Text: Matthew 10 (AMP)

Introduction

The word “disciple” means “learner” or “follower.” Being a disciple of Jesus is more than accepting His teachings—it is living them out with purpose and enduring challenges. Imagine a coach training a team not just to play but to represent something larger than themselves. Jesus did the same with His disciples.

Background and Context

In Matthew 10, Jesus calls His twelve disciples, equips them, and sends them out. This chapter outlines the heart of discipleship—calling, commissioning, and the reality of living for Christ. It’s both a privilege and a responsibility, marked by purpose and challenges.

Key Points

1. Jesus Trained and Gave Authority (Matthew 10:1-4)
   • Jesus called His disciples and trained them for ministry, granting them authority over unclean spirits and diseases.
   • Illustration: A teacher gives students not just knowledge but tools to solve problems. Jesus equips His disciples to act in His power.
   • Application: God calls and equips us for specific purposes. Are you seeking His training daily through His Word?
2. Jesus Sent Them Out with Purpose (Matthew 10:5-10)
   • Jesus directed the disciples to specific people (the lost sheep of Israel), emphasizing intentionality.
   • Illustration: A GPS directs you on the most effective route to reach a destination. Jesus gives us clarity in our mission.
   • Application: Are you intentional in sharing the gospel with those God places in your path?
3. Jesus Warned of Persecution (Matthew 10:16-25)
   • Jesus prepared His disciples for opposition, comparing them to sheep among wolves.
   • Illustration: A firefighter enters danger knowing risks but prepared for the mission.
   • Application: Discipleship involves risks, but God provides wisdom and strength to endure. Are you prepared to face opposition for Christ?
4. Jesus Emphasized Effectiveness over Acceptance (Matthew 10:14-15)
   • He instructed them to move on if rejected, focusing on effectiveness rather than popularity.
   • Illustration: A sower doesn’t waste seed on rocky soil but moves to fertile ground.
   • Application: Are you focusing on being faithful rather than being liked?
5. Jesus Sent Them Alone to Rely on Him (Matthew 10:19-20)
   • Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would give them the words to speak in challenging moments.
   • Illustration: A soldier relies on their training in battle, trusting their commander’s guidance.
   • Application: Do you trust God to guide your words and actions when faced with challenges?

Practical Application

1. Embrace Your Calling: Recognize that God has uniquely equipped you for His purpose.
2. Stay Focused on the Mission: Be intentional in your witness and avoid distractions.
3. Prepare for Challenges: Expect resistance, but trust God’s provision and protection.
4. Walk in Boldness and Humility: Share the truth with confidence, relying on the Holy Spirit.
5. Accept Rejection Gracefully: Not all will receive the gospel; leave the outcome to God.

Conclusion

Being a disciple of Christ means answering His call, fulfilling His purpose, and enduring trials with unwavering faith. Jesus didn’t just call His disciples to follow; He equipped them to go. Are you ready to step into your calling with faith, purpose, and reliance on Him?

Here is the list of mentions of the Day of the Lord in Joel, each with a one-word theme summarizing its essence:

1. Joel 1:15 – Destruction

“Woe for the day! For the day of the Lord is near, and it will come as destruction from the Almighty.”

• Theme: Destruction. The verse portrays the “Day of the Lord” as a time of devastating judgment, marked by ruin and calamity.

2. Joel 2:1 – Warning

“Blow a trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm on My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming; indeed, it is near.”

• Theme: Warning. This verse is an urgent call to alertness and repentance as the day approaches.

3. Joel 2:11 – Power

“The Lord utters His voice before His army; His camp is indeed very great, for mighty is one who carries out His word. The day of the Lord is indeed great and very awesome, and who can endure it?”

• Theme: Power. It emphasizes the overwhelming might of God and the inability of anyone to withstand His judgment.

4. Joel 2:31 – Signs

“The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.”

• Theme: Signs. Cosmic phenomena herald the coming of the “Day of the Lord,” acting as a warning of impending divine intervention.

5. Joel 3:14 – Judgment

“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.”

• Theme: Judgment. This verse describes the gathering of nations for God’s final verdict, underscoring His righteous justice.

Summary Table

Each reference builds on the concept of God’s justice, providing a holistic view of the “Day of the Lord.”

The “secret coming” of Jesus often refers to the Rapture, a distinct event in Christian eschatology where Jesus Christ comes for His Church, removing believers from the earth before the Tribulation period. This contrasts with the Second Coming, where Jesus visibly returns to establish His Kingdom. Below is a concise exploration of the secret coming, with key insights from the provided notes.

1. Definition of the Rapture

The Rapture, derived from the Latin word rapturo meaning “caught up,” is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17:

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven… and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive… will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”

It is a supernatural and instantaneous event where believers receive glorified bodies (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).

2. Biblical Basis for the Secret Coming

The secret coming is distinct in that it is:

• Invisible to the world: Unlike the Second Coming, the Rapture is not a public display of Christ’s glory. Only believers are caught up.
• Sudden and unexpected: Described as occurring “like a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3).
• For the Church alone: Jesus does not set foot on the earth during the Rapture but meets His followers “in the air.”

