Focusing on the Future - Lesson 5 - True Attitude

True Attitude Concerning the Future

Readiness

Matthew 24:44, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”

Be ye also ready.
The duty enjoined is not to watch for Christ,
but to watch ourselves to see that we are ready.

It is useless to set the day and hour for Christ's coming.
It is folly to neglect it.

Mr. Wesley was once asked by a lady, "Suppose that you knew that you were to die at twelve o'clock tomorrow night, how would you spend the intervening time?" "How, madam?" he replied, "why just as I intend to spend it now. I should preach this night at Gloucester, and again at five tomorrow morning. After that I should ride to Tewkesbury, preach in the afternoon,, and meet the societies in the evening. I should then repair to friend Martin's house, who expects to entertain me, converse and pray with the family as usual, retire to my room at ten o'clock, commend myself to my heavenly Father, lie down to rest, and wake up in glory." To be prepared for the coming of Jesus we need not leave our daily callings, and stand gazing upward into heaven; but with grace in our hearts we shall do well to continue in the path of service with steadfast souls.


True Attitude Concerning the Future

Stewardship

Luke 19:13, “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.”

There are three sorts of men in the Church:
the one sort fall from Christ whom they do not see;

the other, according to their God given position,
bestow the gifts which they have received from God to his glory,
with great pains and diligence;
the third live idly and do no good.

As for the first,
the Lord when he comes will justly punish them in his time;

the second he will bless
according to the pains which they have taken;

and as for the slothful and idle persons,
he will punish them like the first.

Ten pounds;
the gifts and opportunities of doing good with which he entrusts men.

Occupy;
use in a right manner.
negotiate,
do business,
with the resources entrusted.

Trade ye till I come.
This was all given to be used.
It was given to his servants.
It represents whatever ability,
whether of wealth or mind,
that we have to serve Christ.


True Attitude Concerning the Future

Patient Waiting

1 Corinthians 1:7, “So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:”

To be waiting with earnest desire.

For the glorious revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ
A sure mark of a true or false Christian,
to long for, or dread, this revelation.


True Attitude Concerning the Future

Charitableness

1 Corinthians 4:5, “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.”

Judge nothing before the time
God, the righteous Judge, will determine every thing shortly:
it is his province alone to search the heart,
and bring to light the hidden things of darkness.

If you be so pure and upright in your conduct,
if what you have been doing in these divisions, etc.,
be right in his sight,
then shall you have praise for the same;
if otherwise, yourselves are most concerned.


True Attitude Concerning the Future

Blameless Living

1 Thessalonians 5:23, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Separate you from the world,
and make you holy to himself through his Spirit,
in Christ, in whom alone you will attain to that true peace.


True Attitude Concerning the Future

Perfect Obedience

1 Timothy 6:14, “That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:”

Unrebukable
Let there be nothing in thy conduct
or spirit contrary to this truth.
Keep the truth,
and the truth will keep thee.


True Attitude Concerning the Future

Joyful Expectation

Titus 2:13, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;”

The attitude of Christians
is that of waiting in expectation
of the fulfillment of a glorious hope.


True Attitude Concerning the Future

Constant Abiding

1 John 2:28, “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.”

Abide in him.
By continuing in the truth taught of God.

Being full of love he pleads with us never to desert our Lord,
or listen to the false gospels which would lead us astray.

Ever may this family be true to Jesus,
to the gospel, and to holy living:
and may none of us ever be deceived by false doctrine,
or tempted into sin.

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