Sermon: The Mt. Olivet Discourse - Jesus Speaks about the Future
Scripture - Matthew 24:1-14 As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings. 2 But he responded, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” 3 Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?” 4 Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, 5 for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. 7 Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. 8 But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. 9 “Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. 10 And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. 11 And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. 12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations” will hear it; and then the end will come.”
Introduction: Their King, having finished his final discourse in the temple, left it, never to return: Jesus went out, and departed from the temple. His ministry there was ended. As his disciples moved away with him towards the Mount of Olives, they called his attention to the great stones of which the temple was constructed, and the costly adornments of the beautiful building. To them the appearance was glorious; but to their Lord it was a sad sight. His Father's house, which ought to have been a house of prayer for all nations, had become a den of thieves, and soon would be utterly destroyed: 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." Josephus tells us that Titus at first tried to save the temple, even after it was set on fire, but his efforts were of no avail; and at last he gave orders that the whole city and temple should be leveled, except a small portion reserved for the garrison. This was so thoroughly done that the historian says that "there was left nothing to make those that came thither believe it had ever been inhabited." We sometimes delight in the temporal prosperity of the Church as if it were something that must certainly endure; but all that is external will pass away or be destroyed.
The disciples were shocked and privately, said, "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" In the Mt. Olivet discourse, Jesus answers three distinct questions, First, is about the time of the destruction of the temple, the second about the sign of Christ's second coming, and the third about "the consummation of the age." I realize that there has been and always will be unanswered questions about the end times. Scholars have sought pinpoint times, set dates and interpret every part of Matthew 24, certain chapters from Ezekiel, Daniel and the book of Revelations. My desire is to highlight what Jesus said and apply that wisdom to our lives as believers and those waiting for Christ return. When we have clearer light, we may possibly perceive that all our Savior's predictions on this memorable occasion had some connection with all three of these great events. Today, we have historical accounts of the destruction of the Temple and the Holy city. We know the Romans did the deed, we the general who gave the order and that the destruction was so complete, the city appeared to never have been inhabited.
Then Jesus speaks concerning the signs of the end times and the great tribulations. Jesus spoke with certainty. These things will come. This is not given to frighten the disciples but to prepare them. Jesus tells them they cannot calculate or even estimate the time of His return. They must simply be ready. The coming will have signs that can be recognized. When they see these signs they will know that it is near. Deception will be the order of day. In the society and in the church, there will be an increase of deceivers who take advantage of a gullible mindset. People will allow false prophets and public influencers to think for them. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come. The destruction of Jerusalem, the increase of false messiahs, and increase of natural disasters will proceed the return of Christ. So what are we to do? Jesus gives his disciples clear instructions about what to be aware of, how to maintain their peace of mind and how to stay of task and on target.
1. Don’t Be Deceived. – Matthew 24:4-5 “Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, 5 for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many.”
False teachers abound in all ages, and seek in various ways to draw away disciples after them. We should not believe every spirit, but try the spirits whether they be of God. 1Jo 4:1. In order to do this, all should study the Scriptures, and compare what they hear with the word of God. Church history records two notable deceivers who deceived multitudes around Jerusalem, one who, pretending to Divine inspiration, deceived the people, leading out numbers of them to the desert, pretending that God would there show them the signs of liberty, meaning redemption from the Roman power: and that an Egyptian false prophet led 30,000 men into the desert, who were almost all cut off by Felix. It was a just judgment for God to deliver up that people into the hands of false Christs who had rejected the true one. Soon after our Lord's crucifixion, Simon Magus appeared, and persuaded the people of Samaria that he was the great power of God, Ac 8:9,10; and boasted among the Jews that he was the son of God. What makes people vulnerable to deception? Cravings and compulsions make humans vulnerable to deception in two ways. First, they impair the thinking abilities needed for counter deception. Secondly, when a deception offers the target what he wants, the opportunity will often arouse his suspicions, they push down all the red flags. You, see our key concern should be setting dates, but thinking clearly. Don’t be deceived.
2. Don’t Panic - Matthew 24:6-9 “And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. 7 Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. 8 But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. 9 “Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers.”
