SIGNS OF THE TIMES
On
Sept. 11, 2001,
But we
need to pursue Jesus according to His Word, not following the sensationalism of
our day. Earlier this year, people everywhere were caught up in discussion
about the end of the world. That discussion was triggered by a group of people
who were convinced that Jesus would return on May 21, 2011. They paid a lot of
money to get the word out and, while I admire their zeal, they were dead wrong.
When
the disciples asked Jesus when the world would end, He emphatically said no one
could know the exact day and hour, not even Himself.
Only the Father knows that information (Matthew 24:36). But Jesus gave His
disciples signs so they could know the generation.
Through
His Word, you and I also can know whether we’re living at the end of human
history as we know it, because Jesus clearly stated that there would come a
final generation. As you match the signs He gave with our present generation,
do you think this could be the last one?
If so,
how then shall we live?
What do
you think “watching” means? Write down the dictionary definition.
What do
you think Jesus means by “keep watch” in Matthew 24:42?
Why is
this important, according to Matthew 24:42-44?
What
are some things that accompany watching, according to: Psalm 130:6? Proverbs
8:34? Micah 7:7? Habakkuk 1:5? Matthew 7:15 with 24:4, 11?
Luke 21:36? Colossians 4:2?
Substitute
the word church, family or
What
are some practical things you can do to pursue Jesus as a more focused and
alert watchman in this generation?
II. BY
WORKING
From
Matthew 24:45-47, what does Jesus want to find you and me doing when He
returns?
Is this
an easy assignment? If not, why? Give phrases from Nehemiah 4:11, 19; 6:9.
What
kind of work do you think Jesus was referring to in Matthew 9:35-38? Relate
this to 2 Timothy 4:5.
Give
another aspect of the work from John 6:28-29.
How does John 9:4 imply an urgency to our work?
What
does 1 Corinthians 3:13 indicate is our motivation?
If
Jesus returns in the next five minutes, what will He find you doing?
Would
you take a moment now to ask Jesus to give you a work assignment—something you
can do as you pursue Him—that will make an eternal impact in this generation?
III. BY
WALKING
What do
you think it means to walk with God? See 1 John 1:6-7, Ephesians 4:1-3, Micah
6:8. Based on these descriptions, how does your walk measure up?
What
difference did walking with God make to Noah? See Genesis 6:8-18 and 7:23.
What
difference did walking with God make to Abraham? Read Genesis 18:16-19.
What
does Jesus not want to find you doing, according to Matthew 24:48-51?
In
light of the imminent return of Christ, how are you to live? See 1 Peter 4:7; 2
Peter 3:11-12, 3:14, 3:17-18.
How
does the hope of the return of Christ impact our lives according to 1 John 3:3?
Can you give an example of this impact from your own life?
What
are some practical things you need to do to adjust your walk to keep pace with
His as you pursue Him in this generation?
We
can’t predict when Jesus will return. But He is coming. We don’t know the day
or the hour. But one day, either at Christ’s return or your death, you will
stand face to face with Him. If you live your life expecting to see Jesus in
the next five minutes and you don’t, what have you lost? Nothing.
What have you gained? Everything. So wake up! Give God
your full attention. Refocus on His Son, Jesus Christ, as your hope for the
future. Ask God to reignite such an expectancy of seeing Jesus that you live
the rest of your life with no regrets.
On this
10th anniversary of the attack on
By: Pastor
David Jones
with
excerpts from A.G.L.