SERMON OUTLINE:
(1). Jesus gave some warnings:
(A). There will be false messiahs (vs 8).
(B). There will be wars (vs 9-10).
(C). There will be natural disasters (vs 10-11).
(D). There will be persecution (vs 12-18).
(E). There will be the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple (vs 20-24).
(2). Jesus gave some commands:
(A). Watch out and Do not be deceived (vs 8).
(B). Watch out and Do not worry (vs 14).
(C). Watch and pray (vs 36).
(3). Jesus gave some promises:
(A). Assistance in witnessing (vs 13-15).
(B). Assurance of life (vs 19).
(C). Awareness of a divine plan (vs 28).
SERMON BODY:
Ill:
• Isidor Isaac Rabi, was a Nobel prize winner in science,
• A friend once asked him how he became a scientist.
• Isidor replied that every day when he returned home after school,
• His mother would talk to him about his school day.
• Interestingly, she wasn’t so much interested in what he had learned that day,
• But she always asked him; “Did you ask a good question today?”
• Isidor said, “Asking good questions made me become a scientist.”
• In this passage before us,
• The disciples in verse 7 ask two good questions regarding the end of the age.
• “When will these things happen?”
• “What will be the sign that they are about to take place?”
Ill:
• On Wednesday I was in London and walked past, Buckingham Palace,
• (Joke: I was going to pop in for a cup of tea with Liz, but I was in a bit of a hurry!)
• As you would expect,
• There were hundreds of tourists outside photographing this magnificent building!
• It is a tourist a tourist magnet,
• That attracts people to it from all over the world.
• TRANSITION: At the time of Jesus, the temple in Jerusalem had that same effect,
• It was one of the great buildings of the world.
• It dominated the city and its golden walls meant it could be seen for miles around.
• In verse 5: the disciples draw the attention of Jesus to the wonder of the building.
• In verse 6: Jesus stuns his disciples by telling them its days were numbered!
• For the disciples this building looked like it will stand forever,
• But Jesus says to them, it will soon be history!
• The reaction by the disciples to that news is too ask two questions:
• Verse 7a: “When will these things happen?”
• Verse 7b: “And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”
Note:
• Keep in mind as we read these verses:
• That this is not an all-inclusive teaching on end times,
• Rather it is selective
• Jesus shows us only a broad-brush painting of the end times.
• Other New Testament writers will later add more specific information,
• About the Rapture of the church, the Tribulation, and the millennial kingdom.
• So, this is not an all-inclusive teaching on end times, rather it is selective:
• It is a message to Jews by a Jew about the future of the Jewish nation.
• But please don’t sit there and think, “this is not relevant to me”.
• Because it contains many applications for us as Christians today.
I want to divide the passage into three sections:
Section 1: Jesus Gave Some Warnings.
Ill:
• At the moment we are being warned about the Corona virus.
• A week or two ago we were being warned about the severe weather.
• Wherever you look you will find warning signs,
• Here are a few genuine warning signs that amused me.
• TRANSITION: Warning signs,
• There is nothing funny in the warnings that Jesus shares with the disciples here.
(A). There will be false messiahs (vs 8).
• There will be false messiahs.
• So, Jesus warns us not be misled.
ill:
• Story told of an old sailing ship.
• One day the ships captain caught one of his crew drunk and asleep on duty.
• The sailor begged the Captain not to record the incident in the ships log.
• As it would reflect badly on his character.
• Despite his desperate pleadings.
• The Captain insisted that the sailor record it in the ships log.
• Reluctantly the sailor had to record in the ships log, ‘Seaman Smith was drunk today’.
• Annoyed at the Captain, the seaman plotted his revenge.
• He recorded in the ships log these words, “The Captain was not drunk today”.
• It was true, but of course, it was also misleading!
• Those words out of context, gave a wrong insight into the character of the captain.
TRANSITION: Jesus said in verse 8 do not be mislead:
• By religious leaders who, ‘Come in My name’,
• Religious leaders saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time is near’.
• Jesus makes it clear; “Do not go after them."
Ill:
• If you go on Wikipedia and type in false, messiahs.
• They come up with a long list of people throughout history claiming to be the messiah.
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_messiah_claimants
• From Simon bar Kokhba (died c. 135),
• To a few more recent ones.
