1. The best fairy tales come from the worst fears… Many deal with poverty, famine, and abandoned children. There is often the added element of getting lost in the woods. Hansel and Gretel; Rapunzel; Little Red Riding Hood. . .
2. I want to tell you about a true scary story. It’s called, “The Year 2020.”
a. The Year of the Unexpected: “COVID”; POTUS Election and Voter Fraud; My surgery; My resignation and new venture;
b. Ended on a sigh of relief, not so much of a celebration – Times Square – 100 people allowed in to watch the Ball drop; experts are saying that NYC may not come back in our lifetime;
3. We can’t know what is coming in 2021 – that’s NORMAL
a. Already some unexpected things this new year
b. Can’t know a year ahead – a day – only now – Matthew 6:27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
4. The Bible and Signs – Effects on USA?
a. Speculate on God’s Judgment – 7 Seals in Revelation 6 (4 Horses and Horsemen)
b. Hard to know
5. What if we are being judged as a nation? What if the whole world is about to be judged? What do we do?
Luke 21:25-28 25 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
a. Don’t Panic – be whom God called you to be. Matthew 24:46 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.
b. Jesus’ words remind us the prophets’ “Day of the LORD” prophecies
c. Destruction of Jerusalem; Return of Jesus
I. Straighten Up Our Lives with Anticipation
A. Jesus Will Return from Above
1. He’s coming as He left – Acts 1:11
2. He’s coming in plain sight – Revelation 1:7
B. Pay Attention to the Signs (What is Going On) – Luke 21:25 25 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity . . .
1. Know current events
2. Some Christians prefer to ignore them and our current role
3. Much evil to combat – but we won’t engage if we don’
C. Prepare for What is Ahead [B. Franklin - “I'd rather be a pessimist because then I can only be pleasantly surprised.”
1. Can be caught off guard because we didn’t prepare
2. Matthew 16:3 3 And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.
II. Lift Up Our Heads in Humility – Luke 21:28 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
A. We Lift Up Our Heads to See:
1. Our Reluctance
a. Fear of condemnation
b. Unfinished business here – family; career; retirement years
c. He offers us MORE – 1 Corinthians 2:9 (CF. Isaiah 64:4)
2. Our Redemption – Psalm 121:1-2 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
a. Cost of redemption
b. Don’t be distracted by lesser things
3. Our Reward – Thyatira in Revelation 2:23 – . . . I will give to each of you according to your works.
• Saved by grace through faith – Ephesians 2:8-10
• Rewarded for our works – Matthew 25 judgment scene
B. We Lift Up Our Praise Hebrews 13:15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
1. Angels at His birth
2. Disciples on His Earth
3. Because we trust – We are appreciative when we find a service or repair person who instills confidence. It’s not the fancy truck or high-tech gear that they have; it’s that they are there when we need them. Similarly, the longer we walk with God, the more our confidence in Him grows. We stop being attracted by the bangles and baubles of this world and find ourselves turning to Him in quietness and strength
III. Step Up Our Lives in Confidence
A. We Are in the Game/Battle NOW – Luke 21:34-36 34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
B. Live By Faith and Do What We’ve Been Called to Do
1. We’re not “in training,” we’re to be doing
2. Luke 19:13
3. What is our business? What are our abilities? (gifts; HS)
C. We Win! Believe it!
1. Psalm 73:28 But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works.
2. Calvin was daydreaming while looking out of the window at his office. His boss walked in and asked, “Why aren’t you working?” “Because I didn’t see you coming,” was his reply.
3. Jesus is coming – we need to pay attention.
4. We live in a corrupted world (Romans 8:22) – let’s be busy – whatever may come.
