Waiting for the Second Coming of the Lord – Sermon outline
παρουσίας (Parousia)is a Greek word that appears 24 times in the New Testament which means – the second coming. Either it called as as The Day of the Lord or God’s impending judgment day or The End Times or The great and terrible day of the Lord, All these refer to the same day called in Greek –Parousia.
Also read : Parousia – The Second Coming of Jesus
1. Live in Hope: While Preparing for the Day of the Lord:
In Malachi 4:1-6, the prophet warns of the coming Day of the Lord, when Jesus, the Sun of Righteousness, will rise to bring both healing and judgment. On this day, the righteous will be healed and rejoice, while the wicked will be burned like stubble. Malachi also speaks of the return of Elijah (fulfilled through John the Baptist) to prepare people’s hearts for God’s coming. This passage ends by emphasizing the importance of remembering and keeping God’s commands as we await His return. God’s call to remember and keep His law and promises is a reminder to stay vigilant in righteousness until the end.
2. Stay Ready/Be Prepared: Don’t Let Your Lamp Run Out:
In Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus tells the parable of the ten virgins, which serves as a crucial lesson on preparedness for His return. Five virgins were wise, keeping extra oil for their lamps, while five were foolish and ran out. When the Bridegroom (Jesus) arrived, only the wise virgins were ready and entered the wedding feast with Him, while the foolish ones were locked out. This parable illustrates that, like the foolish virgins, it is not enough to merely believe in Jesus; we must ensure that we are spiritually prepared—remaining faithful, filled with the Holy Spirit, and living according to God’s will. Only then are we eligible to enter into His Kingdom (Matthew 25:10).
2.1. Some takeaways from the above parable are:
2.1.1. Not all believers who claim to be Christians will enter the feast or heaven (Matthew 7:21; Luke 13:24-27; James 2:17; Revelation 3:15-16) :
As in the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), all ten appeared the same outwardly, but only the wise virgins, who had oil, entered the bridegroom’s feast. The oil represents a genuine, sustained relationship with Christ—a faith that is lived out through obedience and works, not just words or lip service (James 2:17). Christian believers today may claim to know God, yet their lives may not reflect His will (Titus 1:16; Matthew 7:21). As Jesus warns, not everyone who calls Him “Lord” will enter His Kingdom, but only those who do the will of the Father (Matthew 7:21). Only those whose hearts, minds, and actions align with His Word will be ready to enter His Kingdom at His return. Therefore, having “oil” is essential—a faith that transforms, sustains, and is reflected in our actions.
2.1.2.Outward Spirituality or Lip-Service Christianity—Just Words Without Substance—is Not Enough (Matthew 15:8) :
Many believers have a profession of faith that merely eases their conscience—attending church, giving, or making religious gestures—but fail to live out genuine love and peace with others (James 2:17). Our actions are manifestations of our heart. God is not concerned with outward appearances; He sees the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). When believers mistreat others, they are disobedient to Christ’s command to love one another (John 13:34-35). True faith is shown through actions of love and obedience (1 John 3:18).
2.1.3. Spiritual Preparation Cannot Be Done at the Last Moment (Matthew 25:9-12) :
Just as the foolish virgins, who were unprepared, initially attempted to get oil from the wise virgins, the wise virgins responded, saying, “No. There may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves” (Matthew 25:9). The foolish virgins then attempted to buy oil at the last minute, but by the time they returned, the bridegroom had come and the Door was closed. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut (Matthew 25:10-12).
A person cannot borrow a relationship with God; they must possess it for themselves. Similarly, a person cannot borrow character or spiritual readiness; they must be clothed with it themselves. The time to prepare is now. Many believers may assume they can make changes or experience spiritual transformation at the last moment, even after having known God and heard the Gospel. Some may think they can repent in old age or during a crisis. However, the Bible makes it clear that spiritual preparation cannot be done at the last minute. You cannot “borrow” spiritual readiness or establish a relationship with God when it’s too late. Just as the foolish virgins were locked out, those who neglect to prepare spiritually in time will find themselves unprepared when the opportunity has passed.
