WHAT IF JESUS COMES BACK LIKE THAT
ROMANS 13: 8-14
DECEMBER 2, 2001
INTRODUCTION: What If Jesus Came Back Like That by Collin Ray
TRANSITION THOUGHT: Our text for this day, the first Sunday in Advent, calls us to think of the soon coming of Christ. Just like Collin’s song, we never quite seem prepared for His appearing. The Apostle Paul addresses the issues that are pressing concerning the imminent return. If He is coming back, and John chapter 14 makes that exceptionally clear, what should our lives be look like? Paul addresses this issue using the images of light and darkness. The contrast is clear. The difference is most definitely noticeable. In the season of Preparation for the coming of the Christ Child, let us dig into the is text and see what difference a little daylight can make!
THESIS SENTENCE: We are called to live as those living in the light for Christ is coming for those who have separated themselves from the night.
What is the difference between Day and night?
I. NIGHT AND DAY REFER TO THE ISSUE OF TIME
A. Night concerns the end of time
1. Verse 11 starts with a strange phase, “And do this, understanding the present time.” Why this strange phase? What time was it? How were these Roman Christians to know?
2. Paul continues with the Answer. “The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber,...”
3. When is it time to wake up? What about the cows and the chickens? The rooster at the Murray’s house next to Mom and Dad’s house. It is time to wake up. Bryson seeing light out side, the street lamp. It is time to wake up. When the night is over, it is time to wake up.
4. Verse 12 qualifies the time. “The night is almost over;”
5. It is just about time, are you ready!
WHAT IF JESUS COMES BACK LIKE THAT?
B. Day focuses on the beginning of a new time
1. Verse 12 continues with this clause, “the day is almost here.”
2. But, what day is it?
3. Is it Christmas yet? Is it Saturday yet? Is it my birthday yet? Is it pay day yet? Just what day is it?
4. Our text is specific, but before I move with our text, let me mention another text, 1 Thessalonians 4:13 --5:8.
5. Specifically in 5:2 Paul says the “Day” is the day the Lord that will come like a thief in the night.” I love this whole passage, but maybe another will make it clearer.
6. Matthew 24: 42 --44 points to the day. “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. SO you also must be ready because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
WHAT A DIFFERANCE A DAY CAN MAKE!
WHAT IF JESUS COMES BACK LIKE THAT?
WHAT IS THE DIFFERANCE BETWEEN DAY AND NIGHT?
II. NIGHT AND DAY REFER TO THE ISSUE OF BEHAVIOR
A. NIGHT IS SINFUL BEHAVIOR
1. John 3: 19 is a sad commentary on us. It reads, “this is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness in stead of light because their deeds were evil.”
2. Our text is loaded with the nocturnal nature running rampant. I believe it would be safe to say we love the “NIGHT LIFE.”
3. The passage in I Thessalonians pointed out the contrast.
4. Paul goes wild in our text, even quoting some of the Ten Commandments in verse 9. You mean Business when you quote the 10 commandments, but only if you don’t forget some of them!
5. Do you think Paul had forgotten the Word or was he pointing something out? The Commandments he quotes concern behavior between persons, not between God and us.
6. In verse 12 Paul tells us to “Put aside the deeds of darkness.”
7. And if you are unclear about those, he points them out. “Not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy (Verse 13).”
8. Do you see something in the list that might pertain to you? PUT IT ASIDE!!!
WHAT IF JESUS COMES BACK LIKE THAT?
B. DAY IS MORAL BEHAVIOR
1. Love is the contrast here.
2. It is the one debt that must be continually owed. I owe I owe, off to Love I go! 3. “For he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.... Love your neighbor as yourself... Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law (Verses 8-10).”
4. Paul appears to be making a point here: BEHAVIOR MATTERS!
5. He says, “put on the armor of light”(verse 12)?
6. And if this isn’t clear, “Let us behave decently, as in the daytime,...(verse 13)”
WHAT A DIFFERANCE A DAY MAKES!
WHAT IF JESUS COMES BACK LIKE THAT?
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NIGHT AND DAY?
III. NIGHT AND DAY REFER TO THE ISSUE OF SALVATION
A. NIGHT IS WHEN YOU FIRST BELIEVED
1. Remember verse 11 said to wake up? Why were we called to wake up? “Because our salvation is nearer now than when you first believed.”
2. Are we not saved? Have we missed it? Did we not understand?
3. Paul implies here that Salvation is not a done deal at belief. Does that Scare you?!!? It shouldn’t. We are just getting started. There are tons to enjoy! 4. Paul is making two points here. First, Salvation is a process of time. I will share Jesus take on this in a moment.
5. Let’s look at the day and I will share Paul’s Second realization as a concluding remark!
B. DAY IS WHEN YOUR SALVATION WILL BE COMPLETE
1. Jesus says, “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat form the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God (Rev. 2:7)” and “He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death (Rev 2:11)” and “To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it (Rev. 2:17)” and “To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations -- (Rev. 2:26)” and “To him who over comes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne (Rev. 3:21).”
2. The second understanding Paul shares is that Christ is coming and it will be soon. He is talking about the imminent return of Christ. Physical days have passed since you believed and every day is a day closer to HIS RETURN!
3. Advent is a time on the Christian calendar to remind us that Jesus is coming. YES, WE CELEBRATE THAT HE IS COMING AS A BABE IN THE MANGER, BUT WITH THAT A DONE DEAL, WE EAGERLY ANTICIPATE AND WAIT FOR HIS RETURN AS KING AND CONQUEROR. WHEN HE COMES, OUR SALVATION WILL BE COMPLETE!!!
WHAT A DIFFERANCE A DAY MAKES!
WHAT IF JESUS COMES BACK LIKE THAT?
CONCLUSION: What if Jesus comes back like that? Where will he find our hearts are at? Will He let us in or turn his back? Hey what if Jesus comes back like that? Yeh what if Jesus comes back like that? Will he cry when he sees where our hearts are at? Will he let us in or turn his back? Hey what if Jesus comes back like that? Oh what if Jesus comes back like that? This is what Collin Ray asks of us? What do you think God is asking of you/us? ARE WE READY FOR CHRIST RETURN?
