The Second Coming of Christ

In Sermon Outlines by Rachel Schultz

The Second Coming of Christ

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Theme: The Second Coming of Christ is the blessed hope, it is an event of promise. The clarion call of Scripture is that we live in anticipation and preparation for that great day.

Scripture: John 14:1-3

Hymn: We Have This Hope

I. The prophetic announcement of the second coming of the Christ is all through the sacred pages of the Bible.
A. The first recorded promise was given to our first parents at the time God had to sentence them because of sin. — Gen. 3:15
B. During the reign of sin and sorrow, believers in God found a gleam of hope in the promise of the Messiah.
C. It is inspiring to note how Enoch, the seventh from Adam, pointed to the second coming of Christ. — Jude 14, 15
D. The theme of the Patriarchs centered in the coming of the Redeemer.
II. The blessedness of the second coming of Christ
A. Paul called it the “blessed hope.” — Titus 2:13
1. It is the blessed hope of the sleeping saints. — John 5:28, 29; 1 Cor. 15:22, 23
2. In John 14:1-3 the Lord assures us that He will come to be reunited with His children forever.
B. Events connected with the second coming of Jesus Christ:
1. At first resurrection the dead in Christ shall come forth out of their dusty chambers. — Dan. 12:2; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; John 5:28, 29
2. The Lord will bestow immortality then upon the saints. — 1 Cor. 15:13-18; 50-58
3. Saved families will be reunited. — Jer. 31:15-17; 2 Thess. 2:1-3. That will be wonderful to behold — Ps. 126:2
C. For the world:
1. Separation of the wheat from the tares. — Matt. 13:40-44; 25:12, 31-38
2. It will not be a time of conversion of the wicked, as assumed by some. Compare Luke 13:25 with Heb. 9:28, 29; Matt. 25:31-33; Rev. 6:14
3. That will be a real shock for some who discover that their hope was pinned on false security and deception.
III. Attitude of men toward the second coming of Christ.
A. The saints:
1. They are praying, “Come, Lord Jesus.” — Rev. 22:20
2. They will say, “We have waited for Him and He will save us.” — Isa. 25:9
3. They have actually looked for His appearing. — Heb. 9:28; Phil. 3:20
4. They are making preparation for His coming. Compare l John 3:1-3 with Rev. 19:7, 8; Matt. 22:1-12; 24:44.
B. The world at large:
1. They will be occupied with the sinful pleasures of this world. — Matt. 24:37-39; Luke 17:26-31
2. Many professed Christians will be indifferent to His coming. — Matt. 24:48-51; Luke 14:16-32
3. Some will actually scoff at the promise of His coming. — 2 Pet. 3:1-3
4. To all these the Lord will come suddenly, when they do not think that He will come. Compare 1 Thess. 5:1-6 with 2 Thess. 1:7-9.
5. They will seek shelter beneath the rocks and the mountains. — Rev. 6:13- 17
C. “Be ye also ready” (Matt. 24:44).
1. This is the admonition of the Lord, and we are wise if we heed it.
2. As it is, we are a long way from being ready to stand before the Son of man when He comes. — Rev. 3:14-17
3. We know considerable about the coming of the Lord; it is, therefore, up to us to be prepared when He comes.
4. May the God of mercy and grace give us the courage to make ready day by day for that blessed event.

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Elder’s Guide, Volume A, General Conference Ministerial Association. Reprinted with permission. Visit the Ministerial Resource Center, GC Ministerial Association to purchase this and many more helpful resources. Better Sermons © 2005-2008. Click here for usage guidelines.