PowerPoint

Guest (Female): Welcome to PowerPoint with Jack Graham.

Jack Graham: As we look forward to the coming of Christ and ask ourselves, am I ready? Am I living for what really matters? Let's not get caught up in all the stuff that is swirling around us.

Guest (Female): On today's PowerPoint, Dr. Graham brings a message about what it means to live ready for Christ's return. Now, here's Dr. Graham with his message, are you ready for His return?

Jack Graham: Jesus is coming again. And He's coming soon. When the disciples were wondering what's next after Jesus had ascended in their presence, before their very eyes, into the clouds, into the glories, with their mouths gaping open, questions filling their hearts and minds, the angel of the Lord said, you men of Galilee, don't be amazed. This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you've seen Him go.

And this is the blessed hope of every believer. This is the promise that we are to believe and live by. This is the promise we are to live and to live in expectation and anticipation of that moment when we stand before Christ.

And that's what John is talking about in First John chapter 2, beginning at verse 28. "And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink in shame at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him. See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God, and so we are.

"The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him before. Beloved, we are now God's children. And what we will be has not yet appeared, but we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we will see Him as He is. And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure."

The Bible says, prepare to meet your God. Get ready, Jesus is coming again. When you read the Bible in one hand, take the newspaper in the other, you see the signs of our times multiplying. And even John in these early days of the Christian faith said earlier in chapter two, "beloved, these are the last days." These have been the last days since the cross and resurrection of Christ.

We're in the final generation, and of course, we're getting closer and closer to the coming of Christ. If these were the last days, John's days, then we must be in the last hours of the last days. But regardless if Christ comes today or a thousand years from now, we are to live in a state of readiness. We are to live this promise, because life is preparation for eternity.

What is life about? Life is knowing Jesus and getting ready to be with Him. And I've come to believe as I've read the scriptures these years that I ought to live, that we ought to live every day as if it is the day. The day when Christ will come.

And in getting ready for His return, John tells us how we are to respond and how we are to then live this promise. And he does it in a very simple term. It is a term that Jesus used, and John certainly would have remembered the words of Jesus recorded in John chapter 15, when He had gathered His disciples in those final hours of His life in the upper room.

And this word became a favorite word, a key word in the writings of John. In fact, we see it again and again, particularly in chapter two of First John. And it is that little word abide. Abide. Jesus said, "Abide in Me, and I in you."

And John continues that theme of abiding in Christ. It's a very simple word, it's a very subtle term. It's a word which means to be at home, to dwell in. It's a word which means to continue in. It simply means to stay connected to Christ. It speaks of our union and our communion with Christ.

Abide. You see, the Christian life is not that complicated thing that we've often made it. Jesus reduced it and John to follow to just one word: abide in Christ. As a little branch stays connected to the vine, so are we as believers connected to Christ. And our strength, our power, our energy that we might produce the spiritual fruit of Christ's character in us is because Christ is living in us.

And so as we look forward to the coming of Christ and ask ourselves, are we ready? Am I ready? Am I living for what really matters? Let me just give you one word as to how to get ready, and that is to abide.

Now, what does that mean to abide in Christ? Well, it means this is a call to a life of dependence. A life that is dependent. Just as a branch abides in a tree and is dependent upon that tree, the sap, the energy, the flow, the life of that tree for its life. So are we dependent upon Christ for our life.

Andrew Murray, the great Christian and devotional writer, said that the abiding life is a life of full surrender. It is a life of deep restfulness, and it is a life of total dependence. And so clinging, connected to the vine, we are growing in that faith. We stay dependent upon Christ. And how do we do that? We do that when we commit our lives to Christ. We commit our lives to Christ.

The goal for every believer is to follow Jesus and to become more and more like Him each step of the way. Verse 29 of chapter 2 speaks of this abiding in Him and knowing that He is righteous. You may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him.

And then down in chapter three and verse six, we didn't quite read that far, but it says, "No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning. No one who keeps on sinning has either seen Him or known Him." We are committed to Christ. We have experienced the love of God in our lives.

And life is about Jesus. Now, have you made that discovery? Because if you've not made the discovery that life is about Jesus, life is never going to make sense to you. Life is never going to come together because you were created for Him, by Him and for Him. Until you get your life from Him, you will never enjoy life, the abundant life that God has planned.

