily life and spiritual practices? What changes can you make to stay vigilant and prepared?
7. Pastor Chris encourages believers to be ready for Jesus' return at any moment. What practical steps can you take this week to live faithfully and expectantly? [50:09]

Devotional

Day 1: Staying Connected in Community
Description: Staying connected as a community is crucial, especially during challenging times. Our various digital gatherings, such as Word of Encouragement and community groups, provide opportunities for spiritual growth and mutual support. Engaging in these activities helps us stay strong in the Lord and connected with each other. [16:08]

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: Think of a person in your church community who might be feeling isolated. How can you reach out to them this week to offer encouragement and support?

Day 2: Generosity as a Testament of Faith
Description: The act of giving, whether through tithes, offerings, or supporting the food pantry, is a testament to our faith and trust in God's provision. Despite the challenges, our community has shown remarkable generosity, which enables us to continue our ministries and support those in need. [33:25]

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV): "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Reflection: Reflect on your current giving habits. Is there a way you can increase your generosity, either financially or through acts of service, to support your church and community?

Day 3: Digital Evangelism and Discipleship
Description: Our mission to "Be disciples, make disciples" is more relevant than ever. Go 2020 encourages us to reach out digitally and share the gospel. This initiative is a call to action for each of us to engage in evangelism and discipleship, even in a time of social distancing. [19:32]

Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Reflection: Identify one person in your digital network who does not know Christ. How can you share the gospel with them this week, perhaps through a message, a video call, or sharing a digital resource?

Day 4: Recognizing the Signs of the End Times
Description: Jesus outlined specific signs that indicate His return, such as false messiahs, wars, and natural disasters. These signs serve as reminders for us to stay vigilant and prepared. Understanding these signs helps us recognize the urgency of being spiritually ready. [46:57]

Matthew 24:6-8 (ESV): "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains."

Reflection: Reflect on the current events in the world. How do they align with the signs Jesus mentioned? What steps can you take to ensure you are spiritually prepared for His return?

Day 5: Preparing for Jesus' Return
Description: Being prepared for Jesus' return involves both outward vigilance and inward spiritual readiness. We must observe the signs in the world and ensure our hearts are aligned with God's will. This dual focus helps us live faithfully and expectantly, ready for the Lord's return at any moment. [50:09]

1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 (ESV): "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. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober."

Reflection: Examine your daily life and spiritual practices. Are there areas where you need to be more vigilant and prepared for Jesus' return? What changes can you make today to align your heart more closely with God's will?

