https://youtu.be/o9gH8_MeJuw

Matt 9:14-17 Have you ever had someone try to get you to do something that you don’t want to do? Some activity or hobby that they love that you just don’t? “you’ll love it” no, you love it. Sometimes people try to get people to do Christian disciplines without heart change1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.Serving Jesus shouldn’t be a burden. It shouldn’t feel like a punishment or a push and if it does, you might need to go back to the cross and be renewed. Be born again- find that first loveChristian disciplines are a natural response to a submitted life towards Christ. It’s a response. Its not the way you find God- it’s the response to him finding youToday what you’re going to see is that Jesus is going to return, you need to be born again and you need to fast. Because “The days will come” We may not be in them right now, but they are coming soon. 

Christ is going to return

In this scripture, Jesus is questioned about the fasting of his disciples, and we’ll get into the nut and bolts of this- but I think an important distinction is that Jesus prophesied that he would leave- and he did – he also prophesied that he will return and he willJesus was preparing his followers that he would leave- and when he did- they should fast But about his departure he said-  Mark 13:32 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.they eagerly wait his return- but fasting while he was there wasn’t beneficial, because fasting prepares your heart to receive Christ- but if he was there- there’s no spiritual benefit to itRevelation 22:12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.Make no mistake friend- Jesus is coming soon- people say when, soon.  He said he was leaving- he said he was coming back. You can’t separate the two. We are in a in-between periodMatthew 24:37-39 But as the days of Noah were, READ- people think they have time. Just like the days of noah- they don’t. any minute he could returnPeople say “My master delays his coming” and right now he does- but we need to be readyJohn 14:3 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.Heb 9:28 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.Christs return will occur when we least expect it- at a time when we are the least preparedSummers as a kid- mom leave a list- didn’t know when she was coming home- tried to time it1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 readWhat does it mean to youAre you expectantly awaiting Christs return and living as if he could return at any moment?I think many Christians exist and live in the here and now- not thinking of Christs returnWhenever I see people- Lord willing see you Sunday- 1 Thessalonians 5:2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.Revelation 3:3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.I don’t know if you’ve ever had your car or house broken into, but its unnervingWent on a walk with some church dudes, window smashed, wallet stole “if only I had” That’s going to be some people spiritually- “If only I had planned” but no second chance2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be [a]burned up.So the only answer is to be prepared at all times for the return of our savior.