How Should We Live Since Jesus Is Coming Back?

Matthew 24:32–44

Dr. Bob McCartney, Senior Pastor • September 7, 2025

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For more information about First Baptist Church, Wichita Falls, visit our website at fbcwf.org.

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I. Live confidently

The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.

Isaiah 40:8 (NASB95)

For, “ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF, BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.” And this is the word which was preached to you.

1 Peter 1:24–25 (NASB95)

II. Live Obediently

He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority;

Acts 1:7 (NASB95)

For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.

1 Thessalonians 5:2 (NASB95)

“Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.”

Revelation 16:15 (NLT)

You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.

James 5:8 (NIV84)

Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.

1 John 3:3 (NIV84)

but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Acts 1:8 (NASB95)

III. Live Ready

Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!

2 Peter 3:11–12 (NASB95)

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

Titus 2:11–13 (NIV84)

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. share a meal together as friends.” Romans 13:11 (NASB): “For now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.” His words are more certain than the cosmos, the signs will come, the hour is unknown, and the call is clear: be ready.

Revelation 3:20 (NIV84)

Jesus Wins

Matthew 24: 29-31

Dr. Bob McCartney, Senior Pastor • August 31, 2025

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For more information about First Baptist Church, Wichita Falls, visit our website at fbcwf.org.

To give, click here.

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Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”

2 Peter 3:3–4 (NASB95)

I. Jesus will return as a conquering hero.

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.

John 14:3 (NASB95)

BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.

Revelation 1:7 (NASB95)

The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood Before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.

Joel 2:31 (NASB95)

for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty.

Revelation 16:14 (NASB95)

And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone.

Revelation 19:19–20 (NASB95)

II. Jesus will gather every person who has trusted him.

And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:

Revelation 7:4 (NASB95)

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

Revelation 7:9–10 (NASB95)

Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Revelation 20:4 (NASB95)

And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day.

John 6:39 (NLT)

The Terrible Tribulation

Matthew 24:15-31

Dr. Bob McCartney, Senior Pastor • August 24, 2025

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For more information about First Baptist Church, Wichita Falls, visit our website at fbcwf.org.

To give, click here.

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1. God will bring history to an awful, powerful end.

“Forces from him will arise, desecrate the sanctuary fortress, and do away with the regular sacrifice. And they will set up the abomination of desolation.

Daniel 11:31 (NASB95)

Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 (NASB95)

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (NASB95)

2. God’s grace is revealed even in the darkest of times.

I said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Revelation 7:14 (NASB95)

Then the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him.” So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD.

Job 1:12 (NASB95)

So the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life.”

Job 2:6 (NASB95)

• The World will not continue as it is forever.

• God sets boundaries on our suffering.

• Eternal life is available NOW.