3. LIVING IN ANTICIPATION OF THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST 1 Thess. 5:4-11 & Hebrews 11:13-16

4. Looking to your end goal brings power for endurance “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

5. Our power for endurance comes in the 2 nd coming of Christ “But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.” 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5

6. Our power for endurance comes in the 2 nd coming of Christ “But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.” 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5

7. Is it important for us to draw power in looking for the 2 nd coming of Christ? “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 11:13-16

8. Is it important for us to draw power in looking for the 2 nd coming of Christ? “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 11:13-16

9. Is it important for us to draw power in looking for the 2 nd coming of Christ? “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 11:13-16 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:1-3 We must live in anticipation of the 2 nd coming of Christ!

10. We must work at keeping Jesus’s 2 nd coming our end goal. “So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. Since Christians are not bound in the darkness of unbelief we must not be characterized by the kind of conduct that is proper to the night. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.” 1 Thessalonians 5:6-7

11. We must work at keeping Jesus’s 2 nd coming our end goal. “So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. Since Christians are not bound in the darkness of unbelief we must not be characterized by the kind of conduct that is proper to the night. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.” 1 Thessalonians 5:6-7 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:1-2

12. Focusing on the 2 nd coming of Christ gives us power to grow spiritually “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11

13. Conclusion: Give your life to Christ!

14. Conclusion:  Are you longing for Jesus to come again?  When was the last time you talked about and rejoiced over this great hope with other Christians?  When was the last time you encouraged a suffering brother or sister with this hope?  When was the last time you exhorted a sleepy Christian to wake up to this mind-set?  When was the last time you exhorted a fellow- soldier to keep fighting on because this day is coming?

15. Revelation 21:1-7 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

16. Revelation 21:1-7 continued… 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.”

17. Questions? Comments? Testimonies?