Sermon: A Prepared People for the Return of Christ

I John 2:28-3:3

By Daryl Grimes

Gateway Christian College

PM 521: Expository Preaching I

Joel Nason, D. Min.

A Prepared People for the Return of Christ

I John 2:28-3:3

[Announce Text] Please turn with me to I John 2:28-3:3

[Scripture Introduction] While you’re turning there, please understand that I John is attributed to the same author as the Gospel of John. More than likely it was written near the end of the first century, while John was carrying on a vibrant writing ministry in the city of Ephesus. Throughout this letter John battles false teachings that were beginning to infiltrate the churches of this day.

In this brief book John deals with issues such as: fellowship, assurance of salvation, eternal life, knowing God, abiding in the faith, light and darkness, as well as several verses that deal with the love that believer’s have.[i] In this passage of Scripture John is dealing with preparations individuals need to make in like of the return of Christ.

Notice with me the words John wrote in I John 2:28-3:3… [read text]

[Prayer for Illumination] Pray with me…

[Introduction] If you truly believed that Christ would return within the next thirty minutes what kind of thoughts & emotions would you be flooded with? I’m sure some would be filled with regret because they did not do more for their Savior. Some would be filled with sadness because of loved ones who are still outside of the “ark of safety”. Others would be excited to leave this sin cursed body behind and enjoy the glorified body that God’s Word has promised

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them. Some may realize what a waste their life has been, spent apart from God, and seek to be born-again before it was too late. Regardless of our feelings and reactions about the return of Christ, the fact of the matter is He is returning and no one knows the day or the hour!

John, in this passage of Scripture, [FCF] seeks to motivate his readers to face the day of Christ’s return with confidence rather than shame. [Proposition] In order to face Christ with confidence and not with shame it is vitally important to be prepared! Through this passage we find the characteristics of people that are truly prepared to face Christ with confidence. Those prepared for the return of Christ are: adopted into the family of God, abiding in the Son of God and are anticipating the return of God.

[Main Point 1] First of all, in order to be prepared to face Christ with confidence at His return, you must be abiding in the Son of God. Notice I John 1:28 (read)

            [Sub-point 1] What does it mean to abide in Christ?

            One definition for the word “abide” means to, “live or remain permanently”.[ii] We are to live in Christ—we are to remain permanently in Christ! This is not a passive command; therefore the believer has a responsibility to abide. I Peter 1:5, as well as other Scriptures, teach that abiding in Christ is a divine responsibility, as well as a human responsibility. Peter explains that Christians are “kept by the power of God”. God does the saving and God does the keeping. However, both are conditional. One is saved by the power of God through faith and Peter goes on to say in that same passage, that we are kept by the power of God through faith.

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Scripture repeatedly teaches us that the just shall live and walk by faith! A Christian abides in Christ by faith.

            [Sub-point 2] What is the blessing of abiding?

            If one abides in Christ, they can have confidence at Christ’s appearing. The word confidence means, “freedom of speech or boldness”. Those who are living by faith and walking by faith can face Christ will confidence, not condemnation. They can face Christ with boldness instead of shame. This confidence is far from sinful pride. The confidence is based upon the trustworthiness of God’s promises that abiding Christians have. It is a steadfast assurance they have in Christ and His Word. Because of their faith in Christ they have the freedom and assurance to face the One in whom they are trusting!

            [Illustration] One well known Christian lady of the 20^th century said: “Connected with Him in His love, I am more than conqueror; without Him, I am nothing. Like some railway tickets in America, I am ‘Not good if detached.’”[iii] We too, are no good if detached! If we are detached from God’s Word and are not hiding it our heart we will be no good to fight sin. If we are detached from God’s people, the church, we won’t be provoked to love and good works. If we are detached from the power of the Holy Spirit we will not produce His fruit. If we are detached from Christ, through apostasy—which is a willful renunciation of our faith in Him as our Lord and Savior—we will be no good for anything!

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[Application] If you want to face Christ with the confident assurance that you are His child be sure to live and walk by faith in Christ and Christ alone! Hebrews warns us all that unconfessed and unrepented sin can lead to an evil heart of unbelief. Much of Israel was unable to enter the Promised Land because of unbelief. God’s Word is full of encouragement and admonition that will strengthen our faith and our walk with God. Abide in Christ, abide in His Word, and abide with His people. This will strengthen your faith and keep you close to Christ. This will keep you from hanging your head in shame at the return of Christ!

[Transition Statement between Main Point 1 & 2] However, you can’t abide in Christ unless first of all you know Christ!

[Main Point 2] Secondly, in order to be prepared to face Christ with confidence at His return, you must be adopted into the family of God!

            [Sub-point 1] Why is adoption into the family of God made possible? It is made possible because of the love of God!

            In I John 3:1 we hear John proclaim, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God…” God has absolutely lavished His love upon mankind! His love is so great, that He sent His only Son to give His life as a payment for the sins of the entire world.

            [Sub-point 2] What is the consequence of being adopted into the family of God? If one is adopted into the family of God they will be pilgrims and strangers upon the earth.