Just deception is a real possibility, Fear and panic will dominate the landscape. The sign was designed to cause the disciples to be alert, these verses cautions them against being alarmed. Don’t panic! Jesus gives his disciples an overview of Jerusalem's destruction, then he talks about the many riots and commotions, civil discords and dissensions, that would be found in society along an increase in famines, pestilences, and earthquakes, fearful sights and signs in the air. The historian, Josephus declares, that there appeared in the air chariots and horses, men skirmishing in the clouds, and encompassing the city; and that a blazing star, in fashion of a sword, hung over the city for a year together. It was enough to strike panic in the hearts of everyone in Jerusalem. Jesus don’t panic! There will war, pestilence, and famine, are judgments and calamities inflicted by God upon a sinful people for their contempt of Christ and gospel of grace. But don’t panic. Although these be mighty and terrible judgments are coming, remember these are only the forerunners of worse judgments. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Don’t panic! Keep your head and maintain your peace of mind.
Society will be filled anxiety because of uncertainty. Occasional concern is a normal part of life. Watching the News reports 24 hours a day has not helped. Society will bombarded with bad news. Many will worry about numerous things such as mental and physical health, economic disruptions, family problems, personal problems, national problems and even world. Many will feel extremely worried or nervous about whether we are going to make it. They doubt everything but not you. Don’t panic! This is the climate of this season. Jesus said, “you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Keep a level head and stay alert, but don’t be alarmed. Even if we don’t know the day or the hour, believers must be aware, but not alarmed.
3. Don’t Be Sidetracked – Matthew 24:10-14 “And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. 11 And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. 12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations” will hear it; and then the end will come.”
Because of deception and anxiety, many will turn away from me, from one another and against one another. But you stay on task and on target! Jesus said, “then shall many be offended” or shall stumble and fall! That is, many who had been hearers of the apostles, and professors of the Christian religion; who were highly pleased with it, and were strenuous advocates for it, while things were tolerable, quiet and easy; but when they saw the apostles beaten, imprisoned, put to death, and others forced to flee, they lost heart. Fearing persecution and affliction because of Christ and his Gospel, not knowing what would befall themselves, they would be discouraged and stumble at the cross; and fall off from the faith of the Gospel. They would betray one another; meaning, that the apostates, who would fall off from the Christian religion, would prove treacherous to true believers, and give in their names to the persecutors, or inform them where they were, that they might take them, or deliver them into their hands themselves: these are the false brethren, the Apostle Paul was in perils among. These apostates should hate them, in whose communion they before were, and to whom they belonged; and even to a very great degree of hatred, as it often is seen, that such who turn their backs on Christ, and his Gospel, prove the most bitter enemies, and most violent persecutors of its preachers and followers.
Stay on task and on target by continuing seek the Spirit, we will be prepared to meet the Lord. Keep developing your talents and improving upon what the Lord has given us, we can prepare to meet the Lord. Keep showing your love for God by the way you treat His children. Stay on task and on target until I return.
4. Don’t be Discouraged- Matthew 24:13-14 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations” will hear it; and then the end will come.”
Here our blessed Savior comforts his disciples with a threefold consideration that they are going to make it and their labor is not in vain. Apostasy and cowardness may abound in others yet stay on task and on target because the gospel of the Kingdom should be plainly and persuasively preached everywhere. The gospel of the kingdom must be preached, because it discovers the way to the kingdom of heaven. All may not believe, but some will. It shall be preached unto all nations, the Jewish world and the Gentile world. The design and end of the gospel message serve as a witness or testimony of God's grace and mercy offered to every sinner, and exposes their stubbornness and willful rejection of God’s mercy and grace. Don’t be discourage if men reject you and despise the message. The preaching of the gospel, wherever it comes, proves a testimony to them to whom it comes. To the humble and teachable, it is a testimony for, to the scorners and despisers, it is a testimony against; or in the words of the apostle, “To some it is the savour of death unto death; to others, the savour of life unto life.” 2Co 2:16
While discouragement is a normal emotion, it can easily get in the way of your daily activities if you're not careful enough. Jesus helps his disciples to manage their expectations. Some people will reject your message. Let go of the idea that your success will depend your perfect presentation and ability. Don't comparing yourself to others and focus on your target and your personal assignment. Don't dwell on negative people who reject you and your message and don't your own thoughts to discourage you. Brace yourselves for criticision. Spend your time living holy lives, sharing God’s message, empowering others and bless them. Lean into your assignment and keeping doing your best, knowing your labor is not in vain. 1Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
What does it mean your labor in the Lord is not in vain? And our labor is not in vain in the Lord. Our labor, whatever it might be, is not meaningless or worthless because God gives it meaning and worth. According to 1 Corinthians 15:58, we can have confidence in this truth, and this confidence inspires us to give ourselves fully to our work. Don’t be Discouraged! The message in a nutshell: don’t be deceived, don’t be afraid and panic, don’t be sidetracked and don’t be Discouraged. Stay on task and on target!
