The Second Coming
The sermon calls believers to remain vigilant and active in their faith in light of Christ's imminent return.
Charles E. Cowman preaches about the imminent return of the Lord Jesus, urging believers to hold fast to their faith and not let anyone take their crown. He emphasizes the importance of being compassionate towards sinners and actively working for the Lord's kingdom while waiting for His return, encouraging the church to awaken and prepare for Christ's universal dominion.
Text
"Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown" (Rev. 3:11).
George Mueller bears this testimony, "When it pleased God in July, 1829, to reveal to my heart the truth of the personal return of the Lord Jesus, and to show me that I had made a great mistake in looking for the conversion of the world, the effect that it produced upon me was this: From my inmost soul I was stirred up to feel compassion for perishing sinners, and for the slumbering world around me lying in the wicked one, and considered, 'Ought I not to do what I can for the Lord Jesus while He tarries, and to rouse a slumbering church?"'
There may be many hard years of hard work before the consummation, but the signs are to me so encouraging that I would not be unbelieving if I saw the wing of the apocalyptic angel spread for its last triumphal flight in this day's sunset; or if tomorrow morning the ocean cables should thrill us with the news that Christ the Lord had alighted on Mount Olivet or Mount Calvary to proclaim universal dominion. O you dead churches wake up! O Christ, descend! Scarred temple, take the crown! Bruised hand, take the sceptre! Wounded foot, step the throne! Thine is the kingdom. --Rev. T. DeWitt Talmage, D. D.
"It may be in the evening,
When the work of the day is done,
And you have time to sit in the twilight,
And watch the sinking sun,
While the long bright day dies slowly
Over the sea,
And the hours grow quiet and holy
With thoughts of Me;
While you hear the village children
Passing along the street
Among those passing footsteps
May come the sound of My Feet.
Therefore I tell you, Watch!
By the light of the evening star
When the room is growing dusky
As the clouds afar,
Let the door be on the latch
In your home,
For it may be through the gloaming
I will come."
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The Promise of Christ's Return - The Importance of Vigilance - The Call to Action
- II points: - Signs of the Times - Encouragement for the Faithful - Awakening the Church
- III points: - The Role of the Believer - Compassion for the Lost - Living in Expectation
- IV points: - The Final Triumph - The Kingdom of God - The Hope of Glory
Key Quotes
“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” — Charles E. Cowman
“O you dead churches wake up! O Christ, descend!” — Charles E. Cowman
“Therefore I tell you, Watch!” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- Stay alert and watchful for the signs of Christ's return in your daily life.
- Engage in acts of compassion towards those who are lost and in need of salvation.
- Encourage fellow believers to awaken and actively participate in the mission of the church.