Titus 2:13-15

Titus 2:13-15

Thoughts from Meghan Fravel

Dive Deeper

The Returning King
Slide

“While we wait for the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These then are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.”

Titus 2:13-15

Behind the Scenes (1)
Slide

Here we are the week after Christmas. The presents have been opened, the wrapping thrown away, and for many, the drone of their normal lives has returned. Perhaps they are seeing the Christmas story, the birth of Jesus, as the end. There was so much build up, shopping, cooking, Christmas card writing, and now it’s over. But here’s the good news, the story is far from over. For believers, it is just the beginning. Perhaps for you, you heard the grace of our Savior for the very first time. Perhaps you now know Him as you never have before. And prayerfully, you even invited Him into your lives as your Lord and Savior. But the story is NOT over…

Slide

The word “waiting” in our passage is also translated “looking”. As believers, we should be living in active expectation of the return of Jesus because we live under a promise that Jesus will return some day, that He will come back and redeem His people. And while we wait, we have work to do because God has invited us into His Kingdom work. Work of shining His light, telling others about the love of Jesus, and spreading the Good News. This is how we make disciples – even to the ends of the earth. Of course, most of us don’t need to go that far to find people who don’t know Jesus. Many of us have people we need to be on mission for right in our own cities, neighborhoods, and even our own homes.

Make it Real (1)
Slide

So, we tell the Good News. We proclaim the Truth and Grace in Jesus, and we wait expectantly for His return. And when He comes back, it will look very different from His first coming. It will be a time of celebration and redemption for some, but for others it will be a time of judgment. From David Guzik’s commentary on Blue Letter Bible:

Slide

- He came the first time to save the soul of man; He will come a second time to resurrect the body

- He came the first time to save the individual; He will come a second time to save society.

- He came the first time to a crucifixion; He will come a second time to a coronation.

Slide

= He came the first time to a tree; He will come a second time to a throne.

- He came the first time in humility; He will come a second time in glory.

- He came the first time and was judged by men; He will come a second time to judge all men.

- He came the first time and stood before Pilate; He will come a second time and Pilate will stand before Him.

Slide

So, while we wait, we work. We tell everyone we know without hesitation and with total confidence how our Jesus saves because in the end, everyone will bow to the King. And here’s the important question; what side will you stand on? How about your family, friends, and neighbors? Will you be standing WITH Jesus in heaven or suffering eternal separation from God our Father? Will you know you did all you could to share the Good News with those around you?

End in Prayer (1)
Slide

Father God, thank You for Your loving grace and for the opportunity to spend eternity with You. Thank You that You love us so much that You give us a choice. Lord, I pray for those who haven’t yet chosen You. I pray for those of us who have chosen you to have the courage and sense of urgency to share the Good News with everyone we encounter. Lord, I especially thank You for the 128 souls who chose eternity with You during our Christmas Eve services. Help us to support their walk to grow closer to You and to bring others with them. Lord, we love You! In the precious and mighty name of Jesus, AMEN!

previous arrow
next arrow

“While we wait for the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These then are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.” 

Titus 2:13-15

Behind the Scenes

Here we are the week after Christmas. The presents have been opened, the wrapping thrown away, and for many, the drone of their normal lives has returned. Perhaps they are seeing the Christmas story, the birth of Jesus, as the end. There was so much build up, shopping, cooking, Christmas card writing, and now it’s over. But here’s the good news, the story is far from over. For believers, it is just the beginning. Perhaps for you, you heard the grace of our Savior for the very first time. Perhaps you now know Him as you never have before. And prayerfully, you even invited Him into your lives as your Lord and Savior. But the story is NOT over… 

The word “waiting” in our passage is also translated “looking”. As believers, we should be living in active expectation of the return of Jesus because we live under a promise that Jesus will return some day, that He will come back and redeem His people. And while we wait, we have work to do because God has invited us into His Kingdom work. Work of shining His light, telling others about the love of Jesus, and spreading the Good News. This is how we make disciples – even to the ends of the earth. Of course, most of us don’t need to go that far to find people who don’t know Jesus. Many of us have people we need to be on mission for right in our own cities, neighborhoods, and even our own homes.  

Make it Real

So, we tell the Good News. We proclaim the Truth and Grace in Jesus, and we wait expectantly for His return. And when He comes back, it will look very different from His first coming. It will be a time of celebration and redemption for some, but for others it will be a time of judgment. From David Guzik’s commentary on Blue Letter Bible:  

  • He came the first time to save the soul of man; He will come a second time to resurrect the body 
  • He came the first time to save the individual; He will come a second time to save society. 
  • He came the first time to a crucifixion; He will come a second time to a coronation.  
  • He came the first time to a tree; He will come a second time to a throne. 
  • He came the first time in humility; He will come a second time in glory.  
  • He came the first time and was judged by men; He will come a second time to judge all men.  
  • He came the first time and stood before Pilate; He will come a second time and Pilate will stand before Him. 

 

So, while we wait, we work. We tell everyone we know without hesitation and with total confidence how our Jesus saves because in the end, everyone will bow to the King. And here’s the important question; what side will you stand on? How about your family, friends, and neighbors? Will you be standing WITH Jesus in heaven or suffering eternal separation from God our Father? Will you know you did all you could to share the Good News with those around you?  

Colleen McGeorge

Colleen McGeorge

ACF Devo Team

End in Prayer

Father God, thank You for Your loving grace and for the opportunity to spend eternity with You. Thank You that You love us so much that You give us a choice. Lord, I pray for those who haven’t yet chosen You. I pray for those of us who have chosen you to have the courage and sense of urgency to share the Good News with everyone we encounter. Lord, I especially thank You for the 130 souls who chose eternity with You during our Christmas Eve services. Help us to support their walk to grow closer to You and to bring others with them. Lord, we love You! In the precious and mighty name of Jesus, AMEN! 

Tagged