The return of Jesus

The Everlasting Hope: A Sermon on the Second Coming
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Introduction:
Brothers and sisters, today we turn our attention to a topic that has captivated believers for centuries – the glorious return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This is not a distant, ethereal concept; it is a cornerstone of our faith, a beacon of hope that illuminates our journey.
The Reality of the Resurrection:
Our text in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 addresses a very real concern among the early church: the fate of those who had died in Christ before the Lord’s return. Would they miss out on the joy of His coming?
The Apostle Paul emphatically answers, “No!” He reminds us that just as Christ was raised from the dead, so too will those who have fallen asleep in Him. Death is not the end; it is a temporary slumber, a prelude to the glorious resurrection.
The Order of Events:
The passage outlines the sequence of events:
* The Rapture: “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
* The Second Coming: This is the visible, triumphant return of Christ to earth, where He will establish His righteous reign.
Living in Light of the Return:
The anticipation of Christ’s return should not be a cause for fear or anxiety, but rather a source of constant hope and encouragement. It should motivate us to:
* Live Holy Lives: Knowing that our Lord could return at any moment, we are called to live lives of holiness and integrity, reflecting His glory in all that we do.
* Serve Others: The return of Christ will be a day of ultimate justice and vindication. Until then, we are called to serve others, to alleviate suffering, and to spread the good news of salvation.
* Remain Vigilant: We are to be watchful and prayerful, ever mindful of the Lord’s imminent return.
Conclusion:
The return of Jesus Christ is a promise, a glorious hope that sustains us through life’s trials and tribulations. Let us live each day with this hope in our hearts, striving to be faithful servants of our Lord, eagerly awaiting His triumphant return.
Note: This is a general framework. You can adapt it to fit your specific congregation and the needs of your community. You may want to include personal testimonies, illustrations, or delve deeper into specific theological aspects of the Second Coming.
Disclaimer: This sermon reflects a particular theological perspective on the Second Coming. It is important to remember that there are diverse interpretations of this doctrine within Christianity.
I hope this sermon provides a helpful point for your reflection on the soon return of our Savior.

I used an AI helper to put this together, but it is on point. I pray that you will take this sermon into your heart and think about His coming because it is happening soon.

Have you ever wondered how little we seem to be in the universe which God created? I know that our world is a normal sized planet but when you back out into the galaxy and into the cosmos as a whole, our entire solar system gets lost in a sea of motes. The stars which comprise our own galaxy take up the sky and cover our small corner of this arm of the galaxy until we are lost among the dust and the gas. So why are we, on this little ball of dust and mud, so important to God?

We are important to Him because He created us to be His. We aren’t puppets or toys to Him, we are people and we are special because we are created in His Image. No other being in the universe can claim that place. But, we hold that special place because He is God not out of any accomplishment or any righteousness of our own. All of us are bought with a price and that price was the blood of Jesus our Savior and Redeemer.

How much should we suffer or be in bondage to sin? We shouldn’t be in bondage to it at all because we have been bought with Jesus’ blood and our sin debt is paid, but if you haven’t given your life and your heart to Him then you are still a slave to sin! It doesn’t matter how long you have belonged to a church or denomination or if you are a deacon or serving in the Gideons, no amount of work which we do without Jesus as our Savior will help us or save us in any way!

How much should we live in this world of temptation and heartaches and put up with all of the things which happen every day? How much more, O Lord should we be here?

These feelings have been echoed throughout the ages since Jesus went to His Father. Is it selfish to wonder about these things? I don’t think so. The church is ready to leave as well, but the timing is God’s timing and not ours. It could happen in a few minutes or in a couple of years but only God knows that day and hour.

Jesus told His disciples not to worry about the timing of His return recorded in Matthew 24: 36-41: 36 No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,e but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. 39 And they were oblivious until the flood came and swept them all away. So will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.

That day will take the whole world by surprise, even those who are looking for His return. But, He will return for those who are expecting Him and looking for Him because they have faith that He will return. onebreathaway