How Do You Prepare for Jesus' Return?

1 Peter 4:7-19
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

One of the questions which is often asked is, "What would you do if you knew Jesus were going to come back soon?" Here is what Martin Luther said, “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.”

Today Peter warns the church that end is near. So he commands them to pray, love each other deeply, and finally, use what ever gifts they had to serve each other. Peter is not arguing for a "bunker mentality" where we just hunker down and hide out. Peter says we should use whatever gift we have to serve others. Notice everything Peter mentioned is not passive but active. No matter when Jesus comes back the question is "will our hand be to the plow"? Will we be at work in the Vineyard? The parable Jesus tells is that it will be good for the servant to be at work when the master returns.

Since we cannot time Jesus' return what do you think we should be about each day? It is not as if we go on vacation from our Christian life? Of course, we do have times of rest in our lives, but serving God is not "9 to 5". In the Garden when every thing was perfect, God put man to work and everything was good. In the same way God has given the church work to do. We are called to make disciples of all nations. And to do that, Jesus has given all the gifts needed for this enterprise through the Holy Spirit. We have all been called out from the world to make a difference in the world.

So what will you do to be ready for Jesus' return? The great thing is you get to answer that question!

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