Focusing on the Big Picture
Matthew 24:1-4
6/24/2007 A.M. Service
New Bethel Baptist Church
Intro: It is so easy to develop tunnel vision, to miss the big picture entirely, and to begin to major on the minors. In our self centered society, it is so easy for all attention to focus inward and for us to become self absorbed.
Where I work, there is an associate that everyday has an idea of what “we” should be doing that day. The only problem is that his suggestions always revolve around what would benefit him the most. I always tell him that I appreciate his guidance, but I remind him that there are a lot of tasks going on in our department and not all of them center around him.
Text: We see a lot of ourselves in the disciples sometimes, in the things that they focused on.
Acts 1:6-8 “When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Here the Disciples ask an important question, but at an inappropriate time. They ask Jesus, “wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” No doubt we can see the focus of their heart, after years of Roman oppression they were longing for the Messiah to come and set them free. Remember when Jesus came into Jerusalem on that first day of the Passion week, how that the crowd cheered for him and hailed him? They were looking for a conquering deliverer not a suffering servant that we see pictured in Isaiah 53. Even at the time of Christ’ ascension the Disciples were not focusing on the big picture. Jesus had to remind them of the task at hand, the task to evangelize a world dying and headed for a devil’s hell!
Now back to our text Matthew 24:1-2 “And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”
Again look at the focus of the Disciples. They brought Jesus, the creator of the universe, the One who controlled the winds and seas. The One who had called forth Lazarus from the grave and the dead came forth. The One who had turned the water into wine, cast out demons, healed the blind, lame, and sick. They brought the Messiah to show Him a Temple man had built! So what was Jesus’ response? He simply said, “See ye not all these things?” And the answer for them was as it is for us most of the time, a resounding no! No, we don’t see the big picture! We focus on our own petty concerns, our own trivialities, our own struggles, when there is something much greater, something more excellent that we should be focusing on. Look with me if you would at this passage this morning and pray that God would help us as we study the Olivet Discourse to “Focus on the big picture.”
Notice with me first of all:
I. The Disciples limited view – Matthew 24:1-2
A. The Disciples were inspired by the beauty of the Temple Vrs. 1 The Temple was 500 yards long by 400 yards wide. Herod’s rebuilding work began in 19 B.C. and was finally completed in 65 A.D. No doubt if we viewed this building, we would be awestruck much like they were. But Jesus had seen this all before, His face was fixed on Calvary. He had a task before Him as do we.
B. Jesus instructed them to take a closer look – Vrs 2 “See ye not all these things?” We think we have a pretty good grasp on things, then all of a sudden things get out of our control. The doctor comes in with a bad diagnosis. The job we thought was secure is gone. The child we had prayed for and who has been so healthy is sick and they say nothing can be done. Our life can change in a split second, things we perceived as rock solid can be torn down stone by stone, then what? Just remember what God’s Word says in Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Not only do we see their limited view in this passage, but notice next with me.
II. The Disciples lingering questions – Matthew 24:3 The Disciples asked 3 very important questions here.
1.When shall these things be? (vrs 2)
2.What shall be the sign of thy coming?
3.And of the end of the age?
III. When shall these things be?
A. What things? Matthew 24:2; Luke 21:20-24 “And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” In A.D. 70 the Roman General Titus invaded Jerusalem and Jesus’ Prophecy was fulfilled. In Luke 21 we see this warning given about the impending destruction of Jerusalem. When we ask the question what things, the answer is twofold:
1. The destruction of Jerusalem.
2. The dispersion of the Jews.
B. The command to flee – Luke 21:21 In A.D. 70 the Christians left Jerusalem because of the prophecies of Jesus. (A picture of the Rapture, flee from the wrath to come). Luke21:22-24 1.1 Million Jews were killed, 97,000 were taken captive. Because the Disciples taught the early Christians what Jesus said in Luke 21 they escaped this horrible siege by the Roman army. Another interesting thing that Jesus mentions in Luke 21 is the “time of the Gentiles.”
C. Jerusalem trodden down of the Gentiles – Luke 21:24 A.D. 70 – May 14, 1948 Israel was scattered around the globe. Isaiah 66:8 “Who hath heard such a thing? Who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.” On May 14th 1948 the Star of David was hoisted over Israel and this prophecy was fulfilled. Jerusalem was still trodden under foot of the Gentiles, in 1968 the Israeli government took control of Jerusalem, but it’s most holy site, the temple mount is still occupied by Gentiles.
D. What does this have to do with me? Everything!!! God’s focus is shifting, Luke 21:24 “The times of the Gentiles…” Right now we are in the age of Grace… but the attention is shifting back to Israel Daniel 9:24-27
IV. “Let’s bring our focus back to the big picture.” Should we devote our time to studying Israel and Eschatology, or end time events? While these things are important, what is most important? Acts 1:6-8 “This is the task” Matthew 24:14 Jesus instructed His disciples that they would receive power. What is the purpose of this power? It is to evangelize. To evangelize Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth
Do you see the big picture? Are you still majoring on the minors? It is time for us to focus on the harvest.
