The tension between living for today and looking for tomorrow is one of the realities of the Christian life…
- We often find ourselves caught between the here-and-now and the hereafter.
- On one hand, we need to be ready for Jesus to come at any moment.
- On the other hand, we have God-given responsibilities to fulfill in this world in the meantime.
Preparing for Christ’s return is something we all must do for ourselves…
- No one else can get our hearts ready to meet God in that day, but you and I must do that for ourselves!
- Jesus, in view of His second coming, urges us to keep watching, be ready, and keep serving (Matthew 24:42, 44, 46).
- He left His church specific instructions about what we ought to be doing while awaiting His return.
Witness for Him everywhere you go…
- Our Lord taught His disciples (as well as you and me) to be His witnesses to every generation— even to the farthest ends of the earth.
Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
This command emphasizes the evangelistic and missionary nature of the ministry of every true follower of Jesus Christ…
- As believers living in these last days we have one clarion call regarding our primary purpose and mission
- We are to take the gospel to the whole world!
Calling men and women to repent and believe the gospel is the twofold nature of the evangelist enterprise…
Mark 1:15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Bringing others to Christ, and discipling them in their walk with God, should be the major emphasis of the Church’s mission…
Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.”
Building the Church in Every Generation…
- Jesus told His disciples that He would build His Church with such power that “the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).
- He pictured His Church being on the march, moving throughout the world with the gospel until He calls us home!
Luke 19:13 “Do business till I come.”
- Jesus told the Parable of the Ten Servants (Luke 19:11-27), and in this parable, the king was going away and his servants were to “invest wisely” until the king returned.
- We are to be busy about King Jesus’ business until He returns!
Remain faithful until He returns…
- Our Lord concluded His prophetic message in the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25) by reminding His disciples to continue in the faith (cf. Jude 1:3), serving Him in wisdom, even though He might be gone a long time.
- In the meantime, we can live with our eyes on the skies, watching for Christ to come, and with our feet on the earth, working for Him until that day!
This balance of expectation (He could come at any moment) and participation (serving Him faithfully until He comes) is what the Christian life is all about…
- Living in the light of His return keeps us focused on what is really important in life.
- We should always seek to maintain our equilibrium between our present responsibilities and future expectations.
Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Jesus Christ came to this earth 2,000 years ago to be our Savior, and He is returning soon, as He promised, as King of Kings…
2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”