Believers Church Of Sylvania

(John 14:1-3 NLT) "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

Jesus: I want you with Me.

(Acts 1:9-11 NLT) After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!"

• 300 references of Christ's return in New Testament
• 216 of 260 Chapters in N.T. mention end times or Christ's return
• 23 of 27 N.T. books mention end times or Christ's return.

(1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 NIV) According to the Lord's word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Are we living in the last days?

(1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 NIV) ... about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1. We should be right with God.

Confess Sin -- Believe in heart -- Confess with mouth

(1 Peter 4:7 NLT) The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers.

(Revelation 19:7 NLT) Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself.

(2 Peter 3:10-11 NIV) 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 done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives ....

2. We should lean into Godly relationships.

(1 Peter 4:8-9 NLT) Most important of all, ||| continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

(Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT) Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.

3. We do anything short of sin to make a difference.

(1 Peter 4:10-11 NLT) God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

The Big Question: When?

(Matthew 24:14 NLT) And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.

(2 Peter 3:12 NIV) as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming....

(Revelation 3:20 NLT) "Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.