How Do You Prepare for the Return of Jesus Christ? | Part 2 | Matthew 24:36-51
Series: All!
Jesus has all authority,
So that all nations
Might pledge all allegiance to him.
Title: “How do you prepare for the return of Jesus Christ?” Part 2
Scripture: Matthew 24:36-51
Bottom line: As we watch and wait for his sudden return, we prepare by loving people in word and action.
David Platt’s main idea: “Although Christ’s delay may be long, His return in judgment will be sudden and irreversible, so we must be prepared by trusting Him now with a persevering faith that bears fruit.”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
SERMON OUTLINE & NOTES
MAIN REFERENCES USED
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Discussion questions for group and personal study. Reflect and Discuss:
1. What differentiates unhelpful speculation from a sincere desire to understand our future hope?
2. Summarize the overarching point of Matthew 24:1-36 in one or two sentences.
3. What factors make it difficult to determine the timing and the relationship between the destruction of Jerusalem and Jesus' second coming?
4. How should we respond to those who take a different view of prophecies such as those we read in Matthew 24?
5. Explain how this passage points us away from sinful, short-term pleasures.
6. How does this text speak to the authority and divinity of Jesus Christ?
7. What kind of treatment should believers expect as they await Christ's return?
8. What does it look like for followers of Christ to be eagerly watching for Jesus and urgently working for His kingdom purposes?
9. As it concerns Jesus' return, which truths in this passage should discourage us from date-setting or from making rash judgments based on current events?
10. How should the second coming of Christ inform our witness in the world?
Final Questions (optional or in place of above)
What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?
Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast
Q. What do I want them to know?
A. Jesus is coming back any day and he will reward or judge.
Q. Why do I want them to know it?
A. Because their eternity will be based on what they do with this knowledge.
Q. What do I want them to do about it?
A. Prepare for his sudden return by serving loving people in word and deed.
Q. Why do I want them to do it?
A. Because that will be the fruit of true repentance and faith in Jesus Christ alone for their salvation.
Q. How can they begin to do this?
A. Repent of your sins, turn to Christ for your eternal salvation, and love people as you await his sudden return.
SERMON OUTLINE & NOTES
Introduction
Today we will answer the question: how do we prepare for the return of Jesus Christ?
Illustration:
NEAR THE END OF World War II downtown Warsaw was almost completely leveled. According to one witness, the only skeletal structure remaining on the main street was the Polish headquarters of the British and Foreign Bible Society. The words engraved upon the only wall standing, which were clearly legible from the street, were the words, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." —O’Donnell
In Matthew 24:35, the passage states, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” In this context, “heaven” refers to the physical realm, the sky, or the universe. It emphasizes the enduring nature of God’s words compared to the transient nature of the material world. It signifies that God’s words and promises are steadfast and reliable, transcending the temporary nature of earthly things.
Jesus said this in the midst of talking about his return. He says what he means and he means what he says. We should take his words seriously.
SERMON OUTLINE
What do we learn about God?
God is omniscient.
God is sovereign.
God is moving providentially.
God is moving purposefully.
God will send his son again suddenly, unexpectedly, and very publicly.
God is holy and will judge wickedness thoroughly.
God is holy and judges sin for eternity while rewarding with righteousness by grace through faith.
God will rescue by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
God commands with all authority calling for all obedience.
God expects all allegiance from all nations for he is worthy.
What do we learn about people?
We doubt/don’t trust God/Christ.
We disobey his commands regularly.
We live for the moment instead of in light of eternity.
We are largely unprepared for his return.
We cannot know when he will return.
We are unfaithful servants, at best.
We are unwise apart from God’s grace.
We don’t do good very often.
We don’t take responsibility.
We are not omniscient.
We do not fear God or the consequences of our sins.
S.P.E.C.
Sins to avoid
Not keeping watch for Christ’s sudden return.
Not preparing for Christ’s sudden return.
Trying to predict when his return will be.
Living only for today.
Faithfully and wisely serving the Lord as we await his return.
Promises to remember
He’s coming back and you can’t miss it.
He’ll judge in holiness for our faithfulness and wisdom and how we prepared.
He will gather his elect.
Examples to follow
The one who keeps watch for his return.
The one who prepares for his return.
The one who is faithful and wise in serving the Lord as they await his return.
Commands to keep
Keep watch for his return.
Prepare for his return.
Believe his words about the future by watching and preparing.
Illustrations in the text
Cosmic display and like lightning (that even the blind can see) and trumpet blast (that even the deaf can hear) will announce his obvious and public return.
Days of Noah
It is business as usual for most people just as it was in the days of Noah. Few are watching and preparing for God’s righteous return.
