Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• Why do we make such a fuss of the New Year?
• The passing of a year is significant - it causes us to look back and reflect
• To thank God for blessings
• To look forward with expectation
• The Bible speaks of a day - the 'Day of the Lord'
• In Daniel referred to as the 'Day of the Son of Man'
• A number prophesied about
• Martin Luther - thought only of today and the 'final day'
  
• These verses speak of Jesus' Second Coming
• Overview:
• Expectations of the Kingdom
• The kingdom of God as a Present Reality
• The Coming Kingdom

Expectations of the Kingdom

• Some people were waiting for the Kingdom:
• Simeon was waiting for the coming King
• Anna saw the Christ Child and told others
• Jesus Christ preached a message stating the kingdom of God was near and amongst people
• He used parables to preach about the nature of the kingdom
• Some misunderstood and were ignorant of the kingdom of God - some tried to make Jesus a king to rule over them – Luke 19:11
• Even the pharisees were expecting the kingdom of God - v20
• What about today?
• Some are into religion, mysticism, into events/prophecies - there can be an interest in spiritual things
• But there is no real interest in the true things of God - there is wilful sin and no pleasing of God

The kingdom of God as a Present Reality

• It is not within observation (v20-21)
• It is not a physical kingdom, with a ruler over people
• It is not a geographical area that is visible
• It is not external but within you
• It can never be seen unless the Spirit works in your life and your heart is changed
• "You must be born again"
• Do you understand this?
• Have you been born again - have you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour?
• Is the kingdom of God a present reality in your life

The Coming Kingdom

• The bulk of the passage speaks about this
• Difficult days are coming in the future (v22-23)
• Matt 24:21
• People were long to see days of peace and prosperity but it get worse and worse when the Spirit of God is withdrawn
• False prophets and false 'Christs' will arise
• There will be difficult days
• Christ's return (v24)
• When Christ returns it will be global
• Mysterious things will happen - explanation
• Matt 24:29-30
• The first coming of Christ is in stark contrast to the second coming of Christ
• Explanation
• He will be rejected and suffer (v25)
• The world wants every good and right and not suffering, rejection and pain
• Jesus must go to the cross - there is no other way
• Jesus must be rejected by men and women
• Two catastrophic events (v26-30)
• The day of Noah - not one escaped as the ignored his preaching and warnings
• The day that Lot left Sodom
• The people in these times went about their normal life - but then a sudden day of tribulation came
• Why does Jesus mention the normality of life and not the wickedness that is described in the Old Testament
• Had wickedness become as normal as eating and drinking?
• Evil had been 'normalised'
• Your sin might not be 'as bad' as others
• It will be the same when Jesus returns (v31)
• Matthew and Mark - similar words used for the destruction of Jerusalem (that would occur in AD70)
• There is often a double meaning/reference in Scripture
• E.g. a temporal judgment leading to a final judgment
• Lot's wife - had become worldly (v32)
• We must not be people that love the world
• If you love life you will lose it
• You must be prepared to yield to the Lordship of Jesus
• Where do you stand this morning?
• A great separation (v34-36)
• No secret rapture...
• ...but Christ is coming again
• A great separation even between spouses, colleagues, family, etc
• A division between sheep and goats
• The teaching of the Lord Jesus is paramount

Closing Remarks

• We can have every confidence if we have trusted in Christ
• His promises are true
• He will come for us
• If you are playing with sin and living in unbelief - this is a fearful day
• Jesus began by answering a question from the pharisees (v20) but then switches to teach His disciples (v22)
• v37 - wherever there is a mass of spiritual and moral corruption – then the King will come
• Brief recap of points:
• The pharisees - were not genuine but curious - are we curious or sincere?
• Have you understood that the kingdom of God is within all who believe?
• Are you ready for that day?
• Be safe in the arms of Jesus