Luke 21:25-21:38
Notes
Transcript
Last we we looked at the first half of Luke chapter 21,
How do we live now, knowing that the end is coming? Don’t Be Deceived
How do we live now, knowing that the end is coming? Don’t Be Deceived
How do we live now, knowing that the end is coming? Learn to joyfully endure persecution
How do we live now, knowing that the end is coming? Learn to joyfully endure persecution
How do we live now, knowing that the end is coming? Don’t hold the things of this world too tightly.
How do we live now, knowing that the end is coming? Don’t hold the things of this world too tightly.
Today we are looking at the second half of Luke 21 Jesus continues with his explanation of the events that are going to happen in the future.
everyone wants to know the future,
astrology is a 2.2 BILLION dollar per year business in the USA
Astrology has no basis in truth and no place in the life of a follower of Christ
but why is astrology so big and getting bigger?
people are looking for meaning and encouragement for the here and now.
people are looking for certainty or guidance for the future
The Disciples have these same questions and desires
And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?”
You want to know the future? Well here you go
I. Jesus Will Come Again
I. Jesus Will Come Again
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.”
Jesus has told his disciples REPEATEDLY that he is going away but now he tells the explicitly about his return. They should have the pieces now to do the math that he was not here now to drive out the romans, that first he had to go away but he wanted them to know that he was the SAVING messiah AND the conquering messiah and WOULD return
The Bible has a lot to say about the second coming of Jesus the savior:
in the old testament the prophets predicted that the Messiah would come in power.
“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
at the end of the bible The apostle John has a vision of the end of the world which concludes with Jesus 2nd coming
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
he will judge
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.
The new heaven and new earth Rev 21:1
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
glorified bodies Rom 8:23
And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Some of that sounds nice. Some of that sounds terrifying from a certain perspective.
Notice what Jesus says at the end of this section in verse 28
Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
What does a raised head indicate? confidence.
It would be right to be afraid if you are an enemy
I would be right to be confident if you are a friend
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
SO if you have NOT repented of your sin and have put your faith in Jesus as your savior you should do that today.
If you HAVE
II. We Should trust the Promise and Look Forward to the Fulfillment
II. We Should trust the Promise and Look Forward to the Fulfillment
Luke 21:29–33 (ESV)
29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
In the ancient world people were very in tune with the world around them. We have lost a little of that BUT some things even we can get.
One of the beautiful things about ohio is that we get to experience the seasons in all their glory. (right now i could go for a little less winter “glory”)
For me there are certain smells that tell you it’s almost spring or almost summer. If you pay attention there are birds and animals you begin to see. If you watch the plants though, LONG before summer actually comes they start gearing up for it.
Jesus is saying the end will be like that. People living at that time will begin to see things that indicated the end is coming.
Even today, we do not know how close to the end we are but we should take assurance from the fact that what Jesus said would happen is happening. When we hear about wars and conflicts and natural disasters we should think “Ok Jesus said this would happen, this is not outside his control. He’s got this”
Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place.
“this generation”
When the generation that is on the earth begins to see the things mentioned in Luke 21:25
“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,
The end is quickly approaching.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
the earth will fade but God remains
Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end. The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you.
Specifically God’s WORD remains
II god’s word remains
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.
As Jesus closes this portion of his teaching he leaves the disciples with a challenge that is just as much for us thousands of years later.
III. The return of Christ should change the way we live
III. The return of Christ should change the way we live
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.”
37 And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. 38 And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.
Parents coming home when you are the kid who has been good vs when you are the kid who has been bad
be sober minded
be battle ready
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
So What?
Does the fact that Jesus is coming back scare you? Why? Why Not?
the signs that you are going to win the game vs that you are going to lose
watching where you know the end vs when you don’t
Does the fact that Jesus has not come back YET scare you?
“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
