CLICK HERE FOR THE LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE CONTAINING DISCUSSION QUESTION

Review:  We are living in a time that has caused many to question whether or not we are living in the end of times.  We very well may be living in the time of the end, and Jesus gave clear guidance on how to watch for and live in the end times. The truth is, we are given another day to share Jesus with those who are yet to know him here and beyond.  Today we will be hearing Jesus giving guidance on living with a watchful eye and a ready heart because he is coming again at a time we do not know. 

Pray

Read Matthew 24:42-44

We are to live with anticipation and alertness until Jesus comes.  (42)

• We watch for the signs.
• We need to know what we are looking for.
  • Eating and drinking—normal stuff will be happening that is apathetical.
  • Sickness will intensify.
  • Wars will be more common.
  • Nations will struggle against each other.
  • There will be false teachers infiltrating the church.
  • The hearts of many in the church will grow cold.

• The signs are meant to intensify our alertness of Jesus’ imminent coming.

We are to live each day with no regrets of preparedness.  (43)

• If you knew the day and the hour of his return, what would you do to be prepared?
  
  
• Jesus says if you live prepared you would behave like someone who knew they were going to be robbed at a specific time.
  • He ate and prayed.
  • He had already prepared himself for the arrival of the intruders.
  • He tells himself don’t be scared.
  • If I was in his shoes I would…
    • Light my house up like a Christmas tree.
    • Have my neighbors use their phones to record what they can from their homes.
    • Send my family away.
    • Have plenty of self-defense options available.

Living ready daily requires prayer, commitment to and application of God’s purpose for your life.  Luke 21:34-36

• Avoid excessive pursuit of earthly investments and pleasures.
  • Sleep, Eating, Drinking.
  • Working and leisure pursuits.
  • Relational community for personal belonging.
  • These things will become your relentless burden—weighing upon your heart. (34a)
  • These things will arrest your attention so much so that Jesus’ coming will be like a trap where you are caught unsuspecting. (34b)

• Pursue life’s opportunities to the pleasure of God and investing in His purposes as you sleep, eat, drink, work, play, and relate.
  • Example of Nehemiah and the remnant. Nehemiah 4:7-23
    • They prayed and declared God as their defender. (9, 20b)
    • They watched for the enemy.
    • They continued the work God had assigned, but always ready if need be to go.
    • Everyone worked, ate, drank, and lived while always ready. (23)

Steps to living ready.

1. Prayer leads to purpose.

• Prayer aligns our heart to his purposes.
• Where our heart is aimed there will be our burdens.
• Everything we do becomes permeated by God’s work in and through us.

2. Purpose leads to preparedness.

• By living each day for God’s purposes, we are more watchful and aware of what God is doing.
• There are no surprises.
  

3. Preparedness leads to excitement for Christ because we are ready.

• Living for Christ daily means His return is welcomed not feared.
• We often lack excitement or desire for his return because we are not ready, our burdens lied elsewhere.

4. Proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. [Communion]

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 ²³ For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, ²⁴ and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁵ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” ²⁶ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Benediction:  The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen.