Faith in the Midst of Upheaval (Cont'd)

Introduction

When everything else fails, our faith in Christ remains. The question is: Will our devotion stand when the world trembles?

(Below is the new Lesson)

Imagine you are on a ship and there is a great storm rising all around you, the the waves rise, the winds howls. The captains voice announces over the speaker, “We’re heading into some very rough waters , but stay calm — I have been through it before and we will make it through it together. In our passage before us this morning that is what Jesus is doing. He warns of the storm ahead but assures His followers that He is still in command.

Theme: Jesus foretells global upheaval, persecution, and judgment, urging His followers to remain faithful.

Big Idea: In a world filled with uncertainty and fear, Christians are called to stand firm in their faith, knowing that Jesus has foreseen our challenges and provides us with the strength and hope to endure.

Purpose: To explore how believers can respond to chaos with courage, wisdom, and unwavering trust in God’s sovereignty.

Parallel passages (FYI): Mt24:6-22; Mk13:7-20.

Audience: Thought this maybe helpful to know too, His disciples who are wrestling with the fact Jesus just told them with the prophetic warning of the destruction of the temple.

A general application before getting started: This message should encourage us to find hope and strength in our faith during difficult times, reminding us that God is in control despite the turmoil around us. It serves as a call to be vigilant and to be prepared spiritually, understanding that trials can be opportunities for witnessing.

Our Turmoil Passage

Luke 21:10–11 NASB95

10 Then He continued by saying to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, 11 and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.

Luke 21:12–13 NASB95

12 “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake. 13 “It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony.

Luke 21:14–15 NASB95

14 “So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; 15 for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.

Luke 21:16–17 NASB95

16 “But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, 17 and you will be hated by all because of My name.

Luke 21:18–19 NASB95

18 “Yet not a hair of your head will perish. 19 “By your endurance you will gain your lives.

Luke 21:20–21 NASB95

20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near. 21 “Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city;

Luke 21:22–23 NASB95

22 because these are days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled. 23 “Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days; for there will be great distress upon the land and wrath to this people;

Luke 21:24 NASB95

24 and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Is there anything that stands out to you in this passage?

What kinds of things does Jesus say will happen before the end (vv.10-11)?

Nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom

Great earthquakes, famines, terrors, signs from heaven.

What does Jesus say this will give opportunity for them to do (v.13)?

For their testimony

So, then what does Jesus them them what “not” to do (vv.14-15)? and why?

Not to prepare beforehand

For I will give you utterance and wisdom

What does Jesus tell them to do when they see Jerusalem surrounded by armies (vv.20-21)?

Flee to the mountains, leave the city

Signs Signal Sovereignty

Global upheaval and natural disasters

Nations and kingdoms in conflict

Natural disasters, earthquakes, plagues, famines

Cosmic signs, great signs from heaven.

Truth: In times of persecution, God turns trials into testimonies

Persecution Promotes Proclamation

Amidst persecutions, arrests and trials, Jesus promises His followers divine wisdom and eloquence. We should be encouraged by this and know that trials make ways for opportunities to testify of God’s grace. And the amazing role of the Holy Spirit’s empowering presence, that enables us to courageously face opposition as it comes.

Followers of Jesus will face opposition (v.12)

Luke 21:12 “12 “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake.”

This gives opportunity for witness, testimony (v.13)

Luke 21:13 “13 “It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony.”

Do not worry about defense, it will be Spirit-led (v.15)

Luke 21:15 “15 for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.”

Finally, Perseverance brings eternal reward (v.19)

Luke 21:19 “19 “By your endurance you will gain your lives.”

Truth: In times of persecution, God turns trials into testimonies

Destruction Declares Deliverance

Jesus prophesy about the destruction of Jerusalem is a great reminder of God’s prophetic word and a call to heed His warnings. We need to remain alert and prayerful, preparing our hearts for His return.

The Fall of Jerusalem

The Warning sign (v.20)

Luke 21:20 “20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near.”

The Call to Flee (v.21)

Luke 21:21 “21 “Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city;”

The Judgment Fulfilled (v.22)

Luke 21:22 “22 because these are days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled.”

The Aftermath (v.24)

Luke 21:24 “24 and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”

Truth: God’s judgment on sin and unbelief is certain, but so is His promise to restore.

(Remove the below from the outline, jump down to the application section and put that on the outline)

How about some discussion

Why do you think Jesus chose to warn His disciples so directly about hardship instead of comforting them with an easy message?

How can knowing that God is sovereign over history change how we respond to global crises today?

How can persecution be seen as an “opportunity for testimony” rather than merely a tragedy?

In a world of increasing division and natural disasters, how do Jesus’ warnings in (vv.10-11) challenge our views on “peace” and stability?

Luke 21:10–11 “10 Then He continued by saying to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, 11 and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.”

Finally how might the promise of divine words and wisdom (v.15) apply to believers today that face opposition for their faith?

Luke 21:15 “15 for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.”

Application

This passage offers some practical guidance for living faithfully amid trials:

Be spiritually prepared, not panicked

Cultivate a heart that trusts God amid uncertainty. Recognize global unrest not as immediate doom but as calls to vigilances and evangelism, avoiding alarmist reactions.

Use trials as testimonies

When opposition comes, view it as a moment to point others to Christ. View hardships as a platform for testimony not just survival.

Trust in the Spirit’s help

Jesus promises to give wisdom and words when we face difficulty. Anchor your understand on God’s word and He will bring it back to when needed through the Holy Spirit in those times of difficulty.

Endure faithfully

Victory in God’s eye s is not avoiding suffering but remaining faithful through it.

Judgment and restoration both belong to God.

He disciplines His people but also redeems them in His time.

One day He will return for all His people when the age of the Gentiles is full!

Conclusion: Jesus Prophesy spoken here in Lk21:10-24 was both a warning and a comfort.

The warning: The world will experience chaos, persecution, and judgment then (AD70) and we see it happening now.

The comfort: None of this takes God by surprise. His followers can endure with unshakeable hope, knowing that every shaking of the earth only brings closer the unshakable kingdom of Christ.

Key Take away today: When the world is unstable, the believer stands firm —not because the storm is small, but because the Savior is strong!