Introduction

Good morning, my dear friends. It's a joy to be here with you today, breaking bread in fellowship and worship. We have a wonderful opportunity today to engage with God's word, to let it speak to us, to let it shape us and mold us into the image of Christ.

Our focus today is on Mark 13:24-37. “But in those days, following that distress, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

The revered preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, "When you see a promise in the Bible, it's like a check. You need to take it to the bank of faith and cash it in." Today, we're going to do just that with the promises found in this passage of scripture.

We have three main points today: The Mystery of the Moment, Mindfulness in the Midst, and Mission in the Meantime. Each of these points will guide us as we seek to understand and apply the truths of this passage in our lives.

Let us bow our heads in prayer as we prepare our hearts to receive God's word today. Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you with open hearts and minds, ready to receive your Word. We ask that the Holy Spirit illuminate the scriptures for us, that we might glean the truths you have for us today. Help us to understand the mystery of your timing, to be mindful of your presence, and to carry out the mission you have given us. We ask this in Jesus' name, amen.

Transition. So, let's begin, my friends. Let's cash in those checks of promise, let's be eager to learn, and let's be ready to be changed by the Word of God.

Mystery of the Moment

We find ourselves in a world that is constantly changing, where the only certainty is uncertainty. We live in a time where we are constantly bombarded with information, where we are always connected, always on the go. Yet, in the midst of all this, we find a God who is unchanging, who is always the same, yesterday, today, and forever. And this God, this unchanging God, has chosen to reveal Himself to us in a moment, in a specific point in time.

This moment, this specific point in time, is a mystery. It is a mystery because we cannot fully understand it, we cannot fully grasp it. We can only stand in awe of it, in awe of the God who chose to reveal Himself to us in this way. This is the mystery of the moment.

The first thing we need to understand about this mystery is that it is not something we can control. We cannot choose when this moment will happen, we cannot choose where it will happen, we cannot choose how it will happen. It is entirely in God's hands. This is a humbling thought. It reminds us that we are not in control, that we are not the masters of our own destiny.

Next is that it is not something we can predict. We cannot know when this moment will happen, we cannot know where it will happen, we cannot know how it will happen. It is entirely in God's hands. This is a comforting thought. It reminds us that we do not need to worry, that we do not need to be anxious.

The third thing we need to understand about this mystery is that it is not something we can ignore. We cannot pretend that this moment does not exist. Therefore, we need to be alert, and we need to be watchful.

The fourth thing we need to understand about this mystery is that it is not something we can escape. We cannot run away from this moment, we cannot hide from it. It is entirely in God's hands. We will all have to give an account of our lives. It reminds us that we need to live our lives in light of this moment, that we need to live our lives for God.

Transition. So, my friends, let us embrace this mystery. Let us embrace the uncertainty, the unpredictability, the inescapability of this moment. Let us embrace the humility, the comfort, the challenge, the sobriety of this moment. Let us embrace the God who is revealed in this moment, the God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Let us embrace the mystery of the moment.

Mindfulness in the Midst

As we continue to engage with this passage, we find ourselves in the midst of an unfolding cosmic drama ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO