Jesus is Coming Soon?

Outline taken from the book, 101 Answers about End Times by Mark Hitchcock. Taken from the pages 74-75.

Title: "Jesus is Coming Soon?"

Book: 101 Answers to_the Most Asked

Questions About the End Times by

MarkHitchcock (C. 2001; Multnomah Books)

Text: 1 Peter 4:7-10 and Others

Introduction

I. Believers in the early church were

consistently told to be on the lookout for

the coming of Christ. They were also given clear, practical instructions on what they should be doing in light of this imminent

event. The most straightforward passage in the New Testament concerning what we should be doing since we know that Jesus is coming soon is in Peter's first letter

II. Peter is telling the church that the end of

this world is coming; Jesus is coming back! Therefore. Peter instructs the church in what we should be doing. "The end is near. so live wisely, love deeply and serve faithfully in order to glorify God.''

III. This passage emphasizes four things we should do since we know that Christ. and consequently, the end is coming.

Body

1. Keep Your HEAD CLEAR: PRAY for

Others

A. 1 Peter 4:7 - The end of all things is

near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.

B. As we approach the coming apocalypse, more and more people are going to get caught up in the prophetic frenzy. People will be tempted to quit their jobs, sell all their possessions, and go wait on a mountaintop in their pajamas for

Jesus to come

C. But the Word tells us that in view of the end of all things we are to be alert and of sober mind. This iterally means "not drunk.' In other words. we are to be sober-minded, clearheaded. and mentally alert for

the purpose of prayer. Believing that Christ could come back today should pur us on to a sober, disciplined prayer life.

2. Keep Your Heart Warm: Love Others

A. 1 Peter 4:8 - Above all, love each other

deeply, because love covers over a

multitude of sins.

B. The badge of Christianity is love

(John 13:34-35 NIV

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. [35] By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”). As we see the approaching we are to love one another with a "deep love." The word translated deep was used in ancient times of a horse at full gallop when its muscles were stretched to the limit. Peter is saying that our love for another is to be stretched out but never reaching its breaking point.

3. Keep Your Home Open: Show

Hospitality to Others

A. 1 Peter 4:9 - Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

B. One of the signs of the second coming of Christ according to Jesus is that "the love of many will grow cold' (Matthew 24:12 NLT

Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.). In light of this believers are called to show their love in a concrete way by reaching out in Christian love to strangers.

C. This beautiful Christian virtue is mentioned specifically six times in the New Testament (Romans 12:13 NIV

Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.,

1 Timothy 3:2 NIV

Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 1 Timothy 5:9-10 NIV

No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, [10] and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord's people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds., Hebrews 13:1-3 NIV

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. [2] Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. [3] Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.). As this world becomes a colder and more isolated place, we are to keep our homes open and show the warmth Christ to strangers.

4. Keep Your Hands Busv: Use Your

Spiritual Gifts

A. 1 Peter 4:10 - Each of vou should use whatever gift you have received to serve

others, as faithful stewards of God's

grace in its various forms.

B. Every believer in Jesus Christ has at

least one spiritual gift. Spiritual gifts are supernatural empowerments that God has given to His children to His serve the body of Christ.

C. As we see the curtain about to rise on the final act of history, we hear the Lord calling us to keep our hands busy, using for His service the gifts He has given us.