Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
Emotion Tone
Anger
0.08UNLIKELY
Disgust
0.09UNLIKELY
Fear
0.12UNLIKELY
Joy
0.59LIKELY
Sadness
0.46UNLIKELY
Language Tone
Analytical
0.65LIKELY
Confident
0UNLIKELY
Tentative
0UNLIKELY
Social Tone
Openness
0.97LIKELY
Conscientiousness
0.79LIKELY
Extraversion
0.31UNLIKELY
Agreeableness
0.66LIKELY
Emotional Range
0.63LIKELY
Tone of specific sentences
Tones
Emotion
Language
Social Tendencies
Anger
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9
Scripture Reading
Introduction
Introduce with a scenario of a take-over of South African parliament.
More than this, they are going to shut down all churches.
If this news flash were to come, what kind of response would you have?
What kind of fears would arise in your hearts?
What would your next step be?
Preparations!! What do we do.
(ALTERNATIVE: DO YOU REMEMBER 9-11? or WE KNOW THE ACCOUNT OF THE TITANIC… NOT EVEN GOD CAN SINK THIS SHIP…)
In Luke 21:5-19, Jesus gives his disciples a warning about things that are to come.
He speaks about a number of the trials and tribulations that are approaching them as those who have placed their faith in Him.
He also reminds them that although they will face difficult times, they are not to be afraid because the Lord will be with them and will give them the words and wisdom they need to defend themselves.
Jesus encourages them to stand firm in their faith, even in the face of persecution and death, because by doing so they will gain eternal life.
As we study this passage today, we will learn about the importance of remaining steadfast in our faith, even when faced with opposition and difficult times.
We will also be reminded that we can trust in the Lord's protection and guidance, and that our ultimate goal should be our eternal salvation.
Before we delve into the text, it’s important that I mention what’s happening in this text in terms of the prophecy that Jesus gives here.
There is a lot of difference of perspective among Christians in terms of what Jesus is referring to through this prophecy.
Is it referring to events that the disciples themselves were going to face?
A little further on in this chapter, in Luke 21:32, Jesus declares that this generation will certainly not pass away before all these things come to pass… (we’ll have to look at that verse in more detail next time).
Or was Jesus referring to His second coming, where a final judgment would take place?
Many of the verses in this text seem to be referring to a final and climactic judgment.
My own position is that there are multiple horizons in this prophecy, as we often find in Scripture.
What do I mean by that.
Often, when a prophecy was given, there was a more immediate fulfilment, and then there was a greater fulfilment that was further ahead in the future.
Certainly, much of what is prophesied by JEsus in this passage had direct reference to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by Rome A.D. 70.
But there are certainly pictures and hints of what unfolds through the course of history in a repeated fashion.
In that sense, this passage has important relevance to us.
With that in mind, let us consider this text together.
1.
The Certain Prophecy of Coming Destruction (vv.5-6)
The context of the words of Jesus, this great prophecy of things to come, is a statement from the disciples about the glory of the temple in Jerusalem.
In verse 5 we read…
In the parallel accounts in Matthew and Mark, we see very clearly that the disciples were marveling at the beauty and the grandeur of the Temple.
The Temple in Jerusalem during Jesus' time was a grand and imposing structure, built on the Temple Mount in the heart of the city.
It was the center of Jewish religious and national life, and was considered the most sacred site in Judaism.
The Temple was a vast complex of buildings and courtyards, adorned with gold and other precious materials.
Its walls were adorned with carvings and decorations, and its gates were made of solid gold.
Inside the Temple, there were several chambers, including the Holy of Holies, which housed the Ark of the Covenant and was the most sacred place in the Temple.
The Temple was also an important center of trade and commerce, with merchants and money changers conducting business in its courtyards.
The fact was that it was indeed spectacular, and a glorious sight.
And for the Jewish people in particular, it was of great significance.
It was central to their worship of God.
And so, as the disciples and Jesus are leaving the Temple, walking away this comment arises from the disciples, expressing their marvel at this structure.
