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Devotional for the Week – 15 December 2008 Sermon Title: Be Alert & Stay Awake Does the future seem uncertain? Do the troubles around you never seem to cease? The season of Advent, the first season of the Christian year, reminds us that these are signs of the return of Christ. Yes, Christ will return. While He first came to save us, he will now return to judge. Even as we celebrate His first coming, we need to be alert, to stay awake, to watch for the signs of His second coming as they unfold before our eyes. `But in those days, following that distress, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ (v 24 & 25). The return of Christ will be heralded by negative events. These can be seen all around us – on television, in the papers, even among people around us. Increasing in frequency, these are the chaotic states of the end times. Everything will seem out of control. How should we behave in times like these? Should we, like Job’s wife, take the attitude that we should `curse God and die’ (?) or will we, like Job, say `shall we accept good from God but not bad” (?) These end times were revealed to us for a reason. For it is said in John 16:33 `I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’ We take heart, that even as we go through these tumultuous events, Christ has overcome the world. For we know that `in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us’ (Rom 8:37) So now, more so than ever, it is important to hold fast to God’s promises and His commands as we wait for Christ’s return. ‘At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.’ (v26). As confirmed in Acts 1:11, `This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven’. His second coming will be witnessed by all ‘and he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens’ (v27). No one will miss out on His return. `I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened’ (v30). The signs of the end-times seem grim, but we are reminded in Joshua 1:5 `...Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.’ `Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.’ (v33) What is certain is that Christ will return. When that will happen, `no one knows about the day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.’ (v32) Therefore we need to be on a constant lookout. Not in fear but in hope. For faithful servants, who worship Him in truth and spirit and thought and deed, need not worry that they will be found sleeping. As the body of Christ, we are told to be the physical presence of Christ on earth. We continue to reach out to the world, to do His will according to His plan, to watch … till He returns. Prayer Response Lord, even as we await your return, we are mindful that there is much to be done. You have forewarned us of your coming so that we can prepare the world to receive you. Help us Lord to rise above the storms of life, to view each crisis, not as moments of suffering that we must endure, but as opportunities to see you, to reach out to the lost. Forgive us for our moments of slumber, moments when we neglect to be watchful, when we find ourselves drawn to the glittering lights of the world. Help us to keep our focus on you, Lord, that when you return, you will find me ready to give an account for all that we have done on earth for your kingdom. Hear our prayer, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Devotional based on a sermon by Mr Peter Yong.
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