OPEN: Back in the 1800’s R.A. Torrey was preaching on the 2nd coming of Christ before a crowd of nearly 3000. As he finished his sermon, Dr. Torrey felt carried away by his subject and climaxed saying:
“It may be that before we arise in the morning…
or that before we sleep tonight… or it may be that before we have finished our luncheon today … or, indeed it may be that before I finish this sermon - we shall hear the sound of the trump & the voice of the archangel announcing He is here!
At that moment there was a crash of thunder and a blinding flash of lightening from the sky outside filled the auditorium with white light.
Emotionally prepared for the 2nd coming of Jesus, and apparently believing that Jesus had come, the audience panicked. The crowd, stumbled from their seats and rushed to the doors.
All except Dwight L. Moody’s sister who sat in front. She just threw back her head and laughed. A little later she told Mr. Torrey, “I thought the Lord had come.” That was what everybody else had thought. But their response had been one of terror rather than joy.
APPLY: How do we respond to the idea that Jesus will come - Maybe today? Maybe while we eat lunch? Or maybe while I’m preaching this sermon?
How would you respond?
* "Oh no, not now…"
* "I’m not ready…"
* "Why didn’t I accept Jesus when I had a chance?"
OR
* "It’s about time"
* "I’ve been looking for this day, I can hardly wait."
Personally, I’ve always believed that Jesus would come before I’m 50 years old... which gives Him about 2 years.
Paul is writing to the Thessalonians in this letter because they need to hear that Jesus is coming again.
They need the encouragement that this message can bring
AND Paul writes, in no uncertain terms, that Jesus WILL come, AND WHEN He comes, 3 things are going to happen:
I. When Jesus comes, He’ll be coming to receive His reward (vs. 10)
ILLUS: Several years ago Johnny Carson had Billy Graham as a guest on his show. At one point there was a lull in the conversation and Johnny said, "You know what Billy, I bet if Jesus ever came back to earth, I bet we’d do him in again!"
Billy Graham leaned forward in his seat, and said, "In the Bible we read that Jesus predicted that He would return to earth again. But the 1st time He came in love, the next time, He’ll come in power-no one will DO Him in!"
Philippians 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
When Jesus returns it won’t be in form of a mortal man but rather in the form of an immortal God
AND when He comes it will be an atmosphere of wonder and awe.
AND every knee shall bow and every tongue WILL confess that Jesus Christ is LORD
II. And When Jesus comes again, NOT only will He receive His glory BUT He will Retrieve His people
Look again at vss. 6-7 = When Jesus comes, He’s coming to "relieve those who are troubled"
He’s going to take them out of this world of trouble and toil … and take them away to His Father’s mansion.
John 14:1-2 (Jesus) "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
AND WHEN HE COMES BACK - it will be to take us to that place.
One of the most beautiful pictures in all of scripture is that of the Church, the Bride of Christ.
* In the Gospels Jesus tells parables of His being the groom - eagerly looking forward to coming back for bride
* In Revelation John describes Jesus as a groom
dressed in white coming in power… coming for His bride
ILLUSTRATION: AND SO, when I read this passage out of 2Thessalonians, it reminded me of an old movie. The Hero had fallen in love with a beautiful girl in a sweat shop and he said to her "come, let me take you away from all of this"
What was he saying to her???
"Come, let me take you away from this sweatshop so you can work in my sweat shop?"
NOOOO!!!
He was saying: "I love you too much to see you in this terrible place … Come with me, and I’ll put you in fine clothes, in a beautiful home. AND I’ll be your husband and you’ll be my wife. And we’ll build a family together."
D. What Paul is saying in this passage in Thessalonians is: when Jesus comes...
He’s going to take you away from all of this.
AND Jesus isn’t JUST going to take you away from the difficulties. He’s going to shower His love and affection on you.
III. The last reason, Jesus is going to come is to renounce evil (vs. 8-9).
One of the eternal questions that has troubled God’s people has been: Why do the unrighteous prosper?
Jeremiah 12:1 questions: "You are always righteous, O LORD, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with you about your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?"
David addresses much the same question in Psalm 37 but he gives an answer in this Psalm:
"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret-- it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found."
David knew that God was righteous …and that God would remember the evils done by wicked men… and God Would Repay.
ILLUS: In Jerusalem there is a Holocaust Memorial to remember the 6 million Jews who died in Nazi death camps. It documents the horrors of these camps with pictures and reports given by the Allies when they liberated the prisoners.
The most touching display in this collection is the memorial built in honor of the children who died in the holocaust. The building is illuminated by only a few candles but the use of mirrors make it appear there are thousands of candles. The memorial is filled with pictures of these children who were tortured and murdered by Nazis. And hidden voices endlessly call out their names. You are made to feel as though you are standing at the judgment of God. It is Israel’s way of saying these children will never be forgotten.
Likewise, when Jesus comes He will remember and He will punish the wicked.
IV. But now, there is a problem:
The problem for many people is they believe judgment is only for the TRULY wicked. AND they are not "truly wicked." SO… God will have to accept them
They don’t deserve hell… so they must deserve heaven.
But that’s not what Paul says here: vs. 8-9
The repeated message throughout the New Testament is this: God won’t accept us because we’re good... AND we won’t go to heaven because we deserve it.
The only way we’ll get into heaven is on God’s terms
Believe on the name of the Lord Jesus
AND obey His commands
Believe In Jesus Christ
Repent of your Sins
Confess your desire to have Him be your Master
Be Baptized for the forgiveness of your sin
In Other Words…In order to escape judgment need to take our stand on Jesus Christ Him alone
ILLUS: Steve Winger told of his last college exam. It was a final in a class in Logic.
The professor was known for giving difficult exams. Steve noted that the professor did make one concession: "To help us on our test, the professor told us we could bring as much information as we could fit on a piece of notebook paper.
Most student crammed as many facts as possible on their 8 & 1/2 by 11" sheet of paper.
But one student walked into class, put a piece of paper on the floor, and had an advanced Logic student stand on the paper. The advanced Logic student told him everything he needed to know. And he was the only student to receive an "A"
OUR FINAL EXAM WILL ONLY HAVE ONE QUESTION ON IT: "Why should I let you into heaven???" When your time comes for that final exam, it will do you little good to cram onto the page all of your good deeds, all of the committees you’ve belonged to, all of the congregations you’ve joined. The only way you’ll pass that final exam will be to place the paper on the floor and place Jesus, and Him alone by your side.
Don’t delay your decision. The time of judgement may be today. It may be while we eat lunch. Or it may be while I’m preaching this sermon. Won’t you accept Jesus now on His terms...