So, to stay in Christ, to stay dependent upon Christ, we commit our lives to Him. And then we cleanse our lives from sin. We read in First John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." We read just a moment ago that if we are born of God, that we do not continue to practice sin.

Sin is not a habitual lifestyle for the believer. It's not that we don't sin, we do. We know that we sin. And if we sin, we have an advocate with the Father, and we find forgiveness in Him. But when we are born again, we do not stay the same in the sin that has bound us and broken us. We are transformed by the power of Jesus Christ. We are changed and we are cleansed.

And therefore, it is my responsibility each day of my life to say, "Judgment Day honest," concerning my life and my lifestyle. To make sure that I am continually confessing my sins. That I am open and transparent with God. That I'm making sure that no dirt, no debris is in my life. That keeps the channel of God's power and God's blessing flowing in our lives.

So, what is it to abide in Christ? It means to stay committed to Christ. It means to cleanse our lives from sin. And it means to conform our lives to God's Word. To conform our lives to God's Word. In fact, there's a very strong connection in scripture between abiding in Christ and abiding in His Word.

Colossians 3:16, for example, says, "Let the Word of God live in you, dwell in you richly. Let the Word of God settle down in your life and be at home in your heart." Jesus said, "If you abide in Me," this is John 15:7, "If you abide in Me and My Word abides in you, you shall ask what you will, and you will receive it."

And so that's a tremendous promise for prayer. When the Word of God is abiding in us, we are being conformed and transformed by His Word. What does chapter 2 verse 14 say? Chapter 2 of First John verse 14. It says, "And the Word of God abides in you and you have overcome the evil one."

Look again down in chapter 2 verse 24. "Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you." What is that? The Word of God. "If what you have heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father." You see it there? The Word of God and the Son of God are connected. And when we get in His Word, we get not only the Word of God, but the God of the Word.

The Bible is not just a book to be heard, it is a book to be lived.

Guest (Female): You're listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and the message, are you ready for His return? We are excited to share that we have a new way to connect with us. It's our texting service designed to keep you connected with everything happening here at PowerPoint. You'll be the first to know about upcoming events, special announcements, and truly enriching content. To join, start a new text conversation by texting the word CONNECT to 59789. Again, text CONNECT to 59789. Every day people are hearing the truth of Jesus Christ through PowerPoint's broadcasts, podcasts, and digital outreach. And friends like you help make it all possible through your support. So this month we want to say thanks for your gift of $10 or more to help share the biblical truth with more people around the world by sending you Dr. Jack Graham's book, Ask. In this encouraging resource, Dr. Graham helps you discover that prayer is not about performance. It's about knowing God personally and learning to come to Him with confidence, persistence, and faith. Text JULYA to 59789 to give today and request your copy. Again, text JULYA to 59789. So that everyone has a chance to receive this helpful resource, please limit one per household. Now, let's get back to today's message, are you ready for His return?

Jack Graham: So to abide in Christ means that our lives are what? Committed to Christ. It means that our lives are cleansed from sin. It means that our lives are conformed to the Word of God. And to abide in Christ means that our lives are connected with God's people. We're talking about the church.

First John 2:19 says of those who did not endure, therefore they were not true believers. It says of them, "They went out from us because they were not of us." Us, meaning the church. They were disconnected from Christ, thus they were disconnected from the church. Those who are connected to Christ, abiding in Christ, will stay involved, using their influence and their witness in the church, connecting and cooperating with God's people.

We see that same thing in chapter 3 verse 11, "For this is the message that you've heard from the beginning, that we should love one another." Look down at verse 16. "By this we know that we've laid that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." Speaking of God's people, God's church.

Do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together as the manner of some is. Hebrews 10:25. But encouraging one another, meeting together, encouraging one another. And so much the more as we see the day approaching. As times get tougher and the days get darker, more and more we need to surround ourselves with God's people, God's church.

And of course, remember the church is not buildings, but rather we're told that we are the living stones of God's church. That we are built together and bonded together in our faith in Christ. We're a spiritual family. We have been born again as brothers and sisters in Christ. And this spiritual family, this spiritual building, it spans language and race and culture. It even spans time and eternity. His church.

And as we get nearer to the final hours when Christ will come, more and more I am my heart is convinced that our time to get the job done of fulfilling the Great Commission is now. And I want to spend my life strengthening God's church, God's people. I have a verse that I've been working on, not only to memorize it, but to live it. And this year is Romans 14 and verse 19.

