The document discusses passages from the Bible about having patience as we await Jesus' return. It provides verses encouraging believers to stand firm in faith until Christ comes again, using examples of prophets and Job who persevered through suffering. While no one knows the exact timing of Jesus' second coming, believers are to remain watchful and continue spreading the gospel to all people until he returns as he ascended - in the clouds with power and glory. The delay in his return allows more time for repentance, as God desires all people to be saved.
2. James 5: 7-9
Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the
Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land
to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the
autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and
stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t
grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or
you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the
door!
3. James 5: 10-11
Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in
the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in
the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as
blessed those who have persevered. You have heard
of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord
finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion
and mercy.
5. The return of Christ …
Will Jesus return within 40 years?
1. Will he ? YES!
2. How? 17%
23% Yes, Definitely
3. When? Yes, Probably
Don't Know
4. Why the delay? 28% 18% No, Probably
No, Definitely
5. What about us? 14%
Pew Research 2010
6. How will Jesus return?
Acts 1: 11 ‘This same Jesus, who has been taken
from you into heaven, will come back in the same
way you have seen him go into heaven.’
Matthew 24: 30 And then all the peoples of the
earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man
coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and
great glory.
7. How will Jesus return?
Revelation 19: 11-14 I saw heaven standing open and
there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called
Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war.
12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many
crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows
but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in
blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of
heaven were following him, riding on white horses and
dressed in fine linen, white and clean.
8. When will Jesus return?
Acts 1: 7 ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates
the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will
receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all
Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’
9. When will Jesus return?
Mark 13: 32-37 ‘But about that day or hour no one knows, not
even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on
guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like
a man going away: he leaves his house and puts his servants in
charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to
keep watch.
35 ‘Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of
the house will come back – whether in the evening, or at midnight, or
when the cock crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let
him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone:
“Watch!”’
10. Why the delay?
2 Peter 3: 3-4; 8-9 Above all, you must understand that in the
last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil
desires. 4 They will say, ‘Where is this “coming” he promised? Ever
since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the
beginning of creation.’ …
8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: with the Lord a day is
like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is
not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.
Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but
everyone to come to repentance.
11. What about us?
1. Live … to his glory
2. Love … for his pleasure
3. Give … through his grace
Editor's Notes
I asked two questions last week, the first being:Q. What was the ‘secret’ power of the church that enabled it to endure difficulties and persecutions and over a period of 300 years allowed it to overtake the Roman Empire?And it was the strong belief in the early church in Jesus imminent return.The question I left you with at the end of the morning was:
The question I left you with last week.Historically, we are very nearly 2,000 years after the life death and resurrection of Jesus.When it comes to the assertion that Jesus will return … there is a very big issue to face into … and it’s this … do you really believe it?
![Patient Faith [James 5:7-11] (12/14)
14th April 2013](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/20130414-patientfaith-130415062826-phpapp02/85/20130414-Patient-Faith-1-320.jpg)
