Go! And… Be Ready For His Return Series

Go! And… Be Ready for His Return

A Call to Live in the Light of Christ’s Coming

Introduction – Living on the Edge of Eternity

Imagine if, before this service ends, the heavens split open, a trumpet sounds, and Christ Himself descends to gather His people. Would you be ready? Would you rejoice—or would fear grip your heart?

We live in a world obsessed with the next thing: the next upgrade, the next plan, the next season. But the Bible reminds us that the greatest “next” is not a product launch or a policy change; it is the glorious return of Jesus Christ.

The early Christians in Thessalonica longed for His coming, but some were confused, even unsettled, about when and how it would happen. Into that uncertainty, Paul wrote two letters—not to fill their heads with dates, but to fill their hearts with hope, holiness, and readiness.

1 Thessalonians 4:15 (NLT): “We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died.”

2 Thessalonians 2:2 (NLT): “Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us.”

These verses form the backbone of our message: Jesus is coming again—and we must be ready.

1. The Setting of 1 Thessalonians 4:15

Paul writes to a young church enduring persecution. Some believers had died, and questions arose: “Will they miss the Lord’s return? Will they be left out?” Paul comforts them: no, the dead in Christ will rise first.

The phrase “directly from the Lord” (Greek: en logo kyriou) emphasises divine authority. This is not speculation—it is a revelation from Christ Himself.

The term “meet” (Greek: apantesin) was used for welcoming a royal visitor—Christ will be welcomed as King!

2. The Setting of 2 Thessalonians 2:2

False teachers were spreading fear: “The day of the Lord has already come!” Some stopped working, some panicked. Paul urges them not to be shaken (saleuthenai—to be thrown off course) or alarmed (throeisthai—to be terrified).

The “day of the Lord” in Scripture refers to a period of divine judgement and restoration, climaxing in Christ’s visible return.

I. Go! And Rest in the Certainty of Christ’s Return

Paul doesn’t say if the Lord returns, but when.

Supporting Scripture: John 14:3 (NLT): “When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”

Greek word for “come” (erchomai) is in the present tense—denoting a sure, coming reality.

Charles Stanley once wrote, “Jesus’ return is not a distant possibility; it is a definite promise.”

We do not cling to a vague hope—we cling to a concrete promise. The return of Christ is as certain as His resurrection.

Think of a bride awaiting her groom. She does not wonder if the wedding will happen; she prepares because she knows he is coming. Likewise, the Church is the Bride of Christ—our Groom will not forget us.

Stop living like this world is your forever home. How different would your week look if you believed Christ could return today? Would that temper your anger? Soften your words? Redirect your ambitions?

II. Go! And Resist the Confusion of False Teaching

The Thessalonians were shaken by rumours. We too live in an age of sensational predictions: “Jesus will return in 2027!” “The rapture already happened in secret!”

Matthew 24:36 (NLT): “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.”

No one (Greek: oudeis) means absolutely no one—stop trusting date-setters.

John Piper once said, “If you spend more energy on decoding the calendar than proclaiming the gospel, you have missed the point of prophecy.”

Prophecy was never meant to fuel fear but to fuel faith.

Imagine a ship captain who, instead of steering, spends all his time staring at the weather app. The storm comes, and the ship is lost—not because he lacked data, but because he lacked direction.

Guard your heart from spiritual clickbait. Measure every claim against the Word of God. If a podcast, preacher, or post unsettles you, return to the Scriptures.

III. Go! And Respond with Holy Living and Gospel Urgency

Why does God reveal the return of Christ? Not to satisfy our curiosity but to sanctify our conduct and compel our witness.

2 Peter 3:11–12 (NLT): “Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along.”

The word “hurrying” (speudontas) suggests eager participation—through prayer, evangelism, and obedience.