Jesus is Coming Soon
What in the World is Going on? • Sermon • Submitted
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Titus 2 is one of the greatest chapters on how Christians are to live. It details that the aged saints are to set good examples for the younger saints…but that is not thrust of this message. The message today is a bridge between phase two and phase three of our series, “What in the World is Going On?” Phase one, we looked at our adversary the Devil, phase two focused on our responsibility in this present world, and phase three will focus on our hope, Jesus Christ. If you will please look with me at two verses in this passage I would greatly appreciate it, first, Titus 2:11
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
This verse reminds of the birth of Jesus, His life, ministry, death and resurrection. What a picture of grace, God loved us and sent His Son to die in your place. I pray you have placed your faith in Him for salvation already but if not that you will do so today. If you believe this verse to be true, then you must also believe the next verse to be true as well, Titus 2:13
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
If today you know Jesus as your Savior then you know two things: Your sins are forgiven, and second, you are not at home in this world. You are looking for the return of Jesus Christ!
Interesting word, looking. It means “expecting”. If you believe in Jesus as you Savior, then you believe He is coming again! But that is not the full thrust of this passage! Here is the point for today’s message:
If you believe Jesus is coming soon, then your life will show it!
How well does your life reflect your belief in Jesus’ return?
Because you are saved, because Jesus is coming soon, you will live a life of...
Separation
Separation
Christian, God expects you to be different from those in this world. Jesus is coming soon and your life is to be marked by:
The word “denying” has the idea of disowning. Did you know that if a member of a devout Jewish family receives Jesus as their Messiah, they are disowned from the family. By that I mean they are fully removed from the home. They are disinherited, the funds are cut off. The family will go even so far as to purchase a grave, casket, and a headstone with the convert’s name and date of birth, date of death being the day they trusted Jesus.
Friends, we that are expecting Jesus’ return are to disown our old sinful nature. How? By...
Denying ungodliness
Are you disowning your sinful desires?
Are you living a life of separation from sin?
“What does that look like pastor?” If you are disowning your sinful, ungodly nature then you will...
Stay away from places that may cause you to sin.
Stay away from people who may lead you into sin
Stay away from situations which may entice you to sin
Stay away from activities in which sinful practices are likely to happen
You say, “That is hard pastor” I know it is, but guess what, doing the right thing, often is! Hebrews 12:1-2 “1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Jesus endure the cross, so that you could endure the hardships of disowning your sinful flesh, but not only are we to deny ungodliness, but we are also to be...
Denying worldly lusts
The grace of God that saved you from your sin, is teaching you (correcting as a parent spanks their child) to deny (disown) your flesh, and to turn your back on worldly lusts
Lusts = desires. Church, if you are saved, then your desires for your life ought to be what God desires for your life.
“Pastor, why can’t I enjoy what this world has to offer?” Let me ask you this, is having what this world offers you more important to you than loving and serving God? Here is a test:
Is having what this offer more important to you than reading God’s Word? How much time do you spend in the Word of God each day?
Is having what this world has to offer more important to you than spending time in prayer with God?
Is having what this world has to offer more important to you than being in church?
I’ll close this section with some verses for you to consider:
4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
If you are expecting Jesus to return as He said He would, then you will live a life of separation. Next, you will live a life of...
Soberness
Soberness
We have seen the negative, those things we should cut out of our lives, now we look to the positive, those things we should have in our lives if we are expecting His return.
Soberness. Autotmatically, when we think of soberness, we think of someone who is not under the controlling influence of alcohol or drugs. I agree fully with that. Ephesians 5:18
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
The word drunk refers to the act of being or becoming drunk. Soberness = sound mind. To be “filled with the Spirit” means to be under His control.
Your mind cannot, will not be sound if it is filled with the wrong things. What are you filling your mind with? Paul said in Philippians that we are to fill our minds with the right things. Philippians 4:8
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
If you believe that Jesus could return at any moment, then you will live soberly, having a sound mind. Also you will live in...
Righteousness
Righteousness
Righteously here does not refer to perfection, that will come only when we enter heaven. Here the word refers to how we treat other people. Christian, if you are expecting Jesus to return as He said He would, then you will treat people the way He would treat them.
How are you treating others?
Are you chewing them up and spitting them out behind their back? Shame on you.
Have you made a promise to someone? Keep your word. Even if it inconveniences you.
To live righteously means also to stand up for what is right!
How fitting that even here we are encouraged to stand up for what is right
Instead of complaining about this world, then take your stand against the evil
I can’t speak for you, but if Jesus came back right now, I would want Him to find me loving other people as He loved them. I would want Him to find me keeping my promises. I would want Him to find me standing against evil!
Live soberly, with a clear mind filled with things that are pleasing to God and not your flesh. Live righteously, being an example and an encouragement to others around you, lastly, we are encouraged to live a life that reflects God’s...
Expectation
Expectation
Godly, we are to be like Jesus. Notice the closing phrase, “in this present world.” That means in the midst of an ungodly society, God expects us to live godly lives. Jesus, in the sermon on the mount explained godly living this way, Matthew 5:3-9
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Church, listen to me, it is God’s desire for you to live a godly life. A life that reflects Jesus Christ in this ungodly world. You cannot do this, you will not do this if you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus yourself. Let me ask...
Conclusion:
If Jesus came today, would your life reflect that you were fully expecting His return? If Jesus came today would you be ashamed of what He might find you doing? Are you living a life of:
Separation - denying, disowning your sinful flesh? Or are you living a life that looks just like the world around you?
Soberness - is your mind sound. Are you filling your mind with the Word of God, godly music? Are you surrounding yourself with godly friends or are you filling your mind with the things of the world?
Righteousness - how do you treat others? Are you busy loving them, or tearing them down?
Godly - does your life reflect Jesus?
Every head bowed this morning. As I pray, the musicians will begin making their way forward...
This morning, I want to speak first to those who know they are saved. I know none of us are perfect and all have room for improvement but I wonder if there is someone here today that this message has spoken to specifically. You know that you are saved, but the Spirit of God has spoken to you about not denying your flesh, or what you are filling your mind with. Maybe God has spoken to you about the way you treat people or perhaps you are simply not reflecting Jesus as you should. Would you raise your hand this morning and admit to God, that He has spoken to you...
Maybe today you don’t know for sure that you’re saved. Maybe your greatest need right now is to turn to Jesus for forgiveness. “How can I do that?” Simple:
Admit to God what He already knows, that you are a sinner and that you deserve nothing but death and hell for eternity. Second, believe, that is trust, put your faith in what God said, that Jesus died in your place for your sin so that you could be saved. Lastly, call on Him to forgive you of your sins and you will be saved.
I wonder is there one today that would say, Pastor, that’s me. I don’t know for sure that I’m saved, but I am sure I don’t want to leave this place today without knowing for sure. If that is you, then the altar is now open, make your way forward.