[1] #321, The Last Tomorrow, Pastor David McIntosh, Sunday, 07-27-2008

Text: Matthew 24:42-44

INTRODUCTION

1. A father looked out the window and began to frantically call out instructions to his family. Quick, shut off the TV’s, dust off the family bible, put these magazines away.
2. The cause was that he saw his pastor had pulled up and this was a surprise visit!
3. If the condition of our homes when an unexpected visitor arrives can cause such embarrassment, how much more concerned should we be about the condition of our lives in light of Jesus’ return?
4. The disciples asked Jesus an incredible question once, “what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (Jesus is coming again-foundational truth-hope)
5. Jesus responded by saying, “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming I am the Christ, and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars…There will be famines and earthquakes…All these are the beginning of birth pains.” (Matthew 24:4-8)
6. Let me give you some signs and you give me what they mean:
   1. First robin on your front yard
   2. Changing of the leaves
   3. When leaves turn their back in the wind
   4. When sheep gather in a huddle, tomorrow we will have a puddle.
7. Jesus gave us four signs to look for:
   1. Come in my name: since 1799- 20 people have claimed to be the incarnate Jesus Christ. (hold up 1992 USA Today)
   2. Wars: estimated: more than 14,000 wars with approx. 3.6 billion killed
   3. Famines: 2 worst famines ever recorded took place in China & India from 1876-1879 claiming 12-17 million lives (26,000 children a day die for lack of food)
   4. Earthquakes: 1556 China killed 830,000, 2004 in the Indian Ocean 300,000.

Transition: How does Jesus’ return personally affect my life?

Quote: “Live as if Christ died yesterday, rose this morning, and is coming back again tomorrow.” -Martin Luther-

PERSONAL POSITION

1. You are in one of three categories: Disciple/Doubtful/Deceived
2. Disciple = the picture of a disciple is found in Acts 2, where Scripture declares that 3,000 people repented of their sins and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation. V.42 goes on to describe what they did next, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
3. Doubtful = this is a person who has made a confession with their mouth but lives in doubt with their relationship to the Lord. This is because they have embraced the idea of Jesus but the practices of their life have not changed.
4. 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10 – “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
5. If you have prayed a prayer but still embrace any of these (willfully practice them) you are in danger! Because Jesus is coming again.
6. Deceived = this is a person who thinks they are going to enter into heaven but they are in for a big surprise.
7. Matthew 7:21-23 – “Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven…Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord…Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Away from me you evildoers!”
8. According to Jesus many people live deceived, their hearts have grown hard, their motives are selfish and even though they display a religious performance, they don’t know Jesus and the sobering thing is that they think they do!
9. Only one of these categories is safe. Are you a disciple, doubtful, deceived?
10. Matthew 24:44 – “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

POSITION OF THOSE UNDER YOUR CARE

1. The father of an 18 yr. old son was frustrated with his son. He had invested much time and effort in training his son to live a Godly life, and now his son was turning toward the world and influencing his brothers & sisters to do the same.
2. In talking with the son he revealed that his dad did indeed invest much in his life; however the father neglected to talk to his son about salvation and his need to repent and place his trust in Jesus Christ.
3. He took for granted the fact that his children would accept Jesus as their Savior.
4. We must prepare for Jesus’ return by faithfully sharing the Gospel with our children until each one repents and is saved!

PERSPECTIVE OF TIME

1. 1 Peter 4:7 – “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled…”
2. Romans 14:12 – “So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.”
3. Ephesians 5:15, 16 – “Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
4. 2 Corinthians 5:10 - “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”
5. “Hours of boredom or useless amusement reveal that we have no concept of God’s cut-off date with history, when we must give an account of every minute.”
6. “The hour of Christ’s return will remain a mystery, but our readiness for it should be an ever present fact.”
7. Revelation 22:12 – “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.”

CLOSING

1. In the beginning God created the heavens & the earth (world changing catastrophic event)
2. Worldwide flood in Noah’s day (world changing catastrophic event)
3. The birth of Jesus Christ
4. The death of Jesus Christ
5. The resurrection of Jesus Christ
6. The next world changing catastrophic event is the return of Jesus Christ!
7. Are you personally ready; are those under your care ready, are you redeeming the time?
8. ALTAR CALL
   1. Repent
   2. Confess wrong life practices
   3. Hard heart
   4. Young people/children – to repent and place your full trust in Jesus Christ
   5. Redeem whatever time you have left to being the greatest disciple of Jesus Christ you can.