It says, "Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and for mutual upbuilding." Pursue the things which make for peace. The word pursue means to make the effort. In other words, do it intentionally. Because pursuing peace and building one another up and encouraging one another, that doesn't happen naturally. Naturally, we are selfish, self-centered, and sarcastic.

And I have to get on my knees every day with this verse and say, "Lord, may I pursue peace this day with my fellow man. May I may I live to encourage others and commit to do that." Because God's people and God's church and God's mission on earth is God's call upon not just my life but every life. What is the one thing that you dream about?

What is the one thing that that drives you? It's so easy to get off on side streets, isn't it? To be diverted and and and distracted. They say one of the problems in playing in the Super Bowl, the two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl, is all the distractions, all the hoopla, all the stuff, all the chaos that's going on around the game. And it's the challenge of every coach of a Super Bowl team to get that team focused to play football.

Well, in life, there's so many distractions and diversions. And we need to constantly be asking ourselves, what is the one thing that God has called me to do in life? What is my focus? You know, I get calls and letters each week from people, very good people, presenting good programs and ideas and plans and missions and projects and boards to serve on.

And, you know, if I'm not careful, I can get caught up because my nature is to say yes to do things if it's for a good cause and the cause of Christ. But, you know, I can only do a few things really well. And if I get spread too thin, I find that I may be doing many things, but I'm not doing the best things. I may be doing good things, but not the best things.

And as I consider a myriad of opportunities and and challenges that are before me, and I have to discipline myself to say no to some good things so that I can make sure that I do the right things. And it's not because you don't want to do these things, but it is because God has called you to do a certain thing. Life is short, Jesus is coming, and I want to maximize life.

So let's not get caught up in all the stuff that is swirling around us. Especially the things that do not last. Let's begin every day thinking about eternity, thinking about tomorrow, and the promises and the possibilities. And to remember that one day we're going to all appear at the judgment seat of Christ. I have a friend who says, "I begin every day at the judgment seat of Christ."

And by that he means that it is as though he is standing before Christ at the end of the age when Christ comes. His life is being evaluated. So he evaluates not only on that day the things to come, but on this day the things that really, truly matter. Because what truly really matters is what will truly last.

I heard that Patrick Morley, the author of Man in the Mirror, was contacted by an acquaintance. And he found out that Patrick Morley had an unlisted telephone number. When he finally caught up, he was just incensed. He said, he said, "How is it that you, as a Christian, have an unlisted number?" And Patrick Morley said, "Well, it's really easy. If you'll just call the phone company and tell them what you want, they'll give you one."

He said, "No." He said, "How, how can you have an unlisted number?" And that's when Morley got serious, and he said, "Look, I'm willing to die for you before 6:00 PM. But after 6:00 PM, I will only die for my family. And the only way that I can be sure that I'm going to spend time with my family is to make an appointment with my family like any other appointment. And I would rather be a nobody in the world and somebody with my kids." That's a man who's learned how to say yes to his family but has to say no to some other things.

So if you want to be in Christ, stay connected to Christ. Then continue in the church. Stay connected to the church and the purposes of God in His church. The scripture says, as we read earlier, "Now, little children, abide in Him, that when He shall appear, you may have confidence and not be ashamed, not shrink in shame at His appearance." Some of us, I am afraid, would be ashamed if Christ were to come this moment.

When He appears, and we stand before Him, our lives are going to be evaluated. Are you living in obedience to Christ? Are you walking in step with His will in your life? Are you doing what He called you to do? Or are you spending your life and wasting your life rather than giving your life and investing your life?

Stephen Olford, great preacher. He and his brother were raised by missionary parents in Africa. And Stephen became a believer early in life and though he was studying engineering, he ultimately surrendered his life to ministry and became one of the great preachers of the 20th century, Stephen Olford. He had a brother, Robert, who did not follow Christ, in fact, did not give his life to Jesus until much later on in years.

And as Robert was coming to the end of his days, as he was dying, he was very despondent, he was very discouraged. And so Stephen was his brother was encouraging him and said, you know, "Brother, look, you you know Christ, and you're going to be with Christ and and you're going to be in heaven. And Jesus died for you, and He's going to keep you, and He's with you always, even to the end." And and he was giving him all these scriptures. He said, "You don't you don't need to be afraid to die."

