Be Prepared!
Matthew 24:36-44
1. The Coming of Jesus Will Occur When We Aren’t Expecting It! (Matthew 24:36-39, Philippians 2:5-8, 2 Timothy 4:3-4)
Philippians 2:5-8, Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross.
2 Timothy 4:3-4, For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths.
2. The Coming of Jesus is Without Favoritism or Partiality. (Matthew 24:40-41, Philippians 3:4-7)
Philippians 3:4-7, …although I have reasons for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee; regarding zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless. But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ.
3. The Coming of Jesus Demands Vigilance. (Matthew 24:42-44, 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, 2 Timothy 4:5)
1 Corinthians 16:13-14, Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. Do everything in love.
2 Timothy 4:5, But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
2 Chronicles 7:12b-14, I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple of sacrifice. If I shut the sky so there is no rain, or if I command the grasshopper to consume the land, or if I send pestilence on my people, and my people, who bear my name, humble themselves, pray and seek my face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.