• Sun Myung Moon (1920–2012), 'Moonies' = Unification Church.
• Jim Jones (1931–1978), founder of Peoples Temple,
• Charles Manson (1934–2017), American criminal, cult leader,
• David Koresh (1959–1993), the leader of a Branch Davidian sect in Waco, Texas, t
• And there are those around today.
• Who are still claiming to be the reincarnation or incarnation of Jesus,
Note:
• Earlier on in chapter 17 verse 23-24.
• Jesus had made it quite clear that when he returns to the nation of Israel.
• It will be unmistakable.
• And it will be sudden.
• There will be no mistaking him!
• He will be like a bolt of lightening which lights up the sky!
(B). There will be wars (vs 9-10):
“When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.
10 Then he said to them: Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom”.
When Jesus spoke these words:
• The Roman empire had been enjoying a long era of peace.
• But about four decades later that would all change.
• In fact, Rome would soon have 4 different emperors in just one year
• Political upheavals and military strife would affect the world of the early Church.
• And Political upheavals and military strife:
• Will mark out the end times as well!
Ill:
• Did you know, that on any given day at any given moment in your life,
• There are at least 15 wars and armed conflicts actively going on all around the world?
• We might only hear about a few of them on the news.
• But there are at least 15 wars and armed conflicts actively going on at this very moment!
• Every day, people are fighting to the death for the ideals they believe in.
• Some are fighting for independence and freedom.
• Some are dying for their right to be heard, to be treated as human beings.
• Others are desperately attempting to gain control of resources, roads and riches,
• And they’re willing to wield death in order to get them.
• Some even say they’re ultimately fighting in the name of peace.
• But too many of the ongoing wars and conflicts taking place today,
• Are being dismissed, forgotten, ignored or under-reported.
• Source:
• https://www.theclever.com/15-wars-happening-right-now-that-no-one-talks-about/
• Somali Civil War in Africa
• Kashmir Unrest in India
• War in Darfur, Africa
• Civil War in Myanmar, Asia
• Conflict in Donbass, Ukraine
• South Sudan Civil War, Africa
• Conflict in Peru, South America
• Instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa
• The North Caucasus Insurgency in Russia
• West Papua Civil War in Asia
• The Cabinda War in Angola, Africa
• The War on Terror in Egypt
• The Hybrid War in Africa
• Military Tension in the East China Sea
• The Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
Notice what Jesus says (vs 9):
• “Do not panic!”
• “Do not be frightened”.
• These signs are stepping-stones leading on to our final goal.
• By them taking place, they should remind us that the end of the age is getting closer.
(C). There will be natural disasters (vs 10-11):
11 “There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven”.
• We have always had natural disasters.
• e.g. Earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, mudslides and volcanoes etc.
• In a world gone wrong, corrupted by sin, even nature is in rebellion.
• But with the impact of global warming,
• The scale, severity & frequency of all these things,
• Seems to have increased in recent years:
Quote:
• Lead study author Tom Parsons,
• A research geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in California.
“We have recently experienced a period that has had one of the highest rates of great earthquakes ever recorded,”
• Records clearly show that large earthquakes have risen by over 450% since 1900.
• 450% increase!
• Sadly, expect more not fewer natural disasters.
(D). There will be persecution (vs 12-18):
“But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.
13 This will result in your being witnesses to them.
14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.
15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death.
17 All men will hate you because of me.
18 But not a hair of your head will perish”.
Note:
• In verse 12 Jesus moves from the distant future (end of the world),
• To the more immediate future.
• In fact, he tells the disciples the sort of future they will be experiencing!
ill:
• These verses read like a summary of the book of Acts:
• Which chronicles the bloody trail of the men and women.
• Who carried the gospel to the ends of the earth?
• That trail, however, didn't end with the close with Acts chapter 28.
• It continues today in the lives of persecuted Christians all over the world.
• PARIS (Reuters).
• About 100 million Christians are persecuted around the world!
Ill:
• Open Doors ‘World Watch List’ Video.
• https://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/resources/tell-your-church/
• Sadly, according to Jesus:
• It will continue its rugged course until Christ returns.
• And takes his own to be with himself.
(E). There will be the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple (vs 20-24):
• In these verses Jesus expounds on what he predicted in verse 6 when he said:
• “Not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.
