Live, Hope And Rest

Live, Hope and Rest

Luke 21: 5 - 19

Intro: Two gas company employees were out checking meters in a suburban neighborhood. They parked their truck at the end of the street and worked their way to the other end. At the last house, that was a woman looking out her kitchen window watching the 2 men. --- After they had finished their work, the supervisor challenged his young apprentice to a foot race down the street back to the truck. About halfway down the street they turned and saw the lady huffing and puffing right behind them. They stopped running asking her what was wrong. Gasping fro breath she answered, “When I see 2 gas men running as hard as you 2 were, I figured I’d better run too!

I This story serves to illustrate that things aren’t always what they seem. VS. 6 “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another, every one of them will be thrown down.”

A Of course those around Jesus were concerned. VS. 7 “Teacher, they asked, “when will these things happen?”

B The destruction of the Temple which took place around 70 CE. Luke’s gospel is dated about 90 CE.

C. Destruction is not evidence of God’s rejection and disfavor as some would have us believe. It is the fulfillment of God’s plan.

II VSS 8 – 11 Jesus tells 3 things that will happen in the future:

A Impostors will come and try to trick the faithful. Example: Dr. Ian Paisley, a fiery Irish cleric and politician was preaching on the end times and particularly the Day of Judgment. As he reached the climax of his address he said that on the Day of Judgment “there would be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” At that point a little old lady put up her hand saying, “Dr. Paisley, I have no teeth.” Without skipping a beat Dr. Paisley said, “Madam, teeth will be provided.”

B War and conflict will rage on – watch any news program and you know that is happening. Does that mean the end is near? Perhaps! But wars in one shape or another have been a part of all time.

C Natural disasters will be prevalent. Like the fires in California, floods, rising sea levels. Does this mean the end is near? Perhaps.

III So what are we to do? We must as Christians to three things:

A Do you live saying, “why pray when you can worry?” Decide not to worry. Being a successful witness to Christ, we must decide not to worry.: JUST LIVE!!

B We must decide to stand firm in our faith, trusting God to look after us. God’s faithfulness to us should invite human faithfulness to God. IT IS CALLED HOPE!

C As pilgrim people, we are called to a life of wholehearted surrender to God in all things. VSS 18 – 19 “But not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life.

Concl: In August of 1932 an excellent gospel musician named Thomas Dorsey lost his wife during childbirth. The next day, his newborn son died as well. That night, Dorsey wrote:

“Precious Lord, take my hand, Lead me on, let me stand; I am tired, I am weak, I am worn; Through the storm, through the night, Lead me on to the light; Take my hand, precious Lord, Lead me home.”