Change Happens – May 29, 2011

Change Forever Happens

It has been said that the only constant in life is change. Governments rise and fall, businesses come and go, and technology seems to change daily. Even your own life is constantly changing year to year and minute to minute whether you realize it or not.  Each day your cells regenerate, your blood volume is replaced, your skin is renewed and your internal cells are destroyed and rebuilt. We are powerless to affect change, as it affects everything around us. But there is one change that will eternally affect you; it is something we can and should prepare for, and that’s the change that will happen when Jesus returns one day. In this message, we take a look at the significance of this change, and why we should prepare for it.

 Why Prepare for Eternity?

 Because eternity is certain, a sure thing, inevitable and unexpected

 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe him. For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Behold, I have told you in advance. So if they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out, or, ‘Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them. For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather. – Matthew 24:23-28 (New American Standard Bible)

 The last sentence above may seem confusing, but it’s an adage for “You can count on it”.  As Christians, none of us should find ourselves in the position to be guessing if someone is Jesus or not. When Jesus came to earth the first time, it was humble as human flesh. The passage above details how undeniably it will be when Christ returns for the second time. There will be no doubt about who He is when He returns the second time.

 Now learn the parable from the fig tree. When its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 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 of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then there will be two men in the field one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill one will be taken and one will be left. – Matthew 24:32-41(New American Standard Bible)

 The eternal change of passing from this life to a life with or without Jesus will be sudden and unexpected. It will happen during life as usual – working, driving, or going about the mundane tasks of each day. And it will be FINAL; there will be no second chances, so it is imperative that we prepare now, not later.

 Because you will give a personal account to Jesus

 The Bible is clear that only a fool is unprepared. You may have thought to yourself that it’s unlikely that Jesus will return during your lifetime. Maybe you think, “It’s been a long time, and lots of generations have thought he would return in the past, and he didn’t.” Thoughts like this are normal, but don’t let thoughts like this dictate your behavior. We are to be prepared in our living.

 So be prepared, because you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Know this: A homeowner who knew exactly when a burglar was coming would stay alert and not permit the house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time. For the Son of Man will come when least expected. Who is a faithful, sensible servant, to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his household and feeding his family? If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward…. –Matthew 24:42-51 (New American Standard Bible)

 Because you will experience consequences and rewards

 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I assure you, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. But if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and begins oppressing the other servants, partying, and getting drunk — well, the master will return unannounced and unexpected. He will tear the servant apart and banish him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. – Matthew 24:46-51 (New American Standard Bible)

 This passage may sound extreme, as if we might even lose our salvation.  However, we know that salvation is not earned by our actions and therefore cannot be lost by our actions either. In this passage, Jesus is speaking in hyperbole – exaggerated wording to emphasize the seriousness of a point – much like he spoke about cutting off your hand if it causes you to sin. Being prepared for your eternity is the most important action you will complete in this life, so don’t focus on the “when”, focus on the “what”.

 Lessons from Jesus

 These lessons from Matthew 24-25 serve as a reminder to each of us to be ready: Parable of the Fig Tree; Story of the Servant and His Master; Parable of the 10 Virgins; Parable of the Talents; Story of the Goats and the Sheep.

 In order to know how to prepare, we need to know what or who we are preparing for.

 Different events and people require different aspects of preparation. We prepare differently for our parents than we would for the president; and we prepare differently for a birthday party than we would for a funeral. Likewise, it is important to understand that we are preparing for our eternity with Jesus. 

 Eternity means the coming of Jesus, and preparing for eternity means a coming-to-Jesus talk.

 Q: When Jesus returns, what accounts will He settle with me? 

A: Whatever He has told me to be doing until He returns.

Each of us will be asked to account for the instructions and assets we were given.  Are you increasing Jesus’ stocks?

Apply It:

1. The last statement above asks the question: are you increasing Jesus’ stock? Just like our own financial managers are expected to increase our assets, so too are we to be increasing what Jesus has given us. Take a few minutes and reflect on what you are increasing for Jesus. List what he has given you, and what you have in turn done with it.
2. What does knowing that you will someday face eternal change inspire in you? If you knew that change would come for you today or tomorrow, what actions would you be inspired to take today?  Would you offer forgiveness you’ve been holding back? Would you begin a challenge you’ve been afraid to face? Spend time in prayer and be inspired to take action today.

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