Noah watched and prepared by building the ark and preaching why for 120 years.
Christians today watch and prepare by building our salvation by grace through faith (Sanctification) so that when he returns we will not be alarmed by ready to continue love people through our words and actions.
2 men in the field; 2 women grinding grain
We are with others who know/didn’t know the Lord
No matter what else you think can save you (family, church, good works), ultimately, only faith in Christ.
Could be the rapture too.
What do we do while we wait?
We serve God and people
Faithfully
Wisely
Well
By grace through faith
“We live with our eyes on the clouds and on the crowds.” -Greg Stier, Dare2Share.org
Are you watching and preparing for Jesus’ return?
Conclusion
Bottom line: As we watch and wait for his sudden return, we love people with our words and actions.
The Folly of What Noah Preached
by Jon Bloom, desiringgod.org, https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-folly-of-what-noah-preached
March 28, 2014
Paul wrote, “the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). In Noah, we have an Old Testament illustration of this. Ponder how Noah’s warnings about fantastic “events as yet unseen” (Hebrews 11:7) must have sounded to his hearers (I’ve imagined two, Talmai and Bakbukiah).
“This is madness!” Talmai was alarmed by the huge piles of logs around the vast clearing and all the hired men cutting and hauling them. “How long will this boat be?”
Noah braced for a deluge of ridicule. “Three hundred cubits.”
“Unbelievable!” Bakbukiah laughed incredulously. “Three hundred? You were right!” he said slapping Talmai’s back. “I said, ‘No one’s that stupid.’ But I stand corrected!”
Talmai shook his head in disbelief. “Noah, you’ve lost your mind! No one can build a boat that big!”
“You are an idiot!” shouted Bakbukiah. “You’re building a three hundred cubit boat six-day’s journey from the sea?”
“It won’t need to be near the sea,” Noah replied.
“Oh, come on, Noah!” said Talmai exasperated. “You’ve been preaching about this flood of divine judgment. But look around! You seriously believe all this is going to be under water?”
“Talmai, I don’t base my faith merely on what seems plausible to me,” said Noah.
“Well, that’s obvious!” Bakbukiah scoffed.
Noah held up his hand and continued, “I base my faith on what God says he will do.”
“Whose god, Noah?” said Talmai flatly.
“The only God there is, Talmai: Elohim, the Almighty, the Creator,” said Noah.
“So Elohim is a mass murderer then?” said Bakbukiah mockingly.
“Bakbukiah, you’re speaking foolishness,” said Noah firmly.
“I’m speaking foolishness!” snapped Bakbukiah. “You’re building a colossal boat in the middle of nowhere because some bloodthirsty god told you to and you’re calling me foolish?”
“Yes, I am! because you’re assuming that what looks foolish to you is foolish,” replied Noah unwaveringly.
“Building this ark doesn’t just look foolish, Noah,” said Talmai curtly.
“Tell me what foolishness is, Talmai,” countered Noah intensely.
“Foolishness is that, my friend,” said Bakbukiah, gesturing toward the site.
“No, I want you to answer the question. What is foolishness?” said Noah.
“It’s believing something that isn’t real!” exclaimed Talmai. “Basing your life on a delusion!”
“Exactly!” said Noah. “Foolishness is basing your life on a delusion.”
Both men looked at Noah for a moment perplexed.
Talmai snorted. “You’re saying that we’re the deluded ones?”
“Yes. What makes you certain that you’re not deluded?” asked Noah.
“Common sense, Noah!” Try it! Comes in handy in boat building,” chortled Bakbukiah.
“Common sense? Whose common sense, Bakbukiah?” responded Noah. “Yours? The common sense you exercise when beating your wives when you’re angry? Or when you try to take advantage of every customer you can? Or perhaps it’s the common sense of your friend, Jobab, who extorted sex from the wife of a man indebted to him? Or the common sense of that man to cut Jobab’s throat? Or, Talmai, was it your common sense in working your slave into the ground and beating him mercilessly for petty infractions? Or your slave’s common sense in raping your daughter before he escaped? Or, Bakbukiah, was it the chief’s common sense to run your father through with a spear for laughing at him?”
“Watch your tongue, old man, if you want to keep it,” threatened Bakbukiah.
“Point made then,” replied Noah. “Depravity is rampant everywhere. We always carry our weapons because we can’t trust anyone. And when we’re honest, we know we aren’t trustworthy. The most common sense we share is our evil selfishness.”
“Listen, that’s beside the point!” asserted Talmai. “The point is there isn’t going to be any flood and this huge ark is a waste of time, money, and trees!”
