Going on vacation, celebrating a meaningful holiday, visiting with a beloved friend or relative…for any of these you wait patiently and eagerly anticipating a wonderful time.

Are you patiently, eagerly, constantly and consciously waiting on the return of Jesus Christ?  Are you waiting with that kind of anticipation?

Consider with me what Christ did the first time He came. 
(Paraphrase of Hebrews 9:23-28)
! Christ Jesus offered Himself as the sacrifice for your sins, one time.
! Christ Jesus’ offering was enough…nothing more was needed.
! Christ Jesus put away your sin, abolishing it by His own sacrifice.
! Christ Jesus by His one time offering; took your sins as if they were His when He died on a cross.
! Christ Jesus entered the holy place in heaven; He appeared in the presence of God for you!

Consider with me what Christ will do the second time He comes.
! Christ Jesus will not need to deal with sin, He has brought that to completion.
! Christ Jesus will bring the fulfillment of full salvation to all who receive Him into their lives as Savior and Lord. “Come, Lord Jesus!”

 Consider with me certain facts.
All people will die…a certain fact.  All people will be judged by God…a certain fact.
All your sins can be forgiven through faith in the cleansing blood of Jesus…a certain fact.

  Followers of Christ…
# For these reasons – rejoice!  He took care of your sins.
# For these reasons – eagerly look forward to His return!  He brings your fulfilled salvation with Him.
# For these reasons – eagerly await Him!  You will meet Him face to face.

(NASB) Titus 2:11-14 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,
13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,
14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.”

Why we are to eagerly await…
because we will see Him and worship Him…
a certain fact.