30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 17 20-37 Be occupied with the work of His kingdom, till He returns 10 Focus on the important
📖 Luke 17:20-37
17Aug2020 - *Focus on the important* - _Luke 17:20-37_ - BE OCCUPIED WITH THE WORK OF HIS KINGDOM, TILL HE RETURNS 10 – Bible reading: _II Peter 3:10-14_
_Luke 17:24 For as the lightning that flashes out of one part under heaven shines to the other part under heaven, so also the Son of Man will be in His day._
As we read the various passage of scripture, regarding the second coming of the Lord, we see that the emphasis is not so much on the signs of His return themselves but rather on our occupation with the things of His kingdom. But we see how loud the sounds have become that intend to flood our minds with the signs rather than our preparedness for His return. The purpose of these loud sounds to make us anxious and troubled. We, ought not to fall prey to this deception but we must focus on the important.
_Malachi 3:2-3 “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire And like launderers' soap. (3) He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the LORD An offering in righteousness._
The focus for us as the church _(sons of Levi)_ is to allow and embrace the refining process of the Lord, into our lives. He desires for us to offer an offering of righteousness. Righteousness, which is faith in action.
Aren’t we often resisting the refining of the Lord? We are more concerned that the problems and challenges that we are facing should be taken away. We are waiting for this pandemic to be behind us and we want to get on with our lives. Whereas, the Lord is allowing these challenges in order to purify the church.
_Malachi 4:1-2 “For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up," Says the LORD of hosts, "That will leave them neither root nor branch. (2) But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves._ God intends us to be sons of righteousness. That is the goal that the Lord intends for us.
_I Thessalonians 5:1-11 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. (2) For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. (3) For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. (4) But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. (5) You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness._
We, as the church, are called to be sons of light in the time of darkness. How are we to be the sons of light? This is by holding fast the word of life _(Philippians 2:15-16)_
_(6) Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. (7) For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. (8) But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. (9) For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, (10) who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. (11) Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing._
Our task is to comfort and edify one another in the body of Christ, to be occupied with the things of His kingdom, till He returns.
_James 5:7-8 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. (8) You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand._
The hearts of the people of God must be established and not confounded and confused. Our minds must be clear and we need not be anxious at all in these disturbing times for we are focused on the important, which is to be occupied with the things of His kingdom.
*Thought to ponder*
```Rejoice, for our Lord, comes soon and we wish to be ready to meet and welcome Him.```