Mark 13:24-37

Sermon Brief

A. Foundational Elements

1. Sermon Title: The Olivet Discourse Part II

2. Text: Mark 13:24-37

3. Subject: Jesus’ 2nd Coming

4. ETS: Jesus commanded the disciples to be on the alert for the coming of the Son of Man is near.

5. ESS:  Believers are commanded to be alert for Christ’s return.

6. OSS: Hearers will see Jesus’ explanation of the second coming and how we should always be ready for him to return.

Introduction:

1. Last time we were together, we looked at how Jesus warned and commanded the disciples on the Mount of Olives to be faithful no matter the circumstances. And how Believers are commanded to be faithful no matter what.

2. Tonight, we are going to talk about how Jesus commanded the disciples to be on the alert for the coming of the Son of Man is near. And how Believers are commanded to be alert for Christ’s return.

PRAY            

READ

New American Standard Bible (1995) Chapter 13

24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT,

25 AND THE STARS WILL BE FALLING from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.

26 “Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with great power and glory.

27 “And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.

28 “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.

29 “Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door.

30 “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.

31 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

32 “But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

33 “Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.

34 “It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert.

35 “Therefore, be on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—

36 in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep.

37 “What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!’ ”

Body:               

I. The Son of Man Will Come Back to Gather His Elect (Verses 24-27)

EXP: the son of man reference Jesus is using to actually self identify here comes from Daniel 7:13–14 ““I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him. “And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed.”

One commentator said: “The emphasis here is on revelation and vindication. The glorious Son of Man, whose identity has been veiled through his public ministry will be revealed fro all to see. The one who came humble to serve and to give hish life as a ransom for many will return to judge and save with great power and glory.”

II. The Son of Man Will Come Back and the Time is Near (Verses 28-31)

EXP: The son of man is coming back and what we know is that his second coming is near. That does not mean that we can gurantee it will happen tomorrow or that we can give certainty of when it will happen it means he is coming back and that could be another 2,000 years from now or longer or it could be tomorrow we simply don’t know and we aren’t supposed to know.

APP: Why is this important? It is important because it gives urgency and demand for us to live for Christ and to share the Gospel to as many people as we can. This truth of the Gospel is super important. It is very encouraging for believers but it is bad news to those who are not believers because they will be separated from God and eternally punished. This is a message that should be encouraging for us but should also give us drive to go and share the gospel to others.

III. Only the Father Knows When the Son of Man Will Come Back (Verse 32-37)

ILL: We are to be on alert like the servants in Luke 12:35–48 ““Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. “Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. “Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them. “Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into. “You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.” Peter said, “Lord, are You addressing this parable to us, or to everyone else as well?” And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? “Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. “Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. “But if that slave says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk; the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. “And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes, but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.”

APP: Why? Why are we not allowed to know? I truly believe that if we all knew the date and time we would all live rebellious lives up until that point then everyone would “repent” or would then start to try and follow Christ and that is not genuine faith.

Conclusion:              Be Alert for the Return of Christ is Near!

Do not try to assume the date and time for Christ’s return. Don’t be looking for all of the signs but rather remain constantly faithful to live lives of holiness to Christ.

Be faithful, hopeful, and full of love waiting for Christ’s return.

Be alert, stand firm

Puritan Prayer on the Second coming of Christ

Closing questions:

What have you read or been taught about the second coming of Christ?

What did Jesus want us to learn from the blossoming of a fig tree?

How can we be involved in spreading the Gospel to all nations?

How can a person be sure he or she is saved and one of God’s elect and will inherit eternal life?