Supporting Scriptures:

• Matthew 24:36: “No one knows the day or the hour except God the Father.”
• 1 Corinthians 15:51-52: “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye… the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.”
• Revelation 3:10: Believers are promised to be “kept from the hour of trial.”

3. Purpose of the Rapture

The Rapture is part of God’s redemptive plan with these key purposes:

1. Protection from Wrath:
   • 1 Thessalonians 1:10: “Jesus… rescues us from the wrath to come.”
   • Believers are removed before the Tribulation, sparing them from God’s judgment on an unbelieving world.
2. Removal of the Restrainer:
   • 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7: The Holy Spirit working through the Church currently restrains evil. Once the Church is raptured, the Antichrist will be revealed.
3. Preparation for Glorification:
   • Believers are transformed into glorified bodies (Philippians 3:21).

4. Timing of the Rapture

The Pre-Tribulational view holds that the Rapture occurs before the Tribulation, based on:

• Promises of Deliverance:
  • Revelation 3:10: The Church is “kept from the hour of trial.”
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:9: “God has not destined us for wrath.”
• Absence of the Church in Revelation 6-19: The Church is not mentioned during the detailed Tribulation events.

5. Practical Implications for Believers

1. Hope and Comfort:
   • The Rapture is the “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13), a source of encouragement.
   • 1 Thessalonians 4:18: “Encourage one another with these words.”
2. Call to Holiness:
   • The imminence of the Rapture motivates believers to live holy lives.
   • 1 John 3:2-3: “Everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself.”

Conclusion

The “secret coming” of Jesus refers to the Rapture, a sudden and hidden event where Jesus calls His Church to Himself before the Tribulation. It highlights God’s grace in sparing believers from wrath, the promise of glorification, and the urgency to live watchful, holy lives. This event remains a profound source of hope and anticipation for all who trust in Christ.

“Be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.” – Matthew 24:42

Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 (Amplified Bible)

Title: Living in Readiness for the Day of the Lord

Introduction:

Imagine a homeowner who hears rumors of a burglar but chooses to leave their doors unlocked and alarms off. When the thief arrives, they are unprepared. Similarly, Paul warns that the “Day of the Lord” will come suddenly, like a thief in the night, and encourages believers to live in readiness.

Background and Context:

• The Day of the Lord is a recurring biblical theme, often associated with God’s judgment (Joel 2:1–2; Zephaniah 1:14–18). In the New Testament, it highlights Christ’s return and final judgment.
• Paul writes this letter to the Thessalonian church to reassure and encourage them as they navigate persecution and concerns about Christ’s return.

Key Points:

1. The Sudden Arrival of the Day (vv. 1–3)

• Unexpected Timing: “The Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” (v. 2)
  • Jesus echoed this in Matthew 24:43–44, emphasizing the importance of constant vigilance.
• False Security: While people proclaim “peace and safety,” sudden destruction will come. (v. 3)
  • Illustration: A town ignoring storm warnings only to face devastation when it hits.

2. Believers Are Prepared (vv. 4–5)

• Children of Light: Believers live in the light of Christ’s truth, distinguishing them from those in spiritual darkness.
• No Surprise: This day won’t overtake believers because they are spiritually aware and prepared.
  • Application: Are you living with an eternal perspective, or are you distracted by temporal concerns?

3. Call to Be Alert and Self-Controlled (vv. 6–8)

• Stay Spiritually Awake: Christians are called to vigilance and self-discipline.
• Spiritual Armor: “The breastplate of faith and love” and “the helmet of salvation” are essential for standing firm. (v. 8; cf. Ephesians 6:10–18)
  • Faith: Trust in God’s promises.
  • Love: Motivation for service and obedience.
  • Hope: Confident expectation of salvation through Christ.

4. Encouragement in Salvation (vv. 9–10)

• Destined for Salvation: God has appointed believers to salvation, not wrath.
• Christ’s Sacrifice: Jesus died so believers could live in fellowship with Him. (v. 10)
  • Illustration: A fireman rescuing someone from a burning building, ensuring their safety.

5. Mutual Encouragement (v. 11)

• Build One Another Up: In the face of trials, the church is to comfort and strengthen one another with reminders of Christ’s return and their secure salvation.

Practical Applications:

1. Live Ready: Stay spiritually alert, maintaining a vibrant relationship with Christ through prayer, Scripture, and obedience.
2. Walk in the Light: Reflect Christ’s character in your daily life—demonstrating faith, love, and hope.
3. Encourage Others: Regularly uplift fellow believers with words of hope and reminders of God’s promises.

Conclusion:

The “Day of the Lord” is a reminder of God’s sovereignty and justice. While it will be a day of judgment for the unprepared, it is a day of hope and deliverance for believers. Live in readiness, walk in the light, and build up others as you eagerly anticipate Christ’s return.

Memory Verse:
“For God has not destined us to incur His wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:9 (AMP)