“When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near.
21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city.
22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfilment of all that has been written.
23 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people.
24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled”.
Ill:
• In A.D. 70, Jesus' tragic prophecy was fulfilled.
• When the Roman emperor Vespasian.
• Sent his son Titus to crush a Jewish rebellion and destroy Jerusalem.
• Beginning in April when Jerusalem was filled with Passover pilgrims.
• He blockaded the city for five months,
• The starving inhabitants were reduced to cannibalism to survive.
• Eventually, the Roman army breached the walls, slaughtered men, women, and children,
• Demolished the city and destroyed the temple.
Ill:
• According to the Jewish historian Josephus,
• Over a million Jews perished in the war,
• And 97,000 were taken as slaves.
Section 2: Jesus Gave Some Commands:
Ill:
• Unless you are playing the game ‘Simon says’
• Most us don’t like commands.
• They normally come from someone bossing us around,
• Or making us do something we don’t want to do!
• TRANSITION: These commands or instructions of Jesus,
• Are warnings for our own spiritual wellbeing.
(A). Watch out and Do not be deceived (vs 8):
“He replied: Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and 'The time is near.' Do not follow them”.
We have the word of God and the Holy Spirit (author of the book):
• Let’s make sure we reject those who ADD to this book (e.g. Mr Mormon).
• Who TAKE AWAY from this book (e.g. Mr Liberal scholar)?
• And those who CHANGE this book (e.g. Mr Jehovah Witness.)
Ill:
• These are the 3 things that Eve did in the Garden of Evil (Genesis chapter 3).
• And as a result, she fell into sin and caused repercussions for the entire world!
• Eve added to the words of God, he never said, “Touch it” (verse 3).
• Eve took away the word “Freely” from God’s statement (verse 2)
• Eve changed the words: “You will surely die” to “You will die” (verse 3).
• Sadly, false teachers seem to do the same today.
• They add, take away or change the Word of God.
• The cults and sects always build major doctrines on isolated or out of context verses,
• It happened then and it’s still happening today.
• i.e. Jehovah witnesses and blood transfusions.
Quote: G. Campbell Morgan who said:
“Christian doctrine is not based on ‘It is written’.
Christian doctrine is based on ‘It is written’ and again ‘It is written’.
• No important doctrine rests on any one text,
• If it is important God will have said it more than once!
(B). Watch out and Do not worry (vs 14):
“But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves”.
Ill:
• Maybe you know the old joke.
• About the man who had a bad accident and got his left arm and left leg ripped off.
• But don't worry about him…he's all right now!
• TRANSITION: When we worry, are anxious, full of concern,
• We are not all right! We are troubled!
• And worry, anxiety will always have a negative effect upon us.
Quote: Ian Maclaren
“What does your anxiety do? It does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow,
but it does empty today of its strength.
It does not make you escape the evil.
It makes you unfit to cope with it when it comes.
God gives us the power to bear all the sorrow of His making,
but He does not guarantee to give us strength to bear the burdens of our own making such as worry induces”
ill:
• ‘Don’t worry’ is the most frequently repeated command in the Bible.
• It is used on 365 different occasions when the words ‘do not be afraid’ are used.
• One for each day of the tear!
(C). Watch and pray (vs 36):
“Be always on the watch and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man”.
Ill:
• Two friends meet on the street.
• One asks the other: "Hi, how are you?"
• The other one replies: "I’m fine, thanks."
• The conversation continued: "And how’s your son? Is he still unemployed?"
• The friend replied, "Yes, he is. But he is meditating now."
• The first friend said, "Meditating? What’s that?"
• The second friend replied,
• "I don’t know. But it’s better than sitting around and doing nothing!"
• TRANSITION: Jesus does not want to find us ‘sitting around and doing nothing’
• Make sure you are not to be found off guard and unprepared.
• Lulled into a false sense of security!
Quote: C.H. Spurgeon:
“True conversion gives a man security,
but it does not allow him to leave off being watchful”.
Section 3: Jesus Gave us Some Promises:
(A). Assistance in witnessing (vs 13-15):
“This will result in your being witnesses to them.
14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.
15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.”
• We naturally think of trials and persecution in a negative way.
• One translation translates verse 13 this way.
