Why does the Second Coming of Christ matter?

(Audio: Español)

RESUMEN: In this sermon, the pastor discusses the importance of the doctrine of the rapture and the second coming of Christ. He argues that without this doctrine, the church is left with a weak gospel and a focus only on this world. The pastor also explores five key principles about the second coming of Christ, including the fact that the dead in Christ will rise first and that those who are still alive will meet with Jesus and the resurrected in the clouds. He encourages believers to remind themselves and each other of this doctrine and to live in a way that reflects their belief in the second coming.

The second coming of Christ is a mystery and we do not know the day or the time, but we should watch and be sober. We should not be disturbed by the events happening in the world, but rather live in holiness and love one another. We should not cling to this world, but rather conduct ourselves honestly towards those outside and have no need for anything. Love is our mission in life and we should expand our horizon by loving those around us, starting with our family and expanding to our neighborhood and beyond.

In 1 Thessalonians 11, it is advised to live a quiet life, mind our own business, work with our hands, and conduct ourselves honestly towards those outside. By doing so, we become a magnet for people who want to be around someone calm, reliable, and of integrity. We should focus on the hope of being with Jesus forever, which cannot be taken away. We should invite Jesus into our lives every day and ask for his presence, prosperity, protection, healing, wisdom, and peace. We need Jesus now more than ever in this world.

First Thessalonians, chapter 4, my brothers, beginning with verse 13. On Friday night in the original sanctuary we said goodbye to brother Gustavo Ortiz, we have said goodbye to several brothers and sisters, some elderly, others young, even babies we have watched in that sanctuary. Pastor Gregory opened the funeral service by reading this very text. Declares the word of God:

“…Neither do we want, brothers, that you be ignorant about those who sleep so that you do not become sad like the others who have no hope, because if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, God will also bring with Jesus those who slept in him, therefore which we say this to you, in the word of the Lord that we who are alive, who will have remained until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who slept, for the Lord himself with the voice of command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God will descend from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise first, then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord, therefore encourage one another with these words."