“UNDERSTAND THIS” ABOUT JESUS’ RETURN (Outline) – November 24, 2019

LAST SUNDAY OF END TIME, Christ the King – MATTHEW 24:37-44

INTRO: In our lives we learn many things. We put our learning to use and begin to understand the
value of those things we learned. Some things we do not understand. They are a mystery. It is the same
with our Christian faith. Very early on we learn the basics of faith. Christ Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
We continue to learn about our Savior. Then we begin to understand our heavenly Father’s great love
for his children. Some things still remain a mystery. "The hidden things belong to the LORD our God, but the
revealed things belong to us and to our children forever, so that we carry out all the words of this law” (DEUTER-
ONOMY 29:29). God’s revealed things of salvation truths belong to us and our children. Christ was
born. Lived. Died. Rose from the dead. Will return on Judgment Day. “UNDERSTAND THIS”
ABOUT JESUS’ RETURN. I. The time is unknown. II. We want to be alert.

I. THE TIME OF JESUS’ RETURN IS UNKNOWN

A. Verse 37. Jesus compared his second coming to the time of the days during Noah. Well known.
1. Verse 38. In the wickedness of the world at Noah’s time everything went on as normal.
2. People ate. Drank. Married. Raised families. Normal activities. No concern about God.
B. Verse 39a. “They did not realize what was coming until the flood came and too them all away.” Really?
1. Nothing seem abnormal? What was Noah doing? He was building an ark. A very large boat.
2. That was abnormal. It took a century of building. No one noticed an ark on dry land?
3. Verse 39b. It will be the same when the Son of Man returns. People will be unaware.
C. Verses 40, 41. Some will be taken into heaven. Others will go to hell. Final separation.

D. People in the days of Noah lived with very little or no concern about the Lord God of Armies. They
were too busy living wicked lives. Too busy worshiping created things rather than the Creator. Thank-
fully we are much more enlightened today. Not really. Evil flourishes. It is our natural sinful condition
that infects all of us. “The LORD saw that the wickedness of mankind was great on the earth, and that all the
thoughts and plans they formed in their hearts were only evil every day" (GENESIS 6:5). We cannot keep track
of the wicked thoughts that come to mind during the day. Some of those wicked thoughts include very
wicked plans. Revenge on those who wronged us. Hatred for our brother or neighbor. It is murder.

E. The authority of God has been under attack. People want to do things their way. The citizens of
Babel tried to build a tower to reach into heaven. People want to make themselves into god. Nothing
has changed throughout the ages. It is exactly what we face in our world today. Society feels they have
the right to determine when a life should end. That is, if a person should live at all. We have become so
proud that we think we can change the climate. “The world is becoming too hot. An ice age is coming.” Our
gracious God is sovereign. The Lord God of Armies provides seasons. Planting times. Harvest times.
"First, know this: In the last days scoffers will come with their mocking, following their own lusts" (2 PETER 3:3).

F. Today the Lord wants us to understand this: The time of Jesus’ return is unknown. Remember Je-
sus will return. His promise will be fulfilled. In the future. Sooner than later. At an unknown time.
When our Lord Jesus returns then will come his final judgment. There will be no second chances. No
excuses. The door will be shut. It was the Lord who shut the door on the ark. Those saved were on the
ark. Those lost were drowning. The Lord Jesus will return as the righteous Judge on the Last Day.
“Once the master of the house gets up and shuts the door, you will begin to stand outside and knock on the door, say-
ing, ‘Lord, open for us!’ He will tell you in reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from’" (LUKE 13:25).

“UNDERSTAND THIS” ABOUT JESUS’ RETURN. The time of Jesus’ return is unknown to us.
II. WE WANT TO BE ALERT FOR JESUS’ RETURN
A. Verses 40, 41. Simple truth of Judgment Day. Believers and unbelievers will be separated forever.
1. No matter the closeness of one’s earthly companionship eternal destiny is divinely decided.
2. Jesus comes on the Last Day. Final judgment is carried out. Sheep separated from the goats.
B. Verse 42. “So be alert, because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” Alert for the unknown.
1. Verse 43. Master of the house would be watching carefully if knew when thief would come.
2. Do not know the day or time of Lord’s return. Therefore be alert. Keep watching.
C. Verse 44. Eagerly expect the unexpected arrival of the Lord Jesus Christ. Excitedly anticipate.

D. Our loving, heavenly Father wants each one of us to be ready for his return on the Last Day. We
are in the time of year when we are expecting all kinds of company to visit. We make lots of prepara-
tions. We anxiously wait for the arrival of the invited guests. Family. Friends. Neighbors. We are to
have this same excited expectation for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. The only difference is that we
do not know the day or time of his arrival. We want to alert each day. Every day expecting the Day.
“Look: I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes on, so that he does not walk
around naked and his shame is not seen" (REVELATION 16:15). Jesus will come like a thief. Jesus used
this phrase often. Jesus’ return will be at an unexpected time. Keep looking up for the throne of Jesus.

E. Our world today looks into the future quite often. We are apt to do the same. The ads and media
urge us to prepare for paying for college. Prepare for retirement. Prepare for funeral expenses. There is
absolutely nothing wrong with being prepared. We do not want to be so obsessed with what is to come
that we do not pay attention to the present. Our world grows ever more wicked with every passing day.
This frees up the devil to direct more attacks against believers. We want to be alert to the devil’s traps in
our daily lives. Satan does not show up in a red suit, horns, and a pitchfork. He is much more subtle
than that. The devil knows our weaknesses. He attacks us with sneaky deception. Satan distracts each
of us from the One Thing that is needful. “Have sound judgment. Be alert. Your enemy, the Devil, prowls
around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 PETER 5:8). Be alert to the devil’s traps.

F. Dear friends our faith makes us ready for the Lord Jesus’ return. We are watching for the Day.
Waiting. Expecting. Only by God’s grace do we have saving faith. Only by faith do we have the divine
ability to recognize the differences between good and evil. Right and wrong. What a great blessing our
loving, heavenly Father gives each one of us. God has called us out of darkness. Given us faith. Made
us his children. Celebrate! Rejoice! “…for you are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to
the night or the darkness. So then let us not sleep like everyone else, but rather let us remain alert and sober” (1
THESSALONIANS 5:5, 6). Our wicked world lives in darkness. They are only concerned about them-
selves. God makes us children of light. We will be alert for the return of the Light of the world.

CONC.: The Lord’s return on the Last Day is approaching. Jesus will return as the righteous Judge.
He will judge the living and the dead. Jesus will separate the believers from unbelievers. Sheep from
goat. Judgment Day is the Last Day. Jesus shuts the door. There will be no second chances. No more
time for any excuses. We do not know that day or hour of Jesus’ return. We understand this: We want
to be alert for Jesus return. "Watch! Be alert and pray, because you do not know when the time will come”
(MARK 13:33). “UNDERSTAND THIS” ABOUT JESUS’ RETURN. The time is unknown. We
want to be alert. Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer

END TIME LAST rdgs: JEREMIAH 23:2-6; COLOSSIANS 1:13-20; LUKE 23:35-43; (PSALM 98)
SERVICES: 7:45am @ McCook (Sun) / 10:00am @ Redeemer (Sun) / NCF 1:00 Min. (Sat) & 12:00 Med. (Sun)
BIBLE STUDIES: 11:15am @ Redeemer (SUN) / 5:45pm (Med) + 7:30pm (Min) @ NCF (TUES.)
/ Sunday radio broadcast @ 9:00am on KQNK 106.7FM or 1530AM