Message Notes for October 15, 2023

Series: Anticipation

Title: Anticipating Jesus’ Return

· The eternal encore  

1 Thessalonians 4:16 “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of a command, with the voice of an

archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.”

Revelation 19:11-14 “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful

and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many

crowns, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the

name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure,

were following him on white horses.”

· When will Jesus return? 

Matthew 24:36 “Concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the

Father only.”

Matthew 24:44-51 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at

the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he

will set him over all his possessions. But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ and begins to

beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he

does not expect him and at an hour he does not know and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In

that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

1. No one knows when 

2. Look at signs 

3. Be ready 

· Are we fearfully or joyfully anticipating His return?  

1 Corinthians 16:22 “If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our lord come!

· How do you wait for Christ’ return? Through busyness, sinful habits, prayer, worship, service?  

Titus 2:13 “Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ.”

Family/Study Group Notes for October 15, 2023

Series: Anticipation

Title: Anticipating Jesus’ Return

Message Verses:

1 Thessalonians 4:6, Revelation 19:11-14, Matthew 24:36, Matthew 24:44-51, 1 Corinthians 16:22, Titus 2:13 

Discussion Questions:

• Why does it seem like Christians have said that Jesus is returning soon, yet after 2,000 years the return of Christ is still to come?  

• Picture in your mind the day of the return of Christ. What does it look like? What does Jesus look like? How do you feel on that day, fearful, excited?  

• Read 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and Revelation 19:11-14. How close was your picture of the return of Christ to these passages?  

• Why do you think Jesus and His people do not know the day or hour (Mt 24:36?) How does not knowing, build anticipation?  

• How are we supposed to wait for Christ’s return? How are we not supposed to wait for Christ’s return? Read Matthew 24:44-51.  

• Have you cried out for Jesus to come quickly, like the crying out of the early church in 1 Corinthians 16:22?  

• Through suffering, anticipating the return of Christ will bring comfort. Through pride anticipating the return of Christ will bring humility. Through anxiety, the return of Christ will bring hope. He’s coming soon, anytime. How will the joyful anticipation of the return of Christ impact your life today?