A Sermon on the Living in the Light of the Return of Christ

Pastor Steve Lawson of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama, preaches on living in light of the return of Christ.

The primary text that he's preaching on is from the so-called Mount Olivet Discourse. It reads: "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake." (Mark 13:28-37)

We also have similar warnings regarding "being awake" in other passages.

"Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'There is peace and security,' then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief." (1st Thessalonians 1:1-5)

We also read, in Revelation 16:15, Jesus' words: "Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!"

I'm reminded of one of the duties at Windsor Castle in England, that I saw in a documentary. One of the duties is for a man to watch out for the queen, so he can raise the flag over the "Round Tower" once the she enters the wall of the castle. So, similarly, we have a duty to watch for the return of Christ.


I would also add, that, along the same lines, should the Lord tarry, we won't know when death will come upon us. An example of this is seen in Jesus' parable of the rich fool. Sometimes, such as in my father's case (he died of cancer), we will have a general idea when it will be time for us to die. But, on the other hand, there are other cases, even within my family, of those who died suddenly.