And that's when Robert said, "Stephen, I'm not afraid to die. That's not what's troubling me. I'm ashamed to die. I'm ashamed to die because my life has not counted for Christ." When we stand before Jesus, the only thing that will really matter is if we have lived our lives for Him. We've been faithful to Him. That we have finished the course with joy.

Paul said, "I've kept the faith. I've finished the course. I've fought the good fight. Therefore there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord Himself will give to me, and not to me only, but to all who love His appearing." Did you know that there is a unique crown reward for those who long for, look for, love His appearing?

I would simply ask you, how long has it been since you've thought about the second coming of Jesus? A few hours? A few days? A few weeks, a few months, maybe even a few years? I've noticed that people who get their attention captured by the return of Christ become stronger in life, better husbands, better wives, better dads and moms, better church members, stronger witnesses.

There's something about the urgency, the sense of expectancy in our lives. Because staying in Christ, it means that we stay dependent. It means that we stay expectant, and we stay confident, because we know that we are living for Him and in Him. Abiding in Christ. Don't be ashamed to die. Don't be ashamed to meet Him when He comes for you in the air.

But be confident and be certain and celebrate His love forever and ever. I tell you, when we see Him, it's going to be worth it all.

Guest (Female): You're listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and the message, are you ready for His return? We want to remind you about a powerful resource Dr. Graham has created to help strengthen your prayer life. It's his book, Ask. This practical and encouraging book explores Jesus's invitation to ask, seek, and knock, helping you discover that prayer is not about saying the right words, but about growing closer to your Heavenly Father through faith-filled relationship. When you give today to support the outreach of PowerPoint Ministries, you'll help share biblical truth and the life-changing hope of Jesus with people around the world through broadcasts, podcasts, and digital ministry. Text JULYA to 59789 to give your gift of $10 or more and request your copy of Ask. Again, text JULYA to 59789. So that everyone has a chance to receive this helpful resource, please limit one per household. We're excited to share that we have a new way to connect with us. It's our texting service designed to keep you connected with everything happening here at PowerPoint. You'll be the first to know about upcoming events, special announcements, and truly enriching content. To join, start a new text conversation by texting CONNECT to 59789. Again, text CONNECT to 59789. Pastor, what is your PowerPoint for today?

Jack Graham: Well, today I want to close out by just talking about what it really means to abide in Christ as we prepare for the second coming. How do we really go about that? What does that look like? As I said earlier, one of the best habits you and I can have is to memorize the Word of God and make the scripture your own. For example, if you find yourself worrying about your finances or your problems, or how you're going to pay the mortgage, or what you're going to get for your children, that college education, and so on. Remember Matthew 6:33, which says to seek first Jesus and His kingdom, and then all of these things that we really need will ultimately be added to you. Or if you have an important decision to make, if you know the Word of God, you would recall, just pull up on your screen, Proverbs 3:5 and 6, which says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths." I can't tell you how many times I have recalled that scripture, quoted that scripture, when I have faced important decisions.

You see, once you have memorized a verse, you can use that verse in sharing your faith, in encouraging others with the Word of God, in building up your own faith, as you find yourself seeking strength or direction in life. Remember, to abide in Christ means to be conformed to the Word of God. It means to contain the Word of God by memorizing it, but it also means to be conformed to the Word of God by allowing God's Word to change you. It's not just reading Bible verses and memorizing them for the fun of it, it means allowing God's Word to penetrate your life as you study it, contemplate it, meditate upon it. This is a vital spiritual discipline if you're going to be ready when the Lord returns. Make a commitment to spend time in His Word every day. We used to call this a quiet time. Take time to be still and know that God is God. Open His Word, allow God to speak to you. Form this as a consistent habit in your life, and then seek to conform to God's Word, putting into practice what you're learning, into living, to abide in Him every single day is to get ready for Jesus' return.

Guest (Female): And that is today's PowerPoint. Remember, when you give a gift to PowerPoint, we'll send you Dr. Graham's book, Ask. Just text JULYA to 59789. And join us again next time as Dr. Graham brings a message about how your life changes when you know you're a child of God. That's next time on PowerPoint with Jack Graham. PowerPoint with Jack Graham is sponsored by PowerPoint Ministries.