The Son of Man Is Coming (Matthew 24:36-39)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
8 January 2023
Jesus prophesied that he, the Son of Man, would come again. He also prophesied what the world would be like when he returns. Jesus wants us to know things.
Jesus is coming again. Note that he spoke this way before he died indicating his complete assurance he would live after he was crucified. This is amazing. Only Jesus could speak this way.
When he returns the world will be as in the days of Noah. Jesus acknowledged the historic fact of the great flood and used it as a sign of things to come.
Observe three characteristics of Noah's day which will also characterise the world when Jesus returns.
The three traits are first ungodliness, secondly unrighteousness and thirdly compromise in the believing community.
The days of Noah were characterised by world-wide ungodliness as seen by the world’s rejection of Noah’s preaching. Noah was a man of God, a preacher of righteousness, but the world rejected his message. It was ungodly.
The days of Noah were also characterised by unrighteousness. Unrighteousness is the fruit of ungodliness. The world was filled with violence. Paul wrote that God’s wrath is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness (Romans 1:18).
The days of Noah were characterised by compromise in the believing community for the church had become compromised. The sons of God, who I take to mean the believing community, that is, the lineage of Abel, married into the ungodly line of Cain. The chosen people had become corrupted.
Note that these three characteristics will be present at the time of the return of the Son of Man. This is the point that Jesus is making here in Matthew 24:36-39.
The world will be ungodly (John 3:19). Wickedness shall abound (Matt.24:12). The church shall become compromised (Rev.2:14; 2:20). There is nothing new under the sun. As in the days of Noah so in the day that Jesus returns, people shall be ungodly. They shall be unrighteous. The evangelical church shall be compromised.
The lesson for us is to be ready for the coming of the Son of Man. Jesus has forewarned us of what the world shall be like. Our world today fits his description.
Let’s be informed. Know your Bibles. Know the gist of prophecy. God is working out his purposes through Christ Jesus. The informed person is the Bible-informed one.
Be humble for we don't know everything. No one knows the day and hour when Jesus returns. But we know what the state of the world will be when he returns.
Be watchful of your lives. Live holy lives serving the Lord with all that he gives you. Noah’s age was worldly caring not for the things of heaven. The world is passing away but heaven is forever. Care for heavenly things. You will not be disappointed.
Be zealous in sharing the gospel. Noah was a preacher of righteousness. Let us do the work of evangelists. People can be rescued from the coming judgment of sin but how shall they hear unless the gospel is preached to them?