By Chuck Williams
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Milan

Focal Passage: Matthew 24:42-51

The story is told of three apprentice demons who came before Satan to report to him about their work on earth. The first demon said, “I will tell people there is no God.” Satan said, “That will not delude them for they know there is a God.” The second said, “I will tell them there is no hell.” Satan replied, “You will deceive no one that way. Men know there is a hell for sin.” The third said, “I will tell them there is no hurry.” Satan then said, “Yes, that is the answer, you will have great success.”

Rather than being lazy, God said:

(1) Be vigilant. In days past, who was the most important person to guard the towns and cities? It would have to be the watchmen. They were to be alert, vigilant, and observant to any attacks. Today we have watchmen to alert us, and they are the “home security system.” [Read more…]

By Chuck Williams
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Milan

Focal Passage: Matthew 24:32-41

We are an impatient people. How long am I going to wait in line for my Starbucks (which by the way is overpriced burnt coffee beans)? 

When is the server going to be up and running so I can get online (which may mean you are left out of your gaming.) I am so hungry. I can’t wait to eat (have you checked the scales lately or looked sideways in a mirror)? 

Many of the items we are anxious for can wait. But when it comes to Christ’s return there are some things that can’t wait. But until then we have signs that give us insight confidence on what to depend on, and preparation to make for that day.

[Read more…]

By Chuck Williams
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Milan

Focal Passage: Matthew 24:23-31

Very few things in history have been on a national level known by the world —  9/11/01, the eruption of the Mount St. Helens volcano in 1980, the surprise election of President Trump in 2016. 

There is only one event in human history where everyone was aware of it — the Noahic flood. Where the “fountains of the great deep burst open, and the floodgates of the sky were opened” (Genesis 7:11b). These forces produced tsunamis of epic proportions, and everyone was well aware of it. There is coming another epic event on God’s prophetic calendar that every person will be made well aware of  — the return of Christ to the earth. What events will unfold? [Read more…]

By Chuck Williams
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Milan

Focal Passage: Matthew 24:15-22

Nobody likes to be deceived — that moment when you realize you have been lied to and taken advantage of. It’s embarrassing.  Therefore, we shouldn’t be surprised to discover in these last days Satan is truly deceiving the nations of the world. What will all of this lead to?

Days of deception. Matthew 24:15 speaks about the abomination of desecration as mentioned in Daniel 9:27. The Roman General Tiochus Epiphanes, around 160 B.C., marched into the temple, erected a statue of Zeus and sacrificed a pig on the altar. Talk about blasphemy and abomination! 

Many see this as a future reference to the final days before Jesus returns. Paul writes about this in II Thessalonians 2:1-12.  He is referred to as the “man of lawlessness.” [Read more…]

By Chuck Williams
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Milan

Focal Passage: Matthew 24:1-14 

Destruction (vv. 1-3). The first few verses refer to King Herod who had taken the existing temple and completely refurbished and remodeled it. He doubled its size and doubled the land on which it sat. This was his finest building project of which he had many. Its grandeur was a wonder to behold.

All of that changed in 66 A.D., just as Jesus prophesied. The Jews rebelled against the Roman Empire and four years later in 70 A.D.  Roman legions, under Titus Caesar Vespasianus, attacked and destroyed Jerusalem.

The temple desecration was the saddest part of the destruction. Just as Jesus prophesied, “There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down” (v. 2). [Read more…]

By Chuck Williams
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Milan

Focal Passage: Matthew 28:1-10

Many things in life are expected — the sun will come up, taxes will go up, inflation will go up, kids will grow up, and some days we want to give up. 

But there are some things that are not expected. The Resurrection of Christ is the world’s greatest “unexpectation.” The Pharisees and Romans expected the disciples to attempt to steal Jesus’ body. They never expected what would happen that glorious Sunday morning.  

Here are three great unexpectations: [Read more…]