Introduction: Does anyone here like to wait?
I know many of us struggle with procrastination at times, but do you really enjoy waiting? How many people here look for the longest slowest line when making a purchase at the store? Don’t we prefer to grumble and complain when the line we left for a shorter line moves ahead faster?
Americans hate to wait. We hate it when some one slows us down. I think we may have coined the sarcastic question: “What are you waiting for? Christmas?”
That raises a good question to consider. “What are you waiting for?” Some people are waiting for a better paying job. Some are waiting for retirement. Some of you are counting the days until you go to Florida for the winter.
Some parents are waiting for their child to be born. Some are looking forward to seeing their kids grow up and leave home. Some of us are waiting for them to come home for a while!
Some people are sitting at home waiting to recover from an illness. Others are sick and tired of living and are just waiting to die.
But, what are you waiting for? The apostle Paul answered with these words in Titus 2:11-14 (NIV).
… the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Thesis: I’m not waiting for Christmas! As much as I enjoy celebrating Jesus’ birth, I’m not waiting for it. I’m waiting for JESUS to appear again.
Key Question: What makes Jesus’ return worth waiting for?
A. I have HOPE because I know Jesus is coming again.
I’m waiting for Jesus to come again so I have hope. I am well aware of all the reasons people put forward to crush our hopes. Terrorists may strike again at any moment. Pollution is poisoning the environment. The economy is down and unemployment is up. Anthrax may be in our mailboxes. And we could be on the verge of World War 3.
But looking for Jesus’ return gives a completely different perspective. The problems and trials of this world are temporary. They will not last forever. Wars and rumors of wars will cease when the Prince of Peace comes again. This polluted environment will be replaced with a new creation. On top of all that, God is working in our world right now to counteract the ravages of sin.
I’m waiting for Jesus to appear again, so I can have a positive outlook on the future. It gives me hope.
B. I know His next appearance will be just as PHYSICAL as the first one.
Over 2000 years ago, God stepped into history as a baby born in a stable. He was just as human as you or me. Jesus experienced all of life like us – in a body that finally bled and died on the Cross. The physical birth, life, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus “is the grace of God [that] has appeared to all men.”
And when Jesus comes again, he will be just as visible as he was to his disciples. We will see him just as clearly as Peter, James and John did then. We don’t need to worry about Jesus coming as a spirit or some other nonphysical being. You and I will not hear about Jesus’ return second and third hand. We will see him.
C. Please understand this. The second appearance of Jesus will be GLORIOUS.
Jesus came as the Suffering Servant the first time. A few shepherds, his parents and some wise men were just about the only eyewitnesses. His entire life was lived in the Middle East. A total of only a few thousand ever saw him. The Bible compares him to a sacrificial Lamb.
It wasn’t until after his Sunday morning resurrection that Jesus’ ultimate and final glory peaked through. And even then less than a thousand witnessed it.
But “the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” will be witnessed by every living person. Even the dead will be raised to face him. When Jesus returns he will come as King of Kings to judge us all according to our actions and our motives (1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 4:5 and Jude 14-15).
When Jesus returns he will not be the Sacrificial Lamb, he will obviously be God! Every knee will bow before him and recognize that he is the Ultimate and Unequaled Lord of heaven and earth.
Conclusion: I’m waiting for JESUS to return. What are you waiting for?
The very thought of seeing him face to face gives me hope and passion. The idea that I will be able to kneel at the feet of the one who died for me fills me with anticipation and awe!
My friends, what are you waiting for? Is it some temporary thing that will soon pass away? Or are you waiting to see Jesus second appearance?
Application: If we’re waiting for the same thing, how should we get ready? How can we prepare for the Future? If we want to be ready to meet Jesus in the flesh, then we will learn to live so we can be unashamed in his presence.
1. We’ll ask God to REDEEM us (vs. 14).
The Bible says we are all slaves to sin and rebellion against God. As slaves we have no options and no hope for freedom. No slave of sin can be good enough to earn his or her freedom and become God’s child.
BUT God paid the price to buy our freedom and to adopt us into his family. All that remains is for you and me to receive the gift God is waiting to give us.
Have you asked him to redeem you? Have you begun to live as his child and not a slave to sin? If not, what are you waiting for? This is the time to accept the freedom and love only Jesus can give.
2. We will ask Him to PURIFY us too (vs. 14).
Dear friends, [once Jesus redeems us] we are children of God, [but] what we will be has not yet been made known. [However] we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure (1 John 3:2-3).
It’s not enough to be forgiven. The children of God cannot continue to act like they did when they were slaves to sin. Those old habits of relating to others, thinking and living must be changed. All God’s children must ask him to make them more like Jesus.
Have you asked God to purify you? Are you seeking to become more like Jesus in every way? When was the last time you changed? If you can’t remember, what are you waiting for? There is no time like the present to tell God you want to be pure like Jesus.
3. We will study the life of JESUS so we can become more like him (vs. 13).
It’s a simple fact of life. We cannot become like some one we don’t know about. So we will never become more like Jesus unless we get to know him.
Do you study your Bible? Are you a part of a group of Christians that reads and discusses what it says? If not, what are you waiting for?
4. We will make every effort to live so that we can face him without any GUILT or SHAME (vs. 12).
God’s compassionate gifts of redemption and purification – his grace “teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”
Again I must ask you, are you growing as God’s child? Are you calling yourself a Christian and living like you’ve always lived? What are you waiting for? God wants much better things for you.
NEXT STEPS: Let me offer some practical suggestions:
1. Join a SUNDAY SCHOOL class or talk to me about starting a Bible study during the week.
2. Spend SEVEN minutes a day alone with God. The insert in your bulletin gives a few good ideas on how to start.
3. Start a notebook listing the TRAITS of God that you find in the Bible.
4. If you are not sure you are God’s child, if there’s any doubt in your mind, then please talk to me. I would love to pray with you about your relationship to God. Don’t leave without seeing me.
Responding to God:
1. Please stand if you are able.
2. Bow your heads and close your eyes so you can focus your attention on God’s Holy Spirit.
3. Think about this for a few moments. What are you waiting for? How are you preparing to meet Jesus?
4. Jesus is coming again. As we sing about this glorious hope, please make whatever commitments to God that the Holy Spirit prompts you to make.
Handout for bulletin
"How can I spend at least 7 minutes alone with God every day?"
[1] Start with a simple prayer for God’s guidance as you read your Bible. For Example: Dear God, Help me to understand your message to me as I read the Bible today.
(About 30 seconds)
[2] Take time to read enough of your Bible to develop a complete thought. For Example: Read a whole chapter or story instead of a verse or two, here and there.
(About 4 minutes)
[3] Round off your time alone with God with prayer – really talk to God. You can use this simple outline:
Adoration -- For Example: God, I praise you for your love.
Confession -- For Example: Forgive me for not loving like you do. Help me to grow in my ability to show love to others.
Thanksgiving -- For Example: Thank you for the love of my family, friends and church. Thank you for loving me enough to send Jesus to die on the cross for me. Thank you for helping me become like him.
Supplication -- For Example: God, help me today at work. I want my work habits to reflect well on you. Help our church to grow. Reach ___________ with your love and forgiveness.
(About 2 1/2 minutes)