Quotes

1. "Go 2020 is about a vision for us to go into the worlds. I bet right now, if I pause for a minute, many of you can tell me what the mission statement is of Lexington Park Baptist Church. Go ahead, write it down. I hope you've given you enough time. And now you can look down below. It's be disciples, make disciples. That's our mission statement. It's based off of Matthew 28, 19 and 20. God gives us the command, Christ does, to go. To go where? To go into the ends of the world. So Go 2020 is a promotion. It's a promotion effort to reach someone digitally during the month of May." [19:32] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "What an opportunity God has given us during this COVID-19 to share the gospel and to be prepared post-corona to continue to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. Our church needs to continue to have this focus. So I hope you'll join me and you'll join others in this church. And I pray that everyone will participate in Go 2020. Join Go 2020 for a month of movement. Everyone can reach someone. And together, we can reach the world. Go pray. Go love. Go share. 2020." [20:06] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The Bible tells us that we are to be cheerful givers and the Bible also tells us that we are to come with our first fruits and give to the Lord so I want to thank all of you for your faithfulness and I want to thank you for giving to the Lord about 250% increase in digital giving that we have in other words a lot of you during this time you've shifted you've learned to give digitally I want to thank you for being flexible and adaptable and making that adjustment again almost 250% increase in the amount not the amount of giving but the amount of people that have given digitally now we did go a little bit back this week so our giving was not as high and so we're at 95% on budget guys that is awesome still that is just so positive and I want to thank you I want to ask you to continue to give graciously generously and cheerfully and if you continue can continue to give even above and beyond that would be an awesome time to do that right now" [34:21] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "So Jesus is making an analogy that we can see in real life and comparing it to his return. So we're going to look at this text today and look at some of the things Jesus is describing. And we need to ask ourselves, Are we prepared? Are we watching for these things? Are we looking for these things? When we answer the question of when and what, are we prepared for the when and the what? Are we prepared that Jesus can come at any time? And then, what are the signs? Are we looking for them? So let's look at what some of those things are today. We'll compare it to some real life situations. And we'll need to ask ourselves if we're ready. And I pray at the end of this, we'll all say we're prepared. That we're prepared for the Lord's return. We're excited about the Lord's return. We say, come Lord Jesus, come quickly." [50:09] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "So Jesus sets the stage here in this text. We learned last week, he's on the Mount of Olives. He's overlooking Jerusalem. You can see the temple, the temple mount, and the temple buildings. The disciples are in all of this. And that's why they were saying, you know, Jesus, isn't this where you're supposed to come back? And Jesus said, you see all these things? They're going to fall. My kingdom is not of this world. So when we set this stage, Jesus is letting them know, his kingdom was not that kingdom. His kingdom was not going to be ushered in maybe how they thought it was going to be ushered in. His kingdom, not of this world, was because it's of the heavenly kingdom. And the heavenly kingdom, we need heaven here on earth. That's the things we're supposed to pray for. So Jesus wants to see his kingdom spread here on his earth." [51:40] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "So Jesus has set the stage. The Messiah will come. He's painted this picture of what the signs will be. And he's letting them know that there's these characteristics. And I want to say that they're going to be present in every age. This is really important if you think about it. I don't think Jesus is just talking about one time period. As we go through the book, this chapter 24, you're going to see that Jesus is showing a bird's eye view, a historic view, if you will, looking down over all of history of how this is going to play out. And these things we're going to talk about this week and the weeks to come, these things will happen over history, over a time. Dispensations, if you will. They will happen. They will take place. And they will lead us into the birth pains." [52:32] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "So what He's talking about is natural disasters. So these famines and these earthquakes. And by the way there have been famines and earthquakes and natural disasters. Hurricanes. Tornadoes. All kinds of destructive powers throughout all of history. And Jesus is telling us they're going to continue to even get worse. Listen. Even though Jesus didn't use these words. I hope you give me a little liberty here. Even though He didn't say this. How about pandemics? How about plagues? How about viruses? How about stuff like that? Not just wars. Not just natural disasters. But diseases. They would call and fall upon human, mankind. And would destroy us. Jesus is saying these things will build. I'm not saying COVID-19 is a sign of the end times. But it's a part of the process. It's a part of the things that are leading there." [01:06:31] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "So I want to be back together with you too. But God has given us an opportunity to prepare ourselves for his coming back. Have you thought about that? Are you prepared? The signs are there. The deceptions are all around us. People misleading us about the messiah. People rejecting the gospel. We see famines and earthquakes and pandemics like today. We see wars and rumors of wars. We see everything Jesus has talked about continue to build over history. Growing stronger and stronger. And then someday the last verse is going to happen. Verse 8. All these events are the beginning of the labor pains. So what we've been is in a birthing, pregnancy if you will. Since Jesus ascended and the Holy Spirit is coming, we're waiting, expecting the messiah to come. And he tells us to be ready. He tells us to be prepared." [01:09:39] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "So all of these, the false messiahs, the wars, the divisions among nations, the natural disasters. They are, are simply the beginning leading us to the labor pains. No one is exempt from any of these things from happening. We all will be exposed. Listen, the righteous and the unrighteous will be exposed to deception. The righteous and unrighteous will be exposed to natural disasters. The righteous and the unrighteous will be exposed to wars and rumors of wars. And all of these things will happen. The righteous and unrighteous will be in kingdoms that will be against each other. Nations that will be against each other. Think of example like the civil war. You had the south and the north. You had brothers on the other side. You had Christian brothers, not just physical brothers, fighting against each other. These type of divisions and these type of wars and things like this have affected the righteous and the unrighteous throughout all generations. Leading up to what Jesus says. The labor pains will begin." [01:10:29] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Are you ready? The question of what and when. The gospel of Matthew 24 and 25 begin to answer both of those questions. Are you looking for the signs? Jesus is telling us what they are. Are you preparing ourselves when the when happens? Whenever Jesus decides and gets the word to come back and he comes back for us. Are you ready? If you are ready, I want you to write down there when we get to Ben coming up and playing the final song. I want you to write, I am ready. I am ready. Are you ready? Are you prepared? I am ready. If you're out there listening and you're not a believer of Jesus Christ. You've not given Jesus your life yet. I want you to know you can't be ready. Did you hear me? You can't be ready. The only way you can be ready is to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. If you don't have that relationship, you can't be prepared. You can see all the signs without. We can see the world and we can see everything that's happening around us. And we can read this and we go, man, I can see those famines. Man, I can see these disasters. Man, I can see these wars. I can see the deception. But if you don't look within, you're not ready. You've got to look without to understand what's going on for the signs. But you must be ready within. If you don't know Jesus, you're not ready within." [01:13:33] (84 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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