1. What if Jesus Returned Today?
Scripture Reading: 1 Thess 4:13-18

2. Introduction Jesus is coming back
Jn 14:3 “3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
Jn 14:28-29 “28 You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I. 29 “And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe.”
Acts 1:11 “11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
Heb 9:28 “28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”
1 Jn 2:28 “28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.”
Rev 22:12, 20 “12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work  He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”
Does the truth affect how you act? Have you considered, “What would happen if Jesus returned today?

3. If Jesus returned today, the Christian dead would be raised first (1 Thes 4:13-16)
Eph 4:16 “16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.”
This offers a wonderful hope (death is not the end)
The grave does not have to be a place of despair
Christian’s new bodies will be like the body of Christ
1 Jn 3:2 “2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”
When in Heaven there will be
No sickness, pain, or suffering
No more death

4. If Jesus returned today, living believers would escape physical death (Eph 4:15-17)
Eph 4:17 “17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
Death has taken its toll throughout centuries
Adam and Eve died
Moses and Methusalah died
Samson with his strength could not escape death
Solomon in all his wisdom did not escape death
Men today still die (Heb 9:27)
Not all Christians will die
Those who are living when Jesus returns will be caught up and changed
We shall not all sleep (1 Cor 15:51)
What a blessed thought, to never experience physical death

5. If Jesus returned today, some would be ashamed
1 Jn 2:28 “28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.”
As long as we abide in Him, we have confidence of remaining in Heaven with Him eternally
Are you confident of your fate when thinking of His return
Consider the suddenness of His coming…in a moment
While you are still in that fit of rage/anger
While you are reading that borderline book or watching that borderline TV show or movie
While you are spreading that juicy piece of gossip
Christians must always be ready for His return
Mt 24:44 “44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
Mt 25:13 “13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”

6. Conclusion
The return of Christ can be a very blessed and sobering event
For those who are in Christ, eternal joy
For those outside of Christ, eternal sorrow and pain
Are you willing to let the truth of Christ’s return change you life and actions?
If there is any way we can help prepare you for this time, make it known while we stand and sing