Scripture: Matthew 24:29-35

I. We have hope that Jesus will come with glory and majesty.

A. In Matthew 24 Jesus is answering two questions of the disciples. When will the temple be destroyed and when will Jesus come again to earth (vs. 3)? But Jesus said there will be a delay between the destruction of the temple and his return to earth. And until He returns, His people will experience tribulation (vs. 9, 21, and 29). The destruction of the temple will be a picture of the type of horrible persecution God’s people will endure until Jesus returns.
B. Our hope is found in vs. 30. At the second advent, Jesus will come to earth as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He will come on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Everyone will respond to Jesus at that time in the words of Philippians 2:10-11: “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”    

II. We have hope that Jesus will come to take care of His people.

A. We have hope not only that Jesus will bring an end to our tribulation and persecution. We have hope not only that Jesus will judge our persecutors. We have hope that Jesus will take care of us (vs. 31). No matter where you are in this world, God’s angels will find you when Jesus returns. The angels will find you, and they will gather you together with all the rest of God’s people. And you will be safe in God’s arms – from this day forward and forevermore.

B. Jesus is the Good Shepherd of Psalm 23. He will make you lie down in the green pastures of heaven. He will free us in heaven from all our anxieties and fears. John 10:11: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Jesus sacrificed His life for us so that our sins might be forgiven. He defeated Satan, sin, and death at the cross and in His resurrection. He gave up His life so that we might have life and be free from fear for all eternity.

III. We have hope that Jesus will keep all His promises.

A. Jesus promises in Matthew 24 that He will return to earth for His people at His second advent. Jesus says in vs. 32 that you know how to read the signs that summer is coming. Look at the signs then. Nothing is standing in the way of the second advent. The second coming of Jesus is the next step on God’s agenda for saving us. Verse 35: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” When Jesus says something, you can take it to the bank. All of Jesus’ promises will come true. We Christians then are people of hope.

Application:
God wins! So no matter what comes my way today, I will still have hope.

Sources:
The Bible
Commentaries by J.C. Ryle, R.T. France, D.A. Carson and Craig Blomberg

Sermon Discussion Questions

1) In what ways will Jesus’ second coming be different from His first coming to earth? What do you picture when you hear that Jesus is the King of Kings?
2) Since we Christians are God’s elect, God’s chosen people, can God forget about us? How does God treat us like a shepherd treats his sheep?
3) How is it comforting that none of Christ’s words will ever pass away? Will Jesus then keep His promise to come again to earth for you?