“It’s not beside the point,” said Noah. “Elohim has been warning us for generations to forsake our evil, self-absorbed sin and return to him. No one has listened! We have only gotten worse. We’re consuming each other! The point is that your perception of reality is distorted by self-centeredness, Talmai. Elohim created the predictable world you know. And it’s foolish to presume that he can’t turn this plain into a sea.”
“Well, if he does, this Elohim of yours is as wicked as the rest of us. He’s just going to drown us all like dogs,” replied Bakbukiah. “Except you, of course, being so righteous.”
“Not true, Bakbukiah! It is not Elohim’s blood thirst and selfishness that is bringing the flood. It’s his justice. It’s what our sin deserves! Don’t you see? In his mercy he has been warning us over and over. But the ark is a sign that he will not wait forever. And God isn’t sparing me because my nature is any better than yours. He’s sparing me because I trust him. I believe what he says. And this ark will shelter anyone who will trust him. Join me, brothers! You don’t have to perish in Elohim’s judgment! Believe him and escape!”
Talmai looked blankly at Noah. “Build your boat, crazy man. But keep away from me and my family.”
“Me too,” added Bakbukiah. “If Elohim’s going to wipe out everyone I know and love, then I want to go where they’re going. I’m not going on a boat ride with a murderous god, religious fanatics and a bunch of wild animals!”
The clever and contemptuous mockery of those who find the gospel simply ridiculous stings us. And it can stir up fears and doubts that we might really be foolish after all and tempt us to keep our mouths closed.
God knows this and prepares us by explaining that the gospel will sound foolish to the world because he’s “[making] foolish the wisdom of the world” (1 Corinthians 1:20). Then he repeatedly tells us not to be ashamed of it (Luke 9:26; Romans 1:16; 2 Timothy 1:8).
Like Noah, who was a “herald of righteousness” in his age (2 Peter 2:5), we also are heralds of “events as yet unseen” (Hebrews 11:7). Jesus tells us that Noah’s flood was a foreshadow:
For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. (Matthew 24:37–39)
But in this greater judgment a greater, more perfect Ark has been provided: the crucified and risen Son of Man. All who are in him when the flood of God’s wrath comes will be saved. But only those who believe his word can enter this Ark.
If Noah’s warning and gospel sounded foolish to his hearers, how much more does our warning and gospel sound to our hearers? We must not be surprised when others ridicule it, for “the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing” (1 Corinthians 1:18). But “it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21).
Our call is not to be respected by the unbelieving world. Our call is to trust our Lord’s word over the confident contempt of those who are blinded (2 Corinthians 4:4), endure the reproach Jesus endured (Hebrews 13:13), and preach the gospel for the sake of those “who are being saved” (1 Corinthians 1:18).
Original Page: http://t.co/gdR40sj9s5
Repent and believe. The first way to prepare is to trust Jesus’ words, ways and works. That is the good news of the kingdom that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. To rest in that for our eternal security.
Serve & love. The second way is to love and serve people through your words and actions bearing the fruit of the Spirit until he returns.
Pray
Notes
Outline Bible
IV. THE CHALLENGE FROM CHRIST'S SERMON (24:36-39, 42-51): Be watchful.
A. The reason for this watchfulness (24:36, 42): No one knows when Christ will come!
B. The reminder of this watchfulness (24:37-39)
C. The reaction to this watchfulness (24:43-51)
1. The wise servant (24:43-47): He watches and is rewarded.
2. The wicked servant (24:48-51): He ignores the warning and is condemned.
D. The slaughter (24:28, 40-41): Armageddon!
1. The assembling of the victims (24:40-41): One will be taken, another left.
2. The appearing of the vultures (24:28): To eat the bodies of the slain warriors!
We've all been hopeful for some thing or some anticipated event, waiting eagerly to experience it, only to be deeply disappointed when it didn't meet our expectations. It will not be so with the second coming of Christ. Our words are inadequate to describe the glory of what that scene will be like, as well as all that will unfold in the days to come after that. In The Chronicles of Narnia, C. S. Lewis gives us a rich, imaginative picture of what that eternal state will be like. He ends the last book in the series like this:
‘As Aslan spoke, he no longer looked to them like a lion; but the things that began to happen after that were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them. And for us this is the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.’
For believers, the return of Christ and the end of this world will be the beginning of a new heaven and a new earth (Rev 21-22). While waiting and watching confidently, Christians urgently work. We fight deception and temptation, we persevere through tribulation, and we…”
David Platt, Matthew, P. 323
MAIN REFERENCES USED
“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes
“Matthew” by RC Sproul
“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)
“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)
“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)
Outline Bible, D Willmington
NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/
ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org
ChatGPT https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt