When Jesus Returns, What Will He Find Us Doing?
Living faithfully in the in-between.
This past Sunday looked different for our church family. A blizzard pushed us indoors and onto our screens, but God still met us in His Word. Pastor Nick shared from Matthew 24:36–51—a passage many of us have read dozens of times but can suddenly hit with fresh weight.
Jesus is clear: He is returning. We don’t know when. And because we don’t know when, what we do now matters more than we realize. In this short teaching, Jesus offers a promise, a challenge, and an encouragement for every follower of Christ.
1. The Promise: Jesus will return.
Matthew 24 reminds us repeatedly—no one knows the day or hour of Christ’s return. Many of us have heard that truth since childhood, but familiarity can numb us. When something is always talked about, it becomes easy to stop taking it seriously.
Scripture cuts through that haze: Jesus is coming back.
Not symbolically. Not metaphorically. Literally.
The King who once walked the earth, died, rose again, and ascended—will step back into history. And when He does, everything broken will be made whole. Everything temporary will be made eternal.
This promise isn’t meant to spark fear or timeline-guessing. It’s meant to spark hope, urgency, and faithfulness.
2. The Challenge: Be found doing His work.
Jesus follows the promise with a picture: a household servant whose master is gone for a while. That servant has real responsibilities—caring for the house, feeding others, serving faithfully until the master returns.
Jesus is describing us.
While He is away, His people are entrusted with His work:
- Contributing to His church
- Inviting others into His family
- Building up believers through discipleship
In other words: don’t just attend the house—help run it.
Don’t coast spiritually. Don’t drift into comfort. Don’t treat the church as something you watch, but something you build.
And the question that hit Pastor Nick—and hits all of us—is this:
If Jesus returned today, would He find you doing His work or simply doing your own?
It’s a sobering, clarifying question.
One worth sitting with.
3. The Encouragement: Faithfulness is never wasted.
Jesus ends the parable with this promise:
“Blessed is the servant whom the master finds doing his job when he comes.”
Matthew 24:46
When Jesus returns, He brings reward. Not because we earn His love—but because He delights in honoring faithful servants.
Every unseen act of service…
Every moment of integrity…
Every quiet “yes” when no one is watching…
Every step of obedience when it would’ve been easier not to…
None of it is wasted.
Your work in the Lord is not in vain.
How to Live This Out This Week
Here are simple, practical ways to respond:
1. Re-center your hope.
Spend 5 minutes each day reminding yourself that Christ will return. Let that shift how you view your schedule, your priorities, and your worries.
2. Step into one act of service.
Pick one tangible way to serve your church this week—hold a door, help in kids ministry, message a small group leader and ask how you can help. Start small, stay faithful.
3. Invite someone.
Think of one person to personally invite to church this Sunday. A simple text can open a spiritual door.
4. Disciple intentionally.
Encourage a fellow believer. Pray with someone. Share a Scripture that’s encouraged you. Help someone take the next step in their walk.
5. Examine your heart.
Ask honestly: If Jesus returned today, what would He find me doing?
Don’t answer with shame—answer with expectancy. Where might God be nudging you toward faithfulness?
Closing Thought
We are living in the “in-between”—after Christ’s ascension but before His return. And Jesus’ message is simple:
Stay faithful. Stay ready. Stay engaged.
The Master is coming—and blessed is the servant who is found doing His work.