WAITING FOR THE LORD

Text: Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Introduction: Here is a scene of parting, as Christ leaves his Church to return to the Father. They have their instructions and their promises and surely the greatest of these is that of our text; HE WILL COME AGAIN!

I. The reason for His departure
A. That the Comforter might come
Jno 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Acts 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

B. To be the forerunner of His people -
Heb 6:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

C. To intercede for us
Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Heb 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

D. To prepare a place for us
Jno 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

II What we are to do in His absence (Why stand ye gazing - - - -)

A. We are NOT to sit down to wait
I Sam 16:11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
1. There were no seats in the Tabernacle, which was a type of the Lord’s Church.

2. Say not- - - Jno 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

B. We ARE to be faithful stewards
I Cor 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

III He told us what to do in his absence. .
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

A. We can do it if we have the will to work! (Just like they rebuilt the wall!)
Neh 4:6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.

B. We need no further instructions
II Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

IV The sureness of His return -WILL SO RETURN IN LIKE MANNER- -
A. Death is also sure, but we are not told to sit and wait for it, nor to long for it even though it might be our ‘gain’.

B. At his return he will reward us according to that which we have done!
Mat 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

C. Except HE return, WE have no hope of a resurrection!
I Thess 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

V. He will also return to judge sinners
A. No sin offering this time
Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

B. There is a judgment day appointed
Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.