Topical Sermons Power Point Show

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6

THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST

Intro.
1. Many speculations & false doctrines about the return of Jesus Christ.

2. Early Christians needed guidance & guarding (2 Ths. 2:1-3).

3. Some scoffed at His return; some still do, 2 Pet. 3:1-4.

4. Will Jesus actually return? What is the nature, purposes & events of His return? What affect should this have on us?

I. THE RETURN OF JESUS IS PROMISED.

A. By the Word of God, 2 Pet. 3:1-4.

1. Jesus promised to return to receive disciples, Jno. 14:1-3.

2. His personal return testified of by angels, Acts 1:9-11.

3. Promise has been made; we look for its fulfillment, 2 Pet. 3:13.

B. The Return of Jesus Rests on the Authority of God’s Word, 1Ths.4:15-16.

II. THE RETURN OF JESUS WILL BE PERSONAL, Acts 1:9-11.

A. The Actual (Personal) Return of Jesus, 1 Ths. 4:16.

B. The Visible Return of Jesus, Heb. 9:28.

1. A second time (first was personal, visible); second of the same nature.

2. Shall see Him, 1 Jno. 3:2.

C. Jesus Will Return from Heaven, 2 Ths. 1:7; Phil. 3:20.

1. We wait for His coming from heaven, 1 Ths. 1:10.

2. We will be in His presence at His coming, 1 Ths. 2:19 (glory, Col. 3:4).

a. Coming with all His saints, 1 Ths. 3:13.

b. Descend from heaven, 1 Ths. 4:16.

c. We will gather together with Him at His coming, 2 Ths. 2:1.

D. The Coming (Day) of the Lord: A Day of Judgment, Zeph. 1:14-15.

1. Jesus came in judgment:

a. Against Jerusalem in A.D. 70, Matt. 26:64; 24:30.

b. Against Rome, Rev. 1:1, 7 (14:14; 17:1; 19:1-2, 11-21).

2. These “comings” do not prevent a personal, actual return of Christ in the future.

3. Jesus will come in judgment against the world at end of time, Acts 17:30-31.

III. THE RETURN OF JESUS WILL BE POWERFUL.

A. To Resurrect All the Dead, Jno. 5:28-29; 11:23-26; 1 Cor. 15:20-26.

B. To Judge all People (Jno. 5:27), Acts 17:30-31; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 2:16; Matt. 25:31-33.

1. To reward the faithful with en eternal dwelling, Matt. 25:34 (Jno. 14:3).

a. With eternal salvation, Heb. 9:28.

b. New heavens & a new earth, 2 Pet. 3:13.

c. Delivery of kingdom to God the Father, 1 Cor. 15:24.

2. To punish the disobedient, Matt. 25:41; Rom. 2:5-9; 2 Ths. 1:8-9.

C. To Destroy the Material Universe, 2 Pet. 3:10-12.

1. Old material world, 2 Pet. 3:4-6. Perish (apollumi): “to destroy, to put out of the way entirely, abolish, put an end to, ruin, render useless” (Online Bible Greek Lexicon).

2. Present material world, 2 Pet. 3:7, 10-12.

a. Heavens (3:10): Pass away, perish.

b. Elements (“the earth & its works,” 3:10): “any first thing…the elements from which all things have come, the material causes of the universe” (OBGL).

c. Burned up (3:10): Consumed by fire.

d. Dissolved (3:11, 12): luo – “to loose what is compacted or built together, to break up, demolish, destroy” (OBGL); cf. Col. 1:17.

e. Melt (3:12) teko: “to make liquid…to perish or become destroyed by melting.”

IV. WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE SHOULD WE BE? 2 Pet. 3:11

A. Purified People, 2 Pet. 3:11; 1 Jno. 3:2-3; Titus 2:11-13.

B. Prepared People, 2 Pet. 3:12.

1. Looking for, eager for the arrival of the Lord, 3:12.

2. Prepared (Matt. 24:42-44):

a. By serving (doing the Master’s will), 24:45-47.

b. In heart, 24:48.

c. By moral purity, 24:49

C. Patient People, 2 Pet. 3:13; cf. Jas. 5:7-11 (Matt. 24:48).

1. Look for (expectantly wait for) fulfillment of His promise, 3:13.

2. The truth of His coming combines with our faith to assure our hearts as we patiently for Him.

Conclusion

1. Jesus will appear a second time, Heb. 9:28.

2. Day of His return should not overtake us as a thief; Watch, be sober & live in faith, love & the hope of salvation, 1 Ths. 5:1-11.