Tri-Annual Singing!
February 21, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Category: Second Coming
Subject: Second Coming
The Patternists: What is the “therefore” there for?
A question I often ask in Bible class, “What is the ‘therefore’ there for?” When you see the word in the Bible, it typically serves to connect a truth with a proper response. In effect, “This is so, therefore do that.”
Such events in scripture help to flesh out the proper response of a child of God to circumstances, scenarios, provocations and blessings. Let me give you a few examples from scripture.
Continue reading “The Patternists: What is the “therefore” there for?”
The Patternists: The Day of the Lord
A popular religious past time of every generation is discerning “the times and the seasons” in an attempt to ascertain the date of the Lord’s coming.
Hal Lindsey was a big time author in the 1970’s and 1980’s writing books like, “The Late Great Planet Earth”, “There’s a New World Coming”, and “The 1980’s: Countdown to Armageddon”. His reputation was built upon interpreting the socio-political climate of the day, so as to determine when the Lord would come.
Date setters have been common in the last few centuries. The Jehovah Witnesses set dates of 1874, 1914 and 1975 in seeking to predict the second coming of the Lord.
Sermon: The Coming of the Lord
The apostle Paul sought to comfort the Thessalonians by explaining what would happen to the righteous dead when the Lord comes again. His words show first, the comfort that comes with our hope; and second, the need to be steadfast in our walk as Christians, that we might be prepared for that day. (1 Thessalonians 4 & 5).
“Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”
The book of Revelation, among all the New Testament books and letters, is unique in style. The use of imagery and apocalyptic symbols is arresting, serving as a perfect vehicle to establish its central theme, “the Lamb will overcome…for He is Lord of lords and King of kings” (Revelation 17:14).
The message of the book was relevant to those who first read it. John wrote the book in the midst of persecution, offering hope to the afflicted. It is unfortunate that interpretations of the book have appeared that do violence to the immediacy of the message. Any who believe that the book details physical battles and earthly conflicts yet to occur fail to understand its message and purpose.
Sermon: Have a Blessed Day
In the last day, the only way to have a good day is if you are an obedient believer of Jesus Christ.
Sermon: Sons of the Day
This lesson explains how Christians, called “sons of the Day” by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 are to prepare for the Lord’s second coming.
Sermon: Spring 2015 Meeting Sermons – Heath Rogers
Below are the links to the audio and powerpoint presentations from Heath Rogers, who held a meeting at the West Side church on May 9-14, 2015.
Lesson 1: “Whom Are You Seeking?”
Lesson 2: Help in Times of Trouble
Lesson 3: Lessons from Hezekiah’s Prayer
Lesson 4: Making Evangelism a Priority
Lesson 5: The Grace of God
Lesson 6: Mediocrity
Lesson 7: A Man After God’s Own Heart
Lesson 8: Can We Understand the Bible Alike?
Lesson 9: The Second Coming of Christ
FB: The Faithful Servant
In Matthew 24:46, Jesus describes the faithful servant. “Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.” The faithful servant is one who is obedient all the while he waits for his master’s return.
Regarding our Lord’s coming, some think the thing to do is look for omens and signs. This is a mistake. Concerning that day, Jesus said, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (24:36). The Lord’s coming will be as a “thief in the night.”
Instead, the faithful servant of God will prepare for that coming by being ever vigilant. Consider, if we are always obedient to our Lord, it matters not when He comes. We will be ready!
“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of man is coming” (Matthew 25:13).
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Mining the Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 1:4-9
In this text, the apostle expressed thanks for the blessings the Corinthians had received from Jesus. These blessings to which he referred were the spiritual gifts such as tongue speaking, prophecy, etc. With these, the “testimony of Christ was confirmed” in them (vs. 6). This is a primary purpose of such spiritual gifts. They not only equipped each one who received them, they also confirmed the teaching that each one imparted to others.
Paul, as did the rest of the New Testament writers, commonly looked forward to the coming of Jesus Christ (7). From His departure, recorded in Acts 1:9-11, the emphasis has ever been upon his eventual return. The angels affirmed that He, “will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
In these introductory words, we see a foreshadowing of admonitions to come. Paul’s mention of spiritual gifts as blessings that enrich in verses 4-7 presage his admonition of their abuse of such gifts in chapters 12-14. His continual references to Jesus (9 times in the first 9 verses) serve to center the Corinthians minds upon the Christ, rather than their own divisive tendencies to inappropriately elevate mere men (cf. 1:10-15, 3:1-6).
Mining the Scriptures: Acts 1:9-11
Immediately following Jesus’ final instructions to His disciples following His resurrection, He ascended into heaven. With His ascension came the angel’s promise that Jesus would return, “in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” (11).
There are several truths to note regarding Jesus’ promised second advent. First, note that his coming (as with his ascension) would be a visible event. The apostle Paul affirmed this as true in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
Second, this second coming of Jesus will be a coming in judgment upon the world. In 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10, Paul writes that when Jesus comes, it will be to take vengeance upon the disobedient, and to give eternal rest to the faithful.
Third, when Jesus comes a second time, it will mark the end of the physical universe. Peter weighs in on this truth, affirming it in 2 Peter 3:8-13. The immolation of the universe is cause for us to live lives of “holy conduct and godliness.”
The promise of Jesus’ coming is sure. The angel’s words must be heeded. We must prepare for that day, lest we, as the foolish virgins, be shut out when the bridegroom comes! (cf. Matthew 25:1-13).
Sermon: Are You Ready for Judgment?
Jeremiah Cox preached this short lesson, brought on our fifth Sunday singing night. He asked the question, Are you ready for the judgment day? The lesson explains what it means to be prepared for Christ’s coming.
Invitation: How to Prepare for the Day of the Lord
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
Since, as 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8 indicates that the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, many will be unprepared for that day. We can not know when the Lord will come, so those in the light will be sure and prepare themselves for that day.
Invitation: Almost Persuaded is Eternally Lost
Invitation delivered by: Joshua Scroggins
Josh uses the text of Acts 26:28 and the lyrics of the song “Almost Persuaded” to exhort the audience to make the decision to serve Christ acceptably while time and opportunity remains.
Sermon: What Jesus Will Not Do When He Comes Again
This study of the end times establishes scripturally that when Jesus returns in His second coming, He will not come back to the earth (His saints will meet Him in the air); He will not establish a physical kingdom and reign for 1000 years; and, He will not re-establish the kingdom of Israel in the promised land.
Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
In the News: May 21, 2011 (Yesterday)
According to Premillenialist and radio personality Harold Camping, the rapture was supposed to take place on May 21st, and the final judgment will occur on October 21st of this same year.
Read the following from the first page of the “We Can Know” website:
“This web site serves as an introduction and portal to four faithful ministries which are teaching that WE CAN KNOW from the Bible alone that the date of the rapture of believers will take place on May 21, 2011 and that God will destroy this world on October 21, 2011.”
Also
“Learn about the Biblical Timeline of History, the correct method of Bible interpretation, the End of the Church Age and God’s command to believers that they must depart out of the churches. Study the proofs that God has so graciously given in His Word showing us that these dates are 100% accurate and beyond dispute.”
We have studied our Bible, and are not surprised to be alive and here on May 22nd. The reason we are not surprised is that the Bible does not teach the doctrine of the rapture, and the Bible does not contain a timeline indicating that “we can know” the time our Lord will return in judgment upon the earth.