3. Be Alert to Deception and Stand Firm in Your Faith:
Paul warns in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 that the Antichrist (man of lawlessness) will rise and deceive many, leading them astray from the truth. We must be cautious of false teachings and signs that may mislead us (Be Alert to Deception). It’s essential to stay rooted in the truth of the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:15). –As a true Christian, follow the true Shepherd, not any man, or preacher, or cult / movement.
Paul encourages believers to hold fast to the teachings they have received and remain steadfast in their faith (Stand Firm in Your Faith). In times of uncertainty and deception, standing firm in what we have been taught through God’s Word is crucial (2 Thessalonians 2:15).
4. Trust in God’s Protection
Psalm 121 reminds us that God is always watching over us. Just as He provides constant protection, we can trust in His guidance as we wait for Christ’s return. His presence is constant, and He will never leave us alone. God’s protection and care assure us that we can stay steadfast in our faith, no matter the circumstances.
5. Conclusion:
As we wait for the second coming of Christ, it is important to remain vigilant, spiritually prepared, and steadfast in our faith. Live in hope knowing that God will protect us and guide us. Stay ready and prepared, for spiritual readiness cannot be obtained at the last moment. Let us stand firm in our faith and trust in God’s protection, keeping our hearts and minds focused on His truth until the day He returns.
Let us be ready by staying spiritually prepared, and not delaying repentance or transformation until it’s too late.
As we eagerly wait for the second coming of Christ, it is vital to remain vigilant, spiritually prepared, and steadfast in our faith. Live in hope, knowing that God will protect and guide us through every challenge. Remember, spiritual readiness cannot be obtained at the last moment—we must stay prepared at all times.
Let us stand firm in our faith and trust in God’s protection, keeping our hearts and minds centered on His truth. As we await His return, we must not delay repentance or spiritual transformation. Be ready now—for the time to be spiritually prepared is today, not tomorrow. Stay vigilant, stay faithful, and remain in His grace until the day He comes again.
Amen
Bibliography or References to the sermon:
- Malachi 4:1-6 – “Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and evildoers will be stubble…”
- Matthew 25:1-13 – Parable of the Ten Virgins
- Matthew 7:21 – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven…”
- Luke 13:24-27 – “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door…”
- James 2:17 – “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
- Revelation 3:15-16 – “So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
- Matthew 15:8 – “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”
- 1 Samuel 16:7 – “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
- John 13:34-35 – “A new command I give you: Love one another.”
- 1 John 3:18 – “Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
- Matthew 25:9-12 – “But the wise answered, ‘No, there may not be enough for both us and you.’”
- 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 – “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way…”
- 2 Thessalonians 2:15 – “So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you.”
- Psalm 121 – A psalm of God’s protection and guidance
- Acts 1:11 – “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 – “The Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command…”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:2 – “The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”
- 1 Peter 5:4 – “When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”
- 2 Peter 3:10-13 – “The day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar…”
- James 5:7-8 – “Be patient, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming…”
- 1 John 2:28 – “Continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him.”
- 1 Corinthians 11:26 – “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
- Revelation 22:20 – “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”
- Malachi 1:1 – “A prophecy: The word of the Lord to Israel through Malachi.”
- Malachi 1:7-10 – “By offering defiled food on my altar… I am not pleased with you.”
- Malachi 3:8 – “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.”
- Malachi 2:10-12 – “Why do we profane the covenant of our ancestors by being unfaithful to one another?”
- Malachi 3:8-10 – “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse… Test me in this.”
- Matthew 25:13 – “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
- Matthew 24:42, 44 – “Therefore keep watch… Be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
- Luke 12:40 – “You must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
- Luke 21:36 – “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen…”
- 1 Peter 4:7-8 – “The end of all things is near… Above all, love each other deeply.”
- Mark 13:35-37 – “Keep watch… What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!'”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:6 – “Let us be awake and sober.”
- 2 Peter 3:8-18 – “The day of the Lord will come… looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth.”