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Notice the rest of I John 3:1. It says, “…therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.”  In one translation the word “know” is translated as the word, “recognize or acknowledge.”[iv] John wants to remind his readers that this world is not their home or their friend. They are now “aliens” on planet earth. One commentator remarks that the nature of Christ is foreign to the world in which we live.[v] Just as Christ was not accepted by His people, they cannot expect to be accepted by the world in which they live.

            [Sub-point 3] How does being adopted into the family of God manifest itself? It is manifested by living a righteous life!

            Notice I John 2:29. Those that have been “born of Him” which would be another term for the “new birth” and the “spiritual adoption” that has taken place “doeth righteousness”! John reveals to us in this same verse that Christ was absolutely righteous. In other words Christ lived a life that was conformed to His Father’s will.[vi] Those who have experienced the new birth and the adoption that John has been referring to, also live a life that is conformed to their Heavenly Father’s will. We now have a righteous nature that produces righteous living![vii]

[Illustration] The concept of spiritual adoption is seen throughout the New Testament. Though spiritual adoption is provided for us because of the love of God, it is provided for us through the power of God! John 1:12 reminds us, “But as many as received him (speaking of Christ), to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” The apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 8:15 that we haven’t received the spirit of bondage and fear, but rather the Spirit of adoption, which gives us the right to call God, Father!

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Finally, Paul reminds us in the book of Galatians chapter 4 that Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law in order to be adopted as a son!

[Application] You cannot be prepared for the return of Christ if you haven’t been adopted into the family of God through Christ! You must do as John 1:12 tells you—you must receive Him. Receive Him as your Lord, your Master! Receive Him as your risen Savior. Turn from your self and from your sin and turn to the One who suffered in your place, paid the penalty for your sin and rose again from the grave so that you could be right in the eyes of God! Then and only then can you be prepared to meet Christ with confidence.

[Main-point 3] Finally, in order to be prepared to face Christ with confidence at His return, you must be anticipating His return.

            [Sub-point 1] Why should we anticipate His return?

            We should anticipate His return because I John 3:1 tells us that we are going to be like Him. We will have a glorified body like unto His glorified body. This gives us hope regardless of the difficulties in our world and in our life. We have hope and as Christians we have everything to look forward to! This hope should lead to this anticipation!

            [Sub-point 2] What does anticipating Christ’s return produce?

            Anticipating Christ’s return produces purity in life. In I John 3:3 John says that everyone who has this hope—the hope referred to in verse 2—“…purifieth himself, even as he is pure”. The word “purifieth”, according to one Greek Scholar means, “takes away impurities.”[viii] How

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does a Christian take away their impurities? They do so by confessing their sins to God. We can take away our sins by confessing them to God! Allow the reality of Christ’s return to cause to anticipate His appearing. This anticipation, along with a healthy fear of God, will lead you to live a life of purity.

            [Illustration] Often, when we are anticipating company from out of town that we haven’t seen in a while, excitement will fill the air. We have trouble sleeping because the day for the arrival of our friends or family draws near. The guest bedroom is cleaned and made spotless in expectation of their arrival. Spring cleaning is completed, regardless of the season, to leave a good impression upon our guests. Extra groceries are purchased, meal plans are made and attention is given to detail. We want to be able to greet them at the front door with confidence. We don’t want to greet them with the fear that they might find our closets messy, our floors dirty, our refrigerators filled with expired food. We anticipate their arrival and we act accordingly.

            [Application] The same should be true spiritually. We know Christ will return and He will find us just as we are. As we anticipate His return we should make sure that our lives are clean. We should make sure that we are prepared in every way possible to be able to meet and greet Him wherever we may be at His return. We shouldn’t have to hang our head in shame because of something in the “closets of our soul”. We shouldn’t have to fear what He will find under the “mattresses of our heart”. We shouldn’t have to cringe if He were to open the “cupboards of

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our thoughts”. If we are really anticipating His return then we will seek to purify ourselves as He is pure!

[Conclusion] You can be prepared for the return of Christ! Make sure that you’ve been adopted into His family. Christ told His disciples that He would one day return and bring them to the place He’d prepared. He told them that they knew the way…He went on to explain to them that He is the way, the truth and the life…no man can come to the Father expect by Him. No one can be prepared for Christ’s return without being adopted into the family…no one can be adopted into the family without turning to Christ as one’s personal Lord and Savior.

Abide in Christ. Live in Him, trust in Him and walk with Him. Realize that without Him you can do nothing. Rest in His power and might. Abide in His Word, abide in His will and abide in His church. As you abide in Him, because you’ve been adopted by Him, you will be prepared to meet Him.

Anticipate each and every day that this could be the day in which He returns. Ask yourself, “Could I face Christ with confidence today, or is their something in my life that needs to be purified?” “Is there some unconfessed sin that I need to talk to Him about?” “Have I offended my brother in someway…do I need to forgive…or do I need to be forgiven.” Make sure that your “spiritual house” is in order and is ready for His return!