2025-05-04 - Someons Andrew

The Time Is Short — The Mission Is Clear

A Call to Urgency, Praise, and Gospel Action

Total Time: 20–25 Minutes

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INTRO:

Andrew finds Jesus then goes and brings his brother to Jesus.

John 1:40–42 “One of the two who heard John (The Baptist) speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).”

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SECTION 1 – The Time Is Short (Eschatology & Urgency) – ~7 Minutes

Start with a biblical reminder that time is running out and the return of Christ is imminent.

• Matthew 24:32–34

"Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place."

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twenty-One: The King’s Return—Part 1 (Matthew 24:1–44)

Luke 21:29

🌿 The Fig Tree and Israel: A Prophetic Signpost

In Scripture, the fig tree often represents Israel (📖 Hosea 9:10; Luke 13:6–10), and "all the trees" symbolize the other nations. When Jesus spoke of the fig tree budding in His Olivet Discourse (📖 Luke 21:29–31), I believe He was giving a prophetic clue—a picture of the rebirth of the nation of Israel.

✡️ In 1948, Israel became a nation again after nearly 2,000 years—a miraculous fulfillment of prophecy that had seemed impossible for centuries. When Jesus said, “this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place” (📖 Luke 21:32, NKJV), He was answering the disciples’ question about what signs would precede His return. That “generation”, I believe, may very well be the one that witnesses the rebirth of Israel—the fig tree beginning to blossom.

📜 Here are the key signs Jesus gave as indicators that His return is near (📖 Matthew 24:3–14; Luke 21:7–28):

⚔️ Wars and rumors of wars

🌍 Nation rising against nation, and kingdom against kingdom

🌪️ Famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places

😔 Persecution of believers and hatred toward Christ’s followers

📣 False prophets and false christs deceiving many

💔 Lawlessness will abound, and the love of many will grow cold

🌎 The Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations

🌓 Signs in the sun, moon, and stars

🌊 Distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring

🫣 Men’s hearts failing them from fear of what is coming on the earth

🕊️ And then—they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory (📖 Luke 21:27)

📅 It’s true that many of these signs have occurred at various points in history, but never before have they all converged and intensified globally, all at once. In our time, we are witnessing a culmination—a stacking of signs—that points to the soon return of Christ. The technology, the global tensions, the spiritual deception, and the rebirth of Israel all declare one message loud and clear:

We are living in prophetic times.

🕰️ Just as Jesus said, “When you see these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” (📖 Luke 21:28, NKJV).

Jesus calls these the "beginning of sorrows" (📖 Matthew 24:8)—much like birth pains, they grow more frequent and intense as the time approaches.

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💬 Insights from Respected Bible Teachers:

📖 Dr. David Jeremiah

"Even now signs of the End Times are evident—signs that will only deepen and recur more frequently as the end draws closer."

📚 Mark Hitchcock

"The signs of the times are converging in a way that is unprecedented in history. While each sign has been present in the past, the convergence of all these signs at the same time is unique to our generation."

Amir Tsarfati

"Unless we are ready to write off as filler more than a quarter of the Bible, we have the obligation and joy to discover what God has laid out for the end times."

🕊️ Pastor Jack Hibbs

"The world has always heard of wars, and rumors of wars, and of the increase of famine and earthquakes. But, we as believers are to know the Biblical truths about the end times, so we can actively increase in sharing our faith."

• 1 Thessalonians 5:2–6

"For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, 'Peace and safety!' then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober."

• Daniel 2:44–45

"And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold—the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure."

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Transition:

🌟 “Church, we are in the toes of that statue. The next thing on the timeline is not the rise of another empire—it’s the Rock. Christ is coming soon. What we do now is critical.”

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SECTION 2 – A Soul Saved: Mr. Robie’s Testimony – ~4 Minutes

• Tell the real story of answered prayer.

✨ Terry Robie, a Vietnam veteran with cancer, attended church on and off. We prayed for him openly and regularly. This past Tuesday, after much prayer, Gospel conversations, and care—he put his trust in Jesus Christ!

• "Church, this is why we pray. This is why we go. This is why we don’t give up. Terry is our answered prayer, and this should fill our hearts with joy—and light a fire in us for others."

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Segue into Project Andrew

• 💡 “But there are more Terrys out there—and time is running short. So how do we take action? That’s where Project Andrew comes in.”

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SECTION 3 – Project Andrew / International Commission – ~6 Minutes

• Introduce the International Commission briefly.

• Explain Project Andrew: pray for and intentionally reach your family, friends, and acquaintances with the Gospel.

• Mention the October 2025 mission trip in Vermont—we will be one of the host locations!

• Play the 5-minute video from a church that has already done this.

• After the video, say:

“What they experienced—changed lives, faithful outreach, Gospel harvest—can happen here too.”

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SECTION 4 – The Mission Is Clear (Biblical Mandate) – ~6–8 Minutes

Share the biblical call to go and make disciples.

• Matthew 28:18–20

"And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.' Amen."

• Mark 16:15

"And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.'"

• Luke 14:23

"Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.’"

• Romans 10:14–15

"How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!'"

• John 4:35

"Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!"

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Final Call to Action:

🔥 “Will you be someone’s Andrew? Will you commit to this mission before it’s too late?”

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