Francis Chan: Being Prepared For The End (Part 1)

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message emphasizes the importance of consistent readiness for the return of Christ, rather than just being motivated by temporary hype or fear. The speaker encourages believers to live their lives in such a way that they are always expecting and eagerly awaiting the return of Christ, not just in spurts but consistently. This requires a deep understanding of God's kingdom and its presence within us, as well as a willingness to deal with our current spiritual state rather than focusing solely on future events.

Key Scripture References

• Luke 17:20-21 - Jesus explains that the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed or figured out by careful attention, but rather it is within us. He tells the Pharisees to focus on their current relationship with God rather than trying to predict when the kingdom will come.
• Luke 12:56 - Jesus scolds the Pharisees for not being able to interpret the present time, despite being able to understand the weather and natural phenomena. This passage highlights the importance of understanding what is happening in our lives right now, rather than just focusing on future events.
• Luke 17:22-25 - Jesus tells his disciples that there will be a time when people will try to deceive them by saying "Here he is" or "There he is," but they should not follow these false claims. Instead, they should wait for the true return of Christ.
• Matthew 24:23-25 - Jesus warns his disciples about false prophets who will come and try to deceive them by saying that He is present in a specific location or time. This passage emphasizes the importance of being discerning and waiting for the true return of Christ.
• 2 Peter 3:10-13 - The Bible teaches that God's patience with humanity will eventually come to an end, and He will bring about a day of judgment. This passage encourages believers to live holy lives and be ready for the return of Christ.

Key Takeaways

• The kingdom of God is not something that can be observed or figured out by careful attention, but rather it is within us.
• We should focus on our current relationship with God rather than trying to predict when the kingdom will come.
• We must be discerning and wait for the true return of Christ, rather than following false claims or prophets.
• Living a consistent and holy life is essential in preparation for the return of Christ.

Application Questions

• Am I living my life consistently with an expectation of the return of Christ?
• Am I focused on my current relationship with God, or am I trying to predict when the kingdom will come?
• Am I discerning and waiting for the true return of Christ, rather than following false claims or prophets?