Beginning Of The End

Beginning of the End

October 18, 2009 Morning Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: Get ready; Jesus is coming!

Focus Passage: Matthew 24:1-14

Introduction: Biblical prophecy provides some of the greatest encouragement and hope available to us today. Just as the Old Testament is saturated with prophecies concerning Christ’s first advent, so both testaments are filled with references to the second coming of Christ. One scholar has estimated that there are 1,845 references to Christ’s second coming in the Old Testament, where 17 books give it prominence. In the 260 chapters of the New Testament, there are 318 references to the second advent of Christ--an amazing 1 out of every 30 verses. Twenty-three of the 27 New Testament books refer to this great event. For every prophecy in the Bible concerning Christ’s first advent, there are 8 which look forward to His second!

I. See to it no one misleads you (vs 4-5)

a. Know God’s Word Psalms 119:105 NASB Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

b. Psalms 119:11 NASB Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.

II. See that you are not frightened (vs 6-8)

a. Isaiah 35:4 NASB Say to those with anxious heart, "Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, But He will save you."

b. Hebrews 13:5 NASB "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,"

III. You will be hated (vs 9-13)

a. John 15:19 NASB "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.”

b. John 16:2 NASB " but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God.”

IV. The Gospel will be preached in the whole world (v 14)

a. Matthew 28:19-20 NASB "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

b. Acts 1:8 NASB but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

c. Missions is an essential part of the second coming of Christ!

Invitation: Are YOU ready?