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Patiently Waiting for Christ's Return
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsLooking for Christ's return calls for urgency without impatience. Urgency is action grounded in true doctrine, while impatience is restless, desperate action born of annoyance at delay. The disciples in Acts 1 were corrected for wanting to know the times, and the Worldwide Church of God's frenzy over 1975 and later schisms and calendar controversies show how impatience leads people to force prophecy and leave the church. Since no one can know the day or hour (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32-33), calculation is ruled out, and Christ's coming is as sudden as lightning or a thief. Signs such as wars, pestilence, and persecution show only that the end is near. James 5:7-11 is the central passage, and it teaches that patience is active, not passive. It is illustrated by the farmer who waits for the early and latter rains, by the prophets such as Jeremiah, who endured the miry dungeon without bitterness, and by Job, who developed endurance through trials. Two Greek words are involved: makrothumia, a longsuffering that is slow to anger, and hupomone, constancy in endurance. Patience requires establishing the heart in conviction rather than mere preference, not grumbling inwardly against one another, and trusting that God will care for us in the meantime. The responsibilities while waiting are to watch and pray, avoid despair over the delay, grow in love, fellowship sincerely, and endure trials to the end. Patience also allows God time to develop others before the resurrection.
What Does Jesus Mean by the Parable of the Fig Tree (Matthew 24:32)?
Bible Questions & AnswersWe will know Christ's return is near when we see the events He mentions earlier in the chapter begin to occur. Verse 33 provides the key to His parable.
Some Reasons for Hope
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We have hope that our sins are forgiven, that the foolish things will be destroyed by Christ's second coming, and have the indwelling spirit of Jesus.
Enduring to the End
Sermonette by Ryan McClureThe antidote to post-Feast blues is to get our heads in God's Word, meditating on the topic of endurance, thinking about what it takes to endure to the end.
It's Worth the Wait
Sermonette by Ryan McClureIn Psalm 37:4, we are admonished to patiently wait for the Lord, with the promise that those who trust God's timetable will eventually inherit the earth.
1335 (Part Two)
'Prophecy Watch' by Charles WhitakerThe apostle Paul, writing to Timothy, suggests loving Christ's appearing on day 1,335 (Daniel 12:12) should come first in our understanding of prophecy.
How Much Longer Do We Have?
'Prophecy Watch' by David C. GrabbeHow often have we heard—or cried ourselves—'How long, O Lord?' Our great hope is in Christ's return, but it seems as if that time is delayed.
Trumpets Is a Day of Hope
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe are on the threshold of the greatest period of testing ever to come upon mankind. We need a sense of hope and faith to stay focused on our calling.
Shrugging Off Scoffers (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAny prophetic speculation, accurate or not, is useless unless it is promotes diligence in living godly lives, eagerly preparing for the return of Christ.
Success in This World
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe must invest in our own self-improvement and preparation, continually striving against stagnation and deterioration, and the powerful pulls of the world.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Profit from life is produced by work, requiring sacrifices of time and energy. We have been created for the very purpose of doing good works.
Habakkuk
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughHabakkuk learns to look, watch, wait, then respond, realizing that God is sovereign and will rectify all the injustices in His own time.
The 'Rest' of Hebrews 4
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIf we patiently endure, trusting in God's faithfulness to bring us to completion, there will be a time when we will attain the rest we desperately yearn for.
Hebrews (Part Twelve)
Sermon/Bible Study byHebrews 11 provides examples to bolster faith. The faith described is not blind, but is carefully developed from systematic analysis of available evidence.
Titus (Part Five): A Church in Training
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughPaul, realizing that the tiny flock was no match for the Roman Empire, did not crusade to abolish slavery, but instead taught the church how to deal with it.
Matthew (Part Five)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe word 'blessed' in the Beatitudes means happy from within, not dependent on circumstances. It comes from having God's spirit and hope for the future.
Hope to the End
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPeter, while warning about impending suffering, nevertheless distinguishes himself as the apostle of hope, keeping our minds on what is to be rather than what now is.
No Work, No Eat
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughBoth God the Father and Christ provide examples of work, exertion, and industry. To become idle is to deny the faith.