Preparing to See Jesus
Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 07/07/2024
Foundation Scriptures:
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Hebrews 9:27-28 KJV
1. Looking for His Return.
a. When Jesus returns, He will appear to those who are looking for Him—those who are steadfastly expecting to see Him.
b. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 KJV –– And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
c. He is expecting to return to a Church that is blameless—spirit, soul, and body—without spots and blemishes.
d. He is faithful, by His Holy Spirit, to help us to serve Him and to live a consistently godly life till He comes.
2. Believe He is Coming.
a. 2 Peter 3:1-4 NKJV –– Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”
b. Peter is reminding the Church to remember, and not to ignore or forget, the words spoken by the prophets, and commanded by the apostles, concerning Jesus’ return.
c. Especially because, in the last days, rebellious people would be scoffing at this promise.
d. Just as in the days of Noah, when they refused to believe that a flood was coming and continued in their sin, until it was too late.
e. So, in this hour, there are people who do not believe that Jesus will return soon, because life seems to carry on as it always has, and they begin to doubt God’s Word and His promises.
3. Jesus is Waiting on Us.
a. 2 Peter 3:8-9 NKJV –– But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
b. If Jesus delays His coming—it is not because He is unfaithful or a liar—but because He is patiently allowing time for people to repent and be saved.
c. 2 Peter 3:10 NKJV –– But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
d. The Day of the Lord will come suddenly and unexpectedly, as a thief in the night (1 Thess. 5:2).
e. God’s Word admonishes us to be in readiness for Jesus’ coming at any moment—He will return when people least expect Him.
4. In What Condition Will He Find Us?
a. 2 Peter 3:11-14 NKJV –– Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.
b. Since the material realm will be burned up, leaving only those things that cannot be burned, let us live godly and holy lives.
c. People are so attached to this world and to material things; and yet, sadly, do not value eternal things, nor consider the condition of their own heart.
d. If we are looking for and expecting Jesus, we will work to diligently and consistently live a life that is blameless, unblemished, irreproachable, and without spot (sin) or stain.
5. Blameless, Till He Comes.
a. 1 Timothy 6:11-15a NKJV –– But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, 15 which He will manifest in His own time…
b. Flee sin and covetousness; pursue righteousness and godliness; maintain your Christian witness.
c. If you claim to serve Jesus, then continue to behave accordingly, all the way until He returns for you.
d. Titus 2:11-14 NKJV –– For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
e. God’s grace, through Jesus, not only saves us, but teaches and equips us to deny ungodliness and worldly passions.
f. To live soberly—temperately, discreetly, self-controlled, with a sound mind.
g. And to live righteous, godly, upright, devout, spiritually whole lives—in this present world—zealous for good works.
h. As we await and look for the fulfillment and realization of our blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Christ Jesus, the Messiah.