WHEN JESUS RETURNS, WHAT WILL HE FIND YOU DOING?
Watching, Working, and Abiding Until He Comes
An I'm Well Done Bible Teaching
Yesterday, we explored one of the most wonderful promises in all of Scripture: the day when Jesus Christ returns for His Church, and we meet our Lord in the air.
What a glorious day that will be!
But this morning, another question comes to mind.
When Jesus returns, what will He find us doing?
Will He find us faithfully serving Him? Or will we have become so occupied with the affairs of this world that we've neglected the very purpose for which He called us?
Jesus addressed this question in Luke 12:35–36:
"Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately."
Notice the picture Jesus gives us
These servants aren't sleeping. They're not distracted. They're prepared, with their lamps burning, ready to welcome their master.
And I believe there are three important lessons here for every believer.
1. Are We Watching?
Jesus said in Luke 12:40:
"Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
Throughout Scripture, believers are encouraged to remain watchful and spiritually alert.
But watching doesn't mean spending every waking moment studying prophetic timelines or trying to predict the date of Christ's return.
It means living with the understanding that Jesus could return at any time.
Think about how that expectation might change our daily decisions.
Would we be more careful about the words we speak?
Would we be quicker to forgive someone who has offended us?
Would we spend more time in prayer and less time worrying about things beyond our control?
The expectation of His appearing should influence the way we live today.
2. Are We Working?
Now consider something especially important.
Jesus said in Luke 12:43:
"Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes."
Those two words stand out to me.
"So doing."
Jesus wasn't describing someone who merely understood the master's instructions.
He was describing someone who was faithfully carrying them out.
That reminds me of James 1:22:
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
We can attend church, listen to sermons, read Christian books, and accumulate an enormous amount of biblical knowledge.
But what are we doing with what we've learned?
Are we loving our neighbors?
Are we encouraging those who are discouraged?
Are we helping those in need?
Are we sharing the hope of Jesus Christ with others?
Not everyone is called to preach before thousands. Some are called to encourage one person, mentor someone who has lost hope, or quietly serve someone who may never be able to repay them.
And Jesus sees those acts of faithfulness.
The question isn't whether our assignment appears important to the world.
The question is whether we're being faithful with what He has entrusted to us.
3. Are We Abiding?
Now we come to what I believe is the most important part of today's message.
Jesus said in John 15:4:
"Abide in Me, and I in you."
And in verse 5, He reminds us:
"For without Me you can do nothing."
We can become so busy doing things for God that we neglect spending time with God.
But Jesus never intended our relationship with Him to become merely a list of religious activities.
He desires fellowship with us.
He wants us to know Him, trust Him, listen to His Word, and walk in obedience to Him.
Our works should flow from our relationship with Christ, not become a substitute for that relationship.
And that brings us to a sobering passage in Matthew 7:21–23.
Jesus warned that some would point to impressive religious works, yet hear Him say:
"I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!"
Notice the issue.
It wasn't a lack of religious activity.
It was the absence of a genuine relationship expressed in obedience to the Father's will.
Knowing about Jesus is not the same as knowing Jesus.
4. The Servant Who Finishes Well
As I think about these Scriptures, I'm reminded of the Apostle Paul's words in 2 Timothy 4:7:
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
Paul didn't claim to have lived a life without difficulties.
He faced persecution, imprisonment, rejection, and suffering.
Yet he remained faithful to the calling God had placed upon his life.
And that's what I want for my own life.
Not recognition.
Not applause.
Not the approval of the world.
But to finish the assignment God has given me, remaining faithful to Jesus Christ until the very end.
Because one day, the waiting will be over.
The Bridegroom will come.
Faith will become sight.
And we will stand before the One who loved us and gave Himself for us.
A Final Question
So let me ask you again.
When Jesus returns, what will He find you doing?
Will He find you watching?
Will He find you working?
Most importantly, will He find you abiding in Him?
We don't know the day or hour of His return.
But we do know what He has called us to do while we wait.
Love Him.
Obey His Word.
Serve others.
Remain faithful.
And keep our lamps burning.
Because the greatest preparation for meeting Jesus tomorrow is walking faithfully with Him today.
May we each be ready to hear those wonderful words:
"Well done, good and faithful servant." — Matthew 25:21
I'm Well Done — Preparing to Hear Him Say, "Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant."
Author: Chet Nowlen - imwelldone.blogspot.com
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