July 12, 2020

The closing section of 1 Corinthians urges us to “be watchful” (16:13) in light of the coming day when Jesus will return.

“Our Lord, come!” (1 Cor. 16:22)

If you didn’t know where the word maranatha comes from or why so many ministries and churches have it in their name, it comes from right here in this verse. It’s the Aramaic phrase translated, “Our Lord, come!” (or “The Lord is coming!”) We are to live the Christian life with our eyes fixed on that day. So what does maranatha living look like?

There’s a sad bumper sticker I’ve seen many times that says, “Jesus is coming. Everyone look busy!” This cynical view imagines Jesus as the divine Undercover Boss who delights to catch his employees asleep on the job so he can drop the hammer. This is not what maranatha living should look like.

For us, that day is the day death will be swallowed up in victory. It’s the day the perishable shall put on the imperishable and the mortal will put on immortality. It’s the day that will usher in our glorious eternal future where we will forever be with the Lord. We’re not to be nervous about that day or fearful of that day. We eagerly anticipate it!

So what does maranatha living look like?

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Cor. 16:13-14)

Vigilance. Endurance. Courage. Strength. Love. May the Lord cause each of these to increase in us and among us in these days at Grace.

Randall Gruendyke will be preaching 1 Corinthians 16:12-24 this week and Kenny Clark will be leading us in our sung worship. Would you pray for each as they prepare?

See you on livestream, Grace! Come hungry.


Come, Lord Jesus, Come 
by Shai Linne feat. Joint Heirs

Come quickly, Lord!
(Come quickly, Lord!)
Come quickly, Lord!
(Come quickly, Lord!)

Behold, the Lord appears in the sky
Come, Lord Jesus, come!
His majesty seen by every eye
Come, Lord Jesus, come!
The sun goes dark and the moon won’t shine
The stars fall down, see the heavenly sign
The trumpet sounds for the very last time
Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Come, Lord Jesus, come
Come, Lord Jesus, come
Come quickly, Lord!
(Come quickly, Lord!)
Come quickly, Lord!
(Come quickly, Lord!)

Glorified saints shall all be amazed
Come, Lord Jesus, come!
The dead in Christ shall rise from their graves
Come, Lord Jesus come!
God has arrived and the universe shakes
The dawn of the age to come now breaks
Satan and his angels tossed in the lake
Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Come, Lord Jesus, come
Come, Lord Jesus, come
Come quickly, Lord!
(Come quickly, Lord!)
Come quickly, Lord!
(Come quickly, Lord!)

Lo and behold, it’s the Great White Throne!
Come, Lord Jesus, come!
The earth ran away, and the skies have flown!
Come, Lord Jesus, come
Books opened up ’cause the Judge is true
All shall receive what is justly due
Who can escape from death number two?
Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Come, Lord Jesus, come
Come, Lord Jesus, come
Come quickly, Lord!
(Come quickly, Lord!)
Come quickly, Lord!
(Come quickly, Lord!)

All the elect gather ’round their Christ
Come, Lord Jesus, come!
See our names in the Lamb’s book of life
Come, Lord Jesus, come!
Death swallowed up- triumph of the King!
Where is your victory? Where is your sting?
“Worthy is the Lamb” is the song we’ll sing
Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Come, Lord Jesus, come
Come, Lord Jesus, come
Come quickly, Lord!
(Come quickly, Lord!)
Come quickly, Lord!
(Come quickly, Lord!)