Series: Thy Kingdom Come
Sermon Title: Look! He’s Coming
Passage: Luke 21:25-36

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Pastor Dave Pretlove

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Series: Thy Kingdom Come
Sermon Title: Look! He’s Coming
Passage: Luke 21:25-36

SERMON POINTS: 

1. Look Around For  The Signs.
   Luke 21:25-26, 29-31
2. Look Upward and Forward With Endless Hope.
   Luke 21:27-28 
3. Look Inward With Reflection. 
   Luke 21:34-36

 

GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Look Around, Are You Awake to the Signs? Jesus describes signs in nature, nations, and people—things that are meant to wake us up.

• Where in the world or in your own life do you sense God trying to get your attention?

• Reflective Scripture:  Romans 13:11–12

2. What’s Your Reaction to the Signs? Many respond to chaos with fear or indifference.

• Do you tend to get anxious, apathetic, or alert when you notice signs of spiritual or cultural unrest?

• Reflective Scripture:  Isaiah 41:10

3. Look Up – What Does It Mean to “Lift Your Head”?Jesus invites us to hope, not hide.

• What does it practically look like for you to “lift your head” in a difficult or discouraging season?

• Reflective Scripture:  Colossians 3:1–4

4. Look Forward – Are You Longing for His Return? The second coming is meant to stir anticipation, not fear.

• How often do you think about Jesus’ return? How does that shape your decisions and your hope?

• Reflective Scripture:  Titus 2:11–13

5. Look Inward – What’s Going On in Your Heart? Jesus warns that distraction, indulgence, and anxiety can make us spiritually drowsy.

• What are the things in your life that tend to dull your spiritual hunger or distract your focus?

• Reflective Scripture:  Psalm 139:23–24

6. Are You Praying to Be Ready? Readiness isn’t about panic—it’s about prayer.

• What does your prayer life look like when you think about Jesus’ return? What would help you grow in watchfulness?

• Reflective Scripture:  Ephesians 6:18

7. Are You Living with Urgency or Complacency Jesus doesn’t give us a timeline—but He does give us a warning not to drift.

• In what area of your life is Jesus inviting you to live with greater urgency or focus?

• Reflective Scripture:  2 Peter 3:10–14

8. How Can We Encourage One Another as We Wait? Waiting isn’t passive—it’s communal.

• What would it look like for our group to live in light of Jesus’ return—together?

• Reflective Scripture:  Hebrews 10:23–25

9. What Is God Forming in You While You Wait? Waiting isn’t just about enduring—it’s about becoming. Sometimes the delays we resist are actually the environments where God is shaping our deepest character.

• What part of your inner life—your trust, your patience, your obedience—is God trying to grow right now in this season of waiting?

• Reflective Scripture:  James 1:2–4

10. What Obstacles in Your Life Are Holding You Back from Surrender? We all carry things—habits, fears, past wounds—that quietly compete with God’s desire to form us.

• What in your life might be crowding out your ability to fully embrace what God is trying to do in you?

• Reflective Scripture:  Hebrews 12:1–2

11. Where Are You Resisting the Spirit’s Invitation? Jesus said, “Be always on the watch”(Luke 21:36) not just for what’s coming, but for how God is moving now. Sometimes we resist the very work that would prepare us.

• Is there an area of your life where you sense the Spirit inviting you to change, but you’ve been hesitant or resistant? What might it look like to say yes?
• Reflective Scripture: Galatians 5:25

 

PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Day 1 – Am I Watching or Drifting?

• Reflect with: Luke 21:34–36

• In what ways has your heart become distracted, drowsy, or dulled to spiritual things?

• What habits or rhythms in your life either sharpen or weaken your spiritual awareness?

• What would it look like to be spiritually “awake” this week?

• Prayer Prompt:
  “Lord, open my eyes to what You’re doing around me—and within me. Wake me up to Your presence.”

Day 2 – What Am I Most Looking Forward To?

• Scripture for Meditation: Colossians 3:1–2

• What are you hoping for most in this season of your life?

• Is that hope rooted in God’s kingdom, or in something that can be shaken?

• How would living with eternity in view change your attitude today?

Day 3 – Where Is Fear Taking the Lead?

• Reflect with: Isaiah 41:10

• What current fear seems louder than God’s voice in your life?

• How does fear influence your thoughts, choices, or relationships?

• What would it look like to bring that fear into conversation with Jesus today?

Day 4 – What Am I Clinging To That God Might Be Asking Me to Release?

• What “temples” or structures in your life feel secure but may actually be temporary?

• What is God inviting you to let go of so that you can more fully cling to Him?

• How might releasing that thing open you up to deeper faith?

• Prayer Prompt:
  “Jesus, help me to hold loosely to what is passing and cling tightly to what is eternal.”

Day 5 – How Is God Forming Me in the Waiting?

• Reflect with: James 1:2–4

• What spiritual fruit is God cultivating in you right now—maybe quietly, beneath the surface?

• How can you partner with Him in the formation work He’s already doing?

• What might be the cost of resisting it?

Day 6 – Am I Living in Step With the Spirit or Just Going Through Motions?

• Reflect with: Galatians 5:25

• What spiritual practices help you stay present to God—and which ones have become hollow?

• Are you truly walking in step with the Spirit, or just trying to “do the right things”?

• What would a more surrendered rhythm look like this week?

Day 7 – How Can I Live Today With Hope, Not Haste?

• Reflect with: Romans 15:13

• Do you find yourself rushing life, anxious for the next thing, or rooted in patient hope?

• What would it mean to live with calm expectancy rather than hurried striving?

• How might hope in Christ reshape the way you see today’s challenges?

 

SCRIPTURES TO MEDITATE ON:

• Colossians 3:1–2
• James 1:2–4
• Hebrews 10:23–25=

 

RESOURCES:

• ARTICLE | JOHN PIPER | WHY JESUS WARNS US TO BE ALERT FOR HIS SECOND COMING 
• BOOK | RONALD ROLHEISER | SACRED FIRE : A VISION FOR A DEEPER HUMAN AND CHRISTIAN MATURITY 
• PODCAST | DAD TIRED | PATRICK MILLER JOYFUL OUTSIDERS
• PODCAST | DALLAS WILLARD | LIVING ETERNALLY IN THE MOMENT

 

MONTHLY SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE: The Prayer of Examen: Training Our Hearts to Be Present to Jesus

Over the past few weeks, we’ve leaned into the practice of the Prayer of Examen, and I want to encourage you, not just to finish the series, but to keep going. Why? Because this practice is one of the simplest and most life-shaping ways to cultivate self-awareness with God.

The Examen creates space each day to reflect—not just on what we did, but on how we responded to the presence and promptings of the Holy Spirit. Here’s the heart of it: Where was God inviting me into something today… and where did I say yes or miss it?

This is why it matters: faithful discipleship isn’t just about spiritual knowledge or behavior change. It’s about living in ongoing interaction with the living God. The Examen helps us do just that. It trains us to notice God’s presence and activity in real time—and to bring our full selves into those moments.

In The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, author David Fleming highlights this invitation from Ignatius himself: “Ask for the grace to know Jesus more intimately, to love Him more deeply, and to follow Him more closely.” That’s what this is all about. We grow in love for Jesus by engaging with Him—not just in church, or when we read the Bible—but in the middle of our normal, everyday lives. And that happens best when we slow down long enough to pay attention.

Dallas Willard once said, “You are an unceasing spiritual being with an eternal destiny in God’s great universe.” You were made for communion with God. That’s why this practice matters. It keeps our hearts soft and our eyes open. It keeps us awake to the God who is already with us.

As we close out this series, here’s my encouragement: Don’t stop. Don’t rush past this moment. Build this rhythm into your life. Let it become part of how you walk with Jesus. Below is a simple, daily practice you can return to—anytime, anywhere.

A Daily Examen Practice: 5 Steps to Awareness and Grace

Time needed: 10–15 minutes
Best time: End of the day or whenever you’re most reflective
Posture: Open hands, open heart

1. Become Aware of God’s Presence

• Start by stilling your mind. Take a deep breath. Remind yourself that God is already here.
• Pray: “Lord, I believe you are with me. Help me become more aware of your presence right now.”

2. Reflect on the Day with Gratitude

• Walk back through your day slowly. Let the moments come to mind.
• Where did you experience joy? Peace? Connection?

Ask:

• What moments brought life to my soul?
• Where did I experience God’s goodness today?

Give thanks. Name those things out loud or write them down.

3. Notice the Moments You Missed

Now, gently reflect on where you missed God’s invitations—times when you reacted instead of responded.

Ask:

• Where did I resist the Spirit’s leading?
• Was there a conversation I avoided or rushed?
• Did I ignore a prompt to slow down, to pray, or to love?
• This isn’t about shame. It’s about awareness. God already knows—and He’s inviting you to grow.

4. Invite God to Heal and Restore

• Acknowledge what surfaced. Bring it before Jesus. Receive His grace.
• Pray: “Jesus, thank you for your mercy. I confess where I missed you. Heal what’s broken. Keep forming me into someone who reflects you more clearly.”

5. Look Ahead with Hope

• Ask the Spirit to help you live more alert tomorrow.
• Pray: “Holy Spirit, give me eyes to see and ears to hear you tomorrow. Help me say yes to your invitations—small and big.”
• End by resting for a moment in silence. Just be with God.

Closing Thought: The Examen is a practice of presence—God’s presence, and yours. When we show up honestly before God, we create space for transformation. My prayer is that this practice continues to draw you into a deeper relationship with Jesus. Not just once a day—but throughout your day.

 

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT: 

We live in a instant society and culture. Waiting and delayed gratification living is almost non existant. When it comes to our faith life, let’s be honest, waiting rarely feels spiritual. It feels slow. It feels frustrating. It can feel like nothing is happening. And yet, the heart of Jesus’ teaching in Luke 21—and Pastor Dave’s reminder through this whole series—is that waiting with great anticipation and hope is where faith is forged. 

Jesus didn’t just give us signs of the end so we could decode a timeline. He gave us signs so we could align our lives, to stay awake, alert, and grounded. To live with a great Hope, so His kingdom would be different than this earthly kingdom.

Over the past few weeks we have explored the following ideas:

• We no longer need the temple because Jesus became our access to the Father.
• We’re warned not to be deceived, but instead to live in truth and discernment.
• We’re invited to suffer well, with eyes fixed on eternity.
• We’re called to lift our heads—not in fear, but in hope, because our redemption is drawing near.

The question for you is now what? What do you do and how do you respond? Hope isn’t passive. It’s active. It shows up in how we pray, how we treat others, how we resist fear, how we hunger for His presence.

So today, don’t just look around at the chaos. Look up in confidence. Look inward with courage. Look forward with expectancy. Jesus is coming. Not as a threat—but as a King returning to restore everything.
Until then, let’s be the kind of people who live awake, ready, and rooted in a hope that doesn’t fade.

Pastor Rob Hans | Spiritual Formation and Connection