Preparing for the King's Return (Colossians 3:1-2)
This sermon delves into the profound biblical truth of Jesus' eagerly anticipated return, inviting listeners to consider its personal implications. It thoughtfully examines how this expectation can deeply transform one's life and devotion.
This sermon highlights the profound wisdom in eagerly anticipating Jesus' second coming. This expectation purifies believers, guarding them from worldly distractions, and prepares them as a devoted bride for Christ.
Overview
The preacher begins by sharing his decades-long avoidance of teaching on Jesus' second coming, due to concerns about creating lazy or argumentative Christians. However, a profound personal revival during a rigorous four-year study convinced him of its biblical significance, noting it is the second most written-about subject in scripture, after salvation, and a central theme for early church fathers.
To illustrate preparedness, the sermon contrasts those who missed Jesus' first coming—like the learned Pharisees and Sadducees—with those who recognized Him, such as the Essenes, John the Baptist, Simeon, and Anna. Simeon, described as righteous, devout, and "eagerly waiting," serves as the model for understanding and receiving the Messiah, even as a 40-day-old infant, unlike those who missed Him as a 30-year-old.
Jesus instructs believers to "stay dressed for action," "keep your lamps burning," and be "eagerly waiting" for His return, mirroring Simeon's posture. The sermon emphasizes that setting one's sights on heavenly realities, as described in Colossians, causes a natural eagerness. This eager expectation is not merely a belief but a powerful force that enables believers to "purify themselves" even as Christ is pure, providing strength against the temptations of the flesh.
The sermon warns against the danger of delaying or putting off the expectation of Christ's return, likening it to the "foolish virgins" in Jesus' parable who were unprepared. This delay can lead to a lack of power over sinful desires and a mind set on earthly things, resulting in shame upon Christ's return. Instead, believers are called to remain in fellowship through obedience and make themselves ready, like a bride preparing her wedding dress with righteous works, for the ultimate wedding of the Lamb.
Key points
- The second coming of Jesus is the second most written-about subject in the Bible and was central to early church fathers.
- Simeon recognized the infant Messiah because he was righteous, devout, and "eagerly waiting" for His coming.
- Jesus commands believers to "stay dressed for action," "keep your lamps burning," and be "eagerly waiting" for His second coming.
- Setting one's sights on the realities of heaven creates an eagerness that empowers believers to purify themselves.
- Delaying or dismissing Christ's return can lead to a lack of power against sinful desires and a focus on earthly things.
- The parable of the ten virgins illustrates the importance of readiness, with "wise" virgins being those who live righteously and do not excuse sin.
- Believers are called to make themselves ready for the "wedding of the Lamb" through righteous works, like a bride preparing her wedding dress.
In Rick Warren's words
“God put a power in us being eager about Christ's return. That power gives us the ability to purify ourselves.”
“I think the American church right now, our righteous works don't have enough to make a bikini, let alone a wedding dress.”
Outline
- I. Introduction: Why Preach on the Second Coming?
- A. Personal Reluctance and Revelation
- B. The Second Coming's Biblical Prominence
- II. Learning from Jesus' First Coming
- A. Those Who Missed It: The Pharisees and Sadducees
- B. Those Who Understood: The Essenes, John the Baptist, Simeon, and Anna
- III. What Made Simeon Different? (Luke 2:25)
- A. Righteous: Acted out of a constitutionally just character
- B. Devout: Took the Word of God seriously with reverence
- C. Eagerly Waiting (Prosttoi): Remained in a place of expectancy
- IV. Jesus' Instructions for His Second Coming (Luke 12)
- A. Stay Dressed for Action
- B. Keep Your Lamps Burning
- C. Be Eagerly Waiting (Prosttoi)
- V. The Power of Eager Expectation
- A. Setting Your Sights on Heaven (Colossians)
- B. Thoughts Follow Where Sights are Set
- C. Purifying Ourselves (1 John 3)
- VI. The Danger of Delay and Scoffing (Matthew 24, 2 Peter 3)
- A. Putting Off His Coming Leads to Sinful Behavior
- B. Scoffers Within the Church Follow Sinful Desires
- C. God's Perspective on Time: One Day is a Thousand Years
- D. The Urgency of "Soon" for Every Generation
- VII. The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25)
- A. Five Wise and Five Foolish Virgins
- B. Wise Virgins Live Carefully, Not Excusing Sin (Ephesians 5)
- C. Ungodly People Creep In, Preaching Grace for Immoral Lives (Jude)
- VIII. Remaining in Fellowship (1 John 2:28)
- A. Obeying God's Commandments Keeps Us in Fellowship
- B. Confidence vs. Shame Upon His Return
- IX. The Bride Making Herself Ready (Revelation 19:7-8)
- A. The Second Coming is the Wedding of the Ages
- B. The Wife Has Made Herself Ready: Righteous Works are Fine Linen
- C. A Call to Full Commitment and Purity for the Bride of Christ
Scripture references
- Luke 2:25
- Luke 12
- 1 Corinthians
- 2 Timothy 4
- Hebrews 9
- Colossians
- Philippians 3:18-19
- 1 John 3
- Matthew 24
- Matthew 25
- 2 Peter 3
- 1 John 2:28
- Revelation
- Revelation 19:7
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.
18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2 That ye 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 Saviour:
28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Insights
Eagerly anticipating Christ's return empowers personal purification.
Where your thoughts consistently go reveals where your sights are set.
God's understanding of "soon" differs greatly from our human perception of time.
Questions & answers
Why did the preacher initially avoid teaching on the second coming of Jesus?
He feared it would create lazy Christians looking for an escape, or argumentative Christians focused on theological debates, diverting from the gospel.
What personal impact did studying the second coming have on the preacher?
It brought a personal revival, leading him to weep for souls and discipleship, and his family noticed a change in his patience and demeanor, calling him "2.0."
What three characteristics defined Simeon, who recognized the infant Messiah?
Simeon was righteous, meaning he acted from a just character; devout, taking God's word seriously; and eagerly waiting, remaining in a place of expectancy.
How does "eagerly waiting" for Christ's return help believers purify themselves?
This eager expectation provides power to purify oneself, much like an engaged person loses desire for others, because their sights are set on a future event.
What is the danger of believing Jesus is delaying His return?
Believing in delay can lead to beating fellow servants (gossiping, bitterness) and giving in to fleshly desires (partying, immorality), because the power to purify oneself is diminished.
What does the preacher mean by the "American church's righteous works" not being enough for a wedding dress?
He suggests that the collective righteous actions of many in the American church are insufficient to represent the purity and readiness expected of Christ's bride, implying a lack of serious preparation.
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