When the rain is falling and the roads are slippery you never know when someone may slide, swerve, or slam on the brakes.

We need to be alert and constantly on our guard.

The same is true in our lives – we need to be on “Constant Watch” for Christ’s return.”

This was the final message in the series “Early Warning System.”

Our teaching pastor is Kyle Idleman.

These are my sermon notes, live blogged from Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, KY. I met Jerry from Shelbyville, KY during the greeting time.

We come from all over to hear the word of God preached.

Personally humbled to hear Kyle repent of his sins.

The Second Coming

Kyle describes the Second Coming for modern times … a growing rumble becomes a roar of sound drawing people out of their homes.

Everyone is staring up into the sky. The sky is so bright it is hard to see. Trumpets are blaring. The sky splits apart. People fall to their knees. Jesus Christ is returning. He is wearing a crown, riding a white horse. He’s not coming this time as a baby, but as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Are you ready for that moment?

The Bible tells us again and again and again about the imminent return of Christ.

Jesus will return to say enough pain, enough suffering, enough dying … enough. For the Christian, this is a glorious moment. For the unsaved, this is frightening. At the end, heaven and hell will not be abstract concepts.

Are you ready?

This sermon is making some people uncomfortable. Some are annoyed by it. Some are ready to go home. People like to come to church and hear sermons about how to be a better parent or live a better life. It’s as if you were having a quiet, pleasant dinner and in comes Kyle. He pulls a fire alarm and disrupts the evening.

For some, if Jesus were to return tonight it would create a sense of panic because you’re not ready.

2 Peter 3:3-4 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.

Saying that because Jesus hasn’t returned it means that He’s not going to return is completely illogical.

Remember “stop, drop, roll” fire alarm drills in elementary school? You did what the teachers told you to do. By jr. high, when the drills ran, you shrugged it off, thinking there was no fire. Nothing bad was going to happen, so why bother.

Of course, fires still occur, whether we pay attention to the warning signs or not. Similarly, the Second Coming will occur, whether or not we heed the signs.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 2 Peter 3:10

Let’s look at some of the warning signs. Jesus said, “All these are the beginning of birth pains.” Never had a baby, but everyone, everywhere understands that labor pains indicate the delivery time is near. Please note, however, this isn’t a puzzle to put together. There’s no map to follow. There’s no “X” marks the spot. Jesus said no one knows the day or the hour.

Be careful when people point to specific events that have to happen before Jesus returns. Nothing has to happen for Jesus to return. Satan would love for us to be thinking that more needs to happen … on the last day.

Warning signs in nature. Referring to the time before His return, Jesus said, “There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.” Luke 21:11

It’s not at all unnatural for God to use nature. God used nature in the time of Abraham, Moses & in the 1st century. And today, not to be an alarmist, but the latest 7.0+ earthquakes in Chili and Haiti have our attention.

Are they increasing in frequency?

By some estimates, there are more major earthquakes now, 7.0 & greater, and they are occurring with increasing frequency.

1863 to 1900 — 38 yrs — 12
1901 to 1938 —  38 yrs — 53
1939 to 1976 —  38 yrs — 71
1977 to 2014 —  164 (to March 2011 >190 in total)

www.earth.webecs.co.uk

Warning signs in the world. We’ve had the world wars of the 2oth century. Some people try to read meaning into every detail. Exercise caution. Maybe the locusts in Revelation 9 are Apache helicopters … but maybe they’re, well, locusts.

Warning signs in our culture. Isaiah says in the last days that people will call good evil and evil good. Culture will become increasingly intolerant of spiritual things and of Christians. We are certainly seeing this today.

200 million Christians are living in approximately 60 countries where they are in constant danger for their faith in Christ. Nearly 200,000 Christians were killed for their faith last year. www.persecution.net, www.persecution.com

Christian persecution begins with disinformation. Then discrimination. Persecution follows.

Warning signs in the Church. Teachers will be saying what tickles the ear. More and more people will go to false teachers because they are saying what people want to hear.

People will roll their eyes at the pastor that says, “the end is near.” Matthew 24:44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Bible prophecy allows us to live with a sense of urgency, a sense of readiness, that TODAY COULD BE THE DAY.

The Good News

Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Revival will precede the end. Technology is making it possible to reach people all over the world in all languages.

There’s a reason Jesus hasn’t returned yet. 2 Peter 3:8-9 With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Jesus hasn’t returned because He’s waiting for the unsaved person to come to Him. But He IS coming and God is giving us warning signs. They’re everywhere.

For Christians, it’s a time to celebrate. For all others, it’s a time to get your house in order, to respond. Jesus is waiting.

Closing hymn

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.