December 2, 2007pm       Lost – Found - Stolen      Matthew 24:36-46

By Ronald E. George Jr.  at the Fayetteville Baptist Church

That which was lost was found and then stolen away.  While I was on my summer vacation a few years ago I did something that I had never done before.  I was robbed in broad daylight.  We weren’t ready for the thief, so he got into our truck and stole our suitcases.  When I was growing up the thief came into our house while we were away. He stole my bike when I left it in the yard.  Every time I have been robbed in was at the time that I didn’t expect it.  Could you call Jesus a thief?  Are you ready for the second coming? 

Scripture:  Matthew 24:36-46

 ^36 “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,^a but only the Father. ^37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. ^38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; ^39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. ^40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. ^41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

^42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. ^43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. ^44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. ^[1]

I.  Jesus promises He will come again. - (John 14:1-3)

 1“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God^a; trust also in me. ^2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. ^3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ^4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”^[2]

 When Jesus left, He told the disciples that He would come again.  If you believe that he came the first time then you have to believe that he will come again.  Why?  Because he said he would.     

 One scholar has estimated that there are 1,845 references to Christ's second coming in the Old Testament, where 17 books give it prominence. In the 260 chapters of the New Testament, there are 318 references to the second advent of Christ--an amazing 1 out of every 30 verses. Twenty-three of the 27 New Testament books refer to this great event. For every prophecy in the Bible concerning Christ's first advent, there are 8 which look forward to His second!

II.  How will we know when this will be? (vs.36-39) - We don't know the time, but we do know when it will be 37-39.   As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the days of the coming of the Son of Man.  Life was going on as usual without God.  Be Ready for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man will come. 

III.  Jesus will come as a Thief. 

T. Takes stuff away.  He is coming to take away those who have believed in Him and trusted in Him as their Lord.  If he were to come right now would you be ready? 

H. Helps Himself.  (Doesn’t wait for you or others to get ready.)  Doesn’t wait for       permission.  He will come when the time is right.  Ready or not he is coming.  You only have a certain amount of time to get ready. 

I.  Is Coming.  No question.  It will happen.  For some it will be in the second coming and for others it will in death.  Mary Gentile was in the 10^th grade when Jesus came for her.  Jesus came for Cassie Bernall when she was asked if she believed in God in her Columbine High School . 

E.  Eagerly, excitedly, earnestly, and enthusiastically.  He will come according to the plan of the Father.  He will do what he came to do just as he did the first time around. 

F. Fast.  Quick.  As a flash of lightning  That is why we must be ready and watching for the Lord’s second coming. 

V.  What are we to do until then?

A.     Watch (vs.42-46) Look for him to come and expect him to come.  For he will come in the time that you don’t expect. 

B.    Pray.   Mark 13:32 (KJV) But of that day and [that] hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. 33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

            C.  Prepare and be prepared. Remember the ten virgins who were waiting for the groom to come.  Five were foolish and five were wise.  Five were ready and Five were left. 

Invitation:  Have you been preparing?  Are you watching?  Are you ready to meet the Lord?  If he would come right now would you be glad to see him? 

Make a personal decision to trust him as your Savior.  Make a decision to follow him in your life and you will be ready, watching, and waiting. 

Our absent Lord has given special commendation to those who not only WAIT for His return, but also earnestly WATCH for Him. The difference between these terms is illustrated by the story of a fishing vessel returning home after many days at sea.  As they neared the shore, the sailors gazed eagerly toward the dock where a group of their loved ones had gathered.  The skipper looked through his binoculars and identified some of them: "I see Bill's Mary, and there is Tom's Margaret and David's Anne."  One man became concerned because his wife was not there.  Later, he left the boat with a heavy heart and hurried up the hill to his cottage.  As he opened the door, she ran to meet him saying, "I have been waiting for you!"  He replied with a gentle rebuke, "Yes, but the other men's wives were watching for them!"