Series: Things Jesus Wants Us To Know
Part 22 -
"Be Ready…I'll Be Back"INTRO: We are almost done with the book of Luke. IT has been a long ride. Next week we will have a communion service, which will fit with next Sunday's message. If you have any questions about communion, you can ask me after service.
Do you ever wonder about things in the future? Ever worry about things you cannot see? Ever wish you had the inside track? Well, join the group. I think this is a universal condition. I know some more than others do. But, we all like to be able to see around that corner. We often think we could avoid mistakes, do better in life, etc. I think, if we are not careful we will not do the things we should because we just are not sure if we need to do them. Well today, we will see some things Jesus wants us to know and do in our lives.
Jesus told the disciples some things that were around the corner. Many of these still applies to us today. Let's look at God's Word.
Luke 21:5 - 38
5
And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,6
As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.7
And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?8
And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.9
But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.10
Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:11
And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.12
But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.13
And it shall turn to you for a testimony.14
Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:15
For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.16
And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.17
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.18
But there shall not an hair of your head perish.19
In your patience possess ye your souls.20
And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.21
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.22
For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.23
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.24
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.25
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;26
Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.27
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.28
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.29
And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;30
When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.31
So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.32
Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.33
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.34
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.35
For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.36
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.37
And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.38
And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.There will be many false prophets (preachers, teachers, workers, hypocrites, etc)
We see…
Taking advantage or exploitation - 8a
Pretenses (falseness) 8b
Self-building and promotion
Shy away, avoid, warning, warning, warning
He then warned and reminded them…
Our time is short
Even without any outside help, time is fleeting
Time certainly waits on no one
He continues addressing their needs (does He not do so for us in life?
Okay, He continues addressing their needs - and He tells them…
Don't embrace fear or worry - 9
Even though they would…
Hear of bad things (wars, etc.)
See may things - 10, 11c
Feel many things (earthquakes) -
Experience (or suffer) many things (famine, etc.)
In all of this, they needed to…Just hang on and remember…
There will be persecution galore
Religious (by religious)
Secular (satanic attempts)
But, in all this…
Stand tall (testimony) - 13
Be prepared to answer for Him - 14-15
Be prepared for separation - 16-17
Be sure of His protection - 18-19
And…
Be sure it will happen - 20-24
We need to understand what Christ was warning them about in these preceding verses. All this came about around 70 A.D. when Jerusalem was overrun and the temple destroyed. But then we find He shared with them some other things that would also come to pass.
There is more
Stellar events - 25
Suffering nations - 25
Scared men - 26
Earthly events (Tsunamis come to mind)
And…
Special event
Christ's return or coming again
Redemption
Jesus then gave them a clue…
Learn form watching - 29-33
Trees bud, bloom, leaf
Jesus' prophecy would too progress (just like 1,2,3…)
Then Jesus gave them a tip or good advice…
Stay ready on watch - 34-36
(they and we can all appreciate this - like soldiers, herdsmen, fishermen, farmers, hunters, or even housewives cooking, etc.)
Avoid surfeiting (excess)
Avoid drunkenness
Avoid an unwanted, unpleasant, unfixable surprise - 34d
Cannot always undo the effects of a surprise
Avoid declared danger (by being and staying ready) - 35
Finally…
Avoid a terrible loss by watching and praying
I think Christ is calling for us to choose Him
I think Christ is calling for us to choose salvation
So, if I had to sum up Christ's answer to His disciples when they asked Him about future events, I would say He said…
Get ready, I'll be back
Be ready, I'll be back
Stay ready, I'll be back
Gary Marcum New Beginnings Church 082607