Are You Ready? The Day of the Lord is Coming!

Heavenly Father, we come before You today with hearts full of anticipation. We know that You are coming back to make all things new, and we want to live each day in light of that reality. Help us to see clearly, to live faithfully, and to be ready for the glorious return of Your Son, Jesus Christ. In His name, we pray, Amen.

Good morning, everyone! Now, I have a question for you. How many of you remember the Y2K scare? You know, the year 2000 when people thought the whole world would shut down because of a computer glitch? I remember people stockpiling cans of beans and bottled water like it was the end of the world. Guess what? The year 2000 came, and we all just… kept going. No flying cars, no robots taking over, and certainly no global collapse.

But let me ask you this: What if there is a day coming, a day that is truly, without a doubt, THE end? And it’s not going to be caused by computers or weird software bugs. It’s going to be the return of Jesus Christ. And here’s the kicker—it could happen at any moment! That’s not a drill, my friends.

Today, I want us to talk about living with expectation and preparation for the second coming of Christ. The truth is, Christ could return like a thief in the night (2 Peter 3:10). And when He does, He’s going to split the world in two. There will be those who are His children and those who are His enemies. So, the question is, where will YOU stand when that day comes? Let’s dive into 2 Peter to find out how we should be living in light of that truth.

Set Apart for Holiness

In 2 Peter 3:11-12, Peter tells us,

“Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.”

So, here’s the deal: We are set apart. As followers of Christ, we are not like the rest of the world. We are in it, but we’re not of it. We live by a different set of rules—God’s rules. Our behaviors, our desires, our priorities, all of these should reflect the reality that Jesus is coming back. And let me tell you, when He does, everything that we have worked so hard for here on earth will be burned to ashes in a split second. The wealth, the fame, the possessions—gone (sorry Taylor Swift).

But here's the real kicker: What are you living for right now? Are you living for the temporary things—are you stockpiling treasures on earth? Or are you investing in things that last forever? Things like love, faith, kindness, and serving others? Because the world’s treasures are all going up in flames when Jesus returns. And I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to stand before God and say, “Well, I spent all my time building a really cool sandcastle.”

Peter asks us, “What kind of people ought you to be?” Are we living like Jesus could return at any moment? Or are we living like we’ve got all the time in the world?

What Will You Be Doing on That Day?

2 Peter 3:10 reminds us that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. And when it comes, there will be no time for last-minute preparations. So, here’s the million-dollar question: What will you be doing when Jesus returns?

Will you be at the bar, tipsy and partying like there's no tomorrow? Will you be scrolling through your phone, binge-watching Netflix, thinking “I’ll get right with God later”? Will you be gossiping, complaining, or chasing after the things of this world? Or will you be helping others, serving, worshiping God, and living a life that pleases Him?

You see, the day will come when everything will be laid bare, and everything will be exposed for what it really is. Will your life reflect Christ, or will you be living for the fleeting pleasures of the flesh? Will you be caught up in the things that will be burned up, or will you be living for what lasts?

Live for What Lasts

Here’s the key: We need to live for what lasts. All the stuff we spend so much time on—our material things, our careers, our hobbies—will fade away in a heartbeat. But the things of God, like His love, His Word, and His Kingdom, are eternal. In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus tells us,

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”

So, let’s get real for a second: What are you filling your life with? Are you filling it with the world’s distractions, or are you filling it with the Word of God? Because trust me, the things of this world won’t make it through the fire.

Peter tells us to “hasten” the coming of the Lord (2 Peter 3:12). How do we do that? By living holy, godly lives, by sharing the gospel, by loving others, and by being faithful to God’s calling on our lives. The way we live can actually speed up the arrival of Christ! So let’s live in such a way that when Jesus comes back, He finds us doing His work, living in His love, and bringing glory to His name.

The New Heaven and New Earth—A Hope to Live For

But here’s the great news: When Christ returns, He’s going to make all things new. We’re not just talking about a “new year, new me” situation here. We’re talking about a new heaven and a new earth (2 Peter 3:13)—an entirely new physical place of indescribable beauty. There will be no pain, no death, no sickness, no injustice. It will be a place of perfect peace where we will dwell with God forever. And the best part? We get to see Jesus face-to-face!

That’s the hope we hold onto! We’re not just waiting around for the end. We’re waiting for the glorious beginning of eternity with God.

Conclusion

So here’s the bottom line, folks: The Day of the Lord is coming, and it’s coming fast. It could be today, it could be tomorrow—no one knows the exact moment. But what we do know is that we need to be ready.

Are you living in expectation of Christ’s return? Are you living for what lasts, storing up treasures in heaven, and living for God’s Kingdom? Or are you caught up in the distractions of this world, living for things that will one day be burned away?

Let’s live each day with the knowledge that Christ could return at any moment. Let’s set our hearts on things that are eternal, and let’s hasten the coming of the Lord by living faithful, holy, and godly lives.

The best is yet to come. And when Jesus returns, we want to be ready to celebrate with Him for all eternity!

Closing Prayer

Father, we thank You for the hope of Christ’s return. Help us to live each day with expectation and anticipation, knowing that You are coming to make all things new. May we live holy and godly lives, storing up treasures in heaven and eagerly awaiting Your return. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

So, church, let’s get ready—because the Day of the Lord is coming, and it’s going to be good for those who are ready. Keep your eyes on the prize, and live for what lasts!