Get Ready and Stay Ready

The Week That Changed The World

Part 3 – Get Ready and Stay Ready!

Matthew 24

1 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2 “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Matthew 24:1-3

In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus teaches about the and a the .

BIG IDEA: It’s imperative that we and for Jesus to come again!

4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. Matthew 24:4-8

6 …see to it that you are not alarmed. Matthew 24:6b

12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:12-14

How to Get Ready and Stay Ready for Jesus’ Return

1) Don’t obsess or stress with when Jesus will return because !

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3

2) Count on and being by fellow Believers when life is .

4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness…. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5;11

3) Remain , sharing the Good News with all who are lost and far from God!

2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 1 Thessalonians 5:2

This is the same language Jesus used to describe His return with a command…. 42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 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. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Matthew 24:42-44

4) your life to Christ without !

36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father….42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. Matthew 24:36;42