GREAT EXPECTATIONS

 

Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44

Introduction

From our studies in the past two weeks, God has been positioning us for Christ's second coming which is the "Advent". Advent is the time we use to prepare for our celebration of Christmas, when we remember that Jesus emptied himself of his power and glory, and became one of us, sharing fully in our humanity so that we could share in his divinity. This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent in 2022, and our focus of the week is "Awake and keep watching for His coming."

"Awake and keeping watch" - is about being vigilant, being focused, and keeping one's guard up always. 

Jesus has warned us to keep watching for His second coming which refers to the End Times, Last Days, the Day of the Lord, or the Last Hour). Reading from Matt. 24:36-44 (cf. Mark 13:32-37) Clearly, this is a significant warning. As believers, we need to arm ourselves with some basic knowledge about the 2nd Coming so that we can stay watchful, as commanded by Jesus. 

Let's discuss today's theme under two broad areas for better understanding.

1. Test of Faith as sign of the Advent.

2. How to Keep Watch for His Coming.

My dear Christian brethren, the Bible gives us unpleasant news on what will happen to us in the Last Days. No wonder Jesus asked if He would find faith on earth when He returns (Lk. 18:8).

1. Test of Faith as signs of Advent.

For this reason, let's go through some few of the things that test our faith in Christ as we keep watch for His coming which is more and more imminent.

a. People will not love the Truth, God’s Word or give attention to sound teaching. They now itch to  follow those who tell them what pleases them, rather than what glorifies God.

"For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." 2 Timothy 4:3.

b. There will be false 'saviours' or messiahs and prophets that pulls Christians from the truth. Even the mature and faithful Christians will be tempted and led astray. 

"For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." Matthew 24:24 (NIV)

c. Many are now following myths rather than the Gospel Truth. 

"They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2 Timothy 4:4 (NIV)

d. Faithful Christians are now devoted to the teachings of demonic spirits. 

"The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." 1 Timothy 4:1 (NIV)

e. Note this, Christian brethren will turn against each other. Do not be surprised about the rising hatred in the Church today.

"At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other." Matthew 24:10 (NIV)

f. The first love grow cold and die slowly as we look and listen to high rise of wickedness around.

"Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold," Matthew 24:12 (NIV)

g. Christians now chase “good life,” oblivious to the second coming of Jesus Christ.

 "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 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; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man." Matthew 24:37-39 (NIV)

All these and many more are already happening in and around us and we need to stay awake and ensure that we do not get seduced into adopting such attitudes ourselves. And if you are a victim already, beloved, rise up and be alert for Jesus said, "but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." Matthew 24:13 (NIV)

Too many of us Christians today end up chasing worldly pleasures rather than God. 

We sometimes appear to be exceptionally religious and can say all the right things, but inwardly, we have rejected the power of God’s Spirit to transform us from the inside out. 

We are cautioned to "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people." 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NIV)

Being awake is to bear this counsel in heart and remaining focused on Christ's coming. 

Christ Jesus gave us signs of His coming but not the date. 

"And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed." Romans 13:11 (NIV)

Now He tells us, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." Matthew 24:42 (NIV)

2. How to Keep Watch for His Coming 

So, how are we to stay awake and keep watching as Christians during the End Times? Because, for the "...day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in Heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." Matthew 24:36 (NIV)

Thankfully, the Bible gives us a lot of sound guidance on the matter.

a. Awake in your love and study of God’s Word. And do not neglect other spiritual disciplines, such as baptism, confirmation (if need be), praying, fasting, communion, tithing, gathering in Christian community etc.

"So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter." 2 Thessalonians 2:15 (NIV)

b. Awake in godly living as you wait for Jesus’ coming.

 "...You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming." 2 Peter 3:11-12 (NIV)

"Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.  Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh." Romans 13:13-14 (NIV)

PH 468 says, "My righteous garment and glory, come from the Blood that Jesus shed. This I shall present before God, With this, I'll come before the Throne."

What are you clothed in now? 

In the parable of the wedding banquet, Jesus concluded by saying, "“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend ?’ The man was speechless. “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”" Matthew 22:11-14 (NIV)

Do not wait to be thrown out into the darkness to weep and gnash your teeth, awake and keep watch for His coming, Maranatha - Lord come.

c. Awake to social life, not to be swayed by the worries of this life.

"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; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man." Matthew 24:38-39 (NIV)

 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap." Luke 21:34 (NIV)

Anxieties of life are compelling many of us Christians to conform to the dark society instead of being transformed; politicians, civil/public servants, businessmen/women, traders, pastors, etc. It is easy to lose focus on Christ's coming today due to the trends of our society beloved, but dearly beloved, I beseech you now by the mercies of the Most High God, to wake up and remain focused.

Conclusion

Remember, Jesus draws our attention to the surprises that are yet to come. "Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left." Matthew 24:40-41 (NIV)

Child of God, do not be deceived, Jesus Christ is coming again. 

Shalom aleichem...