Confidence At His Coming Series

Introduction: Worldliness October 10, 1996

What is the “world” that John warned us about? (1 Jn. 2:15). Some have identified it as a list of questionable activities that religious people ought to shun. But it’s not as easy as that. John wasn’t talking about mere outward behavior; he was referring to our deepest motives.

In the Bible, the “world” is a system controlled by Satan, who operates through cultures that have little regard for God. Christians must live in their culture, but they dare not take their lead from it. You may make your living today in the world of business, or go to school in the world of education, or enjoy entertainment in the world of music or media. But the world-system in which we live is enemy territory. It is not neutral. Worldliness is anything that makes sin look attractive and righteousness look silly.

We are worldly whenever we live and love and choose on the same basis as people who don’t love God. A Christian striving for power in a church or exploding at his wife at home can be as worldly as a person guzzling drinks at a bar.

Two questions reveal the motives of our hearts: Are we living with a deep love for the Father? Are we eager wherever we go in the world to carry out His will? He wants us to be in the world, but not to be of it.

Christians must live in the world but not let the world live in them.

Source: Haddon W. Robinson

I. Confidence At His Coming 28

28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

A. When Will He Appear? 28a

1. What did Jesus say about His second coming?

a. Jesus said when He comes, it’s going to be a bad time on earth.

b. Matthew 24 - What will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?

? Many antichrists will come

? Wars and rumors of wars.

? Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

? And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.

? You will be killed and hated by all nations for My name’s sake.

? Many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.

? Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.

? When you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place– FLEE

? There will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.

? And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.

? But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.

c. Jesus said, I don’t know when it is happening, but it is going to be bad!

2. Luke records Jesus saying this:

For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

—Matthew 24:27

3. Paul warned the Thessalonians

For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

—1Thessalonians 5:2

4. John records the words of Jesus to the church at Sardis

Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

—Revelation 3:3

5. Recap this section

a. Jesus said He would return.

b. He also promised a Comforter parakletos while He is away.

c. Before He returns, anarchy will reign.

d. His Coming will be like a lightening flash or a blink of an eye.

e. When Jesus puts his foot on the planet chaos will cease and peace will ensue.

B. How Can We Be Confident When He Comes?

1. We can be confident if we are ready.

Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

—Matthew 24:44

2. We can be confident if we are waiting patiently>

so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ

—1Corinthians 1:7

3. We can be confident if we are living blamelessly.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

—1Thessalonians 5:23

4. We can be confident if we are perfectly obedient.