Jeremy Utley - People Who Hasten The Lord's Return

Jeremy UtleyNovember 11, 201821mWatch on YouTube

Speaker: Jeremy Utley Title: People Who Hasten The Lord's Return Date: 11-04-2018 Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29) We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3) We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Summary

The central message is that the Christian church is called to continually grow and surpass past levels of glory, striving to be a radiant, pure bride for Christ's return. Drawing from passages like Haggai 2 and 2 Peter 3, the speaker emphasizes that God's plan is for the church to be refined through trials, becoming a

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

Will the church ever return to the level of the first century?Reflecting on a brother's question about whether the church will ever reach the powerful faith of the first century, Jeremy shares his conviction that we must and will surpass it as the path of the righteous gets brighter.

Is the Lord waiting for a prepared bride?Jeremy suggests that Jesus is not merely passively waiting in heaven, but is longing to return and waiting for his bride to be made ready and purified as elite commando troops on earth.

Rejecting past revivals as the good old daysBelievers should not look back at past movements under leaders like Finney or Wesley as the peak of the church, but instead believe that God wants today and the future to be even brighter.

How does God prepare his troops through shaking?Turning to Haggai 2, Jeremy explains that God will shake the nations and everything that can be burned to refine his people and prepare them for his return.

What does it mean to hasten the coming of the day of the Lord?Second Peter 3 speaks of believers not only looking for but actually hastening the day of the Lord through holy conduct and godliness.2 Peter 3:11–12

Are you eager to see Jesus return?Jeremy challenges the congregation to examine whether they truly long for Christ's return or if they still have earthly attachments and unfinished business that create dread at the thought of his coming.

Learning from the Israelites in the wildernessComparing modern complacency to the Israelites who wandered for forty years due to unbelief, Jeremy warns against missing out on what God wants to do because of a lack of expectation.

Why did Moses know God's ways while Israel only knew His acts?Hebrews 12 contrasts the Israelites who begged God to stop speaking because His voice was too terrifying with Moses who trembled yet kept pressing in to know God.

Can we bear to hear His word?Just as Jesus asked the Jews in John 8 why they could not understand His words, believers today often reject strong correction and instruction because they cannot bear to hear it.John 8:43

Growing indifferent to what God is indifferent toJeremy shares his desire to purge his life not only of sin, but also of permissible things that God is indifferent to, aligning his heart completely with God's priorities.

Embracing difficult words as eternal lifeWhen Jesus spoke hard words in John 6 and many disciples left, Peter recognized that those difficult words were eternal life; discipleship means accepting all of Jesus's words.

Considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than EgyptMoses considered the reproach and correction of Christ greater treasure than all the riches of Egypt, viewing God's call to a higher standard as a welcome prize.

Allowing the Lord to prepare a pure brideConcluding the message, Jeremy urges the church to look for Christ's return and willingly bear His word so that God can find a fully prepared and purified bride when He comes.