Seven Ways to Be Found Faithful When Jesus Returns Everyone would be ready for him if they knew the exact hour of his return just as they would be ready for a thief if they knew when he was coming. So BE READY all the time. For I, the Messiah, will come when least expected. Luke 12:39-40, Living Bible Live like the Lord is coming soon because He is! The Lord asked, Who, then, is the faithful, skilled manager that the master will put in charge of giving the other servants their share of food at the right time? That servant will be blessed if his master finds him doing this job when he comes. (Luke 12: 42-43, GOD s WORD Translation) 1
One: Stay out of quarrels. Hebrews 12:14, Living Bible Try to stay out of all quarrels, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for one who is not holy will not see the Lord. 2 Timothy 2:23-25, New King James Version 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, >> TIP: Be a peacemaker. Two: Seek to live a clean and holy life. TIP: Seek God first, then a holy lifestyle will follow. Hebrews 12:14, Living Bible Try to stay out of all quarrels, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for one who is not holy will not see the Lord. 1 John 3:3-6, Living Bible 3 And everyone who really believes this will try to stay pure because Christ is pure. 4 But those who keep on sinning are against God, for every sin is done against the will of God. 5 And you know that he became a man so that he could take away our sins, and that there is no sin in him, no missing of God s will at any time in any way. 6 So if we stay close to him, obedient to him, we won t be sinning either; but as for those who keep on sinning, they should realize this: They sin because they have never really known him or become his. 2
Three: Don t get bitter. TIP: Cultivate unconditional love. Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God s best blessings. Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives. (Hebrews 12:15, Living Bible) More on # Three: Don t get bitter. TIP: Think of how patient Jesus (Yeshua) is with us and extend that love to others. Matthew 6:14-15, New King James Version 14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. >> NOTE: We do not want to walk around offended, critical and self-righteous those are sins too! 3
Four: Don t get involved in sexual sin. TIP: A clean and holy life begins in the mind. Renew your mind with the Word of God. Watch out that no one becomes involved in sexual sin or becomes careless about God as Esau did: he traded his rights as the oldest son for a single meal. (Hebrews 12:16, Living Bible) Five: Don t become careless about God. TIP: Care less about your flesh. Watch out that no one becomes involved in sexual sin or becomes careless about God as Esau did: he traded his rights as the oldest son for a single meal. And afterwards, when he wanted those rights back again, it was too late, even though he wept bitter tears of repentance. So remember, and be careful. Hebrews 12:16-17, Living Bible 4
Six: Be fruitful. TIP: Ask yourself: How am I using my resources to give God glory? 15 I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (John 15:1-5, New King James Version) Doesn t the Lord deserve our faithfulness? The Lord makes a distinction between the faithful and the unfaithful. He expects fruit from our lives and wants us to invest into His kingdom so He gets the increase. Jesus taught this truth throughout His ministry The Story of Three Servants with Talents--5, 2, &1 (Entire Story--Matthew 25:14-30) 26 But his master replied, Wicked man! Lazy slave! Since you knew I would demand your profit, 27 you should at least have put my money into the bank so I could have some interest. 28 Take the money from this man and give it to the man with the $10,000. 29 For the man who uses well what he is given shall be given more, and he shall have abundance. But from the man who is unfaithful, even what little responsibility he has shall be taken from him. 30 And throw the useless servant out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:26-30, Living Bible) 5
Stop procrastinating. Obey today The Story about a Fruitless Tree Luke 13:4-8-- 4 And what about the eighteen men who died when the Tower of Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? 5 Not at all! And you, too, will perish unless you repent. 6 Then he used this illustration: A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if he could find any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. 7 Finally he told his gardener to cut it down. I ve waited three years and there hasn t been a single fig! he said. Why bother with it any longer? It s taking up space we can use for something else. 8 Give it one more chance, the gardener answered. Leave it another year, and I ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. 9 If we get figs next year, fine; if not, I ll cut it down. Repentance is the fruit of a changed heart John 3:7-9, Living Bible - 7 Here is a sample of John s preaching to the crowds that came for baptism: You brood of snakes! You are trying to escape hell without truly turning to God! That is why you want to be baptized! 8 First go and prove by the way you live that you really have repented. And don t think you are safe because you are descendants of Abraham. That isn t enough. God can produce children of Abraham from these desert stones! 9 The ax of his judgment is poised over you, ready to sever your roots and cut you down. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire. John 3:7-9, New King James Version - 7 Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, We have Abraham as our father. For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 9 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 6
Seven: Be ready. TIP: Ask yourself: If Jesus came today, would I have any regrets? 4 All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent me, for there is little time left before the night falls and all work comes to an end. 5 But while I am still here in the world, I give it my light. (John 9:4-5, Living Bible) Everyone would be ready for him if they knew the exact hour of his return just as they would be ready for a thief if they knew when he was coming. So BE READY all the time. For I, the Messiah, will come when least expected. Luke 12:39-40, Living Bible If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9, New King James Version Do not go to Hell. Hell was not created for you. Jesus can save you. donotgotohell.com 7