• “This will furnish you with an opportunity to testify”
• What a refreshing way to regard trial and persecution.
• Look with in and feel sorry for yourself,
• Or look with-out and see how God will use this for his glory and someone’s blessing!
ill:
• Once again, these verses read like a summary of the book of Acts:
• Read the book of Acts and we find Christians on trial for talking about Jesus.
• In prison or even beaten, persecuted and forced to flee their homes.
• Yet they witnessed to Jesus Christ their Lord:
• They testified by word of mouth. At least 13 references which show that
• (Acts 4:5-12, 19, 20: 9-15, 16; 22:1-21; 23:1, 6, 11; 24:10-21; 26:1-29; 27:21-26; 28:23-28).
• The witnessed by personal conduct.
• (2 Cor 6:1-10; 11:22-32; Phil 1:12).
• They even witnessed by means of their songs.
• (Acts 16:25; Eph 5:19; Col 3:16).
Remember:
• That many of these new believers were uneducated folk,
• They must have been wondering, what are we going to say when we are brought to trial
• Jesus here puts their minds at ease.
• By reminding them that they are not alone!
• In verses 13-15:
• Jesus is repeating the promise he made earlier in Luke chapter 12 verses 11-12:
“When you are brought to trial in the Jewish meeting places or before rulers or officials, don't worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say. 12At that time the Holy Spirit will tell you what to say”.
• And by adding the words (in verse 15)
• “None of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.”
• He is strengthening the promise.
Notice:
• In chapter 12 verse 12: It is the Holy Spirit who enables us.
• In chapter 21 verse 15: Jesus said HE himself will enable us.
• A two-fold promise!
(B). Assurance of life (vs 19):
“By standing firm you will gain life”.
• God wants his children to persevere:
• Not to lose courage; to remain faithful no matter how fierce the persecution might be.
• Their endurance strengthened by God’s grace,
• Is the means the Lord uses to give them the ultimate victory.
Quote: Calvin Coolidge (the 30th president of the United States from 1923 to 1929)
"Press on! Nothing in the world can take the place of perseverance.
Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.
Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts."
• God wants his children to persevere:
• Not to lose courage; to remain faithful no matter how fierce the persecution might be.
• Their endurance strengthened by God’s grace.
• Quote: Charles Spurgeon the great Baptist preacher,
• “By perseverance the snail reached the ark”
(C). Awareness of a divine plan (vs 28):
“When these things begin to take place.”
Question: What things?
Answer: The things mentioned in verses 25-26 (let’s read them).
25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.
26 Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken”.
I think the point Jesus is making is this:
• Events that will fill the hearts and minds of unbelievers with fear and alarm,
• Are the foreshadowing’s of imminent deliverance for the believer.
• To the believer these signs do not show a world out of control,
• But rather a divine plan being fulfilled!
Ill:
• The temple at Jerusalem was destroyed in AD70
• Just nine years after the fall of Jerusalem,
• Another disaster took place, this time it was not man made,
• But a natural disaster.
• Mount Vesuvius erupted violently,
• Completely destroying the Italian city of Pompei and it is surrounding suburbs.
• The Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculane-m were wiped out.
• The explosion of Mount Vesuvius was so sudden.
• The residents were killed while in their routine:
• Men and women were at the market, the rich in their luxurious baths, slaves at work.
• They died amid volcanic ash and superheated gases.
• Even family pets suffered the same quick and final fate.
• It takes little imagination to picture the panic of that terrible day.
• The saddest part is that these people did not have to die.
• Scientists confirm what ancient Roman writers record:
• Before the explosive eruption of the volcano.
• There had been weeks of rumblings and shakings preceded the actual explosion.
• Even a warning spiral of smoke was clearly visible from the mountain.
• Days before the eruption.
• If only they had been able to read the signs,
• And respond to Vesuvius’s warning!
• TRANSITION: No human being:
• Will ever know beforehand exactly when Jesus Christ will return to this earth.
• But as we see the signs, let us heed the warnings, it may well be sooner than we think!
• So, let us ‘make the most of each & every opportunity’ given to us!
• And live in such a way that we will not be ashamed at his coming!
SERRMON AUDIO:
https://surf.pxwave.com/wl/?id=sYsf6ukYYRxi9qLrt8a2So64GccLn6Mm