Jesus tells about a time that is to come in the future when this very temple that they are marveling at will be utterly destroyed.
The extent of the destruction is made clear - not one stone will be left on another!!! Every single one will be thrown down!!
We must note that this was an impressive building with massive stones.
In order to support this grand structure, with all of it’s adornments, the stones were massive.
Philip Ryken, in his commentary, notes:
Some of the temple’s massive marble foundation stones were forty feet long.
They weighed more than one hundred tons!
Now, this prophecy from Jesus must have been shocking to His hearers.
It would have been frightening, distressing to His hearers!!
This would extensive ramifications for the religious, political, and social realms in that day.
It was a statement that would shock them!
This provides the context for Jesus to provide a series of warnings and encouragements to His disciples.
This leads us to consider secondly…
2. The Perilous Signs of the Times (vv.7-12)
As Jesus presents his disciples with this shocking statement, the disciples question him about the destruction of the Temple…
The statement by Jesus would have at the very least been unsettling.
And so, they ask Jesus the question: When is this going to happen.
What are the signs (or what is the sign) that we should be looking out for!?
It is this question that prompts Jesus’ explanation of things that are to take place.
Jesus now gives a series of things to look out for.
Trying and challenging times are about to come upon these disciples, and Jesus gives them the warning about what is to come.
Jesus gives four main areas of warning…
2.1 False Teachers (v.8)
The very first warning that Jesus gives his disciples is that against deception.
There is a danger that the minds and hearts of the followers of Christ are taken in and deceived by false teachers.
Throughout the course of history, there have been many individuals who have claimed to be the Messiah or a representative of God.
For example, in the early Christian era, there were various groups such as the Gnostics and the Ebionites who claimed to have special knowledge or insight and taught beliefs that were contrary to the true Gospel.
We have even the Judaizers that are mentioned in the New Testament.
Jesus tells his disciples that it is inevitable that false teachers would come.
Through the New Testament, these repeated warnings are sounded.
Satan is a deceiver, and one of the greatest tools that he uses is to lead people away from the true Messiah, Jesus Christ, and towards falsehood through false teachers.
Jesus tells his disciples that as the day approaches for the destruction that He’s spoken about, there will be false Messiahs, false teachers claiming to be representatives of God.
He warns the disciples: “Do not follow them...”
These false teachers have continued to rise up through the course of history, even proclaiming themselves to be Messiahs.
In more recent times, there have been individuals like Jim Jones, founder of the Peoples Temple, who proclaimed himself as the Christ, but led his followers to a mass suicide in 1978.
2.2 Wars and Revolts (vv.9-10)
Jesus was speaking here into a context where the Roman Empire had brought about a long period of relative peace.
The Roman Empire was powerful, and there was really no force that could stand against it.
But Jesus tells his disciples here that there will be rumors of wars and revolutions.
These are naturally frightening times.
When we hear of a war between Russia and the Ukraine, it’s not good to hear, but down in South Africa, we’re hardly touched by it in real terms.
It’s not as if we’re struck with fear.
We’re far removed.
Living in Europe, however, almost everyone is impacted in some way.
Many refugees have fled Ukraine and Russia, and have entered other European countries.
Those people in neighboring countries see the impacts on the citizens, and the impact on them is far greater.
They may even have fears that their own country will join the war.
But the disciples, in this case, are being told that these things are going to happen around them, and even within their own cities.
The natural response of the Jews in these places will be one of great fear.
The word that Jesus uses here says that they should not be “terrified!”
John Calvin, in his Commentary on Luke 21:9, wrote:
“Christ foretells here, that all the Jews would be so distressed in the time of the siege of Jerusalem, that, as if their very entrails were torn out, they would be ready to give up the ghost.”
Charles Hodge, in his Commentary on Luke 21:9, wrote:
“The expressions here are so vivid and strong that they can scarcely be misunderstood.
All would be filled with such distress and terror, as if ready to die.”
A time would come upon these disciples and the Jewish people that would be frightening and terrifying to most.
Beyond the immediate threat to Jerusalem, however, is the general conflict that would continue among nations.
Nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9