Excitedly Awaiting Jesus' REturn

 Were you ever so excited on a trip you couldn’t wait to get there? Did you see purple elephants on the way? I’ll explain as we go to whatever that favorite spot is.

What’s a good Bible book for when you’re discouraged? Many say Psalms – quite a few start with sadness and end with praise. Revelation (Jesus will defeat evil) or Isaiah (prophet with most hope, talk of the Millennium) are others. But, what about the Gospels?

Jesus didn’t have bouts of depression like David. But, one key to Jesus being a good friend is that He knows just what we’re going through. It gets lost in His miracles, fights with the Pharisees, and so on. But, He was often tired, hungry, lonely, etc.. All fled at His betrayal - John returned later. Just the pain of John 1:10-11 is rough – He’d made the world and cared for His own people, yet neither knew Him! He was despised, rejected, etc.. This drives home the fact Jesus suffered in all ways like us, yet without sin. (Heb. 4:15)

Jesus spent His life serving. The song I mentioned last week says to pass love on to others - a Biblical truth that a secular singer used. I don’t know if he knows Jesus, but he is alive. I found an e-mail for bookings, so I sent a note that I shared these, thanked him, and shared the Gospel. Please pray he gets it and trusts Christ as Saviour if he hasn’t. 

We learned Jesus will take us to be with Him. But, it’s like that trip. You’re so anxious to get there, but it seems so far away. Jesus says there’ll be signs, and they’ll get closer and closer. It’s like the road signs on that trip – you might notice it’s 100 miles away, then you don’t notice till maybe 40 miles, then 20, 15, etc.. Then, it’s the next exit, but while you got to the city, you can’t quite smell the hot dogs at the ballpark or whatever you plan to do.

The road can seem long and boring, especially in times like this. My Uncle Tim knew it would be to his kids on a long drive, so near the end he promised $20 to anyone who spotted a purple elephant. They were maybe 30 minutes away and he figured that would keep them occupied till they got there. He’d never have to pay, right?

Of course, guess what one boy saw on one hole of a miniature golf course a few minutes later. Good thing he was an orthopedic surgeon and could afford it.

If you trusted Jesus by calling on Him to save you from your sins, God has put His seal on you through the Holy Spirit.(Eph. 1:13-14, some in John 14-16, etc.) His seal can’t be broken. You know you’ll go to Heaven. But, we should want others to go also; that’s why we witness. God doesn’t need to have us watch for purple elephants to occupy us. He says to share His free gift of salvation. This is not only so they can avoid a horrible fate, but so they can enjoy eternal life’s riches. Life that begins the moment you receive Him.

As you eagerly await His return and live a life pleasing to Him, think like when you wait for something special: That favorite place; your birthday; etc.. God thankfully promises believers a home in His perfect Heaven. He knows it feels long, especially with this virus. He wants to help us through. We don’t know how much longer we have. But we should live as it His coming were very close. No one is promised one more day on earth.

But, we must pray God will open doors to share the Gospel, and do it. That’s our job as we wait – being occupied praying for others & sharing His salvation.

I’ve sent tracts like this before. Here is what to do with this. Think of all the people in your school, neighborhood, even family. Memorize the verses, or the ABCs of salvation from before, or your own way to share the Gospel. Ask God who you should tell. Use the tract to help you explain. And, you can use one of the funny stories I’ve told or something else to start the conversation, to get them thinking about that perfect Heaven & eternal life with Jesus.