Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. We gather here today, not as strangers, but as a family united under the banner of Christ's love. We are here, not by accident, but by divine appointment. We are here because God, in His infinite wisdom and boundless love, has called us together to learn, to grow, to share, and to prepare for His promised return.

Our topic today is one of great significance, one that has the power to stir our hearts and awaken our spirits. It is a topic that is as timeless as the Gospel itself, yet as relevant as the air we breathe. It is a topic that speaks of hope, of promise, and of an eternal future with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are here to talk about the Second Coming of Christ, the purification of our souls, and the perseverance of our faith pre-Rapture.

In the words of the great preacher Charles Spurgeon, "When the time comes for you to die, you need not be afraid, because death cannot separate you from God’s love." This quote is a reminder of the promise we have in Christ – a promise of eternal life, a promise that death has been defeated, a promise that our future is secure in Him.

Let us now turn to the Scripture passage for today, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, "But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words."

Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Word. We thank You for the promise of Your return. We ask that You open our hearts and minds today, that we may understand Your Word, that we may be prepared for Your return, that we may purify ourselves for Your glory, and that we may persevere in faith. We pray all these, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Preparing for the Promised Return

The promise of Christ's return is a cornerstone of our faith. It is a promise that gives us hope, a promise that gives us purpose, and a promise that gives us a future. But it is not a promise that we can take lightly. It is a promise that requires us to live our lives in a certain way, to make certain choices, and to prioritize certain things.

The first thing we need to understand about preparing for Christ's return is that it is something that we will actively participate in. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Thessalonians, provides us with a blueprint for this process. He tells us that we should not grieve like those who have no hope, that we should believe in the resurrection of Jesus, and that we should encourage each other with the promise of Christ's return. These are not just words of comfort, but words of action. They are words that call us to live our lives in a certain way, to make certain choices, and to prioritize certain things.

One of the key aspects of preparing for Christ's return is understanding the nature of our hope. Our hope is not in this world, but in the world to come. Our hope is not in the things we can see, but in the things we cannot see. It shapes the choices we make and the things we prioritize.

Another key aspect of preparing for Christ's return is believing in the resurrection of Jesus. This belief gives us confidence in the face of death, that gives us courage in the face of adversity, and that gives us hope in the face of despair. This belief is the foundation of our faith and the anchor of our souls.

Encouraging each other with the promise of Christ's return is another crucial aspect of our preparation. We have this doctrine so that we can build each other up in faith. It is about reminding each other of our hope in Christ, spurring each other on to love and good deeds, and standing together in the face of trials and tribulations.

Finally, preparing for Christ's return involves living our lives in a certain way. It involves living with integrity, with humility, and with love. It involves living in a way that reflects the character of Christ, in a way that glorifies God, and in a way that testifies to the truth of the Gospel. This lifestyle is not just about following a set of rules, but about embodying the values of the Kingdom of God.

Transition. Preparing for Christ's return is a multifaceted process that involves our hearts, our minds, and our actions. It is a process that requires us to understand the nature of our hope, to believe in the resurrection of Jesus, to encourage each other with the promise of Christ's return, and to live our lives in a certain way.

Purifying Self for the Second Coming

In the light of the promise of Christ's return, we are called to a life of purity ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO